Yarn Market Knitting News!

	YARNMARKET.COM NEWS ISSUE #84 In This Issue: Transitioning Your Wardrobe for Spring: Wrap Yourself in Seasonless Styles & Yarns | Kollage Joins the Jeans Bandwagon with New Multi-Season Yarn Plus Patterns | Anny Blatt Gives You Two New Chunky Fiber Gems to Knit & Crochet with Fabulous Pattern Support Too | Debbie Bliss Wows with Transitional New Yarn for Creating Spring Fashion Delights | Enjoy an Exciting Spring Preview with New Yarns & Books from Berroco | Knitch Winter "Addition" Now Available Online for Your Reading Pleasure | New Design Contest Information and Some Customer Service Reminders Transitioning Your Wardrobe for Spring: Wrap Yourself in Seasonless Styles & Yarns   Mini Mochi Lacy Leaves Tunic   OK, I want to get a confession off my chest to start off this issue on the right note -- I was WRONG about Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow last month on Groundhog Day. And even Buckeye Chuck from the nearby city of Marion, Ohio, has predicted an early spring, and I shouldn't have let that early February ice storm influence me so strongly that I lost my optimist hope for an early spring. And all kidding aside, this means we need lots of inspiration to get our wardrobes transformed for warmer weather to come.   Manos Silk Blend Wrap   But we're all faced with the same upcoming dilemma. You know what I mean -- you start off in long sleeves because the morning is chilly, but by afternoon, the sun is pouring in the office window, so you're down to your tank top in no time. No, you're not getting the flu or suffering from hot flashes. You're charged with what I like to call the "what should I wear to fit the weather?" task. With the official change in the seasons coming in just 19 days, we all must balance the varieties of temperatures and decide the best approach to this problem. So to which fashion gurus can we turn for advice? Now we can keep ourselves up with the latest trends too because in recent years a fashion movement has been afoot -- some have even called it a revolution -- and avant garde designers have been leading the way towards what's now called "transitional" or "seasonless" dressing. Whether it's because of climate change, global warming or economic challenges that have called for making do with less, innovative designers are calling for this new approach to fashion. As Brian Janusiak of Project No. 8 in New York's Chinatown so elegantly explained it to a reporter from thefashionspot.com, "What excites us about the seasonless approach is that after decades of forced obsolescence by design in retail, people are beginning to rewrite the rules on what is an acceptable rhythm in the fashion cycle."   Mulberry Silk Osprey Scarf   And it's not just the younger, avant garde designers and retailers who are crusading for this particular movement. Even such fashion icons as Diane Von Furstenburg have joined the bandwagon and cite global warming with its unpredictable seasonal temperatures as one of their primary influencers. Others mention they want to give customers who travel all over the world more flexibility, and several predict that "all-weather fashion" will definitely become the norm to fit our all-weather lifestyles. So how do we best achieve this transitional or seasonless dressing in our spring knitting and crocheting projects? Well, our best bets for investing our time and money are to consider our layering options, create the best accessories to accent our outfits with the latest trends and also carefully explore multi-fiber yarn blends and lighter weight/narrower gauge yarn choices when we're trying to stay comfortable yet not too warm.   Silk Cascading Colors Bag   One such garment that fits both pieces of this advice is from the talented designers at Creative Knitting and features fingering-weight, merino/nylon blend Mini Mochi yarn from Crystal Palace. The feminine, colorful, figure-flattering Mini Mochi Lacy Leaves Tunic from the the creative genius of knitwear guru Lorna Miser is a great winter into spring addition to your sweater collection. With its 3/4-length sleeves, open-weave patterning and attractive extra touches, this pullover is gorgeous for an evening out to dinner and a movie, as standout piece of officewear and for a casual shopping trip. We also highly recommend expanding your accessories collection to feature some of the latest trends for spring yet make a wise investment in seasonless dressing. Scarves and wraps are sensational ways to enhance your wardrobe, and we continue to expand our Scarves & Shawls projects department to give you more inspiration. We currently have 575 scarf and wrap project ideas for your knitting & crocheting pleasure and rated for a variety of skill levels, but we have two stunning options we just can't resist recommending to you.   