THE YARN

Bio-Wool by Rosários 4 is a GOTS certified 100% organic wool yarn grown, spun and dyed in an environmentally sustainable way. Next to skin soft, we think it’s perfect for quick winter accessories and cosy wardrobe staples.

THE SWATCHES

I knit two swatches in Bio-Wool, one a simple stocking stitch sampler, and the other a wide ribbed cable from Norah Gaughan’s Knitted Cable Sourcebook. Find the cable pattern on page 110, No. 81 Rib & Rope.

The swatches feature knit and purl stitches in various combination and multi-stitch cable crosses.

Swatches use colourway Rose Pink (26).

I used a 6.5mm needle, producing a gauge of 16 stitches over 10cm in stocking stitch.

FABIC + HANDFEEL

Bio-wool produces a stunningly soft fabric, the hand-feel is light and fluffy at our knitted gauge.

I would consider it next-to-skin soft making it ideal for worsted weight (10 Ply) scarfs and hats.

The yarns multi-ply structure yields smooth stitches and well-defined cables, perfect for garments where cables and knitted texture are the feature.

Suitable for a range of projects, I’ve included some suggestions below.

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PROJECT SUGGESTIONS | Bio-Wool

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I’m rounding out this year’s Socktober festivities with one last sock project.

This one was a bit of a challenge for me, not because the pattern was overly complicated, but because I chose an unlikely yarn for the experiment.

Knit up in Mirasol’s Ch’ichi, an alpaca/linen/bamboo blend, it wasn’t the easiest on the hands particularly while knitting in a small circumference.

But the results were worth the persistence!

Find my project notes below for the Laid Edges socks.

Enjoy!

Andrea | Loom + Spindle

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STUDIO PROJECT | Laid Edges

INTENTION

Knit the Laid Edges sock pattern and explore:

• Working with Ch’ichi

• Working cable details on small circumference knitting

DESIGN

Laid Edges was published in May 2020 by Kellie Macpherson, a London horticulturist and budding knitwear designer. The pattern is available as a free digital download at Ravelry.com.

The pattern is available in 3 adult sizes with adjustable foot and leg lengths.

SKILLS

• Knitting in the round

• Simple cabling

TOOLS

• 2.5 mm (no US equivelent) sock needles

MATERIALS

1 x Ch’ichi | Elderflower 03

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

• I was drawn to dense and weighty hand feel of Ch’ichi. It had a nice firm ply structure that I thought would be hardwearing enough for socks.

CONSTRUCTION

• I followed the pattern as written. I didn’t add any extra length to the leg as I new yardage would be tight.

• For the cuff cast-on I used the alternating cast-on method. To close the toe I used the Kitchener stitch as suggested in the pattern.

FINISHING

• After weaving in the ends I gave the socks a short soak, after pressing out the water I used sock blockers to hang and dry.

• The finished gauge was 28 stitches over 10cm (7st per inch).

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

YARN

• Ch’ichi is such a curious yarn, it has some softness, some drape and a durable hand-feel that all together is quite unique.

• Without a lot of natural spring in the yarn (when compared to say a 100% wool yarn), it was tricky to work at such a small gauge. But, not impossible.

CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING

• The charming cable detail is certainly what drew me to the pattern. Worked over just a few rows it was simple to remember and worked up fairly quickly with a bit of focused effort.

• The twisted rib cuff was a nice detail that I think adds a clean modern look.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It was certainly fun knitting socks in Ch’ichi, but definitely not an experience for the faint hearted knitter.

Having got this experiement out of my system, I think I’ll stick to the recommended gauge for any future projects.

The resulting socks are comfy and warm.

Who dares me to rock them with sandals this summer?

…have to show off those toe to cuff cables some how, right!

Knitting Laid Edges in Ch’ichi?

Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-3: 1 ( 1 , 2) skeins

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.

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When Cleckheaton’s new Brushstrokes arrived, I was immediately drawn to the playful colour pallet and knew I had some young and knit-worthy recipients that would love the splashes and speckles as much as I did.

