I thought I’d share with you a few comments by one of our top designers and my friend, Vashti Braha’s, about the unique properties of Country and Spa yarn.
“I love what it looks like crocheted, partly because of its soft sheen and loft, partly the fine-grained type of plying, but most of all because it’s Z-twisted. I seek out Z-twist yarns. I find it reduces splitting while working, and prevents a stringy or sloppy-lumpy look to lacier stitch patterns because as one works multiple “yarn overs”, one is either mildly untwisting or adding more twist, and it’s better to add more for handsome fancy stitches. The overall look and performance of this yarn brings to mind stylish and upscale casual classics that convey a modern, quietly sophisticated spirit.”
Vashti is on the board of the Crochet Guild of America and her Barcelona jacket, done in Country, is one of the most popular designs on the NaturallyCaron.com site, as it’s a project that works for so many body types. Check out what Vashti has to say about z-twists on her blog…
Technical descriptions of yarns may sound pretty boring (hey – most of us just want a great yarn, we don’t necessarily want to know how it got to be that wonderful yarn). But yarn isn’t like a good hamburger – lots of us DO want to know how it was put together and got to be what it is now. I think you’ll agree that this is pretty interesting stuff, especially when described by Caron’s own yarn product development manager, Frank Jankowski. Here’s how Frank describes NaturallyCaron.com yarns:
NaturallyCaron singles yarns are given “Z” twist. The 2-ply yarns made from these singles yarns must have “S” twist to balance the torque {twist tightness). This is where it gets interesting! You can cable the yarns with either “S” or “Z” twist. If I cabled Spa and Country with “S” cabled twist, the resulting yarn would have unbalanced torque and a more pebbly look. On the other hand, cabling with “Z” twist gives a completely balanced yarn, no residual torque, improved softness, and improved drape.
Thus Spa and Country are called “ZSZ” yarns. There are cabled yarns in the US mass market that are “ZSS” and “ZSZ,” but without a doubt, to take advantage of the balanced twist, no residual torque, and the best possible drape and softness, “ZSZ” is the way to go.
For reference, in the UK (and Europe in general), there is more widespread use of “Z” twist in hand knit yarns in general, but for most plied yarns in the US, the final twist that the needle or hook will see is often “S” (including SS and Pound). Fortunately in our case, Spa and Country are cabled and have that additional twisting process that allows us to offer “Z” twist to the needle/hook.
Too much information maybe, but worth knowing from a crafter’s standpoint.
FREE PATTERNS
But, before you go, check out the two new additions to the Country and Spa Pattern Boutique:
The Belize circular wrap designed by Kristin Olmdahl and crocheted in Country is shown in two totally different color 
combinations on two totally different models. If your complexion is dark, the wrap done in shades of Sunset, Foliage and Gilded Age is perfect. If you are fair, the combination of Deep Taupe, Deep Purple and Foliage is just right for you. Just changing two colors can result in a totally different look.
And for knitters, it’s the versatile Botanico top designed by Margret Willson. Using the very complexion-friendly Soft Sunshine, this top is wearable at work as well as on weekends. The super-easy stitch pattern gives just the right amount of texture.
Stop by again next week when I’ll let you know about two more exceptional NaturallyCaron.com designs available online.
