Thank you. I've been working up the courage to try unspun yarn. Bought two types. One with two strands which I had to have shipped and can't wait to knit with and the other Briggs and Little. As for winding the Briggs and Little, I found it easier if I wound three balls at a time. Two double strands and one single. It was not overly time consuming once I got the hang of it. I put the cake on it's side and un-twisted a few feet at a time. Separated the fiber and then put into balls. Very little issues and quite quick. Hope this helps for anyone wanting to split the Briggs and Little. Also, Briggs and Little seems very sturdy so I left the single balls as single and hoping to try knitting with it single.
Thank you for the wonderful videos. I learn tons. I am a new lover of unspun wool. Prior to knitting with it, I watched many youtube videos about its special properties. When I started knitting, I was amazed at how workable it is. Yes it is fragile, yes it breaks easily, yes it must be unwound from cake as you knit. Still I am amazed what great fun knitting with it is. Yes is it worth it. I did my first colorwork sweater with manchelopi. I’m excited for my next unspun wool sweater. Thanks again for the great videos.
I used the Briggs and Little for knitted felted slippers last Christmas. I split the yarn and used three strands on 8mm needles. If I was starting a sweater I would sit down with a friend and split the whole plate into balls at one time, but splitting as I was knitting didn’t bother me for a small project. I have some Nutiden ordered and the Cruxfibre sounds great too. Briggs and Little has a great selection of their spun yarns, and blankets, as does MacAuslands and Fleece and Harmony in PEI. We are blessed with local mills here in Atlantic Canada.
I found the best way to knit with unspun, is definitely to make into balls, especially the more delicate Nutiden (I've tried plutolopi and manchelopi as well as Nutiden, which is actually my favourite ☺️)
Thanks so much Clo ! Very informative in your comparison of the unspun yarns on the market. I had not heard of the Crux fibers or Briggs and Little's unspun yarns! Made a shawl in Plotuloppi, single strand, not to difficult to knit with, being gentle and not rushing is the key. Thanks again!
When I saw this episode, I started to dream about trying this yarn. I am not experienced knitter at all, but I could not stop thinking about this experience. Hence, of course I bought it. I love Nutiden. I held it double and it never broke... well, it did when I stepped on it ;) It is sometimes hard on my hands but if I needed to knit only with this yarn to the end of my life I would be still happy. Now, I am dreaming of Manchelopi. Crux Fibers is not available for me, but maybe one day... Thank you! It was very useful. Be well :) PS. And this greasy feel and smell on your fingers!!! Non-exchangeable!!!
My favorite swedish yarn is visjögarn it is spun but made on a really old machine from swedish finullsfår. I know many people use the white and colored ones for babys because its so soft, the grey ones are not soft but can stand the weather better so the grey ones are more outerwear. Its not superwash.
I have just ordered my first unspun yarn. I am swedish, so Nutiden was the natural choice for me. I am quite new to knitting, and really hope I will manage to knit with this delicate yarn. Thank you for this great video!
If you want to have the best experience for the first time, hold it double or together with a more sturdy yarn. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask!
I’ve ordered some unspun after seeing it on other channels. It looks like knitting with watercolor (if that makes sense). It’s just romantic. This video was so helpful! I’m excited to see how I like the unspun experience and hope I didn’t go too crazy with my purchases. Happy knitting 💚🧶💚 And thank you again ☺️
I am so glad to find you channel! I love all the information I learn from you. I bought a kit for a shawl out of Plotulopi single stranded, and after hearing this review, I can't wait to get started on it. I hear so much about the unspun yarns and it makes me very curious. So thank you for your very thorough review.
Very interesting. I'm a spinner with a very large stash of different fleece varieties, but I have never come across unspun before. This has made me think about trying to create and work with my own unspun. Thanks!
great info, Ive only used Plötulopi that I purchased in a kit from the Wooley Thistle, there was grey and white, the white was much sifter than the grey. I plan on purchasing Manchelopi in the future. The others are hard to get in the states. I might give the Briggs and Little a go and knit up a long sweater type cardigan. Thank you for this video, it was very helpful.
Thanks for this. One of my knit goals in 2023 was to knit with unspun. I ordered some Manchelopi and was going to start swatching this week. Perfect timing for me to stumble upon your video.
Yes thank you for sharing this with me. I bought a lot of yarn last year from Lopi. Several colors of the unspun as well as the plotolopi in a medium gray. I bought this without really knowing how to use the unspun but I have been knitting for over 40 years. I knit mostly sweaters in fair isle, Intarsia and cables. Really liked your video and will be purchasing from a couple of the sources that you listed here. Thanks again!
I'm glad this could help! I absolutely adore working fair isle in unspun, it creates a gorgeous blended look while still seing the pattern. Thanks for commenting!
Learnt a bunch! Thanks so much for this in-depth comparison. I do love Icelandic wool very much: the crunch, the strength, the warmth, the colors! Have knit sweaters and socks with Ístex Einband and Léttlopi. Until now I was a bit hesitant about the Plötulopi. Your vid has convinced me: I'm ordering Plötulopi!
Thanks for taking the time to knit all the samples and share your impressions of each. I'm new to unspun yarns so am gathering information around the web. I am waiting for some Manchelopi to arrive in the mail because I gave up on Nutiden (which due to its exclusivity I had assumed was the Holy Grail of unspun). I never seemed to be able to order anything in my preferred colours during their very small windows of accepting orders. As it turns out I'm now happy not to have ordered any Nutiden as I need a next to skin soft yarn for a shawl and thanks to your comparison I'm thrilled to find out from you that the Manchelopi will be a softer yarn choice. Also excited to find some very viable Canadian options too!
