Tip Tuesday: Working with Starling Our New Yarn Darling!

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday! This time, we're diving into the versatile world of Starling, our first new yarn in over three years. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or just starting out, Starling offers a unique combination of softness, stretch, and stunning colors that makes it the perfect addition to our yarn family.

This yarn has so much potential. To get you started, let's explore some tips and tricks to help you make the most of Starling and create beautiful, lasting pieces you'll love.

Recommended Needle Size & Gauge

For Starling, we recommend using size US 2 (2.75 mm) needles with a gauge of 8 stitches per inch. This will give you a structured fabric with excellent stitch definition. 

Note: By going up a size to US 3 needles you can add an extra touch of drape to your work which is perfect for wraps & shawls!

Ideal Projects for Starling

Starling is a gorgeous fingering weight yarn with a hint of stretch that also maintains its structure. This makes it the perfect companion for:

• Colorwork: Starling’s wide range of colors is ideal for creating unique colorwork projects.

• Socks: Lightweight yet durable, Starling is comfortable and made for long-lasting wear.

• Wraps & lace: Lacework looks even more impressive with the help of Starling's crisp stitch definition. This yarn makes your stitches pop!

• Baby items: Its soft and stretchy fabric holds up perfectly after repeated washings.

Swatch for Success

In a first for Quince&Co, Starling includes 25% recycled polyamide fiber. We’re excited to expand our offerings and at the same time create an eco-friendly option for stitchers who want to experiment with a new fiber. 

As you begin exploring all that Starling can do, it's important to start new projects off on the right foot by swatching your yarn before you dive into your first Starling work-in-progress (WIP). 

Remember, checking your gauge is the key to success whenever you begin stitching with a new yarn or fiber combo. 

Get To Know Our Colors

Starling is available in 26 solids PLUS 5 striping colors! Create something truly unique by mixing and matching in colorwork patterns like designer, Jordan Prouty did in the new FORZATO pattern.

Note: The appearance of a self-striping yarn can vary depending on the stitch used. Make sure you swatch in the stitch pattern your project calls for. 
A self-striping yarn can look different in a knit stitch compared to a purl or when ribbed. If the pattern calls for lace, try swatching in the lace pattern rather than in a plain stockinette so that you’ll have a clear picture of how the final product will turn out.

Block Your Work

Blocking Starling is essential for a successful project. When working with Starling in stockinette stitch, some curling will naturally occur. Blocking your work brings the fibers to life and ensures that your project lays as intended.

 

Can I Substitute Starling for Another Weight?

Absolutely! If you fall in love with Starling as much as we have, you can swap it into other patterns and take advantage of its wide array of colors. 
But as we said before, always swatch! Starling’s unique properties will make it drape differently than any of our other fibers. It’s important to test before diving in.

Note: Depending on your gauge and project, you may even be able to use two strands of Starling in place of DK or light worsted yarns! 

We hope you’ll enjoy the versatility of Starling along with the process of working with this exciting new yarn. Let us know in the comments below what you will create with it first. We always love hearing from you.