Kay's Korner - A Knitters Notes

Folks are already planning long weekend road trips with the sole purpose of viewing nature's splashy change of seasons. Autumn colors seem to warm our hearts as they delight our eyes. What better way to chase away fall's chilly gusts than a cuddly sweater knit in the warm colors of the season.

If you're in a hurry to wear a little snuggly warmth this early in the fall, a bulky sweater knit in well insulating animal fibers will be too warm for most regions, but a transitional weight cardigan or short sleeve pullover is perfect for this time of year. A sweater knit in plant fibers or blends (think bamboo, cotton, or linen) offers a bit of breathable warmth and is a cozy season spanning piece. Whether you choose colors that welcome autumn or favor a more neutral palette, lightweight sweaters are a most versatile wardrobe staple. Just today as I was craving to knit a sweater to greet the fall experience, Make It Modern, accompanied with bags of Soft Linen and Cotton Bamboo, the yarns used to knit these Classic Elite designs, arrived at our door. The pattern booklet, a collaborative work from several prominent American designers including Kate Gilbert and Pam Allen, is fabulous, the norm for Classic Elite pattern support.

Soft Linen, a scrumptious blend of baby alpaca (the softest!), wool, and linen, introduced in spring '08, is fashioned into several transitional weight projects. The Hoodie, a familiar and functional wardrobe piece, has interesting details - openwork diamonds and a deep slit at the bust with buttons attached, so you can choose your level of modesty. The Feather and Fan Cardigan is a lacy workhorse that will pull together a variety of looks. The easy lacework bodice is a show stopper with the remainder of the body knit downward, allowing an easy adjustment of overall length. The Button Up Shrug that doubles as a shoulder wrap, knit in an easy traditional lace stitch pattern, is quite versatile and eye catching as well. The final Soft Linen pattern is the Little Leaf Scarf, a cunning little adornment requiring a single skein, the perfect project to play with this new yarn on a small scale and a great gift idea as well.

The Cotton Bamboo offerings are true season spanners, warmer than a summer tank or tee, but with the same aptitude for layering. Girl Tank is knit in two versions of garter rib stitch and is simply beautiful. (I want one in several colors.) The Fluttery Sleeve Top has lacy detail on the sleeves, neckline, and around the bottom that will keep the knitting interesting. The satin ribbon tie at the neck is a sweet touch. Although the Smock Top is rated for experienced knitters, the instructions appear quite clear and the cable rib chart is easy to follow. The empire bodice is rich in stitch detail and knit in only two pieces, with little finishing. This design would be flattering to all figures and is written for sizes Extra Small to Extra Large. Cotton Bamboo is a wonderful example of a synergistic blend of fibers, an accomplishment always present in Classic Elite's blended yarns.

I don't have a problem deciding which of the designs in Make It Modern I want to knit; I truly want to knit them all!

Happy Knitting!
Copyright 2008 Kay Mather