Both of these designs were knit in Valley Yarns Northampton. This is one of our core yarn lines and it’s available in over 40 colors.  With a wide variety of heathers and solids with an incredible depth of color, there’s no end to the possible color combinations you can add to your wardrobe.

First up is the cozy, textured Cabello Cowl by Lori Wagner. Lori learned to knit back in 7th grade as part of 4-H, but didn’t pick her needles up again until years later.  A Designing Cowl class with Laura Nelkin sparked her interest in creating her own knit designs and started self-publishing in 2014. For the Cabello Cowl, Lori was daydreaming of hiking trips with friends…the twists and turn of the trails, the hills and all the rocks along the way. Lori says, “I loved working with this yarn! The Northampton was squishy and had fabulous stitch definition…exactly what I envisioned for my design. I then started to look at the other Valley Yarn available and could not believe how many lines were available!”

Just one skein of Northampton is all you need for the Cabello Cowl, making it a project that cost under $12.00! Get your needles ready and get some holiday gift knitting started!

For a larger project, one that will expand your wardrobe for the winter, try the Valentina Cardigan designed by Andrea Sanchez.

This long-sleeved open front cardigan is knit in one piece with the sleeves set in. A reversible textured stitch is worked throughout the body and the sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch.  A simple garter ribbing adorns the Hems, cuffs, and collar. Even the largest size, which needs only 7 skeins of Northampton, is a project that tops out at $50! I’m thinking I need a Valentina Cardigan in Charcoal and maybe another in Apple Green.

What projects have you planned in Northampton?

With the last days of summer fast approaching and school starting again it’s time to begin thinking about knits for the cooler weather. Our two newest designs feature Valley Yarns Northfield, my favorite yarn! Not only does the blend of Merino, Baby Alpaca and Silk create an incredibly soft and bouncy yarn with a gorgeous sheen, but it’s also incredibly affordable!

Fiona’s latest design for Valley Yarns is the Irena Pullover with stunningly simple cable and eyelet  details at the neck, hem and on the sleeves.

And Carol’s whimsical First Frost Hat may just be the perfect first lace project!

With a full range of rich colors of Northfield to choose from your biggest decision may not be which project to cast on for first, but which color to use!

Our 2/14 Alpaca Silk is one of the hidden gems in our Valley Yarns collection. The fact that it’s on a cone gives some knitters and crocheters pause, but let me tell you what a boon that is. For larger projects, and even multiple small projects, it means only 2 ends to weave in at the end of your work. You read that right, only TWO ends to weave in! There’s so much yardage on one of these cones, over 1,700yds in fact, that each cone really can result in multiple projects. Like our Allamanda Shawl. The pattern requires 550yds but with the incredible yardage on these cones you could get three of these shawls out of just one cone! This makes it a wonderful choice for wedding party shawls, or other occasions where multiple versions of the same knits or crochet are needed.

The fiber combination of this yarn, 80% Alpaca/20% Silk, results in a lace weight yarn with incredible strength and beauty. The silk gives the yarn durability and a delicate sheen while the alpaca imparts warmth and softness as well as a subtle halo. Together you get a yarn that is soft and easy to work with, even in the summer heat, that becomes garments and accessories that are surprisingly warm.

Clockwise from bottom left: The Stella Pullover, the Magda Shawl NEW, the Geothermal Tubular Scarf, the Shenandoah Valley Shawl NEW, the Vintage Vest FREE,  the October Mountain Cardigan, the Gallica Shell, the Coppice Cardigan, and the Intemporelle Pullover.

We have some truly lovely patterns for this yarn, from cozy mid-season accessories to full garments in both knit and crochet. Have you worked with 2/14 Alpaca Silk?

Valley Yarns Charlemont is a fantastic yarn for transitional garments, like the Sequoyah Shawl by Mary Joy Gumayagay.

This generous half circle shawl is worked from the neck down and features bands of stockinette and modified Roman Stripe textured stitches divided by raised garter ridges. Easy increases help to keep the circular shape resulting in a shawl that rests beautifully on the shoulders.

We asked Mary Joy to tell us a bit about herself and her work.

When did you learn to knit?
I learned to knit in 2003, when an injury forced me to stop climbing for a few months. To pass the time I decided to try something crafty.

What prompted you to start designing?
I fell into designing accidentally, when I had a ball of worsted yarn and an urge to make something unique. Pre-Ravelry, it was a challenge to find patterns for a specific weight, or yardage, or project. So I looked through one of Barbara Walker’s Treasury of Knitting Patterns books, found something I liked, and made a leaf lace worsted weight scarf. A fellow knitblogger named Liesel asked me for the directions, and I ended up self-publishing my very first pattern, Liesel.

Give us a glimpse into your design process, where/how do you find inspiration?
I am inspired by experiences, which translate into color and texture, then by necessity, which translate into structure. If a stitch pattern and color are lovely together, I think of what sort of object the combination would be most appropriate as. Lately my inspiration has been the specific physical features––color, texture, shape—of the rock climbing areas I’ve visited, and I am translating that into a series of hat patterns. The Destination Series currently has three: Antalya, St. Leger, and Siurana.

