Thanks for coming back for another Valley Yarns Show and Tell!

Valley Yarns 464 Bittersweet Pullover is a long and lovely sweater knit in the round from the top down. Simple, elegant cables are worked into the round yoke. It is knit in Valley Yarns Sheffield.

We tried on the 36” size.

Almost all of us thought that this should be a lot shorter for our shapes. Katie suggested making it longer and wearing as a dress, or shorter to wear as a sweater. Ashley and Emma were big fans, but Emma would make the sleeves ¾. We all loved the cozy softness of the yarn.

Check out the pattern here.

Here is today’s crochet Valley Yarns Show and Tell!

476 Themisto Tunic is worked top-down in an easy-to-remember shell stitch with simple increases that form decorative raglan seams. The loose cap sleeves and slight a-line shape is flattering on many forms. It is crocheted with one of our weaving yarns – 10/2 Valley Cotton.

We tried on the 36” size.

All of us would have preferred this to be longer. Dena even suggested adding a lot of length and making it a beach cover-up. We all really loved the way the lightweight fabric draped. Some of us would go up at least one size, possibly two.

You can purchase the pattern here.

Enjoy this week’s Valley Yarns Show and Tell!

461 Miller’s Pond Pullover is a trim, set-in sleeve sweater that is worked in the round and has adorable shoulder buttons. The ribbed sleeves and body hug your curves and the soft touch of Valley Yarns Longmeadow makes it easy to wear this sweater next to the skin.

We tried on the 36” size.

The reviews of this sweater were a little mixed, but everyone loved how soft the Valley Yarns Longmeadow worked up. Everyone also loved the pop of color from the buttons at the shoulder. A couple commented that they would start the ribbing a little higher, but they liked the how the different stitch patterns divided the sweater.

You can check out the pattern here.

Here is this week’s Valley Yarns Show and Tell!

This simple sweater is created with just four rectangles! 471 Kohl Lace Pullover is knit in Valley Yarns Deerfield and since it is constructed of rectangles, you don’t have to worry about shaping with the lace. The garment is both cool and flattering.

We tried on the 35” size.

We were all really impressed with how soft the Deerfield is when paired with the lace stitch. It was warm without being too heavy. Most of us thought that this sweater was quite flattering – from the shape to the length, but a few of us would adjust the sleeves so that they aren’t as bell-like.

Click here to check out the pattern.

Even if we aren’t all knitters, we’re still connected to yarn somehow in our lives. This week, the staff at WEBS is buzzing about gifts we’ve received, projects we’d like to knit, and a very exciting new book.

My co-workers gave me this beautiful afghan that they knit in Berroco Vintage as a wedding gift for me and my husband, who also works at WEBS.  I love it so so much.  It’s incredibly soft, machine washable and they couldn’t have picked better colors!  They also did a great job keeping their plans a secret at work.  I never suspected a thing! > Lindsey T.

My mom made this hat out of Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in Charcoal for me. I really like how soft is is and it’s warm without suffocating my head! I can wash it and dry it too without it shrinking. < Jeff G.

Madelinetosh Merino Light in Fathom - My wife recently knit me a hat with this yarn and I love it. The colors are great and it feels really nice on my head. It’s warm and stylish! > Ken T.

Valley Yarns 448 Fiddlehead Set and Southwick Yarn – I packed this into an order the other day and was really into how Emma used the fiddlehead motif in the design of the mitts and beret. I like that she chose Southwick because it is soft and lightweight for the Spring. > Angela Z.

One of our store managers, Leslie Ann Bestor, wrote Cast On Bind Off, a book all about the many ways to cast on and bind off for projects. I love how it’s spiral bound so it lays flat on the couch while I’m following along. I thought I was done buying knitting reference books, but this one I just had to have. Nothing else in my collection is so comprehensive. > Grace H.

With our new catalog now available online (and in mailboxes in the next few weeks), we have a whole new group of Valley Yarns Show and Tells to share with you. We tried to find a range of folks to try on the newest collection.

Crocheted in Valley Yarns Southwick, 479 Nakota Cardigan is a cool and fun piece for the warmer months. The bright colors bring a bit of a retro look to the sweater and the chevron pattern is just fun!

We are wearing the 34” size.

We all had pretty similar feelings on the sweater. For many of us, we would have preferred if it was a more neutral color palette. It would look very interesting in a smaller range of colors, perhaps on the grayscale. Several of us would also prefer a closer fit on the sleeves.

You can check out the new catalog here and you can find the pattern here.

Many of you have used our Franklin Hand Dyed sock yarn before and even have a favorite Kangaroo Dyer colorway. But did you know that undyed Franklin is also available on cones? These cones are perfect for the hand dyer.

Valley Yarns Franklin Natural is sold by the pound, $18.99/lb.
75% Wool/25% Nylon and machine washable, it’s perfect for socks. But it’s also great for any fingering weight project.

Below you’ll find a collection of inspiring Ravelry projects showcasing some of the interesting things you can create when you experiment with dyeing your own yarn.

OpArt by Melissa Dominguez, pattern available for free from Knitty.com, knit by beakerm
With the way Becky’s hand dyed Franklin looks in the OpArt pattern, “Dr. Who Meets Dr. Seuss” is the perfect name for this baby blanket.

