Fair Cotton Craft

I love an unusual self-striping situation, and the new organic Fair Cotton Craft form Katia is just that. The pretty combination of pastel stripes and the natural base initially caught my eye, and then I looked into what the yarn does!

Pic borrowed from Rav project page.

Katia has a few patterns available for download, including the sweet freebie Just-One-Cake Baby Blanket that uses...yup, just one cake. There is also this free (but not Katia) crochet blanket that would be perfect in this yarn.

Pic borrowed from Rav project page.

I am also wishing that I still had a child small enough to justify knitting this Just One Cake Kid's Sweater, which is written for size 6. This pattern is not free, but I think it's only a few dollars to download. Maybe I'll knit it anyway and find a 6 year old who needs a rainbow sweater.

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page.

Rainbows and organic cotton...this would be a perfect summer project!

Sun

We are in the in-between season here in Portland. One day it's sunny and warm, then we have three days of rain and clouds. I'm not complaining...it's great to have spring last a little longer before it gets so hot. But sometimes I crave the bright colors, and this pretty Degradé Sun from Katia is certainly doing the trick!

This is a 100% DK weight cotton with a really pretty long-fade color change. We have this cute little raglan baby sweater in the shop to show off the nice colors effects.

Some folks on Ravelry commented on how it looks a little "dirty," but I think it looks painterly and rich. It reminds me of the Liberty Wool from Classic Elite that we used to carry. The extra grunge gives it a cool effect, I think, and makes it well-suited for all kinds of fun projects.

Look at this cute little top from Katia.

Pic borrowed from Rav pattern page.

I love this ombre ripple washcloth.

Pic borrowed from Rav project page.

Check out this cool use of colorblocking.

Pic borrowed from Rav project page.

Oooo, this pretty cotton Tecumseh is the perfect thing for summer, and the Sun adds even more interest to the colorwork.

Pic borrowed from Rav project page.

This fun Katia Sun might be the thing to get you through until the real sun sticks around! It will happen sooner than we all think.

Cotton Merino

Sometimes you really need to see the swatch, you know? The Katia Concept Cotton Merino looks really pretty in the ball and on the shelves, but the swatch is really the thing here. I love how the brushed wooliness creates such a nice halo around the lighter core. The knitted fabric ends up looking hand-dyed and visually interesting. 

We have a nice range of shades, from dark and stormy to light and springy. This yarn would be great for hats and scarves and cowls. I want to stripe that pale pink and spring green and creamy white into a cozy stockinette stitch cowl. Maybe this one. Or this one. Or something with fisherman's rib or brioche...this would do nicely with some plump ribbing. Any inspiration from you in blog land?