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YARNMARKET.COM NEWS ISSUE #62
In This Issue:
More Spring Fashion Trends: Brush Up on Your Geometry & Go Floral for Feminine Details | Check Out a New Yarnmarket-Exclusive Fiber Gem & Set of Colorways Developed by Kollage | Introducing a New Yarn Category Plus Even More New Spring Yarns from Berroco | Two New Baby & Children's Yarns from Wendy/Peter Pan Now in Stock & Ready to Ship to You | Explore New Eco-Friendly Options from Fibra Natura with Two Organic Cotton Yarns | Tahki Continues to Update Their All-American Classics with Terrific New Spring/Summer Fiber Gems | Announcing a New Supersock Yarn & a Pattern Contest with $1000 First Prize from Cherry Tree Hill | Easy Gift Giving Ideas for Mother's Day & Customer Service Reminders
And some of the best advice about choosing geometrical styles that suit us best comes from the editors of Harper’s Bazaar: “Take the measure: If you are rounded, go linear. Skinnies can twirl the compass [and go rounded].”
Once we learned of this terrific trend and how it can suit so many body types & shapes, we started adding sensational Project Ideas for you to create. We have found in particular that the designers at Berroco, Gedifra, Noro and Rowan are the most in touch with this latest trend.
Vests are continuing as sensational layering tools, but in many cases they can combine two trends in the same piece by including geometrical details. One such project we absolutely love is the NaturLin Paron Tank Tunic from Berroco. With its creative, asymmetrical use of interlocking squares centered around a side pocket, this simple vest looks great worn over your favorite short-sleeved top or sleeveless cami for warm weather. But it will look equally terrific with a long-sleeved blouse in the fall too. Also it drapes beautifully on an X-Small figure up to a 2X with the same basic design strategy.
Of course, you can add a little geometry to your wardrobe with other marvelous auto-striping wonders as Jenny Watson has done so cleverly for Noro in her figure-flattering Furisode Bolero and her loose-fitting Chirimen A-Line Cardigan. Both of these lovely geometrical designs continue with the layered look too since they're worn over your favorite shell, top or blouse. Now for our second featured trend, you need to add some "flower power" to your wardrobe this spring. Many of our favorite designers are featuring the best trends from their gardens in their garments and accessories on the haute couture runways. From the dramatic floral prints of Alexander McQueen as featured in Harper’s Bazaar to the flowers and buds used as accents on Valentino shoes and purses in Marie Claire, the signs of spring from Mother Nature will be finding their place in our wardrobes.
So how can we best add these fabulous floral trends to our spring & summer wardrobes? You know you can rely on Berroco's Norah Gaughan to give her own special twist to the latest styles, and that's just what she does with the floral trend in her superb Pure Pima Flower Child Tunic. From the flower motif adorning the front to the lovely shaping around the V-neck, this top is one of our favorite new designs. And no wonder it was selected for the cover of Norah's latest pattern collection -- Berroco: Norah Gaughan Volume 4 -- it's definitely that spectacular to be a cover shot. We also can't wait to create the stunning Kyoto Floral Embellished Bolero to add a touch of high fashion to our stylish jacket collection. But do you have to knit and crochet garments to go floral this spring & summer? Accessories are another marvelous way to add pizzazz & style to your wardrobe, and we've recently added several superb floral-inspired projects for you. First off, take a peek at the Tofutsies Flower Bud Socks featured in the latest issue of the Love of Knitting magazine. This fantastic pair adorns your ankles with little flower buds, and with over 75 color combos of Tofutsies now available, you can accent any of your favorite outfits with this colorful pair. Then explore the whimsy of the 1824 Wool Floral Rucksack as a terrific bag project for the young & young at heart. That big, beautiful crocheted flower used as an accent is definitely what caught our eye, but this bag is as functional as it is lovely. Also remember that since 1824 Cotton is totally interchangeable with the wool, you can also create this terrific tote in the cotton fiber gem.
