As summer approaches and the weather starts to warm up, many of us knitters begin to reach for lighter, fresher projects. As I’m not much of a garment designer, my warm-weather makes tend to lean towards homewares, ideally something BBQ or al fresco dining related (because food, obviously). So when my friends at Selected Yarns asked if I’d like to try out some of their summer yarns, I didn’t hesitate.
I chose a lovely selection of Erika Knight’s Gossypium Cotton Tweed, a soft, slightly rustic blend of Egyptian cotton with a touch of polyester for added stability.
I’m very much in a neutrals phase at the moment, so I went for three shades: Muddy Waters Beige, Bone White and Milk White. All of them have those subtle tweedy flecks running through, which add depth and give the yarn a really classic, slightly traditional feel.
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| YARN PROFILE: GOSSYPIUM COTTON TWEED ERIKA KNIGHT | |
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| THE SPECS |
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| CHARACTERISTICS |
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| BEST PROJECT MATCH The breathability and matte finish of this cotton make it perfect for spring and summer garments, delicate baby knits, or textured home goods that require crisp stitch definition! | |
So, what’s it actually like to work with? I’ll admit this was my first time properly using Erika Knight yarn (although I’ve admired it many times in yarn shops back in the UK), and I was really impressed. Also, I have to say, I’m a bit of a sucker for a good ball band. The branding here is beautifully minimal and classic, and as someone with a background in graphic design, I do think that kind of attention to detail often reflects the quality of the yarn itself. In this case, it definitely holds true.
Cotton yarn can be a bit unforgiving, especially for beginners, as it has a tendency to split and can sometimes feel quite stiff. This blend is slightly splitty, so that’s something to be aware of, but the addition of polyester really helps keep the plies together and makes it much more pleasant to work with overall. For crocheters, I’d recommend this yarn for homewares like coasters, placemats and kitchen accessories rather than garments, unless you’re after something with a bit more structure. For knitting, though, it really shines. It creates beautiful summer tops, wraps and shawls with a lovely drape.
While some makers prefer to avoid synthetic fibres, I think the small amount of polyester works really well here. It softens some of the typical drawbacks of 100% cotton without taking away from the natural feel of the yarn.
All in all, this is a versatile and thoughtfully designed summer yarn that’s as practical as it is beautiful.
Shop this yarn and more at Soul Wool!
THE PROS:·
· Soft, substantial yet still light enough for summer projects
· A beautiful range of colours
· The cotton and polyester blend improves durability and feel
· Good value compared to similar yarns
THE CONS:
· May feel a little stiff for some crochet garments
· Slightly splitty, so beginners may need to take extra care
WHAT TO MAKE:
Shawls, summer tops, kitchen accessories, coasters, placemats, tote bags.
Yarn for this project was kindly gifted. This post may include affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried this yarn, and whether you’re more of a winter or summer yarn person. I’d love to hear!
Happy crafting,
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