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Big
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| Vogue Knitting’s Cover Sweater featuring Cortina Nuvole |
BIG,
Astrakan by Lang
& even
BIGGER yarn
Berroco’s Link
Yes, all the fashion magazines, the knitting and the crochet magazines, and the TV/internet style shows are showing big, Big, BIGGER knits! And they’re so gorgeous, and they’re fast to knit, but… but…. but….
“Super-bulky knits look great on a 5′ 10″, 90 lb model, but not me! They’re so pricey with so little yardage! And they’re so heavy–who could wear all that?! Even if you’re skinny, it weighs a ton!”
The answer is Yes, you can wear these yarns, if you choose wisely. Here are some tips:
- Accessories–scarves, hats, muffs–give the fashion look without being overwhelming
- Look at the cost of the garment, not the price of the skein. Most of these yarns are cost-effective.
- Remember to keep the fabric and the fit loose–unless it’s an outerwear coat or jacket, these yarns shouldn’t be firmly knit. They also not meant to be knit into sweaters that are close-fitting; instead choose patterns for layering garments.
- Natural fibers are heavier than synthetics. In these super big yarns, a synthetic portion or blend is a big plus in keeping them light enough to wear.
- “Cable knit” yarns, where the strand is really a knitted tube, are much lighter to wear, and warm too.
 This design in "Winter Warmers" |
Alpaca Chunky
This super-soft and snuggly yarn is a natural extension of Rowan’s Lima. Since super-bulky yarns are so in fashion, it makes perfect sense to create a bigger, chunkier alpaca yarn. This yarn is put up in 100g skeins, with about 76 yards, so as to minimize the number of ends you have to deal with. And there’s a Rowan book Winter Warmers, with patterns for Alpaca Chunky, too.
Here’s a gift from me to you to get you started:
 Knit in alpaca chunky |
Simply Snuggly Luxury Scarf
This reversible scarf will make you want to go out in the cold just so you can wear it. Or make it for someone else — Sometimes the recipe for a fabulous gift is deceptively easy!
2 100g balls Rowan Alpaca Chunky
US size 15 needles
Cast on 18 st, and work in this pattern
Row 1: K3, P3 repeat across
Row 2: K1,P1 repeat across
Continue in pattern until just enough of 2nd ball remains to bind off. Weave in loose ends. Block lightly to stabilize the stitches. Finished size about 6” by 66”.
Tip: When working with circular chain constructed yarns like Alpaca Chunky or Lima try joining balls this way. Using a tapestry needle, thread the new end up through the center of the yarn tube of the old end for about 4-5 inches, then out the side. Remove the needle and gently pull back on the yarn to bury the ends. Then just continue knitting.
Wow! Cyber Monday! This is supposed to be the day when those of you are still shopping on Monday, but online, make everything great for us online retailers. But we do have a very special deal for you to try something new or just treat yourself for getting all that holiday shopping done!
It’s the Fifth (and last) day of the Try a New Yarn promotion from Handknitting.com. Today’s Buy One Get One Half off coupon is for the yummiest new yarns from Lang: Aiko, a multi-purpose chunky yarn, and a great extension of Alpaca SuperLight, Lang Alpaca SuperLight Lamé.
Aiko: Use the coupon code AIKOLUX Lux because this is truly a luxury yarn. One look at this yarn and you will be wondering where it has been all your life! This yarn is a combination of so many desirable qualities: fast and easy to knit, a little bit of haze from some mohair, depth of color and texture. You will love it–try it now!
Alpaca SuperLight Lamé: Use the coupon code OOHLALA
You can use this beautiful yarn for any lace weight pattern that has a large enough gauge to handle the halo, or substitute for any pattern for Alpaca SuperLight in any of the Fatto à Mano books. A fabulous addition to the Lang yarn line-up. For those of you who like to experiment, this yarn is a great carry-along for a plain yarn. The colors coordinate with all the other Lang yarns, so pair it with Alpaca SuperLight for a chunky knit, or with Aiko for a bulky. Make yourself a one of a kind masterpiece!
