NOVEMBER 23, 2014

This week's Free Pattern WELTY HONEYCOMB PONCHO

fiber focus: tara tweed

America's favorite, soft wool-blend tweed in a gorgeous palette of 15 colors

There's something about a buttery-soft tweed, with its contrasting slubs of color and rustic, earthy stitch texture, that demands attention in the colder seasons. Like hot, spiced wine, a crackling fire, and the potpourri of fallen leaves and drying branches, a gorgeous tweed conducts the symphony of Winter better than any other yarn.

So one can understand, easily, why TARA TWEED is such a favorite among knitters. Garments like the Unity Pullover (above) are as much a delight to knit as they are to wear. TARA TWEED is all about texture--while it has the rustic appearance so sought after in a tweed yarn, it also maintains an incredibly soft hand that only gets softer with each wash. In the Unity Pullover, which features multidirectional knitting in two colors, simple stockinette (and reverse stockinette) is transformed by TARA TWEED's expert stitch definition--it looks deceptively complex in terms of technique, but is actually quite easy to achieve. With 15 gorgeous colors of TARA TWEED to work with, knitters have the opportunity to play with color placement and color pairings. An understated look can be achieved by pairing natural-toned colors, as seen above, but more adventurous knitters can choose two pop colors, or one pop color and one neutral, to accentuate the features of the sweater. The Unity Pullover is a wonderful fireside knit and is the kind of sweater knitters love to live in, whether thrown over a pair of well-worn, washed-to-softness jeans or paired thoughtfully with a long skirt and riding boots.

To see high-resolution views of the Unity Pullover, visit our Pinterest page!

The Unity Pullover and other designs in TARA TWEED can be purchased online, at your LYS, or by clicking the "BUY NOW" button above!

DESIGN NOTE: The Unity Pullover is slightly form fitting, but the color block placement plays figure-flattering tricks on the eyes; two vertical blocks of color are worked sideways for the body, but not for the full length--the body is then lengthened by a solid stockinette section. This gives the illusion of a long, slim torso, accentuated at the waist.

DESIGNER QUOTE: "It was fun to figure out the puzzle of the Unity Pullover--how the pieces best fit together, how to create the optimal stitch texture. I love that it doesn't demand your full attention while knitting, but that once it's put together, it looks like a very skilled knit."–Rosemary Drysdale

Welty Honeycomb Poncho

by Lisa Hoffman

The Knit Essentials Collection is now available online & in your LYS!

Austen Cabled Cowl in TARA TWEED

Montreal Pullover in TARA TWEED

Chesterton Cowl-Collar Top in TARA TWEED