Snuggly Cozy Cables Set   The Mulberry Osprey Scarf/Wrap from oh-so-popular and oh-so-clever Louisa Harding gives you an antique Victorian lace look without all the extra effort of an advanced lace project. And we just love the picot edging as the piece de resistance! Add that Louisa's Mulberry yarn is spun in Italy from only the finest cultivated mulberry silk, and you have a versatile accessory to treasure for years to come. Or for a more traditional wrap style, check out the beauty of the Manos Silk Blend Wrap as featured in Nature's Wrapture by Sheryl Thies. Inspired by the colors & sparkle of a rainy day, this wrap features subtly shimmering Manos Silk Blend Semi-Solid by Manos del Uruguay. Also the cast-on edge has a picot of beads at the base of each "raindrop" for a extra touch of sparkle, but this wrap really shines and is an easier knit if you decide to leave off the beads. Another fabulous way to expand your accessories collection and dress up any outfit is with a project from our Bags & Belts projects department. One of the most colorful options for adding fun and color to any garment is the Silk Cascading Colors Bag with its eye-catching rectangle-within-a rectangle patterning. Each side of the bag is worked in the round from the outside in with strategically placed decreases to diminish the striped rectangles. And this brightly colored purse is crafted of 100% Hand Picked Hues Recycled Silk yarn from Frabjous Fibers for an earth-friendly project too! And last but certainly not least, we have an adorable example of how you can enhance your favorite little girl's wardrobe and transition it for the spring also. Those of you who love creating garments and accessories for those wee ones in your life already know that you can count on the designers at British powerhouse Sirdar for excellent project ideas and superb pattern support especially for ever-popular Snuggly DK yarn. Our latest favorite is the precious Snuggly Cozy Cables Set sized from newborns to 7 year olds. And this feminine ensemble has all the little touches you expect from Sirdar such as the rope cable edge on the beret and cardigan plus the cabling on the booties from heel to toe and back again. Kollage Joins the Jeans Bandwagon with New Multi-Season Yarn Plus Patterns   Riveting Midnight Pullover   We the staff at Yarnmarket have been so excited since we saw a terrific new yarn from Kollage Yarns at the recent TNNA industry show that we've been hardly able to contain our enthusiasm and wait patiently for the delivery. Kollage is well known in the handknitting world for their lovely yarns and beautiful, eminently wearable pattern support, so we are launching our New Yarns for Spring/Summer 2011 department with a magnificent new release from them.   Riveting Cowl   Over the weekend, I got an e-alert from a local store I frequent that talked about the "Jeanalicious" products. Well, I'm going to borrow their new adjective because Kollage's new Riveting yarn is truly jeanalicious with the wonderful comfort of your favorite pair of jeans in this terrific fiber creation. "Riveting" yarn is constructed from 100% recycled blue jeans fiber here in the USA and is 80% post consumer, which makes it oh-so eco-friendly. The other great thing about "Riveting" is that it starts off feeling like supersoft jeans after you've been wearing and washing them for a while and just gets even softer with wash & wear. Spun as a sport/DK-weight yarn with a 2-ply twist, "Riveting" yarn is also wound into 350-yard hanks so that you'll have much less finishing work and fewer tie-ins in your lightweight projects. It's the perfect year-round choice for knitted & crocheted tops, jackets, pullovers, cardis, scarves, shawls and accessories. And you know you can count on Kollage Yarns founder Susan Moraco and her talented design team for great pattern support too and here are just a few of our favorites: The easy-fit, classic Riveting Midnight Pullover, a cropped top with buttons on the sleeves, buttons at the center front and buttons at the bottom edge instead of the neckline as you might expect; The feminine, figure-flattering Tessuto Cardigan knitted in the basketweave stitch with ribbing accents; The fun, year-round Riveting Saturday Cowl that's lacy yet casual; The unisex Toby Overalls that even rough-and-tumble little boys will enjoy; and The Mommy & Me pairing of the Riveting Tabitha Top and the matching Baby Tabitha Top, both of which can be layered over a favorite long-sleeved top or blouse for multi-seasonal style. Anny Blatt Gives You Two New Chunky Fiber Gems to Knit & Crochet with Fabulous Pattern Support Too   Nanook Sarah Jacket   We know how much you enjoy info on our new shipments from Anny Blatt Yarns every few months, and just last week we received a solid-hued and a variegated version of a gorgeous new fiber blend. Add that it's a quick-to-create beauty as well and you have a great choice for knitting & crocheting fun.   