Diamond Yarn Blog

Back To Socks

September is tiptoeing in quietly and gracefully, while the weather factory blasts us with one last wave of ‘fry an egg on the pavement’ temperatures. This month is a transitional time as kids head back to school, routines resume to their normal pace, and shoes and socks replace bare feet and flip flops. But where did summer go??

Mirasol opens up its paintbox with one last splash of summertime fun for your feet. Knit some magic with colourful Hacho, a luxurious hand dyed merino wool, just the thing to slip on to keep your toes toasty warm when the temperatures cool down at night.

Hacho Socks

HACHO SOCKS

Size: Women’s Medium

Yarn: 3 skeins Mirasol Hacho

Needles: 3.25 mm double point set

Tension: 24 sts and 32 rows = 4 in/ 10 cm

Cast on 52 sts. Divide sts evenly onto three needles, join in round.

Rnd 1- *K2, P2*, rep *to*

Rnd 2- *K1, YO, K1, P2*, rep *to*

Rnd 3- *K3, P2*, rep *to*

Rnd 4- *SL1, K2, Pass Slip St Over K2, P2*, rep *to*

Rep these 4 rnds for Pattern St. When work measures 6 in/15 cm-

Shape Heel:

Work in Pattern St across 12 sts, turn, Purl across 26 sts. Cont to work back and forth on these 26 sts only for heel. Leave rem sts on spare needle.

Row 1- *SL1, K1*, rep *to*

Row 2- SL1 Purlways, P across row

Rep these 2 rows for 2 in/5 cm ending with Row 1, turn

SL1, P17, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K9, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn

SL1, P10, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K11, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn

SL1, P12, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K13, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn

SL1, P14, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K15, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn

SL1, P15, P2tog, turn

SL1, K14, SL1, K1, PSSO = 16 sts

With right side facing, pick up and K 12 sts along side of heel, work in Pattern St across 26 sts from spare needle, pick up and K 12 sts along opposite side of heel, K across 8 sts, place marker. Divide sts from marker as follows- 20 sts on 1st needle, 26 sts on 2nd needle, 20 sts on 3rd needle = 66 sts.

Shape Instep:

Rnd 1- K to last 3 sts on 1st needle, K2tog, K1, Pattern across 26 sts on 2nd needle, K 1st st on 3rd needle, SL1, K1, PSSO, K to end.

Rnd 2- Work in Pattern St as set

Rep these 2 rnds until 52 sts remain. Cont in Pattern as set until work measures 7 in/18 cm (or desired length) from picked up sts along heel.

Shape Toe:

Rnd 1- (1st needle) K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1 (2nd needle) K1, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1 (3rd needle) K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K to end

Rnd 2- K

Rep these 2 rnds until 20 sts remain. Cut yarn and graft rem sts together.

(design by: Michele Meadows)

Get inspired by the colours of summer and add a splash of colour to your feet-

Hacho Colour #318-Jewelled Necklace

Hacho Colour #312-Solar Flares

Hacho Colour #313-Scarlet Pimpernel

Hacho Colour #314-Electrical Lavender

August 31st, 2010 | View Comments

Top Ten Vests For Fall

This clever little fashion creation- the vest, known in far corners of the world as a gilet, waistcoat, slipover, jerkin and banyan has proven to be indispensable. Adding a layer of warmth without the bulkiness of sleeves, its a versatile accessory for slipping under a heavy jacket or wearing over lightweight tops. For those chilly days ahead, the vest is an essential item for knitters, warm and comfortable, with so many style options to choose from.

Have a look at the Top Ten Vests For Fall- selected from the latest knitwear design collections and find the one that is the right fit for you.

Kurasun by Mirasol

A fresh zippy design from Jane Ellison in Mirasol Book #17. This close-fitting vest with its high altitude neckline and creative heart motifs is knit in chunky Sulka, a gently whisked mixture of merino wool, silk and alpaca. The six newest shades for Autumn include- Spearmint, Cornflower, Mushroom, Bon Bon Pink, Pear and Snow White.

