YARNMARKET.COM NEWS ISSUE #88
In This Issue:
Warm Weather Pizzazz: Top Off Your Hottest Outfits with Short Sleeve & Sleeveless Styles | Himalaya Brings You Two Multi-Seasonal Fiber Gems | Add Bling & Glamour to Any Outfit with Self-Ruffling Yarn | Enjoy a Fall Preview with New Yarns and Pattern Booklets from Berroco | Explore the Wonderful World of Noro in New Book of Superb Projects | Big Changes for Bargain Yarns Plus a Few Customer Service Reminders
Warm Weather Pizzazz: Top Off Your Hottest Outfits with Short Sleeve & Sleeveless Styles
In April we started our seasonal fashion preview with the return to the minimalist, unstructured lines of days gone by plus overviewing the very hottest hues of the season including Honeysuckle and Coral Rose. Then in the May newsletter, we highlighted all-American classics that are hot, hot, hot for the warm-weather months followed by last month's focus on the return of romantic details and the revival of the skirt in all its many lengths and styles. But now we're faced with the challenge of just how to keep our cool when faced with the change in temps here in North America.
We need to consider the best ways to adapt our wardrobes so that we can survive the "dog days" of summer so common in July and August (by the way, they are named after Sirius, the "dog star," which aligns itself with the sun during the next 20 days of the summer season). We recommend sleeveless tops that can then double as vests in the fall along with short-sleeved pullovers and cardis designed for warm-weather comfort.
And this advice is right in line with the fashion mavens featured in Vogue, Marie Claire and Elle in the latest summer issues. You can definitely jazz up your wardrobe and add a touch of sizzle plus some of the recent trends with just one or two new creations. We'll show you just how to spotlight romantic ruffles, unstructured lines, new takes on classic styles and more with the recent additions to our Project Ideas area.
So how have your favorite knitwear designers prepared us for these hot days ahead and yet are keeping us right in step with the trends? In some cases, they have taken an all-American classic and added some intriguing modern twists as in the Linsey Cable Collar Polo Top. No wonder this lovely design from Berroco's oh-so talented Creative Director Norah Gaughan is featured in Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2011. Collar and color provide the interest in this cap-sleeved charmer, knit in Berroco's spring/summer hit Linsey yarn. The cables that anchor the ribbed lapels are worked on the wrong side and then folded to the front.
Then when we turn to the talented design team at Rowan for warm-weather inspiration, we have to take a close look at the lovely projects in their new Cotton Classics pattern collection. The All Seasons Cotton Jetty Shrug immediately caught our eye because it's perfect to wear over a simple tank or sundress. The clean lines and generous cables make it a fabulous piece to add to any warm-weather wardrobe. Add that it's knitted up in worsted-weight, cotton/acrylic blend, perennial fave All Seasons Cotton yarn, and you definitely have a real winner. Also enjoy the Handknit Cotton Marina Pullover from the same collection with its classic, simple, unstructured lines.
Or if you prefer the romantic, ruffled look in your tops this summer, take a peek at the stunning Ruffled Tank Top from Filatura Di Crosa. This little tank knits up beautifully to dress up any outfit along with another great sleeveless pullover in the Ruffled V-Neck Shell from the same pattern collection. Or if you prefer your romantic detailing in a cardigan this summer, be sure to discover the wonders of the Ruffled Edge Eyelet Jacket also from Filatura Di Crosa's latest booklet.
And, of course, we must include some trendy examples for our wee ones too. Sirdar's year-round Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK yarn certainly has an abundance of available projects, and we love the precious Baby Bamboo Draped Bolero that your little girl can wear layered over a favorite top as shown or paired with a cute long-sleeved blouse or turtleneck for the cooler weather in the autumn. Also the cute Pretty Party Cardi is a wonderful lightweight, long-sleeved option too.
Himalaya Brings You Two Multi-Seasonal Fiber Gems
Every time we the staff at Yarnmarket get a chance to see the latest offerings from our favorite yarn gurus, we can hardly wait until we start getting all of the lovely new things in stock. Now we're excited to announce that we have two new multi-seasonal Himalaya Yarns in stock and ready to ship and have added them to our New Yarns for Spring/Summer 2011 department.
First off, we rely on Himalaya Yarns to bring us high-quality, exotic fibers at affordable prices, and their Duke Silk yarn surely fulfills our expectations. A beautiful, single ply fiber gem, solid-colored "Duke Silk" knits and crochets up as that versatile light worsted weight yarn for your year-round projects. Perfect for tops, cardigans, jackets, tunics, shawls, scarves and other accessories, "Duke Silk" is sensationally crafted in India of 100% silk in lovely jewel tone solids.
