Back to school means the end of summer for students, but for knitters it still means at least one more month of summer-worthy heat that can make knitting with wool uncomfortable. Thankfully, there are plenty of other fibers to choose from when looking for cool knits, like cotton, soy, and bamboo.
Yarns with these plant-based fibers are also available in a rainbow of colors hand-dyed from local fiber artists, just like their woolly counterparts, in Austin's own yarn stores. At Gauge in North Austin, Dizzy Lettuce yarn is always a favorite. This month, Jennifer Thompson Miller has delivered a new summer-worthy batch of yarn called Sheen.
Made up of 100% bamboo, it's a sport-weight yarn with 230 yards for 100 grams. The shine of the fiber gives a luster to colors ranging from violet to yellow to silver. Miller has dyed the colors in batches of 4-6 skeins for the most part, enough for a larger project like a shirt or cardigan that will stay cool even in triple-digit heat.
Earlier this summer, Miller also introduced a new yarn, Gertrudis, a blend of silk and linen in a lace weight that comes with 775 yards a skein. The store also has yarns from Miller in warmer fibers for those ready for their fall knitting to start now. Check out their whole selection when planning your next project, before it's gone.
For more on Austin knitting, literature, and more, visit my personal blog, the knitlit twit.
Comments