Today, I wanted to give you a sneak peek at an upcoming design and gush about one of our lovely new yarns: Penna.
Penna in 110 Dovetail.
You might have noticed Penna pop up in your local yarn store recently. This lace-weight yarn is light as a feather, ridiculously soft, and has a beautiful halo. It is a blend of 50% baby Suri alpaca for a hazy effect, 28% extra fine merino for softness, and 22% nylon for strength. This yarn is a great alternative to laceweight mohair yarns, to which some people are more sensitive. The palette contains sixteen gorgeous colors.
Plume Cowl, shown in 111 Whisper, 112 Rose Kiss, & 113 Raspberry Tart.
One reason we brought this yarn in is because of its versatility. You can hold it as a single strand or as a carry-along with another yarn. If you’re holding it single, we recommend using a large needle for a loose, airy gauge. That’s what really makes this yarn shine. Take the Plume Cowl, for example. Knit at a gauge of 16 stitches over four inches with a suggested needle size of US 8 (5 mm), this accessory is like a cloud for your neck and shoulders. It’s as simple as can be – just seed stitch in the round, with a few color changes to create a nice gradient.
Penna in 113 Raspberry Tart placed on top of the Plume Cowl.
Personally, one thing I love about this yarn is that it pairs well with other yarns. I think it would look beautiful to add a halo to stash staples like Deluxe Worsted, but I wanted to see what Penna was like when held together with a self-shading or self-patterning yarn. We have quite a few of those, but the one that struck me as the most suitable match for Penna is Whisper Lace. Both yarns are so fine, the fabric they create together will still be lightweight. A blend of wool and silk, Whisper Lace is great for warmer weather and the transitional seasons – add the warmth and haze of baby Suri alpaca to that, and you can create perfect projects for autumn and winter.
That brings me to the original point of this post. I’m working on a design that pairs Whisper Lace and Penna. I’ve chosen Whisper Lace in 213 Cool Ripples – a blue and grey multi, with Penna in 110 Dovetail – a soft, warm grey. I love the way Penna and Whisper Lace are playing together. Solid-colored Penna softens the transitions from one color to the next in the Whisper Lace.
The beginnings of a crescent-shaped shawl knit in Whisper Lace and Penna.
You can see the humble beginning in the photo above. I decided a shawl would be the perfect project. Lately, I’ve been really into crescent-shaped shawls, so that is the shape I’ve chosen for this design. Four stitches are increased on each edge every right-side row, and two stitches are increased on each edge every wrong-side row. This is what creates the dramatic curve. I’m letting the yarn speak for itself here: nothing more than simple Stockinette stitch for most of the shawl. I plan to finish this project with an applied lace border. I’m undecided on whether I should use a solid, contrasting color for the border, or if I should stitch to stick to the pairing used throughout the rest of the shawl. Only time will tell, but I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let me know in the comments below.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Piquilla Shawl crocheted in Wool Pop (pattern link here).
How beautiful is this?
This two-color crochet pattern was named after piquillo peppers, a sweet variety that won’t burn those of us with more delicate taste buds (by which I mean me).
There’s a sweet bit of shaping at the front there, too. The arrangement of stitches along the neckline can give a neat collar effect…
…or simply help it to lie flat and be more comfortable around the neck.
Three skeins of the MC and two of the CC in wool/bamboo Wool Pop makes a lovely shawl with great drape. It’s a fun yarn to work with, too!
We hope you have a safe and fun weekend. Happy crafting!
We’re introducing a new Dona Color Kit in the Soothe colorway, the Iluvia Shawl. Our Dona Color Kits include a pattern and a curated selection of colors of Fibra Natura Dona. Dona is a 100% superwash extra fine merino yarn that gives beautiful stitch definition. We offer 5 different color kits, each one comprised of 6 colors that all look fantastic as a group.
Iluvia Shawl – Dona Soothe Kit
When I was prompted to design a shawl for the Soothe Kit, I knew I wanted to design something that felt gentle and graceful. Upon receiving the skeins of Dona to work with, the soft blue and green shades immediately made me think of nature. It has always been a big source of inspiration for me as designer, and I wanted to take that and roll with it.
