I fancy myself a yarn connoisseur and when I get my hands on a skein I can confidently say how it's going to work with a pattern I have in mind. That being said, I mostly do my yarn shopping without a specific pattern in mind, because yarn is life! I enjoy discovering new yarns to play with and I have recenlty come accross KNITS yarn by Cindy Ekman in Finland. I've seen their tools on instagram and I was very curious to work with them and their yarn.  Today, I am taking a closer look at two yarns from their collection: Pure Merino and Soft Silk Mohair.

Disclosure: These products were gifted to me by KNITS by Cindy Ekman. This post features the products and their design, and all opinions expressed are my own unbiased ones.

KNITS yarn by Cindy Ekman

KNITS by Cindy Ekman is a Finish brand that serves knitters who enjoy creating wearable, everyday pieces. Their flagship shop in Kokkola is filled with anything and everything a knitter would love. They carry a wide variety of knitting needles, knitting tools and yarn. 

When I was browsing their site I read about their Pure Merino yarn which is a mulesing-free wool. I didn't know much about mulesing so I read about it and I am so happy that this yarn is produced without using the mulesing process. Mulesing is a procedure used in sheep farming, primarily to help prevent flystrike, that involves removing skin from around a sheep's rear. Choosing mulesing-free wool means supporting an alternative that avoids this particular practice. I am trying to be as ethical as I can in my knitting and crocheting and this is information I want to have when selecting yarn.

Another great thing about the yarn that KNITS by Cindy Ekman carries, is that they are certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, meaning they are tested for harmful substances. 

KNITS yarn Pure Merino

Pure Merino is made from 100% merino wool and is non-superwash. It comes in 50 g skeins with approximately 230 metres of yarn, making it a fine option for lightweight knitted fabrics.

Merino wool is known for its softness, elasticity and ability to help regulate temperature. These qualities make it a useful choice for garments that need to be comfortable to wear while maintaining a neat knitted appearance. This yarn would work up great for sweaters, cardigans and accessories where you need a nice stitch definition. It is also an interesting option for simple designs, allowing the texture of the knitted fabric to do the talking rather than relying on complicated stitch patterns. Since the yarn has not been superwash treated, it needs a little extra care when washing. Hand washing and drying flat are recommended.

It comes in nine wonderful colors that can be very easily compined to create the most aesthetically pleasing knits. I choose the mocca color as I have in mind to make a triangle shawl for me and this color compliments my dark autumn color theory. But I also love the color olive and that will be my next purchase. 

KNITS yarn Soft Silk Mohair

The second yarn I got to play with is Soft Silk Mohair, a blend of 70% super kid mohair and 30% silk.

Mohair adds a soft, airy halo to knitted fabric, while silk brings a subtle sheen. Used on its own, this type of yarn can create a light and delicate fabric. I am using it to make myself a pair of fingerless gloves with a new pattern I've been designing for a romantic collection. You can also hold it together with another yarn, and it will add texture and a slightly fuzzy finish without necessarily making the garment feel heavy.

Soft Silk Mohair comes in 25 g skeins with approximately 210 metres of yarn. It can be a lovely companion to a fine wool yarn such as Pure Merino, especially when you want to add softness and depth to a simple sweater or cardigan. The yarn uses RMS-origin mohair and is certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, like all the yarns the brand carries.

One of the nice things about these two yarns is that they offer different possibilities. Pure Merino provides a smooth wool base, while Soft Silk Mohair adds a delicate halo and a little extra texture.

Held together, they can create a soft, lightweight fabric suitable for sweaters, cardigans and other knitted garments. You can choose similar colours for a subtle effect or experiment with contrasting shades to add depth.

Of course, both yarns can also be used separately. The best choice depends on your pattern and the kind of fabric you want to achieve, so I would always recommend making a swatch before casting on a larger project.

KNITS by Cindy Ekman is a brand worth exploring if you enjoy knitting garments and accessories with versatile yarns. They also carry the yarn Alpine Merino which is 50% alpaca and I am going to try it out next time. Check them out on instagram, Cindy often posts about her day in the store and you can get a taste of how lovely she and her store is!

Have you tried yarns from KNITS by Cindy Ekman? I'd love to hear about your experience!