Dear Knitters and Crocheters,

Today I will show you some digital pictures I shot a couple of weeks ago in Italy and I will also complete our tour of patterns in our Spring ’05 collection by showing you our new pattern book #232 via our “web gallery.”

Whenever I travel I am always looking for trends in fashion and design, so that I can share them with you. My muse is the city of Florence herself, and so through my digital camera I am able to share with you the source of my inspiration. I find comfort and affirmation when I see that my ideas jive with the ideas of those in the know in fashion.

My inspiration comes from the ancient streets, magnificent stone buildings and the fashionistas that gather from all over the world to share in this creative synergy when they too visit the international yarn fair, Pitti Filati, twice a year. For a look at some of my photographs you can simply click here to see Florence web gallery.

Bling Bling™ is our featured yarn this week, so let’s take a closer look at the miraculous effect of this favorite yarn. This yarn is spun and dyed in Italy at an extraordinary mill that caters to the finest knitwear designers. Bling Bling is an exquisitely soft and supple cotton blend that is spun, plied, twisted, dyed and finished and then knitted into yardage. Then an aluminum foil metallic film is permanently heat transferred to one side of the knitted fabric. The yardage is unraveled, steamed and wound into balls, ready to knit. The effect comes up randomly as knit and the metallic "bling" effect has a gold or silver leather look that makes it very special indeed.

In book #232 Inside & Out, we have home décor items, handbags, cell phone bags and a poncho all done in Bling Bling. You can make our Fontainbleu throw and pillows to decorate the finest formal living room or you may choose to decorate your studio apartment with a nod to the 60's with Carnaby throw and pillows in our colorful and flamboyant TuTu™. Click here for a complete tour of book #232.

Arlene from Darien, Ct wrote: “I learned to knit a few years ago and I have become a serious yarn shopper. I am developing a keen sense of touch and an intuition for picking the right yarn for a project. I have made the Oakley Shawl, the Pamela Throw Throw and the Linda Poncho. I just love them. I must say that Suede is my favorite yarn of all. It really feels like its namesake and it drapes and fringes just like the real stuff. I saw another yarn that was also named Suede that didn’t really look or feel like suede. The price was tempting but the touch was different. My intuition tells me that there is only one yarn that is like suede and that is Berroco’s Suede. Am I right?

Yes, Arlene, you do have a superb sense of touch and you are absolutely right. That “pseudo” suede yarn that you are referring to doesn’t really look like or feel like Berroco’s Suede. You simply cannot substitute one for the other. Our Suede is a flat ribbon construction and it has a stonewashed look with the finish of suede and the softness of Chamois. Have a look at the color card. We have taken our inspiration from western wear and the world of fine leather goods. Arlene, if you want to be certain, choose a Berroco yarn.

Many years ago I had my palm read at a favorite Indian restaurant, the Akbar on Park Avenue in NYC. The reader told me that I would travel to Europe for my work. This has certainly come to pass. I am very fortunate to be able to return to Florence twice a year to drink from her fountain of inspiration.

All the best,


Margery Winter
Creative Director

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