Sleeveless Vest by Debbie Bliss

Debbie Bliss takes us into the country with a touch of southwest flavor in this drop shoulder extra roomy vest. Knit in Rialto DK- a superfine merino wool in a double knitting weight, available in thirty-nine shades including new additions to the line- chestnut, spring green, deep purple, soft mauve, pink, and blue green.

Cable Vest by Ella Rae

Cute and sassy with big bold cables and a toggle to close, this vest whips up in a jiffy with Superwash Classic Chunky Heathers, a superwash wool from Ella Rae- Autumn/Winter 2010 Collection. Make your choice from a palette of twenty four shades, and forget about finishing the edges, the look is unstructured, very fashionable for those who are young at heart.

Sorel vest by Sublime

This classic shawl collar vest from Sublime Book #642 adds a bit of rustic charm, going from casual to dressy in the blink of an eye. Its a brand new offering this season- Sublime Chunky Merino Tweed, and right on trend with a range of ten shade options, each one adorned with random flecks of colour.

Diamond Luxury Collection #1414

Texture and eyelets catch the eye in a slimming silhouette with extra deep pockets, knit in Mulberry and Merino, a velvety smooth milkshake quality from Diamond Luxury Collection in seven new alluring dyes- clear sky, copper, cherry, olive, steel, anthracite, and ivory.

Daniela by Mirasol

With a sprinkle of fairisle and a dash of folklore, here is a sweet little slipover to warm up on the needles in Mirasol Miski, a light and lofty aran weight spun from baby llama. Six new earthy shades have been added to the range- camel, kelly green, lava red, chamois, rust, and storm. If you are suddenly thinking of warm woolly things, you can preview the entire collection of garments and accessories by well-known designer Jane Ellison in Book #16.

Cabled Gilet by Debbie Bliss

From the Snow Queen collection by Debbie Bliss, a cabled gilet knit in Alpaca Silk Aran, a worsted weight yarn with four captivating new shades just released for Fall- rose, cherry, plum, and celadon. This innovative style shows the current trend towards oversized vests with deep armholes and wide ribbed borders. Wear it open and loose or close it up with a chunky belt.

Sirdar Book #385

For anyone who loves the look and feel of bulky yarns, Indie (new from Sirdar) radiates heat in all directions with eight spiced up colourways. Take a peek at the full range of wild west designs in Sirdar Book #385. With an incredible tension of just two stitches to the inch on 12 mm needles, this yarn will grab your attention.

V Neck Tunic by Debbie Bliss

Long and lean with cables in between, this deep v neck slipover makes a confident fashion statement and a timely entrance for brisk Autumn days. From Debbie Bliss, and featured in the Andes Collection, a soft and silky new quality- a luscious swirl of baby alpaca and mulberry silk in sixteen solid colours.

Diamond Luxury Collection #1423

Indigo is just one of the ten eye-catching shades available in Inca Touch, a brand new addition to the Diamond Luxury Collection. This 50/50 merge of superfine alpaca and wool in a unique cable twist makes the yarn knit up evenly and smoothly. Its lightweight with lots of warmth, and perfectly suited to this vest design, combining simple garter stitch with front lace panels for contrast.

August 25th, 2010 | View Comments

Trendy Tweeds For Fall

This Autumn, the top trends in knitwear pay homage to British sensibility and country charm, with a return to pared down classics. Pullovers show softer silhouettes with loose flowing necklines, cardigans touch on tradition with fairisle and cables, jackets and vests go to greater lengths with deep, cosy pockets and high collars. Stitch detail is kept to a minimum, smoother, and more refined. Its a new batch of yarns that take the spotlight- nubby tweeds with subtle flecks of colour and rustic texture, exuding homespun warmth and comfort. Gone are the outdated ‘tickley tweeds’ worn only as outer layers. Say hello to a gentler, softer breed of yarns, enhanced with luxurious fibres- llama, alpaca, silk and merino.

Sirdar Connemara Book #386

Sirdar introduces a contemporary approach to fashionable tweeds with Connemara in a casual shawl collar jacket, its a quick knit in time for weekend walks in the country. Check out this playful twist on colour in a wool blend chunky yarn available in six shades and seventeen sporty styles for kids and adults in Book #386.

