Pamper Yourself in Bluefaced Leicester Lux Fingering

It is time to get pampered in softness and elegance with the newest Megs & Co yarn, BFL Lux Fingering.

Over the past year I have been endlessly testing new yarns searching for the perfect luxury yarn to add to the Megs & Co collection. The yarn had to be more than just a blend of luxury quality fibers. It had to be a functional choice for both garments and accessories as well as appropriate for both knit and crochet projects. I did not want something that was just going to languish away in people’s stashes, but rather one that could easily be substituted in a multitude of patterns that call for fingering weight yarn. Bluefaced Leicester Lux Fingering, or BFL Lux for short, fits all that criteria and so much more with a blend of 70% Certified English Bluefaced Leicester superwash wool, 20% silk, and 10%cashmere.

 What exactly makes BFL Lux so special?

First breed in the late 1800s, the Bluefaced Leicester sheep are the English answer to the Spanish Merinos, and having undergone years of selective breeding they now boast to not only have the finest fleeces of all the Leicester breeds, but the softest fleece of all the longwool breeds. The long and relatively straight staple length of the fiber creates a yarn with plenty of drape and a silk like lustrous sheen paired with incredible strength and next to skin softness. The addition of silk brings even more shine, strength and drape to the yarn and the cashmere lends unparalleled softness and warmth with a slight halo.

I am currently working on the Ranunculus sweater, a knit design by Midori using BFL Lux in the colorway Beach Water. The yarn and the design work perfectly together to create a very wearable garment with elegant drape thanks to the silk and surprising warmth from the cashmere.

Since we are heading into warm weather season here in Western NY,  I chose to knit the short sleeve version and even though I am not quite finished, I am confident that I am only going to need 2 skeins of BFL Lux to make the entire garment. Yes, just 2 skeins to knit an entire sweater thanks to the lace yoke design and flowy nature of the fabric from using larger size needles.  I plan on making this short-sleeved jumper a staple in my summer wardrobe as it is perfect for throwing over a tank top on cooler evenings or when passing through air-conditioned indoor spaces.

The pattern is fast and very enjoyable to knit. So much so that I have already set aside yarn to make a second! You can find the pattern here on Ravelry.

When choosing projects for this yarn, I would select patterns that feature a flowy fabric to emphasize the beauty and shine of the silk and slight cashmere halo in this yarn. Lace shawls (hello crochet shawls!), loose tanks and tees, snuggly cardigans, and sweaters with positive ease are perfect choices. I would avoid very fitted designs, or ones that feature a lot of negative ease such as socks or very fitted jumpers as silk fibers will relax over time causing your garment to grow. This effect is very desirable in a breezy tank top or shawl, but so much in a sock.

As always if you ever need any help building your projects, from pattern research to color selection I am always here to help!