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YARNMARKET.COM NEWS ISSUE #67
In This Issue:
Fall Fashion Trends: Go for the Tailored, Lady-Like Look & Join the Mad Hatter's Tea Party with Gusto | Discover What Everyone's Craving with the Wonders of Malabrigo Merino Worsted | Rowan Jazzes Up Fall with Innovative New Yarn Plus Dedicated Book | Enjoy Haute Couture Styles This Fall with New Yarns from Gedifra | Discover the New Debbie Bliss Fiber Gem with a Touch of the Exotic Along with New Patterns Too | Check Out Our New Bags & Cases Department Right on the Yarnmarket Home Page | Knitting & Crocheting for a Better World, Part 3: More Worthy Causes to Support | Entertain Yourself with the Latest Episode from Let's Knit2gether Plus Some Customer Service Reminders
Of course, there are still a multitude of other trends from which to choose, so in this issue of the newsletter and for several months to come, we will be featuring the major trends of the season and showcasing gorgeous selections from our Project Ideas department to enhance all aspects of your wardrobe. This month we're exploring two primary trends seen around the world as the hot picks for Fall 2009 and Winter 2010, and many of these ideas may also influence what you choose to create for those special folks on your gift list. One of the most prevalent influences for the fall and also one of our personal favorites is the resurgence of the tailored look of the 1940s and 1950s, what Harper's Bazaar calls "film noir dress-up," but as we see it, without the pillbox hats and flirtatious, eye-shadowing netting. The classic lady-like styling made famous by Coco Chanel and worn so beautifully by fashion icon Jackie Kennedy is back with a vengeance for the fall. The cropped jacket in all its manifestations, the boxy Chanel style and the peplum approach for a more feminine look are all the rage.
The must-have garment for the season is definitely the jacket or “short coat” as some designers call it. With so many lady-like, feminine styles in the spotlight from such noted designers as Giorgio Armani and Prada, you’re sure to find the best look for you. And it's no wonder that the pages of your favorite fashion magazines and well-respected knitting & crochet pattern collections are filled with ideas for tailored jackets and coats.
Another sensational designer who is up with all the trends is Norah Gaughan of Berroco fame, and her Lustra Lexical Cardigan is both lady-like to keep you up with the trends and also figure flattering from sizes X-Small to 2X. Reminiscent of the designs of Coco Chanel in her heyday, this cardigan is superb knitted up in supple, beautiful Lustra yarn. Add the stand-up tube neckline, patch pockets and raglan sleeves, and you have a feminine garment any NYC socialite would have been proud to wear to afternoon tea decades ago.
Another great trend for all of us is that hats are back in the forefront of fashion too, at least the type we wear as outerwear, and based on the vast array of options we're seeing, no wonder we feel as if we're participating in the Mad Hatter's Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland. So focus on your headwear, and add the funky, the fun, the creative touches here. From the classic, demure looks of Donna Karan to the outré styles of Alexander Wang, headwear is one of the best finishing touches for that special jacket, coat or outfit. Also one of the most often seen styles on the runways has been the cowl or as some have termed it – the “tube scarf.” With no doubts about how to wear or how to tie it, the cowl headpiece can double as a neck scarf too and so is one of the most versatile items for your fall wardrobe.
And last but certainly not least, we can easily keep our wee ones' wardrobes up to date with these fashion trends also. Just take a peek at the adorable Tiny Tots Pretty Cardi & Beret set from Sirdar, and you'll see exactly what mean. Feminine and cute in little-girl pastel pink, this coordinated outfit is trendy and a real keeper. Then check out several great hat projects from Aslan Trends such as the dainty Del Cerro Lace Hat that starts with a pattern free with yarn purchase and the precious Del Cerro Sweetheart Hat with its matching Del Cerro Sweetheart Pullover.
The second new yarn from Malabrigo is a terrific complement to "Merino Worsted Semi-Solid" and will definitely satisfy your craving for an ultra-soft, feltable, hand-dyed, variegated fiber option too. Merino Worsted Multi yarn is so superbly spun & dyed by Uruguayan artisans from extra fine 100% merino that it's no wonder this yarn has become legendary for the wide range of lovely projects you can knit and crochet with it. Gorgeous colors seem to blend effortlessly into each other in each fantastic colorway, so be sure to check out all the options from brights to pastels and from neutrals to jewel tones. We're also working on terrific pattern support for these two yarns and are introducing a new pattern company to you from our neighbors in Northeastern Ohio. Ewe & I Originals is pattern company founded by two friends and knitting buddies, Kathy Disantis & Dianne Rodabaugh. This dynamic duo offers terrific knitting patterns for children, babies & women, and we like that their patterns are for generic gauges but also reveal which yarn is shown in the finished garment. For example, check out the traditional yet vibrant Malabrigo Baby Block Afghan project designed specifically for Malabrigo's fantastic yarns. We know you'll love this one so much that you'll make one for every child in your family!