So, to test the limits of this new nylon/acrylic blend, I agreed to knit a pair of socks for an 8-year-old who I knew would really put this yarn through its paces.

We found a pattern that we both liked, the Kujira Ikka (reversible) socks, known colloquially in our house as the banana socks 😉.

A quick sock project sized for all feet, big and small. Find my project notes for Kujira Ikka (reversible) socks below.

Enjoy!

Andrea | Loom + Spindle

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STUDIO PROJECT | KUJIRA IKKA

INTENTION

Knit Kujira Ikka (reversible) socks and explore:

• Working with Brushstrokes

• Working a sock, toe to cuff

DESIGN

Kujira Ikka (Reversible) was published in April 2021 by Yucca, a Japanese knitwear designer. It’s available to purchase as a digital download from Ravelry.com.

The pattern is available in 9 sizes, from baby to adult with adjustable foot and leg lengths.

SKILLS

• Knitting in the round

• Knitting flat

TOOLS

• 2.5 mm (no US equivelent) sock needles

MATERIALS

2 x Brushstrokes | Future 5501

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

• The pattern provides a gauge for a 4 ply sock yarn, but I loved the look of this design and was keen to try Brushstrokes, a 5 ply / sport weight yarn. I decided to go with it, intending to size down after I figured out my gauge.

CONSTRUCTION

• The first step was to determine a needle size. After a quick gauge swatch switching between a few sizes, I found that a 2.5mm needle produced a nice firm fabric with a bit of elasticity, perfect for socks. My stitch gauge was 7 stitches over 2.5cm (1'').

• Given the above metrics, a pattern gauge of 8.25 stitches over 2.5cm (1''), and the foot measurements I was working with, I opted to knit size 4-Child S, to get a size 5-Child M.

• I followed the pattern as written adding length to the leg. Not sure I would have enough for a full second sock, I did use a second skein to knit the second sock. If I’d made the legs a little shorter one skein would have been enough for two socks.

FINISHING

• I used a stretchy sewn bind-off for the cuff.

• After weaving in the ends I gave the socks a short soak and lay them flat to dry.

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

YARN

• Brushstrokes is so incredibly soft and delightful to work with.

• I did’t alternate skeins in this project and had no problem with pooling with either skein. I’m really happy with the speckle and splash distribution in this small circumference project. Note - if working a larger project I would probably alternate skeins to be on the safe side.

CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING

• This pattern was unique for me, the design elements that stood out were the garter stitch sole and short row heel.

• I love the 2x1 rib, the reverse side of the fabric being equally as appealing.

• The wearer loved the results and was particularly delighted with the cushy garter sole for wearing around the house on the cold hard floors.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The socks are holding up well after a lot of wear and a few washes.

I have it own good authority that they are super comfy and warm.

There have been requests for more pairs, so I’m looking forward to trying out a few more colourways!

Knitting Kujira Ikka (reversible) in Brushstrokes?

Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-9: 1 ( 1 , 1) ( 2, 2, 2) (3, 3, 3) skeins

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.

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Navelli is our second Studio Project exploring colourwork in Cotton Fine, and I thinks it’s a winner.

It seems Cotton Fine’s 80/20 cotton-wool blend lends itself perfectly to light summer garments with colourwork detail typically reserved for our winter woolies.

With lots of positive ease and seamless design there’s lots to love about the Navelli tee.

Enjoy!

Andrea - Loom + Spindle

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STUDIO PROJECT | NAVELLI

INTENTION

Knit Navelli and explore:

• Working with Cotton Fine

• Working colourwork in a cotton yarn

DESIGN

Navelli, designed by Caitlin Hunter and published May 2019. It’s available to purchase as a digital download from Ravelry.com or Caitlin’s website.

The pattern is available in 12 sizes with finished bust circumferences of 91.5cm to 183cm (36'' to 72'').

I knit size 4 with a finished bust circumference of 122cm (48'').

