Newsletter 907
Pour Yourself a Champagne Cardigan
We've definitely mentioned this one before, but one of the most admired samples in the shop has to be the Champagne Cardigan from designer PetiteKnit. Worked from the top down with raglan increases on the yoke and featuring a deep V-neck, holding two strands of yarn together (one strand of Sandnes Garn Double Sunday and one strand of Sandnes Garn Tynn Silk Mohair) produces an incredibly soft fabric. There's just something magical about how that laceweight strand of silk mohair adds so much squishy softness to the fabric!
Our shop sample is worked up in Ballet Tutu, but our Alison has been working on a fresh Lemon one and we're absolutely smitten with the idea of Champagne in a brighter color (the cardigan, not the wine...avoid brightly colored champagne as a rule). Meg's made herself a Bubblegum one, but think about Matcha or bright Blue..."Champagne" doesn't have to mean "champagne-colored"!Shop Double Sunday HERE and Tynn Silk Mohair HERE! You can find the Champagne Cardigan pattern HERE! For yarn quantity guidance, refer to the chart above.
Celina Mancourti...Now in Black!
Our old friend Karen Templer once declared that "camo IS a neutral" and we couldn't agree more, which is why we're so in love with the new black tote from Celina Mancourti: it's got a chic camo stripe down the side! Add a leather crossbody strap in Army and you'll be all set.
Perfect for Christmas List hint-hinting, both sizes of Celina Mancourti's spacious totes are perfect companions for travels, shopping excursions, beach outings, daily errands, and countless other activities...but more to our purposes, these are great knitting bags!
- Tote Dimensions: 19" x 14" x 5"
- Mini Tote dimensions: 15" x 13" x 5" (the mini features an interior hanging pocket large enough for a wallet, phone or various knitting notions.
Both sizes are made from heavyweight natural canvas. Made in the US, they're machine-washable (cold water; line dry to preserve shape; remove leather strap - keep reading! - before laundering).
Though we're yammering about that Army strap today (because just LOOK AT IT!), the detachable leather straps comes in a half-dozen other colorways and are sold separately, so make sure you add a strap to your order as well! Otherwise, you're just gonna have a fancy canvas bucket. The strap is tough enough for daily use and only gets better with time! The crossbody strap measures 38" x 1.5"
There's also a little knotted leather charm that you can add if you'd like a little bit of added bling, so check those out while you're looking.
Totes, Mini Totes, straps and charms are all RIGHT HERE. Oh, and they're also available in natural canvas...no camo stripe on the natural, but you can't go wrong with a classic!
Carya Cardigan
We got a visit from our favorite combination-yarn-rep-yarn store-owner Mary Stowe this week (we told you about her back in August), and while she was here, we were reminded that she's also a pattern designer! We love her stylish little cardigan, Carya. We have the very sample in the photo above in the store right now! It's worked up in Modern Tweed Aran in three colors: grey, ecru and berry...but almost any combo of three works! We also love the clean drama possible with a black and cream version with a little light blue pop on the rib and button band. This is a terrific way to introduce a staple layering piece into your outfit rotation!
Modern Tweed takes a classic tweed vibe and makes it softer and lighter to create a yarn that's as comfortable as it is beautiful. This aran weight blend of wool and polyamide has viscose slubs spun right in, giving it texture and interest. The end result: stunning sweaters, scarves, hats, and more.
You can find the free Carya pattern HERE; take a quick look to make some yarn quantity decisions. You can find Modern Tweed Aran RIGHT HERE.
Granny Squares Decks Restock
These massively popular Granny Squares Card Decks have been restocked...just in time for shoving into stockings!
These sturdy, stylish boxes contain 50 colorful cards, each featuring a gorgeous granny square. On the front of each 4 x 4" card is a color photograph of the finished granny square, and nothing else. This allows you to lay out the designs and easily mix, match and create your own design combinations. Simply flip the card over to find the instructional crochet chart and joining instructions.
Also in the box is a 32-page booklet, which contains a comprehensive step-by-step guide to reading and understanding crochet charts, with five side-by-side examples of pattern and chart instructions to get you started. You'll also find advice on choosing yarns and hooks, two different methods for joining your squares together, and guidance on color placement and arrangement so that you can achieve success every time.
The perfect tool to help you mix and match granny square designs for any handmade project, this deck can be easily slipped into your bag for on-the-go crochet. Each square is made using the same hook and yarn weight and is the same finished size, so that the squares can be joined together in any combination with ease.
There are two decks currently in stock: the Original and Stitches. Grab one RIGHT HERE!