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Sunday, March 12, 2023

#KnittingPeachy Fishermen's Wool® Yarn by @LionBrandYarn Highly Recommended by #PeachyDeegan @ManhattanPeachy #WhomYouKnow

Capitalize on the remaining chilly days and celebrate St. Patrick's day authentically with Celtic designs in Classic Fishermen's Wool


It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we know Lion Brand Yarn.
With St. Patrick's Day only days away, it is high time to celebrate being Irish or wishing that you were, and we know from the time Peachy Deegan was a resident of Ireland that knitting is a time-honored tradition and that today's Irish people want to be known for authenticity not the run-of-the-mill American commercialized St. Patrick's Day.  Of course Peachy is genetically proudly Irish.  Families used to have their own design that everyone in the family would wear when they were fishing so they could be identified; knitting is historically important in the Celtic Isles.  This wool is ideal for doing sweaters, and all the statistics are found below though you should calculate your own because everyone has unique tension.  It is a medium weight and the site suggests a size 9 needle, however we prefer an 8 for a tighter knit.  Read the History of the Aran Sweater here.

Five colors are available and we recommend Oatmeal, which is a light taupe, and Nature's Brown, which is a dark chocolate.  Don't eat it.  We prefer the solid colors as they are the classiest and show knitting quality best.  The natural color also looks great however we don't think it would age well in Manhattan unless you lived in a bubble; this can be a dirty, gritty place even if you are the neatest and cleanest person.  Also we recommend you don't clean it yourself after investing the time to create: use Hallak the Couture Cleaner by Mover and Shaker John-Claude Hallak.

Previously in Knitting Peachy, we have raved about Alice Starmore and her book Aran Knitting, and Norah Gaughan and her book Knitted Cable Sourcebook.  If you are a patient person that enjoys colorwork, may we suggest this book on Fair Isle.  We would suggest using books for inspiration but come up with your own look and design.  You don't want anyone else to replicate it or have it!  The beauty of knitting a piece bespoke is that it fits you exactly in both obviously the fit and also the design to reflect your style.  There is no need to reinvent the wheel in doing cables however; they are timeless.  This yarn is made in India; we would like to see it made in the USA or in Ireland/UK.

There is not a lot of winter left, so pick your style and make sure you have more yarn than you need because there is nothing worse than running out of yarn on a project!  You absolutely most definitely want to be using wool as a fiber for winter knitting.  The dye lots should match.  As you progress in your new endeavor, you'll gain envious looks by non-knitters and perhaps even more conversation from new people than you ever anticipated.  Knitting is a great Oscar-watching activity!

Fishermen's Wool® Yarn by Lion Brand Yarn is Highly Recommended.

Lion tell us on their website:
Our classic Fishermen's Wool® is made of undyed pure virgin wool with natural lanolin oil. Soft, warm, and naturally water resistant, it's ideal for ski-wear and fisherman sweaters, hats, scarves, and more. Fishermen's Wool® also felts beautifully for dense slippers, strong bags, and textural home decor projects. Plus its generous size and natural shades make it perfect for dyeing!

Inspiration
Yarn Weight
4 Medium / Worsted
Crochet Gauge (4in x 4in)
16 sc x 16 r on H-8 (5 mm)
Knit Gauge (4in x 4in)
16 sts x 22 r on #9 (5.5 mm)
Length (yd)
465 (348 in prints)
Length (m)
425 (318 in prints)
Weight (oz)
8 (6 in prints)
Weight (g)
227 (170 in prints)
Fiber
Acrylic, Wool
Fiber Detail


100% Pure Virgin Wool

Only [Birch Tweed-202]: 90% wool, 7% acrylic, 3% rayon
Care
Hand Wash, Lay Flat to Dry
Care Detail
Items made from this yarn may be laundered through the use of water, detergent or soap and gentle hand manipulation. No bleach product may be used. A machine dryer may not be used. Lay out horizontally for drying.


About Lion Brand® Yarn
Lion Brand® Yarn Company is a fifth generation, family-owned business. Lion Brand® yarns are sold online, at craft chains, discount chains and independent shops across the United States. We are passionate about helping people enjoy the pleasures of working with yarn.

We're With You Every Stitch Of The Way®







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The Lion Brand 2023 Culture Report Highlights the Top 10 Trends in Knitting and Crocheting to Watch in the New Year

As told to us by Lion- note our indications of what we like here:

Influencers and Lion Brand's Style Watchers Round Up Culture-Defining Knitting and Crocheting Trends from the Catwalk to the Everyday Style

As knitting and crocheting continue to break into mainstream culture, [however everyone that is anyone knows this art has a long history and has never gone out of style in our mainstream culture], from the catwalk to everyday style, the Lion Brand 2023 Culture Report reveals the top 10 trends to watch this year according to them. Compiled by Lion Brand Yarn Company's influencers and trend watchers, this year's trends range from coastal chic to crochet-to-slay.

