Do You Like to Mix It Up?

From observing our customers over the years, I've decided that there are three loosely-defined "camps" into which yarn-crafters fall:

• The "make it exactly as shown in the pattern" camp;
• The "any colour as long as it's neutral (black or grey or off-white in particular)" camp; and 
• The "give me colour!" camp.

While The Crafty Lady aims to carry a wide selection of yarn weights, fibre types and colours (including neutrals), the trends in recent years definitely seem to favour the "colourful".  From variegated to self-striping, self-patterning to gradients, kettle-dyed to hand-painted and splattered, our yarn suppliers continue to provide us with seemingly endless opportunities to create the items we want in the colours we want to use.

Brioche Basic Beanie
Marilynn Blacketer

Fair Isle Tam - Patons North America

'Stranded knitting' is back in a big way this year -- meaning that knitters in particular are being treated to all manner of patterns featuring Fair Isle or Scandinavian motifs.   Others are exploring mosaic knitting or brioche, techniques that work with more than one yarn to create intriguing designs and textures.

Rectangular Wrap
Featuring Mosaic Knitting
Designer: Ann Morgan

Another way to introduce colour into your work is by plying two yarns together to create what's called a "marl".  There are some tutorials available -- like this one from Tin Can Knits -- and the range of patterns for garments using a marl you create yourself is growing.

But if you want this look...

Favourite Knit Hat
Premier Yarns Designs

without the 'do it yourself' component...

...you can also purchase yarn that's already marled for you -- such as the yarn on offer this week

for our Super Special Sale!

Premier 

Everyday Marl

and

Milano*

* a marl with a hint of metallic glitz

100 grams = 165 metres (180 yards)

100% Acrylic

Regular Price: $8.00

75% Off!

Sale Price: $2.00!

Written by Margaret, happy TCL employee who loves having colour in her life -- and who's

counting the sleeps till our 25th Anniversary Sale starts in February!