Shirley

SHIRLEY by Lang Yarns is an expressive autumn and winter yarn designed to put texture in the foreground. Its combination of Superfine alpaca and fine Merino virgin wool blooms as it is knitted, creating a generous, fluffy surface with a fur-like appearance. A mélange effect brings depth to the colour, allowing even a simple shape to become a distinctive piece of knitting.

A fluffy yarn with visible volume

SHIRLEY develops its character on the needles. As the stitches form, the fibres create a soft-looking halo around the knitted surface. This furry finish adds substance to clean silhouettes and makes the material an integral part of the design. Rather than relying on numerous decorative details, a project can draw its personality from the yarn’s volume, nuanced colour and pronounced texture.

The mélange appearance gives the knitted fabric more visual variation than a completely uniform surface. It creates a sense of depth across broad areas of stocking stitch and brings movement to straightforward shapes. If you would like to use textured stitches, choose motifs with enough scale to remain visible beneath the fluffy halo. A swatch will show whether a particular pattern is clearly defined or gently softened by the fibres.

Superfine alpaca and fine Merino virgin wool

The fibre content is 45% Alpaca (Superfine), 45% Virgin wool (Merino fine) and 10% Nylon. The alpaca and fine Merino give SHIRLEY its distinctive fibrous character, while nylon completes the blend. With 45 metres in each 50-gram ball and a recommended needle size of 10 mm, it produces a large, immediately visible stitch.

If you are sensitive to the feel of wool near your face, place the finished swatch against your neck before beginning a sweater, scarf or cowl. This practical test lets you assess the alpaca and Merino blend according to your own sensitivity. It also helps you select a project that you will enjoy wearing after investing time and care in every row.

Projects that showcase the yarn

SHIRLEY is well suited to statement knits for the colder seasons. Its generous volume and furry surface can be highlighted in sweaters, cardigans, sleeveless vests and substantial accessories. A wide scarf, cowl or hat is another way to let the material take centre stage. Clear lines, comfortable shapes and uncomplicated construction give the fluffy finish and mélange depth enough space to be fully appreciated.

The recommended 10 mm needles make progress easy to see. This can appeal to experienced knitters looking for an unusual surface as well as beginners choosing a manageable shape with large stitches. Whatever your experience level, making a swatch is essential. With only seven stitches across 10 cm, even a small difference in personal tension can have a noticeable effect on the finished measurements.

SHIRLEY yarn details

• Composition: 45% Alpaca (Superfine), 45% Virgin wool (Merino fine), 10% Nylon
• Length: 45 m per 50 g
• Recommended needles: 10 mm
• 10 cm gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rows
• Season: autumn and winter
• Care: use wool detergent without fabric softener

Swatch before casting on

The stated gauge is seven stitches and ten rows over 10 cm. Knit a sample large enough to measure without stretching the fluffy fabric. In addition to checking tension, this step lets you examine the colour depth, the size of the halo and the definition of any chosen stitch pattern. It is also an opportunity to decide whether the fabric has the volume and movement required by your pattern.

For care, use a detergent intended for wool and do not add fabric softener. Following this instruction is an important part of looking after the fibres. A hand-knitted garment represents many hours of attention, so both the initial swatch and appropriate laundering deserve a place in the process.

Bring material depth to your next knit

Choose SHIRLEY when you want volume, mélange colour and a distinctive fur-like finish to define your project. Prepare your 10 mm needles, begin with a careful swatch and let this alpaca and fine Merino blend turn a simple silhouette into a piece where the beauty of the material is clearly visible.