I’m sure you noticed the new summer DK yarn Luma from The Fibre Company when it came out earlier this Spring! The wonderful blend of wool, organic cotton, linen and silk creates smooth and draping knits, with beautiful stitch definition. A yarn that works for the height of summer, yet the wooly content adds some ‘cush’ to warm up the shoulders as the evening temps drop off. One of my more popular patterns, Avana, was written using The Fibre Company’s now discontinued yarn Savannah DK, and we thought it best to update this versatile shrug pattern to showcase their new yarn.

I chose the colour “Willow” for this new sample as it is a shade I am very comfortable with. It isn’t not too flashy, yet the feminine lace work trimming the body and at the cuffs can bring this simple knit and gentle colour up (from Carhartts) to sitting just as effortlessly about a party dress, or the like. I was recently in a yarn store where they carried Luma and I also locked eyes with “Flax”, yet again a natural and comfortable shade, but equally as beautiful. What’s great about this wonderful yarn and their pallet is that if you are more for the bold colours you have that choice too! What about “Sangria” to pair with a cocktail dress… and if anyone makes an Avana in “Kiwi”, please let me know!

Amazingly I was able to get the same gauge as with the Savannah DK, therefore the pattern itself hasn’t changed! It now just calls for Luma instead of the Savannah DK. I’ve included some extra photos on ravelry, and linked up the Luma yarn!

It’s a pretty fun day today as it is my Birthday! And I’m feeling all loved and celebrated and want to give a whole load of that back! Avana is only $4 for the next 24 hours! No coupon needed! Enjoy!!!!

 

So very happy to introduce Sukha today! This sweater took me far from my comfort zone – er, pink! But I just love the result. The yarn purchase was one of those spontaneous-I’m-having-a-rubbish-day decisions, and I came home and swatched up this beautiful wool/cotton blend from Cestari right away. The design flew off the needles and I had a brand new sweater in just two weeks! I wanted to find a balance between simple and all the details, and these two (opposite?) goals came together as a 4 stitch cable pattern repeat, along with twisted ribbing, met a straightforward boxy silhouette with dropped shoulders and slim 3/4 sleeves. I wanted ease, and comfort, just as the name suggests – Sukha is the Sanskrit for soft, happy, ease, comfortable and comes from the two root words: Su – kha, which translates to “good space”. Something we all wish for more in our lives, I’m sure!!

Sukha is worked from the bottom up in the round and then worked flat after separating for front and back. The feminine and flattering neckline is wide and sits just perfectly between the dropped shoulders. The twisted ribbing flows from the bottom hem up the sides to the underarm and outlines the dropped shoulders. Stitches are picked up around the armhole and both sleeves are worked top down in the round for a slim fit, and 3/4 length.

Cestari offers a range of beautiful soft spring heathers in this Ash Lawn collection, and I’m lucky to have found this DK weight at my LYS, but also know that Tolt Yarn and Wool carry many of their colours, and have amazing shipping and customer service! 🙂

Yarn
4 (5, 6, 6)(7, 7) skeins, Cestari Ash Lawn Collection 3ply DK; 75% Cotton, 25% Wool; 250 yds; 3.5 oz, shown in Burgundy Heather.
or 981 (1117, 1256, 1407)(1573, 1728) yds/897 (1021, 1148, 1287)(1438, 1580) m in DK weight yarn.

Needles & Notions
US 7/4.5 mm, 32” circular needle.
US 5/3.75 mm, 32” circular circular needle.
1 set US 7/4.5mm DPNs
1 set US 5/3.75 mm DPNs
or size needed to obtain gauge.
Cable needle, tapestry needle, removable stitch markers, waste yarn or stitch holder

Gauge
20 stitches x 28 rows = 4”/10cm in Cabled Pattern

Sizes
36 (40, 44, 48)(52, 56)”/91.5 (101.5, 112, 122)(132, 142) cm chest
Sample size is 40”/101.5 cm, worn with 3”/8 cm positive ease. Select size with at least 3”/8 cm positive ease.

Enjoy 15% off until Sunday 6/11 using code “SUKHA” at checkout!

A few months ago Claire of The Woolly Thistle approached me to say that she had her hands on the VERY last few batch of Hole and Sons gorgeous Pure Wool. This yarn created quite the following in 2014 through Ben’s stunning photos on his instagram feed where he shared the ins and outs of his farming life . While the yarn sadly couldn’t continue, you have one more final chance to purchase it at The Woolly Thistle! I designed one of my popular shawls, Tales from the Isle of Purbeck, using this wonderful yarn. It was originally posted as a MKAL, but since that is long over I have revisited the pattern so that it now reads more fluidity. As I once wrote “Hole and Sons Pure Wool is the inspiration behind this design – a unique DK single source yarn coming from the Isle of Purbeck, England. As a Brit and farmer myself, I have quite a soft spot for their small batch yarn. Hole and Sons Pure Wool is so purposefully and carefully created – from field, to mill, to your needles – that I wanted to create a design that reflects the yarn’s integrity. In addition, I am always conscious to design something that is worn easily and comfortably, suiting many outfits and different occasions. You will work on a project that is delicate yet not fragile, special but universal. This yarn wants to be worn, loved and used for many years. It’s crisp handle and rustic nature begs to be put to work, and I can see it will only get better with age.”

The Woolly Thistle is offering this very last special batch of beautiful yarn as kits, along with a copy of  the Tales from the Isle of Purbeck pattern.

She will have two updates TODAY! Make sure to read carefully, and set your alarms!