Tell us one of your favorite knit/fiber stories.
I don’t have specific stories… But I’ve met a few climbers who are also knitters; that’s a specific sub-group.

Tell us about the Valley Yarn you worked with?
I worked with Valley Yarns Charlemont, a lovely yarn with enough silk to create a subtle sheen and drape. I particularly adore the jewel tones, but there are enough neutrals to satisfy every knitter.

Charlemont has fantastic drape and shine from the silk, strength and durability from the Polyamide, and the merino keeps it soft and warm. Wrap up this Fall in a beautiful shawl, after spending a bit of your Summer knitting with a yarn that you’ll truly enjoy! Have you worked with Charlemont in the past?

Summer is a fantastic time to knit small projects with stunning stitch work. The new Olivenhain Fingerless Mitts, in Valley Yarns Huntington by Irina Anikeeva are just that! A gorgeous combination of yarn, color and a spectacular, leafy cable and lace panel.

These mitts are knit from the bottom up, with stockinette stitch at the palm for a bit of break on your hands and brain as you knit. The flowing leaf and lace cables twine their way up the backs of these mitts to your fingertips, and seamlessly blend with the ribbing bands at top and bottom. Whether you knit these to stay cozy and warm at the office, for a peek of stunning pattern work and color peeking out of your coat this Autumn, or as a gift for someone who will treasure your work, you’ll enjoy the whole process of knitting the Olivenhain Fingerless Mitts.

We asked Irina to tell us a bit about herself and her work.

When did you learn to knit? 

I was probably 6 or 7 at that time. I grew up in Russia with my Mom who knit and sewed for a living. Knowing my Mom didn’t have much time to make anything else, I asked her to teach me.

Irina is right, Huntington is a great choice for baby and easy care knit and crochet projects! With it’s superwash and nylon blend it is not only completely washable, but durable as well, for handknits that will last for years. With an array of 24 rich, solid colors to choose from this yarn is the ideal choice for finer gauge knits, both for textured stitch details and colorwork.  This is a wonderful chance to try this yarn! With just 2 skeins and the pattern you’ve got a project that costs less than $15.00!

We’ve had a few, brief previews of Summer weather here in New England, and it’s got us all thinking about smaller portable knitting projects, because let’s face it, there’s no way we’re going to stop knitting just because the thermometer is topping out in the 90’s!

Evie Scott has designed the fantastic Oblique Hat for Valley Yarns in our super versatile Huntington yarn. Not only is this a stylish, and truly unisex hat, but it’s available in 4 sizes, with instructions for knitting the beanie style shown, or adding some depth for a slouchy version. The super stretchy band of ribbing seamlessly flows into an architecturally inspired spiral. A simple two-stitch cable twists upwards in columns to the crown, a great time to practice cables without a cable needle!

With a veritable rainbow of over 2 dozen solid colors to choose from Valley Yarns Huntington is a perfect choice for hats for the whole family. Extremely soft and machine washable this yarn has beautiful stitch definition and longevity. Who will you knit an Oblique Hat for, and in what color?

Be sure to check out all the new patterns from Valley Yarns here, (psst, the patterns for our new catalog are up already!). Tell us which one is your favorite and what kinds of designs you’d like to see  in the comments.

Wow, what a run of exciting new patterns. Between our Spring 2016 catalog that came out in March, new patterns for Haydenville and Longmeadow in April and all new designs for Goshen and Southwick in May we’ve introduced 13 brand new patterns to you in the last 3 months! On the off chance that you have missed any of these beauties we thought we’d pull together a little recap.

Our Spring Catalog featured the Tulip Pullover in Stockbridge, the Sieberi Shawl in Longmeadow, the Leaves and Lines Afghan and the Grayson Baby Set in Haydenville, The Tink Cardigan in Sunderland, the Marguerite Scarf in Leyden and the Anemone Mitts in Goshen. A bright cheerful collection of knits for Spring from our own Valley Yarns Design Manager, Kirsten Hipsky!

Then we partnered with some wonderful Indie Designers for a spate of all new pattern in April and May. Three gorgeous tops in Longmeadow, Ascending Leaves, the Easy Day Tee, and the Rose Sorbet Tank, the New Hope Pullover and All Dressed Up Stole in Goshen, the Vertical Pullover in Southwick and the Honza Baby Blanket in Haydenville. We asked these designers to let the yarn inspire them and boy did it!

And don’t worry! We have even more exciting new designs ready to reveal in June! Here’s a sneak-peek at some of the featured yarns and Indie Designs you’ll see, but we’ll also release our Summer Valley Yarns Catalog with over 20 additional new patterns. Get your needles ready, you’ve got a lot of knitting in your future!

And if you love Longmeadow or Stockbridge stock up now! Sadly, both of these yarns have been discontinued and once our current stock is sold through, it’s gone forever.

