Ruffling Yarn Beyond Scarves

July 16, 2012 in bag, Circulo, Debbie Bliss, Euro Yarns, Free, Inspiration, Katia, Knitting Fever Inc, Sublime, Sweaters

Self-ruffling yarns like Flounce from our Knitting Fever line and Triana from Katia have been popular for a number of years now. Almost as soon as a local yarn store gets them on the shelf they sell out!

The appeal is understandable.

This style yarn comes in a variety of colors and textures and some even have metallic thread for extra interest. Some of the yarns have a mesh construction which you knit or crochet by opening flat and inserting your hook or needle through the holes in the mesh. Others have a ladder yarn on one edge and fibers on the other. This style you work through the holes of the ladder with the fibers create the body of the project.

You can learn more about some of the self-ruffling yarns we represent and see a video about how to work with them in this blog post.

While the quickest and easiest project to make with any of these yarns is a scarf (most people report being able to finish one in between two to four hours), people are starting to explore the potential of these yarns for uses ranging from trim to entire garments.

Here are a few that have caught our eye.

Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012

Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012, photo by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com

This stunning garment is the “Ruffle Wrap Cardigan” designed by Cheryl Murray. The pattern is in the Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012 issue. You can see a preview of the issue on the Vogue Knitting website.

The sweater is sized for Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large

The body is knit using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (Amounts: 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) balls in #9 gray) while the trim is Circulo Tecido Trico Animal (Amounts: 1 hank in #2631 gray leopard).

Tecido Trico is a 100% Polyester fabric ribbon available in a variety of flower and animal prints. Can’t get your head around knitting with fabric ribbon? Learn more about it in this blog post, which includes a how-to video.

Cashmerino Aran is a soft, 55% Merino Wool, 33% Microfiber Acrylic, 12% Cashmere blend available in a rainbow of colors. Have fun mixing and matching the yarns to create a unique look all your own.

Trimmed in Trico

Use either Renda Trico or Tecido Trico as trim

For a more casual look, try your hand at one of these Trico trimmed shrugs, which are available as free patterns on our website.

The one on the left uses a flower print of Tecido Trico for the trim compared to the animal print used in the Vogue Knitting sweater. The body of that shrug is Debbie Bliss Cotton DK, a 100% Cotton yarn available in 20 colors. You can download this version of the shrug pattern here.

The shrug on the right uses Renda Trico for the trim. This is a lace version of the fabric ribbon from Circulo. It is available in 14 colors. The body of the black shrug is knit using Sublime Lustrous Extrafine Merino DK, a 67% Extra Fine Merino Wool, 33% Nylon blend that is available in 10 colors. You can download the black shrug pattern here.

Although the body of both shrugs is simple garter stitch the patterns are recommended for an intermediate knitter because of the unique construction technique. But don’t let that deter you! Help can always be found at your local yarn store or at your knit/crochet group.

Dress up a store bought top

For something a little different (and quicker) have a go at dressing up a store bought top by adding a fun Tecido trimmed collar. Download the guidelines for this project here.

Tutu Cute!

Ruffled Tutu Skirt by Ewetopia Fiber Shop

But why should grown-ups have all the fun?

This adorable Ruffled Tutu Skirt for a toddler is from Ewetopia Fiber shop, which is out in Wisconsin. They are generously allowing us to share the pattern with you for free!

The version shown here is using Bossa Nova yarn from Katia. This 72% Cotton, 28% Nylon blend is available in eight colors. (We have a free Bossa Nova Scarf pattern on our website, too.)

This Tutu skirt looks equally cute using a yarn with a larger mesh like Rumples or Triana.

It’s In The Bag

Ruffles Galore Purse by Unwind, A Yarn Shop

These yarns are also great for accessories.

The Ruffles Galore Purse comes to us from Unwind, a Yarn Shop, which is located in Oklahoma. They are generously allowing us to share the free pattern with you! It uses Tecido Trico and a coordinating worsted weight yarn of your choice.

When working this pattern remember that the Tecido Trico yarn with automatically form the ruffle as you work with it. When the pattern says “knit ruffle” there isn’t really a pattern stitch to be worrying about since it will happen automatically.

