Knitting mystery: Same garment, half the weight?
Hello friends,
I'm currently in the midst of knitting my second basic drop-shoulder sweater. But this time, I'm using something truly special that will have you saying "wow!" – blown yarn!
☁️ What is blown yarn?
For those unfamiliar, blown yarn (like Drops Air) is a fantastic innovation. It uses a unique construction where, instead of the traditional spinning process, the fibers (usually baby alpaca, nylon, and wool) are blown into a tube together.
This results in yarn that's incredibly soft, warm, and unbelievably light. Think of an aran weight sweater that feels twice as light – that's the magic of blown yarn!
Why you'll love blown yarn for your next project:
Cuddle cloud comfort: Imagine sinking into a luxurious hug – that's the feeling of airy yarn against your skin. Perfect for cozy sweaters, scarves, or anything you want to snuggle up with!
Lightweight luxury: Ditch the bulk! Airy yarn keeps you warm without feeling heavy. Garments made with blown yarn are about 30-35% lighter than those made with similar-thickness yarns, making them ideal for layering and travel projects.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind:
Unraveling challenges: Blown yarn's fluffiness makes "frogging" (unraveling) tricky. It can tangle or lose its puff with each pull. Take your time and knit mindfully to avoid unraveling later.
Maintaining even tension: Blown yarn's fluffy texture can make achieving perfectly even stitches a little tricky. So, don't stress about absolute perfection and focus on enjoying the process.
📐 Using blown yarn in patterns.
Same gauge, lighter project: Blown yarn feels airier than regular yarn, but here's the magic: it uses the same stitch gauge! This means you can use blown yarn in patterns written for regular yarn (same gauge) and get a lighter, airier project. Plus, blown yarn has more yardage per skein, so you'll need less (around 1.5-1.8 times less!).
Here's an example: The size S Mellow Mood sweater needs 12 skeins of regular wool aran yarn, but only 7 skeins of blown yarn (like Drops Air) because it has more yardage.
Tip: Always swatch (knit a small sample) with your chosen blown yarn to check the gauge before starting your project.
My personal experience:
Maintaining even tension with blown yarn has been a challenge! It can sometimes lead to slight variations in stitch size. But the good news is, these little imperfections can be fixed with a bit of needlework after finishing. (For those curious, I gently pull the stitch legs with a knitting needle to create a more even look.)
Norman from Nimble Needles has a great video demonstrating this technique. It's a quick watch and can be really helpful for anyone who wants to refine their finished project.
📔 Pattern of the Week 1.
Since I chosen the topic of the week the blown yarn, here is a perfect sweater for you to try Warm-up sweater by Espace Tricot!
Why you'll love it:
Beginner-friendly: This pattern features a basic design, making it a great choice for knitters new to raglan sleeves or blown yarn. It's a stepping stone to more complex projects!
Video tutorial: Feeling a little uncertain? Don't worry! There's a fantastic step-by-step video tutorial by Clo Knits to guide you along the way. The 1.5-hour video covers everything you need to know.
Size inclusive: The Warm-up Sweater is size-inclusive, with a finished bust circumference ranging from 40-70” (102-178 cm).
Aran weight yarn: You can use Drops Air or similar blown yarn, or regular wool yarn that meets the gauge.
Looking for a blown yarn bite-sized project?
The Warm-up Sweater is a nice project, but maybe you'd prefer something quicker before tackling a whole sweater. No problem!
📔 Pattern of the Week 2:
Chunky Twist Headband by Nina Ruth.
This adorable two-layered headband is the perfect introduction to blown yarn! It's also a great stash-buster, using just one skein.
Why You'll Love It:
Quick and easy: This headband is a fast and simple knit, ideal for beginners or anyone who wants a quick project.
Warm and cozy: The double layer construction makes this headband super warm and cozy.
Stylish twist: The clever twist detail adds a touch of flair to the simple design.
Blown yarn friendly: This pattern is specifically designed for use with blown yarn like Drops Air.
🧶 Yarn of the Week: Drops Air
Composititon: 65% Alpaca, 28% Polyamide, 7% Wool.
Texture: Blown / Fiber-filled net.
Weight/ length: 50 g = approx 150 m/ 164 yds (aran weight).
Knitting tension: 10 x 10 cm (4") = 17 sts x 22 rows.
This week's spotlight shines on Drops Air, a fantastic yarn for creating any lightweight garment. Here's why it's a great choice:
It is budget-friendly!
Easy to find: With Drops' extensive network of retailers in many countries, you won't have trouble getting your hands on this yarn.
The color palette of Drops Air is truly impressive, offering a vast selection of beautiful shades to bring your airy project to life.
Looking beyond Drops Air:
There is a whole world of blown yarns to explore! Remember that awesome yarn substitution website I mentioned? https://yarnsub.com/ Use it for suggestions on replacing Drops Air yarn.
Yarnsub also lets you search for specific yarn weights.
Knitting is all about trying new things. Blown yarn creates light, airy projects and feels amazing. So embrace its fluffy texture and have fun experimenting!
I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to reply and share your experiences with blown yarn.
❤️ I hope this Esenote was useful and inspiring.
Warm regards,
Julia Piro
Knitwear Designer & Esenotes Curator
P.S. Looking for even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram or Facebook!
