I thought writing about mink yarn would be a breeze! Mink have been raised on farms since the late 1800s so there should be a ton of good solid factual info out there. Right? Wrong! Mink is such a new fiber to the yarn world that little has been written on the subject.

How did the subject of mink yarn come up? Because we carry an absolutely lovely 100% mink yarn - Mimi, from Lotus Yarns! I mentioned Lotus yarns in my last Fiber Feature post about Yak. Lotus is a high quality spinning mill that produces custom natural and luxury fiber yarns for some very familiar labels. Now Lotus Yarns is producing luxury fiber yarns under their own label and Trendsetter is the US distributor for them.

You must touch Mimi to get a true appreciation for how soft it is. It is every bit as soft as Yak down but doesn't have that smooth cool butter sensation. The feel is warmer, much like cashmere, which it is often blended with.

Mimi is a thin yarn, and looking at it I would classify it as a light fingering weight. I have noticed that based on Trendsetter's information some sites are listing it as a sport weight and others a lace weight. The label doesn't give a stitch count but does recommend a US 3-4 needle, suggesting to me something lighter than sport but not as light as lace. Mimi comes in solid colors and now Trendsetter has teamed up with Alchemy to create beautifully hand-dyed colors - Mimi Hand-dyed. The hanks are 330 yds per 50 grams so you get enough yardage in one hank to work a nice sized cowl, scarf or small lace shawl.

Mink have a dual coat consisting of a soft undercoat and long outer guard hairs. The guard hairs are stiffer and slightly prickly feeling. But the undercoat is soft and helps to insulate the animal from the cold. This undercoat is the fiber that is spun into yarn, after processing to remove the guard hairs. I couldn't find any information on micron count but it's inferred that it is in the same range as cashmere and angora. The fibers can be as long as 1 1/2 inches but are often shorter. American mink have the longest coat so are the species most cultivated for fibers. Because of how short and fine the fibers are, you will often find mink blended with other fibers. When I've removed a few fibers from a strand, Mimi seems to have a staple length on the longer side of the range and is comprised of 3 plies. Each of the 3 singles is tightly spun, the tight twist helps to make a strong yarn.

Now for the question I know you all are asking, because I asked it too. Are the mink harmed obtaining this fiber? The answer is no! Yes, they are farmed and the fibers are shaved or combed from the animal about 3 times a year, when they would normally shed their undercoat. This process is very similar to how we get angora from rabbits and wool from sheep. Well treated animals provide the best quality fibers which are worth the highest prices so it is in the mink farmer's best interest to have healthy, happy animals. An animals coat is the first place signs of stress appear so fiber producers are highly motivated to take the best care of their animals. Their livelihoods depend on it!

I hope this has been informative, the yarn is yummy to the touch and would make lovely, delicate, lacy projects such as cowls, shawls & scarves as special gifts for the holidays. Here are some patterns that this yarn would be lovely in:

Asterope by Rosemary "Romi" Hill:

Asterope

Cilantro by Indiegirl:

Cilantro

Clarus by Laura Nelkin:

Clarus

The Guernsey Triangle by Brooklyn Tweed:

Guernsey Triangle

Or Buttonwillow which is also by Romi Hill:

Buttonwillow

If a scarf or cowl is more your style, try the Cream and Sugar Cowl from Never Not Knitting:

Cream & Sugar Cowl

Or, the Churchmouse Diagonal Scarf and Wrap:

Diagonal Scarf & Wrap

Have fun and enjoy!
Terry

Plenty of new thing just keep on rollin' through our doors -I can hardly keep up! This week we've got everything from the latest in novelty knitting to a glimpse at the styles to come in 2011!

How big a glimpse, you ask? Well, between Norah Gaughan's pattern booklet Volume 8 and the latest issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine, I'd say a fairly large glimpse :) I am always in awe of Norah's simple yet intricate geometric designs, and her latest collection is particularly stunning. Lacy, open stitch patterns are a common motif in Vol. 8, creating wistful, artistic garments knit in lightweight cotton and linen blends. The airy nature of this collection is picture perfect in pastels and features the purely divine Pure Pima and summery soft Linsey. Linsey is one of Berroco's new yarns this year and will be available on our website soon! I wish I could give you some tantalizing tidbits regarding Linsey, but I have yet to see it for myself.

