Our friends over at Kelbourne Woolens released their fourth yarn last September. It arrived just in time for our Humulus Sweater knitalong, a pattern written for a worsted weight wool. So Sue chose a color in (Navy), swatched, and commenced knitting.
The yarn was great to work with (nice plump feel in hands!); sweater progressed, and it was finished three months later.
Final test of this new yarn was going to be in the blocking process . . . would my dark navy bleed onto the pretty hand-dyed shrimpy/coral/pink (Sloth from Forbidden Woolery) that was the colorwork contrast? Some preemptive vinegar was put into the bath, along with Soak Wash.
SO HAPPY to report the color held fast! Not even the tiniest amount of blue in the water, which is surprising considering how deep the color is. My somewhat puckery stranding blocked out well and I'd wear this sweater every day if I could!
We're recommending Germantown over and over. It's milled in North Carolina with wool mainly coming from Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho (a blend of Rambouillet, Targhee, Columbia, and Polpay)! Kelbourne is releasing a new hat pattern each month this year; which a great way to try out this fantastic yarn. If you're one of many who are planning to do the Year of Hats, we came across this pattern that you might want to put in your back hopper to use bits of leftover Germantown later this year!
And if you'd like to read more about Germantown Yarn's history, check out Kelbourne's blog. It's a great story!
We're excited for Kelbourne's newest yarn release, due in shop very soon. You'll get the chance to "taste" all five of Kelbourne's yarns during our yarn tasting on February 7th. Sign up in shop; we have room for 15!
