Never has the anticipation been more REAL than now!
The spirit of Laine captured in their own signature yarn range!
Jonna Helin, founder of Laine Publishing says:
“This yarn reflects everything I love and believe in: character, structure, natural fibres, deep colour and emotional connection.”
Laine x Novita is developed by Jonna herself, in close collaboration with Novita, a family-run business with a history spanning nearly 100 years, Novita is the largest yarn producer in the Nordic countries, and West Yorkshire Spinners, a historic mill in England that blends craft heritage with technical excellence. The Laine x Novita is encapsulates the best of British fibre in beautiful and versatile blends using Falkland wool, Bluefaced Leicester and Bluefaced Kerry Hill.
Lo and behold! Our sample hanks arrived and we dropped everything else – they just had to be put to the test! What we here at Knit With Attitude think? Read on and you’ll find out!
Maya
Laine x Novita DK – Initially I have to admit, I found the hank itself quite underwhelming, but oh did I change my mind quickly, as soon as I got it onto my needles, I was obsessing! My first swatch and first experience of knitting up the new Laine yarn left me yearning for more, immediately dreaming up projects I want to embark on next. Like George, I was intrigued by the blend, all UK fibres, but really does 15% of this and 15% of that really make a difference? Turns out it does! Falkland Wool is one of the strongest wool fibres we know of, it’s durability and reliability makes it a top choice, adding the softness and elasticity that come with Bluefaced Leicester and Bluefaced Kerry Hill results in a yarn that not only provides a gorgeous result – but gives a knitting experience that is so easy and smooth – it works up like a dream!
George and I split the weights between us, so my task was to test the DK. This yarn is soft, still sturdy, in simple garter stitch, what struck me was my flow – the rhythm – I could not wait to see how that would affect other stitch textures. Casting on 30 stitches and knitting until I got a square, seriously, look at how even those ridges are!
I used a 4mm needle as recommend on the band and got 20sts x 40rows. The yarn has a slight bloom to it which makes the fabric so even and smooth – even before the first wash and block.
Laine x Novita DK – Moving on to my Stockinette swatch, framed with a few rows of garter and a slip stitch edge, still using my 4mm as suggested on the yarn band. Soft, smooth and full of character, I am now falling deeply in love with this yarn. My tension is normally on the looser side so I often need to adjust my needle size to achieve the desired result. Never in my life have I ever been spot on, except from now! 22sts x 30rows = 10cm / 4″ – exactly as it says on the band.
Laine x Novita DK + Cumulus (it had to happen didn’t it!) For this swatch I tried the combination of the DK held together with a fluff yarn. Mirroring the Stormfell in the new Laine x Novita Collection I went with a 6.5mm needle, combining Stockinette and Garter to get a feel of different textures. Mixing two yarns like this is also a wonderful way to play with colours, so I chose a very contrasting colour to see how they would either highlight or dampen each other.
On its own the yarn produces fabrics that have a lovely soft drape to it, still maintaining the sturdiness in its texture. Adding fluff gives much more drape so I would not recommend for a garment with tailored structures that demand a bit of structure to hold its shape, but for those more flowy warming woolly hugs, you’ll get a thick ultra soft fabric that weights practically nothing!
My tension is 13sts x 19rows in Stockinette, and 13sts x 20rows in Garter, which is impressibly close to what is called for in the pattern (16sts x 21rows), so a simple needle size adjustment would be all needed.
My favourite (so far) has to be the Moorberry Vest! I just love the seemingly flowing non-shape of a tee that in reality is packed with flattering detail. Featuring a deep V-neck and European Shoulder Construction (that I’ve never tried before), the Moorberry is designed for layering or standing boldly on its own, a beautiful staple piece for all seasons … and onto my needles it goes …
George
Laine x Novita 4ply – This is my first swatch and first experience of knitting up the new Laine yarn. An intriguing blend of wools, I had not heard of Bluefaced Kerry Hill before. The wool has a softness to it but still has a crisp woolly quality. Made up of 4 plys the twist is even and smooth. It has a slight bloom to it which adds to the honest woolly character of the yarn. I have to say I really enjoyed kitting it, it felt really nice moving through my hands. I like characterful yarns that are fun to knit and create interesting fabrics and this certainly has it.
My first swatch was just plain garter stitch. Casting on 30 stitches and knitting until I got a square. I love the crisp even definition of the garter ridges. You can tell this yarn will be great for textured stitches, giving you a really crisp definition.
I used a 3mm needle as recommend on the band and got 27sts x 54rows. The resulting fabric is light and even with a bit of drape. It is not gappy or open in any way and I would easily wear this against the skin in an accessory project or it would make a fab garment.
Laine x Novita 4ply – My next swatch I wanted to try a bit of stocking stitch. I cast on the same number of stitches, did a couple of rows of garter and with a garter border.
My gauge over stocking stitch is 27sts x 38rows. The fabric is even and crisp and has a bit more drape than the garter stitch swatch.
Knit on its own like this you would be great for lighter more flowing garments.
Laine x Novita 4ply + Cumulus – As a couple of the designs launching with the new yarn feature a fluffy lace weight held with it my last swatch is a combination with Cumulus.
I picked a 5.5mm needle which is the recommended needle size for the Moorberry pattern. As with the swatches above I cast on 30 sts but this time I did half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, just so I could see how they look.
The resulting fabric as you would imagine is beautifully soft. The cumulus is not overly dominant so you still get the sense of the original yarn. But of course you can have some real fun with colour combos. Choose something complimentary or contrasting.
My gauge is 18sts x 22rows for the stocking stitch and 18sts x 32rows for the garter stitch. The Moorberry has a gauge of 19sts x 24rows, so I’m really close. I tend to knit a little bit on the loose side so I usually expect to go down a size when swatching.
Mosspath – Of all the designs launching with the Laine yarn it has to be Mosspath for me. Is it the colour it is knit in? Maybe! I love that Earthy Olive colour. You also can’t go wrong with a classic cardigan. Knit from the top down it is a simple shape that is guaranteed to be a wardrobe staple. What I really like is the double knit button bands. Double knit bands are a relatively new discovery for me and I think they look so smart. I would probably knit it a little longer in the body but keep it still relaxed and slightly oversized.
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