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Knitting with 100% linen yarn

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Hazel Blumberg - McKee

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Any tips for knitting with yarn that's all linen? I have some Euroflax linen that I'm thinking of knitting a top with. Do I knit more tightly than I normally do? Will linen get out of shape if I knit loosely? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Hazel
 
#2 ·
Hi Hazel.
I am not familiar with Euroflax linen but I have knitted with linen before. As long as your pattern is for linen go by what they suggest having worked your swatch. If your pattern is not specifically for linen then work using needles that best match the thickness of the yarn.

When I worked mine it felt quite stiff but once washed it went beautifully soft. Do remember that there is no elasticity in it so will not produce a snug fit. It is very like silk in that respect and will just hang loosely. If you want it to have the elasticity of wool types then you will nedd to run another thread of that type with it.

Good luck and hope you create what you have in mind.
Sue
 
#3 ·
Hazel, today I was looking at my yarn stash and found some euro flax yarn. Do you have a pattern using that yarn? I did make a shawl quite a while ago with it. I would rather make a shell or a sweater. You can PM me.
Thanks
 
#4 ·
I'll be watching too, just got some 80% linen 20% merino but you can't feel the wool so I'm hoping to pick up some hints :D

I've got as far as doing a tiny 2 1/2" swatch which has come out ok, the stitches seem quite stable but it could be that discreet wool making the difference

What gauge is your yarn? Mine's 500m per 50g with 12 rows and 8 stitches per inch on 2.5mm needles
 
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#5 ·
Hi Hazel, I am almost finished with the Macey Stole which uses the Euroflax. (look on Ravelry) While it is beautiful, I have not appreciated working with it. B/c it seems to have a mind of it's own, I have pulled tighter than I normally would have. 26 pattern repeats was supposed to yield 63 inches. I have completed 31 repeats and have about 42 inches. Luckily I did buy an extra skein. I emailed Louet for technical assistance as directed on the pattern. I was answered immediately, but unfortunately, they could not give me an idea how much this might "grow" when washed and dried as directed. She was nice enough to try to guess with me how to deal with this. I started a thread re: this about a month ago and found some people who love this yarn. I am hoping I will fall in love after the wash and dry, but right now, I keep checking my index finger tips for calluses from it. I wrote in that previous thread that I can see it being used to truss a turkey for the oven, tether the dog, and secure the shutters b/f the next hurricane. All that being said, my daughter has asked for this stole and watches my progress with it. Please let us know how you do with your project.
Now that I've said all this, look on Ravelry at the Ilene Bag (free download). It uses one skein of Euroflax. It is definitely in my future...also great gift item.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
knitter107 said:
Hazel, today I was looking at my yarn stash and found some euro flax yarn. Do you have a pattern using that yarn? I did make a shawl quite a while ago with it. I would rather make a shell or a sweater. You can PM me.
Thanks
Click to expand...
No, unfortunately I don't have a pattern. I was going to invent a pattern for the yarn; I've got several different colors, so I was planning on making a striped top. I'd love to knit a side-to-side top (starting at the sleeve, increasing for the body, then decreasing for the second sleeve), but I don't know if linen would be a good yarn for this.

Of course, I still have a top on the needles (75% cotton, 25% acrylic) that I've told myself I MUST finish before I start any other projects. ;-)

Hazel
 
#7 ·
Hello Hazel,
I just purchased Euroflax in fingering weight in hopes of making a summer top. I have never made anything with wet spun linen before. The owner at my LYS told me that it softens up and is very durable when washed. She also told me to wash and dry my swatch before measuring. In my search of patterns I ended up purchasing a pattern especially made for that yarn at louet.com. I paid $7 for my pattern which is a bit steep but I have never worked with this yarn so I wanted it to turn out the best it could. The website claims that special knitting techniques are necessary so that the yarn will hold its shape. I guess we will see how it goes.
Lauri
 
#8 ·
Hazel Blumberg said:
Any tips for knitting with yarn that's all linen? I have some Euroflax linen that I'm thinking of knitting a top with. Do I knit more tightly than I normally do? Will linen get out of shape if I knit loosely? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Hazel
Click to expand...
Hazel, I did knit a summer top in linen yarn--Lino by Katia. My experience with that linen yarn was that it didn't get out of shape any more than any other yarn. It was a little "splitty" to work with, especially when I first started but I got used to it and knitted right along with it with no particular problems. I knit with the same tension as I do with any other yarn.

