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YARNMARKET.COM NEWS ISSUE #42
In This Issue:
Fall Fashion Trends: Cables for All, Play Dress Up & Hooded Jackets Just Plum Perfect | A Special Yarnmarket Welcome to Teva Durham & Her Loop-d-Loop Fiber & Design Collections | More New Yarns & Colors from Gedifra, Berroco, Crystal Palace & South West Trading Company | Yarnmarket Adds Sirdar's New Yarn & Book Collection and It's Truly "Sublime" | Get the Latest News on Exclusive Offers & Products Available Only at Yarnmarket | | Knitting & Crocheting for a Better World, Part 2: Choosing a Worthy Cause | Customer Service
Fall Fashion Trends: Cables for All, Play Dress Up & Hooded Jackets Just Plum Perfect
Following up on our start to the fall fashion outlook in the August newsletter, we've been researching what will be "hot" during the cool days & nights of fall & winter and then being sure we have those things in stock. In recent years two Yarnmarket staffers have even attended Pitti Filati, the Italian fashion showcase in Florence each May where all the upcoming fiber & yarn trends for the following calendar year are on display. As always, we're transforming the trends outlined in our favorite haute-couture mags into more comfortable, figure-flattering designs without losing that cutting-edge & pizzazz. So as you've come to expect, we've added exciting new creations to our Project Ideas department so you'll see what you need to keep you & yours fashionably dressed with plenty of gift ideas too.
To follow up on the vests & twinsets of Vogue's "Back to School Cool" last month, we're featuring some exciting new vest, top & jacket projects but with the addition of the hottest stitch for fall & winter -- the cable in all its many forms. You can't go into Nordstroms or KMart without seeing this craze widely on display for women, men, boys & girls, and the cable is back in oodles of patterns perhaps because the newer knitter is so ready to move beyond the basics and the established knitter keeps returning to these clever, textural options. So check out some of our new cabled favorites from the past 2 weeks:
First off, we love Teva Durham's continuing love affair with flow & shaping as so vividly demonstrated in the Teva Cabled Bolero Vest. Featuring terrific new yarns from her Loop-d-Loop fiber collection, Teva builds a work of art herself with a superb arrangement of concentric arcs. Just choose 2 complementary or contrasting hues & you can start on this gem immediately.
Two other sensational cabled vests come from the design wizards of Sublime and RYC. The Hearts & Cables V-Neck Vest is a challenge of stitchery but without any difficult finishing work (also included is a scoop-neck version). Then the RYC Cabled Maternity Vest will keep that special Mom-to-be looking chic and stylish throughout her pregnancy. We especially like how the tie front detailing allows for easy, custom fit.
Then when you're looking for sleeved options as featured in the "Fall's Perfect Wardrobe" article of a recent Harper's Bazaar, of course you can count on your Yarnmarket staff to give you new ideas. We recommend the short-sleeved Wick Seeded Cables Top for this time between major weather shifts because it works well worn by itself or as part of a twinset, and it's crafted of innovative Wick yarn from Knit One, Crochet Too, the fiber that draws uncomfortable moisture away from your skin.
For long-sleeved pizzazz, the design aficionados at Gedifra bring us the Lordana Boucle Cabled Pullover. Crafted of self-striping, highly textured yarn, this sweater is true perfection with classic simplicity. Also check out the easy Sublime Vintage Sailor Sweater with its unique, innovative neckline using a chained rope effect. Then for your significant other, consider knitting up the Ultra Alpaca Cabled Pullover to keep him stylish & up with the times. And if your favorite buddy to knit for is your pet, then you can even create the Luck-of-the-Irish Jacket with its trendy Aran cable down the back!
In addition to all these scrumptious & various cable patterns, the other hot item for the young & young at heart is the "hoodie" or hooded jacket. In all the back-to-school commercials & sales flyers, it seems as if retailers like JC Penney, Macy's, Sears, Target, even Saks can't get through a fall fashion overview without some type of hoodie feature. So for just a few outstanding options with hoods and other children's styles in particular, take a peek at:
The absolutely adorable Sublime Hooded Pixie Coat that will be the perfect cuddler for your favorite little girl throughout the fall;
Debbie Bliss' Cabled Coat with Hood expertly crafted of her Baby Cashmerino for added softness & flair;
The ever-popular Nona's Hooded Baby Jacket knitted of eco-friendly soysilk Phoenix from South West Trading Company;
The Posh Toddler Hoodie finely crafted of Posh Print from Classic Elite Luxury Yarn & featuring a zippered front closure;
For the youngest children in your life, the Darling All-In-One with Mittens keeps them fashionable even before they can crawl; and
For those looking for something more elegant or innovative, the Sublime Ballerina Wrap Sweater is sensationally feminine, and the Ceramic Crocheted Toddler Cap is cute, cools your baby's skin temperature on hot days & protects from UVA & UVB sun rays. Better yet, it starts with a Yarnmarket (Free) pattern from one of our staff members and takes just 1 ball of Ceramic from Needful Yarn!
