Knitch Magazine

As soon as the weather starts changing to warmer temperatures and sunny skies, our thoughts and shopping plans turn to warm-weather gear. Maybe we’re inspired to spruce up our wardrobes because Mother Nature is sprucing up the outdoors with lovely daffodils, budding trees and trilling birds, but we too are ready to adorn ourselves and our loved ones for the upcoming springtime activities. So what do our favorite knitwear designers and yarn companies have in store for our knitting and crocheting pleasure to suit all of the great trends for Spring 2010?

One of our favorite designers is Karola Gottwald, Designer Director for Gedifra Yarns, and she and her design team are right in step with the high-fashion trends this season. From the clever vertical striping of the Barina Striped Vest to the Wavy Stripes Pullover, you can create several lovely garments for the nautical, beachwear look. Also Karola and her crew are definitely in tune with romantic, feminine styles in their Barina Ruffled Collar Jacket, the Fiorista Fino Ruffled Top and the Jalia Draped Ruffle Tank. Then when you’re looking for classic and lacy fashions for your wardrobe, check out the Barina Side-to-Side Cardigan, the Fiorista Fino Hairpin Lace Top, the Jalia Crocheted Jacket and the Barina Lace Tee.

Berroco’s Creative Director Norah Gaughan and her innovative team have also created special warm-weather garments and accessories using their terrific spring/summer fiber gems. First off, we know how much Norah and her staff enjoy the feminine and classic trends because they have outdone themselves in the Origami Wylie Vest with its tailored longer length plus pockets, the traditional ruffling on the Pure Pima Tremella Cardigan and on the Peltigera Top, and the excellent drape of the Crocheted Kirra Jacket. The other trends the Berroco design team has enthusiastically embraced are casual beachwear, sportswear pieces and tie-dye prints. From the creative Seduce Colors Beach Tunic to the Weekend Romi Camp Shirt and from the Origami Tilba Tie Front Hoodie to the Weekend Aon Vest, your casual wardrobe will be easy to enhance.

The fantastic designs of Rowan Yarns are known world-wide for classic simplicity and beauty, and the spring/summer offerings are no exception. The stunning Kidsilk Haze Checkered Cardigan gives a whole new meaning to the idea of prints, and the Cotton Champagne Please Cardigan is another new take on a classic. Then for more of a pop-art approach, take a peek at the Cotton Glace Bournemouth Tank, or for multi-colored, nautical striping, check out the Milk Cotton Torquay Pullover. Of course, the feminine retro stylings of the 1940s are well represented by the Wool Cotton Rosebud Cardigan with its exquisite use of embroidery, while the romantic shrug is beautifully portrayed in the Chiffon Ribbon Shrug, in the Calmer Enchant Shrug and in the Kidsilk Haze Hush Shrug.

Another British design star we count on every season is Debbie Bliss, and she has excelled this spring, especially with the sportswear, classic and beachwear high-fashion looks. The Eco Baby Striped Top has the longer length and trendy striping so popular today, and the Amalfi Cabled Cricket Sweater will have you ready for a game or celebrating afterwards. Then for lounging by the pool, consider the terrific Prima Hooded Kaftan, or if you prefer a loose-fitting boyfriend jacket, knit up the Prima Striped Cardigan Jacket. Always Debbie Bliss demonstrates lovely classic fashions too, and the double-breasted Amalfi Cap Sleeved Tunic Cardi and the simple A-Line Cardigan are just two marvelous examples of this trend.

Eisaku Noro and his team of designers, especially Jenny Watson, definitely give us some gorgeous garments and accessories for spring. In particular, we love how well all of the creations showcase Noro’s spectacular color combos and auto-striping fiber blends. From the Aya Wavy Lace Tank Top to the almost tie-dye looking Furin Trapeze Top, you have great choices for your warm-weather wardrobe. Then the Sekku Knit & Crochet Tank shows the resurgence of crochet in handcrafted items, and the Taiyo Eyelet & Cable Pullover will get you ready for your next sporting event in style. Also the innovative shaping of the Furin Poncho Top shows sensational drape and the Silk Garden Sock Vest is fantastic for classic layering.

And last but certainly not least, the lovely designs featuring Tahki Yarns are outstanding this season, especially in terms of layering and vest options. From the traditional, tweedy look of the Cotton Classic Houndstooth Vest to the classic styling of the Sierra Tailored Vest, Tahki’s spring yarns are absolutely marvelous when featured in retro, traditional fashions. They also work up sensationally in sporty looks like the Cotton Classic Escapade Hoodie and in romantic, feminine designs such as the Antique Silk Vest and in the Prima Donna Vest. Besides a wide range of vest styles, we also highly recommend the warm-weather Dairy Maid Halter and the French Lace Cami for those feminine touches you crave.