Follow along as we go from yarn to finished sweater!
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All 5 of the KAL videos will be embedded here, and you can also find them on a dedicated YouTube channel.
Share with your fellow knitters as you knit the Dovetail Sweater!
Episode 1: Meet the Designer, Choosing Colors, How to Get Gauge, and Casting on
Episode 2: The Why and How of Short Rows
Episode 3: Colorwork Techniques: Basic Stranding
Episode 4: Dividing for Body and Sleeves
Episode 5: Knitting the Sleeves and the Finishing Touches!
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The Pips Scarf celebrates the instant gratification of a quick project, perfect for this time of the year. Two contrasting colors of Franca, one skein each, are needed. The pattern photo above shows Gold Drop and Gold Nugget. Photos for our tutorial today feature Batik and Petroleo.
The fringe is added after your scarf is knit. You’ll need your yarns, a good pair of scissors or snips, a large crochet hook, and a piece of cardboard that is 15” long. Tip: A USPS Priority Mail mailing box is the right size!
The Pips Scarf needs 24 pieces of fringe 15” long of each color. Start by winding your yarn around your piece of cardboard. Be mindful to not pile it in one area, but move across the space to create a uniform layer. We wrapped each color around the cardboard 12 times - 12 pieces of yarn on the front plus 12 pieces of yarn on the back adds up to 24 pieces.
Cut your yarn along the both top and bottom edges of your cardboard to make the lengths of fringe.
X F X F X F X F X F X F X F X F X F X F X F X F X
Now it’s time to place the fringe! Our scarf is 13 stitches wide (represented by Xs above); 1 fringe piece will be placed in between each stitch on each end, for a total of 12 fringe pieces each end (represented by Fs above).
Take one piece of each of the cut yarns and fold it in half lengthwise.
Working from the backside, insert your crochet hook through the material at the edge. You want to be working close to the edge of your material, but be careful that you have at least two stitches or strands of yarn under your hook to anchor the fringe.
Grab the center point of your folded yarns with the crochet hook and pull this loop through the scarf to the backside. Try to keep the cut ends as even as possible, but we will be doing a little trimming after all the pieces are added to neaten our work.
Pull the ends of the yarns through the loop and tighten to make it snug and secure. Continue to attach your loops across the edge of the scarf.
Here’s the scarf with all the fringe added. Now we will do a little trimming to even up the ends.
A clear acrylic ruler can hold your strands in place and a rotary cutter on a cutting mat makes quick work, but this can also be done with a ruler and scissors. In this project, our fringe ended up being approximately 5” long.
Take a moment to fluff and straighten your fringe with your fingers. You may notice a strand or two that still needs a little trim; that is an easy fix with your scissors. Admire your work and enjoy a fabulous new accessory!
We’re seeing fringe being reported in the fashion realm as on trend for 2021-2022! Fringe is a design element on several patterns including the Hilltop Poncho (top),the Trellis Scarf, Fringed Violet Scarf, Sencilla, and Fiesta Scarf (bottom left to right). What are your plans for fringe and Manos del Uruguay yarns? Leave us a comment in Ravelry, on Facebook, or tag us in your project photos on Instagram.
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Franca is generous in yardage, with 114 yards per hank. Srdladybug’s Jawbreaker Candy (above left) is a triangle shawl that is knit sideways with a curve, in four skeins in the Scraps and Bits colorway. ScarfSimplicity’s Decemberist shawl took less than three skeins of Franca in Fuji.
SunnyRain’s Bolingua (above left) features a straightforward texture and lace pattern that pairs nicely with the new Batik colorway. Franca is equally beautiful when used in crochet projects. Shown above right is TanyaLouise322’s Toasted Marshmallow Infinity Scarf in Cupcake. Each project needed just one skein!
With just under a quarter-skein of Esmeralda and Cincuenta, CoachJanaW knit a Poise Headband!
There is nothing quite like a satisfied knitter or crocheter with a successful project! Please continue to share your projects in Manos Yarns with us on your favorite social platform: Ravelry, Instagram, and Facebook.
The Check Check Hats and Cowl set features the classic checkerboard pattern, knit in high contrast Batik (black with teal speckles) and Party (white with confetti sprinkles). The checkerboard pattern is explored on three different accessories: a tall, wards-off-the-chill cowl; a cozy beanie that covers the ears; and a skullcap that fits snugly on the head and lets the ears out!
The Around the World Hat by Lana Jois is a close-fitting cap with a simple yet striking raised rib detail. It's a perfect project for one skein of Franca!
Fast and cozy, the Floop Hat in Franca is a perfect project as a quick gift for experienced knitters or your first hat if you are a new knitter. Carol Feller also created a free video workshop to learn all the techniques you'll need in her new design.
Take another look at the Any Season, Any Reason Cowl. It’s knit in the round in a simple slip-stitch pattern, a texture that highlights the colorways you’ve chosen. The pattern is written for three weights: Silk Blend (DK), Maxima (Worsted), and Franca (superbulky)! Shown here in the Azalea and Party colorways of Franca.
We’ve shared the Tri Color Super Scarf before and now that the weather is turning much colder, it’s a good time to share it again! Three colors of Franca are used in this textural knit: Wellies, Butterscotch, and Azalea. One skein of each color will provide enough yardage for two scarves!
Don’t forget to take a look at the additional paid-for patterns and free patterns for Franca! Cheers to speedy projects!
Hui Wang Harbich’s Malachite is magical! This pullover features a fantastic forest knit in two colors, and inhabited by multi-colored beetles. Alegria in Toy Soldier and Black are used for the body. Custom, limited-edition Fino Mini-Skein sets in Alice and Blanche are used for duplicate-stitching the beetles. The pattern is part of the new Winter 2021/22 Vogue Knitting.
Textures collide in the stunning triangular Trigon Shawl designed by Shannon Lynn Brown. Diagonal lines of lacy yarnovers section off smooth stockinette triangles from their twisted-stitch counterparts, creating a well-balanced graphic design. Four skeins of Feliz, shown here in Copper, are called for in the pattern, published in Wool Studio Volume X.
