| Berroco Campus |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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The Look There’s a lot going on in one skein of Berroco’s new Campus yarn. For some inexplicable reason I am reminded of Terry Ryan, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio who once one a prize for submitting a recipe called something along the lines of “clean out the fridge everything casserole”. There’s a vintage appeal to this rustic yarn, and that may be what brings Terry Ryan’s remarkable story to mind. She was a clever, spunky and tremendously creative woman who supported her 10 children by winning contests in the 1950’s and 1960’s. A traditional housewife and mother thrust into the role of breadwinner, Ryan used her talents to write jingles and recipes that won prizes and kept the family together. Berroco’s new yarn, Campus, is a reminder of vintage 1960 thick and thin, mohair and marled yarns. It’s a traditional yarn with lots of subtleties. Just like the women of the 1950’s and 1960’s, when you look beyond the homespun surface, you’ll find color, poetry and energy blended into a yarn that’s sure to inspire.
The Feel Alpaca wins out in this fiber concoction. Campus rates 9 on the softness scale. It’s soft, slightly tickly and feels like you’re wrapped in an eiderdown comforter.
The Patterns You can rely on Berroco for a wide variety of pattern support. Even though Campus was just released, there are a wide range of patterns already available. Visit Berroco’s rich and well-designed website at www.berroco.com. You can read about their yarns, flip through the new pattern books, and even get help with your knitting. The patterns are skill rated, and you can roll over the photos to enlarge the models for a close-up view of the construction techniques used in each garment.
Color Range While the appeal is vintage, the color palette for Campus is perfectly matched for modern wardrobes. Among the nine colors, with descriptive names like “Leatherbound”, “Maple Leaves”, “Cram Session and “All Nighter” you will find stunning color combinations for any taste. Working It Campus knits at a bulky gauge on larger needles, so the knitting is fast and easy. The plies are twisted at varying degrees of tightness, giving the yarn a thick and thin quality. This didn’t hamper the knitting at all; the loosely plied sections did not split and the tighter sections did not coil due to overspinning. Campus has a graceful drape but is not very resilient. It will look best in loose fitting garments. The fabric is lightweight for a bulky yarn, so you won’t feel like you’re wearing a coat of armor if you choose to make a cardigan. Multiple colors and textures tend to overpower stitch detail so avoid intricate pattern stitches. Campus will look its best in large plain stitch with large contrasting areas of ribbing, open work or cables.
What I’d Like to Make with It From 60 Quick Knits, this is number 54, the Twisted Rib Hat, knit to pattern specifications. It's a stretchy but comfortable rib hat. The colors remind me of moss and lichen growing on slate – rustic and natural. This hat fits loosely but won’t fly off the head, and you won’t get flat hair from wearing it. Campus would be equally delightful in a chunky vest, jacket or poncho.
Knitting Outside the Box Cowls and collars knit in chunky yarns are one of the newest fashion statements. Here is a yarn that will give you color, quick knitting and a silky soft feel around the face. Knit Campus into an oversize cowl that you can wear over your coat.
Blocking It Lay flat to dry.
Washing It Hand wash in cool water.
Wearability Campus has a slight haze from the loosely spun fibers. These may pill over time at abrasion points like the underarm, sleeves, or across the front. Consider one of the 2010 pattern books that feature three-quarter or short sleeves, open cardigan fronts and loose fit. Overall Recommendation: For a quick knit that’s soft, silky and colorful, choose Campus. I rate it #9.
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