If you are a shop owner, perhaps you can relate to this:
Sometimes there is a yarn, and you think to yourself, "This is a fine yarn". You don't think much more about it. The yarn is ordered, it arrives, you put it on the shelves and you wait for people to order it and the team to pack and ship it. Fast-forward a month or so, and one of your colleagues comes into your office to say, "I think we need to reorder that yarn."
"Which yarn?"
"Lino."
"Lino? Really? How low is it?"
"We are nearly sold out of most of the colors."
"WHAT?"
And so it was with the unassuming, yet lovely,
Lino from BC Garn in our first months of having it in the US. Sometimes you know a winner when you see it, and sometimes you know you like something and think it is a worthwhile product but don't assume anything and - bam! - just like that, you have a sleeper hit on your hands.
I think even the folks at BC Garn were surprised at how much you would love Lino, as we apparently sold through their entire inventory on many colors well before the season was in full swing! (For those of you patiently waiting, the scheduled arrival of our next order is 7.12.)
This humble linen is apparently just what you've all been waiting for, so without further ado, let's take a look at our
swatches and some designs in this perfect summer yarn.
Lino Specifications
100% linen
164 yards (150 meters) / 50 gm skein
US 2-6 (2.5-4 mm) / 31 sts x 32 rows = 4” (10 cm)
Machine wash cool, lay flat to dry
Lino is a sport/fingering weight yarn, according to the label specs, and depending on the kind of fabric you want the gauge can be as dense as what is listed or as loose as 22 sts per 4" (10 cm) on a US 6 needle. Both will give you a full coverage fabric, it just depends on the look and drape you are going for.
L / BC Garn Lino on a US 6 needle, unblocked.
R / BC Garn Lino on a US 2, unblocked.
Linen is not the most supple fiber to knit with, but once it is washed it softens up dramatically! The more you wash and dry it the softer it becomes. It really is magical. The blocked gauges (machine washed
warm and machine dried) of the above swatches came out to 21 sts and 29 rows and 26 sts and 32 rows.
German designer
Regina Moessmer has a three-piece collection in
BC Garn Lino, available in English. Her designs are classic and stylish, with just the right amount of technical detail to make the garments absolute perfection.
Lino T
Regina Moessmer's
Lino T is knit on a US 6 (4mm) needle at a gauge of 22 sts to 4" (10 cm). The fabric is airy looking, yet solid, and with an elbow length sleeve it is perfect for those who live in climates that don't get too terribly hot in summer. This raglan sweater is so simple and classic. If you're that sort of knitter who really wants to only put the hours in to make something that will last the test of fashion time, then this is your next sweater.
Midnight
If you're looking for something a little more funky,
Midnight has a classic shape paired with a lace and cable yoke to give it a little something extra. Dark colors are always so hard to photograph, but I love this sweater in black - how
very European! This design is also knit at 22 sts to 4" (10 cm) on a US 6 (4 mm).
Lido
Lido features a lace panel on the front of a classic t-shirt shape and is worked seamlessly from the top down. Of all the Lino garments, I think this one is my favorite. It's so simple, yet I love the way the lace looks like little arrows. Really, any seamless garment for summer is a winner as far as I'm concerned! I think I would have to choose one of these amazing brights to knit it in though:
Looking for more designs in BC Garn Lino? Check out Ravelry to find one that is perfect for you.
