Archive for the ‘Products’ Category
The Fino Circle Scarf is definitely an instant classic. The straight lines and simplistic design make this scarf perfect for either casual or dressy attire. Because it is entirely stockinette, you don’t have to worry about forgetting the pattern while you multitask and juggle a ton of activities during the summer months, which will give you a head start on a fall favorite.
I have knitted lots of projects and this is in my top 5 favorite finished garments because you can put it on with anything. Even though the pattern is not complex I felt a great sense of accomplishment when it was complete because it is a large project and it turned out absolutely gorgeous.
The yarn Fino, by Manos Del Uruguay is a dream to knit with and is soft around your neck. The scarf uses two substantial hanks (490 yards each) and because of its size can be worn long or wrapped twice to keep you nice and warm.
Elegant and refined, Fino combines the softness of merino wool with the luster of silk in a lightweight yarn that’s perfect for heirloom accessories or luxurious garments. Fino features a new dye process that yields complex, subtle, tonal colors. Click here to take a look at the free pattern. -B
Beautiful “Aspen Leaf” Lace points add texture and interest to this relatively simple open knit. Now that it is starting to get warm you might be looking for that simple non-bulky accessory you can throw on without worrying about getting hot. This is the project, not to mention it is perfect for showing off that special skein of hand-painted yarn.
Or if you like the one pictured here Martha used 1/2 a hank of Mountain Colors River Twist a fresh 2 ply yarn different from anything else we carry here at the shop. I like it because it because the textures and colors look similar to a hand spun yarn. Only using 1/2 a hank gives you enough to make one for a gift or you could make it even longer for more wrapping during the fall.
You can find this pattern by Jennifer Brooks Rice on Ravelry or just click here. Thanks to Martha for bringing her finished project in for us to photograph. -B
We have just received our first shipment of Vice hand dyed yarns. We have two awesome bases available now and some others coming in a few weeks. The first base and the one photographed here is Carnal, a heavy fingering weight in a lush blend of merino, cahmere, and silk (70/20/10).
You get 400 yards per hank and we have 5 color ways available including H Town Summer, Liam, and Death by Purple. The other yarn base is Sinful a single ply 100% merino which also includes a hefty 400 yards.
The yarn comes to us from Elizabeth Inman a yarn dyeing lover which shows in her colour creations. All her yarns are dyed with professional acid reactive dyes for clarity and colour fast results. -B
Oooo Fino, we are excited to announce that we have just received our first shipment of Manos Del Uruguay’s new elegant and refined yarn, Fino. A superb blend of silk and extra fine merino wool the yarn combines softness and lustre in a lightweight yarn that is perfect for heirloom accessories or luxurious garments. Fino features a new dye process that yields complex, subtle, tonal colors that are absolutely gorgeous.
I’m thinking the Circle Scarf a free download on Fairmount Fibers website will probably be a good project to start, with 490 yards per skein you will only need one.
Manos del Uruguay has been admitted as a full member of WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization), the global representative body of over 350 organizations committed to 100% Fair Trade. This recognizes Manos’s mission to eradicate poverty through sustainable economic development, pioneering social and environmental policy and practice, and continual reinvestment in marginalized artisans, farmers and producer communities. -B
There is much gratification and excitement in finishing any handcrafted item. However, some of these items require an extra touch to make them really shine. These extra touches can be blocking, edging, overstitching, appliques, and my favorite, buttons! I love the hunt to find the perfect buttons for my cardigan, to make that statement that that is both functional and unique. But why limit buttons to closing cardigans? One of the cutest uses of buttons I have ever seen is to put one on a headband to attach different flowers and shapes to the headband (Spring Baby Headband by Amy Andersen). Another use I have seen recently is to use buttons to create folds and drapes in knitted fabric (Clarity Cardigan by Gretchen Ronnevik).
But who wants to use just any buttons for their handmade item? I prefer to think that while they are just as functional, they give off a different impression. I like to find buttons that really match my item. L&B just received a large shipment of buttons. We are restocked on quantity and have new buttons to inspire! I found some really elegant ones that are silvery and opalescent. Also some of the buttons are textured on one side and smooth on the other, so I feel like either side can be used based on the final look.