Thank you very much for sharing details about different unspun yarn. I'm knitting a project by using single thread of Nutiden and it's really soft, airy but fragile. I'd like to see you sharing project using cruxfibers soon. Have you ever knitted woolentwine unspun yarn or wild in the woods unspun yarn? Also want to hear your reviews about them.
Thank you for commenting. I will absolutely show the results of the Crux Fibre when I knit it. I can't wait. I haven't knitted Woollentwine or Wild in the Woods, but I'll add them to my list.
Thank you for this video, I’ve knit with Nutiden and Manchelopi before and plan to knit with Plotulopi but I hadn’t heard of the others so it was really interesting to hear your thoughts.
Yes! I found this video super helpful. I’ve knit with the cruxfibres before I had a hard time with it single but once I half it with mohair I adored it.i might try felting the single strand sweater I did. I think definitely knitting it to get the fabric you actually like would make a difference
@@cloknits it ended up being 15sts in 4in.. but I do have a loose gauge normally and really struggled to get tighter gauge with this yarn without ripping it. It was also my first time knitting with unspun so I also wasn’t used to working with it.
The first sweater I ever knit was made from a Lopi style yarn. It had 2 strands held double, was huge and I itched and sweat every time I wore it. Lol but I was so proud of that sweater.
Wow! Double strand lopi must be very warm! Yes it is itchy but I personally like an itchy wool. A first sweater is always an experience, not necessarily perfect but one that we remember forever.
😊❤ Amazing video! Thanks for sharing all your thoughts and showing the samples - so helpful! I appreciate all the work/efforts you put into your videos/episodes!
What a huge undertaking this was. Kudos! I wld love to be able to knit with that white yarn that was a single strand and very soft. I am a colour person first and foremost and feel passionately about Fair Isle knitting and the random batches and few colours is a turn off for me. Would u consider reviewing the Alice Starmore fingering, the Jamieson and Smith 2 ply, and Elemental Affects Natural Shetland fingering, for Fair Isle stranded knitting? Onward for more of your tutorials❤
Thank your for leaving a comment. I understand wanting more colors that are always available. A review of different yarn for Fair Isle knitting is a great idea. Thanks!
Thank you soo much! Great video and so helpful. I have recently knit with Plötulopi yarn for the first time and I just love it! I have some Nutiden yarn ready to make a shawl after the Summer.
I love comparison videos! I haven’t used any of those yarns. I’m a spinner so I usually make my own but this was fascinating. Not sure you measured the swatches before and after you washed them? Because of how those yarns were processed each fiber may have kept much of its original crimp but I wondered if even more crimp returned after hitting the water. New subscriber. I’ll be scrolling through and checking out more of your posts.
Extremely informative. I have used plotulopi but not the others. I jumped in the deep end and did a colorwork yoke sweater out of the gate with this one. I think I would like it at a tighter gauge. I have lots left of different blues and I might marl them together into a sweater, next winter now. The Canadian Crux fiber is interesting and I want to try it. It seems a little difficult to purchase. Any ideas how to get some would be appreciated. It is from the maritimes! And sold in Yukon. But it is Canadian. 😊
Yes unspun wool feels good at a tight gauge for a sweater. I also love it at a looser gauge for shawls. The Crux fiber isn't available right now, you could email them to see when they are expecting another batch. Also I haven't tried Wild in the woods but it looks like it would be the same: www.wildinthewoodsshop.com/wild-wool-undyed-natural-wool/canadian-wool-discs
You missed Custom Woolen Mills in Carstairs, Alberta.....they produce unspun as well. Very well known in this area. Thank you for your informative video!
This was so interesting! I’ve worked quite a bit with Custom Woolen Mill’s softspun yarns from Alberta sheep and have been curious about the possibilities of working with pencil roving but didn’t know where to start. I will definitely check out Crux Fibres.
@@cloknits I will be in Whitehorse two weeks from now, so perhaps I will be able to buy some in person. My sister who lives near Whitehorse is a spinner and knitter so perhaps she is already familiar with Brittany and Crux Fibres. I will check.
Thank you for taking the time to do this review! I was wondering how B&L stacked up against Nutiden because it’s so much easier for me to purchase. I might do a west coast cardigan or dude sweater with it. It might be worth it for me to separate strands and do a less chunky knit too. We shall see!
Thanks for this video! I have been enchanted by unspun yarns ever since I heard about them while watching knitting podcasts and finally got some at the end of last year, and I got some nutiden this spring. I have just finished the Miles Shirt Jacket with two strands of Manchelopi held with a strand of Plume from Magpie fibers. Didn't realize how pricey the Plume was going to be (needed more that I thought). Anyway I haven't blocked it yet, so I don't know how it will be but am anxious to find out now. I just have to put those darn pockets on!
@@cloknits A comparison of woolen yarns with a finer gauge for colorwork for instance. There is Shetland but there are so many more. But it is just an idea...you will come up with something yourself no doubt.
