Dreamy Drape for your HandKnits

 I just had to cast-on the Sophie Scarf by PetiteKnits this week and after deciding to change my needle size it got me to thinking about drape and how to get the drape of your dreams. We've all been there, worked up that project we thought we were going to love only to have the finished item not look quite like the pattern picture. Often times when we picked out our yarn we didn't take into account how that yarn would drape. So here are my 2 tips for dreamy drape:

1. Use a yarn that has fibers that will provide that flow-y drape you are looking for. The crimp in most wool yarns does not lend itself to being super drapey. To get that drape find a yarn with some alpaca, mohair, pygora, cashmere, qiviut or other luxury fiber. These animal fibers have little to no crimp - and since crimp causes that bounce back effect which equals less drape - if we use yarn with these luxury animal fiber  you will also get a finished product with more drape. If you want to stick to 100% wool find yarn in breeds with less crimp such as Gotland, Coopworth or even a lot of the heritage breeds like Shetland or Icelandic.
2. Increase your needle (or hook) size. Often times if a fabric is dense going up several needle sizes with  give you a fabric with more drape. With my latest cast-on I started on a size 4 knitting needle as the pattern called for and then went up to a size 6 to get a little more drape out of the 100% wool yarn.

Now you know what I'm going to say right? Once you choose your yarn, be sure to do a swatch so you know that you really are going to get the fabric you want! I'd love to hear how you get your dream drape in the comments!
Head to my website to join my email list for more great tips and to shop local yarns and hand spinning fibers.

ewethfulfiberfarm.com

---