Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Color Theory: The Reds & Oranges of Autumn

Once again Fall has arrived in style! Crisp reds and showy oranges dress the trees for their final fanfare. And hand knitters everywhere celebrate these dramatic color changes by picking up their needles and hooks. They dream of cozy, warm accessories just right for gifting to their loved ones and of sweaters and afghans that will give them hours of pleasure when winter turns everything white. Wherever your Fall Fiber Arts dreams take you, be inspired by these dazzling flashes of color.

Glorious reds abound! Play with shapes and sizes and stitch patterns and textures in these soft, luscious yarns hand painted in an endless parade of red.

Anzula Luxury Fiber's Wash My Lace comes in a generous 990 yard skein of 100% Superwash Merino Wool! The sophisticated reds Candied Apple and Paprika and rich Terra Cotta orange are hand dyed. Imagine the beautiful lace projects you'll create with them, and the ends you won't have to weave in!

Candied Apple

Paprika

Terra Cotta

Malabrigo's Lace Baby Merino, 100% baby merino wool put up in 470 yard hanks, in Bergamota and Sealing Wax red will inspire!

Bergamota

Sealing Wax

Crazy 4 Dyeing's BellaSock is crafted of a soft and bouncy 100% superwash merino wool! It's excellent stitch definition, easy care and generous 480 yard hank will make your sock knitting a dream. And Crazy 4 Dyeing utilizes a special dye technique named "Pseudo Solid" to create her unique, vivid red - Best. Each hank has subtle color variations that play off one another and look especially lovely knit up in lace or in patterns that have lots of texture.


Fingering weight Shepherd Sock by Lorna's Laces is now available in new larger skeins, all you need is one to knit or crochet a pair of socks! This wonderful yarn is plied and crafted of 75% wool and 25% nylon. It can be machine washed and dried flat. Shepherd Sock is not just for making socks, try it for lightweight shawls, tops & sweaters.

Hand painted Ysolda Red will cure your craving for a true red hue while variegated Robot Overlord combines reds and oranges! While Fiddlehead dances with greens, icy blues and a delicious peach.


Ysolda Red

Robot Overlord

Fiddlehead

Madelinetosh's soft single-ply fingering yarn Tosh Merino Light is crafted of 100% superwash merino wool. Each skein is put up with a generous 440 yards/402 meters. One skein is enough for a pair of socks and two skeins for a full sized lace project, you'll love Madelinetosh's breathe taking reddish coloway Tart, plus its machine washable!

Tart

Fiery Autumn Glow, formally Blood Thirsty is the quintessential Autumn color! This special hand dyed colorway is exclusive at Sandrasingh.com in Fate Fingering by the Serendipitous Ewe. One skein of this amazingly soft yarn is all you need to make a pair of socks! You won't want to stop with socks, this 2-ply, 100% superwash merino wool yarn knits up with excellent stitch definition and beautiful drape, perfect for creating stoles, shawls, scarves, cowls, hats & mittens for all your family members. Generously put up in 4 ounce/115 gram, 400 yard skeins making your knit and crochet possibilities endless.

Zoe Sock by Shalimar Yarns is a luxurious yarn crafted of 22 micron 100% Superwash Australian Merino. Zoe has a delightful hand, fantastic springiness and an amazing loft. Its one of the softest merino sock yarns available and you'll love creating with and wearing the red Tamarillo colorway!

Lorna’s Laces' Honor is a silky smooth DK weight yarn crafted of cozy soft 70% baby alpaca and 30% silk. Its the perfect yarn for knitting and crocheting accessories and more, you'll love the feel of Honor next to your skin. And the touch of silk gives it just the right amount of sheen, its also available in Ysolda Red and Robot Overlord.

Another favorite DK weight yarn is Madelinetosh Tosh DK, formally Tosh Worsted, its a superbly soft DK to light worsted weight yarn that is hand dyed in Madelinetosh's exceptionally beautiful reds Tart and Scarlet and the gentle orange Afternoon. Crafted of a luxurious 100% superwash merino wool each generous skein is put up with 225 yards. Use Tosh DK for your next garment or accessory project for adults or children its soft enough to wear next to your skin and easy to care for.