Just found your podcast Clo. This comparison was EXCELLENT, thank you so much for taking your time to do this...I bet you had fun doing it.😉 I knitted the stag jacket ( minus the stag) by Patons with the 5 strand Briggs and Little Roving. It turned out great. A really fast knit. Yes, I found it hard on the hands but this jacket is worn every day here in Nova Scotia. It is a heavy jacket but once you have it on it isnt that heavy...just warm. Would love to see more episodes like this, thanks again 🥰, Sharon (5doodles on Ravelry).
I was so excited to see this video. I have both Crux and Nutiden in my stash but haven’t knit with them yet so i was excited to hear more about them. I don’t think I’d have the patience to take apart the strands of the others. That’s just too much work! Thanks for the great information. ❤
Hi I’m new to your channel - loved your thoughts on unspun! I knit with Nutiden and love it. I also enjoy Plotulopi. After listening to your thoughts, I really want to order from Brittany. I knit with Nutiden held single alone, single with silk mohair, and double. I’ve test knit a bit with Nutiden as well.
Thank you! This is the information I've been looking for, especially concerning the Briggs and Little roving compared to the others. By the way I also love being introduced to the other Canadian unspun produces. Thanks again for all the time you took to make the content.
Just found this video as it popped up into my home page, wonderful breakdown thankyou. I have a vest in plötulopi which is messy but a great piece to just keep the chill off, and I just finished a colourwork yoke in Nutiden which is not quite scratchy but ticklier than I was expecting, think it needs a break in as my plötulopi doesn't bother me at all after a few months. You mentioned soaking in hot water, how hot do you use? I generally stick to slightly above tepid which is 30-35c if I bother checking. Wondering if hotter will soften the fibre more.
Hi! I do think that wool can soften a bit with wear as it kinda settles in place. I prefer washing in hot water, the yarn blooms and just looks it's best after a hot soak in my opinion. I don't know if it makes the wool softer though. Just make sure you don't agitate or don't take out of the water until the water is room temperature.
Thank you. You’re the first person I’ve seen actually cast on with unspun yarn; I’ve been wondering if there’s any special techniques when casting on but it looks like you’re doing a German long tail cast on.
Haha right. Canada is huge! I like that it's from my country so I'm participating in the economy in that sense. It's definitely not "local" distance wise.
I don't know that I would say it is better than other yarns but it is it's own little heavenly feeling that's different for sure. It's very very light while being very warm, knit at a tight gauge it is almost waterproof, it's the closest you'll get to wearing a sheep! 😂
Hello Clo and thank you for your hard work and research. Very interesting indeed. My question: I was surprised at hearing you say you need to soak the garment in very hot water. Does it not felt the yarn/ garment?
Thank you for your comment Jacqueline. In order to felt wool you need water and friction, the heat makes it felt better/faster but if you don't agitate, there won't be any felting. I like soaking in hot water because it removes the dirt and oil better and it makes the yarn bloom and soften more than cold water. I wait for the bath to get cool before I remove the items carefully and I've never had any felting problems.
Thank you so much for all your work for this video. I have only recently come to hear about unspun yarn as everyone seems to be using nutaden and I am glad there are other companies that make this type of yarn. Since it is unspun, do they slightly felt the roving to keep the fiber together? I am new to spinning and trying to figure out how this yarn is made.
Hi Jane, I'm glad you enjoyed it! The fiber is in it's pre spun state which is called pencil roving. It is a very very thin roving that would be ready to be spun as is (the drafting is basically already done). There is no felting involved, the fibres hold on to each other naturally hence why it's so fragile when you knit with it. If you'd like to see the process of this wool being made, Honer Och Eir has a few videos on their Instagram channel that show the machines and how they create those plates. I hope you have fun on your new spinning journey. It's such a beautiful world to discover!
No very much no. It's quite long staple wool as opposed to merino or other short soft staples, so the pilling isn't bad and when there are pills, you can just pull them off.
Love this video. To be truthful, I like your video style and could watch about anything you do. It’s a shame that shipping from Canada is so expensive, it is cheaper to get things from Europe shipped to the US.
@@silveralanatural I feel the same way about getting hit with customs when I want to buy in the state. I guess we just have to visit each other then! 😊
I used a 5mm needle for the double stranded and I can't remember for the single strand, maybe a 3mm? And all the gauges where a little different as you can tell when I compare them.
Is that how nutiden was meant to be knit? 2 strands together from one cake? Curious, and thanks so much for this video,I do want to get some nuriden one day, but being Canadian, very familiar with Briggs, and little, so can’t wait what you have to say, there is another unspun from PEI, a mill there releases some as well.
Hi Melissa, I don't know if it "meant" to be knit 2 strands together but see the owner mostly knitting from balls she winds with 2 strands together. I also made a shawl with 1 strand and it is holding up fine.
@@cloknits thanks, I am subscribed,but don’t think I will ever get any of the colours I want as they sell to patroon subscribers first. I tried for the no$ there, but it was full. One day, I have knit a tee with the green Manchelopi, as it was easy to get tru wool and waves, which is local to me. Was my first unspun project, I do want to make a tulip sweater in nutiden one day.
This was very interesting to watch. I have never knit with unspun wool, but I have 2 plates of Plotulopi that I plan to make a vest with. The Crux Fibres looks gorgeous, but I get the sense that it might be as hard to get as Nutiden. Am I correct in thinking this?
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am just starting to experiment with unspun wool namely Nutiden. I knit English style and would like to know what is the best way to cast on with Nutiden? I normally do Cable Cast On bit found the yarn too fragile for it. Wondering if you have any recommendations for the best cast on that is sturdy.
