We are always having discussions in the shop about different dye techniques and what their definitions mean. After researching some different ways yarn is dyed I decided I would post some information on our site about this subject. Yarn may be un-dyed, or may be colored with natural (organic) or artificial dyes. Most yarns have a single uniform hue, but there is also a wide selection of variegated yarns: heathered, tweed, ombre, multi-colored, self-striping, and marled. Heathered yarn usually appears solid at first glance, but if you inspect it closer you will see lighter and darker hues of the same color within the fiber. Tweed is yarn with flecks of different colored fiber. Ombre is variegated yarn with light and dark shades of a single hue; it is different from heathered yarn because the shades of single hues are in longer sections. Multi-colored yarns are variegated with two or more distinct hues; for example, a “fruit salad colorway” might have green, pink, and yellow. Self striping yarn is dyed with lengths of color that will automatically create stripes in a knitted or crocheted object. Marled yarn is made from strands of different-colored yarn twisted together, sometimes in closely-related hues. Each of these dye techniques will give a different look to whatever project you are creating. A sweater knitted out of single uniform color can look like a completely different pattern if you knit it out of a multi-colored yarn. That is the great thing about shopping for yarn: you can pick something that is a mirror image of your personality. -B
One of our wonderful L & B employees, Mary, was given some brightly colored Jitterbug sock yarn as a Christmas gift. It was, of course, because everything she makes is pink or a variation of the color pink. Even though Jitterbug has 400 yards per hank (which is a lot for a hand dyed sock yarn), she had to find a project that would lend itself well to that yardage, and didn’t want to knit socks.
She found a great pattern on Ravelry—I know you are surprised 
. The pattern was written by Christy Verity is a lace pattern shawl called 198 Yards of Heaven. Knowing Mary, we weren’t shocked to find out that when she finished she only had about 1-2 yards of yarn left. Now that’s what I call knitting dangerously! The pattern is written for worsted or aran weight, but Mary has shown with her finished product you can knit it out of fingering weight. The shawlette starts at the neck and is knitted in the direction of the point, in one piece.
It has a two stitch garter edge and is finished with a finely pointed scalloped border. The lace pattern repeats are consistent in each row, making the pattern easy to memorize. Thanks to Mary for showing off this heavenly finished project!
We were searching for a flirty, fitted, and flattering knitted sweater on knitty, in the fall 2009 and ran across the Margot a classic Audrey Hepburn style sweater. Coincidentally it was designed by one of our talented local knitters and like all of her patterns was a perfect knit.
The construction is straightforward- cast on at the top and join to work in the round. Lots of stockinette and garter stitch with minimal purling and no seams which, I think most of us would agree is incredible. The original design called for Mission Falls 136 Wool and after scoping the store for several days for the perfect yarn I decided that Linden had it right to start with. The 136 Wool is the newest product in the Mission Falls line. If you have used the 1824 Wool and love it, you will love this dk weight yarn as well.
It is soft, gives beautiful stitch definition, and it can be machine washed. The lightweight yarn and the ¾ length sleeves make it a perfect sweater to wear from the beginning fall through the end of spring. Linden- we can’t wait to see what you come up with next! -Leslie
Once a month L & B will be highlighting one of our favorite Etsy shops. This month we are posting about Sammi84 a homemade jewelry shop for bridal and every day. Similar to Leslie and I, the shop is owned and managed by two sisters Sammi and Kelly. At Sammi84 and their sister shop Made by Sam you will find jewelry inspired by nature, made out of fine gem stones, semi-precious materials, sterling silver, and gold filled (rolled gold). Leslie actually bought me one of the pieces for my birthday a few weeks ago and I haven’t taken it off since I opened the package. You will find most of the jewelry featured on the site is very affordable and simplistic.
The packaging and presentation is really cute and great for anyone who is looking for unique handmade gifts. I have received several compliments asking where I found by maple leaf necklace and I am excited to be promoting this shop. You all know that when Leslie went shopping for my birthday present she couldn’t hold herself back from buying a little silver heart for herself and a gold star for our Mom. This actually worked out perfect for us when we decided to post about the products we had three samples to photograph! Thanks to Sammi and Kelly for giving us the opportunity to highlight their Etsy shop on our blog. -B
The first time we met with our representative from Classic Elite Yarn in 2007, the newest line of yarn was Wenlan Chia’s Twinkle. She had also just brought out her new book Twinkle’s Big City Knits, offering the same whimsical and modern patterns that you see in her fashion line Twinkle by Wenlan. The Twinkle Soft Chunky and the Twinkle Cruise were a definite must have for our shop. Ever since the yarn came into the shop we have been looking for the perfect 2 skein project to knit using Twinkle Cruise, a plied DK yarn of 70% silk and 30% cotton.
After searching on Ravelry we came across the Baktus Scarf by [strikkelise] (person) shout out to our Ravelry users, the perfect pattern match for our criteria. The project is lightweight and silky soft, an ideal spring accent. This is a good project for beginner knitters or for someone looking for a quick knit. You only need to know how to knit and the pattern will teach you how to increase and decrease stitches.
If you look at the pattern on Ravelry check out other people that have made the scarf to see some fun twists to the original pattern. Wenlan also has several beautiful patterns out of Cruise in her other books; Twinkle’s Weekend Knits and Twinkle’s Town and Country Knits. -B
