Featured Yarn: Silk Blend

Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend has been one of our most popular yarns ever since it was first released, and it's not hard to see why. It is soft with a lovely sheen (70% Merino, 30% Silk), and just the right amount of the rustic handmade quality you are used to from the Manos co-op. The price point is affordable, and the generous yardage (150 yards per 50g skein) means you can really use this yarn for a nice project. I personally love this yarn, but what means even more is the way the knitting community has come out in support of it. Many Manos fans, budding indie designers, and blogging enthusiasts have designed their own patterns that feature this favorite yarn. I am linking to two of these here (both free!), but a search of Ravelry can produce a lot more. (So check it out if you haven't already!)

This Spiral Cowl by Keri McKiernan of Knitty Gritty Thoughts is so impressive in the striking Pewter color. I love how the simple textures allow the character of the yarn to show through, and the folded hem makes for a neat, almost formal, edging. And of course, who doesn't love a chance to show off a favorite button from your collection? Another thing I like about this design is its styling... cowls may be trendy right now, but the details of this one are classic enough to really last. In a muted color like this, I think the Spiral Cowl could even be appropriate for a man's winter scarf. Is anyone else starting to think about gift knitting? A 2-skein project like this would be perfect.

Here's another 2-skein Silk Blend project that would be great for a gift, or for spoiling yourself:

It's the February Beret by Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer of SockPixie. Isn't the Topaz color just perfect for autumn? If you've ever fancied yourself a secret princess, adorning your crown with a glowing beret like this one would be a perfect treat. Between the softness of merino and the sheen of silk, a topper like this would really make you feel like royalty. I think this pattern is another great example of classic styling making for a timeless design- it, too, would be great for a can't-fail gift. And since it only takes two skeins, the investment of resources and knitting time is reasonable... you could make one for each member of your list!

For those of you looking for a little more of a challenge in a beret pattern, we have another free beret pattern here on the Fairmount Fibers website, a Fair Isle Tam in five colors of the Silk Blend! It would be just the thing to truly immerse yourself in the Silk Blend if you've been thinking about trying it out.