Sock Yarn, Sparkles, and Love

I've been holding out on you guys.  I have a crush on a new yarn at the shop, and I can't really bear to see it all go quite yet.

Lana Grossa Lace Lux has got me (more information here).  I know at least a few of you have found it, too.  I've worked with a slightly heavier version of this yarn in the past, and I love how it turned out.  I ended up gifting my Age of Brass and Steam Shawl, and my friend tells me she gets compliments on it all the time.

I am pretty sure a lace weight version would be even more amazing.  I have also been thinking pretty hard about just making a whole sweater out of it, but I'm still on the fence.  One Raveler used three balls to create a really fabulous Citron Shawl (a freebie from Knitty), and I think the Stripe Study Shawl would be so cool and edgy in this...if a garter stitch shawl can look edgy.  What do you think?

I'm normally a rustic sheepy wool kind of gal, but I just can't stop thinking about the Lace Lux.  I suggest using a pattern with a little texture (cables, garter ridges, and the like) because the Lace Lux fuzz fills in and creates a nice shadow and depth in the finished product.  Each ball is more than 300 yards, and we have five colors right now: the beautiful ruby red and gold above and a gorgeous purple, teal, and icy blue. 

 

We have new sparkles, too.  Lana Grossa Alta Moda Sera (more info here) is a chunky chain yarn with some nice sparkle...kind of a heavier version of Berocco Flicker.  One ball should be enough for a little beanie, and two would get you a nice scarf.

The sock wall has seen some love, too.  Cascade Heritage is one of the best sock yarns for your money, and we have a great selection of the solids and paints.

Kollage's brand new Sock-a-licious has also made itself at home on the sock wall.  With 10% silk, it seems like a really nice sock yarn.  I like the colors a lot, too.  Tonal rather than variegated craziness.  I can see wearing the heck out of some pretty gray socks.

Last but not least, our much-loved Cascade 220 Superwash Paints are back.  I love these colors for kid sweaters, hat, and mittens, and I know many of you are already using it for baby blankets.  This stuff goes fast, so beware.

Okay, so I've come clean about my latest obsession.  Please save some yarn for me.

The Sparkle Fairy

The Sparkle Fairy has been busy at Close Knit.

Flicker, new from Berroco, is an alpaca blend chainette yarn with a super soft thread of tinsel running through it. The texture of the yarn reminds me of Rowan Lima, and each skein is as light as a cloud. I like that the gold or silver metallic bits are coordinated to the shade, too. At this moment we have all six earth-toned colorways, but they are going to go fast.

Luna from Tahki Stacy Charles is a mohair/silk blend with tiny little sparkles. This is our replacement for Rowan Kidsilk Night, which, sadly, has been discontinued. This is great for lacy shawls, simple shrugs, lightweight tops...anything that you might make with Kidsilk Haze would be beautiful with Luna.

Kollage Glisten, an alpaca/silk blend, knits up with a pretty halo. We have several rich jewel tones right now. Perfect for hats, scarves, cowls, and sweaters.

If you like the big stuff, try the Plymouth Grande Glow, which is the ever-popular Baby Alpaca Grande with a little glimmer. Nancy's Venessa Headband or her Tristan Scarf would be really cool with this.

If you loved the Plymouth Baby Llama Glow the first time around, you will be happy to see more on the shelves again.

Come and claim your favorites while they last. Who knows how long until the Sparkle Fairy makes her (his?) way back to our little shop.