Yarns to Love
MDK Gems: Spincycle + the Colorful Cowl
Dear everyone,
Welcome to a superspecial Technicolor edition of MDK Gems.
It’s that special moment when we shine the MDK sunbeam on a favorite yarn and a favorite Field Guide.
Order the yarn, we send the ebook along for free. Plus: we have a special Zoom in the works for this, so read on!
Today, it’s Dyed in the Wool, the Spincycle yarn that never ceases to amaze us.
The design we love for this? The Leif Cowl by Dianna Walla. It’s a perfect quick stranded colorwork moment. When you order any quantity of Dyed in the Wool, we’ll include the ebook edition of Field Guide No. 3: Wild Yarns.
And remember, if you’re a Field Guide subscriber, this is a perfect moment to activate your 10% off coupon code (which we emailed you on Monday, April 1).
The pattern includes instructions for a large or small size cowl. Two skeins each of two colors for large, one skein each of two colors for small.
Superspecial: A Conversation with Kate and Rachel
To make this occasion even more shiny, Kay and I are hosting a Zoom conversation with the two women who have built a frankly amazing enterprise with Spincycle Yarns. Rachel Price and Kate Burge-Tibi are truly stars of the yarn world, and we’re really looking forward to our visit.
Join us this Friday, April 12, at 1:00 pm Eastern/noon Central/10:00 am Pacific. It’s free—sign up here to receive the Zoom link on the day of the event.
Dyed in the Wool. The Spinsters live and in person. This is the stuff of dreams, y’all.
Love,
Ann
Thank you
This is absolutely a fantastic yarn and I look forward to hearing this conversation .
Fantastic opportunity
Darn! I love Spincycle yarns as well, but nearly every project you feature is quite difficult and not accessible to a “seasoned beginner”.
Do you think you might, someday, feature a project that is considered easy,or beginner friendly??
Just a thought. thanks!
Hi Kelly!
You might surprise yourself with the Leif Cowl. If you’re new to colorwork, it’s a design that we specifically commissioned because it makes such a good project for trying out colorwork.
If that’s just not your jam (and I totally get it if that’s the case!), I’d recommend the Diagonal Mitts from Field Guide No. 18: Beginnings. They’re a garter stitch rectangle that turns into really cute mitts when you sew up one seam.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diagonal-mitts-4
A yarn like Spincycle also would look beautiful in a long simple wrap, just ribbing or moss stitch or even stockinette. You don’t have to do complicated color work with it, the yarn by itself is colorwork! The only thing is whatever you make has to be wide/long enough to take full advantage of the long color changes. Try a skein!
Spincycle really lends itself to colorwork, which can be daunting. I remember feeling so intimidated by more complicated-looking patterns when I learned to knit! Then my friend gave me the advice to just jump in, trust the pattern, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s how I got my sea legs with lace, cabling, short rows, colorwork, you name it! It’s like teaching your hands to think in a new way, and so rewarding. So I encourage you to give this beautiful pattern a try!
I made this cowl when the field guide first came out — it was such a fun knit! Looks great over a black shirt.
The yarn is gorgeous of course, but Ann, what I really want to know is what is that absolutely delightful…. Tablecloth? Hanging? Wallpaper? That’s on the table just behind the yarn spread? It’s just beautiful!
Oh Heather, our stylist Alessandra Mortola and photographer Elysa Weitala are magicians, basically—I’m not sure where it came from, but will try to find out.
Thank you for this zoom conversation today! Absolutely inspiring, and it is great to know more about Spincycle/Dyed in the Wool. Many great Ann & Kay quotes about small businesses and growth, too, such fun!