The pitter-patter of rain on a rooftop is a sound that most people find calming. I love to see water wash over rocks in a river or stream, and droplets of dew on the grass during my morning walk is a visual pleasure of the simplest kind. These tiny marvels of the world were my inspiration when I chose stitch patterns for the Iluvia Shawl.
Raindrop inspired stitches
This sampler-style shawl features 5 different stitch patterns in sections that use up the bulk of one ball of each color in the kit, with the grey (130 Steely) breaking up each section in gentle garter stitch. In general, the stitch patterns are fairly simple, focused on creating the rain-inspired textures. The shawl decreases on one edge, and pretty tassels adorn each corner.
The tassels enhance the flowing water feeling. And they’re just too cute! Because each stitch pattern is simple and easy to memorize, this becomes quite the meditative knit. Perfect for being worked in the ‘Soothe’ colorway, don’t you think? I hope this becomes a fun and soothing project for many, just as it was for me.
I snapped this photo for Instagram as I was working on the shawl. I love the way the light hits those stitches!
Many LYS stores stock our Dona Color Kits, contact yours to get the Soothe Kit today!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Apple Orchard Shawl in Cotton Supreme Waves and Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).
Apple Orchard is a fun springtime shawl knitted in lightweight solid Cotton Supreme DK and self-striping Cotton Supreme Waves.
Combining two coordinating yarns in the same weight creates bold stripes that play well together.
Start knitting at the broad end, and work toward the narrow tip.
Garter stitch blends with openwork for a cool shawl that’s great to knit while chatting or hanging out (virtually!) with friends.
We hope you enjoy this breezy, easy project.
Stay safe, and happy crafting!
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought I’d make a confession. I have a new love in my life, and it’s Fibra Natura Ravello. One of our new spring yarns, this is quickly becoming a favorite (I know, I shouldn’t pick favorites!). It’s a blend of cotton, extra-fine merino wool, and recycled cashmere, making it a fabulous yarn for multi-season garments and accessories. Ravello is soft, drapey, and has a subtle halo. These qualities are pretty irresistible!
Ravello in 104 Soft Clay
I’ve been having so much fun designing with this yarn. So, just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’re introducing the Ciri shawl. This is a large, asymmetrical shawl knit in two coordinating colors that nod towards Valentine’s Day without being obvious.
The main color is 108 Tuscan Pepper, a rich burgundy that shows off the lace beautifully. It is paired with 104 Soft Clay as the contrast color. After years of resisting pink, I’ve recently become more and more drawn to warm, less saturated shades of pink. Swaths of lace in the main color are interrupted by garter stitch stripes that are worked with the contrast color. It is finished with a crochet picot bind-off that adds a touch of romance. Ciri is knit on the bias, creating an asymmetrical shape. It begins at the tip and slowly increases to the widest edge. The shape and loose gauge make a drapey fabric you’ll love to wear. Each end of the shawl gently spirals downward when you place it over your shoulders.
This shawl is quite large. You can wrap it around your neck multiple times for maximum coziness.
Just look at that picot trim and gorgeous drape – we’re smitten!
Whether you’re knitting this for your Galentine, Valentine, or yourself, the Ciri shawl is the perfect cast-on this week.
Gardenia is knit is 101 Ocean Fog.
Oh, and just in case you’re looking for a little more Ravello inspiration, don’t forget about Gardenia. Lace and delicate cables would make this sweet little hat another lovely Valentine’s Day project, especially knit up in 106 Malbec or 107 Balet Slipper.
Top: 106 Malbec Bottom, left to right: 107 Balet Slipper and 104 Soft Clay
We hope you have a wonderful holiday – filled with chocolate, yarn, and your favorite people!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Verbena in Angora Lace (free pattern link).
This pattern puts the Lace in Angora Lace.
This asymmetrical shawl is worked flat from the bottom up, beginning at the widest edge.
First, the lace section is worked even, then stitches are gradually decreased to the point.
The angora in Angora Lace gives this a delightful soft halo, supported by a bit of nylon for extra strength. When you make something this beautiful, you want it to last.
All together, it creates a lovely lightweight, versatile shawl.
