Inspiring Patterns for Meaningful Yarns

Manos del Uruguay has been admitted to the WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) for their work supporting farmers and artisans through individual cooperatives throughout Uruguay. The co-ops provide benefits for their members, including health insurance and pensions, and each tag is signed by an artisan who made the yarn. You can read more about their mission and history here and here.

Since we recently received a great big Manos shipment, I wanted to share a few new books to go along with all of that fabulous yarn.

Adirondack Accessories is full of projects from some very popular knitwear designers, including Laura Grutzeck and Melissa LaBarre. There are mittens, fingerless gloves, hats, cowls, and legwarmers to entice those of you looking for a little bit of (relatively) quick gratification. Even though the projects are on the smaller side, there is plenty going on to keep your attention.

There is colorwork, cabling, and some interesting details and construction techniques. The accessories are knit in Manos Silk Blend, Wool Clasica, and Rittenhouse. If you have been ogling any of these yarns, this little book gives you the perfect reason to welcome a few skeins into your fold. This book and few lovely skeins would also make a thoughtful gift for a fellow knitter.

We also have a book of sweater patterns, Rittenhouse Merino 5-Ply Collection 2: Just off the Square. (We still have a few copies of Collection 1: Community Garden, as well.) The designers have really played up the textured stitches in the book with pullovers, vests, and cardigans. To top it all off, Fairmount Fibers has a whole page of free patterns. I'm thinking about the Handful of Berries Mittens knit up in soft and vibrant Maxima or the Botany Kerchief knit with either Maxima or Rittenhouse.

Manos del Uruguay provides fiber artists with the opportunity to create handmade crafts from beautiful handmade yarn. If this connection to other artists appeals to you, stop by the shop and get inspired while we have a wonderful selection!