| Araucania Itata |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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The Look Araucania is the Chilean region that is home to the indigenous Mapuche people, who resisted both Inca and Spanish conquests. Wild and beautiful, hot and humid, the Araucania corridor has lakes, rivers, rainforests and volcanoes of the Andes Mountains. Here the Mapuches preserved their culture and crafts from outside domination. Araucania Yarns takes its name from the region and yarns in this collection are named with Mapuche words. The Itata River flows in southern Chile and once served as a natural boundary protecting the Mapuche people. The pristine river basin supports farming, wine growing and fishing. Araucania Yarns Itata is a blend of superwash wool, silk and bamboo tightly spun into a fingering weight yarn ideal for socks, lace and children’s garments.
The Feel Itata is a worsted spun fingering weight yarn. Fine linen and wool fibers blush from the surface. It feels a little stiff in the skein, but knits into a silky soft fabric. This yarn rates #7 on the softness scale.
The Patterns Small accessories like socks, gloves, hats, scarves are obvious choices for Itata. Consider Itata for vests, cardigans or pullovers. It is machine washable, so think about using Itata for children’s garments, too. Itata would be effective in baby blankets and layettes.
Color Range Nine new colors were added in 2010, bringing you a total of 39 original multi and solid colors. The palette includes bright cheerful tones to complement the hand-dyed variegates. Itata multis can be knit in lace or pattern stitches to good effect.
Working It Bamboo and silk add luster and drape without overcoming the natural resiliency of the wool. Stitches knit in Itata are crisply defined. Twisted stitches, textured patterns, and lace patterns show well, especially in light colors. With 70% wool, Itata has a natural springiness that knits into elastic ribbing on sock or mitten cuffs.
What I’d Like to Make with It Itata is ideal for twisted and raised stitches. If you’ve been thinking about a pair of cabled socks with intricately twined cables interspersed with lace panels, this yarn is made to order. Crisp stitches with bold outlines stand out from the background showing all the fine detail of your knitting. Ditto for mittens, gloves, wristlets and booties.
Knitting Outside the Box Lace is never out of the question for any yarn, in my opinion. Consider using Itata for your next shawl or scarf. The broach spectrum of color choices from solid to variegate means you can find just the right shade to interpret your lace, whether it’s a flowing stream, a flower garden, or traditional Shetland lace.
Blocking It Lay flat to dry.
Washing It Machine wash, gentle cycle.
Wearability Araucania Yarns are produced with fine attention to detail, and Itata is no exception. The high twist and resiliency of this blend of wool, silk and bamboo promise long comfortable wear of your socks or other garments. Overall Recommendation Try Itata. It earns a #8 rating.
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Yarn Name: Itata
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