Fabulous DK

Fabulous is McIntosh's DK blend of 55% British Bluefaced Leicester wool and 45% Grade A mulberry silk, with 246 yards (225 meters) in each 100 g skein. It's accredited by British Wool as an authentic British wool blend.

The two fibers each bring something. Bluefaced Leicester is soft and smooth with a gentle luster, and nearly half silk adds real sheen and drape, so the fabric hangs and catches the light rather than sitting stiff. Every skein is hand-dyed to order in a semi-solid colorway, which gives the knitting quiet tonal depth instead of a flat color.

It suits knitters and crocheters planning something special: a garment they'll keep for years, or a shawl where the shine of the silk can show.

Best for

• Drapey garments in a DK weight
• Elegant shawls and wraps
• Soft accessories worn close to the skin
• Textured stitch patterns that benefit from sheen
• Heirloom and gift projects

Working with it

McIntosh suggests a US 6 (4 mm) needle or hook for 22 stitches and 28 rows to 4 inches. Silk has little spring, so a high-silk blend tends to grow a little in length once washed and worn; swatch, wash and dry your swatch flat before measuring. Because every skein is dyed to order, there can be slight variation between skeins and dye batches. For a sweater, buy all the yarn at once and alternate skeins every couple of rows to blend any difference.

Care

McIntosh lists hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry. Use a gentle wool wash, press the water out in a towel rather than wringing, and keep the piece out of direct heat while it dries.