Buttery soft, airy construction, versatile worsted weight gauge -- what more can you want for your next fall/winter product than these wonderful features of Lima from Rowan Yarns? Crafted in Peru of 84% baby alpaca, 8% merino wool & 8% nylon, "Lima" is designed as a woven, hollow core, chainette yarn so that it has terrific loft without any heaviness. Sort of reminds us of a mini I-cord so that you get marvelous stitch definition. Add a superb palette of heathery, tone-on-tone neutrals and jewel tones, and "Lima" is simply stunning. And no wonder "Lima" got such a sensational from Brooklyn Tweed blogger Jared Flood as soon as he first previewed it last season! Jared is admittedly not a huge alpaca fan, so you can take him very seriously when he waxes poetic over how well designed this yarn is. Of course, you can count on marvelous pattern support for any new Rowan yarn, and "Lima" is no exception. The Lima Collection is jam packed with 15 projects for women & men from jackets to cardigans and from scarves to pullovers. We know how much you like to browse for yourself, but just to recommend a few staff picks for the season, check out:
First, when you crave a subtle self-striper that patterns in lovely tone-on-tone shades, take a peek at superb Riana Color yarn from Gedifra. Add tweedy flecks of contrasting hues plus a tight twist of the single-plied base strand, and you have a fiber blend that's on the cutting-edge of all the latest fashion trends. Beautifully crafted in Italy of 50% wool, 45% acrylic & 5% rayon, this beauty will keep you in style well into the early spring of next year because it works up so spectacularly.
Then the second new yarn from Gedifra -- tweedy, super chunky Riana Big Color-- is another auto-striping blend of wool, acrylic & rayon dyed in matching colors to its worsted-weight cousin "Riana Color" (just match up the last 2 digits of the color numbers to coordinate them). "Riana Big Color" expands your options to include quick-to-create knitting and crochet projects. On large needles & hooks, enjoy creating terrific hats, capes, shawls, jackets & more from this slightly thick & thin, tweedy wool blend. And Karola Gottwald has created some amazing ways to combine these two fiber gems in the same garment. One of our favorite "Riana" projects is the Riana Wide Neck Pullover. This classy pullover combines "Riana Color" and "Riana Big Color" yarns so that the body and sleeves are done in the worsted weight, and the yoke and edge of the collar are done in the super chunky. The combination gives wonderful textural contrast and a unique look just as we expect from Karola. Another fabulous design combining both yarns is the Riana Deep Cowl Pullover with its ribbed neckline, textured stitch for the body and tunic length to flatter many figure types. We also appreciate that Karola and her team of designers have made it easy for us to find additional gorgeous pattern support for these two new yarns by compiling them into one of their yarn-specific booklets. Gedifra Moments #215: City Chic features 16 beautiful projects to keep you right in style all fall & winter. From pullovers to jackets and from a quick-to-knit wrap to several great layering pieces, you're sure to find inspiration in this collection.
So what do you think you get when you blend buttery soft merino with exotic camel and support the yarn with designs from this legendary knitwear guru? Fez yarn from world-renowned Debbie Bliss, that's what. "Fez" is a superb 2-ply fiber gem with a tight twist for excellent stitch definition especially in Debbie's trademark cable patterns. Inspired by the textiles from a Moroccan marketplace, the stunning color palette ranges from dusky soft neutrals to jewel-toned brights to give you gorgeous options for your colorwork. Fairisle, intarsia, all multi-colored projects will seem to glow from when crafted of stunning "Fez" yarn.
Then check out the Fez Cable & Blackberry Pullover, a short-sleeved turtleneck for any occasion. A study in stitches, this sweater has a face-framing ribbed collar and ribbed shoulders, a wide horizontal cable across the yoke and a wonderful textured stitch from the yoke down to the ribbed bottom edge. Ideal as officewear or for that night out on the town, this cropped top is also spectacular worn with jeans or a denim skirt for more casual celebrations. Of course, Debbie Bliss wouldn't stop at just two great designs featuring fabulous new "Fez" yarn -- she's developed a brand-new book to support this awesome merino/camel blend! From your first peek at the 16 splendid projects in The Fez Collection, we know you'll enjoy seeing all the marvelous projects you can create. From cardis & jackets to hoodies & pullovers, you'll find something that'll get your creative juices flowing no matter what your skill level or personal fashion tastes.
Even better yet, we've organized this new department into the following six subcategories to make it easier to find your favorite brands:
As we introduced in the August newsletter, we're devoting attention to our annual feature of highlighting worthy causes in need of your handcrafted items. In the September newsletter, we featured three terrific organizations -- Project Linus, Socks for Soldiers and the Snuggles Project also called "Hugs for Homeless Animals." Now here are additional charitable organizations that would appreciate your support: One outstanding group recommended by Anne B. concentrates on helping the needy children of the Appalachia region of the Unites States. Tender Loving Care Ministries, operating out of Potomac, Maryland, was founded in 1987 by Carole Franceski, who continues as its director today. The mission of this non-profit group is "ministering to the clothing needs of poverty-stricken children of the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and other Appalachian areas." Various handcrafted items are collected year round by this organization and there are knit and crochet patterns available on the website for mittens, hats, scarves, ponchos & purses. The need is especially great this time of year because of the much cooler temperatures in these mountainous communities and also the additional needs for the holiday season.
And last but certainly not least, check out the Knits for Kids program suggested by Brenda F. Since 1996, this group has made a difference in the lives of over half a million children in the United States and around the world. Precious handmade sweaters and accessories have been sent to children as far away as Azerbaijan, Kenya, Thailand and Banda Aceh and as close to home as West Virginia, New Orleans and the Bronx. The organization is dedicated to helping children, their families and communities worldwide achieve their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice, and you can see from the featured photograph just how exciting it is for these young ones who receive handknitted & crocheted items. 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.
Also you know that we the staff of Yarnmarket.com pride ourselves on our customer service. Each order is packed with pride by 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 a great start to the fall holiday season with Halloween the end of this month. And be sure to take it easy as you start gearing up for that major gift-giving season in a few months. Don't let those holiday decorations and greeting cards showing up at your favorite retailers get you stressed out and know that we're here to help you have a successful, fashionable autumn.
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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
