Dear KnitBits® subscribers,

Today we will take a closer look at book #233 Forever Young. If you click on Web Gallery on the right hand column, you will be able to see all the projects in this book. This is Berroco’s effort to reach the younger, hipper generation of knitters and those of us who want to knit for them. While spotting Hollywood trends and street fashion, we have witnessed unabashed colors and textures. Fringe is at its very best this season and Suede™ still reigns. Cowgirl and Indian princess looks are no longer relegated to the costume department. Street wise chicks don faux leather in tops, jackets and skirts. The newsboy cap has become a street classic and with a double strand of Zodiac® and a big hook, you too can crochet this.

For immediate fringe benefits, try knitting a bag or top in TuTu®. It’s pure fantasy, with diaphanous layers of color and texture that are sheer and opaque. It’s almost already a fabric. Cast a few stitches on a 17 needle, knit for a few minutes and you’ll have a fabulous scarf. If you know how to decrease (knit two together) then you are ready to knit the bag. And there’s great color…just look at our 5 clear and brilliant choices from this season’s coolest palette. Whether you choose to knit accessories or trim for dressing you or your home, this modern take on “shag” is a favorite yarn for Spring.

Scarves and ponchos for spring translate into sheer layering. Today we have posted a Web Exclusive Free Pattern for the Amore Ponshawl. It’s knit in Bling Bling™ using an easy yarn over stitch. Then we fringed it with matching shade of Suede™. You can drape and wrap it around your shoulders or neck and fasten it with your favorite broach for a cool cover-up over a revealing tank top.

While you are reading this, I am just back from sunny California after the industry trade show. Many of your local yarn shop owners stopped in our booth for an up close and personal look at all the yarns and designs in the Spring/Summer 2005 collection. Because you are a subscriber to KnitBits, you too are well informed.

While I am writing this letter it is 20 degrees and snowy outside my window In Uxbridge, MA. As soon as I return from California, I have a couple of days before I fly off to Florence, Italy to shop for new yarns for Spring/Summer 2006. At the same time, our design team is working on new designs for Fall 2005. At this time of year, my mind is in 3 seasons.



Samantha from Wisconsin wrote, “I want to knit a Lavish® throw. Can you tell me how many balls of yarn to purchase?”

Samantha, I can’t tell you how often I am asked this question. Because you will be basically designing this throw yourself, you must take the following steps in order to determine in advance how many balls of yarn you will need. Choose a needle size and pattern stitch. Knit a swatch in this stitch that uses the entire ball of yarn. Next, measure the swatch length and width. Multiply the length by the width and that will tell you how many square inches you will get from one ball of yarn. Then determine the length and width that you want your throw to measure and multiply the length by the width. You will have the total square inches of your desired throw. Then divide the number of square inches of your swatch into the number of square inches of your throw and you will know the number of balls of yarn you will need to purchase. And you thought you would never have any use for Algebra!

All the best,


Margery Winter
Creative Director

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