Dawn Brocco's Life & Design Blog

I received another of the yarns I've ordered recently, on Saturday - this was from Beaverslide Dry Goods in Montana.

On Beaverslide's website, Leanne states that her worsted wt line (with the 10% kid mohair) is processed in Canada, but the fisherman line (no pun intended!) (all wool) is processed in Maine. As she references an 1821 mule spinner, my guess is it's Bartlettyarns mill.

The worsted line is smooth with no surface loose fibers, but the all wool line does have surface bits of fibers. Now, merino will pill, but with all those surface bits of fiber just sitting there to be knit up into the fabric, you'd need to de-pill after knitting it. I did 2 small swatches and the blended yarn didn't need anything plucked off it, but the all wool swatch did, which was too bad, because the all wool yarn makes an even more doughy and huggable fabric!

Another vote for the Beaverslide worsted line with the kid mohair is the yardage. Though recommended gauge is 5-6 sts/1". I knit a fabric at 4.5 sts/1", which bloomed beautifully. It's perfect at 4.5 sts/1". But with 240 or so yards to the 4 oz hank, that gives the knitter 60 yds to the oz! That's far more yards than most heavy worsted-gauged yarns give (which is usually in the 45-50 yds range).

So, what this means - the design I was considering using either this yarn or the Bendigo 12 ply to make up definitely is leaning towards the Beaverslide as it will only weigh about 24 ozs, whereas the Bendigo version would weigh in at nearly 34 ozs, as their yards/oz for the 12-ply is just 41.7. Even though Bendigo's yarns are very reasonable in price - about wholesale - I figured I'd need 1 less hank of the Beaverslide worsted wt, thanks to its excellent yardage, which makes the design in the size I'll be knitting, about the same in cost, made in either yarn - $45-$48. Very good indeed.

Given the choice for a heavy worsted garment, I think most knitters would prefer it to be lighter weight - as it won't then feel too heavy to wear indoors, and yet still be quick to knit, and be wearable without a shirt - her yarns are SOFT, thanks to the Rambouillet Merino sheep stock!

The 10% kid mohair just adds a bit of silkiness to the doughy, plushness of the wool. And as kid mohair is the first and softest mohair clipping, one doesn't feel any prickle at all. And her colors far outweigh Bendigo's, though I like the oatmeal tweed in Bendigo's "Rustic" line, so I'm sure I'll be using it for something.

I'm not discounting use of the all-wool line, just from the surface pills. I think it would felt fabulously, and a thick, felted wool blanket immediately comes to my mind. Especially with all these 0-10 degrees days and nights.

I'm *still* waiting, though on an order for the Wool Connection, and one from Canada - 13-15 days and counting.....Glad I wasn't in a rush.