Perfect Layering Pieces for Spring & Summer

contributed by Shawn

We have a new sample in the shop that is drawing a lot of attention! This project is a very easy knit and creates the perfect layering piece for spring and summer wear. The Seabrook Vest is a free knitting pattern available from the Berroco Design team. 

Knit with Berroco Captiva yarn, this simple vest will turn your closet basics into sophisticated wardrobe ensembles. The satiny feel of the yarn make it a great blend to work with and the yarn has a subtle shine but is machine washable for everyday easy care. This would make an excellent piece to pack for your next vacation! 

To kick it up a notch you could work this pattern up in Berroco Captiva Metallic yarn for added glitz and an air of elegance for evening wear.

Since I have a tendency to remain a bit more on the Vermont-y side of fashion and trendiness I'm considering the Berroco Lago in the Raffia colorway for a linen-like look and effect.

Another favorite in the same easy-knit style is the Weekend Wrap pattern by Cocoknits. 

Our shop sample is knit in Tahki Ripple, a thick and thin cotton that gives a unique and beautiful textural effect. 

This pattern calls for size US 17 needles and is a no-fuss lace look that does not require yarn overs. 

New Projects for Your Spring Wardrobe

contributed by Shawn

The new Tahki Yarns Intermix pattern booklet is all about texture and spring/summer layering pieces! The designs in this book caught our attention as soon as it arrived and many of our customers have already snapped up their copies recognizing that these projects are fashion-forward but practical and wearable knits that can be dressed up or down for a variety of occasions.

Barb has already finished the Destinations Top-Down Pullover knit in Tahki Rosa yarn. This incredibly soft 100% cotton yarn creates a wonderfully slubby fabric with its thick and thin profile. 

Barb's sweater is shown here:

With this bulky yarn the Streamlined Vest would be a quick project to finish!

The bright and easy knit Radiant Pullover on the cover of the pattern booklet invited us to explore the other designs in the book. Radiant shows off the iridescent qualities of Tahki Pixie yarn. 

For more relaxed style stop by the shop to try on our sample of the Spellbound Top.

The Tahki Ripple yarn was an immediate hit last year for spring/summer knitting. This season’s book features several new designs for this textured 100% cotton yarn. Michele couldn't wait to start this one and should have her very own Ruffle Tank to show off soon!

There are 20 different designs in this book and it is well worth a look – which one of these tops will become a part of your new spring wardrobe?

Spring Cowl - FREE pattern!

Here's a link to a great free pattern for this pretty cowl made in Tahki Yarns Pixie. 

It takes just 2 balls and works up quickly on size 13 US needles. Thanks to Tahki Yarns for sharing this pattern!

This is a beautiful yarn, with a unique construction. It's a thick, loopy chain that knits at a bulky gauge and delivers maximum color and textural effect. It really makes a statement!

We also love the Spellbound top in Pixie:

This can be found in the Tahki Intermix book and we have a shop sample so if you are local, be sure to stop in and see this one in person!

What's our mannequin wearing?

The oh-so popular Weekend Wrap! This super simple project has a shop favorite this summer. It whips up in no time with just a couple of skeins of yarn.  So simple – a rectangle with openings for the arms – you can wear this as a wrap, scarf, or vest! 

Large needles and a beautifully textured yarn are a perfect match for this project.

Side/back view. LOVE this wrap!

Pattern: Cocoknits Weekend Wrap

Yarn: Tahki Ripple Yarn 

Knitscene Fall 2011 Preview

contributed by Shawn

The wonderful fall projects just keep rolling right in!  Check out the new issue of Knitscene Fall 2011.

In keeping with the 'We Love Bulky Yarns' trend for this fall the Grand Palais Shawl by Tanis Gray will be quick knit in Tahki Montana Yarn. This is a simple garter stitch triangular shawl with a knit-on lace edging. Hey what a great way to try lace knitting - with bulky yarn!

We often get asked for advice on top-down and bottom-up knitting patterns in the shop. The Beauty of Seamless article by Amy Palmer discusses top down vs bottom up circular seamless knitting techniques.  She suggests pitfalls that may arise so that you can weigh your options BEFORE you start your project. And she points out that the beauty of knitting sweaters in the round is that you can often try these on in the middle of your knitting process to be sure you get it just right!  Knitting Pure & Simple patterns are some of my favorites for beginner top-down patterns, and Figheadh Fundamentals has some great ones too.