Sublime Folklore Cables and Twists

Sublime warms up brisk Autumn days with Chunky Merino Tweed, a merino wool mixture softly speckled in ten inspiring shades. As an investment piece, this cable cardigan will be a wardrobe staple for years to come. Featured in The Sublime Chunky Merino Tweed Hand Knit Book.

Debbie Bliss Glen

Debbie Bliss transforms her signature moss stitch into a woodsy-looking polo collar jacket knit in Glen. This chunky combo of merino, alpaca and acrylic is available in eleven rustic hues. Have a peek at more of Debbie’s tweedy collection in Glen, part of her latest design library.

Jane Ellison Book #4

Jane Ellison unleashes vibrant colour and texture in Fall’s favorite fashion accessory- the shawl. This design, Rhea is highlighted in Araucania’s new Indian Summer collection. Knit with Quillay, a superwash/microfibre aran weight blend from Araucania.

Mirasol Book #13 Maylla

Maylla from Mirasol is an earthy mix of highland wool, alpaca and bamboo sourced viscose in a dramatic array of colours. For that casual country look, this pullover is a combination of garter and stocking stitch, simple yet striking in Mirasol Book #13

Diamond Luxury Collection #1408

New on the scene from Diamond Luxury Collection, is Llama Silk, a lovely merge of wool, llama amd silk in ten Autumn infused shades. Sit back, relax and knit a comfy, chunky hoodie that makes an easy transition from cool summer evenings into the chilly days of Fall.

August 17th, 2010 | View Comments

Designer Chat With Hannah Thiessen

Just back from a whirlwind adventure in Uruguay, Hannah Thiessen stops by to tell us about her summertime experience as an intern for Malabrigo, the country’s leading yarn producer. A freelance knitwear designer from the States with a fine arts degree, Hannah made the trip to Uruguay for a firsthand look at how some of our favorite yarns are made. Her journey took her to the bustling capital- Montevideo, a city rich in architectural and cultural heritage, and home to the Malabrigo headquarters where she wore a multitude of hats- Product Development, Creative Director, In-House Designer, Blog Writer and Customer Service. Hannah also spent time touring through the lush countryside to Paysandu, to visit the Malabrigo sheep ranches and see where it all begins.

Malabrigo- literally means ‘poorly dressed’, the company is named after a small town where the weather is so cold, people knit to keep themselves warm.

Hannah Thiessen

Hannah sits down to share a behind the scenes look at Malabrigo and the spirit of the yarns we all love to knit.

MM: Thanks so much for dropping in to share your summer story with us, would you like some tea or coffee?

HT: I would love a mocha, actually! I used to work as a barista so I am pretty partial to espresso.

MM: Working as a Malabrigo intern this summer in Montevideo, Uruguay, wow! Now that is a dream job. How did it all come about?

HT: I used to be an administrator for the group Malabrigo Junkies on Ravelry. During my time administrating the group I was able to talk with Antonio, he is the head dyer for Malabrigo. Sometimes members would ask me questions about what colourways they had in their stashes, due to missing tags, etc. and I was really good at identifying and remembering even the slightest differences between colourways. One day, Antonio commented that it was too bad I didn’t live in Uruguay. At the time, I was in school in the States, and we needed to organize summer internships ourselves, so I asked and they accepted! The entire process was set up eighteen months in advance.

MM: Knitters everywhere adore Malabrigo, but few of us are familiar with the story behind the yarn. Can you share a bit of what you have learned about the company history?

HT: Malabrigo was started because the folks in Uruguay saw a need. So much wool (merino and corriedale) is exported from their country, yet not enough of it is turned into yarn there, some of it goes to other countries for processing and dyeing. Antonio wanted to introduce something new to the market after seeing some lovely kettle-dyed wool, always in small batches and sold at the local street markets, not incredibly lucrative or high quality, just pretty. So he began to dye wool in his kitchen, in a big pot on the stove and it all kind of developed right from there. Previously Antonio worked as an architect, and now he runs the factory with his two brothers-in-law, Marcos and Tobias. All added up, they employ about forty people to make our favorite yarns.

