Here we are well into 2012...okay maybe only 16 days in, but there are already so many new yarns and projects to consider that my head is spinning for 2012. However, I think you might agree with me that there are always a few favorites which we turn to as much as we can and I thought I would share some of mine from 2011.

Tosh Vintage "Crumble"

1. Madelinetosh (any weight and almost ALL the colors) and I just can't say enough about the quality of this yarn. I would remind everyone that this wonderful line of yarns does NOT have dye lots and that is because each hank is dyed on it's own. Now that doesn't mean that you can't work up an entire garment out of one color (Please call us. We will look at them for you), it just means that you should enter this special world of unique colors with limited expectations and I guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised. I did say any weight and that is true, but I do have a favorite and that has to be the Vintage, due to the amazing quality of the base. The ply is firm and creates lovely stitch definition for any kind of a project that needs a worsted weight yarn. I also said most of the colors and that too is true, but of course I have a couple of favorites in each base. I am afraid there isn't enough room here to mention them all, so here are just a few:

-Tosh Vintage in "Crumble"
-Tosh Merino Light in "Black Velvet" 

Vail

-Tosh Prairie in "Terrarium"

2. Has to be the Classic Elite Vail, and of course it is a fingering weight (which might deter some), but it has a fabulous hand and works up beautifully! The blend of Alpaca and Bamboo lends this yarn to anything that you want to have a fluid drape...yummy!



3. This one is a real work horse in the yarn world and I love to work with it and it is Cascade's Eco Wool! This is by no means a new yarn, but I have used it (am using it) on several projects this year and have fallen in love all over again! Here you can see my Umaro by Jared Flood and I have added another repeat and a half to this...which is for my daughter and her new husband...shhhhh!

If you are interested in the project details check those out here.

DeAire

4. I love working with super bulky yarns and I have to say that I am excited about the Plymouth DeAire!! It has a lovely lofty woven ply and calls for a US 15 needle, so what's not to love here? It has a lovely feel in the hank and works up with great stitch definition and FAST!! I am particularly fond of color 705 Portland, but any of you who know me are aware of my lust for anything green.

Wild Onion

5. Last but not least is The Fibre Company Acadia...ooohhhh so yummy and super soft and luscious to the touch. The fiber content is amazing, 60% Merino Wool, 20% Baby Alpaca and 20% Silk and with it's lovely 'slubby' texture this yarn has real personality! I know I mentioned my green fetish, but my favorite (at least for now LOL) is the Wild Onion in this line. It is so pretty and I know this onion won't make me cry.


Okay I have only mentioned 5 of my fav's in this post and I have to say that I am constantly touching something as I cruise through the shop and oohhing and awwwing, but these are foremost in my mind at the time of this writing...who knows what it will be tomorrow ha ha! Be sure you check out the pattern support for all of these lovelies and for now I need to go knit, so I can calm down!  Also, feel free to leave a comment and let us know what your favorite yarn was this last year!

As always happy knitting, crocheting and of course now sewing! (for those of you following the quilting saga don't worry there is more coming soon on our adventure)

Jeanne

Check it out:

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With so many colors, dyers and options out there, it's hard to know where to start with all of the beautiful hand dyed yarns on the market these days. And then, of course, there is the issue with keeping the 'lots' consistent.  Many hand dyed yarns do not have dye lots (Madeline Tosh, for instance, or Manos Del Uruguay yarns) so we have done a lot of work for all you about this great topic. You can find more information on how to work with hand dyed yarns and which companies we are currently carrying in our line-up right here on our very own Guide to Hand Dyed Yarns page!

Sandy's Dragon, alternating every 2 rows!

When I first started knitting and working with hand dyed yarns, I have to admit I was totally clueless about what yarns would do what, but after sometime now I think I am getting the hang of things. We have recently started a very small internal KAL with some great Madeline Tosh sock yarn in Filigree! The term KAL is used a bit loosely as we are all just using the same yarn but different patterns! There are four of us involved: Sandy, Sharon, Terry and yours truly! Two of us are working one pattern while the other two are working on something else.

Sharon's Dragon, just going for it...go Sharon!

However, due to some extreme color differences in this particular yarn, we decided to use this opportunity to mix it up a bit and show you how we are working through the differences to make the colors flow together for each project. Even though Sandy and Sharon have chosen the same project, they are approaching the issue of color differences in the same yarn a bit differently.

Terry's Martimonia Bolero, alternating every 2 rows

Sandy and Sharon are working up a beautiful scarf out of the most current Piecework magazine. Sandy is alternating 2 rows of one ball of Filigree and 2 rows of another while carrying the yarn up the side of the piece. Sharon has decided to just let the stitches fall where they may and will be working with each ball until it is finished and then adding the next one to the piece. I love this idea and can't wait to see her scarf completed!

Terry is working up the Matrimonio Bolero and is using her yarn in rows of two, just like Sandy. I have finished my first Veyla by Ysolda Teague from Whimsical Little Knits 2. Since it is a smallish project, I worked the cuff by alternating the 9 row repeat with 2 different shades of the Filigree. I worked the hand portion in only one shade, but it is completely different from the other 2.

I will of course work the second mitt in the same manner, for a similar result. I don't know about you, but I love the surprise that comes from working with hand dyed yarns and with some planning you can create a truly beautiful piece!

As always, happy knitting and crocheting! (remodel update in the 4th week at least 2 more weeks to go, sigh, stay tuned)

Jeanne

P.S.- Sometimes the only way I can keep up with what's going on around the shop is to read our twice monthly Newsletters (really so much to know:), so if you aren't getting it I hope you will sign up and remember we never share you information!!