 

For those of you sending off a college-bound guy this fall, there is a great quick bulky knit for him! Take a look at the East Hale Cardigan by Alexis Winslow.  Knit in Cascade EcoWool the yarn offers a range of lovely neutral shades in un-dyed wool.  A quick zippered layer with a shawl collar and garter trim detailed with i-cord edging.

By knitting the lace weight Filatura di Crosa Nirvana Yarn at a sport/dk weight gauge, Debbie O'Neill offers the sophisticated Hawkmoth Pullover. It's perfect for layering over those summer tops on a cool autumn evening.

And just because I LOVE saying the word 'Lepidoptera' I have to point out the Lepidoptera Cardigan by Anne Kuo Lukito.  This is knit in Manos del Uruguay Lace. The patterning is lovely - like scales on a butterfly wing - and the difference in texture is achieved by knitting the lace yarn single stranded for the body and double stranded for the edging panels.

Amy Herzog features two different patterns in this issue that use some of my favorite yarns. The Cooke Cardigan is knit using Fibre Company Canopy Worsted. I think it would be lovely in my favorite color Sarsparilla.

Also catching my eye for this fall is the Pinstripe Pullover knit using Berroco Ultra Alpaca.  We got in some great new shades for fall, and I just have to choose a color first!

Elephants on Parade!

contributed by Shawn

The NEW issue of Interweave Knits arrived recently and it has the most amazing and whimsical child's pattern in it! The Baby Elephant Vest by Melanie Rice has elephants on parade! The design is SO simple using yarnovers to pick out the stylized elephant motif that is repeated across the vest. I love the look of this and the idea of creating custom lace charts to make your own motifs. (I love the simple motifs on the Roo Designs sweaters for children, but yarnovers are faster than intarsia color work for me!)

There is a very detailed article that describes how the charts for this pattern were created. Melanie not only points out how she created this motif for her design but gives great tips about how to start making your own lace motifs. There are tips concerning yarn choice, information regarding knitter's graph paper - a must for developing your own motifs - and plenty of encouraging words to take you step by step through the process.

Even if you are not interested in creating your own lace motifs there are plenty of sage words in this article for any knitter. It's always good to remember that a break from your project can often lead to an "aha" moment when previously faced with only frustration!

While I find the Baby Elephant Vest enchanting, I can't wait to read through the Swirl Skirt pattern to check out the knit-on-a-bias fabric that claims to prevent knitted skirt sag. There is also a great pattern for the Nantucket Vest: This is knit in the Tahki Ripple yarn which knits up into the most amazing textural fabric: This is a very popular yarn for summer and we featured it on the Manikin recently in the Myrtle Pullover.

Manic-In Monday

This week's sweater is a beautiful short sleeved cotton raglan sweater, with flattering side shaping, and a nice open, notched neck. Sweater: Blue Streak Henley from the Tahki Kaleidoscope knitting pattern booklet knit with Tahki Cotton Classic yarn

Manic-In Monday

Even though we've had a bit of warmer weather recently, it's been rainy and damp at times. And the transparency of this week's sweater makes it perfect for cool again - hot again- cool again weather. The fabulous thick and thin nature of this 100% cotton yarn really dresses up a pair of jeans! Our gal has paired this sweater with a gorgeous small shawl done in colors that work perfectly with this ensemble. Sweater: Myrtle Pullover knit with Tahki Ripple Yarn. Pattern is in Tahki Yarns Terra Collection #7 Urban Renewal (We don't stock this color, but have other choices that are beautiful!)
Shawl: Free pattern with modifications! Pattern is the Boneyard Shawl by Stephen West knit with Taiyo Sock Yarn. Pattern modifications can be found here.

Manic-In Monday

The countdown is on! We're under the 5 day mark now, and it's been crazy here in the shop. People are rushing in, frantically buying little gifties for stockings and even picking up some quick projects that can actually be finished in the next few days. Our online customers are also frantic - as we can tell from all the expedited shipping that people are paying for. (Remember - at this point it's only Overnight and Second Day Air that are guaranteed to arrive!)

