Love Letters, Vol. 211: Koigu and Kersti Merino Yarn

It's Koigu!  This marvelous yarn is hand-painted by artist Maie Landra in small batches of 20 or so skeins.  Maie and her daughter and business partner Taiu developed their high twist 2-ply merino wool that is luxuriously soft and warm on their sheep farm in Canada.  Today, the demand for Koigu is so great that the yarn is now spun at a mill, leaving more time for painting the incredible colors that distinguish it. 

At Purl, fingering weight Koigu and sport weight Kersti are all-time customer favorites.  Both varieties are available in subtlely changing semi-solid colors as well as Painter's Palette multi-colors. Although the texture and spin are of the highest quality, it is the vibrant, unyielding cascade of color that makes this yarn truly special.  One feels a  connection to each skein, individually painted and imbued with a spirit of spontanaeous creativity.

This winter, we'll celebrate the publication of Maie's first collection of patterns in a highly-anitcipated new book, Knits From a Painter's Palette. In the meantime, you can find a selection of Koigu patterns at Purl, including customer favorites like the Beret and Glove pattern.