I bought brushed silk yarn so you don’t have to 🧶

[@nony_mation]

My big question about the silk yarn that is weird that isn't answered is: is the silk from pre- or post-silkworm transformation? In other words, do they source silk in such a way that it results in the end of the silkworm or do they let the silkworm's life cycle complete and then harvest the silk, which is becoming more popular as a way to source and harvest silk? The fact that the brand seems not to say while also claiming sustainability is really odd and kind of sketchy to me

[@CinemaKnits]

Yeah the way the silk is produced seems like an important question for sustainability, surely! I am also confused about this. I know almost nothing about silk production so thanks for highlighting, will pin in case anyone else has any insight….

[@jackredacted9378]

they live for 3 days as moths before dying anyway after like 50 days as a grub (during which they live in luxury with all the food they want available to them and no danger), so I dont think its a big ethical concern to kill them during metamorphosis. As moths they don't eat or drink, just mate and lay eggs, and they probably need more space to be comfortable, so it might actually be better for their quality of life to cut off the last few days of the majority's lives. however you feel about it though, its not something that impacts sustainability because theyre able to maintain genetic diversity without letting all the silkworms metamorphose. Also, ahimsa silk or peace silk or whatever you want to call it is more costly to produce, so if they dont say its probably produced through the traditional method of heat-killing the worms during metamorphosis.

[@Smidgeon-pigeon]

​@@jackredacted9378all of this, yes. Also, silkworm flesh is a major source of dietary protein in silk-producing regions. So, if you allow the worm to metamorphose, then you remove a) a major source of nutrients and b) a major source of income for small-scale silk producers who sell silkworm flesh.

[@jackredacted9378]

@@Smidgeon-pigeon Wow, I didn't even consider that. I do know silkworms are eaten, but I assumed it was more of a traditional dish / delicacy situation.

[@rinskeverberg]

Me as a communications consultant watching this video (* gets entirely distracted from yarn content *): "Yes, those are very much the questions I would ask about brand identity and core messaging"..."Omg ChatGPT is that you?" Maybe the answer to most of your questions in the first 40 mins, comes down to 'bad marketing strategy'? Haven't watched the entire video yet, but you bring up some valid points, particularly about not being able to predict what people will make with the yarn. Anyways, love this concept as a plebs who after ten years still knits with acrylics sometimes! There is something very satisfying about thorough deep dives that I couldn't be bothered to do myself:)

[@CinemaKnits]

@@rinskeverberg yeah I think as the brand grows they need good comms!! It can be hard to write your own copy because you’re so close to the product/business/whatever but AI will do an even worse job lol

[@rinskeverberg]

@@CinemaKnits Honestly I'm sort of glad that we won't be replaced by robots any time soon:)

[@nony_mation]

I would so much love an unhinged it girl review of Spincycle (probably Dyed in the Wool)! Imo it's incredibly overhyped for what it is, but no matter what I think I'd love to hear your thoughts

[@1Stipple2Stitch]

I love the idea of this yarn but I learned a long time ago from experts (wool mills, etc) that one should NEVER DRY CLEAN NATURAL FIBRES!! Chemical processing used in dry cleaning will destroy the knit fabric faster than a gentle hand wash with plain soap. I have knit with various types of silk for decades now and it absolutely can have a natural halo depending on the type of yarn so it doesn't surprise me that this brushed yarn 'works.' This happens with low twist, silk yarn made with much cheaper, 'broken - shorter length' threads. Still beautiful results. I'm working on a cowl with 1 ply almost aran wt silk and it's halo city! For those of us allergic to mohair and the like, the brushed silk could be a good option. 😊 Thanks for the review!

[@CinemaKnits]

@@1Stipple2Stitch I have heard that re: dry cleaning! It’s odd to me that it tells you to dry clean rather than hand wash (I will probably just be hand washing my scarf tbh….)