The Winter 2010/11 issue of Vogue Knitting, however, is no mystery! Page after page of hip, urban designs and classic, form-fitting styles, this Vogue has something for every wintry activity! Over-sized cabled scarves such as the Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted Hand Dyes Scarf for those long weekends on the slopes and the asymmetrical Draped Cardigan for staying warm at the office without putting a crimp in your savvy fashion-sense are just a few of the fabulous patterns in this issue as well as an enticing preview of the trends ahead!

If you prefer the simplicity of everyday styles to high-fashion runway knits, consider some of the free patterns available from the Stitch Nation website. Founded by Debbie Stoller, author of the famed Stitch 'N Bitch series, Stitch Nation features a stellar line of affordable, all natural yarns as well as a continually growing collection of excellent free patterns for a wide range of ability levels. Recently posted is one of my favorites, the Beloved Shawl, available as a kit on our website! This classic shawl is knit in silky soft Bamboo Ewe, a worsted weight blend of bamboo and wool. The leaf-like lace pattern and a delicate swallow-tailed edge gains a fresh modern look from the luscious, vibrant hues of Bamboo Ewe.

Looking for something a little more... unique? Try knitting with Flounce! Much like Trendsetter's Flamenco, this new novelty yarn from Katia has an open, net-like construction that can be transformed into bouncy flouncy ruffles by knitting along one edge.  The self-striping colorways of Flounce add extra flare to the texture and depth of this particular fiber, making it perfect for scarves, accessories, accents and more! For a super easy yet striking neck warmer, use 2 balls of Flounce for the Flounce Scarf! Available as a kit, this scarf knits up in no time on size US 11 needles and the pattern, which includes detailed pictures describing how to knit with this yarn, is free on the KFI website!

Have a splendiferous week and happy knitting and crocheting!
Leanne

You may have noticed I missed posting last week's latest products, but I assure you it was not due to a lack of new stuff... quite the opposite in fact! And now that you're (hopefully) done with your holiday knitting and crocheting, it is time to find new, exciting projects to keep those digits busy!

Tosh Merino DK in Oxblood

Toshaholics beware, we have added two new Madelinetosh yarns to the website: Pashmina and Tosh Merino DK. If you haven't had a chance to feel Pashmina, an ultra silky soft merino, silk and cashmere blend, indulge in a hank (or two!) -you won't be disappointed! On top of its luxurious hand, Pashmina comes in over 40 gorgeous hand dyed colorways that work up all-to-easily into elegant scarves and shawls. Of course the Toshmania continues with Tosh Merino DK! This sumptuous machine washable single ply yarn is new to Madelinetosh and scheduled to be released in 2011... but you can get it right now exclusively from Jimmy Beans! This super-soft yarn comes with over 200 yards per 100g hank and is available in dozens of your favorite Tosh colorways.

Need something to knit with Tosh Merino DK or Pashmina? Consider the Autumn Vines Beret, Never Not Knitting's latest design. Just one hank of either Tosh-tastic yarn is enough to knit this charming cap that is sure to become a staple in your winter wardrobe. The cabled stitch pattern is engaging to knit and creates an intricate intertwining vine detail that looks stunning in any hand dyed colorway.

Speaking of patterns, I am in love with the Midnight Sun Legwarmers from Ilga Leja! Extra-long and lightweight, these legwarmers can be worn over the knee or scrunched down without creating unnecessary bulk. My favorite part of this pattern is the multi-color polka dots which can be created using a variegated yarn that contrasts the background color, or by using up those leftover yarn bits that have been sitting in a plastic bag for years. Midnight Sun is great way to fullfil your resolution to slim down your stash with stylish results!

Of course Madelinetosh isn't the only one introducing new yarns for the new year and we've also got a smashing new fiber from Trendsetter! Flamenco, the latest in ruffle-rific knitting, features a unique, net-like construction. Knitting along the edge, Flamenco works up into flouncy, open ruffles that make for a stunning scarf or wrap. Check out the Flamenco Pattern Booklet for some fabulous fashion-forward designs!