And this week, kids are finishing up at school, and adults are finishing up at work before the break. There are still a few holiday parties crammed here and there - and our gal still has a few good sweaters in her closet from which to choose. This week she broke out a gorgeous short sleeved number, in a soft and slightly sparkly yarn. It's just perfect for the holiday cocktail party she's attending tomorrow night. She grabbed a small bag - really a notions case, but it's black (elegant) and whimsical (sheep-y) and it will hold her cell phone, lip balm and car key just perfectly. For an extra bit of glitz, she's got some sparkle around her neck.
Pattern: Dionne Sweater from Tahki Stacy Charles Round Midnight Fall - Winter 2010. Knit with Stacy Charles Luna Yarn

Bag: Frabjous Fibers Mama Black Sheep Bag

Necklace: Berroco Lumina yarn

Manic-In Monday

Are you seeing red this time of the year? It's certainly a stressful period of time for many folks, but we hope you can all just take a moment and relax and focus on what's really important in your life...

like looking GOOD! I don't know if our gal is seeing red, but she's definitely WEARING red, and wearing it well! She's all set for a pre-holiday shopping trip - she still needs to pick up a few stocking stuffers, and her parcels are sure to fit in her stylish bag. We're not sure exactly where she's going, but if you see a flash of red & black ruffles, then you've spotted her... she's hard to miss!Shawl: This ruffled shawl is a free pattern on the Tahki/Stacy Charles website, using 2 great Filatura di Crosa yarns: Superior and XX yarn and Filatura di Crosa Opera d'Arte.
Bag: Zuma bag from Namaste

Customer Favorites

Over the past couple of weeks there have been some outstanding patterns and yarns that have been selling like crazy. Here are a few of the latest things that you may want to take a look at if you haven't already!

High Line Cardigan: This is a cute knit cardigan for layering over summery tops.

The pattern book is great and has a variety of other summertime knits in it including the White Rock Lake Pullover that was featured on our mannequin two weeks ago. Folks really like the feel and look of the subtle hues of Tahki's organic Good Earth Cotton yarn but I think this would knit up as a wonderfully bright summer splash of color using Classic Elite Katydid yarn too.

Minnow Knits #230 Pinafore Dress pattern and Jil Eaton Cottontail yarn: The combination of lovely colors in a machine washable cotton yarn and this adorable pattern have both of these items flying out of our shop. Maybe it's the butterfly sleeves on this little dress that's got everyone smiling? The pattern spans sizes 6 months to 4 years making it fairly versatile in the world of little people knits. We've sold this pattern to people who plan to use different yarns, too. Hey, substitutions are part of our job! We knit this up as a sample in the Mission Falls 1824 cotton because we wanted to see what the dress would look like using one of the Cotton Whirls (variegated). It's really cute!

Berroco Book #294 Origami and Berroco Origami yarn: This yarn is a great choice for the spring and summer. This blend of 58% acrylic, 16% linen, 15% nylon and 11% cotton has multicolored strands that knit into a remarkably light and crisp finished fabric. Color names like Sunset Rendezvous, Cucumber Water, and Party by the Shore definitely fit this summertime yarn well, and complement the designs you'll find in the pattern booklet.

Manic-In Monday

Either you're a hoodie fan or you're not. Hoodie fans will agree... this sweater is a great summer hoodie. It's short sleeved and cropped, and has a really cute allover stitch pattern. The I-cord tie is sweet and the edging stitch along the sleeves and bottom band is a really nice touch.

And of course - a great hood:

Pattern: Escapade Cropped Hoodie from the Tahki Garden Variety pattern booklet

Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic, available in 55 gorgeous shades!

There are a lot of other great sweaters in this pattern booklet, such as "Sans Souci":and "Fair Bianca":and "Dairy Maid":and my favorite... the "Imagine Skirt":

Manic-In Monday

There's a TWIST to this week's outfit! It's called a mobius. Have you ever joined your stitches in the round with an un-intentional twist? Well, for this cowl, the twist is intentional - it's what makes it spectacular!

This week's outfit highlights a great cotton sweater and this beautiful mobius cowl, done in a self striping yarn. Both of these pieces can be worn year round. Sweater: White Rock Lake Sweater knit with Tahki Mia cotton yarn. Pattern is in the Terra Collection Urban Organics booklet.
Cowl: One skein of Lang Jawoll Magic yarn and the pattern is free.

Customer Projects

Some more customer projects have wandered into the shop recently!

I love the colors in this sweater:
Kat Z. recently came in wearing her new creation knit from Tahki Cotton Classic. She adapted the pattern for the three strands of this yarn held together from Knitting from the Top Down which gives this cardi a wonderful color appeal!