SKILLS

• Knitting in the round

• Knitting flat

• Colourwork

TOOLS

• 3.25 mm (US 3) and 2.75 mm (US 2) circular needles

MATERIALS

MC: Cotton Fine | Salmon Berry

CC1: Cotton Fine | Cavern

CC2: Cotton Fine | Putty

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

• When Cotton Fine first came in I was curious to see if it was suitable for colourwork. On a whim I picked up the Navelli colourwork chart and grabbed some Cotton Fine and knit up a swatch. Happy with the results I decided to knit the tee.

CONSTRUCTION

• The pattern begins with the cast-on edge for the bottom hem. My go to cast-on for a 1x1 rib is the alternating cast-on method. Given there were a substantial amount of stitches I worked a few rows flat before joining in the round to avoid twisting the stitches.

• The colourwork chart was fairly intuitive. I did need to give careful attention to the placement of the repeat when working each row. Top tip - check you work occasionally. I came unstuck a few times when I missed a stitch and had to un-knit then re-knit the row. 😅

• Once the colourwork was complete the project was fairly straight forward, stocking stitch for the body, ribbing for the neckline and some short-row shaping for the shoulders. A 3-needle bind-off is used to seem the shoulders, always a satisfying way to see the garment transform. The final additions were the sleeves which have a contrast colour edge - I think I obsessed over this detail the most!

FINISHING

• Not much to report here other than weaving in all the ends and blocking the garment.

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

YARN

• Cotton Fine creates a wonderfully smooth and drapey fabric. The wool component ensures a bit of elasticity while the cotton keeps the fabric light and cool.

CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING

• Once all that colourwork is done the piece knits up fairly quickly. The design incorporates a nice mix of technique to keep you entertained. Blocking the garment really helps to even-out all the colourwork stitches.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Navelli is a great spring/summer knit with lots of positive ease for comfort in warm weather. Cotton Fine feels drapey and durable and should last many seasons to come.

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.

Knitting Navelli in Cotton Fine?

Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-12:

MC: 3 (3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5) (5, 5) skeins
CC1: 2 (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) (2, 3) skeins
CC2: 1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (1, 2) skeins

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Here’s our first Studio Project from one of our team crafters, Marita (Hi, Mum!).

Marita knit up the stunning Nachtschatten (Night Shadow) cardigan testing the limits of Cotton Fine with copious amounts of colourwork and technique.

When Marita’s not knitting she’s cranking sock tubes for customers at Sock Island Rescue.

Enjoy!

Andrea - Loom + Spindle

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STUDIO PROJECT | NACHTSCHATTEN

INTENTION

Knit Nachtschatten and explore:

• Working with Cotton Fine

• Working a garment sideways

DESIGN

Nachtschatten was designed by Sandra Archut, July 2020. It’s currently available to purchase as a digital download from Ravelry.com or Sandra’s website.

The pattern is available in 9 sizes with finished bust circumferences of 86cm to 164cm (33.8'' to 64.5'').

Marita knit size 4 with a finished bust circumference of 114cm (44.8'').

SKILLS

• Knitting flat

• Provisional cast-on

• Picking up stitches

• Colourwork (stranded knitting)

TOOLS

• 3.0 mm (US 2½) and 3.5 mm (US 4) circular knitting needles.

MATERIALS

MC (dark), Cotton Fine | Cavern

CC (light), Cotton Fine | Spring Sage

FINISHED PIECE

FINAL THOUGHTS

Nachtschatten is a perfect transitional piece to wear over a summer dress or casual tee. Cotton Fine produces crisp colourwork providing pleasing contrast for the dandelion motive. Cotton Fine produces a nice smooth fabric with drape and durability.

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.

Knitting Nachtschatten in Cotton Fine?

Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-9:

Yarn A | Dark colour 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) 7, 7, 7, 8 skeins
Yarn B | Light colour 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) 3, 4, 4, 4 skeins

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THANK YOU FOR READING!

GET 10% OFF YOUR NEXT COTTON FINE PURCHASE.

Simply join or confirm your subscription to the Loom & Spindle email newsletter to get your discount code.

CONFIRM SUBSCRIPTION

10% off Cotton Fine

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