[@wronggeometry]

I thought the most expensive yarn was cervelt or vicuna. Still interested in this video, but just for anyone who's interested.

[@CinemaKnits]

@wronggeometry I’m employing hyperbole :) it’s definitely cheaper than cervelt!

[@wronggeometry]

Yes I do understand that after seeing the video but the thumbnail was confusing as I was wondering how/why it was purple. Maybe 'It Girl Yarns' for the series if you're doing more. Not sure how up I am on my It Girl yarn knowledge but would be interested in seeing you try Isager as I hear about it constantly. I watched this while knitting with Cardiff Cashmere Classic for the first time which I was influenced to buy through watching Florence Miller... it was justified as a birthday gift to myself. Very soft and lovely but I'm making mitts and will be scared to wash them and of stretching/wearing them out. Maybe that's one for you to try too.

[@wronggeometry]

Also, it's nice to hear you're doing vlogmas. I have audhd and appreciate your in depth discussions and when you get very specific.

[@CinemaKnits]

@ my apologies, I’m appeasing the algorithm & short hyperbolic video titles just work better. I’m definitely doing more It Girl Yarn reviews! I have had a couple of requests for Cardiff cashmere and am definitely considering it…

[@angela0042]

Please do a video on qiviut.

[@polyknittery]

I would like to point out that very large needles for very thin (lace-weight) yarn is something traditionally seen in Shetland Lace and similar lacework styles. For example, with a cobweb (thinner than lace weight) single-ply yarn, I would usually aim for 3mm to 3.5mm needles. This achieves a particularly pleasing lace pattern. On another note, I think the reason you may be seeing less sheen when knit up *might* be because it needs blocking. Probably as you are knitting it, the brushed fibres are sticking every which way. I am willing to wager that a block might fix that... ... which brings me to my third point. What a terrible practice to make a yarn product that can supposedly not be washed - maybe that's why nobody else is brushing silk? It may be possible for you to handwash it (cool! detergent specifically made for silk!), but the silk might change property (loss of lustre, texture, etc.) Maybe try handwashing a little swatch first?

[@nata6025]

We're clearly on the same algorithm because I recognise every channel you mentioned 😄 my heart broke when you had to break the yarn because the cast on was unfroggable. Perhaps next time you could use a provisional cast on using a merino scrap yarn or some other smooth yarn?

[@CinemaKnits]

Yeah I think that would be a good plan for next time! I always forget about provisional cast ons until too late!

[@kkfvjk]

Wool2dye4 has a brushed silk option, mixed with 30% wool presumably for more elasticity and durability. But the "fluff" component of it is definitely from the silk. It's also much cheaper lol.

[@wildgooseberrytea]

6:19 Not all silk is shiny and glossy, there are two more types: bourette silk and toussa silk. They look like a rough lightweight cotton. Those are cheaper than mulberry silk but is so awesome. Highly recommend. PS. Do a burn test on yiur silk, you will be able to check wether it has synthethic content. Smell and ashes texture will tell, google the reco for burn test.

[@stephaniefiddy2753]

Please keep making more videos. I just stumbled on your KZbin channel and love your videos thus far!

[@CinemaKnits]

Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Nowlflr]

I have to check this out! Excited to see what your next yarn is to review. Have you worked iwth qiviut? It's next level!

[@the_knit_purl_girl]

This was such an interesting watch; thank you for making this video! I went on a deep dive into the different mohairs available on the UK market (it was a hard time mental health wise lol) and looking at the footage of it against your tights, the yarn it most reminded me of is Cardiff Cashmere Brushlight because of the thicker core and shorter staple length of the surrounding fibres. I really wanted to like this brand when I first saw the adverts (which I also got for like 6 months before the launch) but didn't feel particularly tempted to order when they went live, partly because the price was so steep and, at this point in my knitting life, I know what I like and pure silk can be a bit tricky to work with. I really wanted to support a British take on the Scandi style brands you mentioned, and I can't help but feel like they missed the opportunity here. Fingers crossed they take the community feedback on board, some of which I thought was fair, and consider the difference between hand and machine knitting going forward. I think there's potential and their shade card is pretty solid IMO, but yeeeeeah this isn't great..!

