Florence

When thinking about pattern support or developing a new yarn it is very tempting to focus on all new, all of the time. It was while pondering new commissions though that we kept stumbling over a designer we liked and then a pattern caught our eye that really made us think..... is a relaunch a fun idea?

We contacted said designer and asked the same question, got a few fabulous knitters and bloggers onboard and the result was a unanimous 'YES! Let's relaunch this using Cumulus!' from everyone. 

I think you'll agree the results have been pretty spectacular...

(c) AmandaLynA

(c) Jan Harvey

So let's fill you in on the details so you can get knitting as soon as possible shall we? This is a FREE pattern, available for direct download on Ravelry courtesy of Karina Westermann. Born in Denmark and currently residing in Scotland, Karina “Karie” Westermann is a creative and multi-talented knitwear designer, knitting and crochet tutor, translator and technical editor. Able to work in multiple roles within the knitting industry, Karie explores her craft with a passion for the tradition and authenticity.

(c)JanHarvey

This delicate scarf knits up quickly and uses exactly one ball of Fyberspates Cumulus. We particularly liked this aspect as it gives you a chance to test the new yarn out before committing to a larger project. If you really like it though, you can modify the length of the scarf to use slightly less or more depending upon your preferences.

It makes a perfect gift: a scarf which works with an everyday outfit, yet is pretty enough to wear for special occasions. Make one in your favourite colour or even better, make several!

This scarf is designed to be a good introduction to working with fine halo-ey yarns and lacy stitch patterns. More experienced knitters will enjoy having it as an on-the-go project. The revised pattern includes a new chart and written instructions. It also includes optional beading instructions.

(c) AmandaLynA

Oh... and the name of this perfect pattern? Florence. 

(c) AmandaLynA

Our test knitters loved working with both the pattern and the new yarn and we're thrilled to have such strong notes to help you get to know our new yarn. You can see more great photos from Jan Harvey as well as her project notes here on Ravelry. We just loved this read on her gorgeous model. 

(c) Jan Harvey

Amanda Anganes did a great job of both blogging about her experiences as well as adding plenty of notes up on Ravelry too. We particularly loved hearing about the reaction Amanda was getting to Cumulus while working with it. "I've been showing it to my friends and family as I've been knitting away and without fail everyone is stunned when they feel it." That's great to hear and even better is that Amanda is now planning on making a sweater with Cumulus too. We can't wait to see that one!

So are you feeling the Cumulus love? Remember this pattern only takes one ball so why not treat yourself to some as currently have some in stock. Our 76% Baby Suri Alpaca, 24% Mulberry Silk yarn has already had such a great response that it's really great to have a 'go-to' pattern that we know works with the yarn. 

It doesn't end there either. We've got a few more relaunches to look forward from tried and tested designs as well as some new material being edited and checked as we speak! 

 

Spotlight on Faery Wings

Faery Wings, our 4ply silk and mohair yarn, is the most popular of our hand dyed bases. With 67% Silk, 23% Kid Mohair and 10% Nylon, this is a yarn that just loves to drape and shine. Available in 383 yards (350 metres)per 100g skein, this yarn knits up with a soft silky halo.

Faery Wings in 'Aqua'

Mohair takes dye exceptionally well and is an ethereal, luxury fibre that is surprisingly durable. The great thing about mohair is that it takes the dye differently to the silk, creating wonderful effects on the yarn.

Faery Wings in 'Magenta'

Patterns that work well with Faery Wings make good use of this luxurious blend, creating fabrics that are soft and airy. Both Silk and Mohair have an ability to be warm in Winter but cool in Summer as they both have moisture wicking properties (ie they'll keep you dry!). We've put together some suggested pattern ideas to make the best of your skeins of Faery Wings. 

 

Boo Knits Dragonfly Wings is a free downloadable pattern on Ravelry that is a versatile, wide, shallow, triangular shawl/wrap that can be worn in a variety of ways. The mixture of stocking stitch with garter stitch ridges really shows both the sheen and the hand dyed quality of Faery Wings. The construction of this top down shawl with lace border creates a shawl with a romantic delicate feel that is the perfect compliment to Faery Wings. KnittingFiona on Ravelry's version demonstrates the perfect mix: simple lace, a wide wingspan for drape, hand dyes and that luxury silk and mohair sheen.  

(c) KnittingFiona

Another accessory pattern that showcases the wonderful drape of Faery Wings is Song of the Sea by Inspiration Knits. This versatile cowl develops in lovely Art Deco waves and only requires one skein so it's a perfect little taste of luxury. Inspiration Knits has several patterns that work well with Faery Wings as she is quite a fan. Just look at the soft undulating waves of this cowl, there's a designer who knows how to make a luxury hand dyed yarn shine!

(c) YogicKnitter

For something entirely different, but no less beautiful, try Simple Ziggurat by Asa Tricosa. This sweater begins with a cast-on for back and shoulders and is then knit all in one go from top to bottom with some little zigging and zagging, producing nicely tailored shoulders, a curved neckline, and a slightly fitted body with some little ease. Not only is this a fascinating knit but it's stash frugal too- working the Faery Wings into a lofty fabric means that only 2 skeins are required for the main colour portion of the body. Faery Wings is a yarn that can go the extra mile and it lends itself well to light garments that are warm without the bulk. 

(c) Asa Tricosa

Faery Wings is also suprisingly good for colourwork too! While most colourwork relies on sharp, crisp yarns without a halo, the Silk content of Faery Wings means that it still has definition enough to carry simple motifs. Take this scarf for example, worked up by StitchNerd (project notes here). The Cloisonne Scarf by Susan Ashcroft is a scarf that makes use of one solid colour to both control and highlight bright shades in variegated yarn. StitchNerd's finished scarf really highlights the way Faery Wings can shine in a colourwork item. 

