Color Story: Autumn Fig

Rich jewel tones are definitely in this autumn, just in time to vivify us as weather grows colder. Inspired by dramatic fall makeup trends and the wine-and-teal dress worn by Emma Stone, we’re using a palette of seasonal figs, bold peacock and warm ochre. A scarf knitted from a variegated yarn in these shades would liven up your autumn coat, or start a sweater ala Hives & Honey using bold contrasting stripes.

Autumn Fig by rewindknits

Fig: Nomad via Etsy
Peacock: AtmosphereArts via Etsy
Ochre: DyeForYarn via Etsy

We’d love to see what you’re working on in these shades! Leave a link in the comments and we’ll probably share it on our Pinterest boards.

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This Ain’t Your Momma’s Trend Alert.

image via chartreuse & a twist

Fashion is constantly re-writing and breaking the rules. Wearing white after Labor Day is no longer a fashion no-no, mixing plaids with stripes is perfectly acceptable (and encouraged!) and now wearing navy with black is on trend. And it’s a trend we are loving! Especially with the pops gold and cream. It’s sophisticated yet approachable and a trend I know I’ll be trying out on my next project.

This Trend Alert yarns are featured from Jimmy Beans Wool – recently featured on Vogue Knitting FB top yarns for 2012

1) PARCHMENT : Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light Yarn

2) GOLD : Artyarns Mohair Splash Yarn

3) BLUE TWEED : Cascade 220 Yarn #9494

4) NAVY : Cascade Magnum Yarn #8393

5) BROTHERS GRIMM : Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light Yarn

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Holiday Trend Forcast: The Ugly Sweater (Party)

There is so much fugly great Christmas sweater inspiration out there it was hard to decide on just one to focus on for color and trend inspiration. Much like my research on the Cosby Sweater, the more I dug into the history of the Ugly Christmas Sweater the more I became lost in a sea of images, blogs and books paying tribute to this fashion atrocity. The growing trend during this holiday time is to have an Ugly Christmas Sweater party (Google it, I promise you won’t be disappointed). There’s even a trio of dudes calling themselves “Ugly Christmas Sweater” (Team Ugly for short) who literally wrote the book on it. It looks like so much fun that Mary and I have decided next year we are hosting one of these parties!

image via Google search (can’t find source)

The first collection is by far the most popular choice when choosing to “don your gay apparel”. Bright color, crazy images and the more appliques and Bedazzled goodness the better. You wear one of these fine specimens you are sure to be the ugliest belle at the ball!

1) BROOKLYN : 100% superwash merino worsted / Cake Walk Yarns via Etsy  (go to Tangled Happy for a discount code and giveaway!)

2) GOLD : acyrlic & metallic polyester mix / Vanna’s Glamour via Lion Brand Yarns

3) FLECKY SWEATER YARN : recycled yarn from actual Christmas Sweater! / SmartMonkey via Etsy

4) CHRISTMAS TREE : silk, wool & glitz rayon mix – art yarn / Scales and Fins Yarn via Etsy

5) CHRISTMAS GREEN : 100% Peruvian highland wool / via Purl Soho

image via Google (again not sure of the source)

The second collection is inspired by those that choose to attend an Ugly Sweater Party with no intention on actually participating BUT the price of admission is one Christmas sweater SO these party goers cheat the system by wearing a traditional and now chic holiday sweater. (aka killjoys)

1) NATURAL : 100% pure virgin wool / Fisherman’s Wool via Lion Brand Yarns

2) CANDY CANE : silk, wool & glitz rayon mix – art yarn / Scales and Fins Yarn via Etsy

3) STERLING : acrylic & polyester blend with sequins / Sequin via Bernat Yarns

4) DEEP SEA : 100% acrylic / Vanna’s Colors via Lion Brand Yarns

5) MIDNIGHT HEATHER : 100% pure new wool / via Purl Soho

image via Craft Stylish • click the photo for upcycled dog sweater pattern

The third collection is what you do after the party… after your hangover is cured and you realize you are now the proud owner of an Ugly Christmas Sweater. Some hipsters may continue to wear it into the new year (making others scratch their heads) but you know better and it’s either figure out something to do with it or it’s off to the Good Will.

