January 2013 Lorna's Limited Edition Newsletter

He's starred in a slew of movies and made People Magazine's list of Sexiest Men Alive more times than can be counted - but now Brad Pitt has achieved the true pinnacle of success: a Lorna's Laces Limited Edition Color dyed in his honor! That's right, the January LLE color "A River Runs Through It" was inspired by none other than Brad Pitt, who turns 50 in December 2013! I know we're a little early for a birthday celebration, but we loved this color so much we couldn't wait to release it! Whether or not you are a fan of the man himself or just like pretty string, it's easy to appreciate this color with its muted blues and greens inspired by the film that helped seal Brad Pitt's status in the hearts of movie lovers worldwide.

The "Sexiest Color Alive" is available in our favorite Lorna's Laces yarns!

2) Beanie Baby! One of the Beans here at the shop, Nicole -and her husband CJ- are expecting a beautiful baby boy to arrive this month. Needless to say, none of us can wait to meet him!
3) 50 isn't just for Brad Pitt. This year is also the 50th Anniversary of the popular and beloved British television show, Dr. Who!

10) All the new yarn and fabric! Sorry to be vague, but we happen to know there are some pretty amazing yarns and fabrics coming in this year and we can't wait to share them with you!

Feel free to shoot us a note and let us know what's on your Top 10 this year!

It's easy to get excited about Cascade yarns - they come in every color under the sun, in every weight and gauge, and range from hard-working basic wool to top-of-the-line luxury blends. But this year, they've outdone themselves: Cascade has gotten us even more excited with several new yarns for warm and cozy winter projects, including two hand-painted lines! Magnum Paints is the multi-color cousin to your favorite super-bulky Magnum yarn; a squishy, thick single-ply in bold, variegated colors, this yarn quickly works up into a sumptuous fabric you just want to dig your hands into. It's perfect for felted projects, too - we can't wait to try it out on some felted slippers to see how the beautiful colors blend together! Pure Alpaca Paints is the second new hand-painted option - worsted weight 100% baby alpaca in mesmerizing bright tonal colors, it's a silky-soft dream to work with; and the finished fabric has a gorgeous sheen and drape.

Another Cascade yarn we can't help but touch every time we walk by it is Highland Duo, a 70/30 baby alpaca and merino wool blend in a worsted weight just perfect for cozy accessories and durable but soft sweaters. The colors are deep and saturated jewel tones that complement any skin tone and add a sophisticated pop of brightness to dark winter garments and coats. For a more neutral look, Eco Highland Duo is the minimally processed take on the same yarn; it's un-dyed and comes in shades from deep coffee brown to pale eggshell, exactly as it would be found on the animal from which it was shorn. For an equally luxurious feel and spectacular loft, Sitka is a finger-pleasing option. A heavy worsted weight blend of merino wool and kid mohair, it makes a plush, comfy fabric guaranteed to keep out the chill!

Ruffle yarns have been more popular this year than ever, and the choices are never-ending! Katia, creator of two of our most sought-after yarns - Triana and Triana Lux (now on sale) - has branched out from the run-of-the-mill mesh ruffle to offer several exciting new options that will surely tickle your ruffle fancy. Roma is a wide ribbon-construction yarn that comes in beautiful, muted colors reminiscent of a desert sunset. Knit along one edge just like the mesh ruffle yarns, it works up into wide, fluffy ruffles topped with silky ribbons of softly contrasting colors. Funny also has a flat ribbon construction, but the resulting ruffles have a really unique woven look with subtle stripes throughout. Try folding it in half lengthwise and knitting through both edges for a tubular ruffle! Both Roma and Funny are perfect for cozy, stylish scarves to give that extra something special to a winter coat.

If you're looking for something really unique, check out Brooklyn! It is unlike any other ruffle yarn: two different colored strands of fleecy, feathery wool on either side of an open-construction mesh can be worked up in a variety of ways to give you a truly one-of-a-kind look - try it knitted horizontally or vertically for different effects. Or, how about a hand-knit necklace or wristlet made from Grace, a fine nylon mesh yarn with shimmering metal beads along one edge? The textured mesh works up quickly into a variety of projects, and the glittering beads add sparkle to any design - use it to dress up an entire project, like a special evening bag, or as a fun trim on a shawl or glove cuffs for a classy bit of bling!

Get some project inspiration and learn to knit and crochet with Brooklyn, Roma, Funny, and Grace from the video tutorials on Katia's website!

We have so many wonderful yarns on sale, but here are just a few of our favorites...

Madelinetosh Onesies: 15% Off! Even the best planning can result in a surprise. In this case, it's a pleasant one! When certain skeins of your favorite Madelinetosh bases like Pashmina, Tosh DK, Tosh Merino Light, and Tosh Vintage didn't come out exactly as the dyers expected, you get something even better -one of a kind Madelinetosh yarn! These gorgeous hand dyed hanks are the same beautiful Madelinetosh yarn we all love, with the added benefit of being absolutely unique! And with a huge new shipment just in, there are tons of colors to choose from!

Lorna's Laces Black Sheep: 50% Off! Lorna's Laces's Black Sheep, a worsted weight wool and viscose blend, features one strand of black yarn that is plied with some of your favorite Lorna's dyed yarn! Here are some of the current most popular colors...

Universal Yarn Classic Chunky: 50% Off! At a generous 131 yards and only $2.50 per ball, Classic Chunky is a bulky weight yarn made for quick and economical projects, large and small - you could knit an entire afghan for only $25! In 69 different colors, there's a shade or two to match everyone's taste. And did we mention it's soft? So soft in fact that we even chose it to fill our Yarn Hot Tub - come on in and take a dip!

Crystal Palace Sale Yarns: Starting at 50% Off! Have you checked out our Crystal Palace sale yarns lately? We have some great new colors of one of our favorite mohair blends, Kid Merino. In solid colors and prints, it's perfect for wispy scarves and shawls, and on large needles, you can get away with only one ball for an entire project! It's also a great carry-along yarn to add loft and a gorgeous, downy halo to your piece. And don't forget shiny, fun Party! The festive colors and velvety sheen would make a fantastic trim for a scarf or a knitted bag.

Fibre Natura Heaven and Oak: Starting at 50% Off! Sumptuous, silky Heaven is the ideal yarn for garments and accessories worn next to the skin - a blend of merino wool and silk, it begs to be nuzzled against a cheek or under a chin! Oak, in muted, naturally heathered and subtle variegated colorways, has the great drape of linen with the warmth and softness of merino wool and silk. Try it for a cowl or shawlette!

Ailene is an awesome knitter and has made some gorgeous items over the years, including the lovely Koigu Linen Stitch Scarf she is showing off in this picture. Koigu KPPPM is actually one of her all-time favorite yarns because it is gorgeous and the colors make it really fun to knit with. Her other favorite knitting tools are the Dreamz Interchangeable Needles. She has the full set and says they are the best knitting investment she's ever made!