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Glitz & Glamour Yarns
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Welcome to the 21st issue of the Yarnmarket Just My Type newsletter for November 2010. Each month we’re featuring a different Yarn Types category from our store and showcasing many of the sensational fibers & fiber blends in stock that are just right for your favorite knitting & crochet projects. With over 800 yarns now available from Yarnmarket.com, you’re sure to find the perfect option for your next creative endeavor no matter what it is. Having trouble reading this issue? Then please enjoy the online version.
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Enjoy the Holidays & Beyond with Glitz & Glamour Yarns
You know how we've been drooling over all the beautiful fashions from the world's most famous runways and design collections. Well, when we consider how to dress for the upcoming holidays and make our fashion statements going down our personal red carpets, we plan to incorporate some of the most glamorous, elegant designs from the haute couture collections. Fortunately many of our Glitz & Glamour Yarns are just right for any dressy special occasion.
But what is a "glitz & glamour" yarn exactly? Europeans refer to many of these fiber gems as "fancy" or even novelty yarns although not all of these types of yarns are intended for special events or an evening out on the town. According to the Yarnmarket "dictionary," it's any yarn with a bit of sparkle, pizzazz or sheen that makes it stand out from the classic, traditional yarns that are also so popular today. Primarily these types of yarns fall into one of the following four categories this holiday season:
Metallic yarns have often reigned supreme at numerous holiday parties and celebrations, and this year is no exception. From subtle to dramatic, lots of sparkle will be on display no matter where you visit.
Also what we call Luminous yarns are all the rage, and by this term we mean yarns that seem to radiate a special glow either from their fiber content or from their texture. Iridescent eyelashes, silk or rayon fiber gems, even certain types of bamboo concoctions have this lovely sheen and glimmer to them that will definitely make you stand out in a crowd.
Returning after several years' absence from the haut-couture collections, fur is definitely back in the limelight. Yarn manufacturers are most definitely following this trend with velvety soft, glamorous Faux Fur yarns that work up into lovely stoles, scarves and jackets reminiscent of the days of old Hollywood.
And last but certainly not least comes the whole-hearted acceptance of Beaded yarns. Sometimes attached just periodically for a touch of sparkle, sometimes threaded throughout the entire yarn strand and sometimes combined with matching sequins for an even more striking look, beaded yarns give the most dramatic touch of pizzazz of all the options.
So check out our Glitz & Glamour Yarns department overviewing the lovely fiber gems currently in stock at Yarnmarket.com. That way you'll have plenty of options from which to choose for all your favorite holiday outfits this fall & winter. Also explore books and projects suggesting terrific glamorous selections by looking through our Glitz & Glamour project ideas and our Beaded Knits book department.
We know you enjoy browsing for yourself, but we also have the following special staff recommendations of yarns and projects that show you just how terrific glitz and glamour yarns can be. And to make it even more convenient, we're giving our top picks in alphabetical order by brand.
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Starting off with lovely handpainted options, we begin with high-quality silks from Alchemy, all beautifully supported by terrific projects from company founder Gina Wilde.
First of their 100% silk options come Silk Purse Handpaint Elements and Silk Purse Handpaint Colorways for all your superior knitting & crochet projects. This fiber gem is truly saturated in color and seems to shine from within with a mystical light. Supersoft with a slightly nubby effect, "Silk Purse" is marvelous for lightweight scarves, shawls, tops, sweaters and more.
Or when you are looking for a luxurious 100% silk selection that's different from all the rest, check out unique Silk Straw Handpaint Colorways yarn and its tone-on-tone cousin Silk Straw Handpaint Elements yarn. Multiple thin strands of 100% silk delicately woven into a loose ribbon make "Silken Straw" yarn a truly unique creation that gets even softer after the completed projects are worn and washed.
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Moonlight Wrap
Beaded Mohair Scarf
Silk Road Tank
Ankara Necklace
Beaded Scarf
Holiday Pullover
Stardust Scarf
La Boheme Cowl
Gilda Poncho
Impressionist Wrap
Ribbed Vest
Morelia Vest
Gossamer Shawl
Samina Jacket
Ruffled Neck Top
Crocheted Cap
Banjo Cable Mitts
Ruffled Lava Wrap
Crocheted Wrap
Poncho Wrap
Mobius Shawl
Ruffled Shrug
Clutch Bag
Looped Scarf
Crocheted Gauntlets
Stella Camisole
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Next comes one of the most extensive glitz & glamour yarn collections in the hand-dyeing industry today. Iris Schreier has created an exquisite collection of silk, beaded and sequined yarns for her Artyarns line, and we suggest you check them all out in addition to the few we have time to overview here.
Depending on your favorite fibers and fiber blends, Iris has something to suit everyone's preferences and budgets. Choose lightweight, ethereal Beaded Mohair & Sequins where one hank will make an accessory and gorgeous gift. Or select luxurious, cashmere blend Beaded Ensemble & Sequins where you'll enjoy working with the yarn almost as much as you'll love wearing the finished piece.
