|
Back
to the
KnitBits Archive
Back
to the
KnitBits Archive
|
KnitBits®
#55
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
The free e-mail newsletter from Berroco
http://www.berroco.com
#55, January 26, 2004
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Dear Knitters and Crocheters,
A couple months ago I became
aware that there were knitters out there who needed help putting
yarns and colors together for their scarves. In fact, an associate,
who happens to be a newbie knitter, advised me that although she
has already knit dozens of scarves, her biggest challenge was
choosing good combinations for her next scarf project...Can you
imagine? I was stunned to hear this. Being constantly surrounded
by yarns and colors and in an eternal state of over stimulation,
I am never at a loss for what to mix with what. Could I be out
of touch with the regular knitting folk? I hoped not, because
it's my job to create ideas and inspiration for you.
So, we listened carefully
to the wisdom that came from this beginner knitter and got right
to work expanding our Scarf Central page. We designed and photographed
loads of swatches knit in garter stitch with multiple yarns on
giant needles. We also made yarn reelings to illustrate alternative
colorways. We decided we would create a section on our website
devoted to these scarf swatches and continue to add ideas ad infinitum.
After many weeks of work we are finally ready to debut this exciting
new section of Berroco's Scarf Central.
Just click on the link below to view the beginning of this ongoing
process. We plan to keep posting new scarf swatches regularly
to keep you inspired.
There are 19 new scarf swatches
of magical mixes of yarns to give you ideas for your next scarf.
In addition, you can click on the scarf image to view 4 alternate
colorways. 19 X 5 = 95 scarf ideas. And that's just for starters.
As you know from past visits to our website, due to the wide array
of yarns and colors available from Berroco, the scarf combinations
are endless. So click away. Remember to scroll all the way down
to the bottom of the page and browse yarn combinations for scarves
for all climates and all occasions.
As I promised, we will be
posting a new Web Exclusive Free Pattern with every edition of
KnitBits. Today's free pattern is a little girl's sundress or
jumper that we call "Melba
Sue."
It's an easy-to-knit, striped
combination of Cliché and Cliché Colors with
a garter stitch belt. You can make it in the colors shown or you
can look at our shade cards for Cliché
and Cliché Colors
to choose your own combination. It would also look cute in one
shade.
If there are no little girls in your life and you want to knit
a woman's sweater, we have several Cliché
and Cliché colors patterns in our collection. Kamilla
from book #224 is a fabulous new take on a tunic. It has an extra
measure of ease and it's easy too. It's not for the novice because
it requires an understanding of raglan shaping, but it's a piece
of cake for the intermediate knitter. This figure flattering tunic
is certain to be one you will wear for years to come. It will
be a favorite because it looks great with jeans.
It is sure to fit you if you take your measurements and check
your gauge! I often recommend starting with a sleeve to make sure
that you can maintain both stitch and row gauge. Remember to adjust
your needle size if you are not getting your gauge. Some other
Cliché and Cliché Colors patterns you might like
are Amelie in our book #223
and Yuni in book #224. If
you are a scarf knitter, you can certainly tackle the very easy
tank top Bella from #215
For the crocheters among us, we now offer 2 new sections of crochet
patterns in our Pattern Library. We have one section of Preview
Crochet Patterns, which shows photos of our newest designs
and a second section of Free Crochet
Patterns for you to download.
BEGINNER'S Q & A
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Analise from Bentonville asked: "How did you sew the sequins
onto Liya (detail
shot) and Annie (detail
shot) in book #224?"
Analise, you don't have to thread a needle or sew a single sequin
when you use Mirror
FX. Little square metallic sequins are pre-strung on a thread
that you can use in combination with another yarn. It is a component
yarn that you carry along with a main yarn. You can work it in
every row or in every third or fifth row depending upon the desired
effect and depending upon your budget. It is available in gold
or silver on white or black thread. If you prefer, we also
have an iridescent round threaded sequin called Lazer
FX.
Here's a tip to those who are working with Mirror FX or Lazer
FX. Keep the precious ball in front of you on a table, or in a
bowl or smooth vessel, and unwind several yards at a time while
you are knitting. You don't want it rolling around the floor tangling
itself up with its companion yarn or around the leg of your chair.
It can take an extra measure of patience to untwist the snarled
mess if you don't always keep one eye on the ball. Don't let this
warning daunt you. These FX yarns are truly worth their weight
in gold. As you can see, the effect is stunning in our latest
Lazer FX patterns and
Mirror FX patterns.
All the best,
Margery Winter
Creative Director
|
