Vivacious Volume 1

~Whatever comfort the weekend brings you, do it in Vivacious knitwear.

Did you see our announcement on Facebook earlier? Come tell us YOUR 2015 plans. We think we see plenty of snuggly knitwear in ours....

Holiday Gift Knitting Gets Scrumptious!

It's that time of year where, if you're anything like us, the Christmas decorations starting to go in the shops has suddenly reminded us the it's gift knitting time. We've been inundated with requests for quick to knit patterns and any news of yarn on discount to get you knitting.

To help you out, here is our round up of some knitting patterns for unisex accessories, single skein wonders and chunky items that work up quickly to give amazing results. We also sent out a list of retailers currently offering discounts on the yarn last week and will continue to do so in the fortnightly newsletter as we run up to the Holiday season. So if you're not signed up for the newsletter, make sure you are soon because we will be packing it with sales, discounts, patterns ideas and events to keep you feeling in good spirits this season.

Hats:
These single skein knitted hat patterns might be just the thing you need for your colleagues and loved ones.

Arncott by Jen Arnall-Culliford

The perfect unisex knitted hat, Arncott is worked up in Scrumptious 4ply. It's even photographed in the perfect Christmas colourway: Cherry Red!

Kenwyn by Rachel Coopey

The Kenwyn Hat featured in The Scrumptious Collection Volume 3 (which is currently 20% off the whole collection on Ravelry with the code TBTScrumptious3- ends at midnight). Worked up in Scrumptious Aran, this works up fast for a beautiful textured hat.

Garments:
There's just enough time to work up some heavier weight garments for you (hey, who doesn't want to gift themselves a sweater??) or your loved ones for Christmas.

Uffington by Jeni Hewlett

The perfect sweater vest- quick, a little detail and a feminine finish, Uffington calls for Scrumptious Chunky, our bulky weight luxury yarn.

Larigan by Amanda Crawford

Larigan is a beautiful cowl-neck sweater, with cosy moss stitch cuffs and all-over cable pattern. This is another quick knit from The Scrumptious Collection Volume 3 so go use that code to get knitting!

Gloves/ Mittens:
These are always welcome for all the family!

Hendred Mittens by Elly Doyle

Unisex, simple and warm these Hendred Mittens are a perfect single skein knitting pattern for Holiday knitting.

Hinksey by Lily Kate France

We love Hinksey Mittens as our go to mitten pattern for gifts. Beautiful cables make interesting detail while keeping the pattern simple enough to be unisex.

Shawls and Special Knits:
Sometimes you want to push the boat out. If you're pushed for time, these simple knits should get you great results without the headache.

Childry by Elly Doyle

Childry is our incredibly popular single skein shawl pattern. Ruffles, potato chip knitting and fast results. Perfect.

Sonning by Jen Arnall Culliford

Sonning is a shawl with interesting construction: the two side triangles are knitted first and are joined together with a delicate lace and twisted stitch panel. This means a large shawl that is easy travel knitting meaning you can double your knitting time!


Chunky Knits:
Fast and effective for when time is feeling a little tight.

Cogges Handwarmers by Jeni Hewlett

Cogges Handwarmers. These single skein chunky warmers are perfect for beginners wishing to try their hand at cables.

Rock Lea by Judy Furlong

Rock Lea is a fast and warm scarf pattern with cables and texture that maintain interest when knitting to give a perfect comforting gift. Another pattern from Volume 3- have we convinced you to purchase it yet?

Whatever you knit up in Scrumptious or from the Collections, please do come and show us in the Ravelry group. It's always great to hear what you're working on!

Twiss Crescent Shawl

Continuing our Cumulus Pattern releases, here is a delicate shawl that would be perfect for wrapping around shoulders on cooler days or dressing up an outfit for a special occasion.

(c) Fyberspates)

The Twiss Crescent Shawl is an elegant accessory designed by Anniken Allis that starts out as a rectangle knitted sideways before stitches are picked up along the straight edge and a combination of short rows and decreases are worked to shape the shawl. Using 3 balls of Cumulus by Fyberspates, this shawl is worked on size 3.25mm needles to really accentuate the delicate loft of Cumulus that is the result of 74% Baby Suri Alpaca and 26% Silk.

