It's hotting up but our knitting hands still want to keep busy. So what do they crave, plant fibres! Plant fibres are the cool breeze of the knitting world and we have just had a delivery of the lovely Nurturing Fibres, Eco-Cotton, Eco-Fusion and Eco Bamboo. These hand dyed yarns are what your hot hands have been asking for.

Nurturing Fibres is an Eco-friendly yarn range, hand dyed near Cape Town by Carle Dehning and her team. Nurturing fibres strive to conserve as much energy and waste during their production process. They make use of borehole water that is heated by solar power for their dye baths. After dyeing, the PH levels in the dyebaths are neutralised and the water is used to irrigate an olive grove near the dye studio. Their whole production process, from receiving the spun yarn, is done by hand.

Lets start with the Eco-Cotton. A DK weight, soft but sturdily spun cotton yarn. Giving you lovely stitch definition without compromising on softness. This yarn is great for kids and adults alike. Both for knitting and crochet. I'm thinking summer tops, baby blankets, children's clothes, the possibilities are endless. The hand dyed nature of this yarn creates a gentle variegation in depth which gives the yarn life.

image - Noma Ndlovu

Luthando Vest (link to ravelry) by Noma Ndlovu - This textural vest with a wide neck is great to wear over a shirt and looks very smart. I like the split hem detail which gives a relaxed fit around the waist. Knit from the top down in a double moss stitch. Knit in Eco-Cotton.

image - Joy Clements

Field Of Diamonds Market Bag (link to ravelry) by Joy Clements. Sometimes a full garment project can be a bit heavy when the weather is hot, so something light and portable is much more comfortable. Whats better than a crochet market bag, great for taking things to the beach and perfect made in Eco-Cotton.

Next up is Eco-Fusion the best of both. this 50/50 blend of bamboo and cotton is made up of a ply of each fibre. This gives you a luscious glossy thread of bamboo paired with the more matte cotton. The dye takes slightly differently on these two fibres giving you a subtle two tone colour effect to the yarn itself. The cotton gives a bit of structure to the drapey bamboo, making it good for more shaped knits. This is a great yarn for garments and accessories alike giving good definition but also being cool for the summer.

image - Andrea Vu

The Bubbly Vest (link to ravelry) by Andrea Vu. This fun summer top really highlights Eco-Fusion's textural capabilities. Made from a combination of balloon and alpine stitches that are worked as panels. Crocheted in Eco-Fusion.

image - Nurturing Fibres

Mochaccino (link to designers website) by Juanita Muir. This simple and textural shawl is made for enjoying the fibre running though your hands. Its also a lovely uncomplicated pattern to take on holiday and let your mind wander. Knit from 6 balls of Eco-Fusion.

Last but not least we have the Eco-Bamboo. A 100% Bamboo, 4ply yarn. Bamboo has such a shine to it it glows! Its beautifully drapey which makes it great for light summer accessories and garments. Summer shawls or t-shirts for example. It has such a cooling feel in the hand and is so gentle its lovely against the skin and great for babies and kids.

image - James N Watts

Rib Lace Raglan (link to ravelry) by James N Watts. This simply shaped raglan top has an easy to memorise lace repeat which gives sophisticated rows of eyelets. Designed for short sleeves which can also be knitted long. I think it would look very elegant in Eco-Bamboo.

image - Nurturing Fibres

Beachcomber Blanket (link to designers website) by Carle' Dehning. A crochet blanket is a must have in any home. The silky cool feel of Eco-Bamboo would make this one extra special. Also crochet squares are a great traveling project.