We received our spring/summer yarns from Berroco and Lang this week.
Pareo is a huge textured cotton, just right for size 17 needles. Lang has a couple cute designs for it in their latest magazine, which I may do but I’m letting it simmer for a bit. We had 3 colors, but someone snatched up the other one before it was out of the box!
Lago is a new rayon/linen blend with a little texture to it. There is a model sweater on its way so I don’t need to knit with it – but of course I will because it’s so darn pretty! I’ve been tempted by a dozen different rayon/linen blends this season – they really called to me. I’ve been disciplined, though – so far.
These are new colors of Seduce, one of my very favorite summer yarns. Rayon, silk, linen, and a bit of nylon for shape retention, and a beautifully sophisticated color palette – what more could you want? I’m working now on a top in that gorgeous navy that has simple lace panels front and back, with cap sleeves and all one piece. It will be a free shop pattern when it’s finished.
And this is Sol Degradé, a soft-as-an-old-t-shirt cotton tape with lovely long color changes throughout. 
The colors are so inspirational, I had to start a project right away – and it was so quick and easy and cute, I finished it right away too. I can’t help remembering how hot it was all last summer – I’m looking for easy-fitting, openwork tops that will feel cool in 90 degrees. This is our favorite lace stitch, Roman Stripe, from a free Classic Elite pattern, modified to join the shoulders with 3-needle bind-off and to pick up the 3/4 sleeves instead of sewing them in:
With all this summer knitting, I’m finally ready for warm weather, even though we’ve scarcely had a winter this year.
Here are some other wonderful projects to inspire you:
NadineBlair finished a Crayon Box Jacket in several colors of Encore and Coffee Beenz. Very well done!
Janet’s Felted Tote class finished up this week. Here are the totes, with just minor finishing touches to be completed:
Deb Schlarb crocheted this amazing sea urchin tea cozy. There should be a cute little crab in the background singing “Under the Sea”:
This is brand-new Linnea Bisbort, modeling sweater and hat knit by mom Wendy. Such a good baby, she’s been out and about with Mom and Dad quite a bit already, usually dressed in something hand-knit, I’ll bet!
Jettie Hunt made this beautiful afghan in one of Donna’s classes and gave it as a retirement gift to her friend Jack. What a lovely thought and what a fabulous work of art!
Janet made this Square Peg top as a model for the shop out of soft, organic cotton Sprout. It will be a great way to learn top-down construction for beginners, so I think we’ll have a class. (We’re meeting this week to discuss the new schedule.)
And Joanne Ache brought in her little grand-daughter to pick a color for her next sweater, and she modeled this little cardigan, knit for us by Carol Whitcraft. Isn’t she a charmer?
I’ll leave you with another little charmer. This is Lily, my Baltimore sister’s brand-new addition. Why have just one puppy when you can have two? I gather Gracie and Maddie are getting used to the idea. Look at this face!
Janet labeled the picture “Big, Bad, and Cute.” Don’t know when I’ll meet her, Geordie is a little frail these days to take on two rambunctious puppies, but we’ll see how things go.
See you soon…
Trish
