Seaweed

Sorry for the delay kids, I was crazy busy and then I got sick and it snowballed into my post being late.  No good, I know.  But without further ado, I present: SEAWEED!  I'll admit, the post is sans-project pictures, but they're coming.  Pinky promise.

Seaweed/Seacell®:
In 1997, a study was conducted to see what, if any, marine plant fiber might be suitable for spinning, weaving, dying and washing.  Seacell® was released on the market in 2001.  Seacell® is a variant of lyocell.  It's made by combining cellulose with seaweed.  But let's call it seaweed.  It's so much more fun!

Cool Seaweed Facts:

• It stimulates skin cell regeneration, supports skin blood flow and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties
• It's hypoallergenic
• Some claim it allows for an exchange of minerals and vitamins between fiber and skin and reduces stress

My Seaweed Yarn:
For my project, I used Fibra Natura Sea Song.  It's 80% cotton and 20% seacell®.  It has a similar texture to cotton, but drapes a lot more nicely.  Where I wouldn't necessarily use lightweight cotton for an openwork piece, I would absolutely use the cotton/seaweed combo.

• Texture: V. similar to cotton.  3 Yarngasms.
• Durability: It's very splitty, but the individual strands don't break too easily.  3.5 Yarngasms.
• Frogability: I frogged this yarn 4 times before I found a project I liked.  I would try not to do it more than that, but the yarn held up for my 4 attempts and 1 finished product.  4.5 Yarngasms.
• Drape: It has a great drape.  I love the way openwork looks with this yarn.  4 Yarngasms.

My Project:
After several failed attempts (bad yarn/project combo, not enough yarn, decided halfway through I didn't like the pattern, etc.), I used the seaweed yarn to knit the February Lady Sweater.  I love this sweater (psst!  It knits up real quick-like!).  I love this yarn.  I love them together. 

If you haven't knit with seaweed, you should.

EDIT: See!  I promised pictures and there they are.  Success!