Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name: Andes
Review Date: February 1, 2011
Date Introduced to Market: Fall 2010

Andes One Button Shrug

Andes Ribbon Tied Sweater

Andes Ribbed Cardigan

The Look

Andes, from Debbie Bliss, is a concoction of 65% baby alpaca and 35% mulberry silk. It immediately attracts attention: the deep inner glow of silk is slightly obscured by a soft halo of alpaca, demanding to be touched. The dyes have been thirstily absorbed, leaving richly saturated tones in fashionable shades and neutrals. Slinky strands drape tantalizingly in the skein, hinting at good drape when knit. The yarn winds into a soft puddle of luxurious potential.

The Feel

The combination of baby fine alpaca and silk is as soft as one would expect from these fibers; Andes rates #10 on the softness scale. It looks and feels a little like Angora, if Angora could be spun into a plump single yarn.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

The premier yarns by Debbie Bliss are well supported by numerous designs. Fifteen glamorous patterns introduce Andes to the market. The designs feature extravagant texture like cables, bobbles and ribbing in shapes to suit any figure or age. There are short sleeved sweaters, jackets, tunics, shrugs, vests, and a lavish cabled cowl in the collection.

Color Range

In a range of 16 colors, Andes is available in brilliant black, sparkling white, and shining grey, brown or tan neutral shades. It’s also beautifully dyed in “new neutral” mustard, salmon, red, denim and sweet pea (celery). Eggplant, mauve, fuschia, dusty pink, moss green and aqua round out the season-less palette.

Working It

Andes, like any singles yarn, is somewhat inelastic. The inelastic and super soft qualities of this yarn result in a knitted fabric that drapes gracefully. Add elasticity by using heavy rib stitches like k2p2, or cabled ribs. Since the stitches tend to flatten or smooth out, choose extra chunky stitches for definition. Here again, cables will add depth and detail. Work Andes to the recommended gauge or tighter; a loose gauge may droop and lose its shape.

What I’d Like to Make with It

Alpaca is known for its warmth, and this silky smooth yarn promises to be a comfort to wear, especially in a cozy scarf or a pair of colorful wristlets to warm the wrists.

Knitting Outside the Box

To get best results from this super soft yarn, look to recommendations by the designer, Debbie Bliss. What gauge and types of stitches, shapes and construction methods are used in the projects released with the yarn? For example, there are no suggested patterns for colorwork or Fair Isle. That’s probably because Andes is quite slippery so it would be difficult to achieve a neat, interlocked color pattern. Further, alpaca and silk are rather heavy, warm fibers. Unless you are perpetually cold, you might find a garment knit in a color pattern with two strands of suffocatingly warm. Finally, these inelastic fibers may not support the added weight of double stranded knitting, stretching the garment out of shape. If you are determined to try color knitting, take the time to test out a small project first.

Blocking It

Dry flat.

Washing It

Hand wash in cool water using gentle wool soap.

Wearability

Alpaca and silk are sturdy fibers that will wear long and well. You can expect some pilling because this is a singles yarn with a fairly distinct halo of short soft fibers. These may mat together, forming the hated “pills”. Carefully brush them away before each wearing to keep your knitting looking fresh.

Overall Recommendation:

If softness is a critical component for you, Debbie Bliss Andes tops for softness. However, for all this soft silkiness, Andes sacrifices a little elasticity and resilience. Choose a project that capitalizes on the beauty of this yarn and give Andes a try. It rates #8.