Do you want all 28 Booklets from our Fall 2012 Collection?

Of course you do! We have over 130 patterns being published this Fall, all wrapped up in a record-breaking number of booklets chock-full of gorgeous photography. And all those patterns could be yours!

We are thrilled to introduce Spring-O! I hope you think it's as fun as we do.

Here's how it works...Print out the official Spring-O scorecard from classiceliteyarns.com. Then start filling it in! All you need is one bingo (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) to qualify to be in the drawing, but once you have one, why not go for the big one?

One person will receive the entire Fall 2012 pattern collection--that's 28 booklets packed with new patterns, over 130 in all! Twenty-eight yarns are represented, including five new yarns that are still a secret. They will also get enough yarn to make one project of their choice! Ten additional entries will be chosen at random to receive all 28 booklets.

(If you're not on Ravelry, you are about to be introduced to one of the most glorious procrastination tools in a knitter or crocheter's toolbox. Head over to Ravelry.com to sign up!)

Click to enlarge

Once you're a member, check out the Ravelry how-to page about adding projects. Don't forget to tag your project with the tag "Spring-O" so we'll know how to find it, and share it with the Classic Elite Knitters Group on the Spring-O forum thread.

Click the image below to download a printable copy of the Spring-O board.

Happy knitting!

Solstice in the new Twist Collective!

As someone who works in the yarn business, I eagerly await knitting magazines so I can see how designers are using Classic Elite yarns. But as a knitter, I really look forward to them so I can fill up my queue! I LOVE the piece from Tanis Gray in Solstice, Fairfax. (All pictures courtesy of Twist Collective, photos by Jane Heller)

She must be a fan of Solstice...remember the Lodi Cardigan and our office knitalong? (I would love to do another one, if any CEYarnies are reading this...ahem, ahem)

If you haven't tried Solstice, you have to get your hands on some. I admit that I was unconvinced of how devoted I could be to a wool and cotton blend, but I was thoroughly seduced. Bright, rich colors, a perfect and bouncy ply, and a hand that feels very woolly indeed. And for a gal who despises weaving in ends, it will even spit-felt for you.

Did I mention it's organic? With Earth Day coming this Sunday, what better time is there to try it out in one of these glorious colors?

I'm not the only one who loves Tanis Gray...learn a little more about her on Kristin Nicholas's fabulous blog, Getting Stitched on the Farm. She did a great interview there to promote her new book Capitol Knits.

Happy knitting!

Yarn "Sticks" for Fall 2012

Inca Alpaca, so soft! Readying materials for Fall 2012.

April Liberty Print Colors are here!

April's two new colors of Liberty Wool, part of our Liberty Wool Subscription Program, have been released and are available at LYS's across the country!

7866-Red Hot Blues		7867-Glacier

We also have two exclusive new patterns, available free only with the purchase of yarn from subscribing LYS's for the month of April. Is your LYS a subscriber?

Easy Striped Tam	Double Breasted Baby Cardigan

The Easy Striped Tam and the Double Breasted Baby Cardigan will be available for purchase through Patternfish starting on May 1^st.

Remember, March's patterns are now available for purchase. Head to Patternfish.com to download the Hooded Scarf or the Easy Moebius Cowl.

Hooded Scarf	Easy Moebius Cowl

Happy knitting!

MillaMia Knit-a-Long (with a prize!)

Love MillaMia? We do too. When we first met these two charming sisters at TNNA last year, it was a partnership made in heaven.

And if I'm dragging late in the week or early in the morning, all I need to do is look through their adorable photography from one of their three awesome books of knitting patterns for children, and my mood instantly improves.

Do you own any of these books? Do you want to? Join the MillaMia Knit-a-Long on Ravelry, organized by the lovely Max (moderator for the very active MillaMia Ravelry group)!

Participants will be knitting the Inspiration Blanket (Rav link) by Louise Zass-Bangham, a gorgeous colorwork blanket in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino. From the designer, "A beautiful project for developing your skills, or a fun adventure into the cool things you can do with humble garter stitch. Shown in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, this is a great lap blanket or cherished baby blanket that won’t be outgrown."

If a blanket sounds a little too daunting, you can also make a pillow cover or tote. There's information included in the pattern for modifying the size of your FO. Either project would count as an entry to WIN!

