Cotton Lustre

We had a lovely new customer in the other day. She decided to use Rowan's new Cotton Lustre for an Up and Down Tee. Mary is hard at work on a sweater in this yarn, so I have not taken the time to swatch it, since Mary will be knit her sweater up in about 2 days. Not really, but she is a fast knitter. Here's a peek at what she's knitting.

Anyway, this customer asked what the yarn looked like worked up, and I didn't have a swatch. So I cast on some stitches real quick and knit up a little swatch. Wow. It is SO nice to work with. Really soft. Like your favorite tee shirt soft. Great bounce too. Cotton Lustre has this beautiful resiliance, which means that it isn't going to sag and be all out of shape.

The gauge on the ball band is 17 stitches per 4 inches, and it can easily go to 16 and probably 15 with no trouble at all. It's not going to go much tighter, though. If you try to force it into 18 or 20 stitches in 4 inches, you're wasting your time. I'm good with the gauge, because in the summer we like nice quick knits, and 16 stitches is going to work up fast fast fast. Unlike other summer yarns at this relatively chunky gauge, Cotton Lustre's construction makes it light and cool against you skin. There is a beautiful pattern book especially for Cotton Lustre with 13 designs by Sarah Hatton.

I love the one Mary is doing, of course, but I also love this simple drape-front cardigan which is so modern and flattering

This one is exactly what I want to put on and wear every day of my life. It just looks so comfortable for me. I run a little bit cold, and having longer sleeves is perfect for my over-air-conditioned world.

And this one is perfect for when it actually is hot and you're going to be out in the thick of it. So cool  and comfortable.