Angora Lace 203 MerlotAngora Lace 206 Rose
As written, the pattern calls for 2 balls of 207 Ballerina, a lovely light pink. I’m wondering, though, how it would look with a dark color for the lace and a lighter one for the body. Maybe something Valentine-y like red and a darker pink? Hmm…
Mmm… dreamy.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend.
Happy crafting!
This is part 3 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 3 Edition.
It’s already Day 3 of the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, and I couldn’t be more excited to share this lovely shawl with you. Say hello to December in the City – a luxe shawl in dreamy Cashmere Lusso, designed by Adrienne Larsen. We love the lace columns and geometry of this shawl, and we wanted to pick Adrienne’s brain. We asked her to share a bit about her inspiration for this design, so she kindly obliged. Here is what she had to say:
“This design has been a long time in the making. It all starts in May of 2017 when I went on an EPIC road trip with my sister. We covered 25 states in 14 days! We saw so much, and I visited a lot of states I’d never been on before. I ate so much ice cream in so many places (surprisingly, the best was vegan ice cream in Austin)!
It was such a whirlwind that I don’t even remember what state I was in when this chair at a museum struck my fancy. (It’s very Adrienne to remember the ice cream flavors in Austin – Cinnamon Toast Crunch & Horchata – but not this). I loved the combination of the vertical lines and interrupted diagonals.
I wrote a lace pattern with it in mind in my hotel room that night. Since that time, that lace pattern has tried to be both a tank top and a pullover, but it didn’t work out. It wasn’t until two years later that I realized that it was a shawl.
You never know when inspiration will strike, so never give up on a good idea!”
-Adrienne
We loved hearing about Adrienne’s inspiration for this shawl and can absolutely see the resemblance. This shawl is a magical addition to the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. As a reminder, you can find the 12 Days of Winter Kits at your local yarn shop.
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Glider Shawl in Finn (pattern link here). Perfect for a breezy day or a night out, this shawl adds warmth without the bulk. Originally part of the Vibrance in Lace collection from last Fall, we’ve decided to set this lovely pattern free.
Finn, a yarn featuring a blend of superwash merino, alpaca, and acrylic, is the perfect match for this pattern. It is soft to touch, with a subtle halo thanks to the alpaca. I don’t know about you, but something about halo-y yarn and lace makes my heart sing.
Knit from the bottom up, beginning with the tip, the shawl’s original shape adds decorative interest to any outfit. The lace panel in the back adds a delicate and feminine touch, while the rest of the shawl is worked in simple, soothing garter stitch. Draped around your shoulders or worn bandana-style, the Glider Shawl is sure to become a multi-season favorite.
We hope you have a relaxing weekend filled yarn-y goodness. Happy Crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today Elation in Poems Sock (pattern link here).
We’ve had fun highlighting sock yarns the last few weeks, and we wanted to get one more in before turning to bigger projects.
Poems Sock is a superwash wool/nylon single with long color repeats – as you can see!
This whole thing takes just one skein – Color 969 Cabin Fever is shown. The shawl is knit side to side.
The fringe is created by unraveling one garter edge back down to the cast on edge.
The result is a simple, colorful, fun shawl. And when you drop those edge stitches and see the fringe form, you’ll understand why it’s called Elation!
Next week: something satisfying in crochet. We hope you have a fantastic weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Phantom Shawlette in Cotton Gold (pattern link here).
What a treat! Kristin Hansen is a wonderful designer who does magical things with lace. This beautifully shaped shawl is no exception.
It wraps around your shoulders like you were born wearing it.
This design was formerly for sale as part of e-book Sparkle Fine 2, a collection of three exquisite knitted shawls designed by Kristin Hansen. Today, we’re setting it free!
This shawl takes three balls of Rozetti Yarns Cotton Gold, a thin cotton securely strung with sequins. Shown: color 1100, blue yarn with blue sequins.
It adds an otherworldly sparkle to an ethereal design.
The shawl is worked top down, with some decrease magic to give it its swooping shape. The border is knitted on after finishing the body.
This light cotton shawl is the perfect thing for some summertime glamour.
We hope you have a cool, relaxing weekend.
Happy crafting!