(c) Fyberspates

The pattern includes both written and charted instructions for the lace sections which repeat enough that a novice lace knitter would enjoy this as well as something quick and interesting for the more experienced knitter.

Twiss is available now for direct download from Ravelry or check your nearest Fyberspates retailer. 

Etherow Shawl

We’ve just released the Etherow Shawl, another feminine lace pattern by Anniken Allis. We love Anniken’s designs, whether it’s Effra from The Scrumptious Collection Volume 2 or her exclusive to Fyberspates design The Winding Path, Anniken always showcases Fyberspates yarn perfectly. What’s more, she has several great video tutorials to help you learn new to you techniques so you really are in safe hands with her designs.

(c) Fyberspates

Etherow is a feminine triangular shaped shawl that is large enough to wrap around your shoulders and keep out the cold while not adding bulk. Worked up using 7 x 25g balls of Cumulus by Fyberspates, the all over lace showcases yarn with a great halo.

(c) Fyberspates

This shawl is worked from the top down. The triangular shape is created by working increases along either side of the central 'spine' and at the beginning and end of every other row. The edging is finished off with a crochet chain cast off. If you prefer not to work the crochet cast off, please use an alternative stretchy method such as the Russian Cast Off. You can find a video tutorials on the crochet chain cast off and tutorials on triangular shawl shapes on Anniken’s tutorial pages.

 

The sample is worked up in one of the more jewel like tones of Cumulus. Cumulus, our 74% Baby Suri Alpaca and 26% Silk blend was launched with two distinct colour palettes: our well-loved jewel tones and softer more ethereal colours that reflect the cloudlike softness of Cumulus. Whether it’s a soft camel or a strong red, we think X is the perfect shawl for adding a little elegance to your everyday outfits. Enjoy!

Tarpoley Scarf

Another release in our Cumulus pattern range from designer Sara Anthony-Boon and this one has some really interesting construction.

(c) Fyberspates)

The Tarpooley Scarf is a snuggly scarf edged with a contrasting panel of pretty ruffles, knitted in soft Cumulus yarn. Slipped stitches along the side of the scarf stop any curling and the ruffle borders add feminine texture as well as weight to this lofty scarf.

Ruffle borders, knit with contrasting yarn, are worked first before stitches are grafted together and the scarf is continued in the main colour. Clear instructions are given for all techniques throughout for this deceptively simple scarf.

(c) Fyberspates

The sample here is shown in 3 balls of Sea Green for the main colour and 1 for the Silver for the contrast. As well as this soft colours that reflect the ethereal quality of Cumulus, you will also find more jewel like tones that are typical of the Fyberspates range. We like to mix things up a bit!

(c) Fyberspates

The Tarpooley Scarf is ready for download on Ravelry and don't forget Sara is hosting a giveaway on her blog post that tells you all about her inspiration here. 

Ellora Scarf

Oops. Sometimes the best intentions are thrown off by tech issues. We are now fixed and back up and running- brace yourself for lots of Cumulus patterns and chat!

(c) Fyberspates

Another Cumulus pattern just went live that makes great use of the delicate loft that Baby Suri Alpaca and Silk provides. The Ellora Scarf pattern is designed by Sara Anthony- Boon aka Textureknit and it is just in time for those looking for simple Christmas knits for loved ones.

A curvaceous cable panel runs between textured moss stitch in this pretty scarf, using soft and warm Cumulus yarn. This scarf is perfect for novice knitters taking first steps into cables as the pattern provides clear written and charted instructions.

(c) Fyberspates

This scarf uses 3 balls of Cumulus (shown here in Silver) and is worked on larger needles to make best use of this lofty yarn with a great halo. The cables form soft ripples down the scarf as a result of combining larger needles and thanks to the airy fabric Cumulus can provide, this scarf will work through most seasons as it is warm but not dense. 

We’ve started creating a useful Pinboard over on Pinterest to help knitters fine tune techniques from this week’s patterns. You can find blocking and beginner cable tutorials that are great for helping novice knitters get to grips with techniques the Ellora Scarf uses.

