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KnitBits®
#57
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The free e-mail newsletter from Berroco
http://www.berroco.com
#57, February 20, 2004
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Dear Knitters and Crocheters,
Two weeks ago I was shopping in Florence and this week at the
Providence Place Mall. I am compelled to write about the contrasts.
At the mall I witnessed a virtual wasteland of pastel pink junk.
One shop after the next was filled to overflowing with a shade
of pink that looks good on only a few women. When pink is overdone
it's like too much birthday cake. A touch of pink adds a softness
to the complexion and is flattering to some women.
Being mindful of this trend,
Berroco introduced a champagne pink Chinchilla
and matching Glace to
bring a touch of pink to the Berroco scarf yarn assortment. Several
weeks ago we posted a free
pattern for a chemo cap and scarflet crocheted in champagne
pink Chinchilla.
For me, pink invokes the image
of a certain saccharin femininity that has been out of style since
the 50's. Pink leaves me jonzing for red, white and black, for
fuchsia and orange, for blue jeans and overalls, for leather and
suede. During this shopping experience I developed a definite
thirst for color and fabric with character.
Denim fabric, for example,
has a universal appeal. Spanning all classes, this common cotton
fiber is dyed and colored to create utilitarian, durable fabrics
for work and play. Our Denim
Silk yarn is a chainette ribbon combining rayon and a silk
nub and therefore it dyes to create a denim effect with a fabulous
hand and drape. Last year, we introduced Denim Silk in blues and
browns to rave reviews. Now it is back by popular demand with
the addition of some of this season's fashion
colors. This week we have posted a Web Exclusive Free Pattern,
Tina in Denim Silk. For a
look at other Berroco patterns in Denim Silk, click here.
In Knitbits #56, I promised to tell you all about what I saw during
my trip to Pitti Filati in Florence, Italy. I was filled with
renewed fashion inspiration for our Berroco Collection. The yarn
exposition and forecast for Spring 2005 was a breath of fresh
air with its powerful color palette, reminiscent of a box of Crayola
crayons. Knits are claiming their primary and central role in
contemporary dressing and daily life. The theme for spring 2005
was "Supermarket" with a rainbow of colors and a supermarket
of styles. Its strength of statement left me with a clear message
of a total knit environment. I saw many wonderful novelty yarns
of high tech fibers and resonating color and texture as well as
classic, linear type yarns that were spun, woven or knitted from
premium natural blends. The simple message was that of strong,
clear contrast and universal icons that transcend classes.
My hotel in Florence was conveniently
located in the center of the fashion district. This time I didn't
take my usual 2-hour nap followed by a shopping spree and a light
supper before going to bed on Italian time in order wake up feeling
relatively un-jetlagged. Instead, I was totally inspired to see
every bit of knitted and crocheted merchandise in Florence.
I visited Luisa Via Roma,
Prada, Miu Miu, Roberto Cavali, Les Copains, Max Mara, Armani,
Ferragamo, Versace, etc., etc. I took photographs of windows and
street people. I wandered up and down the winding narrow streets
in search of knitwear inspiration and fashion trends. I saw lots
of fabulous knits in the shops and on the streets.
The women's footwear of choice
had the longest, narrowest pointy toe and high slim heel. I was
amazed and shocked to see women hobbling along the cobblestone
streets in the name of style. Personally, I can't bear the pain,
so I wore some flat-heeled boots that allowed me to continue to
shop for hours.
While I was shopping, my husband
Milo was taking pictures of one of the most beautiful cities in
the world. Here are a few gems.
It was chilly in Florence, and there was not a single, style-conscious
neck that wasn't wrapped in a scarf. Most scarves were hand knitted.
Many were simple garter stitch. Some were fringed. Some were a
mix of yarns and others were classic. There was an occasional
Burberry plaid. I saw lots of funky knitted hats. On the coldest
days, many donned their black, puffy down coats. Others wore fur-trimmed
or shearling coats and some wore mink. Fur was used as trim on
woven or knitted apparel. Fur on leather still looked great. Shearling
and faux shearling were still abundantly available to tourists
in the outdoor market.
Once again, there was loads
of fringe on scarves, bags, belts, vests, skirts, dresses, jackets.
Knitting was everywhere, in all sorts of items including skirts,
bags, hats, scarves, as well as coats and sweaters. Leg warmers,
wrist warmers and arm warmers covered all exposed skin, leaving
only the occasional shoulder or a bit of thigh exposed. Classic
yarns were funkified with neon and worked in the classic American
granny squares.
Buttons were ornamental or
not used at all. Zippers and buckles were decorative and utilitarian
in coats, sweaters, pants etc. Active sportswear looks sleek and
appropriate in non-athletic venues. Asymmetry is commonplace as
zippers are slightly off center or one side of a cardigan is several
inches longer than its opposite.
There is a renaissance of
the Merimekko Print, with the bold and clean geometric look of
50's modern design. Miniskirts save the cost of fabric while sales
of opaque legwear will increase. As usual, I was fascinated by
the variety of beautiful and simple or luxuriously adorned leather
accessories. Bags, belts and boots are all very important fashion
items. Many bags were knit or crocheted or made of softly draped
leather adorned with lots of metal findings. Shoes, slippers and
boots of leather or suede were fringed or tooled or adorned with
wooly knit trim or fur.
Fringe was still everywhere
including hairdos. I treated myself to the haircut of the moment,
a short bob with bangs for a very structural "Sassoon"
look. And then, of course, I needed new black Chanel eyeglasses
to complete the look. I had to stop myself from bingeing on the
sale items. Fall merchandise was reduced to half price and of
course there was the tax-free bonus. But I had to remember how
weak the dollar was when I calculated the actual price. I rationalized
these expenses in the name of fashion as I promised myself that
I would save so much money by making (knitting and crocheting)
the rest of my wardrobe when I returned home.
THIS WEEK'S WINNERS
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Our Free Sweater Kit Winner for KnitBits #56 is Evelyn of Glendale,
NY, who is knitting Sally
from pattern book #223. Happy knitting, Evelyn!
BEGINNER'S Q & A
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Q: Lynn, a scarf knitter from Greenville, North Carolina asked
the
following question:
How do you keep the yarns from tangling when working from several
balls at one time?
A: If you have a problem with yarns tangling when working several
balls
together, you can simply wind yarns together in one ball before
you begin.
Right now, I am involved with 3 seasons of design. I am working
on the
pattern collection for Fall '04 and developing new yarns and colors
for
Spring '05. And in each newsletter, I am bringing you new pattern
and
fashion news for the season that's almost upon us, Spring
2004. Next week, I will show you some of my favorite patterns
from our new
collection.
Margery Winter
Creative Director
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