Kelbourne Woolens and The Fibre Company have just introduced Cumbria Fingering, the lighter weight sibling to the popular worsted weight Cumbria yarn. A personal favorite blend of mine, this wool/mohair yarn has the beautiful, rustic look we all love without the itchiness or scratchiness that truly rustic yarns entail. The beautiful soft, heathered colors come from the base yarn being a light brownish gray, rather than a lighter cream, being over-washed with lovely colors inspired by its namesake English region.
Yarn Details:
- 328 yards
- 60% fine South American Merino, 30% Masham Wool, 10% Mohair
- 26-30 stitches over 4” on a US 1-3 (2.25-3.25 mm) needle
- $22
A brand new pattern collection by Bristol Ivy will be released very soon. Check out the lookbook here. We can’t wait to see it!
Pattern Ideas:
Highly textured patterns will work beautifully with Cumbria Fingering due to its fabulous stitch definition. Paulina Popiolek’s Ho’okipa Shawl features a beautiful lace and twisted stitch border that is reminiscent of a hefty cable. Another fun and cozy option are the Pennard Castle legwarmers out of the brand new Take Heart collection by Fiona Alice. The legwarmers are knit inside out so that the majority of the stitches are knit, creating a reversible accessory that is sure to keep your legs warm on these chilly winter days.
Cumbria Fingering has a bit of “tooth” to it that makes it perfect for colorwork projects. Gretel by Kate Gagnon Osborn is an attractive yet classic Fair Isle hat that will look great in countless color combinations. SpillyJane’s Wintertime for Adriana combines a traditional diamond pattern and tiny evergreen trees under a gentle snowfall. Whip up a few pairs for yourself and friends before winter is over. Don’t forget that the floats provide extra warmth to ensure none of Old Man Winter reaches your head or fingers.
The blend of different wools and mohair provide exceptional strength, making this yarn long-lasting and durable in a variety of projects. Isabell Kraemer’s paulie cardigan is a cute (and free!) striped sweater While I’m in love with the cover sweater with little hints of the contrast and matching buttons, you could easily change the width of the stripes or use multiple contrasting colors. The lighter fingering weight will make this sweater useful all year round while the yarn strength will keep it in great condition for years to come. Socks are another great use for Cumbria Fingering. The mohair will function much like nylon will, providing strength without sacrificing beauty. The Kellswater Socks by Sara Morris combine traditional Gansey patterns that work well with the yarn, creating a totally English-inspired sock.
Despite its rustic appearance and inherent strength, Cumbria Fingering is perfect for even the laciest of projects. Kate Gagnon Osborn’s Parquet shawl and Faye Perriam-Reed’s Autumn Gold Lace Beanie/Slouch Hat are both cases where Cumbria fingering would really shine.
Kelbourne Woolens has announced that patterns written specifically for Cumbria Fingering, including a small collection of sweaters by Brisol Ivy, are on their way so be sure to check those out once they are published.
What patterns do you have in mind for this yarn? Be sure to share below!
