I want my yarn customers to enjoy knitting with Gotland yarn. I want them to create hand knits that will forever evoke in them pleasant thoughts and memories of the actual knitting. For me, knitting is about so much more than just the yarn and the needles and the finished project. It provides hours for contemplation and for gaining perspective. My hand work provides an outlet for me to love, pray, celebrate, nurture, and sometimes grieve. If a yarn is to do all of this, I must take seriously my work of shepherding and fiber processing.
We are in year four now of raising Gotland sheep and it has been a long process to decide what is the best way to process our wool for knitting. What began as a journey to provide a pure breed yarn has taken an unexpected turn in order to provide a more consistent lovely yarn year after year.
After having spent some time this fall knitting with my Gotland yarn, I thought I would give you a little review of my thoughts about knitting with our 100% Gotland yarn vs. our Gotland/Silk blend yarn.
Knitting with 100% Gotland Wool Yarn
Here are a few observations:
Vermont Grand View Farm 100% Gotland yarn, worsted weight, 3 ply. Gauge 4.5 stitches to the inch.
- 100% Gotland wool develops a halo after washing and blocking. The halo develops more with wear.
- The knitted sweater feels substantial, weighty, woolen and warm.
- My Gotland wool sweater is the warmest in my closet. I suspect the halo is the secret behind the warmth of Gotland wool, trapping your body heat in and keeping the cold out.
- Intricate stitch patterns can get lost in the halo of Gotland yarn.
- Gotland handknits tend to soften more and more over time. I’m not sure why this is….but my Vermont Cardigan seems to soften with each time I wear it.
- Gotland does have lovely drape.
Below is a comparison of a hat knit with our very darkest 100% Gotland lamb’s wool. On the left, you see the hat as it looked right after knitting, washing, and blocking. On the right you see the same hat, 2 years later. Lisa Evans of Knitting & Yoga Adventures purchased this hat from me when visiting our farm. When I asked her for a photo of her hat as it looks today, she replied, “I love my hat. Its so warm and definitely fuzzy, I wear it a lot.” As you can see, the stitch pattern definition has faded leaving a subtle texture to the hat. It has also developed a halo which contributes to its warmth factor.
Knitting with Gotland/Silk Blend Yarn
This is the second season we have asked the mill to do a Gotland/Silk blend with our wool. The first year, we only had a small amount spun as a test batch. Adding the silk is an added expense and I wanted to test it before having a large quantity spun with the silk. We were so pleased with it that this year, we had all of our Gotland wool blended with silk. You may ask, “Why silk? Why not blend the Gotland with another wool like merino which would add crimp into the yarn and allow the mill to spin it more easily?”
Through our years of living in Vermont, I have grown to love silk for it’s warmth and light weight qualities. Silk is also similar to Gotland fiber in that it has lovely luster and drape. When the mill suggested we use silk as the blend, I thought it a perfect match.
Here are a few facts about silk from the Winter Silks website:
Some quick silk facts:
- Silk can absorb up to a third of its weight in water before it feels wet.
- Silk is breathable. It keeps you cool on hot days and through warm nights.
- Silk regulates body temperature, and preserves your body heat in the cold.
- Silk has impressive moisture wicking properties, keeping you dry and comfortable in any climate, year-round.
- Silk naturally repels mold & mildew.
- Silk is hypoallergenic, and won’t irritate sensitive skin.
- Silk is lightweight and soft, making it easy to layer under daywear.
- Silk has a natural luster from its smooth threads, giving a beautiful appearance.
- Silk doesn’t create static, so it does not cling or crease easily.
- Silk fibers are naturally elastic, and can stretch up to 20% without breaking.
This fall, I was anxious to cast our silk blend onto my knitting needles. In October, I knit Arboreal, a Jennifer Steingass pattern and I have just cast off on another Vermont Cardigan.
Here are my observations:
Vermont Grand View Farm Gotland/Silk blend-DK weight, 3 ply. Gauge 4.5 stitches to the inch of a size 6 needle.
- The knitted fabric has a lovely silky feel to it.
- The silk almost gives the yarn a tweed look adding some depth to the knitted fabric.
- The knitted fabric relaxed after washing and blocking.
- The sweater is deceivingly light and airy feeling.
- I am comfortable wearing the Gotland/Silk blend sweaters both inside and out. I do feel that the added silk helps to regulate body temperature. I wore my Arboreal on Thanksgiving Day when our temperatures hoovered at zero degrees with a windchill of -15 degrees. It was cozy warm and did not disappoint.
- After being worn a few times, it does not seem to be developing as much of a halo, but I think it far to early to be sure.
- I also feel that it will maintain better stitch definition.
In conclusion, I am smitten with our Gotland/Silk yarn! It combines all the wonderful qualities of both Gotland wool and silk.
Suggested Knitting Patterns for VT Grand View Farm Gotland/ Silk Yarn
Silver Forest-Jennifer Steingass
Arboreal-Jennifer Steingass
Magnolia-Camilla Vad
Magnolia Hat-Camilla Vad
Ready for Fall-Isabell Kraemer
Vermont-Hanna Maciejewska
Knit Local
Would you like to try knitting with our Gotland/Silk blend yarn? All of our Gotland yarn can be purchased directly on our website in our online farmstore. It comes in shades of natural gray as well as dyed. Don’t see the color you would like? I am happy to do custom dyeing for you.
Read more about knitting with our Gotland yarn:
So What’s the Big Deal About Knitting with Gotland
