Project Spotlight: Vanek's Laneway

When I'm looking for projects to feature on the blog, I surf around Ravelry looking for really stunning or impressive pieces. And I always get excited about a well-executed knit dress. (Great photos don't hurt, either!) This piece from Vanek is a wonderful example of a stylish, modern, gorgeous dress! I am thrilled that she shared more about the creation of the dress and allowed us to feature it on the blog.

When I purchased my first Anzula Haiku at LYS, I fell for the color, it was Black Cherry and I couldn’t resist it. I made a summer cardigan with this yarn and during the process I kept admiring the quality of the yarn and a pleasure to knit with it. When I finished the cardigan, I started looking for more Haiku. I have to say, there is not much around, or maybe I am looking in the wrong places. Anyway, I found some selection on the web site (don’t remember which one) and ordered a couple of colors. (She later let me know that she ordered it from Knit Culture Studio!)

When I saw Laneway, I liked the pattern right away. After going through my stash and trying a few yarns that would fit yarn requirements for the pattern, I did not find anything that I liked. Finally, I tried Anzula Haiku in (Sexy), and it was it. I had some difficulties finding the right color for the stripes though. It had to be fingering yarn in a solid color that will show off on the brown.... I was excited to find 1 hank of (Au Natural) on some web site and ordered it. I was very happy when it arrived, it was a great companion for my brown Haiku.

I really like Anzula Haiku, and I wish this yarn was easier to find. The garments made of this yarn have a luxurious silky look and it’s a real pleasure to work with.

Thank you so much to Vanek for allowing me to share her dress on the blog today! If you find yourself unable to find the yarn you are looking for, don't forget that your LYS (or favorite online shop) can place a special order for whatever Anzula yarns or fibers you need, at any time - they are happy to make your knitting dreams come true!

Info

Comment

New Colorways and... Yarns!

Yesterday at TNNA we divulged what we've been waiting for ages to share - five new colors! Please allow us, without further adieu, to introduce them to you now...

From left: Rust, Saffron, Peacock, Hippo, and Orchid.

All of the colors above are shown on Silken, a brand new yarn that is composed of 50% Superwash Merino and 50% Tussah Silk. It's a fingering/sock weight yarn, a skein of which measures +/- 375 yards or 343 meters.

But Silken isn't the only new yarn line we are releasing at TNNA this weekend! Three other lines are also being released, all composed of the same 50/50 blend as Silken. Luster is also a fingering/sock weight yarn that measures +/- 385 yards or 352 meters. Croquet is a DK weight yarn that measures +/- 250 yards or 228 meters. And It Could Be Worsted is a worsted weight yarn that measures +/- 200 yards or 182 meters.

I know what you're thinking... let's see the pictures!

These new yarns and colorways should be arriving at your LYS soon! If you don't see them, be sure to ask for them - any of our yarns or fibers can be special ordered by your LYS for one skein or one hundred.

Info

7 Comments

Warm Days, Cool Knits with Corrina Ferguson

Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kick-off of summer in America. Some of us have been experiencing summer-like weather for a while, while others still have a little while to go before they're ready for summer activities. Moving into the summer season, we are all probably looking for lighter knits and lighter projects - but we still want a full range of options.

I've been perusing Corrina Ferguson's new book, Warm Days, Cool Knits, for a little while. (You may remember our interview with her here on the blog earlier this year as we were releasing the pattern books from Stitch Sprouts.) Corrina is a designer who lives in the South, so her need for lighter knits is a year-round one. She's collected twenty beautiful patterns to complement the seasons of the South. But don't feel that you have to have year-round sunshine to use this book - with the variety of the designs and a lightweight knit's innate layerability, you'll find reasons to grab this book again and again.

Two of the patterns in the book were created in our yarns. The Alliemay Tunic was knit in Breeze. It's a lovely open piece that's very versatile - you could wear it over your bathing suit, over a tank top and leggings, or over a fitted dress. The belt can be adjusted to be worn at an empire waist, natural waist, or drop waist as shown. And you'll need no more than 2 skeins to create this.

The other pattern is a brilliant sweater with coordinating cowl. Zolena sparkles for the holidays in Nebula. The cabling in the cowl matches the cuffs of the sweater for a really pulled-together look.

Corrina's designs are classic without being stuffy (and a couple are downright fun), and each time I flip through the well-designed book I notice another great detail. If you haven't checked this book out at your LYS or bookstore, I highly recommend picking it up.

Info

Comment