Inside the Malabrigo factory in Montevideo

MM: So….. what fun projects have you been working on during your stay in Uruguay?

HT: Well……..a few of them are secrets! But I can let you know that I was able to do a lot of work on Malabrigo Book 3. As Creative Director, I assisted with the photo shoots, choosing the models, and styling the outfits, generally directing everything to give it that complete look. I was also able to introduce a new color to the Twist and Silky lines- Manzanillo Olive!

MM: Thats sounds like a delicious new colour, can’t wait to see it! We know that Merino Worsted has a huge admiration society amongst knitters with over one hundred dreamy colours, and often described as melted butter on the needles. We would love to know a bit more about the production process, and what you were able to discover while at the factory.

HT: Basically the wool from the sheep is really carefully chosen, either merino or corriedale. It comes only from Uruguay, and the country itself has very high standards for sheep treatment and management. The sheep graze free-range through the hills and are herded by actual old style shepherds. After the sheep are sheared, the wool is cleaned with very little water wasted and sent to a nearby EcoTex spinning mill. Malabrigo chooses how the yarn will be spun to create some of our favorite yarns, next the wool is brought to the mill for hand dyeing by the workers. The colourways are all dreamed up by Antonio and the chemist-in-residence.

MM: Do you have an all-time favorite design in Merino Worsted?

HT: Hard question! I think I really love designs that show off the yarn while acknowledging its weaknesses. I feel the best patterns for Merino Worsted are usually accessory items, things to wear on your head or hands that don’t get too much friction and will remain beautiful for a long time.

MM: Uruguay is a country with so much beauty and spirit, but there is much hardship as well. Which charity projects does Malabrigo participate in?

HT: Malabrigo just recently provided yarn for the International Knit In Public Day held in Montevideo. The company gave away chunky yarns (Aquarella, Gruesa, Rasta) for knitters to use to make garments for orphanages and charities in the country. They also donated some of the more luxurious yarns as incentive prizes. Knitters get together in huge groups, knitting away, and during this past year alone, over nine hundred garments were donated!

MM: That’s great to hear. When you had a day off from your busy summer schedule, what was your favorite place to sit and knit and enjoy the local culture?

HT: When I was in Uruguay this summer, I spent quite a bit of time knitting in my room. It was wintertime there, so cuddling up with a big blanket, having music to listen to and knitting was really comfortable to me. If the weather had been better, I might have spent more time outside on the back porch- the house where I was staying had a gorgeous back patio with a tiled bench.

My visit to the Malabrigo Sheep Ranch in Paysandu

MM: Now that your internship has come to an end, and you have all these great memories to carry back home with you, can you share one that you will always cherish?

HT: I think it was therapeutic for me to visit the sheep farms in Paysandu. While I enjoyed the city, and the architecture there was fantastic, and most of my work was done there, the long trip by night bus to Paysandu was really precious to me. The land in the centre of the country is so green and lush- lovely, rocky ground dotted with freshly-sheared sheep and small lambs. I think that any knitter should visit a sheep farm at least once in their lives, its important to know where our materials come from. Visiting the people who help make it all happen really brings the famial and heritage aspects of the needlecraft full-circle for me. I love that knitting is a hobby with a heart.

(images courtesy of: Hannah Thiessen)

August 8th, 2010 | View Comments

Got Milk?

What could be more refreshing than a tall cool glass of milk? Imagine four easily recognizable words- homogenized, partly skimmed, and low-fat translating into a knitting yarn. It has been done with some pretty ingenious thinking, a swish of modern engineering and of course, plenty of green pastures filled with herds of grazing cows to start the whole milk ball rolling.

Cool Refreshing Milk

Somewhere along the way, Bamboo, Soy, Corn and other plant-based fibres emerged into the yarn industry as part of a new breed of bio-synthetics. Not far behind, another incredibly lustrous fibre materialized- this one is actually made from milk! First dehydrated and then skimmed, milk proteins are extracted and processed into something called a slurry, which is pumped through tiny holes of a spinnerette (think of a sieve). This produces fibre filaments which are spun into glossy fibre-

Diamond Yarn features eight delicious milky blends in the current collection, all smoothly stirred and ready for pouring onto the needles and knitting away.