Then for a more subtle "splash" of glitter, take a peek at Mohair Splash and Impressionist Beaded Silk in our Yarnmarket-exclusive colorways. As you can see from these few examples, you have limitless options, so give your imagination free rein.
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Just mention the brand Anny Blatt, and you know you'll find quality yarns with French flair and panache. All of the Anny Blatt yarns are supported by glamorous patterns, and we are highlighting three of our all-time faves.
Perennial, multi-seasonal Muguet yarn is a 100% nylon, metallic eyelash yarn that offers just the right amount of drama for any project. Use it by itself in all its splashy glory or in conjunction with classic Anny Blatt yarns for one-of-a-kind tops, shrugs, jackets and accessories.
Victoria is another long-time Anny Blatt favorite of ours and is one of the softest, most supple DK-weight ribbon yarns we have ever experienced.
And last but certainly not least from Anny Blatt comes Gyps d'Anny, a super metallic carry along thread that's a gorgeous addition to dress up any base yarn that can live up to it.
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American yarn & knitwear design powerhouse Berroco Yarns also has a terrific collection of glitzy options for your knitting & crochet projects, so here are several we highly recommend.
First of all, the yarn gurus at Berroco offer what they call "special effects" or "FX" yarns that are perfect for this time of year. Such yarns as ever-popular Metallic FX, sparkling Lazer FX & glistening Mirror FX will leave you breathless when you see all the lovely tops, pullovers, jewelry items & accessories you can create.
For an even more recent development, check out luscious Lumina. As luminous as its name implies, this yarn is a lightweight, supple blend of cotton & acrylic with the glimmer & shimmer of metallic polyester wrapped around the base strand with exquisite results. And remember that you can create dressy socks too with the subtle hint of gleam in Berroco Sox Metallic.
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Now you know you can always count on the yarn gurus of Crystal Palace to give you amazing variety, and their yarn collection is the most extensive when it comes to "fancy" yarns as the Europeans call them.
Start off with the touch of sparkle they've added to their oh-so popular classic yarns such as with Deco Stardust and with Fizz Stardust.
Then for novelty yarns that are truly in a class all their own, discover the wonders of Little Flowers, Fling Solid and Fling Print. All of these choices work up beautifully alone or combined with other Crystal Palace fiber gems for terrific garments and accessories. Add that most Crystal Palace projects start off with a free pattern, and you have the perfect beginning to any project!
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And when you're looking for glitz and glamour in hand-dyed yarns that have stood the test of time, we strongly endorse the reviewers' praise of the classic glitzy yarn La Boheme from Fiesta Yarns.
One of the outstanding features of "La Boheme" is its wondrous 2-strand construction hand-dyed together -- one strand of brushed kid mohair blended with wool & nylon and the other a lovely 100% rayon boucle -- and it's the only yarn of its kind dyed this way. The terrific juxtaposition of sheen & matte with marvelous textures creates a truly special fabric in all your worsted-weight knitting & crochet projects.
Then when you crave a solid-hued version in this lovely fiber blend, choose Insignia La Boheme yarn or when you're ready to create a one-of-a-kind project, select Yarnmarket-exclusive colorways of Impressionist La Boheme.
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Italian yarn companies also know how to make the most of glamorous special occasions this season, and Filatura Di Crosa is one of our favorites with three fancy, glamorous fiber gems.
For a traditional metallic yarn that works equally well by itself as it does combined with other Filatura yarn beauties, New Smoking is a real standout.
Also right in line with the current trends come two novelty yarns -- Cincilla to give you that lovely faux fur look and Operadarte, a dual purpose yarn that lets you use it for self-ruffling on a garment or accessory or you can knit & crochet it just like any chunky-weight ribbon yarn. |
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Of course, we often turn to German yarn manufacturer Gedifra and Creative Director Karola Gottwald for haute-couture knitwear, and their glamorous yarn options come through for us once again.
First off, Gedifra excels with its faux-fur, fluffy and soft Morelia yarn with its a unique construction as an eyelash yarn where the strands have been sewn on one side and then down the middle with an interlocking stitch. The result is a combination of an eyelash and a ribbon yarn that works up very quickly.
We also highly recommend two shimmering yarns from Gedifra -- Samina and its worsted-weight sibling Aneja yarn. Both of these beauties give you glimmer and glitz along with interesting texture and softness.
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Then for an American company known for its European styling, check out the elegant yarns of Karabella. Family-owned & operated, Karabella combines the high-fashion designs of company founder Berta Karapetyan with some superb fiber concoctions.
One such yarn beauty is exquisite Gossamer yarn. It's light as air and sparkles like diamonds because supersoft kid mohair is spun with durable nylon and then accented by a metallic polyester thread for subtle glitz. Choose from over 35 color options for the perfect top, shawl, scarf or accessory to wear on your next big night out on the town.