Scarlet

Afternoon

And wrap yourself in the luxury of Malabrigo Yarn's Silky Merino, a DK weight yarn crafted of a shimmery 50% silk and 50% baby merino wool and hand dyed in the beautiful subtly variegated red shades Ravelry Red, Redwood Bark and Amoroso. This DK weight yarn is just right for spring and summer pullovers, shells, tops, shawls and scarves!

Madelinetosh's Pashmina is a 3 ply, sport weight yarn crafted of 75% superwash merino wool, 15% silk and 10% cashmere, a similar fiber blend to the infamous woven pashmina scarves. Each skein is put up with a generous 360 yards/329 meters and the fabric you create with it will have an exquisite texture and drape and the hand painted colorways Coral, Mulled Wine and Tart are just right for Fall.


Coral

Mulled Wine

With a sensuous texture and high-quality, Lorna's Laces worsted weight, 50% silk & 50% wool blend yarn Lion & Lamb gives you spectacular results every time. You'll definitely get the urge to create as soon as you touch this soft blend. Lion & Lamb is the perfect choice for all your worsted weight knit & crochet projects and the rich reddish Brick color is stunning.


Brick

Crafted of 85% wool and 15% mohair Lorna's Bullfrogs & Butterflies is also a worsted weight and when you need a soft, single ply yarn nothing else will do. You'll get spectacular results every time and it felts beautifully. Handpainted in Lorna's Poppy you'll adore this fiery shade of red.

Poppy

Malabrigo Merino Worsted is an incredibly soft hand spun, hand dyed 100% Merino Wool yarn. It has the beautiful subtle variations in color and texture that only a hand dyed, hand spun yarn can have and you'll adore red shades American Beauty, Vermillion, Ravelry Red, Amoroso and Sealing Wax and the orange Tiger Lily and Rhodesian!

When you need to knit something in a hurry chunky Eco+ by Cascade Yarns in your answer. Crafted of 100% Natural Peruvian Wool that has not been chemically processed, each generous skein is 478 yards, making it an excellent value and the rich Valentine Red will knit up into a lovely hat, scarf and mitten set.

Orange is the statement color of Fall. Its warm and happy and with so many shades to choose from its oh so flattering.

The Alpaca Yarn Company's Suri Elegance is a lustrous, elegant 100% suri alpaca lace weight yarn and the soft semi solid Georgia Peach colorway is flattering to many skin tones. Each generous hank is 100 grams with approximately 875 yards, enough to knit or crochet a very special shawl or wrap. But Suri Elegance is also a great choice for scarves, hats, pullovers and even tops and camisoles.

Georgia Peach

Pure Silk Lace by Madelinetosh, is a 100% Tussah Silk brilliantly dyed in Madelinetohs's luscious glazed solid colorway Grapefruit. With a generous 1000 yards per skein one skein can complete a large lace project with ease. Each super smooth skein is hand dyed in small lots and hand washable.

Grapefruit

Orange blends playfully with purples and a touch of sage to create the exclusive Dahlia colorway by Shibui Knits. Find it only in their Sock yarn, which is spun from superfine 19.5 micron Merino Superwash wool, its hard wearing, machine washable and ultra soft. Sock can be used for socks, colorwork, baby garments or any other fine gauge project you desire.

Dahlia

You'll love knitting a pair of socks or dreamy shawl in the creamy Fruit Smoothie colorway in Alpaca with a Twist's Socrates. This fingering weight yarn is crafted of 30% Baby Alpaca, 30% Merino Wool2 20% Bamboo and 20% Nylon. Fruit Smoothie is a hand dyed blend of peaches and pinks with a soft purple shade, put up in a generous 3.50 oz/400 yard skein, making it ideal to knit a pair of socks or spoil yourself or someone you love with a scarf, shawl or a very special shrug or cardigan, you'll love the way this yarn feels against your skin.