First, we suggest you check out the Milk Cotton Polly Cardi for an adorable treatment of the floral style. Using the reverse stockinette stitch (purl side is the right side) is a clever way for Rowan designer Marie Wallin to create a different look for this little cardigan. With its feminine picot edging & crocheted flower as a lovely accent, this jacket is a great project for Beginning Intermediate knitters. Also the precious Snuggly Flower Trimmed Cardigan from Sirdar is a fantastic feminine treatment of the trend with its multi-colored floral accents. Then for several geometrical looks for children, check out the following designs for a variety of garments:
Abstractions yarn is a Yarnmarket-exclusive offering from Kollage where Susan Moraca has cleverly interpreted abstract watercolor paintings by American artists Sharon Will and Sandra Packer. Each colorway is based on an individual painting reflecting a specific emotion or an aspect of an individual's intellect: Impulse, Contemplation, Discovery, Excitement, Happiness, Determination. This multi-stranded yarn gives you various textures to add interest and depth to all your quick-to-create knitting & crochet projects by blending 67% mohair & 20% nylon with 13% wool. "Abstractions" yarn is ideal for fashionable garments, fluffy accessories and creative accents for your home. Now to get you started with a great idea for an "Abstractions" project, we are featuring a beautiful scarf designed by Anastasia Blaes. The Abstractions Cotton Candy Scarf builds on the fluffy, lightweight texture of the yarn by using an open-weave approach with yarnovers & dropped stitches for added interest. You'll quickly pick up the repetition of the pattern so that this scarf will be a fast knit for even Advanced Beginners. Even better yet, this project starts with a free pattern to get you started!
This month we're also featuring more new yarns from Berroco. We know from your enthusiastic response last month that you loved new Mica, Pure Pima and Latitude. Now we have in stock and ready to ship to you two more fiber goodies.
The delicate self-striping effect is demonstrated most elegantly in the Bonsai Colors Branna Jacket. We love the lightweight drape of this open-front, loose-fitting addition to our spring & summer wardrobe. We also highly recommend the Bonsai Colors Brigid Top as a perfect warm-weather creation for Beginning Intermediate knitters. And since these two designs are sized from X-Small to 2X, many of us can enjoy these high-fashion looks. Then building from the sensational popularity of Seduce, the yarn aficionados at Berroco have created a superb enhancement in Seduce Colors yarn. This stunning variegated version gives you a shimmering, slightly striped effect in all your spring & summer projects. Knit & crochet with this winner alone or combine it with the lovely solid shades available in "Seduce" yarn. And enjoy that it's beautifully crafted in Italy of 47% rayon, 25% linen, 17% silk & 11% nylon. Of course, the designers at Berroco have created some stunning projects to showcase new "Seduce Colors" yarn too. The Seduce Colors Sheelagh Vest is a comfortable yet chic item to layer over sleeveless tops in warm weather as shown, but it will also look spectacular worn over a long-sleeved blouse or top in cooler weather. In addition, we recommend the Seduce Colors Sibeal Cardigan to enhance your wardrobe well into the early fall, and it too is a great layering piece.
Just as an example of how adorable the pattern support is for "Tinkerbell," we suggest you knit the Tinkerbell Shawl Collar Jacket for year round comfort. Also take a look at many other "Tinkerbell" pattern leaflets such as the Tinkerbell Hooded Jacket, the Tinkerbell Pullover with Pom Poms, the Tinkerbell Vest & Hat, the Tinkerbell Hooded Top & Jacket and the Tinkerbell Striped Sweater & Cardigan. Then for a sensational, auto-striping yarn that's excellent for socks & baby things, Happy 4 Ply also by Wendy/Peter Pan is the ideal option. Beautifully crafted of 75% bamboo & 25% nylon, "Happy 4 Ply" has wonderful softness & sheen plus that snap-back elasticity so necessary for great shaping & wearability, especially in baby & children's clothes. Add that this self-striping fingering-weight yarn comes in generous 459-yard balls and is machine wash & dry, and "Happy 4 Ply" becomes an irresistible choice for all your lightweight, striped projects for babies, children & adults. You'll see exactly what we mean about terrific projects when you take a peek at the wonderful pattern support for "Happy 4 Ply" too. The Happy Tie-Front Cardi is just adorable and shows how easy a striped bolero jacket can be when using an auto-striping yarn. Also this pattern leaflet contains the directions for crafting adorable matching booties too. Then explore other "Happy 4 Ply" patterns including the Happy Child's Hats, Mittens & Gloves, the Happy Lacy Cardigan & Buttoned Sweater, the Happy Sock Assortment and the Happy Fingerless Gloves, Hat, Scarf & Flower.
Following their company focus on using only natural fibers, Fibra Natura now has available 100% organic cotton Cottonwood. Complying with the rigorous standards of the EKO as a sustainable textile, the strictest standard in the industry, "Cottonwood" is certified as an eco-yarn through all phases of production and even in its delivery to shops in recycled packaging. Also this lovely cotton fiber is soft and ideal for all your DK-weight spring & summer projects including items for babies, children & others with sensitive skin. Just take a peek at the cute Cottonwood Flirty Tank that's right up to date with the floral trend with its daisy motif across the bodice, and we know you'll be eager to get started on these types of sensational "Cottonwood" projects.
