Dear KnitBits® Subscribers,

As summer approaches we are considering the vest a "must knit" item for our wardrobe. A vest is versatile. It can be worn over a tank top or t-shirt as well as a classic shirt for a total look. It is a cool and easy in"vest"ment for the warmer weather. Today's free pattern is Iris, a menswear inspired knit vest with a good measure of feminine lace. We show it here with shirt and jeans. It's knit in Cotton Twist™ in our trendy new blue called Dye. Have a look at our brilliant shade range. There are many choices to suit your style and color preferences. Your choice of buttons can dress your vest up or down depending on how you want to wear it. This vest can be worn alone as a tank or over layers of gauzy frills for a girlier look.

If you are looking for other choices to knit in Cotton Twist you can click on 21 Free Patterns or 42 Preview Patterns. The free patterns are posted on our website for you to print out at no cost and the section marked Preview Patterns showcases all the styles that are available in our pattern booklets. You can purchase these patterns at your local yarn shop.





Tara from cyberspace writes: "I have been knitting ever since I was 10 years old. I love traditional woolen yarns. I am intoxicated by color and texture. My problem is that I am so distracted these days. With my job, my home and kids, I just keep moving knitting to the bottom of my "to do list." I am on a strict budget as gasoline prices rise and cannot afford to waste money on yarn that won't last or to make a huge yarn purchase all at once. I love to knit, it relaxes me, but I need a project that I can just mindlessly pick up whenever I have a moment to kick back and relax. I hate to follow instructions. What can you recommend? Please don't suggest a scarf, I am scarfed out."

Tara, you have a lot in common with other KnitBits subscribers. Because you are a true knitter, I am sure you will love our new Ultra™Alpaca. It's a luxurious classic yarn at a very good price. It is available in 50 shades including solids and heathers. It comes in beautiful 100 gram hanks so it will look as attractive in your knitting basket as it will knit up in a throw on your sofa. Here is an easy formula for a striped "stream of consciousness throw." Pick out 10 of your favorite Ultra Alpaca shades. Choose a relaxing pattern stitch, one that will lay flat and not curl on the edges such as garter, seed or moss. Cast on 200 stitches on # 8 needles for a 40" width fabric and knit random stripes in a variety of widths. You will have your own, unique throw that will last forever. You will enjoy every moment of knitting and choosing what color to put next to what. This is a project that you can pick up and put down as you wish and never have to figure out where you left off. Also, since you are on a yarn budget, you can purchase a couple skeins at a time. There will not be a dyelot problem because you will be using 10 colors and never more than one skein of each. Your throw will be approximately 40" wide and as long as you want. You can in fact purchase an 11th skein if you want it to be longer.

All the best,


Margery Winter
Creative Director