Generally yes, the less twist the more pills BUT again it depends on the fiber. I've found that my Nutiden doesn't pill much probably due to the longer and less soft fiber. I haven't knit full garments out of the rest yet but I would guess that Crux and Manchelopi would pill more than Plotulopi and Nutiden... Also the gauge is a big factor, the looser the tension, the more pilling. I hope this helps!
Hi Clo! just discovered you! Thanks for the informative video.. I've always wondered about unspuns! I am curious, what are you wearing? I love the texture and Reagan sleeves of your sweater... Thanks! Andrea
Thank you for your comment Andrea. I'm wearing a few different sweaters in this video, the brown one with colorwork is the Throwback by Andrea Mowry, the deep red one is called Syreeni Sweater by Ronja Hakalehto and the last one with the turtleneck is Everywhere Sweater by Wool and the Gang.
Merci pour ce partage. Très contente de la découverte en provenance du Yukon. Merci aussi de toujours mentionner le prix en canadien, c'est notre identité ! :)
For 100% wool, it's actually pretty standard these days and you have to consider that 100gr of unspun has a lot more yardage than 100gr of other fiber. Obviously wool is not cheap but considering what I've paid for other brands before, 20$ is totally on the mid to low end of the spectrum.
@@cloknits I spin my own so haven’t looked at the price of commercially (un)spun. I pay less than £4 per 100g upto £9 for a bit more luxurious floof. You spin as well, so couldn’t you get carded stuff and diz it or roving and split?
Interesting video! BTW Höner och eir is not pronounced like that (it sounds like youre saying it in a French way ? xD). I recommend looking up pronunciations online, so you can say it correctly. :)
Je t’ai écrit sur Instagram. Je veux te montrer mon projet et je dois attendre ton accord pour envoyer une photo car nous ne sommes pas amies ..encore 😊
Thank you. I've been working up the courage to try unspun yarn. Bought two types. One with two strands which I had to have shipped and can't wait to knit with and the other Briggs and Little. As for winding the Briggs and Little, I found it easier if I wound three balls at a time. Two double strands and one single. It was not overly time consuming once I got the hang of it. I put the cake on it's side and un-twisted a few feet at a time. Separated the fiber and then put into balls. Very little issues and quite quick. Hope this helps for anyone wanting to split the Briggs and Little. Also, Briggs and Little seems very sturdy so I left the single balls as single and hoping to try knitting with it single.
Thank you so much for letting everyone know. It does help when someone has done it successfully before.
Thank you for the wonderful videos. I learn tons. I am a new lover of unspun wool. Prior to knitting with it, I watched many youtube videos about its special properties. When I started knitting, I was amazed at how workable it is. Yes it is fragile, yes it breaks easily, yes it must be unwound from cake as you knit. Still I am amazed what great fun knitting with it is. Yes is it worth it. I did my first colorwork sweater with manchelopi. I’m excited for my next unspun wool sweater. Thanks again for the great videos.
Yes! It makes you knit differently and slower but you get to enjoy the feeling of the yarn more.
I used the Briggs and Little for knitted felted slippers last Christmas. I split the yarn and used three strands on 8mm needles. If I was starting a sweater I would sit down with a friend and split the whole plate into balls at one time, but splitting as I was knitting didn’t bother me for a small project. I have some Nutiden ordered and the Cruxfibre sounds great too.
Briggs and Little has a great selection of their spun yarns, and blankets, as does MacAuslands and Fleece and Harmony in PEI. We are blessed with local mills here in Atlantic Canada.
I should have said Thanks for the time and effort you put into testing and comparing. It was great info.
Thank you for your input. I love seeing how others use the yarn as well.
I found the best way to knit with unspun, is definitely to make into balls, especially the more delicate Nutiden (I've tried plutolopi and manchelopi as well as Nutiden, which is actually my favourite ☺️)
It does help but i'm too lazy to do it! 😂
I have come back to this video at least 5 times for reference, thank you so so much for such an incredibly detailed and fun walk through of all these!
I'm glad I could help!
Thanks so much Clo !
Very informative in your comparison of the unspun yarns on the market. I had not heard of the Crux fibers or Briggs and Little's unspun yarns! Made a shawl in Plotuloppi, single strand, not to difficult to knit with, being gentle and not rushing is the key. Thanks again!
My pleasure! I love trying new yarns.
When I saw this episode, I started to dream about trying this yarn. I am not experienced knitter at all, but I could not stop thinking about this experience. Hence, of course I bought it. I love Nutiden. I held it double and it never broke... well, it did when I stepped on it ;) It is sometimes hard on my hands but if I needed to knit only with this yarn to the end of my life I would be still happy. Now, I am dreaming of Manchelopi. Crux Fibers is not available for me, but maybe one day... Thank you! It was very useful. Be well :)
PS. And this greasy feel and smell on your fingers!!! Non-exchangeable!!!
The lanolin feel is heaven! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
My favorite swedish yarn is visjögarn it is spun but made on a really old machine from swedish finullsfår. I know many people use the white and colored ones for babys because its so soft, the grey ones are not soft but can stand the weather better so the grey ones are more outerwear. Its not superwash.
Sounds like my kind of yarn!
I have just ordered my first unspun yarn. I am swedish, so Nutiden was the natural choice for me. I am quite new to knitting, and really hope I will manage to knit with this delicate yarn. Thank you for this great video!