If you're looking for post-holidy project inspiration we've got plenty of new books covering the latest styles, yarns and techniques! Be sure to take a peek at Knit Kimono Too from best-selling author Vicki Square, especially if you're hoping to work on your mad knitting skills in 2011! Brimming with classic and modern knits inspired by traditional Asian elements, this book also includes a helpful instructional DVD covering many advanced techniques. For all those knitting fashionistas out there we have two new Kim Hargreaves books hot off the presses! Both Cherished and Touching Elegance are stunning collections of chic, wearable knits featuring your favorite Rowan yarns.

With all this delicious new yarn and must-knit patterns comes the potential for clutter. Stay organized with the Travel Case from della Q! Compact and functional with plenty of pockets and sleeves for keeping essential needles, hooks and notions close at hand, I love the Travel Case for its versatility and portability. Whether you're traveling from the living room to the bedroom, home to work, or Chicago to Seattle, this case makes it easy to bring your knitting with you no matter where you are!

Enjoy the holidays and happy knitting and crocheting!
Leanne :)

It's the holidays and while we are always thinking of how lucky we are around here this is the time of year that it's foremost in our minds. We will be moving into another great year here at JBW, but looking back we have so many to thank for the wonderful year it has been...of course you (our fantastic customers) are always at the top of the list, but our vendors/distributors have been incredible to work with over the last year!!

Lorna's Laces you all ROCK!!! For those of you who may not know Laura and Lorna got going side by side and Laura would go to Lorna's house and buy the yarns for the shop out of her garage...now how cool is that? We are now into our fourth year of the wildly popular limited edition yarn (exclusive to us) from Lorna's and don't see an end in sight on that one, as you all continue to be super excited to see what's new every month!! You can join our LLE fan club on Facebook and for those of you who don't use FB you can still be a member via email. December's color is flying out the door, so check out Sandy Claus by our very own Sandy!


If you haven't heard yet we have a fantastic kit from Rowan yarns featured in Real Simple magazine and it uses the super yummy Lima yarn!! The Make No Mistake Scarf is a free pattern on our site and includes a crocheted version, so what's not to love? Thanks Rowan for such great yarns and for being so amazing to work with!!

How about our amazing friends at Muench yarns? We have had so much fun with them over the last year and certainly long before that, but our relationship just gets stronger everyday, as they are just great to work with!! We carry a bunch of Muench's yarns and one of my personal favorites it the Tessin!! It is super nice to work with and I want to do a bath robe out or it, or the Big Baby...gee whiz it is so hard to decide! So you know what I will do of course? BOTH!

Lana Grossa has become one of our best sellers and it is because they make fantastic yarns and are amazing to work with!! Laura got to go to Germany this year to visit with them and she enjoyed the adventure immensely!! We carry so much of Lana Grossa's yarn that I can't pick just one favorite, but if forced to, I would have to choose the Baby Kid! I have been using a lot of mohair lately and am just in love with this yarn sooooooo soft!!

I can't talk about all of our amazing companies without a huge nod to Blue Sky Alpacas!! Their yarns are absolutely amazing and the people that make up the company are some of the best you will ever meet! Blue Sky Alpacas yarns are so amazing that again I CAN'T pick a favorite...please please don't make me! I have every one of their yarns in my stash except the Worsted Hand Dyes and that will be going into my stash shortly! I want to make my honey a throw out of it and just haven't decided on the right color, but am leaning towards Putty!

We also work closely with Addi/Skacel and if you have never used one of their products then I suggest taking a look! I have so many of the Addi needles in my arsenal and am completely in love with their circular lace needles! The people who make up this company are so neat to know and work with and we are so grateful to have them as one of our main product lines. We also carry yarns from Skacel and they distribute the Schulana line of yarns and patterns which have made a HUGE hit here in the shop!!

I love the fair trade companies and what they do to help people work and get paid a fair wage, so I LOVE Lantern Moon! I have a little bit of most of their products and one of my favorite knitting bags, my Molly is by them. We carry a whole bunch of their products and I am in love with every single one! Lantern Moon is a company who you can feel good about patronizing and I can't wait to see what they come up with next! Thanks Lantern Moon for doing such a great job and for being so neat!

