Jeni’s latest

Press, 2 May 1984, Page 18

Jeni’s latest

Almost the total range of the latest McMahon’s Farm yarns has recently become available at the Wool Baa, along with the latest book of Jeni McMahon’s spectacular patterns. A talented Australian fashion designer, Jeni is the wife of a Victorian sheepfarmer, and that is how “McMahon’s Farm” has come to be associated with quality hand-knits. There are four newseaon’s yarns in colours and tones that reflect the fashion scene in Europe and the U.S.A. The basic yarns, manufactured from Perendale wool, are plain twist and all wool, in 4 ply and 8 ply. They are nearly all plain-colour yams, in about 15 fashion tones. Colour co-ordinated with these are two other McMahon’s Farm yams: “Sensation” and “Mohair.” These are textured, multicolour yams with a subtle, interesting interplay of texture, colour and tone. Both of them are produced in three colourways. “Sensation” is 45 per cent wool, 20 per cent mohair and 35 per cent acrylic, while “Mohair” is 75 per

cent mohair, 20 per cent wool and 5 per cent nylon. Both come from the Netherlands. The plain Perendale yams, though, are made in New Zealand — by Carter Stovell, Ltd, of Dannevirke. Jeni McMahon was introduced to Perendale wool on a visit to New Zealand, and was so impressed by it that she decided to design patterns especially for it. The Perendale sheep is a Cheviot Romney cross, and what is special about the yam from Perendale wool is its extra bulk, elasticity and warmth. Perendale yarn has 20 per cent more bulk than the yam from other wools. This is because the fibres are crimped in three dimensions, rather like a coiled spring, whereas most wools are crimped in a zig-zag on one plane. This structure gives Perendale wool not only extra bulk and elasticity, but also extra warmth without additional weight. Gavin Walter, the proprietor of the Wool Baa, points out that 5-ply Perendale yam knits to patterns intended for 4-ply yam from other wools.