Beauty in Simplicity

This kimono jacket is an equisite example of that maxim. Stockinette trimmed in garter, five rectangular pieces, blocked and seamed, the 7" shawl collar picked up around the fronts and neck create a garment that makes a statement. I've seen this design made up in various yarns, wools, acrylics alike, but as they say, the yarn does make the difference. For this project, the knitter chose a full-bodied llama/wool blend with just the right heft and drape to create a masterful, stylish look, and the llama provides just enough halo for a spectacular finish. The shawl collar is so generous, that it screams for an accent. The owner's choice of the unique Jul bronze swirls with a rosewood stick add polish to complete an elegant, high end look. Stop by VBYC soon and take a look at the llama/wool kimono jacket. Plan one for yourself or someone special.

Have you ever seen project bags so cute??

The Stockings were Hung By the Chimney With Care

Clement Clarke Moore immortalized the tradition of hanging stockings near the hearth on Christmas Eve in his famous 1822 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Each year, families across the country and the world re-live the ritual of Christmas Eve that Moore describes. Doubtless, this tradition is linked to an alternate December tradition associated with the morning of December 6th, the feast day of St. Nicholas: to set out shoes near the door in hopes that the traveling saint would reward a child for a year's good behavior by leaving treats of fruit and chocolate or in recompense for a year of misbehaving, a brutal punishment of switches and coals. Over time these gifting traditions required not just any shoe or any stocking, but special items designated for use on these specific nights. Specially decorated for the season and usually of exaggerated size to accommodate a maximum amount of chocolates and "stuffers", the stockings especially had become an art form all their own. We see them or at least remember them in various media: cloth or felt, needlepoint, crochet, as well as countless examples of fine knitted ones, almost always personalized somehow, either labeled with a name or an initial designating the owner of a particular Christmas Day haul. When I was a child, I must confess, given the dominant German seasonal traditions while growing up, I did not own a Christmas stocking, nor did anyone in my family. We did, however, set out shoes on the night of December 5th. However, neither do I recall any of my friends speaking of the tradition of hanging stockings. The Christmas stocking was something rather old fashioned for practical use. It had for a time, I suppose, become more a symbol of Christmas past, a bit of nostalgia you read about in novels and poems. As many of you know, my mother had managed the fiber arts department back in the mid 1960's in Little Rock's Pfeiffer's department store. She handled supplies for knitting, crochet, needlepoint, embroidery, as well as a host of craft kits that held quite an appeal at the time. Among these, one yarn manufacturer made Christmas Stocking kits that were wildly popular. They came with yarn, the pattern, and all the little sew-on accessories needed to complete a stocking. People would buy multiples of these and knit them up for their kids. Meanwhile, at our house, we had the shoe.

Back when I opened VBYC, a client stopped in with a tattered Christmas stocking depicting a Santa Clause filling a row of similar stockings hanging from a brick mantle. The stocking had been created by her mother some time in the 1950's, and each of her children had one. My client ordered several of these in order to carry on the family tradition, that every child should have a hand-knit Santa stocking hanging from the mantle on Christmas Eve. So, I created a new stocking with an ancient inspiration to jump start one family's rediscovery of a Christmas tradition. I was intrigued by this, recalling the kits my mom mentioned had once existed. After a bit of digging, sure enough: the things were all the rage from the late 1940's to the early 1970's, when the patterns (and perhaps also interest in perpetuating the tradition) became extinct. This explains why none of my peers ever talked about having knitted stockings like these, because, more than likely, they didn't. These were Americana associated mainly with the post war Baby Boom and seem to have fallen off the radar by the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.

Since then, countless clients both local and across the country have contacted me regarding this Santa stocking. They were recognizing it from their childhood, either having had one themselves or knowing someone who did. Like the one that inspired it, I have sent many kits for the stocking to knitters at home and abroad and completed many more that are chimney ready. A few weeks ago, another client visited the shop with another single stocking with a different design. "I need more of these. I hear you can make them." New inspiration for the re-invention of another American Christmas classic. You see, it's not a matter of any Christmas Stocking, but of this Christmas Stocking. The new stockings must contain a mix of old and new: new styling, and fresh yarns, but they must still contain a recognizable link to the original that inspired them. The new stockings are not carbon copies, but new children in the family.

Lowly project kits purchased by Mom at a department store back in the '50's to bring Christmas joy to her kids (and add a bit of holiday cheer to her living room at the same time) had become for those kids, now adults, fond memories of Christmas. Although the original patterns are gone (or exist somewhere crumbling in knitting baskets), new, updated stockings can be created to hang next to the ones of a previous generation, linking into and carrying on family traditions to inspire new happy memories.

The pictures accompanying this article show an original knitted stocking my client brought to me. The photo shows the new stocking in progress. The next step here will be to secure the tails and to add the sparkly accessories. The American Christmas Stocking: rediscovering family traditions.

