End of Summer and the Beginning of a New Season

September 29, 2011 in Elsebeth Lavold, Elsebeth Lavold

I’m proud to present a new book of designs and a lovely new yarn for this season.

The Bolene sweater is in SensuAL color #4

The yarn was an instant love affair. I named it SensuAl because it certainly is that – sensual. It is made of soft-as-a-cloud Baby Alpaca with just a teeny bit of Polyamide to create the hint of a bouclé effect which keeps it from behaving like your usual alpaca yarn; it is not drapey and heavy, it is light and soft as a cloud.

Ed is the sweater. The hat is Neve.

Even with the bouclé effect, many surface patterns have quite good definition, as evidenced by Bolene and the Ed/Edina designs. The softness of the yarn made it natural to include designs for men (they’re so sensitive) and for babies (they deserve the best).

I named the new collection Come Closer, because the SensuAl yarn is, in itself, an invitation to come closer. We also chose to photograph the designs from and even closer distance than we usually do. And I’m more than happy with the way the photographs turned out; Anders is such a brilliant photographer.

Karita is knit in Favorite Wool.

Altogether, the collection contains some 20 designs (depending on how you count), half of them in Sensual, the rest in Favorite Wool, Silky Wool, Silky Wool XL and Silky Flammé, ranging from easy to experienced in terms of knitting skills required. There are designs for small projects, suitable to take along or to knit for gifts, there are lovely sweaters to knit in front of the TV or while chatting with friends, and there are designs that present quite a challenge.

The Neve woman hat uses 2 balls of SensuAL

Come closer – I’m sure you will find something to knit among my offerings.

Happy Knitting!
Elsebeth Lavold

Tags: children, mens, womens
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Spotlight: Sirdar Big Bamboo

September 26, 2011 in Sirdar, Sweaters

Big Bamboo from Sirdar is a fluffy new yarn that is a blend of 50% Bamboo sourced viscose, 30% Acrylic, and 20% Wool that comes in 12 colors.

Despite the halo, cables are still crisp.

At first glance it looks like a smooth yarn with heathery colors, but closer inspection reveals it has a colored chainette construction with a fuzzy white halo. The chainette construction, which resembles an I-cord, is popular because it allows the yarn to work up at a big gauge for quick projects without being heavy. The open construction captures air, which helps keep you snuggly warm.

Crocheted on a N/10 mm hook.

Generally, chainette yarns have a firm enough construction so you don’t have to worry about snagging the tips of your knitting needles or crochet hooks. In the case of Big Bamboo the halo also helps hold it together. I found the yarn very easy to work with for both knitting and crocheting. It is also very soft and fluffy, which is always enjoyable!

As an added bonus the yarn is machine washable on the gentle cycle, but you should still dry it flat.

Patterns

There is a free pattern for a two-ball scarf using an easy drop stitch pattern right on the ball band.

For more variety, the book “Big Bamboo Knits” contains 11 patterns including cardigans, pullovers, and accessories.

Chang the length, sleeves, or collar to make it your own.

Some of the patterns have two version–for instance this sweater has a short sleeved, cowl neck version as well as a long sleeve, crew neck version–which increases your options. I’m sure it would be possible to work a long sleeve, cowl neck sweater with some careful pattern reading. If you do mix-and-match elements it would be a good idea to circle or highlight the style and size you are making before you get started.

The tassels will bring out the kid in you.

A cozy cowl, a lace scarf, and this fun hat round out the accessories in the book.

Whether for gift knitting or something cozy for yourself, Big Bamboo will knit up quickly at a suggested gauge of 2.25 sts per inch, so you’ll be finished in plenty of time to combat the cold weather.

Tags: bulky, womens
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Mega Cowls

September 23, 2011 in Cowls, Ella Rae, Free

One skein makes this fun cowl.

Mega is a new, 100% wool yarn in the Ella Rae line. It is considered a super bulky yarn as the suggested gauge is 2 sts per inch. Each hank has 137 yards and there are 27 vibrant colors available.

The appearance hints at roving since it is a big, fat, single. This construction will allow it to capture lots of air to help keep you warm. It also might mean you can go down from the suggested needle size of US 15 to get a denser gauge. You’ll have fun playing around with the possibilities.

Leanne Prouse, the creative force behind the Ella Rae line, designed the free pattern for this cute, one skein, garter stitch shrug using Mega.