Evening in Paris Purse by Knitting On The Fringe

The Evening in Paris Purse was designed by Knitting on the Fringe, which is located in Michigan, using Flounce yarn. You can buy the pattern on their website. If none of the Flounce colors catch your eye, consider using Rumples, Triana, or Tricor instead. Or jazz it up with one of the metallic versions of those yarn such as Flounce Metallic, Triana Lux, or Broadway.

Ruffles Incognito

Quick Knit Capelet by Knitting On The Fringe

Keep in mind that with most of these self ruffling yarns you have the option of toning down the ruffles by not opening the mesh.

You can see this in action on the Quick Knit Capelet by Knitting On The Fringe. This pattern is also available for purchase on their website. It was knit using Triana yarn, but instead of opening the mesh they treated it as a traditional bulky yarn.

Another option is to open the mesh occasionally to create ruffles in targeted places.

It is also possible to open the mesh to take advantage of the lacy effect created, but not have ruffles, as seen in the Kelp Forest Shawlette by karinknits designs, which is a free pattern on Ravelry. She includes a link to a helpful video with both knit and crochet instructions on the Ravlery project page.

I hope these projects have inspired you to think beyond scarves when you are considering using these fun self-ruffling yarns.

Have you already tried them out for trim or other projects? Share a picture on our Facebook wall, we love to see the creative things you are making!

Tags: bag, Circulo, Katia Triana, ruffles, sweater
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Spotlight: Katia Azahar

July 7, 2012 in Katia

This cute caplet and dress are in the Fall 2012 issue of Knit Simple magazine, which hits store shelves on July 24.
Both pieces were designed by Sandi Prosser using a combination of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and Katia Azahar yarn.

Knit Simple Fall 2012, photo by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com

Ruffled Capelet
Designer: Sandi Prosser
For sizes: Child’s 2, 4, and 6
Yarn Information: Debbie Bliss/KFI Cashmerino Aran & Fil Katia/KFI Azahar
Amounts: 2 (3, 3) balls in #603 baby pink & 2 hanks in #52 ecru

Ruffle-Trim Dress
Designer: Sandi Prosser
For sizes: Child’s 2, 4, and 6
Yarn Information: Debbie Bliss/KFI Cashmerino Aran & Fil Katia/KFI Azahar
Amounts: 4 (4, 5) balls in #603 baby pink & 2 hanks in #52 ecru

Cashmerino Aran you are familiar with, but Azahar is new this season so it might not be ringing any bells yet.

This yarn is a 66% Cotton 26% Acrylic, 8% Nylon blend with approx 23 yards per 100g. Instead of a standard yarn construction, Azahar is a novelty yarn that reminds me of a rick-rack ribbon combined with regular yarn to give it more body.

You can get a better idea of what I’m taking about in this picture.

Not your average yarn!

Katia created a video demonstrating some of the way to knit and crochet with Azarha, which you can see on their website.

The unique structure of Azahar provides you a variety of options for use ranging from scarves and garments to trim.

In addition to the cute outfit in Knit Simple, the Katia book Child #61 features two garments for a young girl.

The first is this cute little skirt that uses a cotton yarn as the base and Azahar to create all-over ruffles.

Child #61 (S/S 2012) by Fil Katia

The other is this pretty pullover that is slightly more conservative with Azahar used tiers of ruffles around the bottom.

Child #61 (S/S 2012) by Fil Katia

You can also use it alone to make a scarf, as seen in the Katia book Elegance #70.

Elegance #70 (S/S 2012) by Fil Katia

Usually to create ruffles it’s a matter of needing to knit several rows of sever increases. Fun yarns like Azahar take the labor out of the process and allow you to quickly and easily add flair to a project.

Have you made a project using Azahar? Share a picture on our Facebook wall. We love to see your projects.

You can preview the rest of the Fall 2012 issue of Knit Simple magazine on their website.

Tags: children, ruffles
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Off The Needles: Caracara Scaruffle

April 17, 2012 in Queensland Collection, Scarves, Uncategorized

Spring is in the air! That means it’s time for a new profile picture wearing something hand knit in spring colors.

Queensland Collection Caracara was actually introduced in the fall. This yarn is a 50% Acrylic, 30% Nylon, 20% Kid Mohair with approx 259 yards per 25g that knits to 1.5-2 sts per inch on a US 3-8 needle. However, as it works up into light, fluffy garments it is also good for these early spring days when you want to be warm but also free from the weight of your winter coat.