Peerless Color

To add to the buzz about the new Kidsilk Haze Stripe, knitrowan.com has added a mini collection of free downloadable patterns that show off the striking beauty of these amazing shades. The model shown has been created in the "Cool" colorway. The garment is worked with a single strand of Kidsilk Haze Stripe on size 9 needles to produce a garment that's practically weightless and takes no time to complete. Basic shaping and simple stitching ensure you a weekend of pleasureful Zen-like knitting, during which the only surprises will be the fascinating ways your colors will appear in your truly one-of-a-kind fabric. The project requires 4 balls of Kidsilk Haze Stripe, and the light-weight nature of this silk/mohair blend will add a stunning garment to your wardrobe that's wearable year round.

It's Mardi Gras Day!

...And The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company is OPEN! Feel free to bring your favorite Mardi Gras treats! Pack your knitting bag and make a day of it at VBYC! Note: if you bring a King Cake, plan on eating it. Unless it's gluten free, I'll just have to admire it from afar! A King Cake is a terrible thing to waste. See you in a few!

Debbie Bliss for Spring/Summer!

This time of year, we await the spring/summer edition of the Debbie Bliss Magazine. Speaking of design, two things come to mind at the mention of Bliss: children's knitwear and cute tops. The spring/summer 2012 magazine is no exception. A good collection of warm weather women's wear as well as several darling children's ensembles. Sorry, men, as usual, unless you're 8 or younger, Debbie Bliss is typically not the designer where you'll find much at all to expand your knitwear wardrobes. But I'll say this: whatever's lacking in terms of men's wear, is made up in the terrific garments for women: tanks, tops, shrugs, wraps. Pick up your copy today!

What's that, Jason?

A few days ago a large group of folks and I were sitting in the knitting circle doing what we do. I had just finished up a Christmas stocking leg for a client project in Brown Sheep Nature Spun -- an enjoyable and festive project for sure -- as several knitters were busy with their glamorous projects in Kidsilk Haze, La Boheme, and Rayon Boucle. Surrounded by this elegance, I was taken by a sudden, irresistible envie to knit something fabulous. Step one: make a quick trip down the way to Subway for a fresh new cup of Fuze Southern Sweet Tea for inspiration. Between VBYC and Chloe's shuttered store-front (smirk), I envisioned the project. Since I had been in the intarsia groove most of the day already, I figured why not stay in it, but using a different medium: one of the spiffy Kidsilk Haze solids combined with one of the new Kaffe Fasset varigated colorways, Kidsilk Haze Stripe. If you're not familiar with Rowan Kidsilk Haze (and how could you have eluded its allure, if you're not?), the yarn is a sublime, laceweight blend of silk and mohair. It's a dream, like knitting with a silk cloud. If you're a fan of color and color combinations like I am, Kidsilk Haze allows you plenty of liberty, and the halo of mohair enables a sort of unique color shading and blending impossible with just any yarn. When I returned from my tea run, I went to the bins and selected Kidsilk Haze in "brick" and Kidsilk Stripe in "circus" for a salmony/coral background with the varigated that moves from a neon irridescent green to a similar corally pink as the background with some pops of fuchsia and brown thrown in. I wanted a background color very similar to a bit of the coloring in the Kaffe Fasset so that my pattern would vanish, split apart, and reappear throughout the length of my piece. The pattern isn't a brain teaser, really. It's very symmetrical: a zig-zag intarsia motif against a solid background. As the zig-zag travels across the field, the colors change, creating a spectacular game of hide-and-seek, like the moon dipping behind the clouds and peeking out again as the sky clears. The swimmy edges of the intarsia on a single rectangular piece reminded me of a brightly colored obi, the long sash/belt traditionally worn with a Japanese kimono. So, I have decided to name this project "La Nipponaise" (Nippon is the Japanese name for....Japan). When I've completed the entire piece, I'll write out the math for the project and make it available in the shop and online. Is it hard? Intarsia colorwork is, I believe, actually much easier in Kidsilk Haze because the texture and look of the silk/mohair is extremely forgiving. Any tension issues in the color changes vanish into the fabric, so if you're still a bit unsteady with the twists at the color zone edges, don't worry a bit. Kidsilk Haze covers a host of sins and iniquities for which one otherwise would be heartily sorry. Also this plus: because the yarn is so light (practically weightless), the yarn butterflies that hang off the wrong side very seldom interact with each other. Instead, they behave and wait for their turn to work their magic. Folks who have learned the intarsia technique from me will remember that I don't prefer to use bobbins or clips that are manufactured to hold yarn supplies. I prefer to wind the yarn into butterflies to minimize the annoying pendulum swing and tangle effect. I stick to that opinion here as well: use of a bobbin will likely add just enough weight to create a swingy tangly mess, so wind butterflies and be happy. "La Nipponaise" is a fairly easy -- and fairly quick too, made on size 9's -- rectangular scarf perfect for newbie intarsia artists as well as folks more familiar with the technique. Experience the magic of Kidsilk Haze and the enchanting instant color surprises of Kidsilk Stripe!

