Check out our Facebook page each day September 24th-30th, for a fun and interesting question about Zealana's yarns, answer, and receive a download code for the Cloud Forest Cowl pattern designed by our very own Kristen Ashbaugh-Helmreich of Marinade Designs!!!



 


Also...Three lucky winners will win two balls of the exquisitely soft Rimu DK yarn in Powiwi Pink, in addition to the Cloud Forest Cowl pattern download code!!!



Rules for Entry:

1. Checkout the Jimmy Beans Wool Facebook page for a zany Zealana question 09/24-09/30/2014 and submit your answer to zealanapossum@jimmybeanswool.com. 
2. One answer will qualify you for a free download code on Ravelry for Kristen Ashbaugh-Helmreich's Cloud Forest Cowl Pattern! The code will be emailed to you on 09/30 (Only one download code per email address).
3. You may answer all seven questions- the more you answer the more chances you have to win the grand prize!!!
4. Each answer submitted is an entry for the grand prize of two balls of Zealana Rimu DK in Powiwi Pink in addition to a download code, which will be decided 09/30/14.

 

Inspired by our newest shipment of marvelous Malabrigo, we checked in with designers Melissa Leapman (designer featured in Malabrigo Book 2, among many other things), Alex Tinsley (Dull Roar Designs), Andrea Rangel (Andrea Rangel Knits), Alexa Ludeman (Tin Can Knits), Julie Weisenberger (Cocoknits), and Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton (Hamilton Yarns) to get their take on this classic yet innovative yarn. Check out their answers to our quirky questions below!


JBW: If Malabrigo colors were Skittles flavors, which would be your favorite?
Melissa Leapman: Sour Green Apple (Apple Green), of course! Who doesn't like to pucker up?
Alex Tinsley: Sour Strawberry! But maybe that's just my actual favorite flavor (I do love Mal reds though.)
Andrea Rangel: I love orange...so I think I'd go with Rhodesian. It looks delicious!
Alexa Ludeman: Cherry (Ravelry Red)...maybe lime (Lettuce)?
Julie Weisenberger: Classic Vanilla, i.e., Natural. I know, so boring but I never get tired of it!
Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton: Raspberry


JBW: If you were stranded on a desert (arctic most likely) island and you could only have one Malabrigo base for the rest of your life, which would it be?
Melissa: Silky Merino. Great drape, great sheen, great all around!
Alex: Merino Worsted will always be my fave.
Andrea: If I was stranded on an arctic island, I'd have to take Malabrigo Sock along. It's soft, durable, comes in beautiful colors, and if I wanted something heavier than fingering weight, I could hold multiple strands together.
Alexa: I would choose Malabrigo Worsted, so soft and smooshy!
Julie: I would have to say Chunky! I love how it's plied but not too regularly, it still has a hand-made feel to it. And since I'll be on an arctic island I'll need it for warmth ;).
Cornelia: Rastita.


JBW: If you could take your favorite Malabrigo yarn on a date, where would you go?
Melissa: A cruise to South America. I could knit up all the Malabrigo I bring with me onboard and then replenish my supply during a visit to the factory!
Alex: Hmmm... Sledding followed by hot buttered beverages in front of the fire.
Andrea: I'd take a bike ride to the beach and knit while watching the sunset.
Alexa: I would take Malabrigo Worsted out for a lovely evening. We would go roller skating (ironically) and then out for tacos. No reason, I'm just in the mood for tacos.
Julie: I'd buy a baguette, cheese and bottle of wine and take my Malabrigo (and needles) on a picnic along the Seine.
Cornelia: I would take them to a gallery opening!

JBW: What is your absolute favorite project to knit with Malabrigo and why?
Melissa: Writing an entire book of patterns using their yarn (Malabrigo Book 2)! It would allow me the opportunity to play for hours and hours with tons of qualities and colors. Pure heaven!!
Alex: Hats of course :)
Andrea: Making my Sentiment Shawl with Rasta was really fun. It's so bright, quick, and luxurious. Plus, I love knitting lace!
Alexa: Lace. I am currently obsessed with Emily's Gothic Lace scarf in Malabrigo Worsted, the lace looks great in a worsted weight!
Julie: My Prairie Boots Pattern, in which case I would use colored yarn ;).
Cornelia: Boleros and shawlettes, because the yarns and colors are so great as an accessory!

I hope you had as much fun as we did when we got to read these, and you're inspired to create with Malabrigo Yarns!!!

Also, you can still join in the fun on Ravelry with our #GoAheadMakeMalabrigo Challenge; it ends September 30th!!

~Olivia

Extra, Extra!!! We've got Blue Sky Alpacas Fever!!! 

If you think the Blue Sky Alpaca trunk show is love at first sight, you should really come touch them! It only gets better! 


Our ladies modeled a number of the garments, including (from left to right in the group shot): the crocheted Daisy Wrap in Metalico, silver; the Kaw Valley Wrap in Alpaca Silk, Ruby; the Sylvia Sweater in Alpaca Silk, White, the Peruvian Cable scarf in Worsted Hand Dyes, Rusty Orange; the Brushed Suri Wrap in Brushed Suri, Whipped Cream; and the Brushed Suri Tunic also in Brushed Suri, Sweet Potato Pie. 



Also in shop are the crocheted Valerie's Cardigan and the Vladimira's Shell. Be sure to stop by before Sept. 23rd to check them out in person! 






We also have a free class coming up Sept 27th to make the Fractal Cowl, using BSA's new Extra Yarn! We've waived the class fee, you'll just need to come in and purchase Extra Yarn in your favorite color (and needles or notions as needed!) Hope to see you soon, for the trunk show, the class, or any of your other yarn needs!