CREAM FOR MILK by Rosarios- milk, cashmere and silk merge together in a worsted weight yarn available in six shades

LATTE by Ella Rae- microfibre, baby alpaca and milk sourced viscose come together in a chunky weight available in twenty colours

LECHE by Queensland Collection- extrafine merino, microfibre, milk and silk fused together in a worsted weight yarn available in twenty colours

MILK & HONEY by Viking Garn- cotton and milk combined in a double knitting weight in sixteen shades of variegated and solids

MILKY SOFT by Ella Rae- a fifty/fifty blend of milk and cotton in a double knitting weight available in twelve shades

MILKY WAY by Diamond Luxury Collection- viscose and milk together in a worsted weight tape yarn available in eleven shades

SILK 4 MILK by Rosarios- milk, silk and cashmere in a worsted weight yarn available in four variegated colours

SOLE LATTE by Rosarios- pure milk fibre in a worsted weight in seven variegated colours

Petula in Latte

Dip your needles into Latte from Ella Rae, a smooth chunky yarn made up of microfibre, baby alpaca and milk sourced viscose in a range of twenty tempting shades.

Viking Garn Book #903

Cosy and stylish in Milk & Honey from Viking Garn- here is a lightweight cardigan in a blend of milk sourced viscose and cotton, comfortable and incredibly tactile.

Cardigan in Leche

From Queensland Collection, an attractive contrast between texture and lace in a round neck cardigan knit in Leche- a worsted weight blend of microfibre, milk sourced viscose and silk available in twenty striking colours.

July 28th, 2010 | View Comments

Contemporary Crochet

Beyond the retro granny squares and intricate tablecloths and doilies of the seventies, crochet is shedding its homespun image and evolving into a contemporary art form. Turning up in trendy art galleries as wall sculpture and wearable jewelry, its no surprise that well-known designers also feature crochet in their most recent collections. Dresses and cardigans embellished with crocheted flower motifs, decorative hair accessories and uniquely textured handbags, and suddenly this old world craft is pushing the envelope by attracting a brand new generation of crafty devotees.

Handbag by Dolce & Gabbana

Slingback by Charles David

Crochet has been popping up on the fashion runways this year-

Dolce & Gabbana and Charles David are two influentual design houses that have elevated this bohemian craft to new heights by twisting and twirling sturdy cotton yarn across a hook into sophisticated fashion accessories that will remain classics for years to come.

Also part of this growing trend- yarn graffiti or yarn bombing is becoming a frequent event. Artists target public spaces, covering trees, streetlamps, even a statue or two in colourful cocoons made of crocheted sections. While there might not be a real message in these wildly creative displays it does bring the art of crochet into the media spotlight.

Tree Cosy by Carol Hummel

Crochet is simple to learn, similar to knitting in that it consists of pulling yarn through loops, but with only one stitch at a time to deal with. Rows can be worked back and forth, in a circular shape or multi-directional. Crochet creates an open airy look, making it lightweight and a popular choice for summer projects.

If you are brand new to crochet, a visit to your LYS is a good place to start to inquire about classes, or browse through the library for a ‘learn to crochet’ book with colourful diagrams. The internet is another great resource for self starters: www.youtube.com is like having your own personal instructor at home to guide you through the basic stitches. You might just get hooked in no time at all, as you watch how quickly one row grows.

Here are a few very simple patterns to get you started in Crochet 101-

Connect The Dots Scarf

Debbie Macomber connects the dots in a colourful scarf worked lengthways in an uncomplicated shell stitch pattern. Cashmere Fleur De Lys is an exciting new blend of extra fine merino and cashmere from the author of the popular Blossom Street series of books.

Katia Book #61

Katia makes summertime come alive in Tobago, a self-striping chunky weight cotton. This quick to crochet handbag is really just two circles joined together with a long band as a shoulder strap.

