Dear KnitBits® subscribers,

This week we’ll show you our new pattern book #234 Leisure Class. Take a look at our Web Gallery to view all of the fashion knits: tanks, halter tops, lacy pullovers, off-the-shoulder looks and a long, fringed skirt and matching cabled tank top inspired by a fabulous designer leather outfit. It’s knit in our Suede™ yarn for the look of the real thing.

Today I will focus on a new yarn called Zodiac™. Constructed with a strand of cotton yarn running parallel to a silken space-dyed nylon ribbon, Zodiac is then wrapped with a thin black thread, creating a yarn that has an artisan

appeal to the seasoned knitter and crocheter. And true to the Berroco form, it has that special touch of shine. The knitted fabric has a lovely drape and with a double strand and a crochet hook, you can create fashion caps, hats and bags with body and durability. Have a look at our Victoria handbag crocheted with a double strand of Zodiac.

If it’s a cardigan you are looking for, take a look at Sherri, a lovely two button cardigan designed for us by Deborah Newton. Bands of an elongated crossover stitch pattern showcase the elegant construction of Zodiac.  For instructions and yarn to make all of the 19 great styles in book #234 Leisure Class, go to your local yarn shop. Need help locating a shop near you? Go to our list of Berroco dealers by location.

This week’s free pattern is Zippy, an adorable baby jacket knit in Lullaby, our soft Tactel™ nylon ribbon that is now available in soft baby solids as well as space-dyes. Our cute little baby boy model loved the softness of this baby blue zip cardigan. It’s almost as soft as he is. If you would rather not sew in a zipper, you can sew some cute buttons onto the seed stitch band and make crocheted button loops opposite them.




Sandie from cyberspace wrote: “I love your bag called FuBu in book #233.  It rocks!  I bought book #233 and 2 balls of TuTu™, but I am having trouble finding the right handles. Can you help me?”

Sandie, after we made the Fubu Bag and photographed it, we had the idea to make handles out of lengths of clear flexible plastic tubing. You can find it at the aquarium supply store.  We simply drew 2 lengths of TuTu through 2 lengths of tubing, letting the ends fall loose out of either side. Then with a large sewing needle, we sewed the handles onto the bags piercing a hole through the tubing with the sharp needle and thread. They look great and the yarn shows through the clear plastic. It’s a fun finishing touch.

All the best,


Margery Winter
Creative Director

How to become eligible to win a Free Sweater Kit:
All KnitBits subscribers will be automatically included in our bi-monthly drawings for a free sweater kit from our newest collection. Your current subscription serves as your official entry. Please do not attempt to re-subscribe, as this will not increase your chances of winning. Good luck!

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