Dear KnitBits subscribers,

From the early days of Berroco, our woven rayon ribbon Berroco Glace™ has been one of our leading yarns. Over the decades, as ribbon yarns have gone in and out of fashion, knitters and crocheters continued to look to Berroco for this classic ribbon. Every season we updated colors and published Glace patterns inspired by the fashion of the time. Thus our Glace ribbon was and still is able to transcend trend.

Ribbon yarns are now in fashion again and ribbon yarn technology has produced both knit and woven yarns ranging from simple railroad to fringy, frilly, fuzzy, furry and sparkly. These trendy specialties will come and go, but Berroco's Zen™ is truly another classic that will remain a standard for investment knitting and crocheting.

Zen has been a favorite of mine since we introduced it in 2001. Because of its instant popularity, we have expanded the yarn line to a color range of 14 shades that we continue to update each season according to fashion color trends. In 2003, we introduced Zen Colors, a space dyed Zen ribbon that has the look of a hand dye, now in 16 colorways.

The first season was just the tip of the iceberg as I was only just discovering the possibilities of this new nylon railroad ribbon. I began to experiment with knitting gauge, starting with a classic 5 to the inch. In that first season, we designed knitted garments in a more classic form. As time went on, we discovered that a looser gauge and even a wrap around drop stitch technique allowed our Zen to exhibit its inherent beauty by allowing the length of yarn to be visible. This looser, more relaxed, Zen-like approach appealed to the new knitter and the busier knitter who was looking for immediate gratification. A shawl called Wickenden that we did with 2 strands of Zen held together and knit on a #17 needle with wrap and drop stitch technique was extremely popular and really put Zen on the map. Another favorite Zen pattern that's free now on our website is Lucy Lu.

In the past few years, scarves, shawls and bags became the most sought after knitted items and Zen was a shining star in this category. Retro 60's and '70s looks called for fringe and Zen proved to be the best choice for lovely long, fluid fringes.

Speaking of ribbon yarn classics, Suede™, as you know, is a sensation. In Knitbits #86 we posted a free pattern for Belinda Carter's version of Martha's poncho and many of you have responded with pleas for a knitted version. One of our knitwear designers worked up her knitted impressions on Belinda's version, so here is the Knitted Famous Poncho.

Today we are offering 2 free and easy patterns in Zen Colors, one for crocheters and one for knitters. Patricia is a lovely crescent shaped shawl with an abundance of fringe. It is easy enough for a novice crocheter to tackle. My first Summer Tunic is knit in two simple rectangles, front and back, with no neck shaping. Then you pick up and knit the sleeves down for an easy finish to a smart tunic. We hung a wooden button around the neck on a twisted cord of matching Zen Colors for a stunning accessory.
 




READER'S TIP: Shirley from Novato, CA wrote recently with a great suggestion. She’s discovered that a Japanese noodle bowl with a hole in the side for chopsticks is a great tool for holding one large ball of yarn while knitting.
She reports that the end of the yarn can be fed through the hole and that the pottery bowls are heavy enough and deep enough for the yarn to stay put in the bowl while knitting. On a table or by your chair, it is an attractive container for your current work in progress. Thanks for the tip, Shirley.


All the best,


Margery Winter
Creative Director