24 knittingmag.com
YARN REVIEW
WOOL ADDICTS
RESPECTWool Addicts Respect, from
Lang Yarns, combines so
many of the elements knitters
look for in a yarn! It is sturdy
enough to hold stitches well
but soft enough to wear next
to the skin.
It is lightweight but also
incredibly cosy. The chainette
construction and nylon
content help any project
to retain its shape, without
compromising the handspun
appearance achieved by
the wool and alpaca. I would
recommend using needles with
sharp points to avoid splitting.
Wool Addicts Respect
comes in 11 appealing colours,
including 015 Amber Melange
(pictured). Pattern support
is limited but very wearable
and includes two slipovers, a
striped sweater that could also
be worked in a single shade if
preferred and a ponytail hat.
Wash with a suitable wool
detergent to avoid stretching
the natural ibres, and dry flat.Composition: 42% ine Merino
wool, 30% alpaca, 28% nylon
Weight: 50g Length: 140m
Rec needle size: 5mm
Tension (10cm): 19 sts x 26 rows
RRP: £ 7.1 1
Contact: wooladdicts.comJOHN ARBON
HARVEST HUES WORSTEDThirty-ive percent of the
wool in this yarn comes from
Devon Zwartbles farmed near
John Arbon’s mill just outside
Exmoor. This is blended
with 65% Falklands Merino
wool to create Harvest Hues
Worsted, the big brother to an
existing 4 ply yarn.
At the mill ibres are combed
in one direction to make the
yarn as soft and shiny as it
can be. Its two-ply structure
means it can be worked across
a number of gauges. I used a
4.5mm needle, but lace would
be beautiful on a 6mm needle.
The range of colours is
enthralling and inspired by
the changing seasons of
the Exmoor landscape. The
subtle tones are achieved by
blending pre-dyed Merino
with the dark ibres of
Zwartbles wool, and include
Pomegranate (pictured).
Patterns include a gorgeous
shawl by Alice Slight called
Ebel. Hand-wash, dry flat.Composition: 65% organically
farmed Falklands Merino,
35% Devon Zwartbles
Weight: 100g Length: 200m
Rec needle size: 4.5-6mm
RRP: £14
Contact: jarbon.comWENDY HUSKY
SUPER CHUNKYThis is a really good value
chunky yarn that looks very
authentic when it is knitted up.
Its 100% acrylic ibres are light
and fuzzy and produce a soft
halo that looks more like wool,
making it a great alternative
for those of you who have a
wool allergy. Husky consists of
two plies woven to produce a
lovely smooth knit with good
stitch deinition. It knits up
quickly on 10mm needles
and delivers a fairly dense but
lightweight fabric.
There are six shades
available, all inspired by the
great outdoors, including
5685 Peak (pictured). Colour
changes are made gradually
because each of the two
strands of ibres varies in tone
to give unique blends of colour
to your project. Other great
shades include 5682 Climb,
with peach and coral tones and
deep pink accents. Husky will
work in any of Wendy’s super
chunky patterns. Machine-
wash, tumble-dry.Composition: 100% acrylic
Weight: 100g Length: 80m
Rec needle size: 10mm
Tension (10cm): 10 sts x 14 rows
RRP: £3.49
Contact: thehomeofcraft.co.ukKING COLE
BIG VALUE BIG
Fans of super chunky yarns
- think bigger: Big Value Big
has even thicker strands than
the average super chunky and
is the latest addition to the Big
Value range from King Cole.
It is made from 100%
premium acrylic but looks
like a yarn with high wool
content thanks to its semi-
matt inish. Three plies of
yarn are spun quite tightly to
deliver a yarn that knits up
quickly, smoothly and evenly.
This is a great yarn for new and
experienced knitters alike. I
would deinitely use circular
needles as straights if I were
knitting a large project, so that
the weight of the work could
rest in my lap.
The yarn comes in a range
of eight on-trend shades
including 4427 Mustard
(pictured). Pattern support
is available via the website
and includes garments,
accessories and homeware.
Machine-wash at 40ºC,
tumble-dry on a low setting.
Composition: 100% acrylic
Weight: 250g Length: 75m
Rec needle size: 15mm
Tension (10cm): 5.5 sts x 8 rows
RRP: £ 7. 2 9
Contact: kingcole.com