Why Zara? Win some and fall in love!

If you get our newsletter, then you've already heard the really exciting news! We just received brand new colors of our go-to yarn, Zara, from Tahki Stacy Charles' brand Filatura di Crosa! This incredibly soft DK weight yarn is made of 100% extra fine merino wool and has great yardage (137 yards per ball!) 

As we've found here at the store, knitters hooked on Zara come back to this tried and true classic, project after project. But where does this amazing fiber come from? I chatted with Stacy Charles, co-owner of Tahki Stacy Charles, about Zara and was intrigued to learn about the history of the company and the yarn line. 

Stacy has been a part of the yarn industry his entire life. Just out of college, he started working for his Uncle Sam and Aunt Irma, who imported European yarns to the hand-knitting market. (They were the first importers of Annie Blatt products here in the U.S.) Stacy started out pulling and shipping orders and eventually worked his way up to managing accounts and helping with the business operations. A few years later, Irma and Sam decided to sell the company and Stacy headed to Italy! His love of European fashion and knitting inspired him to start his own importing company which would bring the prestigious Filatura di Crosa line to the American market, along with countless designer labels, most notably MISSONI.

Meanwhile, long time friend and fellow New Yorker Diane Friedman (founder of Tahki Yarns) was looking for a change in direction. They decided to merge the two companies and voila! Tahki Stacy Charles debuted in January of 2000.  Since then, the company has continued to grow and flourish. The company now offers 4 different brands of yarn to it's loyal customers- Tahki Yarns, Loop-d-Loop, S. Charles Collezione and of course, Filatura di Crosa.



Stacy says that hands down his favorite part after all of his years in the industry is still creating yarn. His favorite is (of course!) 100% cashmere, but his second love is extra fine merino. He told me that he thinks Zara is the best basic merino out there, and we can see why.

Here's why we love Zara:

• Highest quality 100% extrafine Merino wool.
• Superwash- need we say more?! (We do recommend that if you would like to throw your Zara knits into the wash, be sure to wet-block your swatch!)
• It does not pill and keeps its shape.
• Terrific for family knits (think wearability, washability and still looking great!)
• Fabulous stitch definition!
• An already great color palette which now includes 8 new colors for fall/winter!

And if that wasn't enough, what is great yarn without great pattern support? Here are just some of the FREE patterns available on the TSC website:

All Over Cable Cardigan

Bow-Tie Pullover

Plum Pullover

Zara Cabled Tunic

Diagonal Slit Pullover

My favorite is the Mantova Lacy Top, which is a free pattern available for download from the TSC website. This new garment is just perfect for fall/winter. I mean, look at the great stitch definition in the rib, cable and lace patterns, and the yarn creates a sweater with wonderful 'memory' and depth of texture. And it's just challenging enough for me that it will keep me interested! 

But enough about my knitting, I want to hear about yours! We decided to give 2 lucky winners the chance to score some Zara of their very own. Warning, once you try it you will not be able to resist it in the future- be ready to fall in love!

Here's the deal. Leave a comment on our blog (only one per person, please!) and tell us what you would make with 5 balls of the lovely Zara if you were a winner. The contest will close on Wednesday, November 9th at 6pm PST. We will pick and announce our 2 winners on Thursday.

Until then, if you'd like to find out more about Zara, Stacy or Tahki Stacy Charles, be sure to check them out here:

Facebook
Twitter
Newsletter- This is a monthly e-newsletter packed with the latest fashion news from the European runways.  Subscribers will receive at least one free pattern (sometimes more) in each issue - great designs with Italian flair.

I can't wait to hear your ideas! Happy Knitting everyone!

Bethany

PS- Did you hear that Beans for Brains is at it again? But we need your help!!
Beans for Brains 2012 Scholarship Program! Don't just apply- Donate!
JBW and 9 other sponsors will be matching YOUR donations dollar for dollar during the month of November (each sponsor will be matching up to $1,000 each, for a total of $10,000) to the Beans for Brains Scholarship fund. We will be accepting donations here and in our retail store with the targeted goal of raising $10,000 from all of YOU for a total of $20,000 in awards!! Together, we can help Craft a Higher Education! Track your donations on our Beans for Brains Facebook page!!