This coupon will allow you to buy 2 skeins of these yarns, with the second skein at half price. You may mix colors, and you may use the coupon as many times as you wish.
GOOD TODAY (11/28/2011) ONLY.
So it’s the Sunday after Thanksgiving – are you all exhausted from shopping? No? Tired of football? Good, because we have new discount codes for 2 more great new yarns today. There’s still time to knit a holiday gift from the skeins you order.
Anyway, it’s the Fourth day of the Try a New Yarn promotion from Handknitting.com. Today’s Buy One Get One Half off coupon is for the newest yarn from Lopi (Istex) Einband Lace weight, and Regia Design Line Hand-Dye Effect by Kaffe Fasset
Einband: Use the coupon code LOPILACE
This is just a marvelous yarn –Lopi yarn in a next-t0-the-skin soft lace weight. Try it!
Regia Design Line Hand-Dye Effect by Kaffe Fasset: Use the coupon code KAFFE8 
The master of color has designed a line of beautiful degradé colors for socks or any 4-ply pattern .
This coupon will allow you to buy 2 skeins of these yarns, with the second skein at half price. You may mix colors, and you may use the coupon as many times as you wish.
GOOD TODAY (11/27/2011) ONLY.
Ok, I know there’s no official designation for the Saturday after Thanksgiving in terms of the holiday shopping season. But we can make up a new one, right? I wish I were more creative in coining catchy phrases–Saturday Special is pretty common.
Anyway, it’s the third day of the Try a New Yarn promotion from Handknitting.com. Today’s Buy One Get One Half off coupon is for the newest yarn from Jojoland, Fantasia, and Regia Highland Tweed!
Fantasia: 
Use the coupon code FANSAT1
Fantasia is the latest yarn from Jojoland, in chunky weight. Super fast to knit, with the same constantly changing long, long color variation. Love it!
Regia Highland Tweed: Use the coupon code TWEEDY 
A great tweedy 6-ply sport weight yarn.
This coupon will allow you to buy 2 skeins of these yarns, with the second skein at half price. You may mix colors, and you may use the coupon as many times as you wish.
GOOD TODAY (11/26/2011) ONLY.
Black Friday is Bargain day, right? And you get to take advantage of it without sitting outside in the weather.
It’s the second day of the Try a New Yarn promotion from Handknitting.com. Today’s Buy One Get One Half off coupon is for 2 Trendsetter Yarns:
Rendezvous: Use the coupon code BF11FUN
Improv: Use the coupon code BF11JOY 
This coupon will allow you to buy 2 skeins of these yarns, with the second skein at half price. You may mix colors, and you may use the coupon as many times as you wish.
GOOD TODAY (11/25/2011) ONLY.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
It’s the first day of the Try a New Yarn promotion from Handknitting.com. Today’s Buy One Get One Half off coupon is for 2 Lang Yarns:
Donegal 
Use the coupon code THANKS1
Merino Lace 400 Use the coupon code THANKS2 
This coupon will allow you to buy 2 skeins of these yarns, with the second skein at half price. You may mix colors, and you may use the coupon as many times as you wish.
GOOD TODAY (11/24/2011) ONLY.
It’s that time of year again! The calendars for 2012 are here. Without equal, here’s the
Helen Hamann 2012 Calendar
The 2012 Calendar contains a new pattern from Helen for every month, plus two bonus patterns for Nov/Dec of this year.Lots of accessories in this one–great for smaller projects.
You get the beautifully photographed 14 month calendar, plus a code to download any or all of the 14 patterns. What could be better?
Special Sale!
New Crochet and Knit patterns and favorites from Stitch Diva!
Our good friend the Stitch Diva, aka Jennifer Hansen, has new drop-dead gorgeous patterns, and every one deserves to be on the red carpet!
Andalusia can be worn at least ten different ways–you are going to want at least one of these in your closet.
Stitch Diva patterns are innovative, interesting, packed with instructional photos, and they all come with Jennifer’s great tutorials posted on the web so you will “get it.”
All Stitch Diva patterns 15% off through November 14!
Handknitting.com Blog 