What feels like another world ago, the lovely people at Laughing Hens got in touch with me to see if I'd like to try out some of the yarn that they sell. Who, me? Why thank you very much! Delighted to! So they sent me a skein of this ...
According to the label, Maxima is a 'super-soft merino fibre' and its light single-ply construction makes for a 'cuddly yarn'. It really does feel buttery-soft, so I decided to give it test run by knitting a cowl. Perfect for keeping cosy on cold winter days. I was worried that I might find it a bit splitty, being so softly spun, but that wasn't the case at all. I actually managed to whip up this cowl* on the bus down to Ally Pally last October (it's an aran weight yarn so it knits up nice and fast) and it was a delight to work with.
It's available in 16 colours - some bright and others more muted. The shade I worked with is called Oxygen and is a subtle mix of pale blues.
Even though it's softly spun, the stitch definition is good and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed working with the yarn. It would also be perfect for a snuggly hat or some mittens. I have a fair bit left after knitting the cowl so I will see if it's enough for a pair of mitts, or wrist warmers at least.
Here's the yarn details:
- Care instructions: Cool Hand Wash
- Blend: 100% Superwash Merino
- Length: 200m / 219 yds per 100g skein
- Needle size: 5.0 mm (US 8, UK 6)
- Popular: Superwash
- Yarn tension: 18-20 sts in 10cm square
- Weight: Aran
You can buy it from Laughing Hens here.
Overall, I think Maxima is a lovely yarn for accessories - soft, light and cosy. Perfect for anything that you want to snuggle into and stay warm. Let me know what you think if you try it out. xxx
* I made up the pattern for the cowl and if there's any interest, I will write it up and put it on Ravelry.
5 comments:
One of my friends is the US distributor for Manos yarns, and I know that part of the reason they came up with Maxima was because their original worsted weight yarn, Rittenhouse, was lovely but pilled like crazy. They were hoping ti get something better with Maxima, and I think they got it right. I love the color and your cowl - a perfect match! I for one do hope you share the pattern.
I can feel the softness through the computer ... :-)
Please write up the pattern! Also, do you have any other sock patterns on Ravelry? I've got a drawer filling with Kali Kardia and fancy something else to try.
I am impressed you got a cowl out of the skein with a lot left over. That looks like it would make extremely cuddly cushions as well. Sitting here with very cold hands I have also decided that I will get myself a skein and knit some fingerless gloves. Perfect for laptop work in the cold :)
That yarn does look super squishy! Your cowl is lovely and a pattern write up would be much appreciated. xx
I picked up some interesting yarn on holiday in NZ and decided to knit a cowl too when I was away. I did not use a pattern either and decided to just wing it. The only needles I could get were straight so I am knitting flat and joining later. I just wondered how long to make it before I cast off?
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