Here is a photo of the top. If you have any questions for me you can post them here or pm me.
 

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#9 ·
ElyseKnox said:
Hazel, I did knit a summer top in linen yarn--Lino by Katia. My experience with that linen yarn was that it didn't get out of shape any more than any other yarn. It was a little "splitty" to work with, especially when I first started but I got used to it and knitted right along with it with no particular problems. I knit with the same tension as I do with any other yarn.

Here is a photo of the top. If you have any questions for me you can post them here or pm me.
Click to expand...
Beautiful work. It fits perfectly and looks lovely. So very, very flattering!
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
ElyseKnox said:
Hazel, I did knit a summer top in linen yarn--Lino by Katia. My experience with that linen yarn was that it didn't get out of shape any more than any other yarn. It was a little "splitty" to work with, especially when I first started but I got used to it and knitted right along with it with no particular problems. I knit with the same tension as I do with any other yarn.

Here is a photo of the top. If you have any questions for me you can post them here or pm me.
Click to expand...
What an absolutely beautiful top! And it looks great on you!

Hazel
 
#12 ·
ElyseKnox said:
Hazel, I did knit a summer top in linen yarn--Lino by Katia. My experience with that linen yarn was that it didn't get out of shape any more than any other yarn. It was a little "splitty" to work with, especially when I first started but I got used to it and knitted right along with it with no particular problems. I knit with the same tension as I do with any other yarn.

Here is a photo of the top. If you have any questions for me you can post them here or pm me.
Click to expand...
ooo, lovely!
 
#15 ·
PauletteB said:
I have some of the 100% linen, the Euroflax yarn. I have not done anything with it because it feels rough. I am thinking it might soften once it is washed.
Click to expand...
That's what they say. The sample in the LYS was extremely inviting. Will let you know. I have completed about 2/3 of the Macey stole. It's pretty, but becoming boring and tedious. I put it down yesterday to make a quick market bag out of a soft cotton. I'm needing some instant gratification.
 
#16 ·
I have a flingy little vest top done up,,, but haven't washed or finished edges. Linen is always a bit rough on the hands, in my opinion. It doesn't look like much until washed and blocked. The fiber will full out a bit and is wonderful to wear. It becomes softer with every washing. I think you will like he end result. When I weave with it, we even spray it with water on the loom to hav it relax a bit and finishing methods include putting it in the freezer, removing and hitting with a hammer to break down the fiber a bit. I'm not recommending that for your knitting, but it does show that it is a strong and resilient fiber.
 
#17 ·
Dreamweaver said:
I have a flingy little vest top done up,,, but haven't washed or finished edges. Linen is always a bit rough on the hands, in my opinion. It doesn't look like much until washed and blocked. The fiber will full out a bit and is wonderful to wear. It becomes softer with every washing. I think you will like he end result. When I weave with it, we even spray it with water on the loom to hav it relax a bit and finishing methods include putting it in the freezer, re(moving and hitting with a hammer to break down the fiber a bit. I'm not recommending that for your knitting, but it does show that it is a strong and resilient fiber.
Click to expand...
Hi Dreamweaver, Missed you on KP, glad to see you are back. I hope all is well. That hammer trick made me laugh. I have wanted to beat this euroflax many times.
Do you have any notion re: how much this stole I am working on might stretch? 26 pattern repeats was supposed to yield 63 inches. I have completed 31 repeats and have 42 inches of stole. When I allow gravity into the mix, the 42 becomes 50 inches. The blocking instructions from Louet say to machine wash and machine dry. (The pattern is the Macey stole, #7 needle, Louet Euroflax/sport.) Any pearls of wisdom are welcome, Thanks.
 
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