I have been a linen convert forever.  What can be nicer than an ancient thick snowy white linen cloth on a table?  Have you ever tried linen bath towels?  We've had ours for years, they last forever, wick moisture quickly and dry in no time at all.  I love linen for the bed too.  At a jumble sale I found sturdy linen sheets for a steal.  They only fit my young son's bed, and so yes, his entire life at home that lucky kid slept under thick linen sheets.  They are now on our guest bed and still look beautiful even though they must be at least 50+ years old.  I imagine they will easily last another 50 years.  I read somewhere that Queen Victoria's linen sheets are still in rotation at Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth's bed.  And of course I love linen clothes.  So elegant, light and cool, and wrinkles are part of the charm!

As for linen knitting yarn, I've tried it.  I almost always love the final fabric but have always disliked knitting with it.  Words like kite and string come to mind, and if I don't like the feel of the "hand" while knitting I will never use a yarn again.  So when I was given a sample of Rowan's new linen yarn, Pure Linen, I was excited yet apprehensive.  I dropped everything to give it a try, hopeful that if anyone could make linen knitable it would be Rowan. 

I was thrilled to find it beautifully knitable.

My first impression in the skein:  beautiful muted colors; elegant light sheen; hairy, minimally processed appearance; dry and firm to the touch.  I cast on with the recommended size US #7 (I used Knit Pick Harmony wood needles with a sharp point) and began to put it through the paces:  I knit garter stitch and stockinette.  Next I made some lace by knitting 2 and 3 together, slipping stitches, knitting through the back loop, make 1 left, make 1 right, etc.  Next I used smaller needles, sizes 5 and 6.  I crocheted it, knit it, ripped out and re-knit, washed it and blocked it. It held up very well.  Superb yarn.

Linen yarn is extremely strong and long-wearing and while you'd never use the word bounce when describing linen, it's surprisingly easy to manipulate the stitches.  Lace is a snap, and what's more, it's very easy on the hands.  There is little memory so think drape when deciding on a pattern.  I will love to use it for light, open-weave layering pieces.  It may feel crisp in the skein, but it knits up next-to-the-skin soft.  The patterns in the companion book by Lisa Richardson are perfect for this special yarn.  I hope I have it in my knitting budget to make a few this summer.  Here are my favorites: 

St. Kilda, using 8-12 skeins.  Shown here in Kalahari.

Palm Cove using 4-6 skeins.  Shown here in Atacama.

Mermaid, using 7-10 skeins, pictured in Gobi.

Bells, pictured in Sahara using 4-8 skeins and Arabian using 2-3.

Tamarara using 3-4 skeins.  Pictured in Arctic.

Trinity using 6-8 skeins.  Pictured in Arizona.  I am planning on knitting this one first.