It is absolutely gorgeous. It comes in these mini hanks of pure heaven. I can't describe how it feels. I sat for a while, trying to think of how to describe it, I just can't. It is not crisp like most silk feels when blended with other yarns...it is soft, slippery, like a silky nightie. I just couldn't resist.
I want a Diamond Lace Fantasy Shawl beaded, like the gorgeous one that January One knit. I too have a wedding to attent, and this would be perfect. Immediately I thought of Pure Silk. Gorgeous.
Well, I have started knitting it.
Here are my thoughts.
The beads are really useless on this yarn. I finally figured out why...the luster from the yarn is so great, you can't see the shimmer of the bead. I know, it is obvious, but I just never thought about it. I doesn't matter...they are staying.
Can you see them? Try and find the beads.
Now, my real concern (since I never washed or blocked the swatch)...will it block properly? The drape is so gorgeous...but will I be able to stretch the lace pattern and will it stay? Hmmmm, I really don't know...I am having my doubts. This may not work out as I have hoped that it will.
"Silk yarns used in knitting are not resilient and tend to stretch as they are worn."
Vogue knitting, the Ultimate knitting book
Hmmmm. This could be a problem. I am loving it so far, if truth be told. I just have my doubts. This doesn't mean I will stop knitting it...I need to see the results. (Unless of course, one of you sends me an immediate email to stop a knitter that is about to crash....)
The patterns from the Pure Silk book are just gorgeous...but...it would cost a fortune to knit one of these garments (I did get my hanks 25% off at a sale...and the website I have linked to has it at a great price).
Secondly...if it stretches with wear...could you imagine knitting this gorgeous, expensive sweater/tank etc and it all stretches out and looks horrible after wearing it a couple times.
No thanks.
This yarn is so luxurious and delicate, yet the fiber itself is very strong (I could splice it...I had to cut it and fray the fibers, but it worked) Knitting a shawl that won't get a lot of wear is just fine for me....well, if it even works.
The one thing I do find annoying is the wound ball of Pure Silk. It is so silky...it just slides all out of shape. I should have hand wound it and pulled from the outside. Lesson learned.
Now, teach me something please. Why hanks? The hank needs to be wound into a ball in order to knit with it....so why is yarn sold in hanks. (although for pure silk I get it...the hank keeps it all together). Is it to cut the cost of winding?
7 comments:
oh i hope people have tons of good things to say about this yarn! i bought a bunch of it recently and it looks and feels absolutely divine.
I think they keep it in hanks because of the process of dying it in hanks and then making balls would be an extra time consuming and more costly thing to do. But I am just guessing.
Oh my goodness, I touched some of that yarn at my LYS last week. Pure heaven. They had a little shrug made out of it and I could not stop touching it.
I agree that the feeling cannot be explained. One must experience for itself.
I made my fairisle sweater with a 50/50 blend of wool and silk. And it went bleh when wet. It probably would have been better if I had made a smaller size to accomodate.
However I would think a shawl would be okay. Final size is not as important as in a sweater. I think it will be lovely! And just think of wrapping that around your shoulders. Ooh!
We sell it at the shop and I agree it's edible!
I think it's to do with not keeping the yarn under tension. In a ball, unless very loosely wound the yarn's inevitably under tension which can damage it. Whereas in a hank, it's relaxed so it can sit around for as long as you need it to without being damaged. Something like that.
Sounds luxurious!
As for hanks, I've wondered myself. Extra cost may be a factor. Also, I've noticed it's easier to manage hanks for storing, shipping, keeping neat etc. I never wind mine until I'm ready to knit, because a hank seems to take up less space than a ball.
nice colors. i found your blog interesting.. anyway im a writer visit my site here---> http://www.mensitaly.com
Post a Comment