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KnitBits® #58
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The free e-mail newsletter from Berroco
http://www.berroco.com
#58, March 5, 2004
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Dear Knitters and Crocheters,
This week I am seeing certain signs of early Spring. My cat, Fred, paws at the door to get out before daybreak in order to stalk the baby creatures. He is way too old to catch anything but he really enjoys the thrill of the hunt. There is a new spring in his step and a twinkle in his 17-year-old eyes.

I am teaching a new knitter who is expecting a baby in a couple of weeks. Her doctor has put her on bed rest. Slowly and carefully, she works each knit stitch with her left-handed technique. It's amazing how fast the fabric on her needles is growing. I am sure that the Plush garter stitch baby blanket in spring green "Sprout" will be ready in time to bring the baby home.

With Easter near at hand, marshmallow peeps, jelly beans and daffodils have replaced candy hearts and roses and we are thinking about what to wear when the hot summer weather arrives. This week I want to give you a look at a cute little drawstring top from our Spring '04 pattern collection. It's called Doris from book #223.

Since we published this pattern we have had it knit in several other colorways that may appeal to you. I thought you might like to have a look at these other options. Doris is knit with a strand of Zen and a strand of Candy FX held together. Click here to see 5 additional colorways.

If you are a scarf knitter, this may inspire you to work up a pastel Zen and Candy Easter Scarf. Here is a quickie scarf recipe: You will need 2 balls of Candy FX and one hank of Zen. With one strand of each held together and size 15 needles, cast on 12 stitches. Knit every row. Work until you have 2 feet of Zen left. Bind off. Weave in ends.

Today we are posting a new Web Exclusive Free Sweater pattern called Irene. If you are looking for an easy, breezy little top that's a quick knit, you might want to knit this cabled tank top knit in Pronto Print. Pronto is a cotton acrylic blend bulky yarn that has been a popular Berroco yarn for several seasons. This year we added a new multi-color dye effect that is reminiscent of street graffiti for young, hip and casual appeal. Irene is shown in Pronto Print #4574 Fort Green. For a look at additional color options for Pronto Print, click here. Another option would be to knit this top in a solid shade of Pronto. I am sure that you can find a great solid color choice on our Pronto shade card.

BEGINNER'S Q & A
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Margaret from Worcester, MA asked the following question:
I'm knitting my first shell and scarf from Berroco "My First Project" and I have a question. How do I tie on another ball of yarn? Hope you can help.

Margaret, it is just amazing how much we ancient knitters take for granted. I always join a new ball of yarn at the beginning or end of the row, never in the middle of the row. I join the new ball together with the last few inches of the last ball by tying a single knot and clipping the 2 ends long enough to be able to weave into the edge stitches. When I finish my pieces, I carefully untie the knot and weave the ends into the wrong side of the fabric close to the selvage stitch, making sure that each end is secure and won't pop out to the front of the fabric. Sometimes I weave the ends into the seams after all the seams are sewn. It depends on how bulky the ends make the seams and whether it interferes with the fit and drape of the garment. These are things that you will develop a feeling for after you have some experience.

THIS WEEK'S WINNER
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Congratulations to Ingrid from Commerce Township, Michigan, who is our Free Sweater Kit Winner for KnitBits #57. Ingrid will soon be knitting Kamila from Book #224.

All the best,

Margery Winter
Creative Director