Sol Dégradé: This is what T shirts in heaven must feel like!
Today we’re going to focus on one of our favorite yarns of summer: Sol Dégradé.
Made by Lang Yarns, it is a remarkably soft, machine-washable, combed cotton ribbon yarn.
Made by Lang Yarns, it is a remarkably soft, machine-washable, combed cotton ribbon yarn.
Sol Dégradé (rhymes with “parfait”) is saturated with long-repeat color runs that gradate subtly as you work with it.
Though an Aran weight, it’s perfect for summer breathability, making it a great choice for folks looking to make a warm-weather garment but who really prefer working with larger needles or hooks.
Sensitive skin? This soft yarn is cool to the touch, with no irritation.
Though an Aran weight, it’s perfect for summer breathability, making it a great choice for folks looking to make a warm-weather garment but who really prefer working with larger needles or hooks.
Sensitive skin? This soft yarn is cool to the touch, with no irritation.
Never worked with a ribbon yarn before? Don’t be intimidated. Its light stretchiness is easy on the fingers, never splits, and looks great in drop stitch.
Here’s what’s really remarkable about it: Based on what size needle or hook you use, this versatile yarn can go from an opaque, close-knit fabric to a breezily open and draping web. Knit with the same yarn on different needles and you won’t even recognize it!
For example, here's Sol Dégradé knit up on US size 9 needles:
Here’s what’s really remarkable about it: Based on what size needle or hook you use, this versatile yarn can go from an opaque, close-knit fabric to a breezily open and draping web. Knit with the same yarn on different needles and you won’t even recognize it!
For example, here's Sol Dégradé knit up on US size 9 needles:
You can see how surprising it is to watch the flat, ribbon shape of the yarn be transformed into a much more familiar, traditional look. While breatheable, this is a closed, denser fabric.
Now let's look at the same yarn knitted on size 13s:
Now let's look at the same yarn knitted on size 13s:
In this pattern for a one-skein scarf (designed by our friend Catrin) you can see how going up to a larger needle size really opens up the yarn and you can really see the ribbon-shaped construction become a design element.
That's the effect most people like to showcase. Look at the effective combination of drop stitch and loose tension using US 11s here in Esther's version of a slouchy tee:
Or, you can split the difference and knit an opaque fabric but with the loosened-up stitches you get from the size 11s. That's what Kate did here in this flowing summer top of her own devising.
And finally, here's Sarah's awesome 1st birthday present for Zoë: A "flapper dress" (which is also a free pattern) knit in Sol Dégradé. This is another great example of the effect you get by using a smaller needle, in this case all the way down to an 8. This colorway looks like a ray of sunshine!
If you've had a chance to work with this yarn, please feel free to share with everyone on Ravelry's "Argyle Finished Objects" forum. We'd love to see your finished work!
The Stats:
Yarn: Sol Dégradé from Lang Yarns. 100% machine-wash cotton.
Little blue/brown dress: Color: 79. Pattern: Knitting Pure & Simple #122, "Little Girl's Top Down Dress" by Diane Soucy.
The scarves: Colors: 46 (purples), 44 (greens). Pattern: "But Then I'm Biased" by Cat Jones.
Esther's top: Color: 05. Pattern: "Ona's Slouchy Tee," by Donna Palicka, Sister-Arts Studio.
Kate's top: Color: 06. Pattern: Kate's vibrant imagination.
Sarah's little dress: Color: 149. Pattern: "The Flapper Dress," by Shannon Passmore.
Yarn: Sol Dégradé from Lang Yarns. 100% machine-wash cotton.
Little blue/brown dress: Color: 79. Pattern: Knitting Pure & Simple #122, "Little Girl's Top Down Dress" by Diane Soucy.
The scarves: Colors: 46 (purples), 44 (greens). Pattern: "But Then I'm Biased" by Cat Jones.
Esther's top: Color: 05. Pattern: "Ona's Slouchy Tee," by Donna Palicka, Sister-Arts Studio.
Kate's top: Color: 06. Pattern: Kate's vibrant imagination.
Sarah's little dress: Color: 149. Pattern: "The Flapper Dress," by Shannon Passmore.