 

Pogona by Stephen West, available in Westknits Book One pattern book, knit by Blunckie
Andrea dyed Franklin in an ochre yellow creating a beautifully subtle tonal color.

 

Snowbird Mittens by Elli Stubenrauch, pattern available from Vogueknitting, knit by Marlana
Marlana dyed Franklin to match a coat and combined the green with the undyed yarn to create stunning two-color mittens.

 

Luiza by MaweLucky/Jane Araujo, available for purchase on Ravelry, knit by Mawelucky
Even though dyeing the yarn didn’t turn out as Jane had planned, I think the darker edge of the shawl is a happy accident, creating a cool “dipped” effect.

 

Zirkel by Stephanie van der Linden, available for purchase on Ravelry, knit by ikumi
Ikumi creates a lovely plum color using Cushing’s Acid Dye.

 

Nikolai by Marysia Nodzykowska, pattern available for free, knit by momtofour
Shawna hand dyed the yarn with egg coloring to create a pretty, dappled look.

 

Koi and Lotus Sweater by AlphaMango
Wanting to commemorate a family trip to China, Jen dyed Franklin with Sapphire Blue, Royal Blue and Black to create a semi-solid blue with depth and character. Don’t miss reading her whole story of this incredible sweater.

 

Black Tie, Optional by Adrienne Fong, available for free on Ravelry, knit by AlwaysRosie
Carol chooses to use the undyed Franklin for her socks to really let the pattern shine.

Have you ever tried dyeing your own yarn? Share your dyeing tips, triumphs, and mishaps in the comments.

Our Anniversary Sale is ending in a week. But there’s one more yarn in the sale I’d like to highlight. Valley Yarns 2/10 Merino Tencel (also known as Colrain Lace) has been around for over 4 years now and has grown to be a favorite with knitters, crocheters, and weavers. I think one of the things I love most about this lace weight yarn is the beautiful color palette. I still daydream about getting one of each color and having fun playing with combining them.

2/10 Merino Tencel is on sale through 5/31/12 for $16.79/cone (normal retail is $23.99). Check out these great Ravelry projects for a little inspiration for what you can create with this yarn.

Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier, available for purchase on Ravelry, knit by lismete

 

Java Wrap by Nariko Oomae, available from a Japanese pattern book, crocheted by herbivore100

 

Eyelet Twist Pullover by Kira Dulaney, available for purchase on Ravelry, knit by bekala and combined with Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo, also on sale this month

 

Queen Anne’s Lace by MMario, available as a free Ravelry download, knit by violinknitter

 

Camber Cardigan by jeshknits, available for purchase on Ravelry

 

Echo Flower Shawl by Jenny Johnson Johnen, available as a free Ravelry download, knit by LindaLovesLace

 

Twill Scarves available from handweaving.net, woven by knit4fun972

What’s your favorite color of 2/10 Merino Tencel? I could get lost in the Ocean Blue myself.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

- Dena

 

The May portion of our Anniversary Sale is in full swing right now with over 40 new yarns on sale this month. One of those yarns is customer favorite Valley Yarns Goshen,on sale for $2.79/skein. This Peruvian cotton blend yarn is not only soft and drapy, the Modal® and silk add durability which will prevent pilling.

Here are some Ravelry projects using Valley Yarns Goshen, great for your spring/summer wardrobe.

Fan Kimono by Vicki Square, available from the book Knit Kimono, knit by Cyn557

 

Two-Tone Shrug by Erika and Monika Simmons, available as a free pattern, crocheted by deadalchemist

 

Abigail by Cheri Christian, available as a downloadable PDF pattern, knit by danceswithcats

 

Miette by Andi Satterlund, available as a free Ravelry download, knit by debby

 

Miss Terry by Kyla Hurst, available for purchase on Ravelry, knit by blackpebble

So, which of these garments would you most like to add to your wardrobe and why? I’m always curious what draws someone to a particular pattern.

Stay tuned to the blog next week when we kick off a new knitalong using Valley Yarns Goshen! We’re getting kind of excited for it.

Have a great weekend.
-Dena

There are just 4 days left of the April portion of our Anniversary Sale. One of the yarns on sale through Monday is Valley Yarns Longmeadow, an incredibly soft cotton and microfiber blend in a DK weight. Longmeadow normally $3.49, is on sale for $2.49. That’s quite a deal. Check out some of these customer projects found on Ravelry. Apparently the Lettuce color has been popular, a nice spring green.

Titania by Elizabeth Klett

knit by fiddletwist

(pattern available for free on A Mingled Yarn)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lace Cardigan by Simona Merchant-Dest

knit by mris

(pattern available for purchase on Ravelry)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dream Stripes by Cailliau Berangere

knit by Manduuuh

(pattern available for free on Ravelry)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Coaster Set by ChickenBetty

crocheted by ChickenBetty

(pattern available for purchase on Ravelry)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gavrosh Pants by Elena Nodel

knit by Tessa-Jane

(pattern available for purchase on Ravelry)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audrey In Unst by Gudrun Johnston

knit by wonderliza

(pattern available for purchase from Twist Collective)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courthouse Step Log Cabin Blanket

knit by SmokingHotNeedles

(pattern available from the book Mason-Dixon Knitting)

 

 

 

 

 

What’s on your needles or hook this spring?