Noro Book #27

Practise your chain stitch and keep cool with a lacy headband crocheted in Noro Sekku, a rainbow effect yarn in a laceweight blend of cotton, wool, silk and nylon. Switch it up and wear it as a neck scarf too.

Ella Rae Book #05 Amity

Granny squares from Amity Book No. 05 take on a modern edge with a touch of sweet nostalgia for days gone by in Ella Rae Classic worsted weight wool. Each square is worked from the centre out and joined edge to edge. Only five shades are used for this project, from a selection of more than seventy!

July 22nd, 2010 | View Comments

Summer Shawls and Shrugs

Picture an outdoor gathering on a summer weekend- rows of folding chairs set up on a freshly manicured lawn, an elegant white tent poised and ready for guests to dine and dance the night away under twinkling lights, flower gardens trimmed to perfection, an ideal backdrop for taking pictures. Thats right, its wedding season!

Take a look at some of our favorite shawls and shrugs for this summer’s celebration of nuptials. Whether you are the bride-to-be, maid of honor, flower girl or invited guest, the right style is just stitches away!

Summer Shawls-

Rhiana by Ella Rae

Ella Rae highlights a lacy leaf stitch shawl in Shades of Paradise Book #19 stylishly knit in Bamboo Silk, two parts drape mixed with one part sheen, ultra sophisticated and always in fashion.

Sublime Little Lacy Wrap Book #644

This brand new design from Sublime Book #644, is out on the shelves just in time to knit as a cover-up for a favorite summer dress. A light and breezy scalloped edged beauty knit in Extra Fine Merino 4 Ply.

Diamond Luxury Collection #1426

A whisper of a shawl is all you need when the temperature is soaring and even the flowers are wilting from the heat. Diamond Luxury Collection introduces Pure Silk Lace, a superfine handpainted yarn for all your favorite shawl patterns. Just one skein is all it takes to knit up this sweet little number and in a choice of ten vibrant colourways. Wear it loosely draped or tied across a shoulder, dressy enough for evening wear or casual and relaxed for daytime.

Bolero from Katia Book #62

Change the pace from knitting to crochet and watch how quickly this openwork shawl works up from Katia Book #62. Katia makes heads swirl with a pinch of Bohemian charm and a dash of Spanish flair in Bolero, a cotton blend that shimmers in the sunlight with more than fourteen shades to choose from.

Daisy in Garden by Universal Yarn

Delicate and refined in Garden by Universal Yarn, a mercerized cotton thread perfectly suited for those of us who love the summery look of crochet. Check out some of the other captivating designs in The Garden Collection.

Petunia by Sublime Book #644

Another new addition to the Sublime Collection in Book #644, softly feminine with just the right splash of cheerful colour to stand out amongst the guests.

Lulo by Jane Ellison Book #3 For Araucania

Cosy and plush, Trauco is pure decadence in 100% cashmere from Araucania, a Chilean company with an outstanding array of handpainted colourways in natural fibres. This laceweight shawl is gentle on the shoulders and even gentler on the pocketbook with a whopping three hundred and twenty yards per skein.

Summer Shrugs-

Swallow by Louisa Harding

Knit in pure Mulberry Silk with beads to adorn the lace panel across the back. This perfectly proportioned shrug from the Louisa Harding Collection is an essential accessory to the little black dress.

Savannah by Sublime in Book #632

Soft and feminine lines with an eye-catching lace border make Savannah a summertime favorite in Soya Cotton, a sumptuous blend of 50% soya and 50% cotton from Sublime.

Mimi by Sublime in Book #633

Mimi by Sublime is knit in Bamboo and Pearls, an incredible blend of bamboo sourced viscose and real pearls in nine fabulous shades! This simple eyelet design is knit from sleeve to sleeve in just one piece, available in little girl’s sizes right up to adults.

Lantern by Louisa Harding in Book #24

Lace and cables go together like strawberries and ice cream in Louisa Harding’s Lantern shrug knit in Fleuris, a chunky weight mix of bamboo sourced viscose and wool, cool and comfortable with just enough warmth for breezy summer evenings.

