Kidsilk Haze Stripe Collection

We're loving the Rowan Kidsilk Haze Stripe yarn. Obviously it makes a gorgeous striped scarf (with NO work on your part!) 

but did you know we've got a pattern booklet for some gorgeous sweaters in this yarn?

More and more people are making sweaters out of lace weight yarn, and we think these are beautiful:

Top rated 1 skein project

If you're on our email list, you'll know that we highlighted and discounted 12 projects last week that take just 1-2 skeins of yarn. Because it's almost mid-July, we picked projects that were quick, easy and lightweight, and that means perfect for summer!

Based on the response to our email, by FAR the crowd favorite is the Multi Directional Scarf. I'm not surprised! This scarf was so easy and fun to make. Short rows are simple (don't be scared if you haven't tried them!) and the yarn is just lovely. It's garter stitch - so, easy - and I had such a hard time putting it down. I'd say to myself (and to my family, waiting for me to put down the knitting) "Just one more short row!" and then "Just until I get to the next color" and finally "Just one more triangle!" Needless to say, I annoyed them to no end, but I finished the scarf pretty quickly.

I think that with all the self striping yarns that are available, this is the perfect project to have in progress at ALL times. For my next one, I'll probably choose another color of the Lang Mille Colori Socks & Lace like Lime, Aqua, Tan & Grey:

or I'll use the Lang Jawoll Magic in Red, Pink, Orange & Green:

or a stripey, yet neutral one in Schoppel Wolle Zauberball in the color Neutrals:

It was so chilly here in Finland yesterday (in the 50s and rainy and windy!) that Helen begged to wear it.

Now it's on it's way back to the states with my aunt who was visiting for a week. Be sure to check it out in the shop later this month!

Spotlight on Sirdar

I recently added some new Sirdar patterns to the website, and thought I'd share some of them here, since they are WAY too cute. I don't know what it is about these patterns... the styles, the yarns the models? But there a some really cute ones and they're not all just for babies!

How about hats for babies? Pattern 1711 has 6 styles all in one leaflet! That's a great bargain.

Want a sweater for a little girl? You'll certainly have a hard time making a decision. I love patterns 1723 and 1761 for baby gifts - because they both have a sweater, hat & booties. Pattern 1752 is adorable with an I-cord flower on the front. I love the matching sweater and beret in pattern 1760.
For boys, there are great Aran sweater options. Try the beautifully cabled & hooded pattern 1733, or pattern 1759, or pattern 1887. Pattern 1807 is a simple, yet sweet pullover and has a matching blanket. Speaking of baby blankets, pattern 1903 has 2 fun options.There are some nice patterns for accessories that use the fair isle Crofter DK. You want legwarmers, wrist warmers or socks? Then pattern 9135 is perfect. Or try your hand at one of four great hats in pattern 9189.There are some great patterns for adults as well. Like the vest for women in pattern 9248 or for men in pattern 9130. This is just a small sampling!

Ideas for baby gifts

I have several friends who are pregnant and due to have their babies soon... a sign that spring is here! The tough part for me, is to decide what to knit for them.


We have several books and patterns to choose from, so it makes the decision even tougher. I love all of the patterns in the book Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss. Most of the patterns in this book are knit with sport or DK weight yarn. This may give me an excuse to finally knit with a few of the new yarns we got in, like the Rowan PureLife Cotton, the Cascade Cotton Rich DK, Berroco Comfort DK, or the so soft Babyboo!


I also have my eye on a few Plymouth Patterns... I've just been helping Jill to add hundreds of patterns to our website. I've been doing lots of data entry on over 100 Plymouth patterns and let's just say I am now very well acquainted with these patterns! During the process, I found several I'd like to make... including the Booties, Sweater, and Hat pattern. Pattern #1121 is a Baby Sweater, Hat, and Blanket which would be a great gift set especially for someone having their first baby (and like all things knitted, can be passed down to the future kiddos too.)

And, since I love color so much, I am immediately drawn to the Adriafil KnitCol Yarn. We just got in more colors that are ideal for babies, and children too. Since the yarn changes color all the time, you never get bored. In fact, you don’t really want to stop knitting, because you want to see how the pattern evolves. I find myself saying, just one more row! Patterns #1213 Baby Cardigan, and #1214 Baby Pullover are super cute and easy to knit with this yarn. So I’m back to my original problem of what to knit. Too many projects and not enough time!