All The Cool Kids Are Doing It...

My mom has never been one for buckling to pressure of any kind...but she was completely impervious to my teenaged whining about which clothing I "had to have" each autumn. She said no to saddle shoes (which I now understand because she'd lived through saddle shoes). She said no to a letter jacket (not warm enough). She said no to a pair of penny loafers that I still hanker for (who doesn't love penny loafers?). I seriously don't remember ever wearing her down. She was not a believer in following the pack.

And, somewhere along the line, I became just like her in that way. If everyone is doing it, I instinctively pull back and question my level of interest. Keep it under your hat, but I feel this way about sweater knitting, too. Especially when designers release a cool (or should I say hot) new sweater pattern and everyone jumps to cast on immediately.

Having said that, I am about to eat my words and advocate for a hot, new pattern. I think every knitter should at least consider the Jaunty by Andrea Mowry.

If you live in MN (or any other state with cold winters), it's a scrumptious no-brainer: big, soft, and entirely wrap-able. But even if you head south for the chilly months or live in an area that tends warmer, this seems ideal for cool evenings outdoors and reading in bed and movie nights and restaurants that are perpetually over-air-conditioned.

The Half-Fisherman's Rib stitch has a calming, rhythmic quality as you knit it...and who among us couldn't use a bit more calm? The finished fabric ends up being softly structured---which feels perfect for a scarf-y shawl (or a shawl-y scarf).

The Jaunty is great for any weight of yarn; the photos on Ravelry show four very different weights used (from fingering to aran).

Pay special attention to Sample 4 because it uses a yarn that is so hot that it's smoking! (What is up with me recommending two things that are at the top of the trendiness pile? Please don't tell my mom. 😧)

The yarn? The brand-new Fluff by The Wandering Flock. A stunning blend of 35% Baby Suri Alpaca/15% Wool/50% Pima Cotton. There's really nothing else like it. And its cozy weightlessness will have you swooning. Just like all the other cool kids.

The Jaunty requires four skeins of Fluff yarn...so have fun picking your color!

Late Breaking News: as this goes to press, I've just learned that our shipment of Fluff yarn is delayed and will arrive on Monday. You are welcome to order online now in order to ensure you get the skeins you want. If, however, you're planning to stop into the shop---please hold off until we open up on Tuesday.

While I typically try to travel my own path, I guess I sometimes enjoy joining the crowd. I hope Jaunty lures you in, too. We can keep each other safe. Because my mom was sure everybody was, at some point, going to jump off a bridge.

Gaby

P.S. Please mark your calendar for a fabulous celebration of all things Malabrigo on October 25. The fiber world will celebrate Malabrigo Day and honor their contributions to our industry over a remarkable 20 years in business. We can hardly wait to host a piece of the party at Yarnology. More tempting details coming soon!