Comfort and Joy

 

CAPE ESCAPE

The chic new cover up for any season is the cape, capelet or shawlette. What ever name you choose to assign it, it will be your perfect “go to” piece.

This past week we were part of the Sweet Shawlettes Blog Tour and right off the top we can easily choose three from the book.  Enigma, a two part poncho upon poncho,  knit in Rowan Kidsilk Haze. Ceilidh, a beautiful intarsia side shouldered shawlette, in Rowan Lima and the Kitty, for those who can’t resist the newly re-surged interest in animal prints.

 

You can’t go wrong with Churchmouse Yarns and Teas EasyFolded Poncho. We have one started in Joseph Galler’s Heather Prime Alpaca or how about Blue Sky Alpaca’s Melange or Aslan Trend’s new Melange Alpaca which should be here some time in the next two weeks.

 

WRAP IT UP

Don’t want that totally confined look? A shawl/wrap is just the thing. Great for the office that is always frigid or over a sweater or blazer when the temps are just not cold enough for a heavy coat.

One of our top picks is Winter Berries. You can knit this in a worsted weight wool, alpaca or wool alpaca blend that can be dressed up or down anytime of the day. The shop sample is flying off Ellen’s needles as we type. Looking forward to spring? How about a worsted cotton or linen blend. The Parasol Stole is destined to be one of those classic wraps you long for. A lighter spring look is easily accomplished with Rowan Kid Silk Haze. For a heavier weight, may we suggest Fibre Company’s Acadia or Canopy Worsted, which knits closer to the DK side than the worsted it is noted as. Lastly, is Lida. I hold no shame in telling you how we feel about Quince and Company. Both their yarns and pattern support can not go without our praises. Knit with Quince’s Sparrow, a fingering linen, it will need to be cast on soon if I am to wear it to a September wedding.

As the snow flies and the roads ice up, today was a the perfect day to think about warmth and comfort. I am sure by next week we will be looking ahead to spring projects and we look forward to March, as the first of the spring yarns start to arrive. Until then, we have a little surprise coming this week. Milla Mia, a Swedish yarn and design company, now available in the United States through Classic Elite, will be arriving. Their fine quality merino wool and their contemporary children’s designs will have us all looking for a “wee one” to knit for.

Stay warm everyone and happy knitting.