Disclaimer: Ton of Wool sent me a free sample of yarn. Their only request was that I provide feedback directly to them. I’ve decided to write about the yarn on my blog because it’s the kind of yarn that I can see myself using on a future project.

Ton of Wool – an Australian social enterprise founded in 2011 that is bringing Tasmanian Cormo wool to yarn lovers – sent me a 27 gram sample of their 10 ply Aran weight 100% Cormo wool to try out.

I decided to knit a swatch with a few stitch combinations. I used 4mm (US 6) straight bamboo needles – note that generally I’m a loose knitter! I avoided looking at information about the yarn until after I’d tried it and I’ve found out that they recommend 5.5mm needles to get a gauge of 18.5st over 10cm/4″.  My swatch has 14st over 10cm/4″ despite the smaller needles.  This isn’t uncommon with my knitting – I’m often having to go down needle sizes to get gauge.

I cast on 20 stitches and this sample used up 18 grams measuring approximately 14cm x 20cm (5.5″ x 7.75″).

The yarn is very squishy, it was easy to knit, has lots of body and the stitches have good structure.

My immediate reaction to the yarn was that it would be ideal for a cosy chunky winter jumper or cardigan. I haven’t worn anything made from Cormo wool but I wrapped the swatch around my arm and kept it there for some time and it feels fine to me (but my skin is usually very tolerant of yarns).

My next thought was that it would make a wonderful warm beanie, definitely something for the wintery weather that’s on the way soon here in Australia.

I haven’t washed and blocked the sample because I’ve now got a better sense of how far the sample will go so I plan to unravel it and make it in to something useful.