On the catwalks and now in the stores, the Spring '07 trends have encouraged asymmetry to go mainstream. As "ready-to wear" customers are embracing the total looks... clean graphic shapes... layers... modern constructions... new proportions, knitters are also creating head-to-toe looks in classic yarn constructions and eco-conscious fibers.

Booklet #262 Yin & Yang /all seasons, all ages, all sizes
We created pieces to build a wardrobe that will suit our knitters' uniquely individual needs. We were inspired to address the changing silhouettes and an evolving demographic of body types. Our aim was to create a wardrobe that today's woman can integrate into her everyday life.

Layering pieces can allow women to adapt comfortably to changes in climate and temperature while remaining stylish and attractive. Influenced by the kimono, many of today's fashion houses have adopted a new perspective on design and fit based on simple geometry and how it drapes forgivingly on the female form. We see this as the beginning for a new direction in hand knit dressing for many seasons to come. In booklet #262 we featured 4 garments each knit in a warm weather and a cool weather yarn. Love it™, Pure®Merino, Touche™, Ultra®Alpaca, Nostalgia™, Cotton Twist™ and Softwist™ are all featured yarns.

All 8 pieces in Yin & Yang are knit in stockinette or reverse stockinette stitch. The design twist is in the unique constructions. By putting together the pieces in new and different ways, we allow fabric to drape on the bias for an elongated line that flatters all women. There are no fussy details to distort the clean lines.

Jill from cyberspace wrote,   I can't seem to get the gauge of 4-1/2 stitches per inch on Pure Merino on a size #9 needle. Am I knitting too tightly? I am getting closer to 5 sts to the inch. Should I try to relax before I knit? Maybe I should change from coffee to herbal tea. Have you heard this from other knitters?

Jill, chill . . . You simply need to try swatching on a size #10 needle. You will probably get the correct gauge if you go up one needle size. You should know that even expert knitters like Norah Gaughan and me don't get the same gauge on the same needle size. Remember, it is the correct gauge that matters, not what size needle you are knitting on.

All the best.

Margery Winter
Creative Director