The Winslow Park Cowl is a DK-weight, cozy neck warmer featuring 5 colors and some fun (but still easy!) techniques. Designer Elizabeth Smith chose five colors of Silk Blend in a stunning palette: Marzipan, Topaz, Kohl, Silver, and Wedgewood.
The Borrowed Scenery Hat is our newest free pattern. This is a two-skein project with a touch of colorwork - a fun way to play with space-dyed and semi-solid colors of Silk Blend! Clafoutis and Opera are shown here.
Taking its cue from the Dovetail Sweater, the Dovetail Hat uses Alegria Grande Bocados to work up a delightful colorwork pattern in 3 colors! This free pattern includes two sizes, and the addition of the pom on top is up to the knitter. Above left, size Medium shown in Mauve (MC) with Magenta (A), Cactus Flower (B), and Oceano (C). Above right, size Large shown in Sand (MC) with Juanita (A), Tahiti (B), and Turmeric (C).
The Meadowgrass Shawl is knit with one strand of Fino, our lustrous silk and wool fingering-weight yarn, and one strand of Cabrito, a laceweight kid mohair blend. Knit at a larger gauge, this shawl has an effervescent sheerness: it’s drapey with an almost velvety feel thanks to the two yarns held together. Meadowgrass is knit in one piece with alternating stripes of different colors of Cabrito to get a gorgeous watercolor effect. Shown here in Ivory Letter-Opener Fino with Aloe and Meadow Cabrito. Bonus, this pattern is also free!
As always, we are here to cheer you on from cast-on to cast-off and encourage you to tag us in your photos on Facebook, Instagram and Ravelry!
The newest yarn in the Manos del Uruguay line this season is Cardo, a bulky 100% Corriedale wool. Available in eleven semi-solid colors, Cardo features a smooth texture and resilient hand, with pristine stitch definition. Today we are spotlighting patterns you can cast on right now in this fabulous yarn.
The Knitty Surprise for the Deep Fall 2021 issue is Octave, by Stephanie Earp! The name is inspired by the sleeves that include panels that are 12 stitches wide, giving you 12 “notes” to play with. Two options are provided and we look forward to seeing how knitters improvise on this fun and unique design. Shown above in North Sea and Pumpkin (above left) and Sanguine (above right).
Perpendicular graces the cover of the Fall 2021 Vogue Knitting. Knit with four colors of Cardo, this textured cowl is knit both flat and in-the-round. The photographed sample was knit with Cirrus, Sanguine, Peachblossom, and Spirulina.
Three new patterns, all free to download on Ravelry, are great projects for newer knitters, those in need of a palate-cleansing project, and quick gifts! The Pitanga Hat, by Luciana Lopez, is a simple design that allows the yarn to showcase how well suited it is for colorwork. Shown here in Pumpkin and Nymph. Luciana is also the designer of the Espinillo Slippers, in Goldenrod. Reverse stockinette sets off the loopy texture on the instep.
The Timbó Vest is a simple yet interesting knit, suitable for beginners and fast enough to become your go-to gift project. It is worked from top down in an easy broken rib stitch, with a stockinette shoulder detail. Gabriella Calderini's design calls for 3-4 hanks of color A and 2-3 hanks of color B. Shown above in Goldenrod (A) + Pumpkin (B), left, and Terrarium (A) and North Sea (B), right.
As always, we look forward to seeing your projects in Cardo!
Jabiru is a jacket with clean lines and classic details: collar; knitted-in button bands; set-in sleeves; selvedge stitch to keep edges tidy and make seaming easier. Seed stitch provides an ornamental element that’s still in keeping with the overall tailored look. Shown here in Spirulina and 8-13 skeins are needed depending on the selected size.
Tero is a buttonless cardigan with delightfully chunky 2x2 ribbing at all its edges. The pattern band is continuous around the midsection thanks to the seamless construction, and provides a great opportunity for the pop of a playful accent color. Putty and Goldenrod are the contrast colors against the main color of Manchester.
The Tinamou pullover takes advantage of Cardo’s crisp stitch definition for a yoke composed of easy patterns that yield graphic impact. Worked from the top down, both body and sleeve length are easily customizable to make this your favorite walk-in-the-woods sweater. Putty is the main color with Manchester and Cirrus for contrast.
Tanager is a more-than-generous scarf with the simplest possible intarsia (no charts, no bobbins!). The colorblock structure is an open canvas for your own palette of 5 colors. We’ve chosen Manchester, Putty, Spirulina, Goldenrod, and Cirrus for a modern vibe.
The Seriema cowl overlays vertical ribs on a background of garter-ridge stripes. The simple slip-stitch technique means working only one color per round. The sample project used Goldenrod and Putty. Fold the upper edge inward so it fits under your chin, or leave it upright so you can tuck your nose inside!
Hornero takes a simple stripe sequence and reverses it halfway up a hat and mittens. The dynamic color play that results is the focal point of the set; shaping is minimal. Two skeins of each color will yield a complete set. Shown here in Manchester and Spirulina.
In the Kiskadee set, 1x1 rib evolves into stockinette stitch, with the transition concealed in increases and decreases. The hat shows peaks and valleys, while the mitts spread stockinette outward from the base of the thumb until it surrounds the hand. Two skeins of Cardo will make the set! Goldenrod is used in the modeled photographs.
Whether you are starting these projects for gifts or for yourself, we hope you’ll share them with us. Capture those Cardo projects on Facebook or Instagram and happy knitting!
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The Any Season, Any Reason Cowl is knitted in the round in a simple slip-stitch pattern. Fold it in half for a double-thick cowl, or scrunch it down, this pattern texture highlights the yarn you’ve chosen. The pattern is written for three weights: Silk Blend (DK), Maxima (Worsted), and Franca (superbulky)! Bonus, this pattern is FREE! The photographed samples on the mannequins, from left to right:
The Serpentina Crochet Basket by Sarah Parker is simple, fun to make, and easy to adjust the size to fit your needs. Perfect for a yarn bowl, catch-all for your notions, pop a plant in it, stash your tea bags - you name it! Additional embellishments, like a tassel or patch, allow you to truly customize and make this a one-of-a-kind gift. One skein of Serpentina will work up one basket.
