yarn reviews

Some people may not be too keen on the idea of supporting the cull of possums, however, it is deemed necessary to protect the native forests of New Zealand, where they cause extensive damage to the flora and fauna and have been officially labelled as a pest since 1936. Possum fur is hollow and when spun with merino wool, it produces a hardwearing yarn with superior heat-retaining qualities. The blended yarn is soft and light with a fluffy haze. It resists pilling and doesn’t feel prickly against the skin. Supreme Possum has a tension of 28 sts and 36 rows to 10cm and knitted up to a perfect even tension with a soft shimmer, good elasticity and drape. It is available in eight classic shades and the sample is shown in Cherry Red. Free pattern support can be downloaded from the website. A gentle hand wash and flat drying is recommended.



Composition: 40% possum fur,

50% merino wool, 10% silk

Weight: 50g Length: 210m

Rec needle size: 3-3.25mm RRP: £8.85

Contact: Supreme Possum Merino,

Mall Bungalow, Portsmouth Road, Milford, Godalming GU8 5DS Tel: 01483 608 270

Email: office@possum-wool.com

Website: www.possum-wool.com

This hand-spun yarn varies between thick and thin and knits up into a very chunky, textured fabric with a lovely lacy effect. Because of the variation in yarn width, it feels a little awkward to handle at first but grows very quickly on large needles with a tension of 8 sts to 10cm. Slubby Merino is available in the full range of shades that include natural, solid and multicolours and the sample is shown in Orange Fizz. It would make lovely scarves and accessories, or use a small amount in a sweater with another chunky yarn.



Composition: 100% Merino wool

Weight: 100g

Length: 37m

Rec needle size: 15mm

RRP: Approx £12

Contact: Be Sweet,

1315 Bridgeway, Sausalito,

CA 94965, USA

Email: info@besweetproducts.com

Website: www.besweetproducts.com

Cachemire is a luxurious yarn made from the long, silky fleece of the mountain goats in Kashmir. The unique softness of cashmere improves with washing and is a pleasure to wear. Cachemire has a tension of 23 sts and 32 rows to 10cm and knits up evenly with good stitch definition. It is exquisite to handle and soft enough to wear next to the skin. Pattern support is available in the Bergere de France magazines. Cachemire is available in eight soft shades and the knitted sample is in Splendeur.



Composition: 90% cashmere, 10% wool

Weight: 50g

Length: 150m

Rec needle size: 3.5mm

RRP: £9.95

Contact: Gordon Leslie,

Bergere de France,

11 White Hart Gardens,

Hartford, Northwich,

Cheshire, CW8 2FA

Tel: 01606 883 149

Email: gordonjleslie@hotmail.com

Website: www.bergeredefrance.com