Luminance Lace

Luminance is Knit Picks' lace-weight yarn in 100% mulberry silk, with 439 yards (401 meters) in each 50-gram skein. It has depth of color, a strong sheen and fluid drape.

Silk catches light in a way wool can't, so lace patterns seem to glow and colors look rich and saturated. The fabric drapes and flows rather than springing back, which suits shawls and scarves that are meant to fall softly around the shoulders. The color names, like Innocence, Reflection and Zen, hint at its quiet elegance.

It suits knitters who want to make a special shawl or scarf for an occasion, or simply for themselves, and who want the yarn itself to be part of the beauty.

Best for

• Fine lace shawls and stoles
• Flowing scarves
• Wedding and special-occasion wraps
• Light accessories for warmer weather

Working with it

The catalog lists it as lace weight without a needle size, so follow your pattern and swatch. Silk is slippery, so wooden or bamboo needles help keep stitches in place, and lifelines are worth the effort in lace. It has no elasticity, so keep tension steady and expect blocking to do a lot of the work: lace opens up dramatically once wet-blocked and pinned. Our blocking guide shows how, and our silk and cashmere guide covers silk's quirks.

Care

The catalog doesn't give care instructions. Silk is generally hand washed in cool water with a gentle wash, pressed in a towel without wringing, and dried flat away from direct sunlight, which can fade it.