| Rowan Alpaca Cotton |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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Alpaca Cotton, a new chunky yarn from Rowan, is the focus of Classic Winter Solace. The book features 12 chunky garments which are light and airy, simple in design with some cabling detail. The casual elegance of these garments is represented in the photos shot at a rustic log cabin.
The Look New from Rowan, Alpaca Cotton, is a lofty air blown yarn that has generous yardage and a chunky gauge. It is very lightweight and soft with a mild haze of alpaca fibers. Alpaca Cotton is a blend of cotton and alpaca fibers constructed with a unique woven cotton core that is revealed as a heathery undertone to the natural alpaca fibers. The finely woven flexible core adds no weight or stiffness, but gives the alpaca stability and bounce.
The Feel Alpaca is softer, warmer and lighter than wool. The long, smooth fibers are not itchy. While not as soft as the ultimate cashmere, this yarn rates #9 on the softness scale.
The Patterns Classic Winter Solace, a new Rowan book featuring Alpaca Cotton, is just out. In it you’ll find a cabled poncho, luxuriously textured pullovers and cardigans, and a stunning patchwork afghan in Pennsylvania Dutch motifs.
Color Range Alpaca Cotton is available in 7 natural alpaca tones with descriptive names like thunder, storm, raindrop, Brazil, walnut, hazel, and rice. The woven core enhances the rich natural colors, creating a dimensional quality in contrast to the silky glow of the alpaca fibers.
Working It Lightweight, silky and soft, knitting with Alpaca Cotton is smooth and easy on the hands. The woven core did not split, snag or catch on the needles. Alpaca Cotton must be worked at a relaxed gauge of 16 stitches per 4 inches so as not to crush the frothy alpaca fibers. This gauge is still fine enough to incorporate detail in cabling or color patterning. Cotton gives the alpaca stability and prevents it from drooping, and alpaca gives the cotton flexibility and drape. The woven construction keeps the yarn light. I was highly pleased with the resiliency and stability of the test knitting. It kept its shape, was easily seamed and worked to gauge.
What I’d Like to Make with It Alpaca Cotton is well suited to rustic pullovers with deeply ribbed edges, textured wraps, cables and color work. The chunky weight and natural beauty of this yarn are well suited to simple contours and basic shapes. It’s great for beginners or quick projects.
Knitting Outside the Box Rowan’s designers have already created a good selection of garments in this delectable yarn, and you can see that it works up equally well in a plain sweater with generous ribbing or a heavily cabled garment.
Blocking It Lay flat to dry.
Washing It Machine wash in cold water using a mild soap suitable for fine woolens.
Wearability The long, fine alpaca fibers in Alpaca Cotton should not be subject to pilling. Friction zones such as elbows, underarms and across front may be subject to slight pilling, but these should brush off easily. Generally, alpaca can be counted on to pill less than shorter wool, cotton or synthetic fibers. Garments knit of Alpaca Cotton will be lightweight and comfortable.
Overall Recommendation Luxuriously soft and light, this yarn rates #8.
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