Lambswool Tweed is a classic woollen spun yarn in a 15/2nm (2/14wc) weight, which in knitting terms falls between 2ply and 3ply. It is light and airy, with lots of bounce, so a good long meterage for the weight of cone. Some shades are packed full of nepps and flecks adding a character-filled lovat sort of effect. Even the solid shades have the same tweedy texture just using self-coloured knops
The yarn is end of lines or discontinued colours from a large spinner in Scotland, so we can get hold of it regularly, just not always in exactly the same colours, so make sure you order enough for your project. As it's an industrial yarn it is spun in oil giving it a slight greasy feel and a lovely woolly smell. This will of course wash out once your project is complete to create a very soft fabric, but check tension carefully (see below).
Most of the shades we are stocking are 2 fold, though a couple of slightly thicker yarns snuck into the range as I was rifling through boxes, so please check the shade name to see these.
Lambswool Tweed is manufactured as a machine knitting yarn and is perfect to use on either a fine gauge or a standard gauge machine. It can be hand knitted or crocheted as about a laceweight, but check tension first.
As the yarn is spun in oil it is important to knit/crochet/weave a tension square, measure it, wash it (as you will subsequently launder the finished item), measure it again and see if there is any shrinkage or fulling and adjust your pattern/needles accordingly. See ** below and images for how my samples turned out. Being spun in oil means that yarn is very smooth to work with and will glide through your knitting machine or across your hooks and needles. When the finished piece is washed, it fulls out slightly to create a really soft, fleecy surface, rather than creating good stitch definition. In industrial knitwear this is a really desirable effect and creates a very professional finish. The only down side, and one of the reasons you don't see a lot of oiled yarn in yarn shops, is that the oil will mark the ball band or cone and leave greasy marks, so cover your clothes with a towel etc. if it's likely to be in contact with your clothing for long…but your hands will feel nice and soft!!
You can weave Lambswool Tweed very effectively, though it is recommended for the weft only as there isn’t a huge strength with it having a fairly light twist and just being 2 fold.
With most untreated pure wool yarns Lambswool Tweed will felt beautifully, especially if treated mean and thrown in the washing machine. It shouldn't take too much effort to thicken up into a nice soft, squishy fabric that can then be used for bags, cushions and accessories.
**Washing, Shrinking & Felting;
Suitable Crafts: Crocheting, Embroidery, Feltmaking, Knitting, Machine Knitting, Needlefelting, Tapestry Weaving, Weaving
This brilliant quality yarn is a fabulous price and the colours are glorious.
Ply - 3ply
Count - 15/2nm (2/14wc)
Gauge - Knit on 3mm pins to a tension of 30 stitches and 40 rows for a 10cm square
Length - Approx. 1500m
EPI - 26
WASHING INSTRUCTIONS:
For best results:
Cool hand wash with little agitation to remove oil
(Throw in the washing machine for felt)
Dry flat
Cool iron