Sarah Parker is also the designer of the Gardengate Shawl intended for a skein of Fino and a Mini-Skein bundle. There is sure to be a color pairing to suit your mood. Shown above left is Ivory Letter Opener with a Lydia set, and on the right, Mourning with a set of Sybil.
Stephanie Steinhaus published the Tri Color Super Scarf pattern on Ravelry as a free download. Three new colors of Franca are used in this textural knit: Wellies, Butterscotch, and Azalea. One skein of each color will provide enough yardage for two scarves!
What’s on your must-make list for this new season? We look forward to your photo tags on Facebook, Instagram, and Ravelry!
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Tell us about your knitting origin story.
I learned to knit, purl and cable from my wonderful nanny, Shirley, when I was eight or nine. She’d occasionally take my work, do something mysterious to it, and then pass it back, slightly wider. I realized many years later, I was knitting the sleeves of her sweaters. Then in my twenties, I found myself early for a dentist appointment and stopped to pick up a few magazines for the waiting room. I thought I’d picked up a copy of Vogue, but it turned out to be Vogue Knitting. I left the appointment and went straight to a craft store and cast on a ludicrously complex James Coviello design. I didn’t know what I didn’t know - which was a lot - and that pattern taught me lace, short rows, bobbles, and double increases. It is still one of the most complex sweaters I’ve ever knit! I was hooked after that, and taught myself from books and magazines. I’ve added to my skills by taking knit-specific classes at events like Vogue Knitting Live, and more sewing-focused classes in pattern making.
Do you have a favorite yarn or colorway in the Manos del Uruguay line?
I love single ply yarns, so Maxima is my go-to yarn from Manos del Uruguay, with Silk Blend running a close second. Spirulina is basically my dream colour. The acidity and brightness of it and the way it’s almost neon, but not. To me, there’s something so sophisticated about that. I think one of the things about the Manos palette that really stands out to me is how adaptable it is. My collection showcases these bright jewel tones, and pairs them in ways that have almost a retro 80s feel, but previous collections have shown off the earth tones, or featured very delicate, feminine details and colours. You can really make anything with Manos yarns.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
My design inspiration is often not visual - it usually comes down to problem solving. That problem might be that I have 5 skeins of DK in five different colours and I want to make one sweater out of them without buying any more yarn, so what kind of stitch or pattern can I come up with that will allow me to do that. Sometimes I feel I’m more of an inventor than a designer; I want to know if something is possible, if it can be made to look or function in a new way. So if there is no problem to solve, I’ll pretend there is one, to get my creative brain going. In this collection, I asked myself, how do I use this space-dyed Cabrito in a new and unexpected way? How can I use Estonian lace techniques like star increases without using any lace? And I watched old seasons of Project Runway while I knit these pieces, so I had Tim Gunn in my ear saying “cohesion, cohesion, cohesion!”
Do you have tips for knitting the Fall 2021 collection?
Thanks so much to Stephanie! Check out all her designs for our Fall 2021 Collection here!
]]>The accent cable on the Shana hat and sweater is worked with one strand each of the Alpaca Heather (MC) and Cabrito (CC) held together. The body of the hat and sweater is worked with a single strand of the MC. In this tutorial, Alpaca Heather in Harbor is the MC and Cabrito in Sea Salt is the CC.
The Shana hat is knit flat with an asymmetrically placed cable (not in the center of the hat stitches) that is intended to be worn on the side. Once the ribbed brim is complete, the next step is to place stitch markers and work two set-up rows for the cable panel.
We purl as instructed to the beginning of the cable panel with the MC and place our first green stitch marker. This also serves as a visual cue until the cable is established; when you’re on the right side of the work, the green marker is the first stitch marker you encounter. When knitting the cable panel, we hold both yarns together and knit the set number of stitches. At the end of this cable panel, the second marker is placed. We’ve used a red marker here. After the second marker, we drop the CC behind the work, and continue purling to the end with the MC to complete the row.
In a similar fashion, on the wrong side, we use the main color to knit across to the cable panel, (red marker is first on the wrong side!), hold both yarns together to work the cable panel stitches, then use only the main color to continue knitting to the end of the row.
After these two rows, the marked cable panel is knit following the cable pattern in the stitch guide. The use of a cable needle is encouraged when working the cable crosses as it helps ensure you catch both yarns of each stitch when they are knit. Due to the nature of the fibers, they grip and stick to each other, so it’s not likely you’ll lose a stitch and find it dropped several rows down, but you’ll have an easier time if you make sure you’ve got both strands of yarn on your needle.
Because the main color is used across the entire row there are no holes at the color changes and it is not necessary to twist the yarns at the edges of the cable. The Shana sweater features the cable on the center front of the body, and the technique is the same.
We look forward to seeing your Shana Sweaters and Hats and the colors of Cabrito and Alpaca Heather you pair for your projects! Be sure to tag us when you share photos on Instagram, Facebook, and Ravelry!
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The Raya Shawl and Mittens feature a pattern that looks like embroidery, but is actually knit in as you work—a decorative detail that adds a pop to these otherwise simple items! In our tutorial for this dip-stitch technique, we are using Maxima in Pewter (MC) and Helium (CC).
The shawl begins with a straight-forward setup, casting on a few stitches, then working increases and placing removable markers (ours here are purple). The Raya pattern is worked in rows over 5 stitches, which are set off by the stitch markers. On Rows 1, 3, 5, and 7 work as instructed to bring the CC to the front of the work, knit 1 with the MC, then the CC is brought to the back of the work again. This creates the inlay stitches: the CC strand floats horizontally across the front of the center knit stitch.
On Row 9 of the shawl, we need to add a regular stitch marker (we’ve used a green one) next to the removable marker (purple), then we work Row 9 of the Raya pattern. The first of the center stitches is knit with the MC.