Fruit Smoothie

The Schaefer Yarn Company's fingering weight yarn Nichole handpainted in Saffron is stunning! This smooth, plied sock yarn is crafted of 80% extrafine merino wool superwash for softness and 20% nylon for added durability. Each hank is a generous 405 yards, enough for a pair of women's socks.

Saffron (shown in Schaefer Elaine)

Boise by Karabella Yarns is a soft and supple blend of 50% cashmere and 50% superfine merino wool. You'll enjoy working with this lovely DK weight yarn with its slightly fuzzy texture that looks more rolled than plied. Super soft Boise in the classic dark orange shade Cinnamon is the perfect choice for scarves, hats and shawls, let your imagination run wild!

And if you're searching for a yarn that creates long gradual stripes while you knit Kauni Effektgarn 8/2 is an amazing self striping yarn! The variegated EX, EQ, EV and EP all include shades of orange and are painted in long, vibrant color repeats which give your finished garments and accessories beautiful, long stripes of color. Crafted of 100% wool this sport weight yarn can be knit and felted with equally stunning results. Perfect for shawls, cardigans and pullovers, handbags and more.

For a very special worsted weight nothing compares to Lana Wools’ Streakers. Streakers is a break-thru, unique Custom Millspun 100% worsted wool yarn with random streaks of natural plant dyed color and Lady Madderly mixes a creamy natural shade of white with an equally creamy shade of orange. One hank is enough for a hat and 2 hanks creates a beautiful scarf.

Lady Madderly

And Malabrigo Yarn's Aran weight Twist yarn is fabulously soft and crafted of 100% baby merino wool. Its an 8 ply, subtly thick and thin yarn, that is very versatile. Knit it at a tighter gauge and the rustic thick and thin quality of the yarn is emphasized, while knitting it at a looser gauge produces a smoother more even look, making your knit and crochet possibilities endless! Explore the variegated orange shades Tender and Liquid Amber.

Tender

Thank you for reading my Color Theory. All of these yarns and color are in stock and may be ordered online or call 877/519-1693 or email sandrasingh@sandrasingh.com any time!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

UP to 50% Off Lorna's Laces Yarns!

Time for me to make room for new Lorna’s Laces yarn!

All my existing stock is now 30% to 50% Off!

Grace and Lion and Lamb are both 50% Off.

And Shepherd Sock, Honor and Bullfrogs and Butterflies are all 30% Off.


Lion & Lamb in Brick

Honor in Douglas Fir


Shepherd Sock in Ysolda Red

Friday, October 7, 2011

8 Weekend Knitting Projects

Relax with family and friends this weekend while enjoying some quality knitting time with these 8 new projects.

Carlina

Grab that skein of fingering weight yarn you've been saving for the perfect project or visit my Fingering yarn selection and cast on Kitman Figueroa's triangular shawl Thorn or rectangular lace scarf Carlina.

Thorn

Corn Maize Socks

Or knit a pair of cuff down socks, Lisa Ellis Designs' Corn Maize feature a simple mix of knits and purls used to create an intriguing maze and a perfectly snug fit.


And Lisa Ellis' darling seamless Boy's Preppy Vest is knit in one piece, is designed in 5 sizes and perfect for the upcoming holidays.

Preppy Boy's Vest

Preppy Boy's Vest

Ilga Leja's Mimi shawl gives you two options, a quick shawlette or a full size shawl, both are knit in a DK weight yarn.

Mimi

Mimi is worked in several sections, each with its own features and it ends with a lacy knitted-on-edging for the lower border.


V-Start Triangle Lace Shawl

A flattering neckline and easy-to-knit lace patterns combine to create HeartStrings' appealing V-Start Triangle Lace Shawl. This versatile pattern includes instructions for 4 designs, a shoulder shawl and a full length shawl as well as a "Guidance for Re-sizing" to easily adapt for a shawlette and neckerchief!

Ribby Slipper Socks

From toddler to adult both of these pairs of slippers will keep your family warm. Cathy Carron turns simple ribs into plush, striking texture with a chunky yarn in the Ribby Slipper Socks. Cozy and comfortable, a clever easy construction makes the socks easy to knit.

