From left to right and top to bottom:

1 – Looking for new yarns to buy is fun any time, but imagine being able to gaze out this window at the same time.

2 – One booth at the yarn fair  (Pitti Filati) was built around theme of kilims.  I like the faded earthy colors.

3 –  Beautifully and neatly wound pre-dyed top awaits its fate.

4 – Modern day spinning machinery,  I love the repetition.

5 – Multiple vats of top are set in motion.

6 – Monanorah, or is it the Norahlisa?  Silliness at the show

The highlight of my trip was the natural history museum.  The special exhibit of crystals just may have had a great influence on NGvol7.

I have to show off some of the loot I scored at Christmas. When one of John’s daughters suggested that we all exchange handmade or recycled gifts (or any combination thereof) I wholeheartedly agreed and passed the idea on to the Gaughan side of the family as well. I made out big time.

Mom made me this cool, biologically inspired "needle" vase, which sits upon the GORGEOUS coffee table John fashioned from local oak slabs and planks.

The Ultra Alpaca hot pad Mom gave to John.

...and oh man, isn't this adorable? Mom's design for this "yarn ball" is simply brilliant. (That's Inca Gold being corralled.)

Hi everyone! It’s the end of the aughts! We’re almost in the tens! This is crazy. And I have some crazy good news for local knitters! I’m very excited to be teaching a workshop at the Slater Mill Knitting Weekend in Pawtucket, January 22-24th. I’ll be presenting a Berroco Trunk Show on Friday evening and on Saturday I’ll share the finishing tricks I’ve picked up over the years.

How has this decade been for you, knitting wise? I’ve known how to knit since I was 7 but when Debbie Stoller’s Stitch and Bitch guide hit the market in 2004, the game changed forever for me. It went from a quaint hobby to an all-encompassing lifestyle. That change was cemented when I joined the ranks of Ravelry in 2007. I’m forever grateful for this site since it allows all of us to feel like we’re in a vast (and TALENTED) community. Case in point? I recently posted some of my favorite Berroco accessories and the list was so long I decided to save my favorite cardigans for another day. That day is today!

A gorgeous Angela knit by Raveler Martel in Sundae (I recently finished a Sundae sweater in 24 hours!!)

Claire-Bennet, an original design in Peruvia by Raveler Ariane Caron-Lacoste. I love her adorable photography.

Next up is a pattern I truly wish I could knit for myself. It was designed by fellow Providence designer Deborah Newton, shown here knit by Lucy in Ultra Alpaca in a color I like to call “sweatshirt grey.” Such a pretty way to keep cozy!

I have a half-knit Treeline Striped Cardigan under my bed, but I was boring and started it in the very same colors shown in the original pattern. I love the winter fresh combination Elif chose–Peruvia in green and white.

Last but not least, this is a stunning Moch Cardi knit by Julia in Inca Gold. I can’t say enough about this pattern, this knitter, this yarn, it’s all good!! Very very good!

I don’t know about you, but I am really looking forward to finding a bit of down time during the holidays…to knit like MAD!!

Cheers,

Cirilia

I am a very lucky lady. It is part of my job to spend at least a few minutes everyday perusing Ravelry to see what is up in the knitting world. The sheer volume of greatness out there is kind of staggering! It’s especially fun when I spot Berroco FOs! Since I can’t share what’s on my needles (even though I really, really want to), here are the items I really wish I’d had a chance to knit for myself, things I wish I had in MY winter wardrobe. Hope they inspire you as well…

First up is a gorgeous accessory set from prolific sweater designer Connie Chang Chinchio. This FO was knit by Sarah from Scotland, who used less than 2 skeins of Ultra Alpaca!

Next up are Sniffle Mitts from the shop owner of Purl Diva! No pattern yet, but we suspect these are going to be HUGE in New England! She used just 1 skein of Ultra Alpaca.

The End of May Hat and End of May Mittens are yet another fantastic Ultra Alpaca project and perfect for colorwork lovers. The only difficult part is picking two shades–I love the combination Mandy has come up with (Tiger’s Eye Mix and Prune Mix, I believe).

I’ve also noticed a few Sundae FOs! Since Sundae knits at 2.5 stitches to the inch, there is still plenty of time to whip up a holiday gift using it, perhaps something from Booklet #287. That is where Joan found the pattern to knit Rickie for her adorable daughter (Joan also made a really cool looking Gondry–lucky daughter!)

While we’re looking at quick knitting hats, I have to point out I Come From the North, appropriately designed by Canadian designer Ariane Caron-Lacoste, who offers very cool translation services for knitters! She knit this very cute earflap hat with Peruvia Quick, another project you can whip up in an evening or two.

I’ll be back in a few days to share my favorite garments! Cheers,

Cirilia

Our art director discovered a fun little program called Pixelmator, which can transform an image or a small bit of an image into an elaborate all over pattern or a kaleidoscopic wonder. I am totally mesmerized by it too. Check out these transformations of our free pattern Baby Ferris (shown unaltered  bottom right).  Those baby feet are cute and kinda weird at the same time.

Update from Norah:

It’s always a thrill for the design team to see folks knitting and wearing our patterns. Imagine how cool it is to see a whole group of knitters in one of our designs. The Purl Diva did a KAL using Ditto, a free pattern originally knit in Latitude.

Liz knit hers in Vintage.

…and Susan made hers in Ultra Alpaca (in one of my very favorite colors)

I love the sleeve length on Susan’s, especially for Ultra Alpaca and it’s perfect on her. A shop KAL encourages folks to make modifications to suit their own style and needs and I am all for that!. You can see more versions on the Purl Diva blog.  For those of you who didn’t catch it the first time, here’s a link to a movie of me wearing ditto at the trade show in Columbus (TNNA), back in June.

Among the Dittos on Ravelry: Ultra Alpaca and Latitude.

I’d love to see images from some other Berroco KAL’s – send em along !

–Norah

Hi everyone! The winner of our Vintage giveaway is…blog reader Barbie! She commented with the correct answer so we’ll be mailing her the prize pictured below (I’ll need a mailing address and color preference though so Barbie, please email me at crose AT berroco DOT com, replacing the words with the usual symbols).

The prize includes several styling items that we used in Booklet #290 Vintage Arts & Crafts from Recycled Planet, a company that heads to the recycling bins for their raw materials. As a designer who is also concerned with the constant stream of waste that the fashion cycle seems to encourage, I’m always interested in any company or person who can manage to straddle the line between conservation and novelty. Two such projects have popped up on my radar and they manage to do that:

• Waste  Not Want Not in Providence, RI. Part boutique, part resale shop, part artist’s workshop, part social club. Located in a very crafty nook of Downtown Providence, this store has a really novel approach to retail, and locals take note, they’re hosting knitting nights!

• The Uniform Project is a thought-provoking fundraiser that also raises consciousness about how we dress ourselves. By wearing the same basic garment everyday and accessorizing it with vintage and donated items, Sheena Matheiken is hoping to raise money for schools in India. I’m sure many of us are still shopping conservatively this year–f you need any inspiration on how versatile one staple wardrobe items can be, head over to her photo galleries.

Okay, over and out everyone. Have a craftastic weekend!

CR