Step 1: Download the pattern. The lovely Louise is offering her pattern at a discounted price until the end of the Easter weekend (9th April) - £3 instead of £4 – just use code ‘philomena’
Step 2: Buy the yarn. Head to shopmillamia.classiceliteyarns.com to have your order fulfilled by a LYS nearest you.
Step 3: Post your FO in the MillaMia KAL thread on Ravelry to be entered for a chance to win. Project must also be posted to the knitter's project page with pictures to be eligible. Project must be finished and posted by May 31st, 2012.

Step 4: The winner will be selected randomly from all entrants on June 1st, and will win their choice of a signed copy of one of MillaMia's gorgeous books, The Close Knit Gang, Wonderland, or Bright Young Things. Copy will be signed by the two sisters behind the brand, Katarina and Helena!

This KAL is open to all knitters internationally. Project must be in Naturally Soft Merino to be eligible.

Remember, in order to be entered, you must join the KAL hosted by the MillaMia Ravelry group. Happy knitting!

An Extraordinary Knitter...

As soon as Cheryl pointed this project out to me, I knew we had to feature it here on the blog. Silky Alpaca Lace is the perfect yarn for heirloom pieces, and what day is more special than your wedding day? Amanda Robertson, the extraordinary knitter behind this piece, was kind enough to answer some questions for us.

Are you a big lace knitter?
I don't really consider myself a big lace knitter, but I'm always up for new knitting challenges. Before my shawl I had only knitted one other lace project, which was a stole for a friend to wear at her wedding.

What made you decide to undertake such a complicated piece? What was your inspiration?
I knew I wanted to have a very handmade wedding, so a knitted shawl seemed like an obvious piece of that to me. I honestly have no idea why I picked such a complex pattern - I don't think I knew what I was getting myself into! I looked at tons of patterns and projects and fell in love with circular shawls worn as veils. Spanish Peacock really stood out to me and I love that it was a project Meg Swansen created for her daughter's wedding. I didn't wear mine as a veil in the end, but that's where my inspiration came from.

How did you find the experience? The yarn?
It was frustrating to knit at times, but really rewarding. It took me ages to get the cast-on right, I made some major mistakes, and I struggled with parts of the pattern, but it was so fun to see the pattern emerge and the shawl grow. I loved the yarn! It's so soft and in six balls I didn't have a single knot or flaw. I initially fell in love with the color (I had a certain shade of orange in mind), and it also happened to be fabulous yarn!

How many hours a day did you devote to it? Were you a "monogamous" knitter?
At times I was working on it 3 or 4 hours a day. At another point it was in a zip-lock for 5 months straight when it was summer, we were moving, and I couldn't stand to look at it anymore. I took a couple of breaks to knit other small projects, and plenty of breaks to sew and craft for the wedding. I guess I was a serial monogamist!

Do you have any advice for someone who would want to attempt something like this themselves?
I say go for it! Do your research and read the project notes from the many wise people on Ravelry - I learned so much from the notes of folks who knit Spanish Peacock before me. Also be sure to give yourself plenty of time to take breaks and fix mistakes!

What's on your needles now?
I just started on Evie, a cardigan by Kim Hargreaves from Thrown Together. I'm such a slow knitter, so I think it will take me awhile!

Indie Designs in Classic Elite Yarns!

I am always eager to open my mailbox (virtual and actual) at the turn of the seasons...each knitting magazine brings with it colors and textures of the season through patterns, exciting features, and visually exciting spreads. Spring is no different. Who says yarn is just for the wintertime?

Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2012
Slit Shoulder Top, designed by Margaux Hufnagel, in Classic Elite Yarns Seedling. Photo by Rose Callahan.

Cap Sleeve Top, designed by Twinkle, in Twinkle Handknits/Classic Elite Yarns Cruise. Photo by Joe Amato for LVARepresents.com.

Knitscene, Spring 2012
Fleurette Camisole, designed by Mercedes Tarasovich Clark, in Classic Elite Yarns Firefly. Photo by Nathan Rega of Harper Point Photography.

Flying Buttress Tank, designed by Andrea Rangel, in Classic Elite Yarns Allegoro. Photo by Nathan Rega of Harper Point Photography.

Interweave Knits
Evolvere Shawl, designed by Erica Jackofsky, in Classic Elite Yarns Classic Silk. Photo by Carmel Zucker.

Interweave Crochet
Lattice Tank by Natasha Robarge, in Classic Elite Yarns Firefly. Photo by Harper Point Photography.

Knitty
Petal by Heather Hoefle, in Wool Bam Boo. Photo by Jason Hoefle.

Clotheshorse Magazine
Willow by Andrea Rangel, in Classic Elite Yarns Allegoro. Photo courtesy of Clotheshorse Magazine

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