Be sure to check out Sara’s blog too where she’s not only talking about this latest release but hosting a giveaway too!

Here Comes the Cumulus Patterns!

We’ve been alluding to lots of activity behind the scenes at Fyberspates for some months and the patterns are finally all nicely queued up and ready for release. This week, it's all about the Cumulus patterns, showcasing our light fingering weight 74% Baby Suri Alpaca and 26% Silk yarn blend that comes in 25g balls of 150 metres [164 yards]. You will find plenty of inspiration both in terms of patterns but also guest posts, bloggers elsewhere on the internet joining in the chat as well as tutorials, focuses on technique and giveaways. 

Kicking us off first is Aolani.

(c) Jo Weston

Aolani, meaning ‘heavenly cloud’, are the perfect mittens to transition into colder weather. Super-soft and cosy, these fingerless mitts are knitted flat to allow a smooth transition of stripes using Cumulus baby alpaca and silk yarn.

(c) Fyberspates

The perfect knit for a novice knitter, the stripes add interest for those more experienced knitters and allows for some colour play in the darker days that winter can bring. Working with 3 colour choices, these mitts require less than 1 ball of each colour and are shown here in ‘Sea Green’, ‘Water’ and ‘Teal’.

(c) Fyberspates

Wrap your hands in the cloudlike softness of Cumulus this Autumn. We will be featuring retailers of Cumulus on Facebook all this week as we release our Cumulus patterns so be sure to check if your local yarn store has Cumulus in stock. 

Pellucid

Things have been a little on the quiet side over here as we've all been busy squirreling away at Fyberspates HQ. The retail site is now closed (thank you to all who sent us off with a bang) and we're all systems go for wholesale and.... new collections and patterns. Over the coming weeks there's going to be LOTS to tell you about and today is the first release of some of our new collaborations and patterns. 

Pellucid by Dieuwke Van Mulligen

Meet Pellucid by Dieuwke Van Mulligen. Dieuwke has an eye for colour and clever construction and when we saw this tee worked up in Gleem Lace, we knew it was sure to be a hit with knitters. Pellucid is a simple top with sheer striping, created by alternating between one and two strands of lace weight yarn. It is designed to fit loosely, with around 10 cm / 4 inches of positive ease.

Pellucid by Dieuwke Van Mulligen

Worked top down, stitches are cast on for the neckline and shoulders. Front and back are worked flat, then joined in the round for the remainder of the body when sleeves are created by grafting a number of stitches from the back and front together.

Pellucid by Dieuwke Van Mulligan

As the gauge in this yarn and stitch pattern is quite different before and after blocking, instructions are added for how to calculate the final length of your garment.

Pellucid by Dieuwke Van Mulligen

We love this new design from Dieuwke and think it's perfect for the changeable weather here in the UK- a fascinating knit that is simple and stylish when finished. Sized from XS­ all the way up to ­2XL, the garment will fit bust sizes 74­cm (29­inches) through to ­124 cm (49 inches) with 10 cm / 4 inches of positive ease. The Smallest size only requires 2 skeins and the largest only 3 so it's not an expensive garment to knit. 

 

We're highlighting some of our retailers who currently stock Gleem over on Facebook today so grab yourself some and get knitting. 

 

 

Cumulus Wrap by Jacqui Harding

 

(c) Practical Publishing

The latest issue of UK knitting magazine, Knit Now is on newstands and includes this bold graphic wrap by Jacqui Harding. The Cumulus Wrap uses a ball each of Cumulus in Water (MC), Sea Green (CC1) and Teal (CC2) and has some pretty details like the tassels worked at the end. 

We were lucky enough to have Jacqui explain the inspiration behind her design:

"I had the design in mind before we found the yarn. I liked the idea of using intarsia, (a technique often associated with difficult, complex knitting), for a very simple, graphic design. The stripes evolve from a few starting stitches and give lots of opportunity to play with colour effects. The yarn and the colour was always going to be key to how the design worked out.

