By Claudia Ostrop
Today, let's put the spotlight on a true classic from the Pascuali lineup: Saffira, the exquisite Merino-silk blend. And the name isn't just for show: with its lustrous sheen, this luxurious yarn brings to mind a shimmering sapphire.
Let's take a closer look at these elegant 50-gram skeins. The magnificent shine owes its origins to the silk, spun together with the finest Merino wool to create Saffira. It's a blend of 75% organic Merino from Argentina – mulesing-free, of course – and 25% Mulberry silk from China. A dream team, spun and dyed in Italy.
With 436 yds (400 meters) per 100 grams, it's a sport-weight yarn, perfect for a multitude of projects, whether it's shawls, scarves, or lightweight tops.
Saffira comes in 50-gram skeins. No winding necessary – you can dive straight into knitting. We recommend using needle sizes § US (3 to 3.5 mm), which yields a gauge of approximately 26 stitches per 4” (10 cm). Of course, as always, please try it out for yourself! Depending on how tightly or loosely you knit, you may need to adjust the needle size. And even the material of the needle tips can affect gauge. So, please make a gauge swatch ( with such a beautiful yarn, it's truly a pleasure!).
Saffira is on the thinner side, so it's not for those seeking super-fast results – but do you even want that? The yarn is wonderfully soft and glides perfectly over the needles. Whether it's casting on or working the first row, flat or in the round, Saffira knits up like a dream! The yarn is spun tightly, so you won't accidentally split it. The stitch definition is almost perfect right off the needles. Simple stockinette stitch results in a wonderfully smooth, delicately shiny fabric. Truly luxurious, yet still very natural-looking. And after washing, it only gets more beautiful and even.
All types of stitch patterns shine beautifully with Saffira. From simple ribs to lace patterns and slipped stitches to cables.
Or how about stripes? The Saffira color palette offers 20 colors, all of which have a very natural look.
By the way, Saffira is also available undyed: in convenient 100-gram skeins, they're the perfect canvas for hand-dyeing.
Saffira is excellent for tops. How about the Valetta Cardigan, the Tilda Dress or the Adelita Pullover from the Pascuali Collezioni? Or Isabell Kraemer's Tresoro Pullover?
But accessories like shawls and scarves also provide a fantastic stage for Saffira: Tu y Yo is a beautiful set consisting of a shawl and hat. The Marcelo Mittens keep the littlest hands warm, and the Nazare Poncho by Kerstin Ritter is perfect for wrapping up on cool summer evenings.
Garments made with Saffira are wonderfully soft and shiny, with a fantastic drape. And they can be worn comfortably on even the most sensitive skin, without any itching.
So, what do you think? Follow the link to explore the fantastic world of Saffira!
