| Noro Sekku |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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The Look Noro’s new lace weight yarn, Sekku is a complex blend of fiber and color that will give lace and sock knitters a striking new palette. Unmistakably Noro, this new yarn masterfully blends fiber, texture and color. The color shifts gradually over long repeats, revealing unexpected and seemingly random changes. Deeply dyed tones contrast with lighter shades that are more tinted than dyed. Absorbed at different levels of saturation by the cotton, wool, nylon, and silk, each color shift is a mix of matte and luminous hues. Noro fans who have been waiting for a lace weight yarn will be delighted by Sekku.
The Feel Sekku is a blend of cotton, wool, nylon and silk, so you don’t expect it to rival the softest fibers like cashmere. In the ball, the yarn feels like silky soft cotton, and when it’s knit up, you’ll feel the silky caress of wool and silk. Extra fine Sekku is luxurious in its delicacy. It rates #7 on the softness scale.
The Patterns Lace shawls, scarves, wraps and wristlets will vibrate with color in Noro’s new Sekku yarn. You can expand any wardrobe by knitting a shawl or scarf in Sekku; the colors will complement any wardrobe and any season. Color Range The artists at Noro created Sekku in 8 color combinations, each one a multiple colors so varied that it’s hard to imagine how one color family can be different from the next. Unparalleled in color imagination, any of Noro’s carefully chosen colors will come alive in the knitting.
Working It Sekku withstood unraveling and re-knitting with no adverse effects. Some yarns turn limp or lose their luster after unraveling, but Sekku can be unpicked easily. While it withstands unraveling, it is not so slick that inadvertently dropped stitches will unzip before you can catch them. The slightly tacky fibers hold even tiny stitches until you can rescue them. However, if you make a mistake, the best option is to unpick rather than unravel, especially if you are working at a gauge of 8 – 9 stitches per inch. Employ a lifeline if you are knitting complicated lace patterns.
Sekku does require a bit of adjustment, but once you work with it for a bit, you will find the anticipation of seeing the next color emerge will pull you through your project, as you knit just one more row, and then another. I tested the yarn using larger needles and needles recommended for gauge. I preferred the intensity of color in a tighter gauge. The striking color and textural variations faded away in the looser gauges. I tested Sekku in a simple wave lace scarf using a pattern adapted from 60 Quick Knits. I used size 1 needles as recommended for Sekku and increased the number of stitches to adjust for the finer gauge. With knitting, Sekku tends to kink a just a little as it unwinds from the ball. Even so, I had no problems with knotting or breaking; this was just a minor inconvenience. Because this yarn is quite fine, I found that needles with a very sharp point were the easiest to use. I also liked a smooth surface needle so that the fine stitches did not bunch up against one another. Knitting with Sekku may require a bit more patience than a bulkier yarn, but the rewards of a scrumptious pile of frothy knitting are worth a little extra time.
The long dye repeats, splendid color combinations, and surface variations in Sekku will add music and movement to your knitting. Take a cue from the many Noro books available by using Sekku in patterns that accentuate color, texture and line. Amazing color patterns will emerge in diagonal, mitered, open work, or simple stripe designs. Even garter stitch will come alive with dancing color with this long repeat variegated yarn.
Knitting Outside the Box Knit Sekku in alternating bands with a heavier yarn, perhaps in a contrasting color for a really unique effect in scarves, shawls, or even garments. Sekku can be used to create lacy open patterns to contrast with solid bands. Use the fantastic color ranges in Sekku to unleash your creative side for unexpected and offbeat results.
Blocking It Lay flat to dry.
Washing It Hand wash, cool.
Wearability Sekku is a very fine weight and looks quite delicate. Cotton, wool, nylon and silk are strong fibers that don’t break easily. Used in shawls, scarves, or garments, this lace weight yarn should not pill or shed fiber. As with any fine knitting, take care to avoid snags and pulls. When tugged, the fibers may pull apart leaving a hole. Sekku may be less well suited to socks, but knitters who want the color and texture range of Noro in their socks may well disagree. Overall Recommendation Noro produces high quality yarns in artistic color ranges that are without equal. With Sekku, knitters now have a lace weight option. My only caution is that, like most lace weight yarn, Sekku is not for beginners, except of course the intrepid knitters. Lace knitters should try Sekku; I rate it #7.
You can purchase Noro Sekku yarn from Yarnmarket.com.
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