Not just wool!

Some times technology improves things - like yarns. Remember when all we could get at the local yarn store was acrylic yarn? Barrels and pounds and big balls of acrylic yarn.

Times have changed! Now we've got wool from all kinds of sheep. And alpaca. and quiviat. and llama. and camel! And bamboo!

Bamboo? Yes! Plant fibers are making a real entry into the yarn market. This is great for those who want to try something new - but it's also great for those who have (or who knit for people who have) allergies.

One vendor that is providing a great variety of plant fibers is South West Trading Company . They began with introducing soy silk (see their story about their company and introducing soy silk) into the collection. What a testament to trying new things! They are gradually adding new plant fibers and Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe is including them in the store. Bamboo is in the store now along with the soy silk. And soon there will be CORN based yarn! How fun is that!

The texture as you knit iwith plant fibers s slightly different than knitting with wool - I think that I can even HEAR a difference but that's probably just me. Because of the difference in fiber, dyes will take differently. The fiber itself can be shiny or matte depending on the content and how it's processed.

Try something new - try bamboo! or soy! or CORN!

---Denyse for Bex at Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe