| Auracania Antu |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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The Look Rich colors and soft supple texture define this new yarn from Araucania. Antu is hand painted on natural 100% cotton. The deeply muted colors are as romantic as the legend that gave this yarn its name. In Mapuche, the old language of the ethnic Chilean people from whom the Araucania line takes its inspiration, the word Antu means sun. Antu and the moon, Kuyen, were literally “star crossed” lovers when the star Collipal crossed their paths to steal Antu’s affection. The endless tears cried by the heartbroken Kuyen became the most beautiful lakes and rivers of the south. We think Antu will inspire devotion in you, too.
The Feel Eight fine strands are gently plied together in this new yarn from Araucania. Like a much loved and often washed tee-shirt, Antu is sinuous and flowing. It ranks #7 on the softness scale.
The Patterns These beautiful tonal and multi-colored natural hand dyed yarns are supported by pattern books by Cornelia Hamilton, Jane Ellison, and most recently, Jean Moss. You’ll find high fashion garments in these collections featuring updated classic styles like bell shaped sleeves, cables, and flowing lines. Browse through the collections of these designers to find the style that’s right for you or use your favorite chunky gauge pattern.
Color Range Antu is available in 10 multi-toned shades created by the designers at Araucania. These are not bright jarring colors, but understated muted tones with sophisticated style. Each hand-dyed hank is different; its individual beauty emerges as the artisan blends color in the kettle to create several unique shades. The artistic color mixtures set these yarns apart from other variegates and multi-toned yarns.
Working It The fiber artists at Araucania recommend working Antu at 14 stitches over 4 inches or 3.5 stitches per inch, creating a dense fabric with good drape that is flowing and comfortable. Although you could easily knit this yarn at 4 stitches to the inch, any tighter gauge will be stiff and inflexible. Even in plain stockinette stitch, the stitches are prettily etched; textured stitches and cables are well defined and stand out nicely against the multi-colored background. Antu is very loosely plied, so it has a tendency to twist back upon itself as it is knit. These twists can become very tight if it not untwined every 25 stitches or so, and some knitters might find this annoying. In my mind, the results with Antu are worth this minor correction. Like the beautiful sunny day that’s a bit too windy or a busy crowd at the Farmer’s Market, if you focus on the satisfying qualities of the yarn you can easily put up with a minor inconvenience like back twist.
What I’d Like to Make with It Antu will appeal to fashion conscious knitters who want to create versatile garments of classic beauty with high quality yarns. The gorgeous new yarns from Araucania, Antu among them, have attracted the attention of many designers who have created fresh new styles for hand knitters. We all need a wardrobe update now and again, and one special piece can refresh the garments already in your closet. Knit yourself a breezy cardigan or vest in Antu.
Knitting Outside the Box The muted but not faded colors and well-worn softness will look good in projects for babies and kids, too. Antu is flowing and flexible so use it for a soft cuddly toy to welcome a new baby or celebrate a toddler’s birthday.
Blocking It If you decide to hand launder Antu, you should dry flat away from sun which could fade the dye and weaken the fibers. Never tumble dry this yarn.
Washing It Antu may be gently laundered by hand in cool water with a mild soap, but the designers recommend dry cleaning to protect the color and finish. If you decide to wash your knitting, do not soak, spin or twist. Heed especially the warnings to avoid soaking as this may destroy they hand dyed colors or deteriorate and stretch the cotton fibers.
Wearability With proper care, garments knit in Antu will give long wear. Even though loosely plied, the yarn did not snag, stretch or otherwise show cause for special attention. Overall Recommendation Antu is a remarkable cotton yarn that rates #8.
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Yarn Name: Antu
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