Paradise Fibers Summer Silk, Flax & Merino Blend - Kermie

Kermie is a Paradise Fibers exclusive summer spinning blend of 50% mulberry silk, 25% flax and 25% merino wool, dyed a bright, leafy green with pale silk highlights. The undyed silk and flax flecks give the green a lively, sunlit shimmer. It is made for warm-weather yarns that breathe, drape and shine.

Mulberry silk brings liquid shine and a buttery glide through the fingers. Flax, the plant fiber that becomes linen, adds a crisp, cool hand and real strength. Merino wool supplies gentle elasticity and warmth, so the finished yarn has more bounce than a pure silk or linen yarn and is easier to knit.

Fiber details

• Fiber content: 50% mulberry silk, 25% flax, 25% merino wool
• Color: A bright, leafy green with pale silk highlights
• Blend: Paradise Fibers custom blend, milled for us in small batches
• Sold by: The ounce
• Best for: Hand spinning; also suits blending on a drum carder or hand cards

How it spins

Use a short forward draw for sleek, worsted-style yarn that highlights the silk's glow. Try a long draw for a lighter, more rustic yarn where the flax gives body and texture. Finish with a warm soak and a snap to release the silk's sheen and the merino's bounce. Flax softens further with every wash and wear.

What to make with it

Lace shawls, breezy summer cardigans and tops, woven wraps and soft scarves, pieces that move and catch the light. Kermie is part of the Summer Silk line with Gonzo and Sweetums. Browse all flax (linen) fiber and silk and silk blends.

Questions about Kermie

Is this blend good for summer garments?

Yes. Silk and flax make up three quarters of the blend, and both breathe and feel cool against the skin. The merino keeps the yarn soft and springy without adding much warmth.

Will the flax make the yarn scratchy?

Flax starts out crisp, but it softens noticeably with washing and wear. Blended with silk and merino, it reads as cool and smooth rather than rough.

Is it beginner friendly?

It suits an advanced beginner. Silk and flax are slippery, so add a little more twist than you would for wool and keep your drafting zone short.

How much fiber do I need?

Plan on about 4 oz for a hat or small shawlette, 8 oz for a generous shawl or scarf, and 1½ to 2 lb for an adult sweater. Buy it all at once: this is a small-batch blend and may not be restocked.

How is it priced?

Sold by the ounce. Quantity pricing applies automatically at 4 oz, 8 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb and 5 lb, so buying for a sweater costs far less per ounce than buying a single sample.