Well, the pattern calls it a shrug, I suppose because of the way it sits on your shoulders and covers your back. But to me it seems like more of a cowl.

This pattern is suitable for a beginner who knows how to knit and purl.

First I knit a lilac cowl.

You’ll want to use a circular needle around 24″ or 32″ long to accommodate all the stitches.

Don’t worry about working the twist, there isn’t really anything tricky to it. You know how when you join to work in the round the first thing you usually do is make sure all the stitches are facing the same way?

For this cowl, after you make sure your stitches are lined up properly, you’ll rotate one end a half turn before joining. Twist accomplished!

It took me only a couple of evenings to knit mine (I used color #12-Lilac) . If you pick up the yarn at your local yarn store on your way home tonight you’ll probably have a completed cowl by Monday!

Then I crocheted one in fuschia.

Crochet Mega Cowl

The knit version of the cowl was so quick and easy that I thought it must be possible to interpret it in crochet.

Which is just what I did (in color #14 – Fuschia). I worked through the back loops only, which made an interesting contrast between the smooth and the ridged sides of the fabric.

American crochet terms are used throughout. A beginner who knows how to single crochet should have no problem with this pattern. The cowl is worked in continuous rounds without turning.

Yarn: 1 skein Ella Rae Mega

Hook: N/P

Gauge: 8 sc & 8 rounds in 4″

Finished dimensions: about 21″ across measured flat (39″ circumference) and 7 1/2″ tall

Abbreviation: sc = single crochet

Pattern:

Chain 82

Bring the two ends together to prepare to work in the round. Lay your chain on a flat surface and make sure all the stitches are facing the same direction. Then twist one end a half turn.

Join with a slip stitch to work in the round. Place a marker to designate the beginning of the round.

Set up round: Working through the back loop, single crochet in each chain around.

Next round: Working through back loops only, sc in each sc around.

Continue working in sc rounds until you run out of yarn. (about 14 rounds)

A visual aid for the knit cowl.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Tell us about it!

I hope you enjoy these two cowl patterns. If you make one, come share a picture with us on either our Knitting Fever Inc Facebook page or our Ella Rae Yarns Facebook page.

We love to see what people make with our yarns.

Tags: bulky, cowls
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Louisa Harding Fall/Winter 2011

September 14, 2011 in Inspiration, Louisa Harding, Louisa Harding

The Absinthe book features 15 patterns.

Renaissance, meaning ‘rebirth’ symbolized an aesthetic revolution in the cultural development of Art and Literature during the 14th – 17th Centuries in Europe. The story of the Renaissance began in Florence, Italy and where my inspiration for this seasons yarn and pattern collections began to unravel.

I view this season as a small Renaissance of the Louisa Harding collection. The yarn range has been refined, with extremely exciting developments in the addition of new yarns, the pattern collections more focused, inspired visually by images from the ‘Renaissance’ and also by the ethics of a clear perspective.

This season I am introducing three new yarns, Nerissa, an opulent cotton chenille, Simonetta, an antiqued Kid Mohair with a metallic haze randomly entwined throughout and Grace Hand Beaded. Also included in the yarn collection are updated shades in Millais, Thistle, and Willow Tweed, which are showcased in LHB113 – Absinthe, a publication of fifteen projects for accessories and garments.

The story behind the introduction of my three new yarns is unraveled below:

Nerissa – Cotton Chenille

I have always loved working with textured yarns and since introducing my yarn collection I have looked to source a yarn that when knitted would produce a beautiful velvety texture. Woven in Northern Italy, velvet fabrics became very popular during the Renaissance, worn by rich Merchants and their wives in Florence, Venice and Genoa. Named after a character from William Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’ (1596), Nerissa was a formidable young women and Portia (the heroine’s) closest companion. When I studied the paintings of Renaissance women and Shakespearian costumes I was drawn to the beautiful garments of woven velvet damask.

Hermione uses 9-12 balls of Nerissa

Going back to the roots of velvet and chenille production I have worked closely with an Italian manufacturer to produce my beautiful cotton chenille yarn. Chenille yarn like velvet is unique in its manufacture, short lengths of yarn, called the “pile”, are placed between two “core yarns” and then twisted tightly together. The edges of these piles then stand at right angles from the yarn’s core, giving chenille both its softness and its characteristic look. 15 projects using Nerissa are contained in a dedicated Louisa Harding publication, LHB115 – Nerissa.

