Lang – Handknitting.com News

Malou BiColor Cowl

November 15, 2013 handknitting

This is the drop stitch cowl I passed along to you last year, but reworked for 2 balls of Malou Bicolor. I knit this in one evening while watching a football game! Size 13 circular needle, 24″. Cast on 67 st, join circle by slipping last st to left hand needle and start 1st round by K2tog (66 st). You can put a full twist into the cast on row (shown), or leave the twist out as you prefer. Rounds 1 & 3: K Rounds 2, 4: P Round 5: Knit, double wrapping each stitch. Tip: be sure not to pull your second wrap tight! Round 6: Purl, dropping the extra wrap on each stitch. Repeat these 6 rounds 5 times, then repeat rounds 1-4 once and bind off loosely. Weave in ends, then snuggle up!

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Yet-to-be-appreciated Yarns, Part 2

January 23, 2012 handknitting

Some great but yet-to-be-appreciated yarns
This season there have been a lot of changes in the yarns available for knitters. There have been a lot of yarns discontinued, and a lot of new introductions. In times of economic uncertainty, it’s no surprise that crocheters and knitters return to their favorites. But there are some that I have tried, and deserve a closer look.

Lang Aiko

Mohair is coming back into style, but not the ultra big fuzz-ball look. What is important now is a light halo and a soft hand. Enter Aiko. This yarn is incredibly soft, but it takes up a lot of space. The yarn itself it made up from a tiny boucle of the fibers stitched into a small tape. When it is knit, there isn’t a lot of surface halo (fuzz), but it knits to a bigger gauge than it looks. The Aiko styles in the Lang books are mostly used for snuggly knits, but I think it would also make a great yarn for openwork styles–a lacy scarf or wrap would be very sophisticated in this yarn.

Yet-to-be-appreciated Yarns, Part 1

January 19, 2012 handknitting

Lang Donegal

Tweed is a trend, and this yarn is much more than a rehashed version of other tweeds. Donegal has a DK gauge, but it is thick and thin (sometimes very thin). If you are an intermediate knitter who hasn’t worked with thick and thin yarns, you will have to pay attention. Donegal fulls on blocking, meaning that what looks like holes as you knit will fill in more solidly after blocking. This quality makes Donegal an interesting choice for crochet, too! A big plus–This is a yarn that is a man magnet! I have a pullover OTN for John, and when our two sons were home for Christmas they both immediately snatched it up saying “this is nice!” (and they live in CA & AZ–not sweater country) Just be sure to stick to the darker, neutral colors. After showing off the patterns in the Lang Vintage book, they were all judged to be winners by my houseful of men. The 50g skein has over 200 yards, so it goes a long way.

Big Yarns

January 15, 2012 handknitting

Big

Vogue Knitting’s Cover Sweater featuring Cortina Nuvole

BIG,
Astrakan by Lang

& even

BIGGER yarn
Berroco’s Link

Yes, all the fashion magazines, the knitting and the crochet magazines, and the TV/internet style shows are showing big, Big, BIGGER knits! And they’re so gorgeous, and they’re fast to knit, but… but…. but….

“Super-bulky knits look great on a 5′ 10″, 90 lb model, but not me! They’re so pricey with so little yardage! And they’re so heavy–who could wear all that?! Even if you’re skinny, it weighs a ton!”

The answer is Yes, you can wear these yarns, if you choose wisely. Here are some tips:

Accessories–scarves, hats, muffs–give the fashion look without being overwhelming
Look at the cost of the garment, not the price of the skein. Most of these yarns are cost-effective.
Remember to keep the fabric and the fit loose–unless it’s an outerwear coat or jacket, these yarns shouldn’t be firmly knit. They also not meant to be knit into sweaters that are close-fitting; instead choose patterns for layering garments.
Natural fibers are heavier than synthetics. In these super big yarns, a synthetic portion or blend is a big plus in keeping them light enough to wear.
“Cable knit” yarns, where the strand is really a knitted tube, are much lighter to wear, and warm too.

A Quick Link to all our Big Yarns!

Try A New Yarn: Cyber Monday–hope you’ll visit us!

November 28, 2011 handknitting

Wow! Cyber Monday! This is supposed to be the day when those of you are still shopping on Monday, but online, make everything great for us online retailers. But we do have a very special deal for you to try something new or just treat yourself for getting all that holiday shopping done!

It’s the Fifth (and last) day of the Try a New Yarn promotion from Handknitting.com. Today’s Buy One Get One Half off coupon is for the yummiest new yarns from Lang: Aiko, a multi-purpose chunky yarn, and a great extension of Alpaca SuperLight, Lang Alpaca SuperLight Lamé.

Aiko: Use the coupon code AIKOLUX Lux because this is truly a luxury yarn. One look at this yarn and you will be wondering where it has been all your life! This yarn is a combination of so many desirable qualities: fast and easy to knit, a little bit of haze from some mohair, depth of color and texture. You will love it–try it now!

Alpaca SuperLight Lamé: Use the coupon code OOHLALA

You can use this beautiful yarn for any lace weight pattern that has a large enough gauge to handle the halo, or substitute for any pattern for Alpaca SuperLight in any of the Fatto à Mano books. A fabulous addition to the Lang yarn line-up. For those of you who like to experiment, this yarn is a great carry-along for a plain yarn. The colors coordinate with all the other Lang yarns, so pair it with Alpaca SuperLight for a chunky knit, or with Aiko for a bulky. Make yourself a one of a kind masterpiece!

This coupon will allow you to buy 2 skeins of these yarns, with the second skein at half price. You may mix colors, and you may use the coupon as many times as you wish.

GOOD TODAY (11/28/2011) ONLY.

Try A New Yarn: Thanksgiving Day Coupon Codes

November 24, 2011 handknitting

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

It’s the first day of the Try a New Yarn promotion from Handknitting.com. Today’s Buy One Get One Half off coupon is for 2 Lang Yarns:

Donegal Use the coupon code THANKS1

Merino Lace 400 Use the coupon code THANKS2