Folklore

Blacker Yarns is a forever favourite of mine. Each blend is special and unique with their breed specific focus, and the complimentary colour palette is always harmonious, each colour complimenting each colour. So when I had the opportunity to see their special new birthday yarn for this year before its release, I was crazy giddy with excitement. I need to say that this isn’t a paid promotion and they did not know that I would write a journal article about it. I started this journal, making Folklore the first journal entry, because I’m utterly enthralled by their new birthday collection.

I didn’t know what to expect until the little sample skeins showed up. The colours! I couldn’t have been happier seeing them. Ethereal and grey toned colours are my colour soul mates (I’m a Soft Summer for those into the 12 colour seasons :)) so this palette is a complete joy. The colours enrapture you with the folklore behind them, and the handle is pure comfort. It’s a plump and lofty woollen spun blend of Grey Shetland, Cream English Merino and Light Grey North Ronaldsay.

Swatching immediately ensued.

I wondered if I could make a Signal Hill with this yarn. I had designed the Signal Hill cardigan for the Blacker Yarns Tamar Lustre 4-ply several years ago and it has a 23 st / 10cm stockinette gauge. Although Tamar Lustre is a silkier yarn and gives a fair amount of drape at 23 stitches, I think the Folklore would make an equally beautiful Signal Hill using the same gauge. Folklore is more plump and toothy than Tamar, so the sweater fabric will be denser and warmer, but that’s awesome for a colder weather version of Signal Hill.

Signal Hill is one of my most worn designs so I do need a second one ASAP. The only problem is a familiar problem to you too….finding the knitting time! But these swatches have it totally settled. I’ll drop a hey-yarn-for-my-birthday-would-be-awesome-hint to my husband and then probably cast it on during the next KAL.

-xo Jennifer (September 23, 2022)