Then as the perfect complement to shimmering, single-hued "Duke Silk," now enjoy variegated Duke Silk Multi. Beautifully spun & hand-dyed in India, "Duke Silk Multi" is fantastic knitted and crocheted alone or color coordinated with the matching solid shades. Also since "Duke Silk Multi" is available in generous 225-yard hanks, you'll have fewer tie-ins and less finishing work with all the superb shawls, tops, scarves, cardis and accessories you'll enjoy creating.
And, as always, Himalaya Yarns owner Anni Kristensen and her design team offer lovely "Duke Silk" projects ready to inspire you. Here are some of our favorites but be sure to check out all 13 patterns in the Himalaya Patterns area:
The stunning yet easy Spiral Nebula Shawl project shows you just how beautifully the "Duke Silk Multi" works up in a straightforward design.
The Duke Silk Raglan Shrug fits right in with the trend for romantic, lacy styles and is an ideal topper for your favorite cami or top year round.
Also check out the feminine, lacy lines of the open-weave Lace Tunic that's just perfect to dress up any outfit.
Stand out in any crowd with the lovely Making Waves Stole where you can choose your favorite shades to highlight.
The sleeveless Striped Ribbed Top is just right for the current warmer temps in North America yet it will also be lovely worn under your favorite jacket or cardigan in the autumn. We especially love how using a shade of "Duke Silk" combined with a contrasting color combo of "Duke Silk Multi" gives you almost a plaid effect in this terrific top.
The classic, shoulder-hugging Argentina Shawl is the creative design of Sarah Barbour of Rope Knits, and you can certainly tell just how much she loves this yarn!
And last but certainly not least, the shaping and detailing of Therese Chynoweth's Victorian Lace Cardigan are definitely eye catching and will enhance your wardrobe year round.
Add Bling & Glamour to Any Outfit with Self-Ruffling Yarn
After getting in stock last month the much anticipated shipment of Flounce yarn, we were very excited to learn that another intriguing novelty scarf yarn from Knitting Fever has arrived, and it's sure to live up to your expectations too.
When you're looking for a fun, easy way to add a little bling to your wardrobe without breaking the bank, take a peek at fabulous, trendy Tinseltown yarn. Now you can let this yarn do much of the work for you because "Tinseltown" is constructed on one edge with open spaces so that you can knit or crochet in every other square or so and get automatic ruffling. The rest of the lovely ribbon base has shimmering metallic polyester interwoven with the acrylic fiber for marvelous glitz year round! This fabulous yarn is ideal for feminine scarves to accent your favorite top, jacket, cardigan, coat or sweater year round. You can also use it as trim at the collar and/or cuffs of your next project and combined with a classic yarn for contrast. Or just think of what a beautiful ruffle it would add to a lovely shawl project.
Also as with the Easy Flounce Scarf project, "Tinseltown" comes with its own free scarf pattern. The glitzy Tinseltown Scarf pattern takes just one ball of "Tinseltown" and in about two hours or so you'll have a fantastic addition to your accessories collection. Also think of how many wonderful gifts you can create for the women in your family too with the one free pattern and so many great colors of yarn from which to choose!
Enjoy a Fall Preview with New Yarns and Pattern Booklets from Berroco
Twice a year when the yarn company representatives start visiting us, we're always eager to see what the yarn aficionados at Berroco have cooked up for the next season and beyond. Well-known for taking fashion trends and making them wearable & affordable for the fashion-conscious woman, Berroco gives us two terrific new yarns plus their dedicated pattern collections as we start receiving the new fall items.
To start us off, when you crave sophisticated colorways reminiscent of a Renoir painting in a yarn that's oh-so soft and beautiful, discover the wonders of Boboli yarn. Superbly crafted in Italy of 42% wool, 35% acrylic & 23% rayon, "Boboli" has a lustrous sheen and elegant drape for all your multi-seasonal projects.
Spun as a single ply, light worsted fiber gem, "Boboli" works up marvelously in knitted & crocheted tops, cardigans, hats, scarves, shawls, bags & more. And each hank has a generous 206 yards, so even with classic garments, you have fewer tie-ins and less finishing work to do.
And as in past seasons, Norah Gaughan and her design team have terrific pattern support in the dedicated booklet for "Boboli" -- Berroco #312: Boboli. This stunning design book includes nine "Boboli" patterns built around an "Alice in Wonderland" theme such as:
The classic yet versatile Dodgson Cardigan that almost looks like it has a scarf accenting the front when you're finished;
The elegant Lutwidge Jacket with its longer length;
The clever and attractive Liddell Scarf that's simply stunning as the feature for the booklet's cover;
The traditional Alice Turtleneck Top with modern twists on the sleeves; and
The adorable Charles Rabbit toy for all the wee ones in your life.