Next, look at where the tapestry needle is pointing. That is where you’ll insert the needle tip from front to back, into that stitch below the inlay from Row 7, wrap the CC around the needle as if to knit, and draw up a loop.
You’ll then knit 1 with the CC. This will be repeated: draw up a second loop, k1, draw up a third loop.
At last, you’ll use the MC to k2tog the last two stitches of the five-stitch panel. Drawing up those loops added stitches, so now there are 7 stitches between the markers. The green markers we placed will stay put and the purple removable markers are moved inwards by one stitch so there are only the 5 CC stitches between the markers.
The last row of the Raya pattern, a wrong side row, instructs you to bring the CC up, over, and bring it to the front of the work to position it for the next inlay stitch at the beginning of the pattern repeat. The photo above shows the right side of the work, one complete repeat of the Raya pattern.
We look forward to seeing your Raya Shawls and Mittens and the colors of Maxima you pair for your projects! Be sure to tag us when you share photos on Instagram, Facebook, and Ravelry!
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Aja is a simple yoke sweater that has fun with marling - a technique where two yarns are held together to create a new color. In this case, natural grey Alpaca Heather is held alternately with two different colors of mohair laceweight Cabrito, giving almost a watercolor effect.
The embellished top-down raglan cardigan, Jerrica, calls to mind the embroidered sweaters of the 1950’s, but with a completely updated palette and silhouette. Plus, no embroidery! The details here are knit into the sweater as you go with Maxima.
Knit flat and seamed for a tailored fit, Kimber uses an intarsia effect with Cabrito and Silk Blend, but keeps the intarsia technique light. This classic design makes the most of space-dyed Cabrito, with orderly garter panels on the sleeves and the back, paired with a large garter-stitch shawl collar that lets the variegation run wild.
The Raya Shawl features a dip stitch and inlay pattern in the center. Much longer than it is deep, this crescent shawl looks great styled as a kerchief, with the decorative panel and tassel front and center. The Raya Mitts use the same inlay and dip stitch panel but here it is worked in the round. It’s just as simple to do, and the decorative motifs are a unique touch on these simple but very practical mittens. Maxima is used in each and the palette offers so many options for that pop of a contrast color.
Shana Hat and Sweater uses a marltarsia (marled+intarsia) cable panel of Cabrito and Alpaca Heather. The hat features an off-center cable placement and the sweater is knit modularly. The ribbed edgings on the sweater are the finishing touches, and the only sections worked in the round. As each new section of the garment is added, the initial row is worked in Cabrito, creating a subtle but clear indication of how the top was constructed.
Synergy Hat and Scarf has a holographic quality usually only found in brioche knits - but there’s no brioche here! The 4-row slip-stitch repeat could not be simpler, making this an excellent project for new knitters. And both sides are the ‘right’ side, each with a different color emphasis. The size is easy to modify, just add repeats to increase the width and knit it as long or as short as you like. Just be aware any modifications will affect your Wool Clasica requirements, so plan accordingly.
We can’t wait to see the colors you choose for these gorgeous garments and accessories. Share your yarn bundles and in-progress photos with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Ravelry!
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The lower body begins with the back and front split hems worked separately in rows. Silk Blend provides softness and sheen, while also showcasing a lovely stitch definition in the asymmetrical eyelets. The original pattern photos are shown above in Topaz, while our demonstration project uses Cactus Flower.
The front and back hems are worked flat to the lengths instructed in the pattern. The yarn is cut when the front hem is complete and left attached to the back hem to continue working.
First, we knit the back hem needle to the last two stitches.
The front hem needle is placed in front of the back hem needle, overlapping the first 2 stitches of the front and the last 2 stitches of the back.
The first front stitch is knit together with the second-to-last back stitch.
Place a marker to indicate the side “seam”.
The second front stitch is knit together with the last back stitch.
Now, continue across the front in pattern as instructed to the last two front stitches and overlap those last two front stitches on top of the first two back stitches.
Knit the second-to-last front stitch together with the first back stitch. Place a second stitch marker to indicate the side “seam” and end of the round - here we’ve used a more decorative beaded marker to be distinctive.
Knit the last front stitch together with the second back stitch - and voila! - you’ll now be knitting your garment in the round up to the underarms. The upper back and front are worked separately in rows.
Keep in mind while knitting in the round, alternating skeins is a good idea. To do this knit two rounds from one skein, then two rounds from another skein. Alternating skeins in this manner will help blend any color variations.
Show off your finished Forsythia sweaters, and Silk Blend works in progress with us on Facebook or tag us on Instagram!
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Desert Bloom, by Rachel Kurihara, is a cute yet sophisticated top. It features a faux wrap top with a flirty peplum. The pattern is size-inclusive and calls for 2-5 skeins of Milo, depending on size.
Pulling inspiration from the Japanese stitch dictionaries of Hitomi Shida and the designer Amy Gleixner's travels to the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, Japan, the Imperial Gardens Sweater uses relatively simple stitches to create an intricate design full of flowing lines. Three to seven skeins of Milo are needed, depending on size. The photographed sample is knit in i7099 Zinc.
The Herbalist Tank by Nataliya Sinelshchikova calls for Serena, our pima cotton and baby alpaca blend, a perfect choice for those warmer days! This pattern is available in Making No. 11 / DAWN.
The Dudleya top features textural details: a vent at the side seam, cuffs on the short sleeves, exposed shoulder seams. Knit in Serena for beautiful, season-spanning drape and wearability. Shown here in S2302 English.
Fingering weight Alegria is a great choice for warm weather tops! The Arequita Tunic, by Susanna IC, is simple and elegant with the lace panels on the front and back. Shown here in A2540 Kohl.
Paula Pereira's lightweight tee, Caipirinha, with lace detailing is perfect for warm weather! Choose a favorite space-dyed color and two semi-solid colors of Alegria for a summery combination. Shown here in Orla, Spirulina, and Turmeric.
Cheers to knitting and crocheting year-round! Click over to the Fairmount Fibers pattern collection for even more summer top inspiration. We look forward to seeing your projects on Facebook, Ravelry, and Instagram.
