Tag Archives: anne ventzel

Color crush: blue and burgundy.

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Knitters sometimes ask me which they should pick first: the pattern, or the yarn? There’s no right or wrong way to find your next project, of course, nor are these the only two ways. Often we are motivated by color, coming into the yarn shop picturing a particular shade, and searching the shelves for a skein that matches our mind’s eye. Sometimes it’s a color combination that we’re seeking, a pairing that has captured our imagination – here’s one such case.

A knitter came in recently looking for blue and burgundy, and as often happens here at the shop, Anne and Bailey and I started playing along. We pulled out similar shades we had noticed throughout the shop, cobalt and cornflower, merlot and maroon. Long after that knitter left with the perfect yarn for their next project, I was still spotting sapphire and garnet, so I thought I’d share them here on the blog, with pattern ideas for each pair.

Berroco Ultra Alpaca in 62172 and 62121

Knit at a snug 23 stitches to 4″, Ultra Alpaca would make a cozy pair of “Robinia Mittens,” by Anne Ventzel.

Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in Delft and Homemade Jam

A pleasing pair in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter for PetiteKnit’s new “Key Sweater,” with enough contrast to show the colorwork motif.

Berroco Ultra Wool in 33156 and 33145

This sturdy superwash wool would make a nice pair of “Key Mittens,” to match the aforementioned PetiteKnit sweater.

Brooklyn Tweed Loft in Cadet and Homemade Jam

Try this lower contrast Loft pair in Isabell Kraemer’s “Heimathafen” pullover, with its subtle dip-stitch colorwork stripes.

Isager Tvinni in 44 + Silk Mohair in 44 and Tvinni in 36s + Silk Mohair in 36

Hold Tvinni and Silk Mohair together in simple stockinette stripes for PetiteKnit’s “Olga Jacket.”

Sandnes Garn Sunday in 5846 + Isager Highland in Wine

Hold these lightweight wools together for a low-contrast “Melange Sweater,” by PetiteKnit. I wear mine all the time, and Bailey has one in the works now!

Isager Jensen in 44s and Fyberspates Cumulus in Plum

Another compelling combination for marling – hold fluffy Cumulus with Jensen for Anne Ventzel’s “Solange Scarf.”

Kelbourne Woolens Lucky Tweed in Bright Blue and Mulberry

Brioche is another way to combine colors – try Andrea Mowry’s “Harlow Worsted” hat in plush Lucky Tweed.

What color combinations have you been infatuated with lately? Let us know in the comments, or come by the shop and we’ll help you find yarn to match!

Brooklyn Tweed Loft + Isager Soft Fine.

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Isager recently released a delightful batch of new colors in their fuzzy alpaca, silk, and yak blend, Soft Fine. We love Soft Fine as a mohair substitute, for those sensitive to that fiber – it has all the halo of mohair and, for some, a softer texture.

As we unpacked these new colors, Bailey got to work pairing them up with Brooklyn Tweed Loft, still enamored of the lightweight fabric of her “Karla Cardigan.”

Anne Ventzel’s design is striking, a simple slip stitch pattern that shines in Bailey’s unique yarn selection.

There’s something really special about Brooklyn Tweed Loft and Isager Soft Fine held together, a balance of structure and softness, a lofty fabric at a quick-to-knit gauge. Here are some “Karla Cardigan” color pairs!

There are other exciting things to make with Loft + Soft Fine, of course. The gauge for Anne Ventzel’s “Karla Cardigan” is 16 stitches = 4″; here are other patterns at a similar gauge, ideal for this yarn combination:

Look for Bailey’s “Karla Cardigan” on display here at HYS, and browse these and many other yarns on our online store!

“Aluna Sweater” in Isager Bouclé & Silk Mohair.

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Anne Ventzel’s latest design makes beautiful use of two of our softest yarns: Isager Bouclé and Silk Mohair. Meet the “Aluna Sweater”!

Though she models this sweater with short sleeves, Ventzel thoughtfully included instructions and yardage for a long sleeved option as well.

The combination of these fuzzy yarns brings textural interest to this colorwork yoke pullover.  For the main color, Color A, 1 strand of Isager Bouclé is held together with 2 strands of Silk Mohair, and for the contrast, Color B, 1 strand of Isager Bouclé is held together with just 1 strand of Silk Mohair.

I especially like the version shown with the contrast flipped – a darker shade for Color A and a lighter for Color B.

Between Isager Bouclé and Silk Mohair, there are lots of “Aluna Sweater” color combinations to try – here are a few from me!

Look for Anne Ventzel’s “Aluna Sweater” on Ravelry, and Isager Bouclé and Silk Mohair in the lace weight section here at HYS. You can also see all the yarns and colors we have in stock by browsing our online store for local pickup or shipping. If you do shop online, use the code WELCOME10 for 10% off your first purchase!

“Karla Cardigan” in Brooklyn Tweed Loft & Isager Soft Fine.

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Bailey recently knit this beautiful sweater as a sample for the shop, Anne Ventzel’s “Karla Cardigan.”

The design is striking, a simple slip stitch pattern that shines in Bailey’s unique yarn selection. Seeking softness, structure, and a lightweight feel at a bulky weight gauge, she paired Brooklyn Tweed Loft and Isager Soft Fine.

Close matching shades are a good idea when you’re holding two strands together for colorwork patterns like this – that helps to ensure that the motif will be legible against the background color. They don’t have to match exactly, however, since similar colors can blend when held together.

Here are some other “Karla Cardigan” color ideas Bailey came up with!

Ventzel’s pattern calls for Isager Soft and Tvinni held together, another lovely combination.

These color and yarn combinations will also work for Anne Ventzel’s variations on this pattern, “Karla Cape” and “Little Karla.” Look for Bailey’s “Karla Cardigan” on display here at HYS, and browse the yarn to make it on our online store!

Hello, Sandnes Garn Double Sunday!

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We’re excited to have another yarn from Norwegian yarn company Sandnes Garn on our shelves: meet Double Sunday!

Sandnes Garn Double Sunday:

  • DK weight
  • 100% merino wool
  • 118 yards/50g
  • $11 each

This springy merino is a thicker version of Sandnes Garn Sunday, and so named because two strands of Sunday knit up at the same gauge as one Double Sunday.

What to knit with Double Sunday? Here are some ideas!

I’ve already swatched and cast on for a PetiteKnit “Sille Slipover” using Double Sunday in black, and I’m thoroughly enjoying this plush yarn, and appreciating the stitch definition.

Look for Double Sunday in the DK weight section here at HYS!