We also are enjoying the way dresses & jumper styles are making a comeback in fashion mags once again for all ages and body sizes & shapes and have added several stunning new options for a variety of tastes & figure types:
The Zara Little Red Dress is a fall Interweave Knits feature spotlighting lightweight, figure-hugging Zara from Filatura Di Crosa.
Or for a "red hot" dress for plus sizes from Needful Yarn, check out the Puccini Dress with its coordinating Puccini Jacket for the ever-popular & fun layering option.
If you prefer a more tailored, less form-fitting style, we recommend the Lyra Dress & Jacket from Berroco designer Margery Winter. Now this gem is the perfect choice for a day at the office & then an evening out for dinner & the theater.
Or for a different layering idea, take a peek at the Fixation Tweed Jumper that works equally well worn alone on a warm day or layered over your favorite blouse or top all fall. This one has all the extra little high-fashion details too, and we especially like the ruffly bottom hem to make a tailored, classic design a little whimsical & feminine -- what In Style contributor Dennis Golonka recommends when he advises, "Add a girl's touch to mannish styles."
And throughout the fall, consider what the editors of In Style magazine have to say about the trendy new colors to end 2007: "Neutrals and metallics -- especially silver & gray -- take center stage this autumn. But also include rich cobalt blues, ruby reds, passionate plums, intense emeralds and other jewel tones to enliven your wardrobe & flatter your skintones." Then as they point out, choose what looks best on you and makes you feel spectacular. Never select a color or style that isn't the ultimate in flattering on you!
A Special Yarnmarket Welcome to Teva Durham & Her Loop-d-Loop Fiber & Design Collections
In just a few short years, knitwear designer extraordinaire Teva Durham has achieved world renown for her unique, cutting-edge creations. Growing up in a family of artists, it's no wonder Teva experimented with various art forms & crafts before honing in on her early experience with knitting (taught by her grandmother, by the way). Through her years working in some of the top fashion houses in the world, she developed her passion for fiber and sculptural forms into a fashion-forward yarn collection on whose label she's proud to sign her name. And we at Yarnmarket are very excited to be launching the Loop-d-Loop Yarn collection with the complete line so that you can craft all of the lovely creations from Teva's new pattern array Loop-d-Loop By Teva Durham: Volume 1. Based on the rhythmic flow of Nature and with an intense dedication to organic mimicry, Teva's 3 new yarns imitate their namesakes with the wonderful artistry we've come to expect from only the finest Italian mills.
As a key component of her new design collection, Fern is totally in keeping with Teva's plan to imitate the spectacular textures of the forests & woodlands with an innovative twist. "Fern" reflects the light, lacy look of its namesake as a soft, mesh 1/2-inch wide ribbon. Add its lovely sheen & scalloped edges and you have marvelous texture & elegance for all your quick-to-create projects.
Then as a chunky accompaniment to "Fern" comes sensational Shale, an unusual component yarn that's at least two yarns in one. With its shimmering thread of rayon securely chained through the fuzzy mohair base strand, "Shale" reminds of the wonderful luminosity of shale rock formations. The end result for your knitting & crochet projects is fabulous tone-on-tone color mixes & much more.
Last but certainly not least, we have Moss as Teva's classic foundation yarn for her fiber collection. Just as its namesake anchors the soil & roots of its larger neighboring plants, so does "Moss" provide a terrific cornerstone from which to build her flowing, geometric knitwear. We also like that "Moss" is a DK-weight option to add more variety to the collection for a broader range of styles & patterns.
Of course, Teva's design collection is outstanding too & besides her latest booklet, her two hardback books are very popular with knitters & crocheters eager to learn the Loop-d-Loop vision. We especially appreciate Teva's view of her art form and of knitwear fashion in general: "Fashion is a medium which can embody social messages and evoke emotion like the theatre and which can display purity of form and color like a painting." Now that type of unique perspective gets our creative juices flowing!
More New Yarns & Colors from Gedifra, Berroco, Crystal Palace & South West Trading Company
With the new fall yarns and colors arriving every day from some of our favorite yarn companies, we're always checking out our deliveries to see what new goodies have just come in. Besides the new fiber collections we're featuring this issue in separate articles, we now have new yarns in stock from Gedifra and Berroco plus new colors in established yarns from them & from Crystal Palace.
