Results tagged “novelty yarn” from Fabric.com Blog

Tassels have hit it big this season, though not as big as the chevron or pom-pom, I think they will grow in popularity even more in 2013. Like Pom poms making your own tassels is the key to a hot look this season. Making your own ensures no one else will have your look, color or texture. Tassels are very versatile which is why  they are so hot right now. Their many uses includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings, curtain tie backs, trim, blanket fringe and pillow tassels just to name a few.  

Making and sizing your tassels depends on your tool; for a larger tassel use a glass with a large base (the tassel will be as long as half the circumference. For an even larger tassel you can use a kitchen canister, lamp base or even a bucket (for seriously large tassels). For small tassels you can use a serving fork or a narrow vase. Making your tassel is pretty easy too, just be sure you have plenty of yarn. You can change up the look of your tassels by using a contrasting yarn for the wrap or even a different type of cording like wire, twine or embroidery floss. Making your own tassels gives any project a custom look and adds a finishing detail above readymade tassels. You can make the color and size you need without hours of searching or driving. I love making tassels for fringes, wardrobe accessories and home décor projects.

Spring is here but sometimes not. Here in Georgia, we are bouncing from warm weather to cool to downright chilly and back again. Some days spring weather is in your face and others have you wondering if you read the calendar wrong.  You must be prepared for days like these. It is a blessing that layering is in fashion and scarves are at the top of the list. The Swing Scarf is perfect for confusing spring days. Knit from Tahki Ripple in 100% Mercerized Cotton (a fiber treatment to increase the luster of the finished fiber), it is silky, shiny and soft. The hand is akin to well washed linen more than cotton. The pattern is made up of stockinette and lace mesh panels with a few purl rows thrown in for fun. The Swing Scarf is also knit on the bias to keep it interesting to knit and draws the eye when wearing. The ripples in the yarn also make this scarf more than ordinary. The stitch patterns are simple but the ripples create an illusion of more intricate patterns.

The Swing Scarf is a small scarf at just 3 ft. long but the length is just right for spring layers where you don't want to be too burdened or insulated. You can wrap it around your neck and allow the ends to cascade down your shoulders, you can tie it, knot it and tuck the ends into your jacket, or it also makes a fabulous sash for tunics. The Spring Scarf can also be called into duty as a poolside tie back for your hair. This Spring Scarf is knit in Tahki Ripple Taupe but I also recommend the Yellow, Rose and Teal for other spring versions of this scarf. While best worked in a cotton or linen for warm weather, the Swing Scarf will also look amazing in mohair, silk or alpaca for cool weather as well. Oh and this is a quick, fun knit!

Download your copy of the Free Swing Scarf Pattern here

I do not often get the opportunity to work with novelty yarns or any yarns outside the ordinary but I do enjoy the walk on the wild side, as in this case. I would certainly describe S. Charles Sahara Yarn as outside the ordinary but a delight none-the-ess. Sahara looks like a ribbon yarn but when knit up doesn't behave as expected. The texture of the knitted swatch was not flat and light as I would have expected. It was dense, soft, and with a subtle texture when knitted with the needles recommended (size 8, see picture right).I expected a much lighter drape but was pleasantly surprised at how significant the yarn knitted and how well it would hold up to wear for sweaters, blankets or capes. This is no whimsical yarn.  

Sahara was a not the smoothest of yarn sliding over your fingers but the knitted piece was more supple than I anticipated and deserves the term 'soft'. Like all linen it will get softer and less stiff with washing and wear. The ribbon folds nicely when knit up and gives an almost slubby texture similar to the textured cottons on the market but on a smaller scale. The stitch definition is very nice, good for cables and some slip stitch but I would not try anything too intricate, like herringbone, for fear that the yarn's texture would compete with the stitch texture. This yarn would work very well for knitted bags, cardigans, and blankets when knitted according to the ball band. When knitted on bigger needles- I used 17's- the texture and display of the yarn was very different (see picture below). The yarn was not much different from that wound in the ball and worked very well with such a large needle. Knitted in a lace stitch on big needles this yarn will make a nice, airy, lacey shawl perfect for summer picnics and early fall. Sahara it works very well for an high interest lace when knit with anything larger than size 11 needles. This makes a great fall yarn due to of the colors offered, the nice texture (makes me think of boucle) and the fibers (linen, bamboo and rayon) make it a perfect transitional yarn.