ITO Kinu 50 g – 100 % bourette silk yarn, 425 m

ITO Kinu – bourette silk yarn with 425 m per ball for lace shawls and summer clothing

ITO Kinu is a yarn made from 100 % bourette silk by ITO Yarn, intended for delicate lace shawls and for light clothing in spring and summer. "Kinu" is Japanese for silk thread. Bourette is made from the waste left over from spinning filament silk, which is why the manufacturer also calls the yarn "organic silk".

Bourette is typically slubby in texture, which gives the knitted fabric a distinctive look. According to the manufacturer, the yarn has a marl look. One ball weighs 50 g and has a length of 425 m. That works out at approx. 850 m per 100 g, so it is a fine yarn that you can also use for large shawls with an airy pattern. To plan how much you need, go by the length given in your pattern.

Working with Kinu

You can knit and crochet Kinu with a single strand or several strands held together. The manufacturer's website gives the combination with Kosho as an example: with 4.0 mm needles it produces a tension of 24 stitches over 10 cm. For a lace shawl, follow the needle size in your pattern. The manufacturer's figure of 3.25 mm and 26 stitches over 10 cm is only a guide. What matters is the tension given in your pattern; the figure on the ball band is only a guide.

Care and colour selection

According to the manufacturer's recommendation, wash silk gently by hand. It is best to wash your tension swatch the same way, so you can see beforehand how the stitch pattern and size change. The range comprises 48 colours. Choose your colour from the options. For a larger project, it is best to buy the whole amount at once so that the balls match.

ITO Kinu product details

• Manufacturer: ITO Yarn & Design GmbH, Münster
• Material: 100 % silk (bourette silk)
• Ball weight: 50 g
• Length: approx. 425 m (464 yds)
• Recommended needle size: 3.25 mm
• Tension: 26 stitches over 10 cm
• Look: marl look with slubby texture
• Care: gentle hand wash
• Range: 48 colours

You will also need: knitting needles or crochet hook in the size given in your pattern