The Cardigan of the Summer...

Hyperbolic? Nah...

It's open-front, semi-striped, flattering, and in our gorgeous mercerized Egyptian cotton, Provence. Need I say more? It's the Tremont Cardigan from Talitha Kuomi (sounds like Tabitha, only with an "l").

Color is intimidating for me. I worry too much about what syncs with what, what colors flatter me, what translates well to a garment...

Anyway, this piece stuck in my craw the second I saw it. It's exactly what I love in a sweater--not constricting, versatile, and will stand up to a beating. But I was curious...with 73 colors of Provence in our catalog, what combos can we come up with? I asked Creative Director, Susan Mills. Color is her comfort zone. And she came through with some choices. So, naturally, I knit some swatches. 

MillaMia Stocking Kits, just in time!

Have you knit a Christmas stocking yet? Christmas stockings have long been on my to-do list, and we may have found the perfect pattern from MillaMia, a line of yarns and patterns based in England.

Scroll down for a holiday giveaway!

MillaMia is an established European brand that is now being distributed by Classic Elite Yarns here in the States. Founded and operated by two sisters who spent their childhood summers in Sweden, MillaMia's style is distinctive and contemporary.

Their products include Naturally Soft Merino, a 100% extrafine Merino machine-washable sportweight yarn in 17 colors, a collection of beautifully styled patterns for children, and cushion and stocking kits for the holidays. You can find their entire range of products here in the States beginning in January 2012, but stocking kits are available now! 

Kits include the Candy Cane (4 balls of yarn plus the pattern), Cables (3 balls of yarn plus the pattern) and lastly the Nordic Star (3 balls of yarn plus the pattern). Though pictured above in Scarlet, these kits also come in Moss and Snow (red, green and white for the holidays!) You can buy stocking kits from the retailers listed below.  If your shop isn't listed here, don't worry! Keep checking our website here for new retailers and ask for it at your LYS.

• WEBS, Northampton, MA, http://yarn.com 
• Yarn Garden, Portland, OR,  http://www.yarngarden.net 
• Stitch House Dorchester, Dorchester, MA, http://www.stitchhousedorchester.com 
• Sweet Pea's Yarns and Gifts, St. Clair, MI, http://sweetpeasyarn.com/ 
• Hub Mills Store, N. Billerica, MA, http://www.hubmillsstore.com 

We want to give one lucky reader in the United States a chance to experience MillaMia and Naturally Soft Merino this holiday season. We're giving away one stocking kit of your choice! You'll be hooked. Just comment here and let us know how you prepare your home for the holidays. Be sure to include a way to reach you, either through Ravelry or email so we can notify you if you win! We will choose a winner on December 8th at noon. Comment away!