Friday, August 31, 2007

Nora Gaughan Vol. 1 at Village Yarns; Part 1 of 2

Since joining Berroco as Design Director, Nora Gaughan has made a wonderful contribution to this yarn company with her deft hand for intriguing garment design and construction.

For Fall 2007 Village Yarns presents Nora's first self-titled collection of knitwear for Berroco;
Nora Gaughan Vol. 1.


In Part 1 we preview "Eleanor's Search" followed by Part 2 previewing the flip-side collection titled "Urban Layers". Two decidedly different focuses published in one great "flip book" design. With 22 pieces of garments and accessories, this knitting pattern collection offers wonderful twists on classic shapes with interesting stitch and construction details.


Eleanor's Search: 9 designs featuring Hexagons, Lace, Stripes and Circles are paired with simple construcion techniques that make these intricate looking knitting patterns fun to knit without being too challenging.

Manon.
This Cardigan presents interesting construction details by repeating a mitred triangle motif with cables and moss stitch which creates the peplum. This is joined to the bodice which is finished in simple Stocking Stitch. 3/4 sleeves with a split cuff round out the interesting details. Worked in an Aran-weight Merino, the perfect choice for the office, school or about town.




Aamu.
A cute cropped U-neck, this is the perfect quick-knit for Fall 2007. Shown in a self-striping Merino, solid shades will work equally as well for those not wanting horizonal lines. The U-shape neckline is perfect for knitters who don't alway want a crew and provides a nice alternative to v-necks. The ribbing can be modified if you don't want that volume at your neck - or increased for more of a cowl. Elbow length sleeves make this the perfect topper for fine gauge turtlenecks and long sleeve t-shirts.




Astrid.
A series of web-like circles of various sizes knit seperately then joined to form this light and lovely shawl. Interesting, textural, the perfect accessory for travellers. Wear it on the plane, packs light and takes you from day to evening.




Aune (Skirt).
To date, this overskirt pattern has generated the most interest with it's pretty hexagon counterpanes knit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca and joined with a simple Crochet chain stitch. Soft, pretty, very feminine, this skirt can be worn endlessly for many occassions.




Sabine FX (Scarf).
You can never have too many scarves! It's all about the accessories. Dreading the dark colours that decend on us as we move into Fall and Winter? Give your wardrobe a boost with this interesting twisted ladder construction knit in shiny Metallic FX.



Elodie.
A shrug of generous proportions yet just touching the waist, full sleeves to envelope you in texture and warmth. Like lace knitting but not on 2mm needles? This stitch pattern worked in a Double Knitting weight Alpaca works up quickly, giving the hands the fun of forming yarn overs and paired increases all framed by 2x2 ribbing.




Luce.
Nora Gaughan takes a lovely colour transition merino and knits it in alternating rows of casting on, knitting and casting off to create volume and texture which is Luce. We loved this sample when viewed at TNNA in June.




Noemi (Scarf).
An excellent choice for new knitters wishing to move beyond basic knit and purl. This scarf features paired increases and simple lace stitches in an easy to follow chart.



Knit in a Double Knitting weight Alpaca/Wool blend, this is a great yarn weight to work with and produces a soft, textural scarf.


Chantal (Sweater).
Simplicity, line, proportion. Chantal features nicely set-in sleeves and a wider neckline to be worn over dresses, blouses and super-fine knits. Construction details are that the bodice is worked in a Double Knitting Gauge Alpaca/Wool and the ribbing in the next gauge up, Light Worsted.



Part 2 previewing the flip-side collection titled "Urban Layers" follows in the next post.

Nora Gaughan Vol. 1 is in stock at Village Yarns in Toronto, as well as the complete Berroco Pattern library. Please contact us for more information or to order Nora Gaughan Vol.1 at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide via Canada Post.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Needful Yarns Kim & Kelly at Village Yarns



What a cute bear and blankets adorning our windows at Village Yarns in Toronto. These patterns are among our best sellers for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.


The cheeful colour range of Needful Yarns Kim Cotton blend make this a practical-care choice as it goes in the washer and dryer without any fuss. Both blankets feature easy to follow instructions for beginner knitters, including the Colour Block Baby Blanket which is a great introduction to the Intarsia knitting technique. Very little yarn ends to sew in with this project.



This colourful bear pattern is knit in Stocking Stitch using the Intarsia colour block knitting technique in the solid Kim colourways. The bear pattern is from our best selling book Family Circle Easy Baby Knits, featuring over 50 designs including clothing, blankets and toys.





These baby blanket patterns are exclusive to Village Yarns and free with the purchase of Village Yarns Baby Blanket kits featuring King Textiles Kim & Kelly.



KIM - available in 29 solid colours.
Composition 55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic.
Yardage 108 Yds.
Gauge 19 STS x 26 ROWS
Needles US:8.0 Metric:5mm UK:6



KELLY - available in 15 self striping colours.
Composition 55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic.
Yardage 108 Yds.
Gauge 19 STS x 26 ROWS
Needles US:8.0 Metric:5mm UK:6


Please contact us for more information on Needful Yarns products and Family Circle publications or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Prism Lace Wool at Village Yarns


We invite you to Village Yarns to see our complete collection of Prism Yarns including the exquisite Prism Lace Wool; 100% Merino Wool spun it Italy and hand dyed by Laura Bryant and her team at Prism in St. Petersburg Florida.


The hand of this wool is so soft it has to be touched to believe, with enough stick to the fibers that it doesn't slide around so your lace has beautiful definition. Great yardage with 1460 yards per skein allows knitters to complete many lace projects with a single skein.



One skein does a generously sized shawl or several scarves. The perfect choice for "mystery shawl" knitters.


When Lace Wool arrived at Village Yarns last February we knew that a sample must be knit using the "Flirty Ruffles" lace shawl pattern by Dorothy Siemens of Fiddlesticks Knitting. To show our customers how large a shawl can be knit from one skein of Prism Lace Wool, we reduced the finished size from that on Dorothy's pattern. For a larger shawl with more volume, a second skein would be purchased.


At Village Yarns you can touch and try on our sample of "Flirty Ruffles". Knit in Prism Lace Wool it is light as a feather with the subtle, beautiful colours of Prism hand dyed yarns. Village Yarns store model was knit in the Prism Dune colourway.


Prism Fall Fantastic Book 42, new for Fall 2007 at Village Yarns features Lace Wool on the front cover, left image. An inventive wrap with sleeves that can be worn several ways. Click on the highlighted book name to take you to a preview of Fall Fantastic; at the bottom of page 3 is "Lacy Wrap", knit using 2 skiens of Prism Lace Wool .

Prism Lace Wool is available from Village Yarns in 60 gorgeous hand dyed colourways. Remember that we ship worldwide so contact us toll free at 888-343-8885 if you have any questions or wish to order Prism Lace Wool.

For your viewing pleasure, here are some eye candy shots of 23 of the 60 colourways of Prism Lace Wool available at Village Yarns in Toronto:

Prism Lace Wool:
100% merino wool
3.5 oz skein/1460 yards
Needle size variable for Lace Weight patterns.


























To view the complete colour range for Prism Yarns, click on this link to their website:

Prism Hand Dyed Colours at Village Yarns Toronto

Please contact Village Yarns in Toronto for more information on Prism Lace Wool or to order at villageyarns@sympatico.ca or toll free 888-343-8885 or Toronto local (416)232-2361. We ship worldwide.

Enjoy your passion!
Village Yarns
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.villageyarns.com