(c) Stitchnerd

Hopefully this post has inspired some Faery Wings pattern choices for you. If you're still struggling to picture what your Faery Wings skein wants to be when it grows up, remember you can use the Ravelry pattern database by selecting 'Silk AND Mohair' like this. If you'd love to try some Faery Wings, please visit the Fyberspates shop where we currently have some in stock. 

Introducing....

 

It's so exciting when you introduce a new yarn to the family and we have been bursting to tell you about this one for a while. Well, it's nearly here!

 

Cumulus is our 74% Baby Suri Alpaca and 26% Silk blend that comes in 25g balls of 150 metres [164 yards]. This Light Fingering/ Heavy Lace weight yarn is a wonderful alternative to Mohair with its’ fine ethereal halo. However, with 26% Silk content comes incredible strength and sheen making this delicate yarn surprisingly hard working.

 

Available in our well-loved jewel tones as well as a new palette of soft colours specifically developed for this yarn, Cumulus is perfect for fine accessories and garments. This unique blend will produce a light fabric that has the kind of loft and breathability that only Silk and Alpaca can provide. Due to the larger needle size required to work it into a fabric, it’s also an economical choice as a little goes a long way. Cumulus will add more than just texture to your wardrobe: it will give you a yarn that works all season round.

 

We're busy plotting pattern support and collaborating with some amazing designers to bring you inspiration for this gentle little yarn but in the meantime we will be taking a small sampling to Unravel for you to preview. Yes, you can get your hands on this before it wholesales or goes in the Fyberspates shop. 

 

Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for pictures later in the week. 

Call Out

We had a great time with the Blog and Podcast Tour and it really made us think about ways we can encourage more hands on interaction with new Fyberspates products. We have a few things in the works that we'd love to get YOUR input on so we're making a call out....

 

If you are a knitter that considers yourself a dab hand with stitchwork, technique and finishing, we might be in need of your services. We need some new yarn roadtested. That's right, new yarn. We'd like feedback on how it works up and blocks and we also want some fancy pictures to go along with it. 

 

So if you're the kind of person who just loves the way Ravelry allows you to share your project notes, showcase your photography and chat about what you've been up to, we'd love to here from you over on Ravelry. There's a dedicated thread just gone up telling you how to reach out. 

 

We can't wait to share this with you!

Colours of Shetland

(c) Kate Davies Designs

We are thrilled to be able to announce that Fyberspates are now the official distributors of 'Colours of Shetland' by Kate Davies across the US and Canada. Her dedication to sharing her passion for Real Wool as well as documenting textile history has made her a favourite amongst knitters and fibre artists; something we have long admired. Her design work has a cult following amongst knitters who are drawn to its' intricate Fair Isle and motifs that instantly bring Shetland to mind. It is a pleasure to be distributing such wonderful book. 

'Puffin', (c) Kate Davies Designs

With its beautiful photography, engaging writing, and signature hand-knit designs, Colours of Shetland will inspire you with the varied shades and hues of Britain’s most northerly isles. The book brings the creative process of hand-knit design to life in an exciting new way. In Colours of Shetland, Kate takes you on a northern journey, exploring wild and beautiful island landscapes through words, projects and pictures. Situated in the rich context of the Shetland places, wildlife, objects and people that have inspired Kate, each design in this book has its own engaging ‘colour story’ to tell.

'Stevenson Gauntlets & Sweater', (c) Kate Davies Designs

Through the pages of this book, you will get a taste of the heritage that makes Shetland one of the world’s most knitterly destinations, and be inspired to knit with yarn that has a genuine connection to the landscape in which it is produced. Showcasing Jamieson and Smith Jumper Weight, the flagship Shetland yarn with a marvellously varied palette, each project features the clear instructions and attention to detail that are hallmarks of Kate’s designs.

'Scatness Tam', (c) Kate Davies Designs

Alongside ten original patterns that are a joy to make and wear, Colours of Shetland offers the hand-knitter food for thought and a feast for the eyes.

 

To find out how to purchase or wholesale the publication, Colours of Shetland, please contact us at sales@fyberspatesusa.com.

New Colours

We have just had our first batch of new colours arrive and they're perfect. Want to take a look?

 

Scrumptious Lace in Loganberry

 

Scrumptious Lace in Seaspray

Both are available in Scrumptious lace, our luxury 55% Merino and 45% Silk base. We're also of the opinion that these work particularly well together and see some fabulous stripes and motifs this season. What do you think?

A Preview....

Those of you who tuned in to 'channel Fyberspates' will have seen how much fun I had travelling to the mill to develop hand dyed yarns for whole sale. Fyberspates gets daily
enquiries asking if people can buy hand dyed wholesale and as we don’t
have the facilities or margins to work in a large capacity, we wanted to
figure out a way to do it. So Jeni, ever the jetsetter, travelled to Peru to teach them how she dyed so that they will replicate our exclusive colours on a large
scale.



So as a little taste of more  exciting develpoments to follow with a taster of what the colours should be. Stay tuned for more Peru news, more yarn news and keep your peepers peeled for a feature in a rather prestigious magazine about this exciting new chapter for Fyberspates!

New Stockists

As many of you avid Scrumptious and Fyberspates fans know, we've been expanding rapidly and have now added Italy to our empire. Fili & Colori is a new stockist of the Scrumptious Yarn Range in Italy and we're so pleased to have them as part of the extensive list of stockists.

So whether you're holidaying abroad and fancy a quick yarn shop (who doesn't) or are local to this wonderful store, do check out some Scrumptious and their wonderful range of knit products. Products are available at their online store here.