Inspiration
Hello, Beautiful Yarn! And 9 Patterns We Love
At last! It’s here!
Sometimes things take a while.
This yarn, for example. Civility Sport by Elemental Affects.
We discovered Elemental Affects yarns at least three years ago, as we wandered wide eyed at our first yarn trade show, many months before launching the new MDK site.
It was overwhelming, seeing walls of yarns of every description. We had no idea what our yet-to-exist MDK customers would like. The only thing we knew was that Jeane deCoster was a hoot, and her yarn was beautiful.
[Many calendar pages slip to the floor.]
Well, here we are, finally bringing you the result of all our best thinking about what makes a yarn wonderful.
Up top is our newly arrived collection of Civility Sport, a blend of 70% U.S.-grown merino and 30% mulberry silk. Jeane designed the base as she does with all her yarns. The silk gives great sturdiness to the soft merino, and it adds a low, quiet luster. Above all, the fabric that comes from this yarn is delectably soft and springy.
As for the colors? We hunkered down with Jeane at the most recent yarn trade show to figure out a palette to stock. As you click through the gallery above, you’ll see warm neutrals, a few brights, all hand dyed. The combinations are endless. We hope you see possibility of all sorts for Civility Sport.
Pattern Quest Begins!
A new yarn means a new chance to root around Ravelry for patterns to pair with it. Our favorite varsity sport!
Settle in with your knitting, and have a look at the following ideas. Imagine these in all those Civility Sport colors. It’s the best way to take a break from the daily grind.
Aggregate by Jimenez Joseph
Short row wow. This is such a stunner. Go see all the color combinations on Ravelry—it looks amazing in subtle or bright contrasts.
Avalyn by Vanessa Smith
Classic stitch patterns reimagined in a shaped, fitted silhouette. Totally modern. The top-down construction is an interesting way to go. Few seams!
Love and Grace by Tamy Gore
Simple textures, and that edging. We are heart eyes for this. And the possibilities for using color are endless—this design will look beautiful using two colors or five!
Quodlibet by Angela Tong
A pattern that expands as it rises in quick colorwork. This is what hats are all about: playing with color, a good puzzle, superfun to make.
Freesia by Jumper Cables—Annie Baker
Gloriously elemental, a swath of garter stitch with that edge. Isn’t it lovely?
Logan Shoals by yellowcosmo
A new top-down design with a fascinating yoke: cables and colorwork! Note also the cables that run down the sleeves.
First Frost by Lana Jois
It’s a poncho-lette! A quick adventure in lace that concludes before you run out of steam. Super cute.
Backbarrier Wrap by Neisha Abdulla
That scale pattern is so tantalizing. Especially the way it vanishes after a certain point.
Sail-Away Shawl by Julia Farwell-Clay
This is a favorite from MDK Field Guide No. 7: Ease. Julia’s inventive mind takes us on a garter stitch stripe joyride. Civility Sport makes it even more lush.
Petula Pullover by Isabell Kraemer
This gorgeous top-down pullover glows in Civility Sport. It’s shown here in Pearl Grey with Serge.
is the merino wool in Civility superwashed? Looks gorgeous!
The merino wool is nonsuperwash.
Boom!Click and I just bought MDK “Ease.” To make the stripes goodness. Julie Farwell Clay makes stripes look more than cool, and the color combinations for this ARE infinite. Thank you for the dreamy ideas to brighten up my sick-in-bed day.
Hope you’re on the mend soon!
Inspiring! Also, how about Lisa Hannes’ Silverleaf, or Andrea Mowry’s Thaliah
Yes to silverleaf, one of my favorite shawl patterns. I’m making my third, this time playing with two colors. This inspires me to order more yarn and make a fourth!
Gorgeous yarn and gorgeous patterns… how to knit all the things??
Hi
The Civility Sport wool looks lovely but can you tell me whether American produced merino wool is from mulesed sheep?
I’ve only recently discovered your blog and am really enjoying it as I used to enjoy your articles in The Knitter.
Regards
Francesca Smith
Francesca – I don’t think mulesing was ever practiced in the US much, if at all. It was done in Australia and New Zealand, where the flies are much more of a hazard. It’s illegal in New Zealand now, and on the way out in Australia.
All of it is beautiful.
I love and appreciate your yarn/pattern pairings! My fave is Logan Shoals. It’s challenging (for me), without being hard, and the exact kind of knit that blows my sister away – so important. Thanks!
Fun post M D. Love and Grace looks just beautiful and my speed . Thanks!
THis stuff is so beautiful! I’m imagining a Keynote pullover in this to replace the one I’ve worn to death.
‘Civility Sport — cor blimey!’
Love from Brighton UK