[@lista2308]

55:13 As a former retail employee, I'd say shopping on a 5pm Saturday before Christmas belongs on Dante's third level of Hell

[@CinemaKnits]

@@lista2308 omg I am so glad my retail days are long behind me. It was indeed hell, and they didn’t have the PJs either!

[@beachgirl9697]

Add candles for warm light. This is from a knitter in the Pacific Northwest. Dark from about 4 pm until 7:45 am.

[@CinemaKnits]

@@beachgirl9697 I go through so many candles here in winter! But I meant more for filming than for personal use - it’s so hard to film without daylight and the video quality really goes down even with a ring light :(

[@teacupdeux]

I saw a heated discush about this brand on Reddit and am so happy the algo recommended your video - very interesting to hear more about this brand. I love silk but I feel I would need a lot more transparency and information from the brand. Which can be challenging when obfuscation and ~mystery~ is a part of this branding. I enjoy your conversational tone!!!!! Although I did feel so out of the loop because I must not be social media-ing similarly. I don’t know any of the folks you mentioned nor did I get the ads 😭😭😭 Okay wait I’m halfway through I LIKE YOUR YAPPING YAP AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE. Also…guess I’m making a bonnet.

[@CinemaKnits]

@@teacupdeux being told my yapping is appreciated heals my inner child!! Thank you. I agree about the mystery around the brand and actually feel no clearer about the use case or concept behind this yarn having used it….

[@teacupdeux]

@ onto your bonnet vid to turn miself into a giant lad babie. Xoxo so glad the algo led me to you!

[@taylorbrantley5065]

Silk and any continuous length fiber (plastics like poly, acrylic, etc) can be cut down to shorter lengths to mimick cotton, woll, flax, etc.) I would guess that it's a long core of silk plied with shorter length fibers of silk and then brushed.

[@kbjazzfan]

The camp comment got me 😆

[@CinemaKnits]

Fruity yarns ™️

[@Jennlikestocrochet]

I'm wondering if they say dry clean because washing it would drastically change the fiber? Perhaps the fluffiness would disappear? I dunno, but definitely strange.

[@CinemaKnits]

@@Jennlikestocrochet it is starting to feel like nobody actually tried the yarn in the form of a finished wearable object before selling it…..

[@adub_from_253]

Super helpful video, love all the details, thank you!! 💖

[@talesofknots]

"Wouldn't put it with my drops" 😂

[@CinemaKnits]

Enforcing a first class / business class / economy system in my yarn storage box

[@charisseproffitt3653]

I question it being the same strength. It would seem to me that the brushing process would awaken the thread. I like to use silk with other types of yarn, like mohair or angora. So, I don't see the point. Does it weigh less? That would be the only plus, if that's true.

[@Terrestriellie]

This is a fascinating watch - i must say this is not the only 100% silk yarn on the market, though its not common. Brushing a yarn like this is fascinating to me. I know you touched upon it in the video, but to me the appeal of silk is shiny, smooth fibres. As someone who sews, certain cotton silk blends are beautiful because the weave shows off smooth silk and its contrast with coarser fibres which creates little bumps and textures which are absolutely beautiful (though it frays like a mfer lemme tell you that). Its definitely an interesting thought, i feel like if you are a brand producing such a luxe material yarn, why wouldnt you play to its strengths ? Its an interesting marketing tactic to me that I'm not entirely sure on

[@CinemaKnits]

It’s definitely not the only 100% silk yarn on the market! I talk about working with other silk yarns in the video - they’ll are pretty common! It’s the brushed silk that’s unusual about this yarn rather than the silk itself. And yes likewise re: the fibre strengths, I am confused about the reasoning behind this yarn and really want to know more about the thought process behind it.

