After a summer full of knitting, I’ve got three new things to share with you today! Take a sneak peek at three new pullovers that will be making their debut this fall. All are easy but engaging knits that make great North/South knitting projects. Choose wool and wool blends, color palettes that suit the weather and get ready to cast on!
ARI
This is the biggest of the three new things. It has been so hard to keep a lid on this pullover! Ari is a collaboration with my favorite yarn peeps, Hudson + West Co., and features the luxurious Weld fingering weight, a merino/corriedale blend. Weld is an impossible combination of wooliness, silkiness and softness.
Though the sleeves are clearly the thing in this easy-to-knit pullover, my favorite aspect is actually the collar and neckline. It is a little wider and shallower than most turtlenecks and features a lush ribbed fold-over collar. Launch day is rapidly approaching so stay tuned for details!
MOON FLOWER
This new thing is a real shape-shifter. Part of a larger collection featuring the Moon Flower motif, this simple short-sleeved pullover is meant for winter wear in the Deep South. Since true “sweater weather” lasts about three days down south, it can be a challenge to work knitwear into the southern wardrobe. It’s also challenging to find pieces that are suitably lightweight, but not “summery” in appearance. Enter Moon Flower!
I’ve been working with this interesting motif for over a year. A combination of bobbles, eyelets and directional stitches, I’ve worked it into shawl borders, sweater edgings, even plump pillows and home goods. I feel that this bobble-rich, open work motif has finally found its proper spot, a seamless yoke.
Knitting in the Deep South also presents some interesting fiber challenges. Blends are my friend when it comes to stretching the sweater season. I was just delighted to come upon this gem from The Fibre Co. Luma is a soft fluffy blend of organic cotton, linen, merino and silk. I confess, I wasn’t sure when I first opened the package. I was dubious about the structure and about the color. In the end, I threw caution to the wind and started swatching. I’m ever so happy I did because I think the ply and the shade are perfect. Watch for more variations on the Moon Flower theme. I’ve ordered a sweater length in the color Aizome for a cardigan.
MARTHA
This new thing is ready to wear! Yay! The Martha Pullover is through tech edits and ready for photography after a solid three months of work. I’m looking at the weather forecast and I can see a day or two in the near future when I can actually wear this pretty pullover. The north/south blend of cotton and cashmere will be just about perfect for the lakefront in the evening and for overly air conditioned interiors. With luck, we’ve only got another four to six weeks of humid heat.
I’m so happy with the texture of Rowan Cotton Cashmere. When knitted, it has a slightly rustic quality that imparts a delightful homeyness to the simple bobbles and eyelets.
PRICKLY PEARS
As an aside…I’ve been given these magnificent prickly pear pads to plant and I’ve fallen in love with them! I thought they might inspire a menswear scarf and hat set. Maybe…
