This story starts when the lovely Blacker Yarns asked if I’d like a sample of their new Westcountry Tweed yarn – I said, “Yes please!” The story ends with this little guy…
I’ve got my beady eye on you!
For those of you who don’t know Blacker Yarns, They are ethical, UK producers of 100% Pure, natural British yarns, products and patterns. There is a a description of their core values on their website here–>> Blacker Yarns – Our Values. I have drooled over their yarns (not literally!! That would be yucky!) at several knitting shows and used them to make my most favorite, warm hat for Ben (which I steal regularly) – That was the Second Chance Hat.
So what is this yummy new yarn?
Here’s the description from this website->> Westcountry Tweed
| FIBRE | medium |
|---|---|
| BREED | Westcountry |
| BALL/SKEIN LENGTH | DK c.50g c.110m (c.119yds) |
| SPECIFICATION | DK |
| FINISH: WOOLLEN OR WORSTED | Woollen |
| PACKAGE | approx. 50g balls |
| HANDLE | medium |
It really is a lovely earthy pure wool. I like the slight coarseness of pure wool like this but if you are someone who finds pure wool itchy or scratchy, this is not the yarn for you!
It comes in beautiful shades too – I received the grey…
Yum!
So here I am with one lovely ball of yarn – what should I make to show it off?
Owl Mittens!
I used the free Owl Mitten pattern by Julia Temiseva, hoping my precious one ball would be enough….
After one truncated, stingily made mitten (trying to conserve yarn) I carefully weighed my complete first mitten – 28g.
“Swearwords!” A 50g ball was not going to be enough for two mittens. But I really liked how the yarn was knitting up and was charmed by the little owns…
Rip, Rip, Rip and start again. This time using some left over Rowan Kid Classic in a sumptuous pink for the ribbing on the cuff. This was left over from my Daisy Scarf That blog post is from 2007 and also has me explaining what Ravelry is to you all!!
Back to the mittens…Adding the pink really helped highlight the neps in the tweedy yarn – my grey ball had subtle flecks of blue, green and pink …
Can you see the neps?
Want to see the Mitts yet?
TaaaDahhh!
I tried to match some tiny pink “eye beads” to the pink cuff …
Here are the palms…
I have to show you both sides!
And a “Mitten action shot”…
Nearest to “Mitten action” I could muster….
So what do I make of the yarn and my Owls mitts? I love them both! The mitts are fun and quick to make and that yarn is fabulously warm. I suspect there will be a garment from me in this yarn soon!
| Completed Knit Report | ||
| Name: | Red Eyed Owl Mitts | |
| Pattern: | Owl Mitten pattern by Julia Temiseva, | |
| Yarn: | Westcountry Tweed by Blacker Yarns | |
| Pattern Problems: | None | |
| Pattern Modifications: | None (different colour cuff but that’s not really much of a modification! | |
| Washing and Wearing: | Deliciously warm and snuggly | |
| Knit It Again???: | Yes | |
| Difficulty: | Easy (for me – you’d need to know how to cable!) | |
| Rating: | 5/5 | |
| Other Postings Relating To This One: | None | |
I only hand dye fine soft fibers (from merino above) , started because I have extremely sensitive skin due to my Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. But saw this on my mail and just looking at your pictures, it looks so cozy that I can feel the warm 🙂 Had to share it, love it!!!
love the mittens but I am one of those who finds wool itchy and scratchy so off to find some other double knit out of my stash
I’ve heard of the yarn, but not sure it is available here….and I love those mittens! May be my next quick project!
Would love them in gloves….if not to thick, beautifully knitted!!
oh my hands could handle this sweetness, here in Wisconsin…loloveit!