As we prepare for spring stitching, we’re excited to welcome a brand new yarn line from Elemental Affects! Coastal is a unique blend of U.S. Shaniko brand Wool, Belgian flax and Mulberry Silk.
With the hand of a slightly textured cotton, the yarn behaves like the perfect temperature control — absorbing moisture and helping it wick it away from the body. It is a great warm weather option for garments and accessories! Shaniko Wool Company is Merino and Rambouillet from American farms and ranches and is certified under the Responsible Wool Standard.
Coastal is a result of a collaboration between Jeane of Elemental Affects and Brooke of Sincere Sheep. Read more about how they chose the materials and construction for this yarn:
“It’s no secret that Brooke and I specialize in dyeing wool, so you might think we included the wool because we wanted to keep our dye processes the same. And, while that is partly true, we also wanted the natural characteristics of the wool to absorb moisture. To us, that was an important feature. It was the first step in absorbing body moisture to help move it away from the skin and make it available for evaporation. It also is a good base of “soft” in the hand and to lend some loft to otherwise dense fibers. We also chose Shaniko wool because we just loved Jeanne Carver’s mission and the quality of the fiber.
The silk is a no-brainer for us. It is also soft, it provides the yarn with a sheen that is especially luxurious, AND it’s a good “evaporator.”
And the start of the show — flax! We always knew that we wanted this yarn to have flax in it. We were trying to source a U.S. version of this fiber, but just couldn’t find any in time to make the yarn this year. An especially good “breather” flax also helps with body temperature regulation as it, too, helps with moisture evaporation. But also, because our dye methods are friendlier to protein fibers (and silk), adding the flax adds depth to the colors because flax doesn’t take up the dyes we are using as well as the wool and silk. It also adds a crispness to the hand of the yarn that is pleasant in warmer weather.
Added to the fiber mix is our choice of twist and plies. Keeping in mind the need for a crisp, but soft hand, we chose 3 plies to make a nice, strong, round-ish yarn. We also chose a moderately high twist for strength and to trap as many of the loose, soft wool fibers close to the surface of the yarn. The result? The perfect warm weather yarn!”
Yarn Details:
- Sport weight
- 205 yards per 2 0z (57g)
- 50% Shaniko Wool, 25% Belgian Flax, 25% Mulberry Silk
Pattern Ideas:
Waikoloa Beach Shawl by Romi Hill
From the designer: “Designed for a virtual knitting cruise to Hawaii, the waikoloa beach shawl is a beautiful three color crescent, started from the top down and worked up in a trio of happy colors. The slip stitch section represents waves leaving their prints on a white sand beach, and as you knit further out to sea, you’ll encounter bubbles and rippling currents. Bon voyage!”
Size:
- Wingspan; 65 inches tip to tip
- Depth: 18 inches
Materials:
- 1 skein each of three colors of Elemental Affects Coastal
- US 6 circular needle
- stitch markers
- locking stitch marker
- tapestry needle
Joleigh Swing by Ann Budd
Designed to span the seasons, this easy A-line top features a central lace panel, V-neck shaping, and three-quarter length sleeves in ten adult sizes.
Sizes:
About 35 1/2 (37, 39, 41, 43) (45, 47, 49, 51, 53)” (90 [94, 99, 104, 109][114.5, 119.5, 124.5, 129.5, 134.5] cm) circumference at bust.
Materials:
- 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) (8, 8, 9, 9, 10) skeins of Elemental Affects Coastal
- US 4 (3.5mm) circular needles
Analie by Ann Budd
This cute top down circular yoke tee combines two colors of narrow stripes with a simple slip stitch design.
Sizes:
About 33 1/4 (35, 37, 38 3/4, 40 1/2) (42 1/2, 44 1/4, 46 1/4, 48, 49 3/4)” bust circumference
Materials:
- 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins of the main color
- 2 (3, 3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins of the contrast color
- US 4 circular needle
Soho Skirt by Jeane deCoster
Coastal yarn lends the perfect swing and drape to this lacey skirt.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
(Built in Ease: Actual Waist + 2”, Actual Hip + 4”; and, Width at hem is 11/2 times the Low Hip measurement. Measurements are approximate as this is an A-line skirt meant to “swing.”)