Aran Isle Slippers

The Aran Isle Slippers by Jennifer Lang make big use of a small canvas. A cable panel adorned upper, seed stitch surround and stockinette stitch sole add up to slippers to live in all winter.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I've been getting a little knitting time in...

I have to give a shout out, I've met a wonderful new knitting teacher and she's very experienced with sweater construction. Though the class is only an hour and a half long, she's very talented and a great teacher.

I've been working on the Hilja Vest by Niina Kakkarainen in my Sandrasingh.com 1 Ply Merino Worsted in Big Sky and my yarn is knitting up beautifully and I adore this color. But after some bad juju with this pattern my instructor has me knitting it just using basic sweater knitting and shaping techniques. Its a very simple design to start with and I've added waist shaping, a first for me, and now I'm picking up stitches for the collar ribbing.

Hilja

I had hoped to get my vest finished by Oct 15th to wear to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Fest but I'm doubting that's going to happen, though I do still have one more class before than...

So I started work last night on the Undulating Cowl by Daphne Puerto and if I decide I like it well enough I may wear it to Rhinebeck. I'm knitting it in Schaefer's Kathleen in the crazy bright color Hermoine!

Undulating Cowl

Actually my vest and this cowl may go well together! What is everyone else knitting and crocheting right now?

Monday, October 3, 2011

Fall knitwear is incorporating color in very adult ways; traditional, timeless essentials done in sophisticated hues. The color range this season sculpts, lifts and defines style. Develop and enhance your color confidence with a color wheel, it shows how opposites compliment, use one to organize your stash to achieve an unexpected mix. Or like the current fashion trends take a cue from nature, subtle or jarring, pair up your yarns for your next project to match your favorite nature scene.

In This Issue: Berroco Comfort Worsted / Norah Gaughan, vol 9 / 20% Off Malabrigo Yarns / Take a Walk on the Wild Side / The Fashion Staple in 2011: The Scarf / Christmas Stockings / Win 7 Karabella Patterns / Mountain Street Arts Personalized Labels /




Beroco Comfort Worsted
Whether you want to create a dramatic garment in all one color or play with a color block mix the design team at Berroco has made it easy for you. Comfort Worsted is their "new and improved" classic American yarn in all the current solid and heather shades you need. Love the current "it color" electric blue, try Indigo #9768. Want a velvety red or burgundy garment, go for Wild Cherry #9755 or Beet Root #9760. And spruce up your wardrobe with an earthy green, Lovage 9761, Olive 9781 or Spruce #9762. Smokey hues aren't just for the eyes, Smokestack #9729, Dusk #9713, Hackberry Heather #9792 and Liquorice #9734 all create into rich textures.

Crafted of an ultra soft blend of Super Fine Acrylic and Super Fine Nylon spun into a luxury twist Comfort Worsted is easy care machine wash, machine dry and allergy free. Many of my customers have been asking for a worsted weight yarn that is economical enough to do large projects yet wears well and soft enough for baby and adult projects, Berroco's Comfort Worsted is the answer! Priced at just $7 a ball with 215 yards per it comes to just a little over .03 a yard! And I now carry it by the single ball, Dyeloted Bag of 5 Balls for 10% Off and Dyeloted Bag of 10 Balls for 15% Off to save you even more money!

Norah Gaughan, vol 9
Berroco's design team also has their finger on the pulse of fashion and Norah Gaughan is their brilliant designer who combines her love of nature's beauty with the season's best sweaters, outerwear and accessories to create timeless classics. Her new vol, 9 is a profusion of spectacular cables in an inspiring range garments worked in both dreamy soft shades and bold bright colors. She favors Berroco's natural fiber yarns Vintage, Peruvia and Ultra Alpaca which are all 10% Off a Dyeloted Bag of 10 skeins.

