Showing posts with label superwash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label superwash. Show all posts

The Best of Liberty Wool (So Far...) Trunk Show

by : Unknown
As each year comes to a close, it has become a tradition for all sorts of "best of" lists to be compiled.  Well we have one for you! Classic Elite Yarns book, 'Best of Liberty Wool (So Far...)'! This book is a compilation of some of the more popular patterns Classic Elite has produced since Liberty Wool was introduced 4 years ago. The book includes hats, mittens, sweaters, vests, scarves, and shawls in both knitting and crochet ... all worked up in this vibrant, super soft, machine washable, light worsted weight yarn!  We are lucky enough to be hosting their trunk show featuring 11 of these fabulous patterns through the end of November. (Be sure to check out all the great kits we've put together for you!)



When we went to snap some pictures of the garments modeled by some of our staff, we told everyone to just have fun with the yarn!  And boy did they! It is such a fun yarn!

Taylor tried on the Easy Crocheted Hat, done in color 7860 Berry Brambles, which is a variation on the granny square. Jeanne grabbed up the Easy Striped Hat worked up in colors 7873 Rosy Delight & 7823 Deep Tropical Sea. The possible color combinations using two colorways of this striping yarn are nearly endless - making each hat a unique creation!
 
Olivia chose the Maxime Crocheted Pullover (color 7823 Deep Tropical Sea) to try on and while it was fun on the hanger, it is so much cuter on! This pattern is for experienced crocheters, but the yarn does all the fantastic color changing for you!  The juggling should also be left to those with experience...


Gus volunteered to try out the Sawtooth Edge Scarf, which uses one ball of solid Liberty Wool (7805 Magenta) and one of Liberty Wool Print (7838 Sunset Frost). This uniquely constructed scarf is worked in two lengthwise pieces and joined up the center using a three needle bind off, just enough to push your skills but it is still considered an easy level pattern. The fun spiky look definitely makes this scarf a stand out!


Denise wore the Simple Sweater with Pockets, which can be made as either a pullover (as seen here) or as a cardigan.  This version was done in color 7834 Lilac Dream.  She decided to accessorize her look with some Liberty Wool earrings...though they might work out better knitted up! 


Mikayla was going to see if she could muster any hacky sack skills, but it was trickier than it looked!  She's wearing the Deep Rib Cardigan in 7873 Rosy Delight. 


Bethany tried out her balancing skills while showing off another version of the Easy Striped Hat as well as the Molly scarf.  This hat is done with the same two balls of yarn as the one Jeanne wore but because of the color changing nature of the yarn, they end up with different color combinations, so each hat really is totally unique! The Molly Scarf has been featured in a few Classic Elite publications and so has built up a lot of Ravelry love, where you can see it done up in tons of different colorways!




 
Kristen is charming the yarn balls, wearing the Garter Stitch Wrap in color 7883 Smokey Bonfire.  The color changes and scalloped edges give personality to this simple, triangular shawl!


We've all called yarns 'yummy' or 'delicious' but Leanne might be taking it a step too far!  She was wearing the three quarter sleeve Sylvan Shadow Pullover done in color 7832 Sylvan Shadow.


Terry did just fine with her balancing act until we started making her laugh.  She made a beeline for the Chromatic pullover, done in 7893 Rainforest.  The intermediate pattern does require seaming to give it its dynamic vertical and horizontal striping combo!

 Want to see more about the individual patterns? Ravelry has them all for sale individually!

Currently we carry Liberty Wool Print, Liberty Wool Light and Liberty Wool Light Print. Don't forget easy care Liberty Wool is great for kids and baby things too!

Stop by to see, feel and touch these lovely garments & yarns, or let us know by phone or email if we can answer any questions for you! 

The Retail Team - Gus, JenA, Jill, Matt, & Terry


 
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Why Zara? Win some and fall in love!

by : Bethany
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!! 

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