Martine by Ella Rae in Book #19

A relaxed fit makes Martine a favorite choice to wear with jeans or a casual outfit. Knit in Milky Soft by Ella Rae, a mix of milk protein fibre and cotton available in twelve tasty colours.

Sirdar Book #376

Here comes the bride! All dressed in white wearing a crocheted shrug to showcase the beautiful dress. An innovative design from Sirdar Book #376 in Luxury Soft Cotton DK from Sirdar. Brush up on your crochet skills and have this stunning shrug finished in lots of time for the big day.

Sirdar Book #376

All eyes will be on the adorable little flower girl as she makes her debut down the aisle sprinkling flower petals and dreaming of her prince charming. This smaller version of the bride’s size is also available in Sirdar #376.

July 14th, 2010 | View Comments

Fifa Fever Giveaway

Thanks to everyone who entered the Fifa Fever *Giveaway*. Sandy H. is the winner of the gift pack of four pattern books courtesy of Diamond Yarn. Congratulations!!

Sixty-two matches later, and the adrenalin is fully charged as South Africa gets ready for the finals to kick off this weekend. The incessant buzzing of thousands of vuvuzelas might just be missed after Spain and the Netherlands play out their rivalry on Sunday for the Fifa World Cup title. Sporting events like this one, seem to have an unexplainable magnetic pull, captivating us into picking up our knitting needles and clicking away until the final whistle blows.

This week, let’s have a little Fifa fun and pick our yarn players, one from each of the four semi-finalist’s countries. One lucky reader will win the Fifa Fever *Giveaway*, a special gift pack of four pattern books from Diamond Yarn.

Tobago from Katia

Katia Book No. 61

TOBAGO playing for TEAM KATIA- this exciting cotton yarn hails from hot and spicy Spain, a country known for its bold style and youthful energy. Tobago goes the extra distance and kicks out amazing self-striping colour vertically or horizontally.

Silky Merino by Malabrigo

Book One By Melissa Leapman

SILKY MERINO playing for TEAM MALABRIGO- winds its way from the hillsides of Uruguay, showing the softer side of merino and the strength of silk in every skein. This one is a seasonal favorite, ready to play or dress the part.

Samp'a by Mirasol

Book No. 5 By Jane Ellison

SAMP’A playing for TEAM MIRASOL- an import from the Netherlands, is a hands-down winner in naturally dyed organic cotton. Samp’a takes the heat on the playing field and stays remarkably cool under pressure.

Balera from OnLine

Stricktrends Summer 2010

BALERA playing for TEAM ON LINE- hailing from Germany, this European fashion dominator knows how to radiate charisma and confidence on or off the field and adds a little extra zip in a cotton blend novelty yarn.

To enter the Fifa Fever *Giveaway*- leave a comment with your name, email address and choice of favorite yarn from the above selection. All entries must be received by Saturday, July 10th at noon. A winner will be selected by random and announced on Monday July 13th.

Best of luck!

July 7th, 2010 | View Comments

Happy Birthday Canada!

Lets revel in all things red and white this Canada Day as we celebrate one hundred and forty three years. Over the past year, our country has been a gracious and proud host to some of the world’s biggest events- the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the recent G8/G20 Summit in both Huntsville and Toronto, and currently the twenty-second official royal visit with the Queen and Prince Philip stopping in to say hello in five Canadian cities.

Happy Canada Day!

This newest design, a trendy knitted cap for summer with a crocheted peak shows off our red and white pride in smooth, soft ECO cotton from Debbie Bliss. One hundred percent organic, and grown without pesticides or harmful fertilizers, this yarn is harvested by hand by farmers who are part of the bioRe Association- a fairtrade program. The cotton is dyed in twenty-four shades with non-toxic dyes and water used in the process is recycled and verified to be drinkable.

Chelsie models Peaked Leaf Cap

PEAKED LEAF CAP

Finished Size: Women’s Medium

Yarn: Debbie Bliss ECO – 2 balls in col #613 (MC)

1 ball in col #608 (CC)

Needles: 4.00 mm

Crochet Hook: 4.50 mm

Tension: 20 sts and 24 rows = 4 in/10 cm in st st on 4.00 mm needles

Cast on 90 sts in MC. Work in K2/P2 ribbing for 3 rows, inc 1 st on last row = 91 sts. Work 2 rows in st st. Cont in st st working CHART in CC over centre 17 sts. When CHART has been completed, cut CC and continue in MC only until work measures 4.5 in/11 cm ending with a WS row.

