Plain Yarn -- exceptional wool for exceptional knitting and crochet

Three years ago, I knit a perfect shawl. I still love the pattern and the designer and the yarn. That's how I know it's perfect. We have the yarn back in the shop this week; you’ve probably heard us talk about Plain Yarn—it’s a shop favorite. 

This morning, we took a ride through the rolling hills of the Welsh Mountains and across the valley to an Amish farm to pick up a box of yarn.  The sheep were sheared in the spring, and we are always happy to have Plain Yarn in the shop. 

Two skeins Plain Yarn:  Romney Kerchief designed by Jared Flood

Two skeins Plain Yarn:  Romney Kerchief designed by Jared Flood

"The Boss" a Romney ram provides us with the grey wool for Plain Yarn

"The Boss" a Romney ram provides us with the grey wool for Plain Yarn

We have three colors in stock, all undyed naturals—white, grey and brown. The yarn is a two-ply, light worsted weight measuring about two hundred yards in one hundred grams.  We recommend a gauge of about 5-6 stitches to an inch for garments, a slightly larger gauge of 4-5 stitches and inch for shawls—or as you please. 

You can shop online for Plain Yarn, or stop in to see our samples and pet the yarn.  Limited availability means when it’s gone, it’s gone!

Is This Yarn Color Fast?

Our friends at Skacel sent out this reminder about yarn and colorfastness, and we include it here because we want to do everything we can to help avoid the “heartache” that can happen when colors run.  This is really only an issue with these high contrast projects; a little color bleed with a single color project is generally no problem at all.

color wheel designed & knit by artist Erica Dirks

color wheel designed & knit by artist Erica Dirks

“With the increasing popularity of projects which combine multiple colors in the same pattern, please encourage your customers to always test for colorfastness on a swatch before blocking their final garment.

Even yarns that are superwash have the potential to bleed when mixing high contrast colors such as whites and reds, whites and blues, and all light colors paired with dark/rich colors.  Remember, superwash prevents felting, not bleeding.

Yarn care should be thought of in the same way as sorting laundry.  If a red sock were to sneak into a load of whites, the likely result is everything transforming into a lovely shade of pink.  Have you inadvertently washed a new pair of blue jeans with a light colored garment?  Yarn is no different.

If your wet blocking swatch test reveals the potential for bleeding, consider the following alternatives:

·        Steam Blocking – This will greatly reduce the risk of contrasting colors bleeding.
·        A VERY brief wet blocking in plain, cold water.  Again, test this method on a swatch first.
·        Avoid detergents that can break down the fiber and lift color out of the yarn.
·        Dry Cleaning – Always ask your cleaners first to test a swatch BEFORE cleaning.
·        Color Catchers – While they can help prevent bleeding, it is not a guarantee.  Please make sure to test them with a swatch prior to using them with your finished garment.

By educating the end consumer on colorfastness and alternative blocking methods, we can help to prevent heartaches for countless handmade masterpieces no matter the yarn, brand, or craft!”

Brioche Knitting

 

Brioche knitting is a knitting method that results in a fabric that is dimensional, two-sided, and lofty.  It can be accomplished in the round or flat, and in single or multiple colors.  Brioche is perfect for accessories:  use it to make reversible hats, cozy, sculpted scarves, and beautiful cowls. 

Brioche is a classic technique showing up in well-loved publications like Barbara Walker’s ‘Treasury of Knitting Patterns’ and Elizabeth Zimmermann’s ‘Knitting Without Tears.’  A quick search on Ravelry will show that it has a place in your twenty-first century knitting basket. 

Lancaster Yarn Shop is offering a Free Workshop called ‘Brioche for Beginners' on Tuesday, August 1, 2017.  We will make a simple two color cowl which will be knit in the round.  Pre-register by calling the shop!  

LYS YARN CAMP 2017

LYS YARN CAMP 2017
August 14-19, 2017

CAMP noun: ‘camp’ plural: ‘camps’ --a recreational institution providing facilities for outdoor activities, sports, crafts, and other special interests and typically featuring rustic overnight accommodations.

As you may know, Lancaster Yarn Shop offers classes and free workshops throughout the year, generally a few times a month.  ‘YARN CAMP’ takes place every year in August, and is a week-long series of daily, FREE Workshops that can be taken independently or together in a series!  Taken separately, these are one-time, stand-alone workshops; taken together, you have a knitting immersion experience.  ‘Campers’ may register for one, or a few, or all of the workshops offered during the week. 

Please Note!  Yarn Camp is “camp” in name only – we do not feature ‘rustic overnight accommodations,’ we don’t use gimp, nor do we serve ‘bug juice.’  What we do is offer a wide variety of projects and instruction in a short time, and we invite you to join in the fun!  All the details about this year’s Yarn Camp can be found by visiting the Classes page HERE on our website.  As with all classes and workshops at Lancaster Yarn Shop, Pre-Registration is required – please call the shop (717) 768-8007 to register.

If you are going for the knitting immersion experience, remember that there are luxury accommodations available right HERE at Kitchen Kettle Village.