Category Archives: yarn reviews

We are just THRILLED that it is VESTVEMBER!

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So…after talking several times with both Yahaira and Karen in recent days, I decided to cast on for a Vestvember project! (There are both Ravelry and Flickr groups for Vestvember…be sure to check them out!)

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I was at Unravel the other day, because I heard a rumor that they had ordered some Lorna’s Laces yarn and wanted to see that for myself. They didn’t have any Lorna’s, but they did have this interesting yarn from Berroco. I used to shy away from yarns with high acrylic content, but after successfully using Berroco’s Comfort for a big project for myself a few years ago:
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(it has held up GREAT!) I decided to give the Vintage a try.

It feels so nice in the hand, it’s soft, lofty, but still has that Cascade 220 (another fave of mine) feel of like, “ok, this is just plain, simple, old-fashioned YARN.” I *like* fluffy fancy high-end wools, but sometimes my knitting history calls from deep down inside and I just want YARN. BUT…this is more than “just yarn” … it’s MACHINE WASHABLE. And it feels GOOD! And the colors are FABULOUS! And…And…I knit my Vestvember project in TWO DAYS.

I decided to make a little vest for my Mazie.

Yahaira is doing a turtle / cowl, so I totally copied that. Well, let it sink into my brain until my brain said, “Hey! How about a turtle / cowl?” And I said, “Well, that would be GREAT! I wonder if Yahaira would think that would be cute?” (wink) Here is the start of my turtleneck on top of the cabinets that Nathan is refacing. (little peek into life at the New House.)

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THEN…I thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if I could make this sweater for Mazie one year and have it still fit the NEXT year?” SO…I lengthened the armholes (in a decorative way) with the plan of adding little tabs at the side that I can move down as she gets bigger.
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I also did a little deco thing at the hem, so that I could fold the hem at any of the purl ridges and hem it…then LET IT DOWN as she needs more length!! I didn’t hem this one, but I *could.*

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Mazie likes it…I think.
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Sprout

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The last few days have been great! I’ve gotten so much checked off my To Do list, I can’t believe it!

One of the yarns I’ve been working with this week is Classic Elite Sprout.

Classic Elite Sprout

This 100% organic yarn is so soft and lofty. It’s going to make a lovely sweater for Mazie!

Classic Elite Sprout

Maybe you can tell from the “winder” picture, we’re getting more and more moved in. As we finish painting one room, we can fill it up and shuffle things around and eventually, everything will be unpacked. At least that’s what I’ve been telling myself.

Here’s a sneak peek of a shawl that I just finished, to be released as a pattern in a new Stitch CoOp Shawls / Scarves booklet that we’re working on. Knit in Cascade 220 Superwash Paints.

Sneak_peek

I’m in a blue phase. Blue is so calming.

…Speaking of Knitting in the Sun

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I’ve got a warm-weather FO to share!

lilac sweater

This sweater has been spotted in the background of several photos, it’s been living on the mannequin in my living room for MONTHS.

It’s knit back and forth on circs, with the lapels picked up last. The yarn is Dali from Textiles a Mano. I blogged about the yarn here. That was a LONG time ago! Almost a year!

rayon silk sweater lapels

One thing that slowed me down is that the yarn is one of those that you really have to want to knit. It’s stiff, so you can’t really ZOOM with it…but it’s SO WORTH IT. The fabric is definitely holding its shape…it’s been on the mannequin for almost a year and hasn’t stretched out. The texture of the fibers is so perfect (see the post I linked to earlier for closeups) and the sheen is amazingly luminous! It shines like pearls.

Stay Tuned this week for another book review, a SOAK promo, and more Summer Knits!

LB collection swatches.

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Around the time of my podcast chat with Zontee of Lion Brand Yarns, I received a sampler of some of the new LB Collection yarns.

I had a chance to play with a few over the weekend. Lion doesn’t have a special page just for this collection, so I’m adding links to the individual info pages.

Here’s my swatch of the Superwash Merino:
LB superwash merino

I knit the swatch in stockinette, then in seed stitch, then a ribbed cable. I used a 5 instead of the recommended 6. Superwash yarns can sometimes feel sort of over-treated or almost like an acrylic. The LB superwash, though, is soft and lofty. As I was knitting it, it felt thin as it ran through my fingers, but it really sproinged up when knit. I think this would be great as a DK sock yarn, and also for baby stuff! The stitch definition is really nice, as you can see, so would do well with any textured pattern.

This is the Cotton Bamboo.

LB cotton bamboo

You know how some cotton (or bamboo or hemp) yarns can feel like string and hurt your hands as you use it? At first, this one LOOKED to me like it would, but once I cast on and started working with it, I really liked it. It has a really nice loft, so it creates a drapey, soft fabric. (I started a reclamation scarf with it, of course!) It has a subtle sheen and a really nice texture.

LB wool stainless steel
The next one that I’m going to try out is the LB collection wool stainless steel. My friend Cindy gave me a partial cone of habu wool that I’m going to carry along with this. See how well the colors coordinate? I can’t wait to try it! (have to meet a couple deadlines, then I can play!) :)

Oh, and here’s the Organic Wool. LB_organic_woolI think that the circle shrug from Glam Knits: 25 Designs For Luxe Yarns would look GREAT in this!
circle shrug

New Bamboo! The color of Hope.

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Scarf Kits will be available as soon as I can get them listed.

Here’s a preview:
What is the color of hope?

And there are more drying! There are about 40 in all. Most are DK weight bamboo, same as last time, but the rest are a really pretty worsted chain-type bamboo and a tape yarn made of corn.

Hope DK bamboo #14

My theme this time is “The color of hope.” I was dyeing these while Nathan and I were watching the inauguration. He asked me, “What color do you think represents hope?” We decided at the time that it was a golden yellow, like the color of Michelle’s dress. The more I thought about it, the more colors started to come to mind. The rusty auburn of my daughter’s hair, the flush of healthy pink cheeks, the blue of a clear sky, a rich royal purple, and, of course, green for money, spring grasses, my grandmother’s eyes.

Hope DK bamboo #10

So, this batch of yarn incorporates a little bit of each of these colors. Some came out mostly blue with a little green, while others are vibrant purple and chartreuse with a little peach. I’ll post them individually so that you can see how they differ.

Dyeing yarn is always an interesting experiment. I love to layer the colors, which is why they are each so unique.

As usual, the kits come with stitch markers, 3 scarf patterns, and 50g hand dyed bamboo or corn yarn. (Plus whatever Glampyre swag I can find to stick in with them!)