Pattern Scout: 8 Dreamy Designs for Kidsilk Haze

It really is the most fantastical yarn, Rowan Kidsilk Haze. We’ve loved it for 20 years now, and it’s a yarn we return to time and again. If you’ve never tried this yarn, which combines silk and an airy halo of mohair, well, maybe this is your day to go for it. We have dozens of colors (see the gallery above) in the Shop.

Belinda Wrap by Ann Shayne

At Vogue Knitting Live, our venerable Belinda Wrap came along for the ride, because Rowan is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kidsilk Haze.

It was so fun. Everybody loved trying it on and swooshing about in this airy concoction. It’s so easy to pack—it collapses into a tiny ball—and it was a toasty insulator, given the nature of mohair and silk fibers.

It’s two rectangles and a simple yarnover pattern. Mesmerizing.

Dusking by Kiyomi Burgin

Exquisite is the word. This simple pullover, worked in the round, begins at the top with four strands of silk mohair yarn, then reduces the number of strands along the way until the hem is a single strand. The sleeves likewise diminish to a filmy cuff, just gorgeous.

Dusking appears in Cosmology Daruma Collection 2022, a lovely hardcover book published by the Japanese yarn company Daruma. The designers starring in this collection of eight designs are Kioymi and Sachiko Burgin, two of the most original designers we know. (It was a thrill to meet them last fall at the Wool & Folk festival!)

Note that you’ll need the following number of balls of Kidsilk Haze to make Dusking (the yarn specified in the pattern has a different yardage per ball):

XS: 8. S: 8. M: 9. L: 10. XL: 11. 2XL: 12. 3XL: 12. 3XL: 13. 4XL: 14.

Wisp by Cheryl Niamath

When 5,500 knitters have posted their projects on Ravelry, you can be sure you’re seeing a beloved pattern. This design appeared in 2007 on Knitty.com, and it’s still there, a free pattern, and a perfect use of Kidsilk Haze.

Two balls of Kidsilk Haze yield a rectangle of fishnet lace and garter stitch that, with the help of a row of lightweight buttons, can be worn as a scarf, a cowl, or a wrap around the shoulders.

Everyday Wrap by Julie Weisenberger

The brilliant mind behind Cocoknits gives us her elemental take on working with Kidsilk Haze. Stockinette on a size 8 (5 mm) needle. Hold two strands together. The result: the  piece you’ll reach for all the time. Everyday Wrap is a free pattern, such a lovely design.

Oh, the marling possibilities! Two balls of two colors will do it.

Seascape Stole by Kieran Foley

If you haven’t discovered Kieran Foley’s astounding designs, here’s the place to start. It’s a free pattern, and what a cool use of Kidsilk Haze.

Shifting yarnovers create waves in this stunner. Three balls make a voluminous but light wrap. If you’re wondering what color to use, 1,800 Ravelry projects will give you an idea or 200.

River by Sharon Miller

Perfectly airy, ball gown optional. These shawls can dress up or down, but for us, we don’t wait for a fancy occasion—a wrap like River is a daily pleasure.

Seasoned Rowanettes will remember the splash River made when it debuted in 2005. This is a two-ball project.

Horai Scarf by Hiroko Fukatsu

This ingenious stitch creates a geometric floral pattern that we adore.

You’ll need six balls—the yarn is held double and the dimensions are generous. Check out the other patterns in the designer’s Please Don’t Eat the Daisies collection here. Brilliant and beautiful.

White Rabbit Wristees by Tiny Owl Knits

Maybe you’re wishing for a taste of Kidsilk Haze, a little project to try it out? Here you go.

Squee! Here’s a way to use up precious Kidsilk Haze leftovers, or to make many friends happy and matchy if you pick up two colors you like together and knit a whole batch.

So: which one catches your eye? For us, we wish we had another few pairs of hands to make them all.

Belinda Wrap images by Gale Zucker; DUSKING © Masahiro Shimazaki for amirisu; Wisp scarf image by Kate Angelo; Everyday Wrap Image by cocoknits; Seascape Stole image by Kieran Foley; River image by Rowan Yarns; White rabbit wristees image by tiny owl knits; Horai Scarf image by Hiroko Fukatsu