Nanook Multi Yarn   First off, we highly recommend Nanook Solid yarn for your next quick-to-create knitted or crocheted project. Velvety soft with gorgeous texture, "Nanook" gives you terrific jackets, pullovers, cardis, ponchos, scarves, shawls & more for your cool-weather wardrobe. Each yarn strand is constructed with a single, roving-like wool/nylon blend plus a fluffy alpaca thread loosely plied with the wool. And remember that each ball is superbly crafted in France of 62% combed wool, 23% nylon & 15% alpaca. Then for those of you who prefer wonderful color combos to knit up and crochet fast, Anny Blatt gives you a fantastic option -- chunky-weight Nanook Multi yarn. Also beautifully crafted in France of combed wool, nylon & alpaca, "Nanook Multi" reminds us of comfy warmth & cuddly softness, both fabulous features for knitting & crocheting projects. Constructed with a multi-hued single-ply strand of wool & nylon, each roving-like base is entwined gently by a fluffy thread of alpaca. The end result is terrific variegated color combos enhanced by added texture. And the designers at Anny Blatt have really outdone themselves and exceeded even our high expectations by developing these three new books that feature fabulous "Nanook": Take a peek at the next issue in the Createurs series -- Histoires de Createurs #17 -- featuring the lovely Nanook & Angora Else Jacket and the figure-flattering Nanook Milla Jacket. Next marvel at the French flair in every design from Anny Blatt: Intemporel #210, and consider the asymmetrical, easy-fit Sarah Jacket or the sporty, rustic Nanook Nellie Jacket as your next quick-to-knit project. And last but certainly not least comes Anny Blatt #209 with the feminine, ruffled Mary Bolero. Debbie Bliss Wows with Transitional New Yarn for Creating Spring Fashion Delights   Bella Moss & Cable Top   Every season when the yarn company representatives start visiting us, we're always excited to see the new fiber gems from British knitwear designer extraordinaire Debbie Bliss. Debbie is known for classic, wearable styles with a modern twist and superb yarns that are beautiful and easy to work with. Last month we introduced airy, lightweight, mohair/silk blend Angel to you, and this month we have another beauty you're sure to enjoy. When you're looking for a cotton yarn with a touch of luxury, look no further than Debbie's new Bella yarn. Sensationally crafted in Italy of 85% breathable cotton, 10% sumptuous silk & 5% velvety cashmere, "Bella" yarn definitely deserves its name because it is indeed a beautiful fiber creation! Spun as a classic DK-weight yarn, machine washable "Bella" gives you marvelous stitch definition and drape plus touchable softness with added comfort. Just imagine what warm-weather tops, pullovers, cardigans, jackets, scarves, shawls & other accessories you can knit and crochet for all ages and for those with sensitive skin. But Debbie Bliss doesn't leave it to your imagination to come up great Bella projects. Instead she's developed a Bella-dedicated pattern booklet called simply Bella. Just a few of our current faves include: The flattering, easy-to-layer Moss Stitch & Cable Top for everyday comfort with that extra pizzazz, The form-fitting, flower-accented Bella Floral Bolero, and The ultra-feminine, ruffled Flounce Jacket to wear year round. Enjoy an Exciting Spring Preview with New Yarns & Books from Berroco   Weekend Pesapallo Vest & Pong Cowl   We always know we'll be seeing something special and innovative when we hear that our new seasonal Berroco Yarns order has arrived and now we have the entire package of four new spring/summer yarns in stock and ready to ship to you.   Glint Eartha Cardigan   When the yarn gurus at Berroco have created such an immediate hit as worsted-weight, cotton/acrylic blend Weekend yarn, we knew it wouldn't take them long to enhance the collection. Building on the fashion trend for quick-to-create designs, Weekend Chunky is the perfect choice for chunky-weight, spring/summer, knitted & crocheted projects. With its tight twist of multi strands, "Weekend Chunky" gives you the stitch definition you crave even with your quick knits plus excellent drape because of its mix of natural, breathable cotton with durable acrylic. It's also a gorgeous solid-hued option for those with sensitive skin and is wound into generous 119-yard hanks for less finishing work. Of course, Norah Gaughan and her talented design team have excellent pattern support as usual for this new fiber gem, and Berroco #309: Weekend & Weekend Chunky is filled with projects for both weights of "Weekend." We especially like the coordinated set of the simple Pong Cowl and the Weekend Pesapallo Vest with its sleek lines and interesting use of cables. Next up comes the subtly glamorous Glint yarn with its stunning mix of cotton plus metallic. Subtly peeking out from a chain of lovely cotton and nylon, a contrasting metallic strand makes "Glint" something special. When you knit and crochet your warm-weather shawls, tops, jackets, scarves & other accessories up in fabulous "Glint," the results are truly fantastic, simply elegant and wonderfully sophisticated. This yarn is even spun as that versatile worsted weight with over 140 yards per ball so that you'll have less finishing work and fewer tie-ins. So take your spring/summer wardrobe to the next level and follow the fashion trend for subtle year-round glimmer with gorgeous "Glint" yarn.   