I’ve had one ball of color #3 – Seagreen, Mint, Blue Violet – on my desk all these months waiting for the right one-skein project to come along. These colors remind me of the sea side and I wanted a project that would enhance that feeling.

The scarf construction shows off the stripes.

The right pattern finally presented itself in the Scaruffle pattern by Bess Haile. You can find this pattern in “The Knitter’s Book of Yarn” by Clara Parkes.

Now this isn’t one of our books, but you should be able to find it at your local yarn store or even your local book store. This book has a lot of information about how yarn is made with discussions of spin and ply and how to expect the different fibers to behave. All that information can not only help you appreciate yarn more, but also understand what to expect when you make a project or need to substitute yarn because you can’t find, or don’t like, the yarn called for in a pattern.

The Scaruffle pattern calls for 227 yards of a fingering weight mohair yarn, which meant Caracara would be an excellent choice. Other good options would be Debbie Bliss Angel and Party Angel with its metallic flair, or Louisa Harding’s Simonetta which also has a bit of glamor.

Louisa Harding Simonetta would be a good choice as well.

This scarf is knit lengthwise using short rows. I think it would be good for an advanced beginner because it is basically garter stitch, but would be a good introduction to short rows. Many knitters get stressed out the first time they work short rows. “What do you mean I’m not working all the stitches?!” they ask. A project like a scarf, which doesn’t have to fit, would be a good place to test this technique since there will be less pressure to get the finished project “right.”

Of course, by leaving those stitches unworked and returning to them later you can introduce curves and shaping into your project. This is very hand for places like sock heels and toes where you want to knitting to follow the shape of your body. They are also useful for adding bust shaping to sweaters. Knitty.com has an interesting article about using short rows for shaping.

On this scarf, the short rows make a gentle ruffle. When working short rows on a large project like this I find it helpful to place a stitch marker after I turn the work. The stitch makers make it easier to know when to stop and turn on future rows. They also make it easier to ensure I’ve worked the same number of short rows on each end since I can just count the markers rather than looking for the little gap between sections.

Scaruffle Kerfuffle

Back to my scarf.

I cast on during my Friday knitting group and just whipped right through it.

But then a classic knitting problem befell me. I ran out of yarn before I could cast off!

It was my own fault. If I had followed the pattern I would have been fine, but I wasn’t measuring my progress. Instead, I got greedy and just kept knitting. Lace weight yarn always seems like it will last forever. And, since I was working short rows, the more I knit the shorter and quicker the rows were to work. I was sure I could get one more row out of it.

So close, but no cast off!

Sympathy and suggestions poured in when I posted my dilemma on Facebook. Do I rip out a row or keep going in a different color?

The two most popular suggestions were:

Take a crochet hook and do a slip stitch all the way around its almost the same as a cast off and you don’t need yarn to do it.–Debra

Starting at the end w/out the tail pass one loop over the next stitch until you reach the tail…and walaa you have castoff with out ripping out.–Lori

Veronica suggested that I could unravel my swatch and use that yarn. Usually I’m a firm believer in swatching, but hadn’t this time since it was just a little scarf.

I also posted a picture of my scarf with the other Caracara colors I had nearby. Most people liked either the color at 4 o’clock or 6 o’clock.

This year's colors. There will be new ones in the fall!

But in the end I chickened out on adding a second color. I took a deep breath, frogged the last row, and cast off normally.

I think it was worth the effort.

Happy spring!

As you can see, Caracara is a self striping yarn. The lengthwise construction of the scarf really draws the colors out creating a lovely effect. The combination of construction and colors makes the finished scarf look more complicated than it is.

You can see a similar striping effect in the shawl pattern in Jenny Watson Designs Book #17, which features sweaters and accessories using Caracara.

But don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to scarves, Caracara with make soft, warm sweaters as well. This pattern is also in book #17.

Happy knitting!

Tags: Jenny Watson, ruffles, scarf, WIPs
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Circulo Scarves

March 26, 2012 in Circulo, Free, Scarves

There are two fun new “yarns” on the American market from Brazil from the Circulo company.

Rather than being yarn in the traditional sense of spun fibers these trendy novelty textiles are strips of fabric or lace that you can use to knit or crochet.

Think along the lines of the very popular novelty yarns like Rumples and Petals that knit up into quick, ruffled scarves.

Scarves from the new Circulo "yarn" are a fun addition to your wardrobe.

