Introducing Keld Twist: merino and linen fingering weight yarn with a twist

You may be familiar with our other merino/linen yarns Keld Fingering and Keld Aran which have been popular since their introduction over the past couple of years. Our newest yarn combines the qualities of these two yarns to give a two ply fingering/4ply weight yarn which is soft enough to wear next to skin and has a rustic effect due to the linen being visible throughout the yarn. These linen fibres don't take the dye and so the yarn has a subtle marled effect which is more striking for darker colourways. 

Stats:

83.3% superwash merino, 16.7% linen
100g
375m/410yds
2.5 - 4mm needles (US 1-6)
2.5 - 4mm hook 
15 WPI

Washing: we have yet to test this in the washing machine so for now we're recommending that you hand wash it. That being said, ideally you'd handwash all woollens - bear in mind that wool doesn't need washing nearly as much as other fibres and often a spot clean or being aired outdoors is enough!

The two plies are spun with a medium twist giving this yarn a bit more structure than the single ply Keld Fingering. 

Swatches

I've done a number of swatches to share here with you; I hope they're helpful. Note that these are blocked but I didn't stretch them as hard as I could, so even this isn't a foolproof way of showing what gauge you can get with this yarn. It's a starting point though. 

1. crocheted swatch on a 2.5mm hook using half treble (UK) stitch - 21.5sts x 16 rows in 10cm after blocking

2. crocheted swatch on a 4mm hook using half treble (UK) stitch - 15sts x 11.5 rows in 10cm after blocking

3. knitted swatch on 2.5mm needles in stocking stitch - 25.5sts x 39 rows in 10cm after blocking (note: that's fewer stitches than I would have expected!)

4. knitted swatch on 4mm needles in stocking stitch - 19sts x 26 rows in 10cm after blocking

Test knitting/crochet/Tunisian crochet projects

A group of ECY fans have been testing this yarn for us; here's what they made and what they had to say about the yarn! Note that we are still waiting for photos of many of these projects so we'll update this when we get them! 

Sally's Infinity and Beyond Cowl by Joji Locatelli - one skein in colourway Beach Glass

"it is so soft and the way it has absorbed the colours is amazing"

Sari's Wool & Honey by Andrea Mowry - four skeins in colourway Bark

"Keld Twist is absolutely perfect for this pattern. It is soft but still has the structure from the linen to keep it in shape"

Kareen's Keep Me by Gretha Mensen - two skeins in colourway Tide 

"I love this yarn. I've knitted 2 shawls in Keld Aran and I think it behaves similarly.
It's easy to work with, it does shed a tiny bit during winding (I tried both with a winder and without) and the plies did sometimes split while knitting, but rarely and definitely not often enough to be annoying.
It's super soft and extremely lightweight but still warm - I've been wearing it on the recent cooler days and it was just perfect. And you can easily bunch it up and fit into a handbag.
I also like that you can still see white linen bits, it makes the colour even more interesting.
I found it works equally well for plain stockinette and garter stitch, but I also like the cables - they are not super crisp, more soft, and I think that works well for a lot of patterns.
I personally wouldn't use it for anything where I need a very good stitch definition because I think it would get too "blurry", but I am already thinking about summer garments in this yarn!
I am a tight knitter and went up one needle size (to 3.75mm) and used a bit less than 2 skeins. If you'd like more details, just let me know.
Thanks so much for letting me test knit this new base - it was a real pleasure! ☺"

Alison's Summer in the City shawl by Dani Sunshine - one skein each in colourways Beach Glass and Tide 

"The yarn is extremely soft, it feels like it has silk in, not linen, however it is more ‘bouncy’ and keeps it shape/stitch definition really well!"

"Totally luscious!"

Gemma's Romantic Beanie by Camilla Baroe - one skein in colourway Tide

"Such gorgeous yarn! It wound really smoothly with no shedding or tangling, and it feels so soft in your hands. Sometimes linen in yarn can make it feel a tiny bit prickly (in my opinion) but this is lovely. The colour is like denim and the sheen is just right!
Lovely to crochet with, too. It's not splitting glides over my metal hook. (I don't have a bamboo hook to be able to comment on that)."

Janet's Seedling by Pauliina Kuunsola (from the 52 Weeks of Shawls book by Laine) - two skeins in colourway Beach Glass 

Ellen's - Coloring Book Tee by Aimee Sher - three skeins in colourway Clematis and on skein in colourway Thunder 

"It’s butter soft, wound up into a cake quite nicely. I had to frog it at the start; no crinkles."

Marina's Lace and Fade Boxy by Joji Locatelli - two to three skeins in colourway Thunder used alongside Eldwick Lace also in Thunder

"it’s so soft and light and warm"

Eleanor's Hail Storm by Stephanie Erin - five skeins in colourway Falling Leaves

"I'm really enjoying crocheting with it - I tried with a wood hook at first and didn't get on so well as it was splitting quite a bit, but swapping to a metal hook made all the difference and it's just gliding along. Even though it's quite a loose twist it's holding up really well, even under the stress of using the tiny hook for the beading. The drape is just gorgeous, and I love the slight texture of the slubs. It's also surprisingly soft!"