Kirsten Joel Designs

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The Ultimate Review of Camellia Fiber Co Merino Yak DK

I believe in creating little moments for yourself, even if it's just for a few minutes. When you’re not planning lunches, scheduling meetings, delivering (epic) presentations, or dropping kids off at daycare, you’re probably thinking about doing all of that.

Why Choose a Kirsten Joel Designs Knitting Pattern

This space is here to create delightful moments just for you through knitting and crochet patterns that are engaging enough without being overwhelming. You’ll create pieces that are timeless and suitable for your everyday life. Because knitting a sweater is a big investment of your valuable (and rare) free time, you deserve to love the outcome.

Thoughtful Yarn Reviews

Buying enough yarn to knit that sweater can also be an investment. That’s why I write a corresponding yarn review for every new pattern. 

You deserve to be confident in any purchase you make associated with my patterns which is why these reviews are not sponsored to ensure complete honesty.

Note: While Silbia of Camellia Fiber Co graciously provided yarn, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Spoiler alert: I love it.

So with all that said and out of the way, read on for the full review of Camellia Fiber Co's Merino Yak DK!

Why I designed the latte cardigan with Camellia Fiber Co merino yak dk

The original concept for the Latte Cardigan was a v-neck cardigan with massive pockets that were great for collecting trinkets while shopping around downtown Savannah. I was searching for just the right yarn and nothing seemed quite good enough. 

So when I was scrolling endlessly on Instagram and came across Silbia’s post about their limited edition Merino Yak DK, I stopped in my tracks. The rich brown color of Coffee perfectly matched my morning latte, and I knew it was meant to be. 

I quickly changed the name of the pattern from Savannah to Latte and sent a note to Silbia. A wonderful collaboration was born, and I’m delighted to share my experience working with Camellia Fiber Co’s Merino Yak DK.

Getting my yarn in the Mail!

Once we agreed to the terms of our collaboration and ordered the skeins, they were in the mail, and I don’t think I was ever so eager to see a USPS truck. The skeins arrived relatively quickly, and I immediately unwrapped the tissue paper to feel them between my fingers, smell them, and wind them up. They had a delicate sheen when the light hit them, and they were incredibly soft to the touch. There was no wooly smell. Even In the skein, you could tell they were special.

Unwrapping yarn is a moment to be enjoyed. Relish in the joy of receiving a package in the mail addressed to you; you deserve this treat. Breathe a sigh of relief when you unwrap the yarn and see skeins that look more luxurious than you could have imagined. Feel the rush of excitement when you slip the first skein on your yarn swift. 

Winding Merino Yak DK is a pleasure all its own. The skeins are not oversized and will fit on most yarn swifts, so you won’t have to worry about any tangling issues. There were no tangles or knots in the skeins, and the yarn felt great as it ran through my fingers to control the tension around the ball winder.

What is Camellia Fiber Co Merino Yak DK Made Of?

CFC Merino Yak DK is a luxurious blend of merino wool, yak, and silk. The 65% merino wool base is perfect for cool weather sweaters layered over other tops or against the skin. Yak is just as soft as cashmere, warmer than wool, and incredibly durable. You’ll never wear holes into the elbows of the sleeves of your Latte Cardigan. Add in a touch of silk and you have a blend that feels like a gentle kiss against your skin with just the right amount of drape. This yarn is perfect for heirloom knits or special pieces you want to get a lot of use out of. Because life is too short for projects like this to hide in a drawer. 

 Silbia is a mastermind with color, and Merino Yak DK is no exception. Aptly named Coffee, Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Silver, Earl Grey, and Matcha, these rich shades are timeless classics that will fit right at home in your wardrobe. You can see why they are staples in the fall collection. I’m already envisioning another Latte Cardigan in Matcha. The rich forest green would be such a stunner this fall.

 Don’t want to wait until fall? You’re in luck - Silbia created a limited run of these colors just for the Latte Cardigan launch. Scoop up a sweater quantity now!

Let’s Cast On the Latte Cardigan Already

While I tried a few different needle sizes, I found I really enjoyed swatching for the Latte Cardigan with CFC Merino Yak DK on US 5 & 6 needles. The US 5 worked perfectly for 1x1 ribbing, giving it a crisp look. The overall texture stitch looked great on US 6’s and created a supple and smooth texture. The DK weight creates an ultra-wearable fabric that doesn’t feel heavy or restricting.

Which Stitches look best in CFC Merino Yak DK?

When choosing a stitch pattern to pair with CFC Merino Yak DK, look for textured stitches that will highlight the fiber's silk content. Ribbing looks especially sharp and tailored, and Stockinette stitch will let the yarn take center stage. I’d be curious to see how it looks in an all-over lace pattern, so if you swatch that, please share a photo with me. I’d love to see it!

Heirloom Quality Knitting Pattern & yarn

The deluxe mix of fibers makes for a luxurious fabric that will stand the test of time and live up to everyday wear & tear. It’s been a few months since I finished knitting the Latte Cardigan sample and I’ve been wearing it often as I prepared for the launch of the pattern. So far, there are no signs of pilling, and it’s kept its shape. I haven’t needed to wash it yet, but when I do, I’ll use a gentle wool wash and lay it flat to dry.

Knit Something With CFC Merino Yak DK

Obviously, I think you should knit the Latte Cardigan with this incredible yarn.

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What would you knit next with CFC Merino Yak DK? Comment below and tell me!


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