With summer just around the corner now is the perfect time to get to work on a beautiful and fun new piece for your wardrobe. The Rose Sorbet Tank by Krystalle Diaz is knit in our scrumptious Valley Yarns Longmeadow, a blend of cotton and microfiber that is ideal for warm-weather knits. This lovely and delicate tank starts as a top down shawl, so you get the beautiful centered lace panel, and is then joined in the round to complete the body of the piece. Top it off with a couple quick straps and you’ve got a super cute summer top!

We asked Krystalle to tell us a bit about herself and her work.

When did you learn to knit?

I learned to knit when I was 12, from a book I begged my mom to buy me from the fabric store.  I had always admired knitting and wanted to learn, but something about that day- maybe the book cover featuring happy kids making these fantastic sweaters- made me actually want to sit down and learn!  I convinced her to get me a crochet hook, a pair of knitting needles, the book, and a cheap ball of acrylic, and began a six month journey of frustration and constant giving up.  Those six months include the time it took to read the book, get the guts to start, tear out my swatches, and repeat the cycle for about a month, a long break in between of stuffing everything into the corner of my bedroom, and getting it out again to suddenly find that everything “clicked”!  I could cast on 20 stitches and knit the same number without accidentally decreasing or increasing for a full square, I could purl and knit, and I could increase and decrease!  After that it was just a natural progression of trying new things to knit.

What prompted you to start designing?

I can’t ever follow directions.  I don’t think I ever followed a pattern.  My first garment was only loosely based off a shrug in a pattern book I have- I used the pattern to determine my cast on number, then promptly proceeded to ignore almost everything else.  I still wear that dress every year, and except for some awkward bunching at the sleeves, which I did block out eventually, it is a beautiful and serviceable garment. I’m not sure how I got onto crazy things like lace and such- probably my love of shawl knitting.

Give us a glimpse into your design process, where/how do you find inspiration?

I’m always doodling designs in several sketchbooks.  When I do decide to actually make on a reality, it typically starts with the yarn, then a gathering of a inspirational images, which can be anything from fashion photographs to nature photography, depending on the design.  I will usually doodle several ideas on the sides of a page, then sketch the final concept and put notes on it. Then I swatch, keeping detailed notes on my computer, and eventually I will turn that swatch into a finished piece.

Tell us about your design aesthetic.

I never thought about it until now, but it’s quite feminine and classy.  I love 80s, Victorian, and roaring 20s fashions especially, and emblems and inspirations from these constantly creep into my designs, whether in the stitch pattern or the silhouette.  I think there may also be something of a seaside cottage look to the designs I’ve actually published and made available, too- something very nature-y but decidedly boutique-like.

What did you love about the Valley Yarn you worked with?

I have deliberately avoided working with plant fibers the entirety of my knitting and crochet repertoire, unless they are blended with silk or wool.  So working with Longmeadow was a learning experience, since it is a microfiber and cotton blend.  And much to my joy, I did not hate it!  I was surprised by how soft it was, and that it did not hurt my hands as I knit with it.  It had good stitch definition, which for me is always a plus, given my lace and cable obsession.  The only real hurdle I had to conquer was blocking- I had to steam block my design to get it to even out and lay flat, but I did enjoy seeing the transformation take hold.

In bright beachy colors, like purple haze and willow, Valley Yarns Longmeadow is a wonderful yarn for light layers. Knit the Rose Sorbet Tank and wear it with a strappy sundress, or a cami and shorts and stay cool and stylish all summer long! Which color will you choose?

The NEW Tulip Pullover from Valley Yarns is a classic pullover with some fun texture and color.

Worked seamlessly from the top down, with a crew-neck and set-in sleeves, the bold, rich colors of spring flowers and a band of subtle ribbing brings an unexpected twist to this simple sweater shape. Knit in Valley Yarns Stockbridge you’ll have almost 2 dozen colors to choose from, and with that variety why not think about changing up the colors? You could swap out just one color and use Soft Grape instead of the Deep Red.

Love a gradient? Try Natural, Camel and Chocolate, or Natural, Light Gray and Gray, or Deep Teal,  Blue Mist and Lake. Or try for a pop of color and knit the top and bottom in Light Gray with the center section in Kiwi or Gold. What colors will you cast on with?

Our Spring 2015 Catalog is online and is making it’s way to your mailboxes and with it comes a whole new bunch of Valley Yarns patterns.  We thought we’d share some styling suggestions for some of our patterns this year to help make these sweaters and accessories a part of your everyday wardrobe.

First up is our Plesti Fair Isle Pullover, knit in Valley Yarns Northampton. This sweater features a wide scoop neck and a slightly over sized fit making it feel more like a comfy boyfriend sweater, but it can easily be dressed up. This sweater would also look great as an extra layer over a shirtwaist dress with a pair of knee boots!

Though the fair isle work may look complicated there are never more than 2 colors in any row and the motifs are fairly large and easy to memorize as you knit. If you feel you need some practice before tackling the sweater the pattern includes a matching hat that ‘s not only a great to practice your color-work but makes a perfect swatch as well! You have over 3 dozen colors to choose from in Valley Yarns Northampton so the options are nearly endless.