Simonetta – Glitter Mohair

The cover portrait I used to present my yarn collection this season is of Simonetta Vespucci, painted around 1490, by Piero di Cosimo. To me, Simonetta personifies an antiqued elegance, but at the same time looks like a very modern woman with balletic grace, hers is the name I have given to the second of my new yarns, again, unique in its construction, look and feel. The yarn is constructed by entwining light Kid Mohair with a metallic haze, when knitted the light as air fabric gives the appearance of a metal covered in an antiqued patina.

I have designed 14 sophisticated garment and accessories projects using this distinctive yarn, LHB116 – Simonetta.

Grace Hand Beaded

The Charm mitts use Grace Hand Beaded and Silk & Wool

Beading was also a very important embellishment used in the creation of Renaissance garments, adornments for hair and jewelry as seen in Simonetta’s portrait. Over my career as a knitwear designer I have enjoyed combining knitting with beading and have often thought about creating a beaded yarn. This season I have collaborated with skilled manufacturers to produce ‘Grace Hand Beaded’, the third of this season’s new yarns.

Using the base of ‘Grace’, 50% silk, 50% Merino, manufactured in Italy, I have worked with a specialist yarn embellishment producer in Turkey. Beads are hand threaded onto a fine yarn and then spun together with Grace to create this exclusive beaded yarn, with each hank being hand crafted and unique.

Taking my inspiration from Ruben’s painting of the ‘Three Graces’ (1500 -1505) I have used the three Louisa Harding Grace yarns, Grace, Grace Hand Dyed and Grace Hand Beaded combined in one design publication, the yarns working beautifully knitted in garments and accessories to enhance each other, LHB114 – Three Graces.

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Say Hello to Aloha Yarn

September 12, 2011 in Free, Katia, Patterns, Scarves

This loopy scarf is fun and easy to make.

Aloha is a fun new yarn from Fil Katia that is available in nine colors.

Katia is a Spanish collection of beautifully European novelty yarns for both adults and children. Their yarns range from textured yarns like Aloha, which work up quickly into fun scarves, to smooth yarns suitable for a wide range of garments.

Aloha is a 50% Wool, 45% Acrylic, 5% Nylon blend. The structure is fluffy loops of wool held together by a sewn binder.

The recommended knitting needle size is a US 50, which create large enough stitches to allow you to draw the wool loops through without a struggle.

A binder holds the loops of wool together.

You can also use your hands, which is the option I choose since I didn’t have a pair of US 50 needles handy. Besides, not only did it sound like more fun to just use my fingers, but it gave me more of an opportunity to interact with this soft, squishy yarn.

The free pattern to make this scarf is on the ball band and you can also download it from the KFI website.

If the idea of working with such loopy yarn on such big needles is a little intimidating, fear not! The good folks at Katia have created two YouTube videos demonstrating working with the yarn either with needles or your hands.

Knit Aloha with your hands

Knit Aloha with needles

You don't even need to knit it.

15 Minute Scarf

Actually, if you’re feeling particularly sassy (or lazy!) you don’t even have to knit the yarn to start using it as a scarf right away. You can just open the hank up and loop it around your neck a few times! No one will ever know.

But for more structure, go for the knit scarf.

It took me about 15 minutes, maybe half an hour, to make this scarf using my fingers.

The first thing you do, after snipping the strands taming the hank, is to tie a little knot on both ends to prevent fraying.I made my knots close to the end of the yarn and they blend right in with the scarf body. On both ends of the yarn I had part of the wool that wasn’t captured by the binder, but I just snipped that off.

Although I tried to stay consistent with the size of the stitches I was making, I quickly realized that the loopy structure of the yarn is very forgiving and hides any variations in gauge.

My completed scarf is just over 5 feet long, so there is plenty of length to loop it, fold it, or otherwise arrange it to suit your tastes.

And don’t let the fluffy texture fool you, this scarf gets rather warm after you wear it for a few minutes.

But I think this yarn has potential beyond a fun scarf.

I bet it would make a neat trim for a variety of projects. You could use multiple rows for the brim of a hat or one or two layers for the cuffs and collar of a sweater coat. I’m not sure if it would be better to sew it on or try to knit it on, that would be something to experiment with.