When Kate (the editor of Knit Now) suggested Cumulus, I loved the idea. I'd seen the yarn at Unravel, and thought that using a yarn that people would possibly associate with complex lace shawls in a pared down graphic design would be interesting. The colours chosen felt quite grown up & strong, which went well with the simple stripes." 

The finished wrap is feather light & warm. Optional beaded tassels help to weight the ends to make it as easy to wear as a cardigan. Large enough to wear as a wrap on summer holiday evening walks by the sea - or to be a luxury long warm scarf in winter, the alpaca blend yarn makes this design a year round knit.

Love the Cumulus Wrap by Jacqui? You can buy Cumulus, our 76% Baby Suri Alpaca, 24% Mulberry Silk heavy laceweight yarn, from Purl City Yarns and Purlescence in the UK as well as the Fyberspates shop! Internationally, we have Cumulus retailers in France thanks to Pretty Laine and Australia at Purl Box. You can check details of retailers on our website. Happy knitting!

Inspiration Knits Mystery KAL

This month, Louise Zass-Bangham, aka Inspiration Knits is hosting her Mystery Knitalong and the pattern information has just been released!

The Slipstream Cowl is an elegant cowl, perfect to wear over a sweater or under a coat. You can easily adjust the size to suit you best. There is also the option to add beads for a little glamour. Worked in the round, this is an intermediate project that is ideal for variegated or semi-solid yarn as colours slipstream from one clue to the next. The interesting textures show-off all the colours beautifully. 

'Mixed Magentas' on Vivacious 4ply

Louise has suggested Vivacious 4ply, our high twist Superwash 100% Merino wool yarn. This tough but soft yarn is perfect for accessories and especially those that require a little stitch definition. It's also a great yarn for accessories that are likely to get a little friction due to the high twist preventing piling on this supersoft Merino base. Perfect for matching mittens which Louise will also be mystery KAL-ing(is that a verb? It is now)!

 

We love the idea of making lighter weight accessories as the weather warms up that will be ready to wear this Autumn. Actually, knowing the UK we'll be wearing them on and off for months- we're not known for good weather! Atleast if it does heat up, Vivacious 4ply is high twist and light enough to stop fingers feeling hot and sticky. Who says knitting is just for cold weather?

'Lavender Haze' on Vivacious 4ply

Clues will be available for FREE on Louise's blog until the MKAL ends, when it will become a paid-for pattern on Ravelry. Now you can get organised and choose your yarn ready for the first clue out on 1 July! There are plenty of colour options ready to go in the Fyberspates shop or alternatively, check our retailers list to find a stockist near you.

 

 

 

Seaglas Top

Dan Walmsley for Practical Publishing

Fyberspates yarn has made the front cover again and this time it is the turn of Scrumptious Lace for this summer design by Elanor King of CatchLoops on the cover of the latest edition of Knit Now. The Seaglas Top uses only a very small amount of yarn, so it’s an affordable luxury and perfect for your holiday wardrobe since it takes up so little space! Within the magazine you will see it styled on two competely different models and it absolutely works on both so we think it's a very versatile and flattering design. 

Available in sizes XS through to 3XL, it is designed to fit a 71cm to 132cm bust with 10cm positive ease. Knit in Scrumptious Lace, our 55% merino, 45% Silk Lace, the smallest size requires only one skein of each colourway and the largest size takes only an extra skein for the main colour. The colours used here are Eau de Nil for the main colour and Jen's Green for the contrasting lace detail. 

The issue is on sale from today in craft stores, newsagents and supermarkets across the UK and worldwide from the Knit Now website. It will also be available digitally via the Apple Newsstand and (for those without Apple devices) from our website. Paper copies will be available to buy here: http://www.moremags.com/knitting/knit-now while digital editions are here: http://www.moremags.com/digital-editions/all-devices/knit-now. 

 

Scrumptious Lace is currently in stock in the shop or ask your nearest retailer. 

Spice Route

 

It was while tidying up a few things over on Pinterest the other day, we realised that we haven't shared a fab new pattern with you featuring Vivacious 4ply!

