Tamar: A New Yarn from Blacker Yarns

We have lots of new things landing at BritYarn HQ at the moment. Last week we received Kate Davies new book Buachaille: At Home in the Highlands and this week (ready for its launch on 3rd March) the new yarn from Blacker Yarns Tamar Lustre Blend arrived.  

I was very lucky receive a sample of this yarn a little while ago and loved every minute of knitting my swatch.  

We will be stocking all seventeen shades (fifteen dyed shades and two undyed) in 4 ply (Edited to add we now have the DK in stock).  Just like Cornish Tin, the yarn comes in 100g skeins and there is 350 metres per 100g.  

Unblocked Swatch and Shade Card

Tamar is a lustrous blend of British grown Wensleydale, Teeswater, Cotswold and Black Leicester Longwool, all famed for their elegant ringlets of wavy fleece.  These breeds are all classified as either 'at risk' or 'vulnerable' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. 

Added to these amazing longwools is 30% Cornish Mule which gives the blend body and bounce. Blacker Yarns have selected the finest Cornish Mule lambswool to compliment the long staple length of the longwools which have then been worsted spun together.

I have to say I was very excited opening up my little parcel containing my samples and shade card.....  the dyed shades are stunning and work brilliantly together, making the yarn ideal for colourwork projects.  The two natural greys compliment the dyed shades beautifully.  

The skein feels soft but not squishy (I hope that makes sense!) with lots of bounce.  And yes it absolutely shines with lustre as you would expect.  The yarn also has a slight halo from the longwools.

Knitting my swatch was a dream, even ripping out part of it and starting again was a pleasure!  Tamar felt incredibly smooth to work with and has produced a swatch with well defined stitches.  The swatch before blocking had plenty of drape and felt soft with some body to it. 

Blocked Swatch

The swatch bloomed during its bath and once dry felt silky and soft with a nice degree of drape.  In true Knitbritish swatch along fashion I also wore my swatch all day..... it just melted away and I cold not feel it.   

Once again Blacker Yarns have produced another stunning yarn and the good news is that this one is not limited edition!!  

For your chance to win a skein of Tamar 4ply and a BritYarn Canvas 'Ethel' bag keep on eye on the BritYarn Ravelry Group.

In case you are wondering the yarn is named after the River Tamar which acts like a border between Cornwall and Devon.  The shade names are all after the tributaries of the Tamar river.

Tamar 4ply. Image used with kind permission
from Blacker Yarns