If you want to have the best experience for the first time, hold it double or together with a more sturdy yarn. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask!
You have put together an amazing resource-thank you! I’m usually a reluctant swatcher but this is inspiring me to make a few of my own samples :)
Swatching is so much fun when the purpose is more than only "will i get gauge". I'm glad you liked it.
I’ve ordered some unspun after seeing it on other channels. It looks like knitting with watercolor (if that makes sense). It’s just romantic. This video was so helpful! I’m excited to see how I like the unspun experience and hope I didn’t go too crazy with my purchases. Happy knitting 💚🧶💚 And thank you again ☺️
Omg that's such a great way to explain it. Knitting with watercolor! Which Unspun did you purchase?
@@cloknits I purchased the WoolDreamers Manchelopis and the Plotulopi. I am beyond excited 🥰 Your video was beyond helpful 💚🧶💚
I am so glad to find you channel! I love all the information I learn from you. I bought a kit for a shawl out of Plotulopi single stranded, and after hearing this review, I can't wait to get started on it. I hear so much about the unspun yarns and it makes me very curious. So thank you for your very thorough review.
You either love it or you hate it but it's definitely something to try at least once.
Very interesting. I'm a spinner with a very large stash of different fleece varieties, but I have never come across unspun before. This has made me think about trying to create and work with my own unspun. Thanks!
I'm sure you could create your own unspun, my guess is that you really just need the right fiber for it to be stable enough to knit with.
great info, Ive only used Plötulopi that I purchased in a kit from the Wooley Thistle, there was grey and white, the white was much sifter than the grey. I plan on purchasing Manchelopi in the future. The others are hard to get in the states. I might give the Briggs and Little a go and knit up a long sweater type cardigan. Thank you for this video, it was very helpful.
I'm glad you found it useful!
Such great information! Thank you for taking the time to go through all of the differences. Very helpful! 👍🏼🥰
I'm glad you found it interesting!
Thanks for this. One of my knit goals in 2023 was to knit with unspun. I ordered some Manchelopi and was going to start swatching this week. Perfect timing for me to stumble upon your video.
That's great! I'd love to know what you end up making with it and if you like it.
Excellent, now I want to knit with crux fibers!
So should you!
Thanks for all your hard work in putting this episode together! Very informative.
Thank you for commenting
Yes thank you for sharing this with me. I bought a lot of yarn last year from Lopi. Several colors of the unspun as well as the plotolopi in a medium gray. I bought this without really knowing how to use the unspun but I have been knitting for over 40 years. I knit mostly sweaters in fair isle, Intarsia and cables. Really liked your video and will be purchasing from a couple of the sources that you listed here. Thanks again!
I'm glad this could help! I absolutely adore working fair isle in unspun, it creates a gorgeous blended look while still seing the pattern. Thanks for commenting!
Learnt a bunch! Thanks so much for this in-depth comparison. I do love Icelandic wool very much: the crunch, the strength, the warmth, the colors! Have knit sweaters and socks with Ístex Einband and Léttlopi. Until now I was a bit hesitant about the Plötulopi. Your vid has convinced me: I'm ordering Plötulopi!
Icelandic wool is such a treasure. I'm glad you'll give Plötulopi a try, it's such an experience to knit.
Thanks for taking the time to knit all the samples and share your impressions of each. I'm new to unspun yarns so am gathering information around the web. I am waiting for some Manchelopi to arrive in the mail because I gave up on Nutiden (which due to its exclusivity I had assumed was the Holy Grail of unspun). I never seemed to be able to order anything in my preferred colours during their very small windows of accepting orders. As it turns out I'm now happy not to have ordered any Nutiden as I need a next to skin soft yarn for a shawl and thanks to your comparison I'm thrilled to find out from you that the Manchelopi will be a softer yarn choice. Also excited to find some very viable Canadian options too!
I'm glad this was helpful to you. A Manchelopi shawl will be delightful!
Exactly what I was looking for…thank you for sharing this. I have some Country Roving from B&L…think I may separate and give it a try!! 👏❤️
Please do!
Thank you very much for sharing details about different unspun yarn. I'm knitting a project by using single thread of Nutiden and it's really soft, airy but fragile. I'd like to see you sharing project using cruxfibers soon. Have you ever knitted woolentwine unspun yarn or wild in the woods unspun yarn? Also want to hear your reviews about them.
Thank you for commenting. I will absolutely show the results of the Crux Fibre when I knit it. I can't wait. I haven't knitted Woollentwine or Wild in the Woods, but I'll add them to my list.
Thank you for this video, I’ve knit with Nutiden and Manchelopi before and plan to knit with Plotulopi but I hadn’t heard of the others so it was really interesting to hear your thoughts.
I can't wait to cast on my Crux Fibre plates. The fall season is getting me excited for my unspun stash!
Yes! I found this video super helpful. I’ve knit with the cruxfibres before I had a hard time with it single but once I half it with mohair I adored it.i might try felting the single strand sweater I did. I think definitely knitting it to get the fabric you actually like would make a difference
What was the gauge for your single stranded project? I'm still debating whether I want to make a single stranded or double stranded cardi with it.
@@cloknits it ended up being 15sts in 4in.. but I do have a loose gauge normally and really struggled to get tighter gauge with this yarn without ripping it. It was also my first time knitting with unspun so I also wasn’t used to working with it.