Knitting Aloha gives it more structure.

Another idea would be to use it for the body of a stuffed animal. Can you just see a cute, fluffy, stuffed sheep with Aloha for it’s body? Again, the trick would be in the execution.

This yarn has just hit store shelves and is already popping up in Ravelry projects.

Our friends at Mia Bella, a local yarn store in Illinois, whipped up a scarf using the green Aloha and shared a picture with us on Twitter.

You can locate a store near you that stocks Aloha by using the “find a store” feature on our main website.

Tags: Aloha, free pattern, Katia, scarves
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Mirasol Sawya

September 7, 2011 in Mirasol, Patterns

The school population in March 2011.

The Mirasol Project was started in 2006 to support shepherds and their families in a rural part of Peru. A boarding house, which opened in 2008, was built to provide housing and meals for the children during the week while they participate in the educational program. Homework support, sports, and an art program are all included.

The benefit for yarn lovers is that a fabulous line of yarn and patterns was developed to support the project with a portion of each purchase going to fund the center. The yarns in the Mirasol Collection are made from fibers from the animals tended by the communities that use the project.

It adds an extra depth to your project when you can trace the yarn to its origin and think about the people involved in its production.

Sawya

Sawya is one of three new yarns introduced for the Fall/Winter 2011. This butter soft yarn is a 60% Pima Cotton, 25% Alpaca, 15% Silk blend that comes in 92 yard/50 gram balls. With a suggest gauge between 4.5 to 5 sts on a US 7 or 8 needle it will be easy to substitute it into many of the patterns you already have queued.

Fortunately, you don’t have to bother digging those binders out because Jane Ellison has once again designed a book of eight beautiful patterns to support this new yarn and take advantage of its 16 stunning colors.

It's a carnival for your neck!

If you can’t decide on just one color then the Airedale Scarf would be a good first project. The easy garter stitch stripes end in fringes so you don’t have to worry about weaving in all the ends from the color changes.

Worked in the stripes as suggested it is like having Mardi Gras around your neck and is sure to lift your spirits whenever you wear it. Of course if you are feeling a little more decisive it will be just as fun in either a solid color or wider stripes.

You can follow Ellison's color scheme or make your own.

For a more challenging project consider Dentdale.

This cropped, short sleeved, raglan cardigan features the chevron stitch. The easy pattern stitch provides just enough action to keep you awake while you knit, but not so much that you can’t get into a smooth, relaxing rhythm.

Ellison has alternated colors with black stripes, which really makes the pattern pop!

Pretty and stylish!

If quick projects are more your style, the Swaledale beret has your name on it. Have fun mixing and matching the various colors to find your own unique combination, or make a tamer one-color version.

I’m sure the staff at your local yarn store will be happy to help you decide!

Tags: Jane Ellison, Mirasol
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Be a City Girl

September 5, 2011 in Noro, Patterns

Noro's colors are alwyas in fashion.

Two of the fashion trends for this Fall and Winter are bold colors and graphic designs.

I don’t know about you, but that makes me think of Noro yarns. Sure, you can accomplish interesting color patterns though intarsia or sewing together squares that you knit or crochet…or you can just let the yarn do the work for you.

The patterns in the new City Girl book by Jenny Watson fit the bill for the current trends, but will still be wearable in the future.

This sweater coat is knee-length and features a cozy shawl collar. With the many color of Silk Garden available you can choose the perfect color to make it your own.

Transition Pieces

Worn alone or over a light coat a cape is a stylish garment.

This hooded cape is as adorable as it is functional.

The front, which you can see on our website, ties shut and has slits you can put your arms through to help keep it secure on your shoulders or to fight a draft on a windy day.

You will be surprised just what a useful addition to your wardrobe a cape style shawl can be. During the autumn months, when this is just a little nip in the air, a cape can provide the warmth you need until you are ready to drag out your heavy coats. Paired with a warm sweater a cape can help you delay coat season for that much longer.

With eight new colors of Kureyon this season you can make a cape for every mood!

Who needs a hat?

This hooded scarf (with pockets!) is another garment that will carry you through to winter and beyond. You can bundle up in the wide scarf when there is just a nip in the fall air. Then in the winter it will pair nicely with your winter coat and eliminate the worry of keeping track of a hat.

