A New Pattern!

Ta-da! Finally, I’m able to release my new pattern, Barn Swallow.

I had a wonderful time knitting these socks and I hope many others will enjoy knitting them too. 

I’d been tempted by the soft, sweet Quince & Co. Tern for quite some time. It was on the very top of the Quince shelf at the shop, just sitting quietly. All four of the colors were beautiful in characteristic Quince fashion, but finally I settled on the lovely Boothbay, a true Yankee blue. Honestly, I expected something quite different. I knew there was a silk component to this yarn but didn’t realize it was Tussah until I started knitting. There is something so tender and rustic about this yarn; it’s honest and pure and I love it. 

The yarn’s muted palette – think vintage painted photographs – results from the way in which the different fibers absorb dye. The wool portion colors thoroughly, but the silk is barely tinted.

It was my idea to make socks inspired by early American quilts, and Tern brought the soft, lovely quality of something having been laundered many, many times. The absence of nylon in a sock yarn is kind of a welcome change. Like many sock knitters, I’d become so accustomed to the presence of nylon that I didn’t really know the scope of its effect. Of course, the durability is welcome but I also noticed that nylon (or polyamide) imparts a stretchy quality to sock yarn too. This is noticeably absent in Tern and makes for a less stretchy and more slouchy sock. (If you’re not a fan of slouchy socks, you might consider making a smaller size). 

Anyway…hope you like it! I want to do a red pair next 😉