Wool and the Gang came out with a new type of yarn called Tina Tape Yarn that they sent to me to test out. I used this yarn to crochet my own dress, and I’m quite happy with it. I don’t have a pattern for you but I’ll tell you a little bit about how I made it and lots of info about this fun yarn.
About Tencel Yarn
This yarn is the first yarn that I’ve ever used made of Tencel. To be honest, I didn’t even know what the stuff was, so I had to do some research and I was thrilled with what I found out. According to Ecomall,
“Tencel or lyocell is a sustainable fabric, regenerated from wood cellulose. It is similar in hand to rayon and bamboo, both regenerated fabrics. However, Tencel is one of the most environmentally friendly regenerated fabrics, for several reasons.”
I went back to Wool and the Gang’s site to learn more and found out that this particular yarn:
“is 100% vegan, uses no harmful chemicals and saves water … (it) uses renewable energy and is made of fibre from sustainably sourced eucalyptus trees” and it is manufactured in an eco-friendly closed loop system.
More About Tina Tape Yarn
Here’s a better description of the wonders of this yarn:
“Tina Tape Yarn has been produced in Turkey by carefully chosen suppliers who are known for their eco-advance in sustainable technology. The wood fibres from sustainably harvested eucalyptus trees are converted into pulp, which is then processed into a soft and silky yarn. This production process and unusual botanic origin of the fibre has developed a yarn that is more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk and cooler than linen. Using an astonishing 80% less water than cotton, the yarn is a true result of a pioneering sustainable production method that is better for our Mother Earth.”
I love that the yarn is eco-friendly, but I also just loved working with the yarn. When I first started crocheting, I worked mainly with animal fibers and acrylic. I have a ton in my stash so that is still what I use a lot of, but lately I’ve been preferring to work with cotton and linen. This yarn has the same soft feel as those natural fibers and the same great stitch definition of those yarns.
I liked how it felt crocheting with it. Worn on the body, this yarn has a nice soft texture and great drape with a little bit of weight. It’s perfect for a summer dress but could work for items made in other seasons as well. I worked my crochet dress using a mid-sized hook but played around a lot with how the yarn looks using other hook sizes and I found that it’s a very versatile yarn. I actually liked the effect of it worked with a small size E crochet hook but it can also look great in a very openwork stitch made with a larger hook.
Photo via Firefly Fiber Arts
I used the Dusty Blue and Rocky Grey colors of this yarn. I love how the colors are soft but rich, and I especially liked how they looked together. The yarn comes in ten other colors in addition to these, mostly in the same soft hues with a few brights thrown in.
Making This Crochet Dress
As I said, I don’t have a crochet pattern for this dress. But for those who are interested, I’ll tell you a bit about how I approached its construction.
I used only half double crochet stitches to make this simple dress. Using an I hook, I crocheted two rectangles that were fifty stitches across, each of which used an entire ball of the grey color of the yarn.
I then seamed these two rectangles together to create the neckline and arm holes. First, I held the two rectangles together and began at one corner of the top, stitching ten stitches in to close the right side of the neck. I repeated on the other side to close the left side of the neck. Then I seamed together the sides, leaving enough room open for the arm holes. What I did to give some shape was that I pulled the bottom of the front rectangle up higher than the back, seaming the sides this way for less of a boxy shape.
From there, I just added rounds, increasing here and there for more of a “skirt” shape. I used the grey yarn for the skirt, the blue again for the fringe. I know, that isn’t great detail, but it kind of tells you how I approach crochet dress design. I work top down, trying it on as a I go, adjusting here and there, moving things around, stitching where it makes sense until it feels right. Which is why I only design clothes for myself :)
I added fringe, which is perfect in this tape yarn! I love twirling like a kid in this skirt! It looks better with a belt so I’m either going to make one with the remaining yarn or perhaps just thread a crocheted chain of the yarn through where I want the “belt” to be and make a bow of it.
Join The Fun!
Rescued Paw Designs shares a free crochet pattern for a mini basket made using 2 balls of Tina Tape Yarn
Wool and the Gang has launched a Facebook Group where you can share what you make with Tina Tape Yarn. They say:
“It’s always better together, which is why we’re celebrating the launch of Tina Tape Yarn, we’re running a 4-week Make Along. It’s all about a group of people getting together to make a project, share their experiences and help each other along the way! This time ‘round, we’ll all be making a kit of our choice from the Tina Tape collection and posting progress along the way.”
You can also always share what you make on social media using the tag #shareyourknits and in this case also tag your photos with #tinatapeyarn.
I’m always looking for sustainably produced yarns. Thanks for this post.