Noro Kochoran is a 50% Wool, 20% Silk, 30% Angora blend that is warm, soft, and cuddly. The angora gives it just a little bit of a halo which softens and blends the appearance of the garment. At 3.5 sts per inch, you’ll be wearing this scarf in no time!

In the Details

Strong lines and graphic colors make this one a winner.

The last pattern I’m going to highlight is this great coat.

I just love the interesting styling, which reminds me of a classic pea coat.

The contrast between the stockinette stitch body and the textured trim adds interest while you’re knitting it as well as visual interest while you’re wearing it.

Since the different textures bring up the colors in the yarn at different rates the coat has the graphic patterns that are fashionable right now with very little effort on your part.

Finish it off with some unique buttons and you’ll be turning heads wherever you go.

These are just a few of the 12 designs in the City Girl book. You can see the rest on our website, or check it out the next time you’re at your local yarn store.

Tags: Jenny Watson, Noro, patterns
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Nifty Novelties

September 4, 2011 in Euro Yarns, Free, Katia, Patterns, Scarves

Katia Triana Scarf

Sometimes it’s best not to take yourself too seriously, both in knitting and life. Novelty yarns can aid in that goal, especially when you are feeling fun, flirty, or just flamboyant.

Novelty yarns have textures that include eyelash, flags, metallic fibers, and sometimes combinations of all three (or more!). They are only limited by the yarn designer’s imagination. One of the great things about novelty yarns is you can knit in simple garter stitch but have a high impact finished project because the yarn does all the work.

Right now yarns that produce ruffled scarves are very popular. Our local yarn store partners tell us they can’t keep these yarns on the shelf! That is understandable since these are such fun, fast, projects. Using these yarns can finish a scarf in a few hours.

Triana by Katia

Triana yarn by Katia produces a springy, ruffled scarf. In the ball it looks like a tape yarn. You need to spread the tape out to open the mesh before you knit it. Once you work a few rows you’ll find it very easy to knit with Triana.

Triana is a mesh yarn.

You can download a free scarf pattern from the KFI website for Triana. The pattern is in multiple languages; English is the third one down. I also made a video showing you how to knit with this unique yarn.

To keep the end neat, you can fold the first loop of the end over and knit it together with your first cast on stitch. When you get to the end of the ball, cast off in the normal manner and pull the tail through to secure it. The ruffles will hide your tail if it is short enough.

Tinseltown by Euro Yarns

Tinseltown by Euro Yarns has more firm ruffles and a bit of metallic fiber for extra sparkle.

Tinseltown has shine!

Compared to Triana’s mesh construction Tinseltown has feathery fibers secured between two strands, while a third strand creates open loops along one end. You knit into those open loops.

WEBS, a yarn store in Massachusetts, has made a nice video showing how to knit with ruffly ribbon yarns that have a railroad edge like Tinseltown. You can download a free scarf pattern for Tinseltown from our website. Once again, after a couple hours of easy garter stitch knitting you’ll be rewarded with an eye catching scarf.

If glitter isn’t your style, then check out Rizos by Katia for a similar style yarn without the shine.

Fast and Fun

Triana, Tinseltown, and Rizos and are just a few of the yarns you can use to make fun ruffled scarves. They are also a good choice when you need the satisfaction of finishing a project quickly because you knit a scarf in just a few hours. If you are making gifts for friends you have many color choices, as well as sparkles and plain, from which to select.

If you don’t usually knit with novelty yarns I hope you will give one of these a try. You might be surprised by how much you enjoy it!

Tags: Euro Yarns Tinseltown, Katia Rizos, Katia Triana, ruffles, scarves
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Hello there!

September 4, 2011 in miscellaneous

My name is Ann and I’m very excited to be your guide to all the yummy yarns and gorgeous patterns Knitting Fever Inc. has to offer.

Me and my Coquille Shawl knit in Noro Kirameki.

You might not be familiar with the Knitting Fever name, but I bet you already know and love some of the great yarns and designers they represent. KFI searches the world to bring the best yarns to American knitters and crocheters.

As for me, I’ve been crocheting since I was a child (my grandmother taught me) and knitting since 2001 (my mother-in-law taught me).

If you like Knitting Fever on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter, then we’ve actually already met.

I’m planning to make this blog a fun place where you can get news and inspiration and we can share our mutual love of yarn. Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what’s on your needles!

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Yarnologue

Monthly Archives: September 2011