Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name:  Andina
Review Date:  January 19, 2009

andinaBrand:  Andina
Manufacturer: Lang Yarns
Made In: Switzerland
Yardage: 50 m.
Weight: 100 gr. hank
Yarn Weight: Bulky
Fiber Content: 100% baby alpaca
Texture: Plied
Colors: 10 current colors
Gauge (st./4 in.): 10 sts/4 inches 
Needle Size(s): US15 (10mm)
Care: Hand wash cool water, dry flat

a) Andina Pattern b) Andina Pattern c) Andina Pattern

a) Double-Breasted Jacket (Lang Fatto A Manno Book #164)
b) Chunky Cabled Pullover (Lang Denim Book #165)
c) Unisex Zippered Jacket (Lang Denim Book #165)

The Look

Andina is a super bulky (weight category 6) yarn of two plies of roving softly twisted together.  The result is a soft yarn with a loose texture.  It is dyed to a deep, rich jewel tone (garnet).  The bulky weight gives the yarn a slightly ropy appearance in the hank, but when knitted, Andina’s low sheen and soft texture give it an opaque appearance

The Feel

This yarn is exceptionally soft and silky – a #9 on the softness scale.  Like holding spun sugar, Andina feels like it will disintegrate if gripped too tightly, but it is deceptively strong and resilient.  It is less coarse than other bulkies and feather light compared to its acrylic counterparts.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

Lang Yarns offers a number of high style patterns that show off Andina’s texture and body.   The collection includes cabled sweaters, a scarf with bobbles and matching hat, and a v-neck sweater.  Andina can be used in place of any super-bulky yarn.

Working It

AndinaCompared to acrylic bulkies, this yarn is a dream to knit.  It does not stretch with casting on, and it maintained a good body while knit.  The stitch definition was very good in a broken rib pattern.   Although a super bulky, the yarn is lightweight with a soft drape; it is not stiff or rigid.  Andina knit to the recommended gauge, and could easily be adapted to a variety of stitch patterns from highly textured to openwork.

What I’d Like to Make with It

Because Andina knits to a generous gauge, this yarn is a good choice for beginners.  It knits up quickly on large needles, and is suitable for cables or lace work.  The average sweater will accommodate only one or two repeats of a pattern at this gauge, reducing the difficulty level for novice knitters.

This yarn would make a luxuriously soft and warm scarf, moebius, dickey or ascot.  I used the knitted collar from One Skein Wonders as a test swatch.  I used every inch of the hank to complete the collar, and the results are pleasing.

Vogue Knitting (Winter 2009) features super bulky yarns, and there are many designs to tempt the knitter or to encourage further innovation.  For other ideas, try looking back to vintage patterns from the 1960’s or 1980’s when these yarns were popular.

Knitting Outside the Box

Because Andina is so soft and alpaca is known for its warmth, this yarn might be used as a liner for a hat, mittens, headband or boot tops.  This super bulky yarn would be an excellent candidate for any felted project as it would knit up quickly and felt well.   

Andina would be a good choice for a coat sweater such as the Einstein coat or the traditional Canadian Cowichan shawl collared cardigan.  It is available in a range of rich natural tones to interpret the symbolic Cowichan designs.  Worked as a vest, Andina  could be a warm substitute for the popular fleece or down vests.

This soft bulky yarn would make a silky throw for a baby, or cozy car seat cover.  If your pet is your baby, felt it into a cat cozy or dog bed.

Blocking  It

Washing It

Hand washing is suggested.  I bathed it in Eucalan with good results, but the color (red) did bleed slightly.  It dried slowly because of the bulky texture of the yarn.  It did not mat, but the fiber rose slightly, giving the swatch a soft halo, not a fuzzy surface.

Wearability

Like all super bulkies, I expect this yarn to pill easily.   Andina shed a fair amount as it was knit, and this was noticeable in the rich red color of the test skein.  This is easily overcome by covering your lap with a dish towel to catch the shedding.

Overall Recommendation:

I would try this yarn for felting projects, children’s garments, and accessories.  This super bulky will knit up well in any of the hot new dramatic fashions. This yarn is easy to work with, has an exceptionally silky soft feel, good drape and shows texture well.  I rate this yarn an “8”.