Today we continue with a focus on the Berroco Yarn Collection at Village Yarns. Yesterday we introduced 5 new pattern books for Fall 2007 along with two new yarns; Peruvia and Jasper. This post allows us to provide you with an overview of the Berroco yarns and pattern books in stock at Village Yarns.
New customers to Village Yarns are always happy to see the Berroco logo and tell us how nice it is to actually touch the yarn up close. Like many of you we eagerly await the latest issue of Berroco's "KnitBits" online newsletter http://www.berroco.com/e-news.html Marjorie Winter, Creative Director of Berroco, does a superb job of keeping readers informed of free patterns available as well as providing a focus for the Berroco pattern books and yarns available from retailers like Village Yarns.
It is one thing to read about and see yarns on a computer monitor but you know that holding the yarn in your hand conveys such a different reaction. We invite you to come in to the store and see our selection of Berroco yarns in person. We have many store sample garments for you to view and try on and yes! you can sit down at a table and test knit many of these yarns. This focus on Berroco concludes tomorrow.
Berroco Yarns and Patterns are available by contacting Village Yarns via email: vilalgeyarns@sympatico.ca or by phone 1-888-343-8885 or locally (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide via Canada Post. Enjoy the yarn!
Yarn Collection at Village Yarns
Peruvia™
NEW for Fall/Winter '07/'08
100% Peruvian Highland Wool
"Peruvia is the perfect felting yarn and while not a butter soft merino, I love the way this yarn knits up. Definitely a wool for when the temperature drops. Cottagers would appreciate it's warmth with our cool Ontario summer evenings. Peruvia knits up fast, and although recommended to be knit on a 6mm needle for the soft shaping of some of the featured designs, I achieved a Worsted Weight gauge of 20 stitches using 4.5mm needles. The perfect gauge for a zipped hoodie or cabled cardigan." - Patrick Madden, Village Yarns.
The Pignoli Felted Bag is knit with six skeins of Peruvia. This free Berroco pattern makes a great knitting or everyday bag. Perfect for a first felt project.
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/pignoli/pignoli.html
Jasper™
NEW for Fall/Winter '07/'08
100% Fine Merino Wool
This new yarn should arrive any day now...we will post you about it's debut.
"Gomasio" Tie Front Cardigan from Berrroco Book #262 in Ultra Alpaca
Ultra Alpaca
50% Super Fine Alpaca, 50% Peruvian Highland Wool
215 yds/198 m per 100g skein.
GAUGE: 20 sts & 26 rows = 4"/10 cm
NEEDLE SIZE: US#8/5mm
Berroco certainly hit the mark with Ultra Alpaca. Village Yarns customers and staff love knitting with this light Worsted Weight yarn but then that's the joy of Alpaca. Peruvian mills blend Huacaya Alpaca with Peruvian Highland Wool into solids and heather tones which knit up in a light Worsted gauge with great yardage. Come touch and feel this yarn if you already haven't. Great for all knitting and crochet projects. The pattern support from Berroco is great. We have several garments and accessories at Village Yarns for you to try on.
This skirt pattern is knit sideways using short rows to produce the perfect fit. Ultra Alpaca has great resiliency needed for skirts so there is no "saggy seat" to deal with. The drape and spring of this yarn make this a great addition to your wardrobe.
Don't forget the boys in your life. Big or small, all will enjoy wearing this cable sweater. The knitter will love all the travelling cable stitches. Rich, deep heathers and solid shades abound.
Perfect accessories for those of us living in the snow belt. Not that we talk about that in July but if you want to work on some gift knitting, come see this sample of leg and arm warmers at Village Yarns. Like knitting in the round but tired of turning heels? Sock knitters will enjoy the combination of cable stitches in these two designs.
Here is a different take on the traditional vest. If you want to have something light, that covers the neck but you are not the "Shrug" type, then consider this model. The tapered V-neck collar is a nice touch and this would knit up quickly in Ultra Alpaca. The childrens model is a great idea for school and Sunday best occassions.