(c) Inspiration Knits

Spice Route by Louise Zass-Bangham of Inspiration Knits, shows the different moods of a variegated yarn with its bands of smooth stocking stitch, blurry purls, textured garter and strands of colour. The alternating textures make it reversible - unlike other dropped stitch designs. The vertical bands are edged with stitches worked through the back loop, to ensure good definition.

The optionally beaded ends add a glamorous sparkle; a finishing touch for a special yarn such as Vivacious, our 100% Superwash Merino high twist yarn. The pattern is available in 3 sizes: S (16 x 150cm / 6 1/2 x 60 inches), M (24 x 150cm / 9 1/2 x 60 inches), and L (33 x 150cm / 13 x 60 inches). All 3 only require one skein of Vivacious too!

(c) Inspiration Knits

The sample here is worked up in 'Lavender Haze' which is now available from the Fyberspates shop or your nearest retailer. You can check our stockists here. 

If you want to cast on in company, Louise is also hosting a knitalong this month in her group. Thanks for another great pattern Louise!

Pewter

Fyberspates has made the front cover again!

(c) The Knitter

Issue 70 of The Knitter has a Fiona Morris design on the front cover: a lace cardigan called 'Pewter' knit in Scrumptious High Twist DK in Pewter. The Hourglass Purl Lace pattern worked all over creates a beautiful open work fabric that makes this DK weight cardigan a perfect transitional piece for Spring and Summer. Sizes included in the pattern range from 81cm- 126cm (32-50 inches) and calls for 5-8 skeins of High Twist DK depending on the size you choose. 

 

(c) The Knitter

Scrumptious High Twist DK is a delicious high twist DK weight yarn that comprises of 50% Superwash Merino, and 50% Silk. Available in 212m/ 230yds per 100gms this hard working yarn is as soft as it is shiny. It's a real bit of luxury to add to your wardrobe. 

Scrumptious High Twist DK in Silver

Due to high demand following the success of this pattern, there will be pre order slots available for those wishing to purchase High Twist in the Pewter colourway. Shipping will commence on 15th April 2014 so pop over now to secure your skeins. Remember, due to the nature of hand dyeing, a sweater quantity will need to have skeins alternated every few rows to avoid any obvious colour changes. 

Don't forget to come over to the Ravelry group and share your knitting!

Scrumptious Collection Volume 2 Revisit

With the first day of Spring this week and the change in the weather, we've noticed a growing change towards light weight yarns and knits. It seemed a good time to revisit Volume 2 which features some knitwear that is perfect for warmer weather. 

Firstly there are 2 stunning shawls with great drape thanks to the silk content of Scrumptious Yarns. Both are large enough to wrap round the shoulders while the weather warms a little but once it gets warmer, the silk will keep things cool enough to take you right through to Autumn. 

Dollis by Anniken Allis

The Dollis Shawl is a pretty two-colour shawl has a calming garter stitch centre with contrasting lace edging and beads that add weight and pop out from the lace pattern. The lace pattern is given in both written and charted instructions. 

Effra by Anniken Allis

Then there's Effra, also by Anniken which is worked up in Scrumptious Lace. This is a large shawl with graphic motifs that aren't too tricky to follow. The shawl is worked from the top down and starts like a half-hexagon shawl with three equal triangles. After a few rows, the increases for the middle triangle stops. This creates some shoulder shaping which allows the shawl to sit really nicely on the shoulders and gives you more width than a standard triangular shawl but it's not as wide (nor the last few rows as long) as a standard half-hexagon shawl. 

Lea Cardigan by Lily Kate France

There's also some really verstaile garments like the Lea Cardigan. Knit in 4ply, this short-sleeved cardigan has a deep V-neck that can be worn to the front or the back. Sized from 32-50 inch bust this requires between 2-4 skeins of Scrumptious 4ply to make. 

Lea Cardigan by Lily Kate France

Then there's Kyoko Nakayoshi's elegant Osney Shrug knit in Scrumptious 4ply. This seamless shrug uses short-row shaping to create the flattering curves around the edges. Sized for 32-34to 48-50 inches at the bust, this takes between 2-4 skeins to make and has an easy lace pattern to follow. 

