Yarn Name: Forbidden Fleece
Yarn Color: Pumpkin Spice
Type: Indie
Content: 100% Superwash Merino
Put-Up: 440 yards
Weight: 100 grams
Gauge: 7-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http://www.ForbiddenFleece.etsy.com

This is the first offering from a brand new dyer (a husband and wife team). I was astonished when I saw the pictures of their first efforts, but actually holding the yarn really knocked my (hypothetical) socks off. I've seen established dyers whose yarns weren't as well done as this. The yarn is a very soft 2-ply with a medium twist; it has a lot of squish and poof and should bloom nicely when knitted and/or washed. It should flow through your fingers with ease when knitting. Wearability should be good. The color selection is inspired; colors softly fade into new ones with secondary colors at the changes. Many other colorways are also offered. The put-up is generous, allowing you to get a pair of socks from one skein. Customer service is excellent, and this dyer will do custom orders. I hope to add many more of their colorways to my stash. A breath of fresh air for the indie scene!





Yarn Name: FatCatKnits
Yarn Color: Bermuda Sand
Type: Indie
Content: 75% Wool, 25% Nylon
Put-Up: 416 yards
Weight: 3.6 oz
Gauge: 7-9 sts/in
Needle Size: 1-3
Purchase At: http://www.FatCatKnits.etsy.com

I had to look this yarn up under the dyer's profile to see if it was hand- or commercially-spun. What a pleasant surprise to see that it's a hand-spun! Outstanding spinning with a hard twist; even though this yarn is soft, it will have excellent wearability. The dyer describes this yarn as monotonal; however, the oranges and purples peek out, giving the color and yarn delightful dimension. This yarn should flow through your fingers when knitting. You probably need one skein for most patterns; check your pattern requirements. This dyer has a wide range of colorways to choose from and also offers roving. Customer service is good and shipping is fast. I would use this yarn in highly textural patterns, lacework, or cabling. Due to the colorway, it will allow the pattern to shine while still retaining enough character to show itself off as well. This is another dyer whom I will be visiting again.





Yarn Name: Hand Maiden Camel Spin
Yarn Color: Dragonfly
Type: Indie/Commercial
Content: 70% Silk, 30% Camel
Put-Up: 329 yds
Weight: 100 grams
Gauge: 6.5-8 sts/in
Needle Size: 2-3
Purchase At: http://www.thesweetsheep.com

This is another of those yarns that borders on commercial, but it's so special that I had to include it. This yarn is pure luxury; even softer than cashmere, it should be reserved for the most special of garments, socks included. There are several colorways to choose from, and since this yarn is expensive (but well worth it!), choose wisely. You will need two skeins to make a pair of socks, even more for larger garments. The silk makes this yarn glow and shine; the colors dance, appear, disappear, and reappear; it's hypnotic to look at. Make sure your hands are absolutely smooth before you work with this yarn; even the smallest rough spot on your fingers will cause it to catch and perhaps snag. Once your hands are smooth, however, this yarn will slide through your fingers like a hot knife through butter. Be careful if knitting socks on DPN's; because of the high silk content, this yarn is also very slick. All the little precautions are more than worth it, though, because even just a swatch will make you drool and want more. I bought two skeins because I want to make a pair of house socks. A medium-twist yarn, it will probably have decent wearability. Because of the high silk content, it's best suited to house socks or bed socks. Shawls and scarves would also be heavenly made from this. Because of the riot of colors, a simple stitch pattern should be used. This yarn is a heavy fingering weight, falling in-between fingering and DK or sport. No matter how much it costs, it draws me like a moth to the flame. I'm sure I'll get more of it (hmm... my wedding anniversary is in seven days - gift time!). :)