"This year, the fiber arts continue to embed themselves in culture from the runway to street style," said Jessica Hendrickson, Design Director of Lion Brand Yarn. "The report captures the continued excitement we're seeing around knitting and crocheting in culture, and I'm thrilled to see the increased excitement, especially about crocheting."

Weighing in on the "coastal chic" trend, Alexandra Tavel, the Knitwear Designer behind Two of Wands, said, "this trend is here to stay." "My new Coastal Chic Collection is inspired by New England fishing villages, keeping you cozy yet elegant in the salty breeze of the chilly seaside and evoking mood."

These are the top 10 trends highlighted in this year's culture report:

1. Happy Camper

This trend is boho-chic reimagined. Offbeat, energetic, and optimistic, the laid-back looks revitalize vintage-inspired pieces with bold and vibrant colors, patterns, and graphics to encourage a playful vibe. Essential designs include crocheted tanks, jacquard sets, crochet shorts, and bucket hats.

2. Coastal Chic

The Coastal Grandma craze continues with Jimmy Fallon even debuting an ode to Jane Fonda's coastal chic wardrobe from Netflix's hit show Grace and Frankie. Whether you love the entire aesthetic or the fashion, the coastal grandmother style is about relaxation and tranquility. Embrace neutral tones and oversized cardigans, relaxed button-downs, and khakis.

3. Men Embracing Knitwear and Knitting

The image of Olympic Gold Medalist Diver Tom Daley feverishly knitting during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics catapulted his passion into the pop culture spotlight and led to "Made for Love," his own line of yarn, knit kits, and his new book, "Made for Love." Harry Styles is another guy embracing this trend, dubbed the "king of the sweater" for his bold, statement-making colorful knits. Even Ian McKellen and ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus were seen knitting the band's latest range of festive sweaters.

4. The Sweater Dress

Celebrities like Olivia Culpo, Karlie Kloss, and Katie Holmes have chosen sweater dresses to make a fashion statement, as they can quickly go from day to night and work with many accessories. Combat boots, knit hats, sunglasses? Take your pick.

5. Slay in Crochet

According to Year on TikTok: 2022, smaller communities like Crocheters of TikTok were increasingly popular and made TikTok's list of favorite communities. Whether crocheting drink cozies, hand-made dresses, or sharing their passion for their favorite crochet needles, crocheters keep their community in stitches. Let's not forget celebrities like Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, and even Vanna White, Lion Brand Yarn's spokesperson of 30 years, have been spotted wearing trendy crochet miniskirts, cutout knit dresses, fun crop tops, and adorable accessories.

6. Sustainability

Although sustainability has become ubiquitous in the hearts and minds of much of the public, the knitting and craft yarn industry has historically lagged. Most products are manufactured with man-made polyester blends. More companies, including Lion Brand Yarn, are working to develop and offer sustainable products made from natural or recycled sources like plastic bottles.

7. Prep School Chic - we like it!

Collegiate cardigans and cable-knit scholarly style staples like cable-knit sweaters and logo-emblazoned cardigans have a new high-fashion twist from fashion-favorite brands like Miu Miu and Gucci. Chevron sweaters from Tory Burch and Lacoste feel retro. Like plaid, argyle is another pattern to consider. This is classic and has never gone out of style and may we suggest the Preppy Handbook by Mover and Shaker Carol Wallace which details exactly what you should be wearing.

8. Knitting with Purpose

From global knitting circles to charities like #HatNotHate, Knit the Rainbow, Knock Knock Give A Sock, and Warm Up America!, there's no shortage of people using their stitching skills to give back.

9. Knitting for Health

Knitting isn't just for grandma anymore since the pandemic has gained popularity among younger generations, and many are using it to de-stress.

10. Retro Opulence

With the popularity of Netflix's The Crown and the fascination with the Royals, the retro opulence trend taps into consumers' intrigue with all things regal. Lion Brand's 2023 Color of the Year Pomegranate conjures visions of romance and mystery with velvet, feather trim, alluring satin, and gorgeous gemstones. The shade's depth reminds us how luxurious it feels to dress up and wrap ourselves in lavishness.

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ABOUT LION BRAND YARN COMPANY
Lion Brand Yarn Company is a fifth-generation, family-owned business and one of the leading knitting and craft yarn distributors in the United States. Lion Brand yarns are sold online and at craft chains, discount chains, and independent shops across the country. Via their website, they ship to virtually every country in the world. More than 80 different types of yarn can be purchased on LionBrand.com, in addition to tools and accessories. Since 1878, Lion Brand has inspired and educated knitters and crocheters. Today, research shows that knitting and crocheting help relieve stress through the soothing, repetitive motions of the craft and by helping people achieve a creative outlet that produces tangible and valuable products.

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