Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name: Rozetti Marina
Review Date: April 6, 2011
Date Introduced to Market: 2010

Free Cafe Scarf Free Cakewalk Scarf

The Look

Spring means it’s time to find a great new pair of sandals, start applying leg bronzer and make an appointment for a spring pedicure complete with a sizzling color of nail polish. (No mention of bathing suits here.) Anticipate summer with a bright new cotton yarn, Marina from Rozetti of Universal Yarn. On first seeing Marina, knitters may scratch their heads and wonder, “What is it?” This unusual yarn bears no resemblance to the twisted and plied strands so familiar to knitters. It doesn’t even look like one of the woven ribbon and ladder “specialty” yarns. Marina looks more like someone cut up a mesh shopping bag, but how did they keep it from raveling? Open up Marina to find it is indeed a ribbon yarn with a wide mesh edging. Of 100% acrylic, it takes on dyes brilliantly and has the sheen of silk. Health experts recommend maintaining brain dexterity and flexibility by learning new skills or using existing skills in a different way. Experiment with this admittedly weird-looking yarn and you just might dust off the cobwebs that accumulated on your brain over the long dreary winter.

The Feel

Woven of 100% acrylic, Marina is soft, silky and almost all air. It registers #9 on the softness scale.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

Universal Yarn provides 3 free patterns for self-ruffled scarves. Two versions with just one skein of yarn. Knit a narrow scarf on 8 stitches to reach a long 64” scarf. Those who prefer shorter scarves can knit a narrow or wider version. Knit a 40” scarf with one skein over 10 stitches. A wider version requires two skeins, and is knit over 20 stitches to create a scarf 44” long.

Color Range

Eight new colors were added for spring 2011. Marina is now available in 19 variegated and solids. There’s an astonishing range of color choices including bright bold colors, soft pastels, and neutral shades to complement any wardrobe or style.

Working It

Universal Yarn offers tutorials in the form of an online video or printed instruction sheet, both available on the Universal Yarn website. Knitting with Marina requires a little patience to expand the mesh and untwist the yarn. Even though the narrow scarf is knit on just eight stitches, it will take more than a few hours to finish the skein. Consider using bamboo or wooden needles to stop the knitting from sliding off the needles. Demonstrate knitting with Marina to your friends; it is not quite a parlor trick, but certainly will get the conversation and laughs going.

What I’d Like to Make with It

Consider knitting a scarf and donating it to Handmade Especially for You, a non-profit organization that makes and distributes “comfort scarves” to shelters for abused women. Donated scarves are presented to women upon arrival at a shelter, a time when abused women are very vulnerable and a small kindness can be very powerful. Handmade Especially for You suggests using happy colors, soft yarn (for comfort), novelty yarn to make the scarf unique, and making the scarf 4 to 5 inches wide and 60 inches long. Marina is a perfect choice for this charity. Knit one up and donate it to a local shelter in your area or to the national organization.

Knitting Outside the Box

Add a few rows of ruffles using Marina around the neck of a cotton tee, cardigan, or even a chemo cap!

Blocking It

Lay flat to dry. Do not apply heat to this 100% acrylic fiber.

Washing It

Hand wash in cool water. Soak Marina without agitating, wringing or twisting to prevent tangling the ruffles.

Wearability

The open mesh and loopy texture of this yarn make it an easy target for snags and pulls. Carefully stretch Marina back into shape if a snag does occur. Fortunately, acrylic is a super strong fiber that won’t tear easily.

Overall Recommendation:

Put some fun in your knitting life with Marina. Give yourself a lift or brighten the day of someone who could use a boost. Marina earns a #7 rating.