1) HOLIDAY YARN : 100% merino wool with beads – art yarn / Wool Wench via Etsy

2) ECRU : 80% wool & 20% silk / Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool XL via Webs

3) TOPAZ : acyrlic & metallic polyester mix / Vanna’s Glamour via Lion Brand Yarns

4) ESTES : superwash merino, cashmere & nylon / Cake Walk Yarns via Etsy  (go to Tangled Happy for a discount code and giveaway!)

5) GREEN : 100% cashmere recycled yarn from actual Christmas Sweater! / Sentimental Valu via Etsy

Matt Damon via The Today Show (check out more fun celebs & their sweaters here)

Happy Holidays from Rewind Knits & Crochet. Mary and I will be “away” for the rest of the year, busy cranking out our Christmas presents! After the first of the year we’ll be posting all about our handmade holiday gifts along with a giveaway of a Eugenie prize pack.

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Trend Alert: Neon and Neutrals

(via theglitterguide.com)

This ‘8os inspired trend is tempered with the stark contrast of warm neutrals, making neon approachable for all style tastes. This is a trend that we can get behind… and perhaps get a bit carried away with! Neutral yarns are easy enough to get your hands on, but luckily this trend is finding it’s way into the fiber art community and it’s easier than ever to get your hands on neon yarns.

1) ACID : 100% merino wool / Manos Maxima

2) NEON ROSE : 100% superwash merino wool / Madeline Tosh via Purl Soho

3) EDISON BULB : 100% superwash merino wool / Madeline Tosh via Purl Soho

4) NEON ORANGE : 100% cotton / Yarn Market

When searching for the perfect neon yarns we came across this great home decor crochet project from The Purl Bee. This “Elegant Granny Blanket” shows how neon can add just a touch of elegant whimsy to any project. This is a must craft before winter!!

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Trend Forecast : The 1970’s

This trend is close to Mary and I’s heart – WE LOVE THE 70’s. From the colors to patterns (knit, crochet & sewing) to the fabric to the decor… it’s all fantastic. We were excited to see it emerge on the fashion runways last fall and it’s gaining momentum. From the high end designers like Tom Ford to mass retailers like Urban Outfitters Mary and I are able to get our far-out fix. What I find particularly exciting about this trend — close your ears knitters! — the focus is towards crochet and …gasp… macrame! And while the world continues to remain eco focused this trend is making taboo materials such as fur, feathers and leather acceptable in small doses. Also thanks to technology faux furs have come a long way baby and are much more realistic. Now pardon me while I macrame myself a beanbag chair to sit and crochet in.

1) Natural : Organic Wool by LB Collection / Lion Brand
2) Mesa : Hand spun merino wool by CReationsMT via Etsy
3) Lemon Curd : City Tweed by Knit Picks
4) Les Fleurs : Artyarns Impressionist Cashmere Sock Yarn

We also suggest ombre or self striping yarns to take the stress out of color work. Lion Brand’s “Amazing” and Lily’s Sugar and Cream ombres or stripes are our favs.

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Knits for ALL

You know when you are poking around the internet and one link leads to another? Some times you are lucky and hit gold; that’s how we felt when we discovered Annie Larson and her fantastic line of women’s knitwear.  ALL Knitwear is created one custom piece at a time by Annie Larson on a Brother KH-950 Electroknit Knitting Machine! We’ve always wanted (or at least wanted to try) a knitting machine but this takes the art to a whole new level. This is our new knitwear crush! Each garment features the freestyle mix of basic geometric patterns and bright classic colors. We are esspecially excited about her hats, each one topped with the perfect pom-pon accent.

We are always inspired by studio space as well and Larson does not disappoint! Look at those shelves full of handmade knit fabric and her lovely pom-pons…

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Winter Trend Forecast : Military

This trend has shown no signs of letting up. Not a shocker since military goes hand and hand with the upcoming season; who doesn’t love snuggly wool coats or bulky knits (or crochet) protecting them from the winter chill?  Truly inspired we went on a mission of our own, finding this great assortment of yarns for your next military inspired project. Each of these yarns works perfectly for Fresh.

1) Toad : City Tweed by Knit Picks

2) Khaki : Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton Yarn by Lion Brand

3) Pea Soup : Ultra Alpaca by Berroco

4) Gold/Green : Mohair Splash by Art Yarns  (has that perfect mix of muted metallic sequins and beads!)

For pops of color try:

• Navy : Redheart Soft Yarn

• Ruby :  Sunnyside Ellen via Etsy.com

Let’s face it… no matter the trend camo is always in style! … not.