But as the kick-off for this review of new fibers & hues, let us draw your attention to a significant recent addition to the Tofutsies Yarn collection from South West Trading Company. As a limited-edition offering, we now have in stock "white" Tofutsies sock yarn, and as you can tell from the photo, it's a winter white or off-white rather than a bleached white. So what's so important about this new addition? The white Tofutsies can be dyed into beautiful hues or color combos of your own choosing! As explained in a recent article of Knitter's Review, dyeing your own sock yarn is the latest craze of sock aficionados everywhere, and now here's an option for you to try too!
Now with our high-fashion fiber options, none are so eagerly anticipated as the new yarns from Gedifra, and several of the new fall concoctions are now available along with the new books. We always appreciate the European flair & sophistication the Gedifra yarn gurus bring to their collection, and this season is no exception. Lots of texture, marvelous fiber & color blends, and designs from the classically simple to the avant gard, Gedifra fulfills all our expectations once again.
First off from Gedifra, we have the stunningly beautiful Lordana Boucle, sure to become one of your new faves also. When you need an auto-striping fiber blend with pizzazz & haute-couture panache, check out this wonder. It's a wonderfully textured, quick-to-create lovely that works well for knitted & crocheted items. And it's not your regular old self-striper, oh, no. Instead "Lordana Boucle" gives you subtle shifts of color & hue in a fabulous blend of natural & synthetic fibers.
Then with the velvety soft lightness of mohair & cashmere, Gedifra's Easy Soft is great for year-round fashion. It knits & crochets up beautifully into scarves, shawls, tops, sweaters and more, so just let your imagination fly & enjoy!
And you can check out the lovely designs available in the two newest Gedifra books -- Gedifra Highlights #072, filled with high-fashion yet simple, classic styles, and Gedifra Moments #1014 chock full of fun accessories & outerwear. We also have in stock all of the available new colors in Moos, Sheela, Chandra, Byzanz, Super Gigante, Vividio/Pelliccia and Karenina.
We are also eager to look over Berroco #266: Jasper now that all of the colors of the superb new Jasper Yarn have arrived now. Fun, feltable with color combos that actually intensify with felting instead of the more usual washing out effect, "Jasper" is rapidly becoming a favorite of wool & natural fiber connoisseurs. Also with as many striations & color changes as its gemstone namesake, this yarn is spun for a soft texture & great stitch definition.
Then last but definitely not least of the new offerings come all of the new colors in those well established, ever-popular yarns from Crystal Palace. Here's a quick overview of the new shades so you don't miss out on any of them (yes, we've read all your emailed inquiries!):
Iceland Solid & Iceland Print,
Kid Merino Solid,
Taos,
Musique and
Merino Stripes.
Yarnmarket Adds Sirdar's New Yarn & Book Collection and It's Truly "Sublime"
Brought to us by the British handknitting powerhouse Sirdar, their wonderful new company focusing on natural fibers is called Sublime Yarn, and it lives up to its name. With an exquisite collection of superb blends of luxury fibers, Sublime Yarn is quickly gaining a reputation for quality -- the best quality Himalayan cashmere, the finest merino wool and the softest silk. And yet these yarn creations are affordable too (don't ask us how they do it!) for a great gift for that special someone or for a special indulgence for yourself. We're launching the collection with two fiber gems that have interchangeable gauges & needle/hook sizes, so here's a little overview of the introductory yarns.
We know from past experience how much you enjoy knitting & crocheting items for your favorite wee ones, so Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK is the perfect choice for those heirloom-quality treasures you have in mind. Terrific pastel baby colors plus a few darker hues make it a marvelous choice for babies & children, and its DK-weight make it easy to sub in your favorite patterns. And its extra-special softness with a tight twist gives "Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK" that extra savoir faire you crave. Just think of all the sweaters, layettes, blankets, hats, mittens, booties, socks & jackets you can create for that precious little one!
Now older children & adults deserve this same decadent softness, the yarn gurus at Sublime have developed Cashmere Merino Silk DK in a wide range of neutral, classic & bright shades. Again being totally interchangeable helps these two yarns give you terrific results in all your lightweight knitting & crochet projects.
Then just as you can count on Sirdar for wonderful pattern support, the designers at Sublime have created a sensational collection of classics updated for modern women & children. As accents to these superb yarns, check out these four lovely booklets:
Sublime 600: The Little Sublime Hand Knit Book containing 15 projects for babies up to 2 years old;
Sublime 603: Most Luxurious Sublime Hand Knit Book, which focuses on designs for men, women & children;
Sublime 606: The second Little Sublime Hand Knit Book including 22 more patterns for babies up to 2 years old; and
Sublime 607: Sublime Double Knitting Book with its 16 stunning creations for children, women & men.
Get the Latest News on Exclusive Offers & Products Available Only at Yarnmarket
First off, thank you so much for your enthusiastic reception of our exclusive Yarnmarket Impressionist Collection and the sensational colorways developed by our outstanding partners over the summer: Artyarns and Lorna's Laces with 2 new yarns from Rio de la Plata debuting soon in the Impressionist family of color combos.