Osney Shrug by Kyoko Nakayoshi

As well as these knits, there's also some good projects that won't make you overheat when working on them like berets and cushions. It's not that warm yet but with all these trips to the park (and pub gardens, ahem) we've been leaning away from garments and throws and towards smaller portable projects instead. 

 

To get your copy of Scrumptious Collection Volume 2, visit the online store today or ask at your local LYS. 

Peacock on a Walk

It's not just knitting patterns in Fyberspates yarn landing in our inbox that makes us drool, we love crochet too. This new pattern caused quite a stir recently as we think the creator is one talented lady. Lena Fedotova is a knitting and crochet designer from Ukraine, traveling around the world in an old wooden boat. She currently stays anchored in Montenegro. Her latest design, Peacock on a Walk is typical of her designs that are textured and interesting to look at as well as create. 

(c) Ravliki

Made with gorgeous Gleem Lace yarn, Peacock on a Walk can be a scarf or a stole, depending of how many inner pattern repeats are worked. It is crocheted bottom up in one piece and can be made to any length. The lace border repeats (“feathers”) are added as you go. The scarf is easy and fun to make, but assumes at least an intermediate crochet skill level because of its construction, use of post stitches and a rather unusual method of creating picot. However, once you get the pattern, you will sail through this project.

(c) Ravliki

Gleem Lace is 55% Bluefaced Leicester and silk, and is available in 874 yards (799 meters) per 100g skeins. It comes in 12 stunning colours and is gorgeously shiny, giving a luxurious fabric for beautiful textured stitches found in this scarf. To get your skein please visit the Fyberspates shop or check with your local yarn store. 

 

Delayed Socks

Sometimes, when you're chattering on Ravelry or Twitter about your latest knitting WIPs or FOs you suddenly realise that you didn't share some good news. We absolutely had one of those moments recently when our lovely friend and Fyberspates Team Member, Jen AC, shared a picture of her Budleigh Socks in Vivacious 4ply. There was a panicked moment of 'did we tell everyone about THAT book from THAT designer?!?!?!' 

Jen AC's Budleigh Socks

What now follows is a post all about the talented Rachel Coopey aka Coopknits and her gorgeous book Coop Knits Socks. Coop Knits Socks is recent publication featuring 10 of Rachel’s original sock designs. These well-written patterns are accompanied by exquisite photography by Jesse Wilde, as well as step-by-step tutorials for techniques such as Kitchener Stitch and Afterthought Heels. There are even some rather lovely models that you might recognise.....

 

(c) Jesse Wild

Each design is beautifully balanced and well thought-out, giving both experienced and novice knitters the chance to create socks that are beautiful and wearable, while being enormously enjoyable to knit. Many of the clearly written patterns use a variety of skills, including cabling, grafting, lace and twisted stitches and provide a great opportunity to try out new stitch patterns.

 

(c) Jesse Wild

Within the book there are 3 designs featuring Fyberspates yarns. There is Willowherb, knit in Vivacious 4ply in the amazing 'Mixed Magentas' colourway. This slightly variegated colourway is a wonderful velvety colour that really showcases the non-uniform petals combined in this lace and twisted stitch pattern.

 

(c) Jesse Wild

Also in Vivacious 4 ply is Dawlish, with bold lines of cables and twisted stitches that were inspired by the shapes and colours of marker buoys bobbing on the water. This bright and fresh colourway is appropriately called 'Sunshine' and is perfect for really making the cables pop. 

(c) Jesse Wild

Then there is Brighton, knee-high socks that are just so fun and so stylish! Knit with Sheila's Sock, these bright and cheerful knee-high socks start with a ribbed cuff before leading to bands of stranded colourwork in bold geometric patterns. For those of us who are slightly daunted by the idea of knee high colourwork socks, there are instructions given for a shorter, mid-calf length version too.  

 

Jeni on a rather cold beach in Shetland, modelling for Coop Knits Socks!

We love Coop Knits Socks and hope you do too. You can get hold of your copy of this fab book here and of course, check out the Fyberspates shop to get your sock yarns to work your way through the book!