Post-Holiday Blue

Post By // Kristin F

• UP //
• Jenny wears Laverne

At this time of year, my rods and cones are glazed from a holiday overload of red and green, which is why I am focusing my eyes on Laverne, and its fresh, clean essence of Staccato in Tide.

Another of Olga's polished and innovative designs in Shibui Silk, which we will release January 1, this crisp little sweater can be styled a multiple of ways. The I-cord drawstring can be pulled up for a gathered effect, or left hanging, as shown above on Jenny, for a casual swingy profile.

Laverne is worked sideways from the front edge, and is cleverly constructed to minimize the bane of most knitters-seaming. So shake off the winter blues, cast on Laverne in Tide....or Apple....or Watermelon and jump start your spring wardrobe!

The Back Issue

Post By // Kristin F

• L-R //
• Francis Front
• Francis Back

I love a little surprise every now and then (the good kind) and Francis from Shibui Silk is best kind of surprise. This easy piece, knit in textural Heichi, looks like a well-designed simple tee from the front, but when you turn around, the wrapped and curvy back opening sets Francis apart from the crowd.

Olga once again shows her innovation and design savvy, creating a design that is worked horizontally, in a single piece, using a maximum of 8 skeins of 100% silk Heichi. She chose the ocean blue Canal for her design; as you can see, it works great with denim. Any of our 5 (FIVE!) new colors of Heichi.....Chestnut, Hydrant, Spore, Caffeine, or Sidewalk would be wonderful options as well.

Here's another little surprise from Francis; she's completely reversible. Turn it around for a completely different look, layered over a tee or even a simply shaped dress.

And, now...your Shibui Silk countdown update.....proofs back from the printer; they look amazing! We're on schedule for the January 1 release, so there's one more reason to celebrate the New Year!

The Com[pleat] Package

Post By // Kristin F

• UP//
• Jenny wears Tulsa

What's not to love about this great little scarf? If you've never tried the Pleating stitch, this is the project for you; it takes just 3 skeins of the gorgeous, silky Staccato, and is yet another innovative design from the wonderful Olga and our new book, Shibui Silk.

Shown here in the color Redwood, this interesting piece of texture would be gorgeous in any of the Staccato solids. A ruffly, seaweedy piece in Artichoke is my first choice, but a springy version in Watermelon is also on the horizon. The high percentage of silk in Staccato gives the scarf a sumptuous drape and makes it a pleasure to wear.

Okay, let's begin the countdown....Shibui Silk is on schedule for its January 1 release. Let your favorite LYS know that it's on the way...and reserve a copy of this limited edition that is sure to become a coveted classic!

Pocket Pick

Post By // Kristin F

• UP //
• Jenny in Arnett

Another chilly day (without rain...can this really be Oregon?) has my hands longing for shelter; I tend to lose gloves and therefore have a deep and abiding love of pockets. It seems like a good time to share another sneak peek of the magic that Olga has created for the upcoming book, Shibui Silk.

Olga engineered this amazing piece using a strand of Heichi in the color Brick, held together with Silk Cloud in the Rust colorway. Completely reversible, the oversized front band hides buttons that can be fastened to create pockets for days like today. Left undone, the swingy hemline gives a very different silhouette; change it even more by wearing it inside out...the seams are cleverly finished to work either way.

The tweedy, 100% silk Heichi is given a soft and subtle glow by entwining it with Silk Cloud, and our new colorways lend themselves to some pretty amazing combinations. Our new Heichi color, Caffeine, paired with Camel Silk Cloud is my choice for a wear-with-everything piece, or maybe I'll do a denimy combination of Canal and Suit...too many choices!

The January release of Shibui Silk is on schedule, so start your New Year off right; call your LYS to reserve a copy now of this limited edition gem! Check on facebook and ravelry for details of the launch, and come back here for more sneak peeks!