Episode 5 - Cat and Sparrow
Given the North of the Uk's understandable predilection for hosting fibre festivals in the very place where the sheep market takes place means it's not altogether surprising that both times I've met Rachael from Cat and Sparrow have been in a drafty auction mart! It was at Woolfest where I first stumbled across Rachael's super sumptuous yarns.. and then again at Yarndale where I had the opportunity to catch up with her in a snatched ten minutes before the doors opened to the masses... You can watch the video podcast below or scroll down for the blog!
Cat and Sparrow - UK
Rachael is just one part of a truly international team.. one that had it's origins in Melbourne, Australia (as I did!). It was another yarn festival (on a much bigger scale!) that forged her friendship with Cathy and the beginnings of a yarn and fibre dying initiative were born. When Rachael came back to the UK each side of the duo continued their love of colour and fibre on different sides of the world (see below for links to Cat and Sparrow UK and Cat and Sparrow Australia!).
Rachael's main focus is on really lush fibres and if you're a spinner I suggest you pop and have a look straight away. Being a total ignoramus about spinning and fibre all I can tell you is that these pillowy rainbows are the kind of thing I'd like to squish my face into and line my bed with..
Cat and Sparrow Uk website is a joy to browse around!
Back to the yarn...
The first thing you notice about Rachael's yarn is that these are just begging to be stroked. They are silky and smooth and slip through your fingers as if they'll just knit themselves up. And they behaved beautifully on the needles (I was using Chiagoo Red Lace for the shawls), effortlessly gliding from one row to the next.
First up was a Linus Shawl (one-skein-knit-with-your-eyes-closed-go-to pattern) in Cat and Sparrow's single ply 'Lone Ranger Sock' in 100% Superfine Merino. This is a squiggly, shiny and super soft yarn that was a joy to knit with and was a perfect showcase for the 'Olive and Let Live'. This was a vibrant and zingy knit with delicate speckles of red - would have been perfect with a sharp dry Martini....
Second up... Well second up was another Linus Shawl..! This time it was in the 'Oh So Fine' Sock base - a BFL and Silk blend that make for a surprisingly tough but tremendously drapey knit. It was so silky and smooth it really didn't want to be wound into a cake.. It just wanted to melt into the sofa like a decadent debutante. I love my Chiagoos but i think they weren't the right needle for this yarn as the high silk content made it prone to splitting.. A blunter needle would have done the trick I think.
And can we talk about that colour.. 'Seaglass' it's called.. a precious, delicate find you can't stop staring at.. BEAUTIFUL. It's also terribly elusive in front of a camera! The one shown above is in the lace-weight but I think Rachael has managed to capture the shade pretty well!
Rachael also assures me that this base makes a great sock. i had thought it would be too slippy but she said with a nice tight gauge this is heaven for your feet. And given the sturdy BFL and silk I can see how these would stand up to the wear and tear of feet. And no pilling. Wins all round I think!
Third up - I decided to go daring.. I wrenched myself away from my fingering weight Linus Shawl never ending circle and MADE A HAT.
Cat and Sparrow have a single ply DK weight yarn which I've not really come across before. I suppose in construction it's a bit similar to the Icelandic Lett Lopi - but this is 100% superfine merino. And it's gorgeous. It's a bouncy, springy, plush yarn that would make a SUPER cosy jumper. As it was I made a hat. A really great free pattern 'Seaman's Cap' by Brenda Zuk that has a wide fold-over brim and is the ideal way to use that one skein of DK. I am probably going to gift this but it's a delight to wear - not scratchy and doubly squishy.
Colourways
There is something really earthy to Rachael's colourways. She manages the fine line between rich but delicate tonal blends with a carefully curated speckle here and there. They're instantly evocative.. The 'Seaglass' colourway immediately transports you to a windy winter beach, 'Heaven for Bees' takes you to a well tended garden, 'Kir Royale' pops fruitily in a glass and 'Rust Belt Romance' conjures ageing jalopies and tattered billboards.
Bases:
All Rachael's bases have a plush, 'treat-yourself' luxury about them - from squishy single ply merino to decadent, too-silky-to-stay-caked blends - this is a little bit of something special..
- Cocoon Lace - 50% alpaca / 25% silk / 25% linen- 100g approx 800m
- Lone Ranger Sock - 100% Merino - 100g skein approx 366m
- Oh So Fine Sock - 55% BFL / 45% silk. 100g approx 400m
- Sport Weight - 80% Superfine Alpaca / 20% Silk - 100g approx 262m
- Glitterball DK - 75% superfine merino / 20% silk / 5% stellina - 100g skein approx 212m
- Lone Ranger DK - 100% superwash merino - 100g approx 225m
- Gert Lush Aran - 50% Merino/ 50% Silk - 100g approx 166m
Details
Shop and details: www.catandsparrow.co.uk
Instagram: @CatandSparrow
(Cat and Sparrow Australia: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CatandSparrowFibres )
SMALL NOTE
I am not sponsored by any of these independent yarn dyers and producers. I feature their work because I like it and want to share it. I buy all the yarn myself and if that's ever not the case I will say!
