GB Socks Away KAL 17

Yes the GB Socks Away KAL is returning for a third year! The chatter has already started in the BritYarn Ravelry Group but don't worry as we don't cast on until Friday 22nd September 2017.  There is plenty of time to place that little BritYarn order or to have a stash or patten rummage. Also in the chatter thread are the rules but for those that have taken part previously they are the same as previous years. 

A selection of socky yarns available at BritYarn

There will be prizes for both FO's and for chatter.   If you have never knit socks before come and join us.  This KAL in previous years has been the starting point for lots of new sock knitters.  Also it is not just knitting socks..... crochet socks are of course always welcome.  

For pattern ideas you can browse the special sock section of the BritYarn website.

Look forward to chatting with you in the BritYarn Ravelry Group.

A new hand dyed yarn from The Knitting Goddess

Long time readers will know I am a big fan of The Knitting Goddess (run by Joy and Bobbie from their studio in Harrogate).   Not only do they dye amazing colours but they all also passionate about British wool.  So imagine my excitement when an email popped into my inbox about their new yarn launching at Edinburgh Yarn Festival!  Then quadruple that excitement as they wanted BritYarn to help launch it!  

The yarn will make its debut on Friday 18th March at The Knitting Goddess stall at Edinburgh AND in BritYarn's shop! 

Silver

Now let me tell you about this amazing yarn.  It is 4ply and a blend of 85% Wensleydale and 15% Shetland (both British grown of course).  Each 100g skein is approximately 400m long and will cost £18.50.  The yarn has been spun (in Cornwall) to a high twist making it a great option for socks without nylon.  

I had a massive amount of fun swatching with this new yarn, it has lots of character and I just wanted to keep on knitting.  The high twist not only gives the yarn additional strength but also allows the stitches to stand out beautifully against the slight halo of the Wensleydale. 

Navy

It is not the softest of yarns to squish (it has a good sturdiness to it which I love).  I happily wore my blocked swatch next to my skin.  I had to smile when Joy told me she gets Bobbie to 'itch test' new yarns.  I do the same with Mr BritYarn!  Mr BritYarn is pretty sensitive to things which might itch / tickle.  I am pleased to report he wore the swatch for several hours and I had to remind if I could have it back..... a big thumbs up.  

The Knitting Goddess Wensleydale Shetland yarn is perfect for so many different projects.... not just socks and shawls but I am also thinking lightweight but warm garments ready for Spring! 

My blocked swatch

My unblocked swatch

Orders will be posted as usual while I am away at Edinburgh, thanks to Mr BritYarn.  So if you order early enough on Friday you could be casting on with this new yarn on Saturday! 

Images of the yarn used with kind permission from The Knitting Goddess.

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

Eden Cottage Yarns Milburn 4ply Yarn of the Month August 15

Milburn is a 4 ply yarn which is mill dyed especially for Eden Cottage Yarns.  It is available in seven complimentary shades.  Each skein weighs 50g and there are 200 metres / 218 yards to a skein.

Fibre: 85% Bluefaced Leicester 15% Silk
Grown: The Bluefaced Leicester is grown in Great Britain.  
Spun: Italy
Dyed: Italy

As you can imagine, a yarn which contains Bluefaced Leicester and silk has the most amazing lustre. While working with this yarn it glides easily through your fingers.  The silk contents makes Milburn 4 ply a bit slippy on metal needles.  Extra care might be needed to ensure you don't drop any stitches!   

The yarn is spun with a high twist making it suitable for projects which need to withstand  some tougher situations.  There are quite a few sock patters which use Milburn 4 ply including Eden Cottage Yarns very own Daydreamer socks.  The added silk provides additional strength in a similar way to how nylon does.

Close up of the yarn

It is also the perfect yarn for lace and textured projects as the high twist allows the design to really stand out.  If you need any more reason to love this yarn it is also machine washable! 

This swatch was knit on 3.25 mm needles in the Misty Woods colourway. The stitches are really well defined.  

Swatch unblocked in the Misty Woods shade

Blocked Swatch

After blocking the yarn transforms, both the swatch and my Colossus top softened to a silky soft finish. The swatch has a nice drape while retaining some substance and as you can see it holds it shape brilliantly.  

In the cable work of the Colossus the pattern really stands out while being amazingly comfortable to wear against the skin.  

Cable detail of Colossus.
The design in one of six patterns in the Bletchley Collection  

We will take a closer look at the designs in the Bletchley Collection next week.

FO's Rosthwaite Socks and Vanilla Socks

I love knitting socks!  I started by first pair in 2013 and have not looked back.  Here are two of 2015's sock FO's.  

The first to be finished this year was Rosthwaite by Louise Tilbrook.  Back in September 2014 Louise hosted a 'Sock Design Challenge', inviting her blog readers and members of her Ravelry group to vote on a series of sock design questions.  Louise gathered the results and created a pattern to reflect the winning votes.  The result was Rosthwaite! 

In keeping with the colours used in the pattern I decided to use West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply in Nutmeg.  I had originally planned to use Butterscotch for the toes and heels but I had a late change of heart and opted for Blueberry Bon Bon instead!

I really enjoyed making these socks.  The pattern is interesting but easy enough to memorise.  They were also my first socks with an afterthought (forethought) heel.  Louise included some helpful links to tutorials in the pattern.  I couldn't believe how straightforward and quick the heel was.

Louise's other patterns can be found on Ravelry.  Many of her sock designs are written for both cuff down and toe up. I think this is brilliant especially if you prefer one way over the other.  

I also finished my first pair of man size socks!  After making several pairs for myself Mr D expressed an interest in having a pair of knitted socks!  He choose Pheasant, one of the West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply Birds range for his.  I am overjoyed to report that Mr D is a knitted sock convert and has requested more!  

Don't forget you can share your British yarn projects over on the BritYarn Ravelry Group or on Twitter and Instagram.  I would love to hear all about your sock adventures!

BritYarn Exclusive Colourways

Hello again!  Well it is a smidgen over a week to go before BritYarn's virtual doors open on Tuesday 2nd June so it is time to share some very special yarn with you all.

I am super, super, super excited to announce that BritYarn has an exclusive range of colourways!  These have been hand dyed by Nic from Yarns from the Plain onto her custom spun Mobberley 4 ply base.  Mobberley is 70% Exmoor Blueface and 30% British Alpaca and knits up wonderfully, it is so soft and squishy.  

There are a six amazing and unique colourways available.  Nic has created five colourways based on landmarks and areas of Great Britain.  These are Blackpool Illuminations, Bridge Over The Forth, Ironbridge, Heather on the Moors and Usk Valley.  In addition Nic has dyed a sixth colourway 'BritYarn' using the colours from our logo as inspiration.  Don't they look stunning?  They will be £13.50 each and there is approximately 100g / 333m to a skein. 

The colourways are repeatable but will only be available in small batches.  I will be talking to Nic on the blog in the future. So keep a look out!

Have a relaxing Bank Holiday Monday if you are in the UK.  
Isla
x

As a bit of background I purchased one of Nic's autumnal colours last year as a tester and knitted a Woolly Wormhead hat.  The wool felt smooth and soft to work with and created well defined stitches with a slight halo.