Namaste is another of our fabulous companies and I have 2 of their bags and also the needle binder. I have had to restrain myself from getting more of the bags and accessories, but am sure I will fall again soon! The products are phenomenal and the people can't be beat!

We have just started carrying the Madeline Tosh yarns and patterns! WOW is all I can say!! Not only have they been flying out the door, but they are truly AMAZING!!! The company is so accommodating and friendly to deal with that we just can't say enough about them! Sandy just finished the Poet Society Beret out of Terrarium in the Vintage and Sara just cast on the Owlings hand warmers out of Logwood in the DK weight!

We carry lots and lots of Trendsetter yarns and they are so much fun to work with; both the yarns and the company! Their Blossom yarn is another yarn I would love to make a robe with, as it is super yummy!! Of course I have worked with lots of these yarns including the Cha Cha which we now carry in the prints too and have always enjoyed myself. The people at Trendsetter are so nice and you couldn't ask for a nicer group...thanks Trendsetter!

Thank you to all of you, our customers and to our wonderful vendors!! You all mean more to us than you know and I hope you will take a second to breathe during this always busy holiday season! As for me I will be knitting which is my form of meditation...so, as always happy knitting and crocheting!

Jeanne

We have a Wool Watcher ALERT for you all!! Tomorrow (Thursday) we will be featuring some of the new Trendsetter Vigna and you will want to take a peek for sure!!

Then we have 'Funky Fiber Friday' coming up (if you have a better name please let us know) which will be featuring our new Muench grab bags which include yarns from GGH, Lana Grossa and Muench!! These great designer yarns are a 'Grab Bag' but I can tell you that they are lovely and deserve full yarn honors!! They range from small to large which means anywhere from 500-1000 yards of beautiful yarns to perk up your stash. I was lucky enough to take the pictures and so have touched what we currently have on the site and can tell you they are yummy!!!

I think these great yarns would make the most amazing diagonal scarf, shawl, or well what ever you want to make! They are so cool!

As always happy knitting and crocheting! Jeanne

With so much new stuff in the shop and the gift giving season coming in for a landing, all of us have been knitting like lunatics! I am working as quickly as I can to get our projects up on the project log for you to see all the details, but phew, there are flames coming from the needles around here and it's all a little hot to handle, ha ha!

Victoria fell in love with the Lana Grossa Gnocchi yarn right away and her darling daughter Alice, had to have a scarf! Isn't she cute and this scarf took just 2 balls of this super soft fun yarn. Oh yea and I happen to know that we just got some really cool multi colors in this yarn, yum!


Then of course Sandy and I got into a race with our Icing Swirl hats and it looks like we will be carrying this pattern book by Ysolda soon! I have already gifted my first hat out of the Lorna's Laces Swirl Chunky in Daffodil to my daughter Shelly (thanks for the picture Shelly). She rides her bicycle everywhere, rain or shine and had recently lost a hat that I had knit her, so Moms needles to the rescue :) When she told me she lost the hat she was on the verge of crying and this little hat just knit up so quickly it was easy to help her out.

Of course Laura has finished her first sock (for Huck not Wiley :) out of the Lorna's Laces Limited Edition for November, My Favorite Fellas. This great color is a tribute to those furry friends that we all love to see around the site modeling for us. As I write this my two favorite girls are snuggled up right here with me and I just love the loyalty that my dogs give me with so little prompting.

Terry is working on these amazing tams/berets and she is using the Lorna's Laces Swirl DK in Gold Hill (the one on the needles) and at 50% off how can you go wrong?? The darker tam/beret is done out of bits from her stash, so this pattern is going to be great for stash busting for sure! She tells me she is writing it up and will have it finished soon.

I have also finished my first scarf with the Trendsetter Cha Cha yarn and the Malabrigo Worsted. I am going to work on getting a demonstration of how to work with this really amazing, soft, ribbon type yarn! There is a little bit of practice involved, but once you get rolling it is as easy as pie!

As always happy knitting and keep those needles clicking Jeanne :)