In addition to the two pattern leaflets from Fibra Natura already mentioned, be sure to explore these other recent book and leaflet additions for "Cottonwood" & "Links":
First, going earth friendly with spring/summer pizzazz has never been easier than when you knit & crochet with Tahki's Palma yarn. Crafted in Italy of 100% organic cotton, "Palma" is also dyed using an eco-friendly, low-impact process that yet creates high-impact tone-on-tone ombre color combos for dramatic effect. Add that it's self-striping so that your relatives & friends will think you worked much harder than you really did, and you have a marvelous, readily renewable choice for all your spring & summer fashions.
With the third sensational fiber gem, Tahki's all-American classic look goes dressy in fantastic Nova yarn. Like a sparkling nova star in the sky, "Nova" twinkles with a hint of shimmer because of the metallic thread loosely wrapped around its cotton/acrylic base strand. What we love so well is that the metallic is dyed in a complementary shade to color coordinate with the solid base. And it's machine washable too and beautifully crafted in Italy of 60% cotton, 37% acrylic plus a touch of nylon & polyester. And we promised you terrific pattern support for each of these lovely new yarns, and Tahki has certainly delivered on that promise with a separate booklet dedicated to each one:
Now the only thing that could make knitting & crocheting with Supersock Select yarns from Cherry Tree Hill even better is for you to participate in the 2009 Cherry Tree Hill Pattern Contest. It doesn't matter if you've ever had a published pattern before or not. Just submit your original ideas to Cherry Tree Hill by the end of the year (December 31, 2009), and you could be the 1st prize winner who receives the $1000 cash prize. Now the owners of Cherry Tree Hill are particularly looking for substantial garments to support their "Supersock Select" family of yarns, but they say right up front in their contest promotion that they are especially interested in designs featuring the brand-new "Supersock Select Semi-Solids." You must use at least 6 hanks but no more than 12, so that range of yarn quantities will help you decide what they mean by "substantial." They are also open to designs for home decor pieces such as pillows, rugs and afghans. For additional information and a closer look at the contest rules, check out the Cherry Tree Hill blog.
When you need to select the best gift for your crafty mom or grandmother, check out our various sensational departments for gifts. First off, take a peek at all of the suggested staff picks we have listed in our Gifts area. Here you'll find a wide range of choices to fit your budget. Then for even more specific options, we recommend that you consider such departments as Kits, Knitting Needles & Crochet Hooks, Accessories, Tools, Bags & Cases, Fashion Accessories and Project Ideas. This last category is particularly convenient because you can pick out a finished garment or accessory you think she'd like to make and purchase all the items she'll need to make it with just one click of your mouse.
And if you are one of those folks with not enough time in your busy schedule to get the perfect book, knitting kit, yarn or tool delivered to you and then sent to your mom for Mother's Day on May 10th? Well, let us take care of all that for you with our gift-wrapping service. For just $5.50 per order, we’ll gift wrap your present including your personal message to Mom, and send it right along. What could be easier than that? Well, the only thing simpler would be sending an Instant Gift Certificate you can print out yourself or have us email to her. Gift certificates are great for those of you who hate shopping & going from store to store in search of the ideal gift. Or maybe you have friends and loved ones who like to pick out their own gifts. Take it from us, gift wrapping & gift certificates are our definition of stress-free, no-fuss shopping and gift giving! And last but certainly not least, 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, Julie or Emily –- 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. Thanks for reading, and we wish you all a Happy Mother's Day on Sunday, May 10th. Also take time to enjoy those get-togethers with family and friends during the other May holidays including Memorial Day in the U.S. and Victoria Day in Canada.
And as always,
Happy Knitting & Crocheting!
Your Yarnmarket Knitting Store Staff Yarnmarket.com, BargainYARNS.com, Yarndex.com, Shear Bagatelle and KnitchMagazine.com are subsidiaries of Yarnmarket, LLC. Yarnmarket is an online yarn retailer with over 700 quality brands from over 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 more than 4500 yarns from leading manufacturers. Shear Bagatelle is the Yarnmarket blog, an inside view of all the happenings behind the scenes at Yarnmarket. Knitch Magazine is an online publication showcasing knitting and crochet fashions for yarn lovers. | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
