I originally had 4 yarns that I was going to review.

But, I’ve decided to hold the other two for next week. They both have a healthy amount of either Cotton or Linen in them, and I’d like you to treat them differently.

Summer sesame

47% Cotton

44% Acrylic

9% Nylon

The different colors of the 2 swatches is just because each one was made from different colors of the yarn. Summer Sesame does have lovely, slowly-changing colors.

Knitting

Needles: 4.5 mm (US #7)

I used a sharp needle but a blunter tip would have been better. I needed to be aware or I might even split the yarn. 

The nubs make it just a touch harder to pull through. 

Summer Sesame isn’t stretchy at all.

Choose your pattern wisely! Some ribs won’t look right because they’ll flatten. And cables or larger decreases aren’t great matches either. Larger increases can also make more of a hole than you might be accustomed to making. For this same reason, eyelets WOULD be a great match. 

Crochet

Hook: 4.5 mm/7

The nubs made it harder to pull the loop through the stitch. You can even see some uneven-ness in my stitching. I suggest embracing that and not pairing it with a pattern that relies on neat and even stitches. You’ll thank me later 😉

Ultra Wool Handpaint

100% Superwash wool

Needle: 4.5 mm/US #7

Hook: 4.5 mm/7

Color: 33303 Mojito

(this is a great compliment) Ultra Wool Handpaint is a great workhorse yarn. It’s a worsted weight yarn with a great tooth, a grabby texture (I actually forgot it was a Superwash) and a lovely bit of painted extras.

The Superwash does make it a good candidate for either easy laundering or even gifting. Just remember that Superwash yarn will often stretch because it doesn’t have the grab of the barbs.

Knitting *and* Crochet

It worked up wonderfully in both Knitting and Crochet.

Give each of these a try! They’re beautiful yarns

About the Reviewer: Jody Richards

Jody is the founder and lead editor of Knotions. She loves poring over stitch dictionaries and trying out new stitches. And while she likes all things crafting (well ok, except that one thing), yarn crafts are her true love (and she has the stash to prove it).

She’s a serial starter-of-projects and has a serious problem with finishing things without a deadline.

And don’t get her talking about hand-dyed yarns.  You’ve been warned.