What a Yarn

When I learned to knit in the 80s, I can only remember using acrylic yarns. So, when I came back to knitting in 2007, I was amazed by all the different types that were available. I fell in love with yarn, which may explain why my stash is threatening to take over my flat.

I am stashing down at the moment, because I’m running out of storage. I remember reading in a Rowan magazine about a woman who resorted to taking the bath panel off so she could store yarn under there as well! I think it’s time to stop buying before I get to that stage.

The problem is, yarn is so tempting – those colours, those textures! My friend and I have booked to go to KnitNation in July and I Knit Weekender in September. It’s almost guaranteed we won’t be coming back empty-handed from either event, so I need to clear some room.

My favourite brand of yarn is Malabrigo. The range of colours is fantastic and the yarns are wonderful quality. I’ve used Merino Worsted and Lace. However, my favourite yarn ever is Malabrigo Sock, made from 100% merino. It’s soft as a cloud and so silky. I’ve never used it to knit socks. I don’t think it would wear well and it’s far too pretty to be hidden in my shoes! Instead I use it for shawls. I’ve got sensitive skin and I can’t bear ‘scratchy’ yarn, especially near my face or neck, but the Malabrigo is gentle yet cosy.

Here are some shawls I’ve made using using Malabrigo Sock yarn:

Aestlight in Ochre

Multnomah in Indiecita

Clothilde in Tiziano Red

I’m planning to get a couple of skeins* at the events later in the year. I haven’t tried all the colours in the range yet, after all, and I like the idea of a whole rainbow of shawls.

* for ‘a couple’ read a whole bagful which I can bring home and roll around on enjoy.

PS I’ve tried to link the captions in the photos above to Ravelry pages, but it’s not working. You can find the shawls on Ravelry here: Aestlight; Multnomah and Clothilde.