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It’s hot outside for many of us—let’s put a cool vegan blend to the test.
Lindsay Jarvis4 min read
Lindsay likes knitting with natural fibers, but where she lives in southern California is very warm. We love seeing knitters using natural fibers that best suite their landscapes, so we asked her to try Eco Twist, a vegan-friendly, sportweight yarn that’s a blend of linen and recycled cotton plus EcoVero viscose fibers. Eco Twist comes in ten sweetly slubby colorways, and Lindsay selected Underwater Cave and Corn Husk for her swatching explorations. Follow along as we not only look at several of Lindsay’s stitch patterns, but also get a peek into her summer experience. —Editors
Living in a desert climate means very warm summers. I reside in Rancho Mirage, California (near Palm Springs), and when the heat kicks in, I tend to shift away from knitting—the idea of having a pile of warm fibers on my lap isn’t exactly appealing when it’s 110°F outside. While I do enjoy other hobbies like sewing or embroidery during the summer, knitting is still my favorite!
Eco Twist combines cotton and linen for a lightweight and breathable garment! For her swatches, Lindsay selected the two colors shown here: Underwater Cave (top) and Corn Husk (bottom).
I like to knit with natural fibers, so I was excited to try Eco Twist from Queensland. The blend of natural linen, recycled cotton, and EcoVero viscose fibers is a great option for spring and summer knitting. I was also interested to learn that the process used to make EcoVero viscose creates less environmental impact compared to generic viscose by reducing water use and carbon emissions by at least 50%.1
The Location: Of course, summertime swatching is better with a cold beverage, right? This room in my home (above), overlooking a collection of hoyas, is one of my favorite places to knit or read.
The Swatch: For my first swatch, I combined the two colors to create a simple stockinette-stripe pattern with a seed-stitch border. The soft, organic stripes would be lovely for a short-sleeved top or tank top! Knit with size US 4 (3.5mm) needles, this swatch has a gorgeous drape and a nice weight.
The Location: Our courtyard is a perfect spot for morning coffee and knitting in the fresh air. However, our summers are so hot that outdoor knitting is limited to rare cool mornings and evenings. A large plumeria tree helps to provide some shade.
The Swatch: The blue Underwater Cave colorway is heavily marled, so I wanted to stick with simple knit and purl patterns to emphasize the yarn itself. Including small garter-stitch squares adds a bit of texture without too much complication.
The Location: Out of all the spaces where I sit for crafting, coffee, reading, and relaxing, my most frequent cozy spot is curled up on the couch in our living room. From here, I get to see lots of my houseplants, a view of the pool, and the television for when it's time to knit while enjoying a favorite show. No matter what the temperature is like outside, the exterior views and cheerful light in this area create a relaxing space.
The Swatch: The Corn Husk colorway is everything I love in a yarn! The marl combines an ivory with an oatmeal hue for an effect that creates visual interest while still being subtle enough to play with lace patterns. This pointed arch swatch worked up beautifully in the Eco Twist, resulting in a soft look and stunning drape, perfect for a light scarf. Here, I tried two different needle sizes [US 6 (4.0mm) and US 5 (3.75mm)] and in the end, loved them both.
The Location: We are fortunate to be located near the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, a 10-minute tram ride that transports visitors from the desert heat to the refreshing Mountain Station, situated at an elevation of 8,516 feet. With weather typically 30 to 40 degrees cooler and miles of hiking trails, this is a summer staple for me.
The Swatch: I took my knitting along during a recent trip and played with a simple garter-stitch stripe repeat. This created a lovely fabric that showcases the colorway and was perfect for travel knitting.
The Location: This summer, I got the chance to visit Yellowstone National Park for the first time in my life! The natural beauty was breathtaking and overwhelming. One of my favorite memories was knitting up this simple mesh pattern while sipping my coffee and gazing out at the Madison River.
The Swatch: The eco-friendly aspect of the yarn paired with the fiber combination inspired me to swatch a fabric fit for a reusable produce bag. This would knit up quickly and beautifully in any of the colorways to create a plastic-free alternative for grocery trips.
Lindsay's finished swatches. What will she knit next?
Playing with the Eco Twist yarn left me bursting with project ideas! It’s certainly a great warm-weather yarn, but it’s also a gorgeous option for those who cannot wear or work with animal fibers. Several people on my knitting gift list prefer vegan or plant-based yarns, and it can sometimes be a challenge to find suitable options. Perhaps it’s the addition of the viscose to the blend that adds a touch of weight, creating such a lovely drape and finish.
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