Tavis

Callan

20% Off Malabrigo Yarn
Richly textured sweaters in even richer colors are what you'll get when you marry Malabrigo Yarns with JOJI and Suvi Simola's designs. Now until Oct. 15th all my Malabrigo Yarns are 20% Off, stock up on sweater quantities at this sale price. Merino Worsted in the Autumnal Rhodesian, Roanoke, American Beauty or Tiger Lily will make Suvi Simola's Villane and Perla, Pole or Opposite Pole by JOJI picture perfect. And Sock in the rich semi solid Lettuce and Eggplant are perfect for JOJI's flowy Ecuador cardigan.

Villane

Perla

Pole

Opposite Pole

Ecuador

Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Fur is being worn for every occasion this season. But if you're a little shy wearing real fur these knit ideas will put you ahead of the pack for their novelty, yet are still spot on fashion. Let your animal instincts explore the rich textures and neutral color palettes of these beastly inspired pieces.

Oh My Bear

From Tiny Owl Knits...Its a bear market right now, cuddle up with this forest favorite with the sweet grizzly pullover Oh My Bear.

Meow Mitts

And hello kitty kitty, channel you're inner panther with the Meow Mitts

Little Antlers Hat

Run free and wild in a pair of graceful horns, Little Antlers Hat will have you dreaming of leaping deer, antelopes and gazelles.

Fawn Poncho

And the sweet Fawn Poncho is playful yet the classic shape is very now.

Feathers will fly when birds of a feather flock together with these fine feathered accessories! Gardiner Yarn Works' Feather Lace Shawl, the Feather Duster Scarf by Susan Lawrence and Tiny Owl Knits' Robin Wrist-ees.

Feather Lace Shawl

Robin Wrist-ees

And be a wild and wooly highland heroine with Tiny Owl's Magic Treetop Bag and Baby Lamb Cuffs. Just a touch of these furry accessories with your UGG boots or plaid skirt go a long way to transforming you into that UK lass that's everywhere this season!

Magic Treetop Bag

Baby Lamb Cuffs

The Fashion Staple in 2011: The Scarf
Thus far Scarves are ranking #1 in my Holiday Gift Knitting Poll, but there's still time to vote and I'd love to hear your opinion!

Cinder

Quick to knit or crochet scarves are the perfect canvas for trying a new technique or yarn and they pack a lot of style. Some of the most popular designs are Brooklyn Tweed's Cinder, Lisa Ellis Designs' Hooded Scarves and Cowls (1 pattern, 4 designs, endless possibilities), Through The Loops Isabella (a hat, scarf & mitten set) and Tiny Owl Knits' Bo Peep. Visit Scarves and Lace Scarves to see all the designs available on my site.

Hooded Scarves and Cowls

Isabella

Bo Peep

Christmas Stockings
The joys of a young child at Christmas is always a reason to celebrate, whether baby's first Christmas or a toddler who still believes in Santa a handmade Christmas Stocking from Grandma, Great Grandma or even mommy makes the holiday even more memorable.

Baby Angel

Annie's Woolens' has two new designs the Baby Angel and the Felted Stockings. To see more Christmas (and Halloween) projects visit Holiday Projects.

Felted Christmas Stockings

Win 7 Karabella Patterns
Located in the center of the fashion world, New York City's Garment District, Karabella Yarns is known for its fashionable and easy to knit patterns. Enter my blog giveaway to win 7 Patterns, 6 sweater designs and 1 beret & scarf set. And to celebrate this giveaway save 15% On Karabella Yarns and all Karabella Patterns are only $6.30. Visit knittingwithsandrasingh.blogspot.com to enter, no purchase necessary and the winner will be announced Oct. 14th.

Karabella Super Bulky

Karabella Open Stitch Long Tunic

Mountain Street Arts Personalized Labels
And thank you if you entered my last giveaway for a set of Mountain Street Arts personalized Sheep Labels, the winner was biddy05. You can order a set of these customized labels on my website, Mountain Street Arts. A set of 30 eco friendly, natural colored, cotton twill ribbon labels come ready to be sewn into your finished handknit garment. 10 designs to choose from, personalize your labels with your name or that of a friend, they make much appreciated gifts.