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CLUB FDC, ISSUE NUMBER THIRTY-EIGHT
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JANUARY 2013
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Whether you are a knitter, crocheter, or both, lacy garments and laceweight yarns are sure to have caught your attention by now. 2012 saw lace and crochet motifs up and down the runways, like the Lace Dress seen above left from Romance was Born, and a quick look at the Ravelry top 20 designs will invariably show a list of laceweight shawls and delicate cardigans and pullovers worked in fine yarns.
If you fear laceweight, it's time to swallow that trepidation. Many crafters get (understandably) scared off by size 3 needles and visions of cramped fingers, but working with laceweight does not necessarily translate to teensy, tiny needles and hooks.
Fashion is in the midst of celebrating the use of finely gauged yarn on larger needles. The results are open, drapey fabrics, full of romance and luxury, that glide over the body and flatter many figures. And it's not just larger-than-normal needles that are joining the cause of making laceweight easier to work with--designers are also doubling fine yarns for subtly textured garments that work up quickly and won't destroy your hands. The Come To Me Caftan, seen above right, uses SUPERIOR and NIRVANA together on a size H-8 crochet hook for a worsted gauge.
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SUPERIOR makes loving lace very, very easy. Available in almost 40 solid colors, SUPERIOR is a gorgeous blend of 70% Cashmere, 25% Schappe Silk, and 5% Extrafine Merino. Bright and airy and with a brushed texture, it offers 6 sts to the inch when worked on size 4 needles, but can easily be worked on larger needles for a looser, drapier feel, or combined with NIRVANA for a DK to Worsted gauge. And at 330 yards, a little goes a long way!
100% Extrafine Merino is elevated to new heights in NIRVANA. This wool yarn is mercerized and machine washable, has a beautiful, silk-like sheen, and is almost as soft as SUPERIOR. Available in coordinating colors, NIRVANA is a perfect companion yarn to SUPERIOR. They can be held together for a thicker gauge, or worked separately within the same piece for contrasting looks and textures. And at a whopping 372 yards, one ball is enough for a shawl or a pair of socks!
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This collection of lace knit designs features a leaf pattern shawl, 2 lacy wraps, and a gorgeous eyelet wimple. Using only SUPERIOR, these accessories are both seasonless and timeless, and would make lovely gifts (or great selfish knitting!).
Perhaps the biggest bonus is how deceptively fast some of these laceweight designs are--the cover accessory, the Aida Lace Shawl, is worked with size US 10 needles, and the main body of the shawl is only 46 rows!
DUETS CROCHET
Crocheters need not feel left out--the DUETS CROCHET pattern booklet has 6 wonderful designs by Kristin Omdahl using SUPERIOR & NIRVANA.
Featuring a tunic, shawl, scarf, hat, cardigan, and cowl, these garments and accessories are worked with both yarns held together for quick crocheted pieces at a larger gauge. The running theme of flower motifs is perfectly in synch with the current floral crochet trend, making these garments great companion pieces for every season.
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The knit INDULGENCE RIBBED SCARF is worked with strands of SUPERIOR & NIRVANA held together for a sinfully soft, loosely ribbed scarf that wraps around endlessly. This is a great Winter-to-Spring transitional accessory, and when bundled up under a coat is very on-trend for this season.
Using just 2 balls of SUPERIOR, the crocheted VARIATIONS WRAP is a great bang-for-your-buck accessory. Equally beautiful as an accent to an elegant dress (as shown), or thrown over a tank top and jeans, this wrap will carry you through many different occasions. While the moebius design is very hot right now, the pattern also gives options for a stole or a scarf.
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