Cotton Makes Summer Knitting Comfortable
We are in the throes of hot summer weather here at My Sister Knits which has us making projects with cotton and linen yarns. Not only do these yarns breathe and draw moisture away from the body, they also flow through our hands easier than animal fibers in the heat.It's lovely to sit outside and knit during the cooler hours and knitting with a plant-based yarn is just the thing to make our enjoyment complete!Knitting with linen was the topic of a recent blog post; today our focus is on cotton.My Sister Knits carries two luxurious cotton yarns that are completely different in feel and appearance. This allows you to choose the perfect one for your intended project!Quince & Co. Willet, which can be worked at a DK or a Sport weight, has a tiny hint of luster; soft, muted colors; and a 3-ply construction. Willet can be machine washed and laid flat to dry.
In accordance with Quince & Co.'s environmentally responsible belief system, Willet is produced by family farmers in California participating in the Cleaner Cotton™ program, eliminating the 13 most toxic chemicals used in conventional cotton production.
Shibui Rain, a DK weight, has bright colors with a high sheen, chainette construction, and comes to us from Japan. Rain should be hand washed and laid flat to dry.
Rain is mercerized, a process developed in 1844 that causes the yarn to have a high sheen and to accept dye readily, resulting in Rain's bright, bold colors. The chainette construction, besides adding visual interest, gives cotton fabric some memory so it's more likely to stretch, give, and recover its shape. In addition, the fabric will be lighter in weight and will drape more than plied cotton.Both Quince & Co. and Shibui have patterns designed especially for these yarns. Come into My Sister Knits and we'll be happy to show you! 1408 W. Mountain Ave, Fort Collins, Colorado.Comment below on your experience with linen or cotton knitting! Love it? Hate it? Somewhere in between? It will be fun to see what readers think!