Dear KnitBits® Subscribers,


Today I will take you on a virtual tour of two of our new spring pattern booklets, #240 Ultra Silk™ and #244 Touché™ & Cotton Twist™.

Booklet #240 Ultra Silk. Ultra Silk is an absolutely beautiful round yarn that carves out stitch patterns with a soft crispness unique to this clever construction of silk and microfiber technology. We designed a collection of 6 garments including our cover sweater Cindy, an easy v-neck pullover punctuated with a few clever stitch details. Tallulah is a sporty racer-back tank top and Ulla is a dressy tank top with a touch of Runway glam. Carlotta is a raglan ballet neck pullover with lots of bold 2 x 2 ribbing. Paradise is a short sleeve cardigan shirtwaist dress that looks cool over a tank and pants. We've shown it fastened at the waist on our model. It also looks great worn open. Joy is a lace front cardigan knit in a combination of mesh and cable stitches. We have placed grommets on the button bands and laced it loosely with a ribbon, but you could make it into classic button front cardigan or zip it up the front. I am going to make one in black, but it photographed best in a lighter khaki shade.

Booklet #244 Touché & Cotton Twist contains 7 knitterly options. The combination of the crispness of cotton and the soft touch of Modal rayon makes Touché a yarn that is perfect for summer lace and cable knitting. Cotton Twist gleams with a touch of bright rayon and is just right for cool cotton classic knitting. Codi is a long v-neck cardigan with lace and cables to wear as a cool coverup. Krista is a lacy peasant short sleeve drawstring tunic. Becky is a bodice conscious knit blouse with a lace bust panel, a sweetheart neckline and short sleeves. Alelia is a long lace and cable tunic of ethnic inspiration. Katie is a colorful take on a peasant blouse with lace medallions, tasseled drawstrings and cross stitch embroidery. Joyce is a short sleeve pullover with a graduated ribbed yoke. Megan is a super long, asymmetrical length sleeve tunic with a deep side seam slit and fringe.

If you are looking for more pattern choices in Cotton Twist, you will find a range of free patterns at Cotton Twist-Free Patterns or browse our pattern collection at Cotton Twist-Preview Patterns.



Juliana from Kankakee, IL wrote: "My grandmother is a great knitter and crocheter and she wants to make me something that I will wear. I am 16 years old and I am a drummer in a rock band and I consider myself very trend conscious. I am afraid that she will make me something that I won't want to wear. Can you recommend something? I love her and I don't want to hurt her feelings."

Juliana, thanks for asking this question. We are very interested in what the younger generation is wearing. Have a look at the following items that might suit your style. They are very young and hip and we offer these patterns free on our website. Have a look at Aphrodite. It looks great with jeans and tight little tee shirt. Celia and Maple might also appeal to you. If you want, you can go to our free pattern section at www.berroco.com and browse our complete library of patterns. I am certain that you will find something there that you will like. You may decide that you would like to have your grandmother teach you how to knit and crochet. With these skills you will be able to create your own things.

All the best,


Margery Winter
Creative Director