Alegria Grande is machine-washable, next-to-skin soft, and worsted weight. That’s a perfect combination for baby knits! The Baby Brights collection is a complete layette, for babies 0-12 months. We used 5 of the 10 Bocados colors for a gender-neutral palette. We look forward to seeing the combinations of Alegria Grande and Bocados you select for your perfect palette. Will it be a more traditional blue or pink version, inspired by team colors, or perhaps something completely different?
The pattern collection includes two sweaters, each with a matching hat. The Colorblock Pullover and Hat (top) are shown in Foil (MC), Bocados in Tahiti (CC1) and Teal (CC2). The Stripes Cardigan and Hat use Foil (MC), and five Bocados: Juanita (CC1), Turmeric (CC2), Spirulina (CC3), Tahiti (CC4), and Teal (CC5).
We are hard pressed to find anything cuter than the Mitts and Socks, knit all in Bocados, except perhaps when they are on the recipient! The Mitts feature Juanita (CC1), Turmeric (CC2), and Tahiti (CC3). From top to bottom, Spirulina (CC1), Juanita (CC2), and Teal (CC3) compose the Socks.
The Stripes Blanket is knit in garter stitch, making this a soothing summer knit! The finished project measures 36” square and is easily adaptable if you need something smaller or larger. Our sample Stripes Blanket is shown in Foil (MC), Juanita (CC1), Turmeric (CC2), Spirulina (CC3), Tahiti (CC4), and Teal (CC5).
The Baby Brights collection is available in booklet form, as a hard copy from your local Manos del Uruguay stockist and digitally through Ravelry. Knit as gifts or for your own little ones, we hope you’ll share your projects with us so that we can join in with a virtual “Awww” on Facebook, Instagram, and Ravelry.
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Amaryllis, one of Elizabeth Smith’s designs for our Spring 2021 collection, is a classic top-down cardigan with a marled effect created by holding 2 strands of Serena in different colors.
The original sample is knit with two semi-solid colors, Biscotti and Seashell. Consider Spirulina and Pollen (top center) for a tone-on-tone option or Bachata and Rouge (top right) for a high contrast option. Why not try marling a space-dyed and a semi-solid? We think Mosaic and Ethereal (bottom center) or Babilonia and Seashell (bottom right) would be stunning!
Susanna IC’s Elion Shawl, part of our Spring 2021 Make-it-Now, pairs Cabrito in Ultramarine and Feliz in Lagoon for beautifully lofty feel and subtle coloration. For a different tone-on-tone, try Primrose with Petal (top center) or Steampunk with Karst (top right). Huarache with Fjord (bottom center) and Butternut with Cantaloupe (bottom right) are two higher-contrast possibilities.
The Contrails Cardigan, by Sarah E. Chapman, is knit with one strand of Marina in Lavanda and 2 strands of Cabrito in Kindness and Tizo at a larger gauge for an airy fabric. This is a straightforward pattern that allows the yarns to shine!
On Ravelry we spotted two projects in which Cabrito was held together with another Manos yarn. Above left, Carohernandezp’s Himmeli pullover in Ultramarine and Petrol Marina. Above right, Kajsastina13’s Lina Cardigan in Kindness and Ingenuity Alma.
Add visual interest and make a truly one-of-a-kind fabric for your knit and crochet projects by combining Manos del Uruguay yarns! We look forward to the combinations you select and would welcome being tagged in your photos and posts on Facebook, Instagram or Ravelry.
Sweaters
The Deledda Tee, by Kristen TenDyke, is knit all in one piece with minimal shaping to keep the focus on the fascinating stitch pattern. Deledda is knit in 3232 Peachblossom Silk Blend. Nancy Vandivert’s Charpentier Cardigan is knit in one piece from the top down. The lace panel begins at the shoulder for the sleeves and at the bust line for the body. Alpaca Heather in H21791 Goji Berry is the colorway of the sample.
Expect to reach for these accessories across several seasons. The Ebadi Scarf, by ND Designs, is knit lengthwise, with a mesh-stitch panel shrinking at one end of the row while growing at the other, separated by a constant panel of seed stitch. It is photographed in S2010 Canyon Serena. Feliz and Cabrito combine to give Susanna IC’s Elion Shawl a lofty feel and subtle coloration with reversible cables. In this project Z2333 Lagoon (Feliz), and R7164 Ultramarine (Cabrito) are held together throughout. Christine Marie Chen’s Yonath has cables at the edges and between mesh panels to give the cowl structure as well as visual interest. Linen-blend Milo, shown here in i2061 Pollen, keeps the fabric’s stitch patterns crisp and the fabric light.
Grace Akhrem’s Chickering Sage Mitts are a companion to her Chickering Sage Hat. Here the same cable motif is offset by a ribbed detail on the palm. One skein of Milo, i2464 Lisboa, will make the mitts. For a crochet option, Linda Dean’s Munro Mitts feature a simple pattern stitch of alternating half-double crochet and chain stitches that flow easily around a finish-free thumb. Photographed above in 408 Crystal Goblet Fino.
As we have shared before, the Manos del Uruguay cooperatives were founded to develop economic opportunities for the women of Uruguay. Your continued support of Manos del Uruguay yarns contributes to the success of these artisans. The pattern names are a nod to women who’ve won the Nobel Prize: Grazia Deledda (Literature, 1926), Emmanuelle Charpentier (Chemistry, 2020), Shirin Ebadi (Peace, 2003), Gertrude Elion (Medicine, 1988), Ada Yonath (Chemistry, 2009), and Alice Munro (Literature, 2013).
Which design will you cast on first? We encourage you to share your projects and plans with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Ravelry. Pin these designs from our dedicated Pinterest board for your spring planning!
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Feliz is featured in two patterns from our Spring 2021 collections. Azalea, by Elizabeth Smith, features bottom-up construction, simple details and a silhouette and drape perfect for spring layering. Elizabeth is currently hosting an Azalea KAL and we look forward to seeing many finished tops in the coming weeks!