The first sweater I ever knit was made from a Lopi style yarn. It had 2 strands held double, was huge and I itched and sweat every time I wore it. Lol but I was so proud of that sweater.
Wow! Double strand lopi must be very warm! Yes it is itchy but I personally like an itchy wool. A first sweater is always an experience, not necessarily perfect but one that we remember forever.
😊❤ Amazing video! Thanks for sharing all your thoughts and showing the samples - so helpful! I appreciate all the work/efforts you put into your videos/episodes!
Thank you so much. I love doing it!
Very comprehensive and helpful TY !
You are welcome!
What a huge undertaking this was. Kudos! I wld love to be able to knit with that white yarn that was a single strand and very soft. I am a colour person first and foremost and feel passionately about Fair Isle knitting and the random batches and few colours is a turn off for me. Would u consider reviewing the Alice Starmore fingering, the Jamieson and Smith 2 ply, and Elemental Affects Natural Shetland fingering, for Fair Isle stranded knitting? Onward for more of your tutorials❤
Thank your for leaving a comment. I understand wanting more colors that are always available. A review of different yarn for Fair Isle knitting is a great idea. Thanks!
What is your go-to fingering yarn for Fair Isle projects?
@@linelladevlin7701 I do love Jamieson and Smith, you can never go wrong with a classic!
Thank you soo much! Great video and so helpful. I have recently knit with Plötulopi yarn for the first time and I just love it! I have some Nutiden yarn ready to make a shawl after the Summer.
I have 2 shawls made in Nutiden and I love them!
I love comparison videos! I haven’t used any of those yarns. I’m a spinner so I usually make my own but this was fascinating.
Not sure you measured the swatches before and after you washed them? Because of how those yarns were processed each fiber may have kept much of its original crimp but I wondered if even more crimp returned after hitting the water.
New subscriber. I’ll be scrolling through and checking out more of your posts.
I forgot to measure them before. But I can tell you the sizes didn't change much but the feel of them all got so much nicer.
Great through video that just popped up. A great evaluation of these yarns. I have Nutiden yarn that I am getting ready to knit. Thank you so much.
Thank you for your comment. What are you planning to knit with your Nutiden?
@@cloknits the Tulip pull over by Melody Hoffmann
@@JadiesJars that's a great one!
Super interisting ! Very helpful and I would love to see more of such videos. Thank you 💜
I have some other ideas in mind. Thank you for your comment!
i love this video. It’s very empowering for those of us who are interested but inexperienced in unspun. Thank you soooo much x❤
My pleasure. All that information is not easy to find when you can physically touch the different yarns.
Thank you for demystifying unspun yarn. This was very informative.
I'm glad you learned something. It was a fun video to make!
Really interesting video, thanks. I hadn’t heard of Crux and now I’m eager to try it.
I'm glad I could make you discover it!
Extremely informative. I have used plotulopi but not the others. I jumped in the deep end and did a colorwork yoke sweater out of the gate with this one. I think I would like it at a tighter gauge. I have lots left of different blues and I might marl them together into a sweater, next winter now. The Canadian Crux fiber is interesting and I want to try it. It seems a little difficult to purchase. Any ideas how to get some would be appreciated. It is from the maritimes! And sold in Yukon. But it is Canadian. 😊
Yes unspun wool feels good at a tight gauge for a sweater. I also love it at a looser gauge for shawls. The Crux fiber isn't available right now, you could email them to see when they are expecting another batch. Also I haven't tried Wild in the woods but it looks like it would be the same: www.wildinthewoodsshop.com/wild-wool-undyed-natural-wool/canadian-wool-discs
You missed Custom Woolen Mills in Carstairs, Alberta.....they produce unspun as well. Very well known in this area. Thank you for your informative video!
Thank you so much for the information! I will go check them out.
This was so interesting! I’ve worked quite a bit with Custom Woolen Mill’s softspun yarns from Alberta sheep and have been curious about the possibilities of working with pencil roving but didn’t know where to start. I will definitely check out Crux Fibres.
It's such a wonderful spongy fluffy wool. I'm sure you'll love it!
@@cloknits I will be in Whitehorse two weeks from now, so perhaps I will be able to buy some in person. My sister who lives near Whitehorse is a spinner and knitter so perhaps she is already familiar with Brittany and Crux Fibres. I will check.
That would be so cool.
Thank you for taking the time to do this review! I was wondering how B&L stacked up against Nutiden because it’s so much easier for me to purchase. I might do a west coast cardigan or dude sweater with it. It might be worth it for me to separate strands and do a less chunky knit too. We shall see!
It's a great quality yarn, I wish they would sell it in less strands as well!
Thanks for this video! I have been enchanted by unspun yarns ever since I heard about them while watching knitting podcasts and finally got some at the end of last year, and I got some nutiden this spring. I have just finished the Miles Shirt Jacket with two strands of Manchelopi held with a strand of Plume from Magpie fibers. Didn't realize how pricey the Plume was going to be (needed more that I thought). Anyway I haven't blocked it yet, so I don't know how it will be but am anxious to find out now. I just have to put those darn pockets on!
I just went to look at the pattern and I might end up knitting one with in colorblock with my Crux Fibre! Thanks for telling me about it!
This is very informative and interesting! More of this kind of videos would be nice, thank you!
Thank you, I do plan on making more of these so if you have suggestions on topics in particular, let me know!