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Spanish manufacturer Katia Yarns is also known for sophisticated designs and fun yarn blends because Katia offers both the experienced yarn connoisseur & the discriminating beginner several simply stunning yarns.
To knit and crochet by itself or as a companion yarn, lightweight Gatsby is a glittering, shimmering yarn that's a glamorous choice for dressy scarves, shawls and other "out-on-the-town" fashions. Add that you also have variegated color combos from which to choose for any Gatsby pattern by subbing multi-hued Gatsby Lux, and you have many splendid alternatives.
There's also a stunning Katia ribbon yarn with a lustrous finish called Sevilla. Sleek, shiny and sophisticated, this yarn will create the most stylish dressy knits yet is versatile enough to mix with other outstanding Katia yarns for more casual looks.
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For subtle shimmer and funky texture, check out a fun duo from American Kollage Yarns for your knitting and crocheting pleasure.
When you want to add subtle glitz and glamour to your holiday wardrobe, there's no better choice than Glisten yarn. Beautifully crafted in Peru of 75% alpaca, 20% silk & 5% metallic (Estillina), "Glisten" is a luxuriously superb fiber blend that's affordable too. And we love the delicate wisp of sparkle in every strand!
Or when you crave a funkier, more novel approach to glitz & glamour, check out multi-hued, multi-textured Passion yarn. "Passion" also has a delicate touch of metallic but this time it's combined with a stunning eyelash, a bumpy variegated and a unique flag-style for added fun and interest.
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Well-respected Swiss yarn manufacturer Lang Yarns brings you delightful Lanalux yarn, the perfect choice when you're looking for some subtle glitz but are tired of scratchy metallic fibers.
One of the most interestingly constructed yarns we've seen in some time, "Lanalux" has a strand of supersoft merino wool encased in a subtly metallic mesh for elegance & sophistication. So soft and supple and spun in ever-versatile worsted weight, this airy yarn is a dream to knit and crochet. It's also superb for sensational scarves, shawls, vests, tops, tunics, pullovers, jackets & cardigans for multi-seasonal use.
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Laura Bryant, founder of Prism Yarns, has set the bar incredibly high for hand-dyed, glamorous yarns, and in a quick overview we're spotlighting three.
Her gorgeous silk/wool/mohair Indulgence yarn is oh-so aptly named and is difficult to put down once you get a hank in your hand.
Shimmering, supersoft Kid Slique is a superb blends of opposites, while her ever-popular Wild Stuff takes funky yarns with a touch of metallic to a whole new level.
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The ever-popular British company known for interesting classic yarns -- Rowan Yarns -- has enhanced their fiber collection with a touch of glitz because their customers were looking for more eveningwear options from one of their favorite yarn manufacturers. Lovely gleaming Shimmer yarn was then born to satisfy this need.
"Shimmer" certainly lives up to its name whether you knit & crochet it by itself or use it as a carry-a-long yarn with some of your other luxurious favorites. Anything you add it to will gleam & glimmer with sophistication from the most delicate shawl or trendy bag to elegant napkin rings & home decor.
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In the haute couture U.S. knitwear industry, the name Stacy Charles has long stood for innovative fibers and gorgeous combinations of yarns in marvelous outfits. The S. Charles Collezione brings you numerous fiber choices, and we are showcasing three of our favorites.
The foundation yarn of his glitz & glamour collection has long been Ritratto, a distinctive blend of mohair, rayon, nylon and polyester. Ultra-feminine and ultra-lightweight, "Ritratto" is terrific worked up alone or combined with another of the glamour yarns for which Stacy Charles is so well known.
And for a lovely color-coordinated duo with sparkle and shine, take a peek at subtly glitzy, lightweight Luna yarn with its blend of mohair, silk & lurex and gorgeous Stella, a worsted-weight beauty that blends silk with lurex.
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We've saved for last a fun yarn collection crafted just for the upcoming holidays by Wisdom Yarns. Wisdom's North Pole sock yarn is a self-striping, self-patterning, fingering-weight yarn in holiday colors and with holiday sparkle. Each of the color combos except for solid-colored #315 "Golden Holiday" gives you effortless jacquard auto-patterning. Add a little metallic sparkle to each colorway, and you have just the right option for all your lightweight Christmas, Hanukkah & New Year's celebrations!
And just as a little preview of what's to come, our 22nd issue of the Just My Type newsletter will be emailed to you on Tuesday, January 25th, so get ready to enjoy spectacular creations made from our lovely Exotic & Unusual Fibers to start off the new year with a bang.
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Be sure to keep up with the latest Yarnmarket & Yarndex news as it's happening!
Contests, promotions, new yarns and behind-the-scenes fun can be found on:
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Originally published by Yarnmarket, LLC in 11/2010. Please note that some yarns and links may change over time.
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