Waist: 26 (28, 30, 311/2, 33, 341/2, 361/2, 381/2)”
Low Hip: 381/2 (401/2, 421/2, 44, 451/2, 47, 49, 51)”
2 Lengths: Short is 24” from waist / Long is 33 – 34” from waist
Materials:
- Main Color (Short): 5 (6, 6, 6, X, 6, 7, 7) skeins / Contrast Color (Short): 1 skein of Coastal
- Main Color (Long): 9 (10, 11, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14) skeins / Contrast Color (Long): 2 skeins of Coastal
- US 6 circular needle
French Quarter Tank by Jill Wolcott
Can you say je nais se quoi? A little flirty but still a little covered-up. This tank top is worked in the round to the underarms, and is just interesting enough to keep you going until suddenly, you are done!
Sizes:
Bust 33” / 83.8 cm, 36” / 91.4 cm, 40” / 101.6 cm, 45” / 114.3 cm, 50” / 127 cm, 55” / 139.7 cm, 60” / 152.4 cm
Materials:
- Elemental Affects Coastal: 3 (3) (3) (4) (4) (5) (6) skeins
- US 2 circular needle
- US 5 circular needle
Ninth Ward Cozy by Jill Wolcott
Ninth Ward cosy is perfect for adding to a summer dress or tee to turn a work-day outfit into something a little more, but easy.
Sizes:
XXS (XS) (S) (M) (L) (XL) (XXL) (with 3-4″ of ease in Body)
Materials:
- Elemental Affects Coastal: 2 (3) (3) (3) (4) (4) (5) skeins, as written
- US 5 circular needle
- US 2 circular needle
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Cable needle
Boho Cami by Ksenia Naidyon
With a simple straight silhouette, Boho Cami looks great with both simple jeans and floral skirts.
Sizes:
- A (B, C, D, E, F, G) (H, I, J, K, L, M)
- To fit bust 30.6 (33.1, 35.5, 38, 40.5, 42.9, 45.4) (47.9, 50.4, 52.8, 55.3, 57.8, 60.2)” / 78 (84, 90, 97, 103, 109, 115) (122, 128, 134, 140, 147, 153)cm
- For the fit shown, choose the size that fits your bust circumference exactly or has a little bit of negative ease (approx. 1”/2.5cm)
- Model has 34”/87cm bust and is wearing size B
Materials:
- Sport / heavy fingering weight yarn, 395 (430, 470, 510, 555, 600, 640) (690, 735, 785, 835, 885, 935)yds
- US 4 / 3.5mm for the body and i-cord
- US 3 / 3.25mm or 3mm for the hem (optional)
- Body: circular needles on 32” / 80cm cable, i-cord: dpns or circular needles
Essential Cropped Cardi by Kira Dulaney
This elegant cropped cardigan will quickly become your go-to sweater to pop over dresses. Double moss stitch gives the fabric a delicate texture, while ribbed cables climb along the front opening and neckline.
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
Bust: 36.5(40.5, 44.5, 48.5, 52.5, 57.5, 62.25, 66.25)“
Waist/Hem: 32.5(36.5, 40.5, 44.5, 48.5, 52.75, 57.5, 61.5)”
Body Length: 15.5(16, 16.5, 17.5, 17.75, 18.25, 19, 19.25)“
Sleeve Length to Underarm: 3.75”
MATERIALS:
700(800, 920, 1050, 1150, 1300, 1420, 1550) yards sport weight yarn
US 4 (3.5mm) 29” or longer circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge
US 4 (3.5mm) set of 4 double-pointed needles or size needed to obtain gauge
cable needle
stitch markers
stitch holders or scrap yarn
yarn needle
optional: removable stitch markers