Feature
| PLANT-BASED YARNS
variety of weights, from sock yarn to
chunky, but DK tends to be the most
Patons Linen Touch DK 74% Rowan Lenpur Linen
Knitshop Cotton/Linen
cotton and 26% linen, 12 75% vi lenpur and 25%
70% cotton and 30% linen,
common. It’s available in an array of
shades, machine wash at linen, 12 colours, hand
handwash lukewarm, 100g
colours, including variegated shades.
40°C, 50g, 100m, 4.5mm wash, 50g, 115m, 4mm
skein, 220m, 3.5-4.5mm
hook, RRP £2.60, www. hook, RRP £4.30, www.
hook, RRP £3.98, www.
Linen
patonsyarns.com. knitrowan.com.
knitshop.co.uk.
Well-known for being light and cool, linen
yarns are made from the fi bre of the fl ax
plant, also known as linseed. The production
of linen dates back 5,000 years and different
parts of the plant can be used to make either
coarse rope or fi ne textiles.
Linen fi bres are produced in various
places around the world, but particularly
Canada, China, India, USA and France. Flax
grows quickly and requires little fertilisers
or pesticides, making it an environmentally
friendly fi bre. However, the process of
turning fl ax into linen fi bres is rather labour
intensive, making it more expensive than a bit harsh so it’s better blended with other
other plant fi bres. fi bres. For example, Rowan’s Lenpur linen
Linen tends to be stronger than cotton, is blended with lenpur, a tree bark that’s
making it long-lasting, but linen is also turned into yarn fi bre through a synthetic
less elastic than cotton, so it wrinkles more chemical process.”
easily, which is fi ne if this is the look you’re
after. Linen fi bres can absorb an amazing Hemp
amount of water without feeling damp and Hemp was once one of Britain’s largest
they also naturally resist dirt and stains – crops, and was used to make ropes and
great for kids’ clothes! sails in the 1700’s. Hemp declined during
Linen yarns create garments that are the industrial revolution of the 19th
cool, absorbent, soft and smooth – ideal for century, but has experienced brief spells of
summer clothing, but also good for layering popularity during the 20th century. Hemp
all year round. The fi bres can withstand has suffered with a bad name because it
high temperatures and most yarns can be comes from the stalks of the cannabis plant,
“
Hemp fi bres create a strong and durable yarn,
“
which can feel soft if blended with other fi bres
(Above) Linen yarn is perfect for summer
– this gorgeous wrap is from Rowan's
machine washed. The fi bres tend to soften but the species grown for industrial hemp
Lenpur™ Linen Collection (ZB80).
the more they are washed, but they can also is very different from the type grown for
be brittle and the threads can break if folded marijuana. However, the confusion has led
or ironed repeatedly in the same place. to strict growing regulations in the UK,
Linen has only recently been introduced USA and other areas around the world,
to the mainstream of craft yarns, and limiting its use.
is usually blended with other fi bres, These restrictions are a shame because
particularly cotton, to get the best of both hemp fi bre has fantastic craft potential and
fi bres! Linen yarns usually come in 4ply or great eco-credentials – it can be grown
DK weights and natural linen shades range anywhere in the world, in virtually any
from cream to light brown, but are also dyed conditions, to be used as food, fi bre or
to other, usually natural-looking shades. fuel. However, it’s not just easy to farm,
Marie Wallin, Head Designer at Rowan it also grows quickly and needs very little
Yarns says: “I love linen yarns. The fi bre pesticides and no herbicides. The largest
takes colour very differently to cotton, in producers of hemp are Canada, France,
more of a dry, matt way that gives a more China, India and Russia.
natural look. Linen has a dry handle and is Hemp fi bres create a very strong
cool to wear, although 100% linen can be and durable yarn, which can feel soft if »
www.insidecrochet.co.uk
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IC3.feat.plant-based yarns.FINAL.indd 65 7/7/09 16:05:26
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