We’ve brought back Harrisville Designs to space! We are so excited to work with Harrisville, a historic and family-run American yarn company and mill, to bring you some U.S.-sourced and spun yarns. Today we received nightshades—a bouncy American Cormo Wool and American Wool blend yarn that pairs rich black wool with a hint of color. These dramatic colorways are in 12 shades of black, marled with just a touch of color – purple, blue, green, orange and more.
A sheep’s breed will tell you a lot about how the yarn feels and behaves—and fibre from the Cormo breed is a favorite among the yarnistas. Cormo sheep were bred as a cross between Corriedale and Merino breeds. The result? A wool with a medium staple length (or the length of any individual fibre in the fleece) of Corriedale, which gives the fibre strength and definition. However, Cormo gets its softness from Merino. Micron count is the diameter of an individual fibre, and Cormo’s fine micron count (17-22 microns) is closer to that of Merino (11-23 microns) than the Corriedale’s higher micron count and thicker fibres.
Once spun, the result of this cross is yarn that is springy in texture, strong and soft. When stitched up, the fabric made from Cormo Wool holds stitch definition over time, while rivalling the gentle feel of Merino. Next time you’re in the store, ask a yarnista to point out some different Wools to compare so you can feel these fibre differences for yourself!
For high-contrast colorwork against lighter yarns or or on its own, nightshades will work up into garments and accessories you will love. Our pattern inspo below features nightshades paired with Spincycle Dream State. Personally, we love the idea of mixing nightshades in Cinder (orange), Dashboard (dark blue), or VCR (forest green) with Spincycle Dream State in our exclusive colorway, The Royal Mile!
Yarn Details
- DK (3) weight
- 80% American Cormo Wool / 20% American Wool
- 3-ply woolen spun
- 250 yards (229 meters) per 100 gram skein
- US#4 – 6 (3.5-4 mm) needles or US E-4 – G-6 (3.5-4 mm) hooks
- 22 stitches = 4”
- $23, and available in-store only
Our Pattern Picks
Potato Vodka
Finished Bust Circumference
36.5(40.5,44.5,48.5,52.5)(56.5,60.5,64.5)” including recommended 4” positive ease at bust
Yarn
Background color: 700(750,800,900,1000)(1100,1200,1300) yards of Harrisville Designs nightshades (100% American Cormo & Wool, 250 yards/228m per 3.5oz/100g skein)
Accent color: 450(450,450,600,600)(600,750,750) yards Spincycle Yarns Dream State (100% American Wool, 150 yards/137m per 1.75 oz/50g skein)
Needles
- US#6 (4.0 mm) needles
- US#5 (3.75 mm) needles
Gauge
20 stitches and 32 rows = 4” in slip stich texture pattern, after blocking
20 stitches and 28 rows = 4” in stockinette, after blocking
Hammersmith
Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Finished Chest Circumference
38 (41.75, 47.75, 51.5, 53.75, 57.5, 63.5, 65.75, 69.5)”
Pullover shown measures 53.75” with 3.75” of positive ease. Recommended positive ease: 3-10”
Yarn
6 (6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9) skeins of Harrisville Designs nightshades (80% American Cormo / 20% wool; 250 yards / 229 m; 3.5 oz. / 100 g), or 1205 (1300, 1430, 1535, 1610, 1720, 1870, 1940, 2040) yards of DK weight yarn
Gauge
17 stitches and 28 rows = 4” in reverse stockinette stitch, after blocking
Needles and Notions
- Size A (for body and sleeves): US#8 (5.00 mm) 32” circular needles
- Size B (for ribbing and collar): US#5 (3.75 mm) 16” circular needles
- Size B (for ribbing and collar): US#5 (3.75 mm) 32” circular needles
- Size C (optional, for tubular cast on): US#4 (3.5 mm) 32” circular needles
- Cable needle
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Waste yarn
- Worsted-spun yarn matching in color for seaming
Gauge
17 stitches x 28 rows = 4” reverse stockinette stitch on Size A needle, after blocking
21 stitches x 32 rows = 4” in 2×2 rib on Size B needle, after blocking
1 Chart B rep (30 stitches) = 5” wide
Murano Squares Bandana
Yarn
1 skein of Harrisville Designs nightshades (100% American Cormo & Wool, 250 yards/228m per 3.5oz/100g skein) or 165 yards of DK weight yarn
2 skeins of Spincycle Yarns Dream State (100% American Wool, 150 yards/137m per 1.75 oz/50g skein) or 165 yards of DK weight yarn
Hook
- US 7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook
Cragmore Vest
Finished Bust Measurements
33 (36, 40, 44, 49, 51, 55, 58, 60)” with -2 to +2” of ease
Yarn
545 (594, 660, 726, 809, 842, 908, 957, 990) yards of Harrisville Designs nightshades (100% American Cormo & Wool, 250 yards/228m per 3.5oz/100g skein)
Needles and Notions
- US#6 (4.0 mm) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
- US #5 (3.75 mm) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge for the hem.
- US#4 (3.5 mm) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge for the collar and cuffs
- Cable needle
- 1 unique stitch marker for BOR
- 3 stitch markers for the collar, you might wish other stitch markers to mark pattern repeats for the front panel
- Tapestry needle
- Waste yarn or Barber cord
Gauge
All are measured after wet blocking
20 stitches & 28 rows for 4” in (p2, k3) rib
24 stitches & 28 rows for 4” working the small cable
22 stitches & 28 rows for 4” of blended stitch gauge (this incorporates all cables and ribbing for body portion of the pattern)
Elara Pullover
Finished Bust Circumference
34 (39, 41, 43, 49, 51, 55, 58, 63),” intended to be worn with 2-5” of positive ease
Yarn
3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins of Harrisville Designs nightshades (100% American Cormo & Wool, 250yds/228m per 3.5oz/100g skein) or 639 (727, 833, 900, 1085, 1034, 1247, 1327, 1472) yards in DK weight yarn
Hook and Notions
- US H-8 (5.00 mm) crochet hook
- Locking stitch markers (4)
- Tapestry needle
Gauge
16 stitches and 20 rounds = 4” in (FPtr, dc) pattern, after gently wet-blocking
Miruna Shawl
Finished Measurements
Width: 91”
Depth: 28¼”
Yarn
4 skeins of Harrisville Designs nightshades (100% American Cormo & Wool, 250 yards/228m per 3.5oz/100g skein), or 875 yards of DK weight yarn
Hook and Notions
- US H-8 (5.00 mm) crochet hook
- Locking stitch marker(s)
- Tapestry needle
Gauge
13 stitches and 9 rows = 4” in double crochet, after gently wet-blocking and pinning
