Wristy Business

Post By // Kristin F

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• Jenny in Prue
• Prue

For hardcore knitters, there are no limits to the arena in which we practice our craft. That includes the great outdoors; whether it's on bleachers at a football game, in front of a campfire at the coast, or waiting for the skiers to return, we never stop knitting. The fingerless glove is mandatory gear, and the second feature in our Shibui Silk preview, Prue, shows how to cover those hardworking wrists in style.

Olga's genius in making the mundane extraordinary is so apparent in these fingerless gloves. In Prue, she uses a simple welted stitch pattern and two strands...Staccato and Silk Cloud...held together to create a design where function is eclipsed by form. The Staccato has beautiful stitch definition that shines through the halo that the Silk Cloud's kid mohair provides.

The wonderful part about using two strands is the creativity that it will unleash; it's almost like inventing your own yarn! I am planning a pair of these in Redwood Staccato and Rust Silk Cloud; and Suit, Artichoke and Bordeaux are all color matched in the yarns. Check out the colors available in these two silk blends; the combinations are amazing!

Let's Get Rolling

Post By // Kristin F

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• Jenny wears Goltry
• Goltry

The long awaited Shibui Silk is almost ready for publication, which means that I'll begin, finally, previewing each of the unique and wonderful pieces that Olga has designed for this collection.

I so love the photograph above; it exemplifies the way we've channeled our inner Shibui in the presentation of this book. Rather than doing the obvious, we chose to showcase the beautiful, sophisticated and refined garments by juxtaposing them against a sort of "deadscape"; and the constrast highlights the beauty and color of the collection.

Goltry is a refined slouch hat that utilizes a unique and cushy stitch. Knit from a single skein of the silky sock weight Staccato, it's a great way to learn a new technique. The Apple colorway is just one of 16 solids (not to mention 8 multis) that will take you through all seasons.

A huge thank you goes out to Fazio Farms for leaving this amazing piece of equipment out for us to discover; I love the way the treads echo the texture in Goltry.

Heads Up!

Post By // Kristin F

• L-R //
• Olga Buraya-Kefelian, hat back...
• .....and front

Instead of starting this post with a bad pun ("we've been keeping this under our hat", or, "heading your way..."), let me just introduce you to the designer of our next book, Shibui Silk. Many of you, I'm sure, are already familiar with Olgajazzy's designs and blog, but for those who are new to her work, you're in for a treat.

Olga has come up with a collection of eight designs, using our three silk-based yarns, Staccato, Silk Cloud and Heichi, that are creative masterpieces! Her innovative construction techniques as well as her eye for what's current in the fashion industry are so apparent in each and every piece.

I will be previewing the eight garments, a cohesive collection of sweaters and accessories, in the next few weeks, and we'll have the book (and some new colors in the yarns) available for next spring. Be sure to watch for them!

I love the Foggy Hat, shown above, which is one of Olga's own pattern line. I am about to cast on a Merino Alpaca version for my daughter in Blush....this should hold me over until the publication of Shibui Silk!

Cuckoo for cocoknits

Post By // Kristin F

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• Knotted Slipper
• Weekend Wrap

The knitting universe is a crazyquilt of design; just spend a few minutes (hours?) on ravelry, and you will see everything from the sublime to the ridiculous. Falling smack dab in the former category are the fabulous designs of Julie Weisenberger, aka cocoknits. We've had the pleasure of spending time with her at TNNA as well as hanging out with her in Portland; not only is she a designer extraordinaire, but she's a hoot!

Our favorite "fashioknitsa" has recently released a pair of new designs, sure to become classics. These Knotted Slippers will be your go-to holiday gift. I've already cast on a pair in one of our new Sock solids, Velvet; Staccato, with it's content of 30% silk, would make an extra special pair for anyone on your list. Next up for me is Chrome Staccato-a gift to me, for me, from me!

My good friend and owner of the wonderful Slip Knot store in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Clare Fullerton, turned me on to the fabulous Weekend Wrap. Apparently, she whipped up a quick (in a weekend!) sample in Heichi, and the yarn has been flying out the door. I might even do mine holding Silk Cloud and Heichi together...Brownstone with Flaxen or Greenspace with Cypress are two options that come to mind; check out the palettes of these two yarns and design your own unique piece!