Linsey Josu Pullover   And if you need a little help with project ideas, Norah and her crew come through again with the Glint-dedicated booklet -- Berroco #306: Glint. Take a look at the Glint Eartha Cardigan with its cap sleeves and excellent stitch definition, and you'll see what we mean about fabulous drape and elegant sophistication. Also the trendy Scherrie Shoulder Bag is quickly becoming our favorite spring/summer handbag project. To finish up this gorgeous quartet with a strong finish we have Linsey yarn and Linsey Colors that are sure to draw all eyes when you wear anything crafted from one of them. Superbly crafted in Italy of 64% breathable cotton & 36% sturdy linen, "Linsey" gives you excellent drape and enviable stitch definition plus it softens even more with each handwashing. This light worsted beauty has color names that remind us of the joys of spring and summer and is marvelous in knitted & crocheted tops, cardis, scarves, shawls, cowls, jackets & more. Or when you want a variegated option to use by itself or mixed with solid-hued "Linsey," check out the beauty of "Linsey Colors." With its gently shifting multi shades, these colors remind us of the sun-weathered shades of summer. You probably have a pattern collection filled with light worsted projects, but there's nothing better than checking out a booklet dedicated to the specific yarns that have just intrigued you. "Linsey" and "Linsey Colors" have just such support in the newly released Berroco #307: Linsey. We highly recommend the Linsey Josu Pullover that so aptly demonstrates just how superbly the two versions work together. Also the Bayarri Cardigan makes a marvelous fashion statement with two shades of "Linsey Colors" in a modular design. Knitch Winter "Addition" Now Available Online for Your Reading Pleasure   Knitch Magazine   Thank you for all of your feedback on the past issues of our quarterly magazine -- Knitch, and we're excited to announce that the new Winter 2011 "Addition" is now available online for your convenience. We call it an "addition" because the autumn articles and reviews all remain live...but we've added some new features, reviews, even FREE patterns for winter, and we'll continue to add more over the next couple of weeks. This addition has an interview with Linda Krag of Denise Needles, Laura Bryant of Prism Yarns and Kara Gott Warner of Creative Knitting Magazine. I'm sure you'll enjoy about these ladies who contribute so much to the knitting industry. And if you haven't had a chance yet to read the two outstanding interviews from the autumn, we know you'll enjoy the interview with fashion designer and knitwear guru Maggie Jackson along with the insights you'll gain from writer Cathy Carron whose book Cowl Girls: The Neck's Best Thing to Knit you're so enjoying. Other features in the Winter issue of Knitch we highly recommend include: Overview of the latest trends from the TNNA fashion show in the article A New Season Of Fashion From the TNNA Conference, A fun recounting of a visit to Natalie Redding's special world of wonder in Take A Tour Of Namaste Farms and Lots of new book and yarn reviews from Barbara Rottman: for new featured yarns, click on Yarn Reviews and for exciting new reading options, take a peek at Book Reviews. Also to be sure you don't miss any of the upcoming issues, sign up to receive an email alert to let you know when the next issue is available online. Just click on the "Newsletter" link in the upper right hand corner of the Knitch Home Page, and register today. New Design Contest Information and Some Customer Service Reminders Just last month we announced the terrific pattern contest we're once again co-sponsoring with The Knitting Guild Association, and now we have exciting news about another contest opportunity for you. If you've ever thought of designing a pattern using handspun or wirespun yarn, you'll want to enter the Namaste Farms Design Contest. We'll be giving Natalie of Namaste Farms several Yarnmarket Gift Certificates to give away to the winners, and First Prize is a $200 Gift Certificate! Just imagine all the yarn you could buy with that! For more details about this contest, visit the Namaste Farms Design Contest page on Facebook. Also we the staff of Yarnmarket.com pride ourselves on our customer service. Each order is packed with pride by Lynn, Amy, Tina, Lisa, Julie or Janice –- 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 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. And since these next few months are the major time of the year when knitters & crocheters take time to make things for themselves, remember that our staff will be glad to help you choose the right project or advise you on the perfect tool, bag or accessory to suit your tastes and needs. Then with spring break right around the corner, be sure you have plenty of knitting and crochet projects lined up to keep you busy during your travel time and relaxing moments on the beach or at poolside. Thanks for reading, and take time to enjoy the upcoming special occasions of Mardi Gras next Tuesday; the start of Daylight Savings Time at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 13th; St. Patrick's Day the following Thursday; and the official change in seasons with the Spring Equinox on the 20th. And as always, Happy Knitting & Crocheting! Your Yarnmarket Knitting Store Staff Be sure to keep up with the latest Yarnmarket & Yarndex news as it's happening! Contests, promotions, new yarns and behind-the-scenes fun can be found on: Yarnmarket.com, BargainYARNS.com, Yarndex.com, Shear Bagatelle and KnitchMagazine.com are subsidiaries of Yarnmarket, LLC. Yarnmarket is an online yarn retailer with over 800 quality brands from over 80 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 5000 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.