So I know I’ve mentioned how I wanted to come up with something to write about here on the blog while I’m sworn to secrecy about THE BOOK. It’s harder than it sounds. It seems like everything is revolving around book projects right now.
But while taking some time to read posts over at my favorite writing blog, The Rumpus, I had an idea. They have a series of posts called “The Last Book I Loved,” reviewing an assortment of books, as written by Rumpus readers. New books, old books, usually fiction, but not always. Written with love.
Welcome to the new Mercedes Knits blog series, The Last Yarn I Loved.
I’ll be reviewing yarns as they pass through my hands and needles. Some new arrivals, some classic standards. All will be yarns I love. In full disclosure, most of these are provided to me, just because I don’t have a lot of time for personal knitting lately, but no one is paying me for my review. These write-ups are all me, and if I don’t dig the yarn, it doesn’t make the blog.
The Last Yarn I Loved is a skein I picked up at TNNA in Long Beach last month, at the Skacel booth. Kenzie, is a New Zealand merino blend (Ke-NZ-ie. I see what you did there). It’s a soft tweed, with nups of contrasting colors and a few thick spots here and there, but an overall smooth texture. I tested it out on some textured brioche rib, some cables, some plainer stitches. I ripped and reknit a few times, and it held up well. It actually improved with wear, getting a soft halo from the angora and alpaca content in the yarn, but not so much that it obscured the texture of the stitch patterns. The skein I received, an earthy avocado color, made me happy. Bright, but not crazy bright. Currently, Skacel is offering the yarn in a palette of 10 harmonious colors.
Kenzie is a light worsted, knitting up at about 5 sts to the inch. The details:
• 50% New Zealand Merino, 25% Nylon, 10% Angora, 10% Alpaca, 5% Silk Noils
• 160 yards per 50 gram skein
• US 6 – 8 needles
• 4.0 – 5.0 mm needles
If this yarn were a person: A librarian who plays bass and rides a vintage motorcycle.
If this yarn were a food: Asparagus topped with a perfectly poached egg.
Skacel Collection product page
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I haven’t picked out a project to use with this yarn, but I know it will make it into a future design. The wheels are spinning, and it was a pleasure to knit with. No snagged strands, great stitch definition, lovely texture. ‘Til we meet again, Kenzie!