I like pairing buttons to my work, but find that sometimes the buttons I think match the best are either a little too large or too small for the buttons described in the pattern, which means the buttonholes are not the right size. I am a firm believer that everything can be customized, so here are some really quick guidelines to my personal way to modify the buttonholes. This is only effective if the yarn and buttons are paired up before buttonholes are made. First, measure the diameter of the button. Next, take your gauge and figure out how many stitches are the closest to the measurement of the diameter. For example, 1 inch diameter button, and your gauge is 16 stitches to 4 inches. So 1 inch of fabric is 4 stitches. So I’d change the buttonholes to binding off 4 stitches on a row, then casting on 4 stitches and continuing the pattern as written. -Mikki
Things to keep in mind when choosing buttons:
In the case that your number of stitches is a fraction of a stitch, then it is better off rounding down. Buttonholes will stretch.
Sometimes buttons are a certain size because of some characteristics of the fabric made. Going up to a much larger button may not always work well.
Oh, cute little sock monkey tape measure, you are as precious as I remember when I saw you so many months ago. Now you have finally arrived at L & B Yarn Co. Don’t let yours get away, it’s the perfect stocking stuffer! -B
This simple triangular shawl by Stephen West is a great project for traveling or while relaxing at home. It features large groupings of stockinette stitch broken by garter ridges and a garter stitch border. That favorite stash yarn that you have been looking for the perfect project to showcase the yarn, this might be just the right pattern. You can take a look at the free pattern on Ravelry, just click here.
We used Smooshy with Cashmere, a luscious blend of luxury fibers, the yarn is opulence in a skein. The smooth, plied base, combined with a unique dyeing process, gives Smooshy with Cashmere its deep and lushly-shaded tones. The 20% cashmere makes this yarn divinely next-to-skin soft, while 10% nylon lends a durability to the finished project. We have 20 + colors in stock right now and all of them are uniquely beautiful.
The Boneyard only takes one skein of smooshy so it would also be a great project for Christmas gifts. If you haven’t knitted a triangular shawl and think you might need some instruction we are also offering the class November 24th, from 1:30pm-3:30pm. The class will also teach you how to increase by make one left and make one right.
Yarn bags are a necessity if you are like me and have to take your knitting everywhere! My purse isn’t tiny, however it is not capable of handling my knitting. With that being the case, I have gone through a few bags for crafting. While they have not all be specific for knitting/crocheting, I have noticed I like the ones that are the best. I had a beautiful embroidered bag from Thailand and used that for years. After i got caught in a few rainstorms, I had to look for a new bag. Wet yarn is not fun and my embroidered bag was not keeping out the rain. I now had to think about what I wanted out of a crafting bag. They are not cheap, but run a pretty large price range. Obviously the first thing I was looking for was that it was waterproof. Secondly was it had to zip shut. I personally am just too hard on bags to just have a snap closure work. Third characteristic is straps. I carry my bag by two handles, but bike everywhere so I need to have a long strap that I can throw over my head, messenger style. I went online and immediately got overwhelmed with options. Also I realized that I wanted to check the bags out physically. Same reason I like to buy yarn in person. Touch, weight, color, are all important aspects that do not come across the internet well. Imagine my delight when I came into L&B and we had just received a shipment of Hadaki bags!
I had seen them before, but it was only the smaller project bags. The bags are waterproof, light, and really durable. I looked through the styles of available and ended up getting a Cool Tote. It is a mid-size tote that carries a lot but isn’t too bulky. Hadaki carries a larger size tote, Hannah’s Tote. There also is a incredibly cute messenger bag that I may have to get as well. In case you are not in need of an entire new bag, the project bags are really awesome and drawstring shut. I can proudly say that my bag has been through some rainstorms already and no yarn has gotten wet! It also isn’t showing wear, which speaks to the durability. As the Hadaki brand is mid price in the bags that I had found, I think I got a great deal. -Mikki
Kidsilk Creation is a limited edition yarn from Rowan. A net, tubular construction made from the best selling yarn Kidsilk Haze which is 70% super kid silk Mohair and 30% silk. The colors have been selected from the favorite shades of Kidsilk Haze cream, dewberry, trance, candy girl, jelly and smoke.
Using a special technique one 50g hank will knit or crochet this 7′ long scarf that is soft and as light as a feather. The scarf pattern comes on the label and you can find the knitting and crochet tutorial at knitrowan.com. This is a really fast knit or crochet with an elegant completed project.
It’s not to early to start thinking about Christmas gifts and this one is on my top ten list of beautiful things. -B
The puppy snips from Hiya Hiya are handy little tools that fit easily into even the smallest accessory case. I’m always searching for a set of scissors to cut off that little bit of yarn and these work perfect. They come with an attached chain so you can put them on your keyring or even better, hang them on your knitting bag. They are only 1-7/8″ when the cap is on and all you have to do to open them is just slide the cap off. -B
