May 2018

I received three skeins of Zen Yarn Garden Magical Dye Pot Superfine Fingering for review. Magical Dye Pot Series are dyed to be complimentary sets, each set A-F has 6 different colorways. However, as you can see here you can also mix and match, I chose a skein from different sets – E-6, D-4 and B-3!

This yarn base is a medium twist superwash merino yarn with nylon, and would be great for socks, shawls, hats, mitts and sweaters – anything next to skin. Even though it has a more relaxed twist, I did not find it splitty at all while knitting. The yarn has a nice drape and feel and the stitches plumped up right next to each other after blocking. I used US 2 (3.0mm) to knit up a sample swatch and this made a lovely fabric for a shawl or sweater.

Zen Yarn Garden Superfine Fingering
90% sw superfine merino/10% nylon
Approx. 400 yds (fingering weight)
US 1-3 needle recommended
Hand wash/air dry

The skeins within the sets are dyed to compliment each other and work very well for fades. With 6 different sets ranging the spectrum, there’s something for everyone!

I knit up a swatch trying out thick and thin stripes.  The colors are rich and vibrant and have that wonderful artisan indie dyed look to them!

Here I have marked where the large stripes go from D-4 to B-3. Combining like colorways with stripes would also be a great way to avoid pooling and flashing in a larger garment, like a sweater.

Zen Yarn Garden’s dye studio is based is Ontario, Canada and run by full time husband and wife team Roxanne and Neville Yeun. They take pride in providing the most luxurious fibers available for their yarns and dyeing them in a range of beautiful semi-solid and one-of-a-kind colourways.

Yarn provided by Zen Yarn Garden in conjunction with Stitch Craft Marketing.

I received some Manos Serena 3-Ply for review.  My first thought upon touching this yarn was LACE!  This yarn is so soft, light and airy.  Its practically weightless.

Since the yarn is 60% Baby Alpaca and 40% Pima Cotton, I wasn’t sure how it would work for lace since these two fibers don’t have the elasticity or other properties of wool that block so well.

I was so pleasantly surprised when it blocked beautifully!  I knit up a lace swatch, soaked and pin blocked it and the lace is beautiful.  Some of the halo of the alpaca came out, but does not obscure the lace pattern.

It was a absolute pleasure to knit with, with a soft and dainty feel, but strong and durable to withstand blocking.

Manos Serena
60% baby alpaca, 40% pima cotton
approx. 170 yds / 155 mts
per 1.75 oz / 50 g skein
Gauge: 22 – 26 sts = 4″ / 10cm
Needle Size: US 4 – 6 / 3.5 – 4 mm
Hand dyed

Serena comes in a variety of kettle dyed colors, some tonal and some more variegated.  This blend of pima cotton and baby alpaca has fantastic drape, and makes it perfect for scarves, wraps, cardigans, and summer tops.

Yarn provided by Manos del Uruguay in conjunction with Stitch Craft Marketing.