I’ve been a Brooklyn Tweed fanatic for years. I look forward to the release of their collections like a kid looks forward to Christmas. Brooklyn Tweed has raised the bar for pattern production by yarn producers. Their patterns are expertly edited and beautifully photographed. Each pattern is like a lovely little story. At least, that’s how I feel. I know, I’m really enthusiastic about knitting.
Wool People 12 has just been released. I’m buzzing with excitement. This collection really hones in on Brooklyn Tweed’s lighter weight yarns: Vale, Loft, Peerie and Arbor. By the time most of you are reading this, Peerie will have just arrived to Wool & Grace. It’s the right time of year to be thinking about lighter weight yarns. Summer is upon us and it’s safe to say that it’s hot. That said, these projects are ones that you can enjoy from season to season.
I think Kumon is the best place to start, because it’s the new pattern by Stacey Gerbman in this collection. Not only is Stacey immensely creative and talented, but she’s a local. I want to support local everything — like Stacey. Stacey has given us teasers about this wonderful cardigan for months. It’s an open cardigan worked in half brioche using Arbor. With a wide ribbed lapel and hem, it’s an easy, long cardigan that you can throw on over anything. The half-brioche is much easier to work, as there are rows with none of the slip-one-yarn-over on every other row. This makes it much easier to fix mistakes in the brioche stitch, but maintains it’s lovely squish.. Multiply this by the natural squish of Arbor and you have a seriously cozy cardigan. Arbor’s got a bit of drape, which will keep this piece looking feminine. There are no pockets or the likes, so it’s got a sleek look to it.
For the most part, I think the highlights of this collection are all about Loft and lace. I mentioned last week that there are a number of beautiful lace pieces. I’d bore you to death if I discussed each of them in detail, so I’ll try to give you some highlights.
Tensile is a big time show-stopper. This is a lacy, boxy turtleneck pullover. Designed by Emily Greene, it has her signature architectural lines drawn with its fine lace. Tensile is knit up in Loft. Between those beautiful lines of lace and the natural qualities of Loft, it’s a lightweight and airy piece. I’m absolutely obsessed with this piece. It’ll probably go to the top of my queue!
Rivulet is another gorgeous lace piece; this one can be worn as a wrap or a cowl. Rivulet was designed by Shannon Cook, the designer of the very popular Veronika cardigan from last year. Clearly cook understands comfort. I love the versatility of this piece and the fact that it can be easily worn multiple ways. Rivulet is also knit up in Loft, and its lace pattern has a beautiful wave-like quality to it.
Adelaide is a gorgeous top designed by Isabell Kraemer. Knit up in Vale, Adelaide can be knit as a long-sleeve pullover or a tee, and has a delicate lace yoke. Kraemer always designs incredibly wearable pieces, and this is no exception. Our knitters are generally intimidated by lace-weight yarn, and they shouldn’t be! If anything, Vale should be their gateway yarn into the exploration of lace weights. It’s got a lot of twist, is super soft (but strong) and is easy to work with. Adelaide is primarily worked on a US4 needle – which isn’t so intimidating, is it? Kraemer’s designs are going to make you think a little, but aren’t overly tricky, so this is a project that is going to be great for an intermediate knitter.
Culswick is a boxy lace pullover knit up using Peerie, and Shoal is an asymmetrical shawl that combines a two-sided lace pattern with garter stitch. Shoal is written for Vale or Peerie, so there is a lot of room for play!
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned (multiple times, sorry…) that I’ve recently completed two Loft projects and I have to say, I am obsessed with this yarn. Somehow it’s substantial and weightless. It’s incredibly soft and gets more so with washing and wear. I want to keep knitting with this yarn – it’s going to be hard for me to stray.
Two other Loft projects that I think deserve a look are Willapa and Ellsworth. Ellsworth is a bold and graphic piece that can be worked as a scarf or a wrap. Its worked in chunks of garter stitch, with colors blocked in uneven wedges shaped by short rows. The wrap is knit up by seaming together three scarf sized pieces. It’s shown in a high contrast, black and white combination. I think it’d also be gorgeous in a beautiful tone on tone piece. I love a bold pairing of Long Johns and Cinnabar, but what about something subtle and sophisticated like combining Fossil and Sweatshirt?
Willapa is a sleek, throw-on-over-everything cardigan. It’s got a long line with patch pockets and a shawl collar, with garter stitch hems. It’s a classic and incredibly versatile piece. Construction is straightforward, and it’s a piece that a new but ambitious knitter could wrap their head around.
As usual, I’m bubbling with excitement over this collection. There’s a little something for everyone, with classic, comfy, delicate and edgy all represented. Don’t forget to take a look at Astoria – a heavily cabled pullover worked in Arbor, or Hirst – a raglan sleeve turtleneck pullover with very deep side slits. Check out this beautiful collection and if you walk away half as inspired as I am, you’ll find something that you’re ready to start right now!
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