@@cloknits A comparison of woolen yarns with a finer gauge for colorwork for instance. There is Shetland but there are so many more. But it is just an idea...you will come up with something yourself no doubt.
Just found your podcast Clo. This comparison was EXCELLENT, thank you so much for taking your time to do this...I bet you had fun doing it.😉 I knitted the stag jacket ( minus the stag) by Patons with the 5 strand Briggs and Little Roving. It turned out great. A really fast knit. Yes, I found it hard on the hands but this jacket is worn every day here in Nova Scotia. It is a heavy jacket but once you have it on it isnt that heavy...just warm. Would love to see more episodes like this, thanks again 🥰, Sharon (5doodles on Ravelry).
I'm running to Ravelry to see you jacket! Thank you for watching and commenting.
I was so excited to see this video. I have both Crux and Nutiden in my stash but haven’t knit with them yet so i was excited to hear more about them. I don’t think I’d have the patience to take apart the strands of the others. That’s just too much work! Thanks for the great information. ❤
What do you plan on making with the ones you have in stash?
@@cloknits sweaters. Nutiden will probably be the Felix sweater and then Crux I’m not sure which sweater yet
All new to me!
Hi I’m new to your channel - loved your thoughts on unspun! I knit with Nutiden and love it. I also enjoy Plotulopi. After listening to your thoughts, I really want to order from Brittany. I knit with Nutiden held single alone, single with silk mohair, and double. I’ve test knit a bit with Nutiden as well.
I'm about ready to cast on my first project with the Crux Fibre and I'm so so excited. I hope you like it as much as I do.
Thank you! This is the information I've been looking for, especially concerning the Briggs and Little roving compared to the others. By the way I also love being introduced to the other Canadian unspun produces. Thanks again for all the time you took to make the content.
Thank you so much for the comment. I love discovering new Canadian producers too, we have so much good yarn that's unknown!
Just found this video as it popped up into my home page, wonderful breakdown thankyou. I have a vest in plötulopi which is messy but a great piece to just keep the chill off, and I just finished a colourwork yoke in Nutiden which is not quite scratchy but ticklier than I was expecting, think it needs a break in as my plötulopi doesn't bother me at all after a few months. You mentioned soaking in hot water, how hot do you use? I generally stick to slightly above tepid which is 30-35c if I bother checking. Wondering if hotter will soften the fibre more.
Hi! I do think that wool can soften a bit with wear as it kinda settles in place. I prefer washing in hot water, the yarn blooms and just looks it's best after a hot soak in my opinion. I don't know if it makes the wool softer though. Just make sure you don't agitate or don't take out of the water until the water is room temperature.
Thank you. You’re the first person I’ve seen actually cast on with unspun yarn; I’ve been wondering if there’s any special techniques when casting on but it looks like you’re doing a German long tail cast on.
I almost always use a regular long tail cast on for everything! It works fine with unspun but you do have to pull gently.
There is another small batch Canadian unspun Wild in the woods😊,Vancouver Island
I think it might actually be the same yarn... It looks very similar from the pictures.
@@cloknits I don’t think it is…, but maybe.
It is spelt Mac causlands woollen mills PEi, Bloomfield
It’s funny that you say the wool from the Yukon is local as its way across the country. I’m in Colorado and it could actually be closer to me 😅
Haha right. Canada is huge! I like that it's from my country so I'm participating in the economy in that sense. It's definitely not "local" distance wise.
Just found your channel, just fantastic, I really enjoyed it. So informative.
Thank you Kelly! I'm glad you learned something.
Unspun yarn is new to me. I would like to know (perhaps you shared in a prev. video?) What is the benefit of unspun over spun yarn in your experience?
I don't know that I would say it is better than other yarns but it is it's own little heavenly feeling that's different for sure. It's very very light while being very warm, knit at a tight gauge it is almost waterproof, it's the closest you'll get to wearing a sheep! 😂
Hello Clo and thank you for your hard work and research. Very interesting indeed.
My question: I was surprised at hearing you say you need to soak the garment in very hot water. Does it not felt the yarn/ garment?
Thank you for your comment Jacqueline. In order to felt wool you need water and friction, the heat makes it felt better/faster but if you don't agitate, there won't be any felting. I like soaking in hot water because it removes the dirt and oil better and it makes the yarn bloom and soften more than cold water. I wait for the bath to get cool before I remove the items carefully and I've never had any felting problems.
@@cloknits thank you very much for your answer
Thank you so much for all your work for this video. I have only recently come to hear about unspun yarn as everyone seems to be using nutaden and I am glad there are other companies that make this type of yarn. Since it is unspun, do they slightly felt the roving to keep the fiber together? I am new to spinning and trying to figure out how this yarn is made.
Hi Jane, I'm glad you enjoyed it! The fiber is in it's pre spun state which is called pencil roving. It is a very very thin roving that would be ready to be spun as is (the drafting is basically already done). There is no felting involved, the fibres hold on to each other naturally hence why it's so fragile when you knit with it. If you'd like to see the process of this wool being made, Honer Och Eir has a few videos on their Instagram channel that show the machines and how they create those plates. I hope you have fun on your new spinning journey. It's such a beautiful world to discover!
Thank you so much for sharing your tests with those unspun yarns. Does it pill a lot ?
No very much no. It's quite long staple wool as opposed to merino or other short soft staples, so the pilling isn't bad and when there are pills, you can just pull them off.