The versatility of Ultra Alpaca extends to accessories that can be knit and felted. Berroco books "Bags #251" & "Bags2 #257" feature the following designs:
The Rubic Bag from book #257 is an attractive felt project for both Crochet and Knitting. Easy colour block assembly allows you to combine the 54 shades of Ultra Alpaca in any way you like.
Crochet & Felted Version...
Knit & Felted Version...
We love the shape and clean lines of "Thalia" from Berroco Book Bags2 #257. Who can resist this lovely shade of Mauve? Berroco Suede provides the accent colour. To order Berroco products contact Village Yarns by phone 1-888-343-8885 or locally (416)232-2361.
The "Brea Bag" is a Berroco free pattern using 2 skeins of Ultra Alpaca in "Pea Soup Mix" which is in stock at Village Yarns:
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/brea/brea.html
Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky: Available at Village Yarns.
Berroco has collaborated with best selling author Barbara Delinsky. In Ms. Delinsky's newest novel, Family Tree, the themes of knitting, a multigenerational love of yarn and the joys of a local yarn shop are all woven together within the main plot. Berroco is even mentioned in the book.
Barbara chose Berroco to design a companion knitting collection to complement her new novel. The resulting Family Tree Knitting Collection Booklet #263 contains four patterns that are inspired by characters in her novel. Designed for the modern knitter with the concept of heirloom in mind...
The Elizabeth shawl is a modern version of a Faroese shawl. Knit using Berroco Ultra Alpaca and shown tied behind the back as a modern wrap with a face framing lace edging. It would be equally entrancing draped over one's shoulders or tied around the waist as an over skirt.
The Saundra baby afghan/throw is made up of hexagons, looks intricate but is deceptively simple. Worked on straight needles, each hexagon is knit onto the one before it so there is no finishing. You can look at this one for hours and keep seeing it in new ways, like with a beautiful patchwork quilt.
Updated shapes and proportions...
Touché™
50% Cotton, 50% Modal® Rayon
89 yds / 82 m per 50g skein.
GAUGE: 20 sts & 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)
NEEDLE SIZE: US #8 / 5 mm
Touché is so wonderful to knit with, your fingers will love it. A blend of Cotton and Rayon for practical care, Touchè is an excellent fibre choice when knitting for babies and young children as it can withstand rigorous machine washing and drying. We've tested it and it performs great.
As a fashion yarn, Touchè has a subtle sheen and drape that lends itself to classic and fashion forward designs.
Touchè is a Worsted Weight knitting up at 20 stitches/10cm and makes this yarn interchangeable with Berroco Ultra Alpaca.
Featured extensively in Berroco publications, Touchè is the perfect alternative to Alpaca and other animal fibres for persons with allergies. A great year round, comfortable cotton blend.
The Toshiko Scarf is an excellent project for new and experienced knitters alike. Worked in oh-so-soft Touchè, the contrasting sections of Stocking Stitch and Garter Stitch produce a loveley surface texture. With the addition of a simple i-cord or Hanah Silk Ribbon, a pretty ruffled effect forms when gathered close to the neck.
To order Berroco Touchè contact Village Yarns: 1-888-343-8885 or locally (416)232-2361.
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/toshiko/toshiko.html
Ultra Silk™
FIBER: 20% Silk, 40% Rayon, 40% Nylon
98 yds / 90 m
GAUGE: 19 sts & 28 rows = 4" (10 cm)
NEEDLE SIZE: US #10 / 6mm
Come into Village Yarns and see our Nadine Shrug knit in Berroco Ultra Silk. Better yet, try it on. What better way to appreciate the smooth, cool feel of this yarn. Blended with Rayon and Nylon, these additional fibres help Ultra Silk hold it's shape.
A flirtly shrug has a yoke/sleevecap combo. Close it with one of fabulous hand made Shawl Pins for added interest.
This overview of Berroco Yarns continues tomorrow with Part 2 of 2.
Berroco Yarns and Patterns are available by contacting Village Yarns via email: vilalgeyarns@sympatico.ca or by phone 1-888-343-8885 or locally (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide via Canada Post.
Take Care and Happy Knitting.
The Village People.
Village Yarns - Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com