In the 2021 Spring Make-It-Now Collection, Feliz is held together with Cabrito in Susanna IC’s Elion Shawl. The ribbed and reversible cables in this asymmetrical triangle are an engaging knit.
Fairmount Fibers, the US Distributors of Manos del Uruguay yarns, offers free patterns to support this yarn! Choose from The Interesting Bits scarf, Thatch-Eaves poncho, Conspiring hat, Sweet Kernel beret, Twined Flowers scarf, and the Nautilo wrap.
Customer Projects
We love to see the notification on Facebook, Instagram, and in Ravelry that we have been tagged in your photos and projects! In browsing finished objects, these caught our attention. (Please note: all pattern links are Ravelry links.)
Clockwise starting on the left: ElinorGray’s Midori Pullover in Mulberry, Marymadethat’s Hellebore Cowl in Copper, Petal, and Natural, and Nmorganz’s Crosswise Cadence Gloves in Stellar.
Feliz is available in over 25 variegated and solid colorways. Four new colors this season include (above, top to bottom) Dragon Fruit, Bachata, Cantaloupe, and Lapis Lazuli. Look for them at your favorite local yarn shop! Click here to search for a stockist near you.
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We often advise knitters to approach a new technique one stitch at a time. That applies here with a reminder: every stitch belongs to a pair of stitches. This pair is made up of a knit stitch of one color and a purl stitch of another color. The top layer of fabric is made up from the knit stitches and the bottom layer is made by those purl stitches. Double knitting can feel like you are knitting a ribbing, as you alternate knit and purl stitches, but only the knit sides of the fabric face outward.
For this tutorial, Foil (pale gray) is Color A and Manglar (multi) is Color B. We’ve cast on the stitches with the Foil, placing stitch markers as instructed. Row 1 begins with a k1 in color B and a p1 in color A as shown in the photo above. It is important to remember when working each stitch, both yarns are held to the back (to knit) or brought to the front (to purl) before working that stitch. We will continue on until we reach the stitch marker.
At the first stitch marker we have a color change and there is a switch to knit one with Color A and purl one with Color B. This continues to the next stitch marker, where we switch back. This sequence is repeated across the row.
Here, Row 1 is complete and we are set up for horizontal stripes across the row: Manglar, Foil, Manglar, Foil, Manglar. As you continue to work the stitches as they appear in the next few rows, this color blocking will be easier to see.
Where the colors change, you will have a spot with two adjacent color B stitches: the p1 of the last pair and the k1 of the next. Don’t let it throw you! Just keep thinking in “knit 1, purl 1” pairs and remember each pair has to use opposite colors. The stitch markers between the color sections are very helpful!
After row 7 is complete, take a moment to check out your progress. Notice that when you compare the front (left photo) and back (right photo) of your project, both sides show stockinette fabric and are the opposite colors! Your edges are tidy, as you’ve made sure that the yarn for the first stitch of each row comes from underneath the other strand.
That’s all there is to double knitting! The Stripes and Blocks pattern is clearly written to instruct you where to change the colors in each stitch pair, so as you work through you’ll see the color blocks emerge. This pattern is easy to modify for width and length to suit your coziest desire!
Don’t let double knitting intimidate you!
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Inspiration is not hard to find, especially when we browse Ravelry! Clockwise from top left: Pavesina’s My First Gloves in Alegria, DeniseL’s Drops of Spring Mitts in Alegria Grande Bocados, Saradenbo’s Layer Cake Mitts in Alegria, Kakakrokodil’s Stormcloud Mitts in Fino, Anarcadia’s The World’s Simplest Mittens in Maxima, and Laj62896’s Myxella in Serena.
A touch of texture keeps the knitting interesting without being overwhelming. Elegant cables and practical ribbing are combined in the Telemark Mitts, by Aud Bergo, in Alegria. Elsje Vermunt’s Oldambt Mittens in Fino, are inspired by the numerous wheat fields that are situated in the most northeastern part of the Netherlands.
We encourage you to try new techniques, new color combinations, and use up your leftovers with a handy pair of gloves or mitts. For even more pattern inspiration, the Fairmount Fibers team has a great assortment of free and paid-for patterns to browse and a dedicated Pinterest board to curate ideas. Share your Manos del Uruguay Yarn gloves and mitts projects with us on your favorite social platform, we’re on them all: Facebook, Instagram, and Ravelry.
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The Dovetail Sweater, by Quinn Reverendo, is a beginner-friendly colorwork sweater featuring Alegria Grande Bocados. Bocados are 25g/50yd mini-skeins of Alegria Grande. The pattern is size-inclusive and is without charts. Knitters of all skill levels will enjoy the straightforward pattern and opportunity to play with color!
The Fairmount Fibers Dovetail Sweater KAL Resources page is there to equip yarn shops with the tools to run their own event on their own timeline. This includes convenient links to the Dovetail Sweater pattern, Bocados packages of accent color combinations, and Alegria Grande yarns for the main body of the sweater. There is a suggestion guide for each colorway to start your planning. Also on the Resources page are videos on how to knit the Dovetail Sweater. Shops are welcome to share these with your knitters to build skills and confidence.
Knitters are welcome to explore the Resources page as well. Manos del Uruguay stockists that are planning or in the midst of hosting a Dovetail Sweater KAL are listed and linked. On social media, the hashtags #dovetailsweater and #dovetailsweaterkal are encouraged so we can follow your progress, cheer on all the knitters, and share to inspire others. On June 1, we'll choose one participating LYS and one knitter via these hashtags and each will receive a prize!
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Mountain Laurel is an asymmetrical scarf/shawl combining simple stockinette stitch and eyelet details with the visual interest of a marled fabric. Knit with a double strand of Fino (448 Whalebone (MC) and Kit #14 Phoebe), this is a relaxing and interesting knit.
Hyacinth showcases the natural beauty and drape of the Alpaca Heather yarn (H2446 Petrol), and is sure to complement any outfit you layer it with. With its seamless construction and classic A-line shaping, this is a go-to choice for the changing seasons.