As you can see, they work up into fun, feminine scarves that will add pizzazz to your wardrobe.

From the left we have two colors of the Tecido Trico fabric yarn knit into scarves. One hank of this 100% Polyester yarn will make a scarf. Tecido Trico comes in 12 floral prints and 13 animal prints.

At the far right is a scarf knit from the white Renda Trico Margarida lace yarn. One hank of this 100% Polyamide yarn, which is available in 10 colors, will make a scarf.

Second from the right, the lavender one I skipped, is coordinating colors of both yarns held together.

Tecido Trico–Fabric version

The navy scarf in action.

Here you can see the scarf in action on our model. This sample is in color #266-Navy with Pink Floral.

There is a free pattern on our website.

Here’s another view of the light blue scarf. It is color #263-Sky Blue with Pink Flowers. You can download the free pattern for this scarf from our website.

Now you might be asking, “How am I supposed to knit or crochet with fabric?”

Well, I’ll tell you.

You work through the holes along the edge.

There are little holes along the edge of the fabric into which you insert your hook or needle. They are far enough in from the edge to be stable, but close enough so that most of the fabric hangs free and gathers into that pretty ruffle.

In the close up picture of the fabric you can see the holes along the bottom edge of the picture. Since you don’t want to strain the holes, the suggested knitting needle size is between US5 to US7. I imagine you can go smaller, but we haven’t tried it.

How to Knit with Circulo Yarn

In this video, Karen demonstrates how to knit with Tecido Trico and shows off a few more of the colors.

More than Scarves

You can use it as trim as well.

But don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to using this fun yarn for fluffy scarves. As you can see in this picture there are a variety of things you can do with it if you have basic sewing skills.

You can add it to a top as a pretty trim around the neck or edges. You can use it as the ribbon on a hat. Or you can coil it tightly to form a fabric rose.

Let your imagination run wild.

According to the fashion trend reports flower prints are hot for spring. These scarves will be an easy way to add them into your wardrobe without a big investment in time or money. Accessories are a great way to freshen your existing wardrobe by adding elements of the current trends.

Renda Trico Margarida–Lace Version

There is a free pattern for this scarf on our website.

The lace version creates a scarf with more body than the fabric version, which is more fluid. We used color #251-White for our sample scarf. You can download this free pattern from our website as well.

As with the fabric version, the lace version has holes long one edge into which you insert your knitting needle or crochet hook. The suggested needle size is also between a US 5 to US 7. Use the crochet hook that fits easily through the hole and makes you comfortable.

A close up of the lace flower pattern.

While the fabric version is printed with flowers of varying sizes, the lace version has a pretty flower motif along one edge. The body is a smocking pattern and the other edge, which will be hidden anyway, is a firm hem.

Scarves, tops, and skirts are all options.

Once again, scarves aren’t the only project you can make from this attractive lace yarn.

A ruffled top, either all around or just on the front, will make a nice summer garment. While this fun skirt will probably charm the young lady in your life. Who knows, in the right color she might even wear it for clubbing or parties!

Double The Fun

You can hold the lace and fabric together for a different look.

While both new yarns make attractive scarves individually, another fun option is to hold them together.

Many of the colors coordinate, as you see here with Tecido Trico color #267 – Cream, Purple Pink Floral and held with the lace Renda Trico Margarida in #2566 – Lilac.

The yarns come in hanks with just a two-yard difference, so it would be a one-to-one ratio for this project.

This scarf was knit by holding the yarns doubled and casting on as many stitches as you want the scarf to be long. You’ll want to use a circular needle for this version. Our scarf has two tiers.

Compared to the other scarves, this version makes a narrow scarf with a slight corkscrew effect.

Double the fun!

You can download the pattern for this scarf on our website.

All these scarves will work up quickly for the satisfaction of finishing a project quickly. You can start wearing them now, to urge spring along, or put them aside to dress up your lighter wardrobe. Another thought is that Mother’s Day is coming up, which gives you plenty of time to make one (or two!) and get them in the mail.

These new yarns will also be good for knitting through the summer when you want to keep your hands busy but don’t want to be covered up with a heavy wool project.

Check these fun new yarns out at your local yarn store then let us know what you think. You can share pictures of your finished scarves on our Facebook page.

We love to see what people are making with our yarns!

Tags: ruffles, scarves
8 Comments »

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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