We are also working with a number of designers to work up projects showcasing the Impressionist colorways & fibers, and who better to feature this month than Iris Schreier, founder & creative force behind Artyarns. Iris has created the beautifully simple Silk Mohair Openwork Shawl for your knitting pleasure, and just look at how the superb colorations of "Les Fleurs" shine through in such a fine wrap to give you delicate warmth on those cool fall evenings ahead. And even better yet, we've decided to add the pattern to the Yarnmarket (Free) collection so that you can download the directions yourself & check it out. The airy loveliness of this wrap is sure to suit your accessories wardrobe year round, and we bet you'll want a variety of stoles like this one in different color options.
A couple of other quick updates for you, we've added a fun, new department to our Project Ideas area for our fashion-forward customers. Be sure to check out our new Magazine Features section for terrific garment & accessory projects from some of the best-known designers worldwide. And keep watching this department because we'll be adding the latest featured projects from your favorite mags each month!
One other important renovation is that we've revised the site map & links on the Home Page to include all of our major Yarn Brands, Yarn Types, Books + Patterns, Knitting Needles + Crochet Hooks and Project Ideas. Now you'll be able to get to your favorite yarn company's information with just 1 click of the mouse!
Knitting & Crocheting for a Better World, Part 2: Choosing Your Worthy Causes to Support
As we introduced in the August newsletter, we're starting our annual feature of highlighting worthy causes in need of your handcrafted items. Thank you for your great suggestions last month, and here is the first list of charitable organizations that need your support:
Robin H. of Massachusetts writes us about the Children in Distress Network (CINDI) & the Duduza Comfort Dolls project in which she's involved. CINDI was founded in July 1996 and works with government agencies to help children affected by HIV and AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Bette M. of Virginia recommends another worthwhile group focusing on children, but in this case the children are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need. Project Linus has been collecting handmade blankets from "blanketeers" to be donated throughout the U.S. and average 350 blankets given every month to local children. Bette's chapter has recently launched a "Mile of Hugs Campaign" in the hopes of getting a mile worth of 8-inch knitted or crocheted squares donated.
Also Mom Kim Opperman has been collecting black socks for over a year now in the program she has developed called Socks for Soldiers. We also love this group's slogan: A group where love is an action word and "Support our Troops" means more than a yellow bumper sticker.
And then for the animal lovers among us, check out Hugs for Homeless Animals also known as the Snuggles Project. This group has been collecting handmade pet blankets for the past 10 years so that pets housed in animal shelters will have "a bit of comfort to call their own." Each blanket is called a "snuggle," thus the name for the program. You can find patterns, project sheets & blanket sizes on the Hugs website and also on the Snuggles home page.
Because we believe so strongly in this type of charitable giving, we'll keep highlighting other such groups and organizations especially through the upcoming holiday months to remind us that those in need can benefit greatly from our beloved crafts. To suggest a non-profit, charitable group for us to feature, just e-mail the newsletter editor and share your suggestions. Please provide any details you have including the website address, contact person's name, e-mail address, etc. Then watch future issues of this newsletter for updates at least through the upcoming holiday months.
Customer Service
You know that we the staff of www.yarnmarket.com pride ourselves on our customer service. Each order is packed with pride by Alma, Amy, Lisa, Tina or Suzi –- and we’re happy to say that although we have the occasional glitch, we have an almost 99% accuracy rate. If something does go wrong, we’ll do everything we can to make it right for you . . . right away! Just send us an e-mail at orders@yarnmarket.com or call us at 1-888-996-9276, and we’ll take care of the problem. Our customer service hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Also we're available to help you be sure you have all of the knitting & crochet supplies you need for the upcoming major holiday gift-giving season. We can suggest projects & patterns, select lovely color combos, even figure out yarn substitutions as needed for patterns you already have. Just let us know how we can help out & we'll be sure to do our best to support you in your love of our favorite crafts.
Thanks for reading, and we remind you to take time for yourself as the busy season is just getting started and fall officially arrives later this month on the 23rd.
Also take time with family & friends for the upcoming special celebration days including Grandparent's Day this Sunday, Rosh Hashanah beginning on the 12th & Yom Kippur on the 21st.
And as always,
Happy Knitting & Crocheting!
Your Yarnmarket Knitting Store Staff
Yarnmarket, BargainYARNS and Yarndex are subsidiaries of Yarnmarket, LLC. Yarnmarket is an online yarn retailer with over 500 quality brands from 50 leading manufacturers, plus patterns, books and accessories. BargainYARNS provides discounts on fashionable yarns and accessories. Yarndex is a free online yarn directory offering detailed information about specific yarns from leading manufacturers.
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