The diagonal lines of eyelet stitches adorn just one side of the Snowdrop cowl for an asymmetrical, modern twist. This one-skein project is light and airy, yet warm in Alegria (A2349 Oxygen).
Forsythia features asymmetrical visual details and an interesting hi/low split-hem construction. The fit of this garment can be more like a poncho or sweater vest, depending on the knitter’s desired ease. Silk Blend (300X Topaz) provides not only softness and sheen, but also a pretty stitch definition that is showcased in the eyelets.
The Narcissus pullover showcases the beautiful drape and texture of Milo (i2149 Petal) and creates a silhouette that has both structure and drape. This is a simple and elegant design with the drop-shoulder construction paired with short-row-shaped shoulders, and 3/4-length sleeves.
Amaryllis combines classic top-down, seamless construction with a flattering “wear with anything” A-line silhouette, which drapes perfectly with the Serena yarn. The marled effect created by holding 2 strands of Serena in different colors (S2214 Biscotti and S2133 Seashell) together creates a beautiful, speckled fabric. We look forward to seeing the color combinations you select to create your unique look!
Worked all in one piece in Feliz (Z2127 Copper), Azalea features bottom-up construction, simple details and a silhouette and drape perfect for spring layering. The simplicity of the construction allows for easy length alterations and you can choose to wear it with more or less ease depending on your desired fit.
We’re keeping an eye out for new finished items from this collection. The first is this sample in the Z9977 Provence colorway, knit for the Tinsmith’s Wife, by Ravelry user sfb.
Which of these new designs will make it to your queues and needles first?
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Manos del Uruguay is a non-profit organization dedicated to upholding the standards of Fair Trade. The Manos Cooperatives provide health insurance, retirement pensions, paid vacations and paid maternity leave for their members. Every time you buy a skein of Manos yarn, you help a woman in Uruguay support her family!
The cooperatives are small, and there is no child or forced labor. The yarn is made in the cooperatives of Fraile Muerto, Rio Branco, and Dragón. The artisans do not have to travel to Montevideo, rather they can stay closer to their families in the Uruguayan countryside.
There are no indoor drying facilities at the cooperatives. All the yarn is line-dried outside! The local sheep graze on the native grasslands, not in a feedlot. Eucalyptus is grown in Uruguay for fuel to heat the dye pots and for wood pulp; no forests are harmed in the making of Manos yarns!
A reminder to take a look at the tag on your skein of Manos del Uruguay yarn. Every tag is signed by the artisan. It is a way in which you, the knitter or crocheter, are connected to the artisan. We appreciate your continued support of Manos del Uruguay yarns and choosing hand-crafted over mass-produced!
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Did you catch the release of our new free patterns this month? Alegria Grande will keep the winter chill at bay with the Tabby Mitts that match the Tabby Hat. The clever construction of the hat will have it off the needles and warming a head in no time! Foil and Manglar are shown here and we look forward to seeing your chosen combinations.
The Trellis Scarf, also free, is lofty and warm in Silk Blend. The particular knit stitch technique gives the scarf a three-dimensional fabric. Four skeins of Floral and one skein of Harvest results in an accessory long enough to wrap several times around the neck.
Baba’s Delights is a roomy fit for child’s size 2/4 and 4/6, with the intention that this poncho would be worn over a sweater on cooler days. Four colors of Fino are used and each is held doubled. The sample photographed features Promenade, Havisham, Rosewater, and Watered Silk.
Linda Dean’s Chinese Lantern Bag is a wonderful opportunity to crochet with Franca! The simply textured square is folded with corners together, then seamed on the sides to create a fun bag to carry a small project, your phone, and more!
Pick your favorite variegated colorway of Alegria Grande and pair it with the Winter Chill Beanie or Winter Chill Scarf! The interesting slip stitch technique will keep your attention while the colors emerge.
We love seeing how you choose to work with Manos del Uruguay yarns and we look forward to even more wonderful projects in 2021!
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The team at Fairmount Fibers, the US Distributors of Manos del Uruguay yarns, have many Franca patterns, paid and free! The newest pattern to launch is a free download: the Pips Scarf. Two contrasting colors of Franca make this cozy stripey scarf! Shown here in Gold Drop (golden speckles on black background) and Gold Nugget (golden speckles on white background).
We love hats for practical and portable projects. Each hank of Franca has approximately 114 yards, offering plenty of yardage for textured stitches and even a pom-pom. Shown above from left to right: Camilliaknits’ Gala Hat in Petroleo, fivetosixhandmade’s Franca Duende Beanie in Duende, and Bleike’s Leelanau Fiber Ski Hat in Andalusia.
Consider Franca for other accessory projects as it is lightweight, warm, and soft enough to wear next to your skin. We loved seeing these Ravelry projects: Stelly9’s Lightning Fast Mittens in Koi, Lilacsandpurls’ Plumage Set in Velvet, and babycakes5’s Mountain Capelet in Menhir.
We’d love it if you could tag us in your Franca finished object photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Ravelry! Cheers to speedy projects!
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The Dovetail Sweater is a worsted-weight colorwork sweater featuring Alegria Grande Bocados! Bocados, Spanish for little bites, are 25g/49yd worsted-weight mini-skeins of Alegria Grande. With 10 colors in the Bocados palette, there are plenty of beautiful 5-color combinations to inspire! The colorwork section is written rather than charted, so it’s approachable for any level of colorwork knitter.
Here are a few additional color combinations to inspire you: (left to right and top to bottom):
AlexandraSteenson used Alegria Grande in the new colorway Ushuaia for her version of Isabell Kraemer’s Textured Jumper.
The Tinsmithswife used the Scraptastic Cowl by Ambah O’Brien to showcase an assortment of Alegria Grande Bocados! They note, “Using two of C1 and just one each of the other 4 colors. Yarn knits up so beautifully! Definitely thinking of a sweater!” The color palette here is C1-Spirulina, C2-Tahiti, C3-Cactus Flower, C4-Oceano, and C5-Magenta.
Winterstitches knit the Antler Pullover by Tin Can Knits for her little one using just 2 skeins of Alegria Grande in the Carmine colorway.
