Trying Linen Yarn by De Rerum Natura: Designer Experience.
Jun 02, 2026
This post contains yarn gifted by De Rerum Natura. All opinions are my own.
Recently, while working on my newest crochet design, I had the opportunity to try a new yarn.
The French company De Rerum Natura kindly offered me yarn support and sent me several shades from their Antigone collection to experiment with. I chose three beautiful colors—burgundy, golden yellow, and turquoise—and eventually decided to use the turquoise shade for my newest mandala design, Dawn of Hope.
The rich color seemed like the perfect match for the textured stitches and delicate details I had in mind.
If you know me, you know that I usually work with cotton threads and lace-weight yarns, so trying a linen yarn for such a detailed project felt like a fun little adventure.
And honestly, I was pleasantly surprised.
About Antigone
Antigone is a linen yarn made from flax grown in France. One of the things I immediately liked about it was how natural it feels while still looking refined and elegant.
The turquoise shade I chose is absolutely gorgeous. The color is deep, rich, and vibrant, and it catches the light beautifully. Linen often has a reputation for looking rustic, but this yarn feels both natural and sophisticated at the same time.
Another pleasant surprise was the quality of the thread itself. Natural fibers can sometimes have little imperfections, but I found Antigone remarkably smooth and consistent throughout the entire project.
I also liked how the yarn was wound. The balls are compact and worked perfectly with my yarn spinner. Everything flowed nicely without tangling or collapsing.
Crocheting the Dawn of Hope Mandala
What impressed me most was how beautifully this yarn shows texture.
As a crochet designer, I love relief stitches, layered details, and three-dimensional elements. Antigone really lets those details shine. Every raised stitch stands out clearly, and the slight sheen of the linen highlights the texture even more.
The finished mandala almost seems to play with light. Depending on the angle, different details become more visible, giving the design extra depth and character.
One thing worth mentioning is that the yarn is not very tightly twisted. Personally, I actually enjoyed that. It gives the finished project a softer, more natural appearance.
However, if you're a beginner or not used to working with linen yarns, you may find that the thread occasionally splits, especially when working textured stitches or complex stitch combinations.
For that reason, I would recommend using a good crochet hook with a smooth tip that catches the entire strand easily.
Blocking and Framing
Once the mandala was finished, I stretched it into a metal ring.
This was another pleasant surprise.
The finished fabric has a little elasticity to it—more than I expected from linen. It stretches gently without losing its shape, which made framing the mandala very easy.
Seeing Dawn of Hope stretched inside the ring was one of my favorite moments during the project. The stitch definition remained crisp, the textured details stood out beautifully, and the mandala sat nicely inside the frame without looking loose or saggy.
While working with it, I kept thinking that this quality would probably make Antigone a lovely choice for summer garments as well. Compared to many cotton yarns, it has a little more flexibility, which could make tops and dresses more comfortable to wear and easier to put on and take off.
The First Wash
There was only one thing that surprised me.
During the first wash, the yarn released quite a lot of color. The water turned very green, which was a little alarming at first!
Because of that, I would definitely recommend washing your first project separately from other garments, either by hand or in the washing machine (delicate mode).
The good news is that the project itself didn't seem to lose any noticeable color. Once it dried, the turquoise shade was just as rich and vibrant as before. The yarn looked exactly the same despite the dramatic-looking wash water.
Considering how rich the color is and the ecological approach that De Rerum Natura takes when producing its yarns, this didn't bother me too much, but it is definitely something worth knowing before you start your project.
Who Would Enjoy This Yarn?
I would happily recommend Antigone to crocheters and knitters who:
- Enjoy working with natural fibers
- Prefer ecological and sustainable materials
- Love rich, sophisticated colors
- Make summer garments and accessories
- Create decorative home pieces such as mandalas, doilies, and wall art
- Enjoy textured stitches and detailed designs
If you usually work with fine cotton lace yarns but would like something slightly thicker and easier to handle while still achieving elegant results, Antigone is definitely worth trying.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed working with Antigone.
The color is stunning, the texture is beautiful, and the stitch definition is excellent. It was a pleasure to crochet with, and I was especially impressed by how well it highlighted the three-dimensional details in my Dawn of Hope crochet mandala pattern.
Will I use it again?
Absolutely.
In fact, I already have a few ideas for future projects.
Make Your Own Dawn of Hope Mandala
If you love textured crochet, elegant lace details, and natural fibers, Dawn of Hope may be the perfect project for your next crochet adventure.
The pattern includes detailed written instructions and charts to help you create your own version of this 55 cm (21.6 inch) mandala.
👉 You can purchase the Dawn of Hope crochet mandala pattern here:
I'd love to see your finished version!
If you would like to try the yarn I used, you can find it here: Anigone
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Thank you for visiting my little crochet corner, and happy crocheting!
Lots of love,
Erika