Love this video. To be truthful, I like your video style and could watch about anything you do. It’s a shame that shipping from Canada is so expensive, it is cheaper to get things from Europe shipped to the US.
Thank you Victoria. Yeah, Canadian shipping is a pain!
Victoria, you are so right! There are so many Canadian vendors I’d like to patronize, but the shipping😱😱😱
@@silveralanatural I feel the same way about getting hit with customs when I want to buy in the state. I guess we just have to visit each other then! 😊
what size needles did you use? what gauge did you knit up the swatches in?
I used a 5mm needle for the double stranded and I can't remember for the single strand, maybe a 3mm? And all the gauges where a little different as you can tell when I compare them.
Is that how nutiden was meant to be knit? 2 strands together from one cake? Curious, and thanks so much for this video,I do want to get some nuriden one day, but being Canadian, very familiar with Briggs, and little, so can’t wait what you have to say, there is another unspun from PEI, a mill there releases some as well.
Hi Melissa, I don't know if it "meant" to be knit 2 strands together but see the owner mostly knitting from balls she winds with 2 strands together. I also made a shawl with 1 strand and it is holding up fine.
And I'm curious abou the PEI yarn, do you know the name?
@@cloknits I did write it down because of spelling, it’s Mac Cuslunds?
@@cloknits thanks, I am subscribed,but don’t think I will ever get any of the colours I want as they sell to patroon subscribers first. I tried for the no$ there, but it was full. One day, I have knit a tee with the green Manchelopi, as it was easy to get tru wool and waves, which is local to me. Was my first unspun project, I do want to make a tulip sweater in nutiden one day.
This was very interesting to watch. I have never knit with unspun wool, but I have 2 plates of Plotulopi that I plan to make a vest with. The Crux Fibres looks gorgeous, but I get the sense that it might be as hard to get as Nutiden. Am I correct in thinking this?
I found that the stock lasts longer than Nutiden but she doesn't stock the fiber as often. Thank you for your comment Lisa!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am just starting to experiment with unspun wool namely Nutiden. I knit English style and would like to know what is the best way to cast on with Nutiden? I normally do Cable Cast On bit found the yarn too fragile for it. Wondering if you have any recommendations for the best cast on that is sturdy.
I almost always do a long tail cast on and it was fine with Nutiden, you just have to be gentle and keep it a little loose.
Does unspun pill more than spun yarn? I didn’t know about the one from the Yukon. I will be ordering it to try my first project in unspun.
Generally yes, the less twist the more pills BUT again it depends on the fiber. I've found that my Nutiden doesn't pill much probably due to the longer and less soft fiber. I haven't knit full garments out of the rest yet but I would guess that Crux and Manchelopi would pill more than Plotulopi and Nutiden... Also the gauge is a big factor, the looser the tension, the more pilling. I hope this helps!
@@cloknits yes it helps a lot! Thanks!
Woollentwine also makes really nice unspun wool. I believe she is located in Germany.
Thank you for the tip, i'll look her up!
WOW! All her yarn bases are so special and look amazing.
@@cloknits I just received an order and it feels next to skin soft. I always like to do the rub on the neck test.
@@borganista thank you for the update. Next to skin soft is not a must for me but it is nice.
I hade a double stranded wool, a friend and two winders and together we separated it while drinking tee and chatting. Is this an option for you?
Wow! Great idea!
Weird I tried to google Crux Fibres and nothing comes up for me.
@@sueking6543ry crux fibers, US spelling.
Giving you a subscribe for sure. What a great video, very informative and interesting too! Sending thanks from Newfoundland!!
Thank you for being here!
Hi Clo! just discovered you! Thanks for the informative video.. I've always wondered about unspuns! I am curious, what are you wearing? I love the texture and Reagan sleeves of your sweater... Thanks! Andrea
Thank you for your comment Andrea. I'm wearing a few different sweaters in this video, the brown one with colorwork is the Throwback by Andrea Mowry, the deep red one is called Syreeni Sweater by Ronja Hakalehto and the last one with the turtleneck is Everywhere Sweater by Wool and the Gang.
@@cloknits its the red Syreeni I'm after!! Thanks!
great video!!!
Thank you!
Très très bon, excellent compte rendu. Bravo et merci
De rien et merci
Merci pour ce partage. Très contente de la découverte en provenance du Yukon.
Merci aussi de toujours mentionner le prix en canadien, c'est notre identité ! :)
Ça fait plaisir!
20 dollars per 100g!!! That is suuuper expensive.
For 100% wool, it's actually pretty standard these days and you have to consider that 100gr of unspun has a lot more yardage than 100gr of other fiber. Obviously wool is not cheap but considering what I've paid for other brands before, 20$ is totally on the mid to low end of the spectrum.
@@cloknits I spin my own so haven’t looked at the price of commercially (un)spun. I pay less than £4 per 100g upto £9 for a bit more luxurious floof. You spin as well, so couldn’t you get carded stuff and diz it or roving and split?
Interesting video! BTW Höner och eir is not pronounced like that (it sounds like youre saying it in a French way ? xD). I recommend looking up pronunciations online, so you can say it correctly. :)
Yes, it's Swedish and I'm French. I didn't take the time to look up the pronunciation before the video. I will for next time.
Je t’ai écrit sur Instagram. Je veux te montrer mon projet et je dois attendre ton accord pour envoyer une photo car nous ne sommes pas amies ..encore 😊
Je vais aller voir! Merci