Natural Knits:
Midnightsky Fibers produces small batches of hand dyed and hand spun yarns, many of which are vegan and/or produced in an environmentally friendly manner.
Owner-creator of the company Jenn Wisbeck says she not only uses natural dyes and processes, she uses low-water processes and graywater as much as possible in her dyeing process to make products that are as gentle to the environment as possible.
I got a chance to play with her Roo Rio wool, which is dyed with fustic and indigo. While it's not a vegan-friendly yarn, it sure is pretty for the rest of us.
Specifications:
- Content: 100 percent wool dyed with fustic and indigo
- Yarn weight: Super bulky
- Gauge: I got 7.5 stitches and 11 rows per 4 inches on size 15 US needles
- Yardage: 50 yards per skein
Note: because Midnightsky Fibers runs very small batches, this exact yarn is not always available. Check their website for current availability.
Knitting:
This extra bulky thick and thinner yarn is fun and easy to work with. The coloring is great, with lighters and darker bits running through it that give a very natural look.
Despite the fact that this yarn is clearly made of two plies twisted together, there was no splitting when I knit up my swatch on pointy aluminum needles.
I started with size 13 US needles (and got a gauge of 8 stitches and 12 rows per 4 inches with them) and liked the look of the fabric but found it rather stiff and lacking in drape, so I tried again with the 15s.
This gave the fabric a better feel but it's still pretty firm.
Uses for Midnightsky Fibers Roo Rio:
Roo Rio would be a great choice for a structured knit like a jacket or even a scarf. I'm thinking of using my swatch as part of a patchwork pillow project I've been thinking about.
It would be a great choice for a special project and something that will keep you or a loved one warm, maybe like armwarmers or leg warmers. The yarn isn't scratchy so it could be worn close to the skin.
Bottom Line:
This yarn is a bulky beauty that may not be perfect for sweaters or delicate projects, but certainly has its place. It's also very well made by a small producer in an eco-friendly manner. You can't get much better than that.