We love to get a notification that you’ve tagged us in your Alegria Grande projects and to see your photos ! Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Ravelry!
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The Stalagnate Top is a versatile garment: Wear it as a vest in the cooler months or on its own when the weather turns warm again. Gentle waist shaping creates a flattering dolman shape. The twisted slip stitch rib pattern is easy to memorize, and a cable along each saddle shoulder adds a pop of interest. Zanete Hussain’s design in Honeycomb Alpaca Heather is included in the new Wool Studio Volume IX.
Adeline’s Cardigan, by Linda Marvang in Turmeric Alegria Grande, is a stunning feast for the eyes. The generous peplum is worked sideways in three pieces. Captivating cables abound in this piece for the adventurous knitter. You can't miss this design on the cover of Interweave Knits!
Laura Cameron’s (Con)sequential cowl in Leo Alegria Grande uses a sequence knitting technique for a lovely textured design. Laura also notes, “I love Manos del Uruguay because the company is dedicated to improving the lives of artisans and their families in Uruguay. Their contributions are of consequence, hence (Con)sequential!”
Whether you are drawn to a particular color family, stitch pattern or the challenge of something new, we hope you enjoy all your projects! Happy knitting!
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Aubree, by Sarah Solomon, harkens back to the sweaters of the past but is equally well suited to a tweed skirt or a pair of jeans. Alpaca Heather’s rich, nuanced colors heighten the drama of the cables and the faint halo of the alpaca fiber gives a hint of luxury. Despite the number of different cables, they are all easy to memorize and to work so the knitting goes surprisingly fast for something that looks so textured. Anaïs (L) wears Aubree in Harbor & Kiley (R) wears Aubree in Honeycomb.
Sarah Solomon also designed Janey, an open front sweater that is all about the beauty of simple pattern repetition and minimal shaping which makes for very pleasant knitting. Janey was envisioned as an enduring wardrobe staple piece, striking the balance between comfort and elegance. Wear it as a Fall or Spring coat or layer it on in Winter when you’re curled up in your knitting chair. Here, Anaïs (L) wears Janey in Cinnamon & Kiley (R) wears Janey in Bark.
Dejah’s jewel-like colorwork draws the eye first, but this boxy pullover also features fine detailing. Lori Gayle’s attention to detail is notable in the turned hems that give a crisp finish at the bottom edge and sleeve cuffs, as well as providing body to the stand-up collar.
Laura Grutzeck’s Haylie is a casual tunic with minimal shaping and an easy knit-purl texture - a great combination for easy knitting and easy wearing. The saddle shoulders and a variation in the stitch pattern around the neck add thoughtful details that make this design extra special. The undyed colorway Toast is photographed here.
We look forward to seeing your sweater projects and encourage you to share your pictures with us on your favorite social media platform, be it Facebook, Instagram, or Ravelry. We would also like to give a big “Thank You” to our photographer Danie Harris and our models Anaïs and Kiley.
Take a second look at these Manos del Uruguay Designs
We’ve reknit a few of our favorite sweaters in different colorways and bases and the refreshed vibe has us ready for a change in seasons! This updated version of Jalapeño, by Michelle Wang, knit with a no-sleeve modification in Feliz is perfect for transitional weather. The long-sleeved version was originally knit in Silk Blend.
Fernon, by Melissa Leapman, is stunning in the Prussian Blue colorway of Milo. This sweater uses a neat technique to create dimensional ‘embossed’ cables for the front and back center panels. Centeno, by Michelle Wang, shown here in Cinnamon Alegria Grande, is rich with texture. This springy worsted weight yarn really makes the cables stand out on this beautifully designed sweater.
New Sweater Patterns
The Haori Shrug by eri shimizu wonderfully showcases Milo’s beautiful texture. Pick up a copy of Making No.10 for the pattern. The new season of knitty launched this month and Cammac graces the cover. This unisex pattern in Silk Blend is simple yet elegant with plenty of opportunity to explore your favorite color combinations.
Sweater Projects
How adorable is this pair of Oh Baby Sweaters knit in Alegria Grande? The six month size is knit here for each. The sweater on the top is knit in new colorways Skunk (top half) and Ushuaia (bottom half). The sweater on the bottom is knit in the new colorway Gleam.
Jessie Maed Designs Ripple Crop Top Worsted knits up quickly in Alegria Grande! The ribbing provides plenty of stretch and plays well with a variegated colorway Flow. Our team member Sarah knit the sample photographed above with less than three skeins, she also knit the baby sweaters!
Whether you choose a pullover or cardigan, stripes or variegated, sleeves or no sleeves, we hope you enjoy making your new favorite sweater this season!
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Each project uses six different squares, two large and four small. The squares are worked individually in different color combinations, then joined together using the main color for the final round. The pattern includes tables to organize the colors used in each round and an assembly diagram to show the arrangement of the squares. This tutorial will show you the steps needed to assemble the first section of squares in the cowl.
The samples photographed for this post are a full skein of 427 Mourning and 05 Eleanor (413 Rosewater, 421 Havisham, 410 Pocketwatch, 420 Boudoir, 411 Garnet Brooch)
Here is our first Large square for the cowl before and after the last round is worked in the main color. This particular square is a foundation for joining the smaller squares.
The first section of the cowl is composed of one large square and four small squares. Here we have the small squares ready for their final round in the main color to join them.
We will start in the lower left corner with the small square that needs to be joined onto one side of the Large square. The joins are made with a few slip-stitches where the edges meet.
The final round of the upper left corner square requires two side joins: one to the Large square and one to the small square beneath it.
Next, the lower right corner is joined on one side to the Large square.
The final round of the upper right corner square also requires two side joins, as we did on the left side. This completes the first section of the cowl; there are seven sections total. In each section the placement and color combinations differ from the previous one. After all the sections are complete and assembled, you’ll work two rounds in the main color around each outer edge.
Which colors would you choose for a Muntin of your own? We’d love to see your hooks in action and encourage you to share your photos with us on Facebook, Ravelry, and Instagram!
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