We are overjoyed to have Knitting for Olive on our shelves!
Knitting for Olive is a small family-run yarn company based in Denmark, specializing in high quality natural fibers. Sustainability, responsibility and care are as important to them as beautiful colors – each of their yarns is created with respect for animals, workers and our environment.
We’ve added two Knitting for Olive yarns to our collection here at HYS – Pure Silk and Cotton Merino. These yarns are identical in weight, yardage and gauge, so can be used interchangeably. Today, we’ll look more closely at Pure Silk. Keep an eye out for more on Cotton Merino next week!
- fingering weight
- 100% Bourette Silk
- 273 yards (250 meters) / 50 grams
- hand wash in cool water, lay flat to dry
- gauge: 28 stitches = 4″
- needles: US 2.5 (3 mm)
Knitting for Olive first caught our eye because of its lovely color palette. From subtle neutrals to vivid brights, their yarn comes in colors we want to wear, and colors we often see knitters reaching for.
Knitting for Olive Pure Silk is made from waste created during silk processing, called bourette. In conventional silk production, the silk worm cocoons are boiled, preserving the thread, but killing the silk worms. Knitting for Olive’s silk is made of threads from broken cocoons, allowing the silk worms to complete their life cycle. The short, leftover silk fibers are spun into a cruelty-free yarn with a rustic look and matte finish. The fabric it makes is as soft and cool to the touch as any silk, however – come in and pet this swatch to see for yourself!
Pure Silk is all drape and no elasticity, perfect for the lightest warm weather accessories and garments. It may take tiny needles and a long time to knit a garment with a single strand of this yarn, but the results are compelling – here are some pattern ideas for either Pure Silk or Cotton Merino!
- “Cumulus Tee,” by PetiteKnit – stockinette tee with rounded v-neck
- “Umbria Summer Top,” by Cookie the Knitter – cardigan-style broken-rib tee
- “Camisole No. 9,” by My Favourite Things – classic stockinette tank
- “Lakes Stripe Tee,” by Ozetta – striped saddle shoulder tee in 2 colors
- “Moon Set Tee,” by Ozetta – drop shoulder v-neck tee
- “Sunshine Tee,” by Andrea Gaughan – classic striped or solid t-shirt with folded hem
- “Fern Tee,” by Pernille Larsen – lace tee with circular yoke
- “Juno tee,” by Sari Nordlund – raglan tee with lace sleeves
- “An Italian Spring Shawlette,” by An Italian Knitter – garter stitch shawl with eyelet stripes
- “Holly Bandana,” by Susanne Müller – kerchief with eyelet pattern
- “Soho Scrunchie,” by Tori Yu – seamless scrunchie
Knitting with two strands of Pure Silk or Cotton Merino would be faster, and still not too heavy for spring… stay tuned for double-strand pattern ideas next week! In the meantime you’ll find both of our Knitting for Olive yarns in the fingering weight section here at HYS.