LOTUS YARNS Cathay 4 – silk and yak knitting yarn, 50 g

LOTUS YARNS Cathay 4 – silk and yak knitting yarn for shawls and fine knits

LOTUS YARNS Cathay 4 is a knitting yarn in 50% silk and 50% yak. You can knit light shawls, scarves and fine tops with it. The blend of silk and yak gives a soft yarn with a delicate, silky sheen.

According to the manufacturer, one ball weighs 50 g and has a length of 165 m. Use this to plan the quantity: convert the metres required by your pattern into a number of balls and buy them all at once from the same dye lot, so the colour stays even across your knitting. Choose your colour from the options.

What Cathay 4 is used for

The recommended needle size of 3.25–3.75 mm gives a loose, airy stitch pattern. This suits shawls, scarves and light jumpers, where the yarn should flow and the sheen of the silk should show. If you are combining it with other yarns in a garment, compare the lengths first: the figure of 165 m per 50 g helps you work out how much you need.

Knitting and care

What matters is the tension given in your pattern; the figure on the ball band is only a guide. Knit a small swatch before you start to see how the yarn drapes for you. According to the manufacturer, wash the finished piece by hand in cold water and dry it flat. This helps it keep its shape and avoids putting unnecessary strain on the fine yarn.

LOTUS YARNS Cathay 4 product details

• Manufacturer: Lotus Yarns, Cathay 4
• Composition: 50% silk, 50% yak
• Ball weight: 50 g
• Length: approx. 165 m
• Recommended needle size: 3.25–3.75 mm
• Care according to the manufacturer: hand wash in cold water, dry flat
• Colour: choose from the options

You will also need: knitting needles in the size given in your pattern (recommended 3.25–3.75 mm)