And yesterday we had a this cute Encore Tweed sweater stop in... What a perfect gift - the Tweed is beautiful and Encore is easy care! We aren't sure which pattern it is because Megan C. (who knit it) recently welcomed a new arrival of her own to her family. Her mother brought in the sweater to show us while Megan was home being mommy! Congratulations Megan & Mark!

Manic-in Monday

Yesterday was a TOUCH busy (okay, super busy) in the shop, so this post had to wait. We are seeing so many folks from out of town this week. That's right, what better place to visit for the holidays... than Vermont!? Especially now that we have plenty of snow to give us that white, wintery feeling.

This week's outfit is proof that less is more. Our mannequin is all set for a nice intimate New Year's Eve gathering with a few of her closest friends. Her gorgeous shawl can be dressed UP or DOWN, depending on the mood and/or occasion. And her little knitting bag is an eye-catcher in sweet, shiny SILVER.

Shawl: Tahki Ritratto yarn, 2 balls

Knitting Bag: GoKnit Pouch

Pattern: EASY! With size 17 needles, cast on 50 stitches loosely. Work in Stockinette stitch until you have used the 2 balls of yarn. Bind off loosely.

More sweaters for Liz

When Jill and I attended TNNA in June we found several new pattern designers. We ordered a bunch of new patterns, and they've started to arrive here at the shop! The Chic Knits patterns came in the other day. Everyone who has seen them so far loves them.

I took a few of them home for my daughter, Liz, to look at. She has picked out two sweaters for me to make for her for the school year. The first is the Cassidy sweater, a gorgeous cabled hoodie knit in worsted weight.The second is the Twist sweater, another cabled cardigan with a hood, again in worsted weight. Liz loves hoodies.
You may remember we went through this in the spring with the Tahki Cotton Classic sweater I made for her. Liz's thought process is this: It's cheaper (meaning "free for her") for me to knit them than to purchase a sweater at a store.

Now she needs to choose colors. She doesn't like to be just like everybody else, so she's going to review her current magazines to determine what the “in" colors are for fall. Then she'll pick something different!

The perfect sweater for Liz

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter Liz asked me to knit her a sweater. Her thinking was "knitted sweaters are totally in fashion and she could get one (actually she asked for several) for free". Let's say the search for a pattern and the right color of yarn was a bigger job than the actual knitting was. I must say, her idea of a short sweater is not the same as mine!

She chose the Nolicare cardigan from Berroco Book 285: Linen Picnic. It's really cute and I was excited to knit it for her. Liz didn't like the feel of the Berroco Linen Jeans and thought the colors were a bit too mature for her (she's 14.) So we ended up with the Tahki Cotton Classic in white. (I'm glad this yarn is washable!)

I worked on my gauge swatch that weekend. Liz saw the swatch I knit and asked if her sweater would be ready the next day. Now I know I knit fast... but really! She was so eager to wear this sweater.

I knit the back until about half-way up the armhole. I held it up to her for size, and she wasn't happy with the length. I could tell by her tone that even though she said "It's okay mom," that wasn't at all what she meant. So I ripped out about 10" of knitting. The only benefits of her wanting it shorter was that the fronts took less time to knit.

I finished the sweater early enough so she could wear it to school before summer vacation. She was thrilled. She said she felt so pretty that day. Score one for mom!

Happy Spring!

I woke up this morning to see that the ice was gone in Burlington Bay on Lake Champlain. And spring officially arrived as I was on my way in to work at the shop.

So it's time to pick up some of my warm weather projects again. Last summer I taught myself how to crochet and picked out five colors in the Tahki Cotton Classic to make up a new tote bag. I took it with me to coffee shops in Burlington, and the single crochet went quickly. I really enjoyed the project and had some yarn left over.

Since I've been admiring the crocheted Salem projectin Berroco Book #273 Naturlin I thought I would use my leftovers to try out the hexagon shapes to see how they went. I was so pleased by the first one I just kept right on going. I haven't finished yet, because I need some more yarn to finish up. It should make a stunning new warm weather spread.

I've noticed customers coming in recently to purchase Cotton Classic for the Blooming Cotton Scarf in the new Interweave Knits Spring 2009. This scarf is so cool! It's slip stitch, and knit in the round. At the end, you cut your work!!! And unravel back a ways, and tie fringe to secure the knitting. What a neat project. So many color options too, because Cotton Classic comes in so many great colors:

By the way, we just put Cotton Classic on sale yesterday. It's 20% off through Monday, 3/23/09. Happy spring!