Shape Top:

Next Row- K1, *K9, K2tog*, rep *to*, end, K2

Next and all alternate rows- P

Next Row- K1, *K8, K2tog*, rep *to*, end, K2

Cont to dec in this way having 1 st less between decreases on every K row until 11 sts remain. Cut yarn and thread through rem sts. Tighten and secure. Sew side seam.

Peak:

With 4.50 mm crochet hook, and double strand of MC, attach yarn to 32nd st along cast on edge. Ch2, 1 dc in each of next 25 sts, ch2, turn.

Next Row- Dc2tog, *Front Post dc (yo, with hook at front of work, insert hook behind next dc from right to left, yo, draw yarn through, yo, draw yarn through 2 loops, yo, draw yarn through last two loops), Back Post dc (yo, with hook at back of work, insert hook in front of next dc, yo, draw yarn through, yo, draw yarn through two loops, yo, draw yarn through last two loops)*, rep *to*, end with dc2tog, ch2, turn

Next Row- Dc2tog, *Front Post dc, Back Post dc*, rep *to*, end with, dc2tog, fasten off. Sew in ends.

Design by: Michele Meadows

Note: If you are looking for more patterns to knit with a Canadian theme check out the free patterns section.

June 30th, 2010 | View Comments

Shades of Summer

Turquoise is the colour of 2010, according to Pantone, a North American company experienced in predicting colour trends which directly influence fashion and home decor. Tranquil and soothing, evoking images of warm tropical waters, and a sense of well-being, turquoise pairs together the coolness of blue with the refreshing energy of green. Its a shade that is complimentary to all colours of the spectrum, a rich contrast to chocolate brown and navy blue, a warm companion to pinks and reds, and adds extra punch to those trendy yellow-greens.

Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

What could be more inspiring for the first week of Summer, than this image of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, a glacier fed lake that rivals any Caribbean postcard with its vividly luminous colour. Its at the end of June each year, when the lake fills to its crest and this phenomenon occurs, the colour of the water becoming a stunning shade of turquoise.

This year’s coolest colour- Turquoise translates into some of Diamond’s freshest designs for summertime knitting.

Mazu by Louisa Harding

Relax at the water’s edge in this flattering shade of Tropic in Fleuris, a chunky weight bamboo viscose blend from Louisa Harding ’s Chinoiserie Collection. A softly fitted style, edged in seed stitch draws attention with an elegant neck closure.

D'Azur Sublime #632

When the temperature rises, Sublime cools things down in a relaxed openwork design in Soya Cotton, a fifty-fifty blend of these two natural fibres, available in sixteen delicious shades.

Grande Seda Mirasol #12 in Wach'i

Show off your love of cables in an unexpected way, knit sideways! This striking summer vest is designed by Jane Ellison in an eye-popping shade of deep turquoise in Mirasol Wach’i, a beautiful twist of pima cotton and silk in a popular worsted weight. With eight bright and bold colours to choose from, summertime knitting will be hot and spicy.

Amber Wrap in Fleuris by Louisa Harding

For long walks at the beach, cover up those sun-kissed shoulders with a lightweight wrap in Fleuris, part of the Bijoux Collection by Louisa Harding, ultra soft and feminine.

Little Biarritz Sublime #632

Welcome the sun with a bright, happy colour. Simple to knit with a pleated yoke, making this tunic style pullover extra roomy. Sublime has designs for every age in Soya Cotton, a natural blend of cotton and soya perfectly suited for keeping little ones cool and comfortable and ready for fun all summer.

Little Anna Wrap Sublime #634

Make a splash this summer in sensational turquoise. To top off a special outfit, here is a velvety soft wrap cardigan from Sublime. Its knit in Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK, a classic yarn that knits up as smooth and delicious as melted ice cream.

June 23rd, 2010 | View Comments