Freia in the Sunshine

I would like you to notice that the yarn above has been photographed outdoors. On a bench. In Portland. In February. Thank you to Natalie for the reminder that this was possible earlier this week.

Now. This is the lovely Freia Ombre Sport. We have a smattering of Freia Ombre Lace in the shop as well, which many of you know and love from the Bateaux Mouches Scarf pattern. I would bet that 90% of you have knit. It's a winner, I promise.

We have used the Ombre Sport for many lovely things as well, including Lisa's cool hat, still available in the shop for free with the purchase of the yarn.

This gorgeous cowl really shows off the color gradient of the Freia, as well. This is the Slip Sliding Infinity Scarf, and I really appreciate the all-over texture. Normally, I would not suggest a strong color situation with highly textured stitches, but this all works together so well. The dimensions and the knitted fabric are just right.

Photo borrowed from designer's Ravelry page

I can truly appreciate the brilliance of the Zuzu's Petals lace shawl/cowl. The style of a pretty lacey shawlette with the practicality of a cowl that actually stays on your neck. Yes! The Freia sport would be perfect for this one.

Come say hello to the bright and beautiful yarn as we all dream of spring and more outdoor yarn photo shoots!

Freia Fresca

It's always a treat to receive yarn from hand-dyers. I know how much effort and love goes in to producing the gorgeous yarns they send us, and the colors and quality are always top notch. This is especially true of the more unusual yarns, such as the ombre lines from Tina at Freia Handpaint Yarns.

We have nice full shelves of Freia Ombre Lace and Freia Ombre Sport right now. 

The lace is lovely and lofty. We have a sample of the Bateaux Mouches scarf knit up with this yarn, and it's been wildly popular. The simple garter stitch wrap really shows off the full color range in each ball of yarn. Sort of the perfect pairing of yarn and pattern.

We have a great (and free) hat pattern for the sport as well. Lisa's Cool Hat uses just one ball of the sport. The turned hem is a nice way to keep the edge nice and clean without interrupting the beautiful color change of the yarn.

This hat begins at the crown, so make sure you choose your starting color carefully. If neon yellow is not a great color near your face, start with that end of the ball so it's up at the top of the hat.

The ombre yarns from Freia are truly made with love, but they are hard to keep in the shop. We are usually left just asking her to send whatever she has available. If you have been dreaming of an ombre project in some gorgeous hand painted yarn, get to the shop and find your favorite!

Freia Lace and Sport

Quite a few of you have been asking (and calling and emailing and Facebooking) about the Freia yarns.  We are happy to announce a fresh batch of Ombre Lace and Ombre Sport.  

We currently have eight colorways of the Sport, and each is as lovely as the next.  I am still partial to Lichen (bottom left) and Vertigo (bottom right), but I can appreciate them all.

Our girl Lisa used one ball of the Lichen to knit up this adorable slouchy hat.  She was even generous enough of offer it up as a shop pattern, free with the purchase of the Ombre Sport yarn.

The hat features a sweet picot hemmed edge (which is not at all difficult to create), an easy peasy stockinette body, and a slouchy crown.  I love the way it shows off the nice range on color that occurs throughout the ball.  Nice work, Lisa.

We also have the Ombre Lace, which Adrienne used to make a Bateaux Mouches scarf.  Again, the full color range gets to come out and play in a project like this.  And that's really the point of this kind of yarn, isn't it?  So, it's on the shelves for you.  Come and get yours.

Ombre

Some pretty packages of Freia Ombre Sport arrived this week.

I was trying to resist taking one home (because I'm supposed to leave them for you), but they are all so pretty.  The ombre effect is spectacular.  Theses are the same colorways as shown above, believe it or not.  Most are just inside-out.

We currently have Maple, Lichen, Flare, Tijuana Teal, and Grapevine. 

I was poking around for some good project ideas, and I stumbled upon the awesome Reykholt Hat from Dianna of Paper Tiger.

It's a double-thick beanie, knit all in one piece.  And it's a freebie!  

Dianna has several lovely patterns in her shop.  The Elam hat is definitely in my queue.  Which ones do you like?  Please do take a look.  And then come pick your favorite shade of Ombre Sport and knit your own Reykholt!

Thanks to Dianna for the hat photos!