Alpaca Fleece and Yarn
WORKING WITH SURI YARN
Why knit with suri? What can I expect?
- only 15% of all alpacas are suri
- fine suri yarn is a beautiful lustrous yarn
- 20% warmer than wool, like cashmere in it softness and silk in drape and luster
- takes color as beautifully as silk or kid mohair
What are the properties of suri yarn?
- its drape and weight make it perfect for garments that drape rather than cling
- fine and open-work garments are warm
- not as resilient as wool but more resilient than silk, cotton or bamboo
- suri blocks and holds its shape if it isn't made of heavy yarn and not knit loosely
- does not contain lanolin so it is a good substitute for those allergic to wool
- hollow fiber helps regulate your temperature
How do I use my fine suri yarn? How do I find patterns?
- suri is fine, lustrous, sound, consistent in handle and staple length and considered a luxury fiber
- the yarn is ideally suited to shawls and scarves but also lace sweaters christening bonnets, dresses and wedding veils
- whether spun in a fine lace weight or a fingerling weight, it should adapt easily to patterns for such garments. Attention to needle size is important.
- go down a needle size or two from a pattern created for wool. Always check gauge!
- patterns for silk and fine cotton should behave much the same way as suri yarns, as these yarns do not have the elasticity of wool.
What needles should I choose?
- for knitting suri yarn, smooth wooden or bamboo needles are good. For lace projects, addi lace needles are wonderful. As suri is a slippery yarn, the addi lace needles have just enough drag to hold the yarn on the needle and are still fast.
- needle size can vary according to the project. The finer the needle, the more stable the finished piece.
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