Happy Sunday! Today I have some wonderful yarny things to share with you. One is a fabulous book that I think anyone who loves yarn should pick up and then a new yarn line from Blacker Yarns. As you know I get rather excited to share lovely any sort of knitting related products with you- so thank you for letting me. :)
I was contacted by Caroline from Firefly Books Ltd. asking if I would be interesting in reviewing this beautiful book. I had to think about it for half a second, then immediately agreed.
In Search of the World's Finest Wools is one of the most picturesque perfectly written books about yarn that I have read in a long time. Once you get past the numerous photos (every photo is more beautiful than the last), there is some amazing information about yarns from around the world.
The forward states that it is "A Tribute to the growers and artisans of wool"- and if anything it is that and then some.
Photo courtesy of Amazon preview.
The chapters in this book include yarns from Greenland-Qiviut, Ladahk-Pashmina goat wool, Scotland-Shetland wool, just to name a few. Sometimes it isn't enough for some of us to knit with beautiful wool because our passion may lead us to wanting to learning more about our craft and it's history. While reading this book one (okay many) names came to mind of knitters that I know would treasure this book as a gift. A great gift idea for that hard to buy for knitter!
Thank you so much to Firefly Books for allowing me to review this book!
I know I don't need many reasons to play with yarn. Thanks for Sonja from Blacker Yarns, I was able to knit a few stitches with a new yarn from Blacker Yarns called Samite.
There is a reason why I decided to review both In Search of The World's Finest Wools and Blacker Yarns together in one post. The book allowed me to learn more about the yarns we create with and Blacker Yarns gave me the chance to knit with new to me blend.
A little about Samite:
"To make this woollen spun yarn, we blended 30% smooth drapey Blue-faced Leicester, with the bouncy froth of 40% Shetland, the cruelty-free luxury of 20% Ahimsa silk, and 10% of fibre from Sue Blacker’s own Gotland flock. This combination of pale and dark fibres creates a yarn with glorious depth of colour and delicate nupps of silk." (Blacker Yarns website)
Oh what a treat this yarn was to knit with. I knit up a bit of the color, Eternal Day. After a few purls in an otherwise stockinette swatch and I began dreaming about a cozy light cardigan being knit up in this color and yarn. I soaked my little swatch and it was even better more amazing.
Colors: (left) Old Yew (right) Eternal Day.
I haven't stopped touching the wee square and thinking of the project possibilities. While the silk blend obviously adds a little more to the price point, it is worth it. I have already thought of adding this yarn to my birthday wish list and you know me the color I am thinking of is Fiery Dew (a pinkish color).
It is rather fantastic to be able to have all these amazing knitting related things to help us get our passion on, right?
I will be back next Sunday with my March loves and announce the winner of last week's yarn review and giveaway from Knitting a Love Song. You still have a week to enter the giveaway and use the 15% discount code (MSKLOVE). in Knitting a Love Song's shop.
Have the best day today!
XO,
Andi
A friend brought me a skein a Samite back from Edinburgh Yarn Festival. I've been enjoying seeing some different stitch patterns so I can decide on a pattern. Any ideas or suggestions would be most welcome!
Posted by: Ramona | 03/19/2017 at 04:16 AM
Wow, that yarn jumps right off the screen! Such an interesting blend and I bet it's even more fun to knit with.
And the book sounds fantastic also. I need to start learning more about wool and how it works - I feel like I've barely touched the surface.
Thank you Andi for the lovely shares!
Posted by: Lisa | 03/19/2017 at 08:47 AM
*clicks on the Like button*
Posted by: Stefanie | 03/19/2017 at 02:21 PM
I'm totally fascinated with that book ..... off to see if I can land myself a copy!!!!!!! Thanks!
Posted by: steph | 03/19/2017 at 02:50 PM
I've heard really good things about Blacker yarns.
Posted by: Dee | 03/19/2017 at 07:21 PM
That book looks incredible, and no doubt helps to brings faces and a better understanding of the fiber growing process! I love Blacker Yarns, too. I knit a cowl with it a couple years ago and it is wonderful.
Posted by: Julie | 03/20/2017 at 12:29 PM
The book sounds fascinating! I would learn a lot by reading the book I might check it out. I love the way the squares you knit look with the yarns, the colors and textures are nice.
Posted by: Lisa | 03/20/2017 at 02:38 PM
Wow, the book seems like a really interesting read.
Posted by: Neulisti | 03/21/2017 at 12:00 AM
I keep seeing the Blacker yarn around. It must be a sign!
Posted by: Andrea @ This Knitted Life | 03/21/2017 at 10:11 PM
A couple of years ago we (family) travelled to Ladahk and indeed the Pashmina scarfs were just beautiful and delicious to the touch. I got a couple of them. This book is lovely! It would be interesting t read it.
Posted by: Angela | 03/23/2017 at 08:05 AM
That Blacker Yarns looks AMAZING! Lately I have been craving some rustic, toothy feeling wool over the superwash wools I've been knitting with. I'm going to have to get my hands on some of this once my stashdown is a little further along!
Posted by: Kirsten Barbosa | 03/25/2017 at 09:47 PM