And the second new Berroco yarn is just as special! For a super chunky blend of warm wool, ultra soft baby alpaca & durable acrylic, we highly recommend new Souffle yarn for all your quick-to-create projects. Spun in Italy as a wonderful woven chainette, self-striping "Souffle" is airy and lightweight plus you knit and crochet it on large needles and hooks. Just imagine what terrific, quick-to-create tops, cardis, jackets, ponchos, hats, bags and other accessories you can make up for yourself and as fantastic gifts!
Now the new Berroco #310: Souffle pattern booklet is dedicated to this second new yarn and is full of great ideas. Accessories such as the cute yet practical Gulini Legwarmers, the trendy, generously sized Souffle Francon Cowl and the classic Brutto Mittens are great gift ideas. Then the Raffaella Hooded Capelet is fabulous as a trendy piece of outerwear. Also consider the Souffle Jacobellis Pullover as sensational addition to your sweater collection this fall.
Explore the Wonderful World of Noro in New Book of Superb Projects
Well, we know how much you love exploring new books that feature Eisaku Noro's superb colorways in his sensational Noro Yarns, and we are showcasing one such brand-new pattern collection -- Knit Noro.
In this beautiful tribute to Noro, nature, art and design come together to produce a collection of 30 knits that dazzle and delight the eye. In this volume of all-new patterns, more than 25 top knitwear designers have created an array of beautiful designs to showcase your favorite Noro yarns. Indulge yourself in the stunning colors and lush textures of these legendary yarns by creating sweaters, shawls, hats, scarves, afghans and more.
We know that you enjoy browsing through the collections and projects and offer some of our staff picks just to get you started:
The feminine, colorful Silk Garden Ruffled Wristers are the perfect accent to any fall outfit and yet they are highly functional as well.
The clever, innovative Kureyon Bobble Wrap has whimsical bobbles dancing across a field of seed stitch and stockinette stripes for a superb gift or addition to your wardrobe.
The Lace Leaf Socks are sure to enliven any outfit, and the Felted Chevron Scarf takes a classic technique to a whole other level of achievement and beauty.
You can even explore just how lovely Noro yarns are when knitted up into such afghans as the traditional Patchwork Afghan and the modern Taiyo Modular Afghan.
Big Changes for Bargain Yarns Plus a Few Customer Service Reminders
We are excited to announce that we've just launched a new area on our Yarnmarket website -- the brand-new Yarnmarket's Bargain Yarns department conveniently located as a tabbed feature at the top of every web page (it's right next to the regular "Yarn" tab). We've created this area to focus on money-savings offers you've been checking out on our sister website BargainYARNS.com but that we are now moving to Yarnamrket.com for your shopping convenience. We're including three types of yarns that you'll enjoy being able to add to your YM shopping basket and rack up the savings:
Discontinued items from the brands we already carry on Yarnmarket such as Berroco Bargain Yarns,
Value-priced yarn brands that will be featured regularly on rotating sales specials just as you saw on BargainYARNs.com as with Bernat Value Yarns and
Special money-saving opportunities on some of our most popular yarns in promotional events we are planning to start in August, a totally new approach to current fashion brands for us.
Besides the obvious opportunities for lots of savings, there are two other advantages for you in our reorganizing the bargain yarns offerings: (1) You can quickly and easily add any and all sales items to your shopping basket and have one complete order and (2) You'll be able to order complete projects for bargain and value yarns and patterns like with Bernat's adorable Baby Coordinates Hoodie. Now it will take us time to move everything over to the new location but we now have eight of the brands moved over and we're expanding on that number every day, so keep checking back. And, of course, until we have everything moved, you can still order from the BargainYARNs.com website too!
Also we the staff of Yarnmarket.com pride ourselves on our customer service. Each order is packed with pride by Tina, Lisa, Amy 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 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Now these next few weeks are the time of year when we're going on vacation and maybe planning ways to keep our favorite children, grandchildren, nieces & nephews busy and active when we're responsible for their care. What better way to relax on vacation and relieve stress than to bring along a fun knitting or crochet project. And no matter what your favorite young one's interests are, she or he will appreciate your taking the time to share your passion for crafts. Also we can be working ahead on gift items for December and maybe even cute Halloween costumes for the wee ones. So no matter what you're doing, where you're going or who you're with, remember that we're here to help you plan your next project, find a yarn sub for your favorite pattern and be sure to choose just the right gift for your favorite someone.
Thanks for reading and as always,
Happy Knitting & Crocheting!
Your Yarnmarket Knitting Store Staff
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