[@magmc1328]

I wanted to order some just to see what it felt like and they don't ship to the US sadly. I was so let down

[@fvidder2210]

Intriguing. Have you done a burn test? It probably is 100% silk like they say, but a burn test would help confirm if you're curious . I admit that my overly literal mind was like "Vicuña?" when I saw the video title. Haha. Re sustainability, killing silkworms or not killing them isn't the dividing line in most of what I've seen, though you might care about it in terms of animal welfare. (If they're talking about "sustainability" specifically, it's probably more about the chemicals used to de-gum the cocoons and chemical fertilizer for the mulberry plants.) If something does not say the type of silk, then it's just about guaranteed to be the standard type (Bombyx mori, unhatched cocoons). That's like 90% of what's available world wide. I don't see much on Ravelry that's fluffy silk, but there is one brushed boucle entirely out of silk. Silk has also been used for chenille in the past. That's shinier than this, but it does use silk in shorter lengths. This is definitely a weird yarn, but I don't think it's completely outside of things other people have done with silk. Ultimately, it seems to be taking queues from woven fabric where "brushed silk" exists. More support for the idea that the inspiration is fashion, not craft spaces. I've heard that fuzzy and delicate yarns aren't suitable for center pull in general. I guess one could make a very expensive but not itchy Cloudbow with this...

[@MsTaraRyan]

What is the cost comparison between silk, cashmere and Musk ox. Because Musk ox is the most expensive yarn I ever bought

[@CinemaKnits]

This is for sure much cheaper! £16.50 for 25g so around the same price as cashmere but cheaper than musk ox by about two thirds!! I think musk ox is around £60 per 25g?

[@MsTaraRyan]

@@CinemaKnits it was anywhere from 80 - 120 USD per ounce. The 80 was because I had a friend who hand spun it for me

[@CinemaKnits]

@ I would love to get my mitts on it one day!! What does it feel like? I am not good with imperial measurements but I think that sounds about correlative cost wise - basically 3x the price of silk & cashmere?

[@MsTaraRyan]

@@CinemaKnits I had to look it up 117 pounds sterling or 142 euro for 28 grams. It is crazy soft and light. Cashmere is itchy in comparison and it feels like a cloud in your hand. I haven’t woven with it yet, but I have a piece with silk, seaweed, qiviut, and merino cashmere I am planning. It is a piece with all yarns from Alaska

[@CinemaKnits]

@ wowwww more than I thought! Now I want to try it…..

[@louvegouroute]

huh… for what it's worth, "our single material" sounds like a bad translate from the french for "our _unique_ material"… "unique" is also a word in french, and can mean, well, unique as in rare, exceptional, but also… just one. "single", you might say (like, the One Ring form LotR is "l'Anneau Unique".) … definitely weird, though. and i wish i had a "feel" for ai text like you do, just as i have a "feel" for ai generated images, bc for these things i tend to think "bad auto translate", but it could absolutely be chatgpt :|

[@neenaj365]

No, I haven’t had their ads… but I bet I will now 😅

[@emilydawson9292]

LOL proletariat yarn 😂

[@CinemaKnits]

Comrade 🧶

[@TeyNotting-q1y]

Oh such a sacrifice, to spend money you probably don't have on yarn. What a Nobel person you are....

[@CinemaKnits]

It was £36, so didn’t quite bankrupt me luckily! ❤️

[@neenaj365]

I thought it could be bourette silk which is often used in brushed silks. Can be described as sustainable as it’s made from waste. It’s a shame that Plain Materials isn’t more forthcoming with information. However the bourette silk is not premium unless they are using waste from premium silk?? Brushed silk fabric can be easily found online. Interesting 🤔 Manifestos are amazing but not always followed through 🫠 I’m not fully trusting of anything that a former or current luxury brand employee says.