Popular VBYC Patterns Online!

We've all done it: taken our knitting with us and lost the pattern on the way or set down a project just long enough for an unruly band of garden gnomes to plunder the fiber bag and make off with the pattern. Regardless whether you fell victim to the clever fellows with the red pointy hats or whether you'd like to browse for a pattern from home, you can find your VBYC favorites online on Ravelry.com. Go to my profile at Ravelry and click on "original patterns" and you'll find what you need for instant download. The newest design is the Shadows on the Bayou poncho that incorporates both knitted and crochet elements in one spectacular garment. That pattern is shown in the left sidebar of the blog. Click on the picture and it will take you directly to my Ravelry page. Of course, all these patterns are also available here in the shop.

Regia Sock

Regia sock yarn is here in the vibrantly bold shades, soft earthtones, and dazzling gem tones we all expect from the expert German line. Sock yarn isn't just for socks, of course. Lace knitters have known this for quite a while, as have folks who love the color of sock yarn and make fabulous drapey scarves and such on medium-sized needles. Light and airy for spring, such things. Stop by and browse the selection of Regia!

bags and bags and bags!

New fabulous bags for spring in vibrant prints from Hadaki and Amy Butler! Reflect your uniqueness!

Rowan for spring!

The new colors of Rowan have arrived. A sea of vibrant and demure, solid and varigated to renew your wardrobe this season. Pair these terrific new materials with peerless pattern support, and you'll be ready for warm weather knitting and crochet. New colors of Revive, Handknit Cotton, and Summer Tweed await your eye. Also, you will be most interested in new yarns from Rowan this season: Summerspun and Creative Linen, both colorful, light-weight worsted yarns. Also, you'll fall in love with Savannah, a mildly textured yarn that will add interest to your fabric! A smash hit from Rowan this spring is the new Kidsilk Stripe: a varigated version of the already-megapopular Kidsilk Haze. Download one of the free patterns from knitrowan.com and get started on an exciting, instant color adventure. Design expert Kaffe Fasset has combined shades from his magic color wheel to produce colorways of remarkable beauty. The regular solid Kidsilk Haze still proves to be a winner in all seasons. VBYC has the colors you need for single-shade pieces as well as the more flamboyant multi-color wraps, scarves and garments we're all making these days. And if that weren't enough, Rowan has seduced us with a limited edition format of Kidsilk Haze: Kidsilk Creation, an ultra posh silk/mohair net which forms the base of an exquisite ruffly scarf knittable in 45 minutes! Besides the Magazine 51, browse the selection of other new pattern books from Rowan, including Rowan Lace, Seascapes, Little Rowan, Holiday Crochet, Summer Crochet, and a bright new book for children, toddlers, and babies: Little Rowan. Rowan for spring!

Chinoiserie from Hiya Hiya

There are some French words that you've got to use often, since they're just so fun to say. One of those in Chinoiserie: "Sheen-waaz-ree". It refers to things decorated or embelished in Chinese fashion. Our friends at Hiya Hiya are known for their unique cases and bags done up right in Chinese silk prints with unmistakable Asian flair. Back when they came out, VBYC offered the nifty project bags with the oval bottom, rounded top and perky cord handle that doubled as a zipper fob. At that time, there were only teal and red versions of the bag, but now there's also a glowingly delicious purple edition. All three colors of the project pouch are here and ready for adoption. Now for something to fill your new purple awesomeness: a couple silk print dumpling marker sets. Many of you will remember these little lovelies, each in a unique print (the prints come random from the mega dumpling bin at Hiya Hiya), each containing a supply of ultra cute and irresistable yarn ball markers. They're here too. And of course, there are always the Puppy Snips, which can be clipped onto your new Chinoise project pouch handle to stand at the ready for quick, efficient snipping.

Argyle Socks this Saturday!

If you're following the class line up, you will have noticed that this Saturday, I'm offering a chance to make a pair of smart (or sassy, depending on your color palate choice) argyle socks. People ask me frequently how I made my argyle socks, and this class will teach you how. If you've never done intarsia colorwork before, this is the class for you. Since the socks have a ribbed cuff, and since we don't want to spend class time knitting 3" of ribbing in one color, please stop in in the next couple days to select your yarns so you can come prepared with your cuff and ready to do colorwork! When folks see my argyles, they will immediately ask, "Is that hard?" My answer is this: it's ferociously difficult, tedious, time consuming, and intensely stressful.....until you find out how logical, non-complex and fun it is by taking the class. The best way to do argyles is simply to start in and do them!