Newsletter 954
Behold: Serene Bloom!
We are thrilled to the tips of our toes that Camellia Fiber Co's Serene Bloom has arrived and taken up residence in the Local Nook! We're completely in the tank for everything our friend Silbia at Camellia turns out, but we're especially excited about this new addition to her lineup.
Serene Bloom is a 100% non-superwash mill-dyed Merino that comes in nine shades across three weights: fingering, dk and aran. That's twenty-seven different little dumplings of happiness! Serene Bloom's 19.5-micron count makes it super round and super soft and super squishy, with a slightly tighter twist across each weight to keep pilling down. We think it's, well, uh, super!
It's early days yet samplewise, but keep reading for project suggestions. And if you're in the shop, definitely pop into the local nook to gaze upon the wall full of Serene Bloom. We have a little something worked up in each weight so you can see how Serene behaves. We think you'll fall in love as quickly as we did!
You'll find all three weights of Serene Bloom RIGHT HERE.
For Serene Aran: The Barcelona Vest
The aran weight version of Serene is absolutely the perfect yarn for a Barcelona Vest. Easily the pattern Meg has worked the most versions of, Barcelona is knit top down with decorative increases at the shoulders that create a gorgeous faux seam line. Designed with a slightly oversized fit and a deep neckline and armholes, it's perfect for layering over all those adorable puffy sleeve shirts that are trending right now.
You can find the Barcelona Vest pattern right HERE. Refer to the chart above for yardage and sizing guidance. Serene Aran is RIGHT HERE. You'll only need three or four balls, which brings this closet staple in for less than a hundred bucks.
For Serene DK: The Star Scarf
We showed you a small Star Scarf earlier this year, but we've also been sitting on a larger Serene-made version for a little bit. The Star Scarf is a new addition to the long tradition of small portable projects with easily memorizable patterns. Toss two balls of yarn and a handful of stitch markers in your bag and hit the road. Before you know it, you'll be sporting a Star of your very own. The Star Scarf is worked lengthwise in garter stitch and uses (extremely simple) short rows to form an interesting angled design with two different colors. It's an ingenious little reversible stripe of style, if you ask us! And seriously: do not be put off by that short row bit; this is in fact a super easy way to learn what they're all about.
The Star Scarf pattern is RIGHT HERE; it's written for both fingering and DK weights (either/or) in two different lengths (it's foolproof, though: it works in any yarn gauge). We used Serene DK in Red Poppy and Grapefruit; one ball of each is more than enough! You can find that RIGHT HERE.
The Alpaca Sparkle Cowl in Alpaca Sparkle
As we keep mentioning - sorry! - it's time to think about the holidays. We just got a hefty restock of Alpaca Sparkle, the perfect yarn for quick uh, sparkly accessories that are great to have in your closet for holiday time!
Alpaca Sparkle is an aran weight yarn made up of poly, alpaca, wool and cotton. Each of the nine shades features (quite difficult to photograph) identically-colored sequins dispersed throughout, which lends a subtle sparkle to your project. This yarn is great for shawls and scarves - and with that in mind, Meg worked up a quick in-Haus cowl pattern for it. Grab a single ball of Alpaca Sparkle (just one? Yes!) and we'll include a printed copy of her Alpaca Sparkle Cowl pattern gratis.
The Alpaca Sparkle Cowl is a quick triangle that achieves its ultimate size quickly thanks to twinned increases on every other row; you'll be done before you know it! Meg added a little button rather than seam it; simply slip the button through the fairly loose fabric to secure the cowl and you're all set,
Find Alpaca Sparkle RIGHT HERE. You'll need just one ball - plus some US10s. We've got eight billion needle options.
(Because we know you'll ask: the cardigan in the above photo is the Carya; read about it in Newsletter 907).
It's Sailor Slippers Season!
In addition to holiday time, it's also Sailor Slipper time. We've definitely seen an uptick in folks looking for supplies for them! We definitely get why - they're quick knits and make fantastic gifts.
Annie Germain's Sailor Slippers are a fairly simple project to tackle (technically described as "advanced beginner"): first, knit a giant slipper that would, oh, fit Bigfoot. Then, through the use of hot water (and magic!) your slipper turns out to be non-Bigfoot-sized. Meg knocked them out in two nights...plus wishy-washy time.
We've got two gorgeous chunky yarns for these: Laines du Nord's Young and Trendy and Tov. Both are 100% non-superwash wool (critical for felting!). Between the two, we've got almost forty color options. FORTY! An almost infinite number of combinations!
Refer to the chart above for quantity guidance. You'll also need US 11 needles (circs or straights)...and a washing machine!
Young and Trendy Solids are RIGHT HERE.
Young and Trendy Stripes are RIGHT HERE.
Tov is RIGHT HERE.
Optional suede slipper soles are HERE.
The Sailor Slippers pattern is RIGHT HERE.
Finished slipper photo: ©Annie Germain
Aunt Shelle, Coming Around Again!
We know: these things come around more than a merry-go-round! But we simply cannot keep up with demand! We've restocked three colors of the Aunt Shelle needle cases; now is the time to pop them onto your wish list and maybe drop a few hints.
And just in case you missed the other fifty times we've chatted about these in the past few months...
Aunt Shelle's suede or canvas zippered needle cases have a whopping pre-labeled 64 needle slots (along with over a dozen additional unlabeled ones for extras), but the features are almost endless. Zips, zags, pockets, pouches, secret doorways to other worlds...the list goes on and on.
We currently have three different exteriors in stock - blue suede and brown or polka dot canvas - but the innards are the same in all three. Check out these features:
- Suede or canvas exterior; cotton interior with poly taping
- 64 (!) labeled needle slots, sizes 2.00 mm (US 2) - 10.00 mm (US 15), fitting 2", 3", 4" and 5" needles
- 14 additional unlabeled slots for extra needles, DPNs, crochet hooks, etc.
- 3 zipper pockets to hold cables, notions, and tools
- 2 mesh zipper pockets
- 4 accordion slots to hold fixed circular needle
Choose your favorite Aunt Shelle Needle Case RIGHT HERE and never worry about needle storage again. (now y'all...needles are not included).