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Pantone Spring 2011 Color Inspired Yarn

Recently Pantone published their color picks for Spring 2011. Pantone is the leader in color trend; influencing everything from fashion to home decor. If it’s color, they’ve had a hand in making it popular. Last years color of the year, Turquoise was seen everywhere. No doubt each of us dabbled in this lovely color this last year with some project or another. This Spring Pantone’s IT color is “Honeysuckle”, a muted pink. Mary and I have our own opinions, but pink is not showing any signs of stopping. I wouldn’t say pink is the new black but it’s pretty damn close. We love that this color group can be mixed and match to create any of our signature color stories. All these colors are right up our alley, so much so that we felt the need to share with the masses… SO what better way than help you get your hands on the colors of the upcoming season by featuring Etsy seller’s yarns. (It’s true we’ll find any reason to dig around on Etsy) Support handmade and look haute!!

yarns go from left to right, top to bottom row

HONEYSUCKLE  aka  Adore Me made by Funkyyarns

REGATTA  aka  Blue made by SpinSpanSpun

CORAL ROSE  aka  Embers made by HarrisonWheelworks

BEESWAX  aka  Honeycomb Mine made by SpringtreeRoad

PEAPOD  aka  Irish Fog made by HeartstringsbyDee

BLUE CURACAO  aka  Aqua Blue made by SentimentalValu

RUSSET  aka  Dark Brown made by Jenadoles

SILVER PEONY  aka  Cream made by AlpacaAvenue

LAVENDER  aka  Latvain Lavender made by Lambsear

SILVER CLOUD  aka  Nutmeg Brown made by HardySupplyCo.

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Glam-tastic Yarn

Facebook and I fall in and out of love on a daily basis, but it was definitely a love moment when it ping’d me to let me know Vanna’s been busy cooking up new colors for her Glamour line – Lion Brand Yarn Studio’s yarn of the month (so sad I can’t take advantage of the 15% in studio discount).  I’ve loved this yarn from the minute I saw it however the available colors were basic and boring, I never had enough interest to actually purchase any. For me the louder the better, so when I saw the new color assortment I nearly died!  Loving all the new colors and their lux names, I put some in my digital shopping cart and merrily skipped to the check out.  I picked up some Jewel (my fav color), Gold and Onyx… very Betsy Johnson!  Once I receive it and whip an accessory or two I’ll post my thoughts about the yarn.  So far many of the reviews I’m finding are positive; most metallic threaded yarns tend to be scratchy and hard to work with, Vanna’s Glamour yarn has “a soft hand to it”.

Betsy inspired color palette: Jewel/Gold/Onyx

What I also love about these yarns is the new wide range of colors makes it possible to create interesting and beautiful color stories. Below is a few samplings of the yarns in our Rewind Knits and Crochet color stories.

Unique: Ruby Red/Bronze/Copper

Sweet: Topaz/Jewel/Copper  (very cupcake…yummy!)

Geo: Diamond/Lapis/Onyx

Fresh: Diamond/Topaz/Moonstone

Elegant: Moonstone/Garnet/Onyx

Brandy the Glam-tastic Yarn Diva aka Hoarder

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February: A Night on the Town

Color Group: Geo

When thinking about this month’s color story and where we would draw inspiration we knew we wanted it to be around the Valentine’s Day holiday. That is where the “date night” or “night on the town” concepts emerged. When looking for that perfect image to capture the palette we had in mind it was a bit of a challenge, that was until we found the classically vintage vinyl cover of Rod Stewart’s A Night on the Town album. One of Rod Stewart’s most iconic and seductive songs came from this 1976 album, you know which one. The styling of the album cover with its heather violets, sage greens and deep blacks, summed up the decade. The patterns this month are designed to be the perfect accessory to pair with your little black dress, because remember “tonight’s the night”.

The featured yarns are from KnitPicks Palette Yarn Collection. This fingering weight yarn is perfect for color work and comes in a wide range of colors; we love it for just that reason. It’s hard not to want to buy up every color.
1) Black
2) Marble Heather
3) Clematis Heather
4) Aster
5) Mist

Have an addiction to vinyl? Who doesn’t! That is why we love SLEEVEFACE, a clever twist on album art. Beware, you will lose an hour when clicking into this site. There is just so much to see.

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