Yarn Spotlight Spring 2014: Radiant Orchid!

In the Spring 2014 issue of Interweave Crochet, Yarn Spotlight is a celebration of Radiant Orchid, Pantone's color of the year for 2014. Some of us are super-excited about this, as 75% of our wardrobe is now in vogue!

Here's a closer look at the yarns featured in the crocheted Radiant Orchid in Yarn Spotlight.

Juniper Moon Farm Tenzing
(distributed by Knitting Fever)

Content: 85% extra­fine merino wool, 15% yak
Put-up: 153 yd, 140 m/1.76 oz, 50 g
Construction: five 2-plys
Care: handwash cool, dry flat
Color: 06, purple
Hook: F/5 (3.75 mm)

This springy yarn is poised for action. Stitches expand slightly after being worked, filling the empty spaces to make a terrific sweater for cool days. (Note: Surface crochet worked in Plymouth Yarn Revel, below.)

Perfect for a cool-weather cardigan.

The Fibre Company Road to China Light
(distributed by Kelbourne Woolens)

Content: 65% baby alpaca, 10% cashmere, 10% camel, 15% silk
Put-up: 159 yd, 145 m/1.76 oz, 50 g
Construction: 3-ply
Care: handwash separately in cool water, dry flat
Color: 357, dark amethyst
Hook: F/5 (3.75 mm)

Whisper-soft with a slight halo, this yarn works up into a very light fabric that provides great warmth. Let it find a place in your next transitional-season garment. (Note: Surface crochet worked in Plymouth Yarn Revel, below.)

Perfect for a solid-stitch cropped cardi.

Classic Elite Yarns Fresco

Content: 60% wool, 30% baby alpaca, 10% angora
Put-up: 164 yd, 150 m/1.76 oz, 50 g
Construction: 3-ply
Care: handwash cold, dry flat
Color: 5351, mauve
Hook: F/5 (3.75 mm)

This warm & slightly fuzzy yarn is tightly plied for a pleasant crochet experience. It comes in a bonanza of colors, so you can combine your purple with other colors for great sweater to wear all the time.

Perfect for a colorwork accessory or sweater
.

Knit One, Crochet Too Cozette

Content: 62% silk, 30% cotton, 8% polyamide
Put-up: 273 yd, 250 m/1.76 oz, 50 g
Construction: 3-ply
Care: handwash cool, dry flat
Color: 745, orchid
Hook: F/5 (3.75 mm)

This feather-light yarn has a slight slub, for a sylvan fabric with great stitch definition. The cotton/silk blend fits smoothly into a warm-weather wardrobe.

Perfect for a warm-weather cardigan.

Lotus Yarns Mimi
(distributed by Trendsetter Yarns)

Content: 100% mink
Put-up: 328 yd, 300 m/1.76 oz, 50 g
Construction: 3-ply
Care: handwash cool, dry flat
Color: 27, orchid
Hook: F/5 (3.75 mm)

This luxe yarn is delicate and smooth, with a tight ply. It results in a smooth fabric with good stitch definition and a very slight halo. The price point is less precious than you might think.

Perfect for a cowl.

Shibui Knits Pebble

Content: 48% silk, 36% wool, 16% cashmere
Put-up: 224 yd, 205 m/.88 oz, 25 g
Construction: 2-ply
Care: handwash lukewarm, dry flat
Color: 132, graf­fiti
Hook: F/5 (3.75 mm)

Charmingly nubbly, this elegant yarn has a tweedy appearance from the silk, wool and cashmere fibers taking the dye differently. It would probably be happiest worked on a C/2 (2.75) hook.

Perfect for a shawl.

Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico

Content: 50% baby alpaca, 50% raw silk
Put-up: 147 yd, 135 m/1.76 oz, 50 g
Construction: singles
Care: handwash cool, dry flat or dry-clean
Color: 1611, silver
Hook: F/5 (3.75 mm)

Delicious soft and decidedly shiny, this yummy yarn is eager to be something, anything, in your crocheted repertoire. The yarn slides through your fingers in a most pleasing way as you shape stitches. Its slightly marled appearance gives it a richness of tone.

Perfect for a shrug.

Plymouth Yarn Revel

Content: 85% baby alpaca, 15% merino wool
Put-up: 275 yd, 251 m/1.76 oz, 50 g
Construction: singles
Care: handwash cool, lay flat to dry
Color: 10, purple haze
Hook: F/5 (3.75 mm)

This light, exuberantly fuzzy yarn changes colors in long repeats (see top two petals above for some shades included in this ball). It would make a beautiful, shaded shawl.

Perfect for a solid-stitch vest or a shawl