YARN REVIEW: Blacker Yarns Lyonesse

What kind of yarn is it?

• Lyonesse by Blacker Yarns is a 50/50 blend of linen and wool (Falkland Island Corriedale or Merino). It's available in both 4-ply and DK weights. The swatches shown use the DK, with a 4mm hook for the crochet swatch and 3.5mm needles for the knitted one. 
• The combination of linen and wool gives Lyonesse a very interesting feel; it's a little stiff at first but soon softens up. Once blocked it really relaxes into a wonderful suppleness. 
• Lyonesse comes in a range of 15 shades, including one undyed neutral. 

Who makes it? 

Lyonesse is made by British company Blacker Yarns, who are part of specialist wool millers The Natural Fibre Company. The company's main focus is on high-quality, natural, UK-sourced and produced yarns. It pays fair prices for all the fleeces it buys, so as to help support British farmers. Animal welfare and appropriate waste disposal are also of high priority. 

Plus Points?

• Each of the fibres used in Lyonesse brings its own characteristic to the finished material. The linen adds crispness and strength, while the wool lends softness and memory. In other words, what you get is excellent stitch definition with just a touch of fluffiness. It also has the typical "give" you would expect from linen, but doesn't go overly baggy thanks to the wool. It retains its blocked shape amazingly well. 
• The shade range isn't huge, but it is versatile in that each colour has a good depth to it and is very wearable. 
• Merino or similar wools can be quite fragile on their own, but the addition of linen makes this much more hardwearing. It is clearly meant to be used for items that will really be worn and loved for a long time. 

Negatives?

• Stiff, dense fibres such as linen and cotton can be quite tough on the joints. Although this yarn is soft to the touch, I did feel fatigue in my fingers and wrist especially when crocheting with it for a long time. 
• Availability of all the shades isn't constant, but depends on when each season's fleeces come in. Blacker are very helpful when you get in touch to ask about their stock though!

What should I use it for?

Lyonesse is a good mid-season to summer yarn and would make beautiful lacy or cabled garments as well as accessories. 

Suggested pattern: Betty Bolero

Note: I was not compensated in any way for writing this review

Shrug, bolero, or capelet??

I like all of the designs that I've been commissioned to do this past year (which is lucky, isn't it!) but every now and again I make a sample that I really don't want to send in. Because I don't want to take it off. 

This little number, a 1950s-inspired shrug/bolero/capelet - I eventually settled on bolero - was one such design. Commissioned by Crochet Now for their retro-themed issue, it is exactly the kind of practical-but-pretty thing I like to wear myself. So now I am eagerly awaiting the day the sample finds its way back to me. Because I really don't think I'll take it off, at all, all summer. I'll wear it over a dress, or team it with one of my million stripey tees with jeans. 

Betty is worked up in Blacker Lyonesse, a DK blend of wool and linen. I've always shied away from linen as it's quite stiff, but this yarn is wonderful. It has all the crispness of linen, but with the softness, drape and memory (i.e.: it holds its shape, unlike pure linen which can go very baggy) of wool. 

The construction is very simple, just a flat rectangle with tapered edges that are seamed up into sleeves at either end. The ribbed collar (for which a tutorial is available here) is worked directly into the selvedge edge. 

It's ever so versatile, and can be made small and snug or large and loose - it all depends on how much coverage you want. And for a little Mama and Me style? We can do that. 

Issue 14 of Crochet Now is in UK shops from April 20th, or you can buy a digital version through any of the platforms listed on CN's where to buy page.