Neon and Neutral and Brilliant All Over

Neon and Neutral and Brilliant All Over

Welcome to the world, Neons & Neutrals! We have been eagerly awaiting this powerful pop of colour from the incredible Aimée Gille and her collaborators. We are so happy to see it launch today!

Aimée Gille’s Neons & Neutrals is certain to make a splash. Image © Laine Publishing

Aimée’s first collection, Worsted, made waves when it hit the shelves last year and if anything Neons & Neutrals only improves on the brilliance of deploying yarns and colours to maximum effect. The patterns in this book make happy bedfellows of the brightest hues and muted neutrals until you can’t quite remember which is which and why you never thought they’d go together before.

Neons and Neutrals are firm friends in Xiao Mai by Layla Yang of Qing Fibre. Image © Laine Publishing

This collection of 16 patterns by 16 designers casts its net beyond the gorgeous fibres we’ve come to expect from La Bien Aimée to combine brands and bases in new and unexpected ways. The themes of solidarity and cooperation are woven throughout this collection, and that’s demonstrated both by the fibres used and the global group of contributors whose patterns complement each other so well.

One of the patterns we adore is the stunning Confluence by Caitlyn Turowski. This marled sweater with romantic ballooned sleeves combines two contrasting hues to hit the eye with one stunning tone with tons of depth. It’s only in the striped cuffs and neck that you can see the effect is actually created by two different yarns.

We are so taken with Confluence that we’ll soon be making kits for the pattern. In the spirit of combining different yarns, our version will use Madelinetosh Merino Light in “Grapefruit” and La Bien Aimée Mohair Silk in “Sansa”. We can’t wait to join the community celebrating this book and the incredible creators who contributed to it.

That’s why we’re so excited that Aimée is starting her European tour for Neons & Neutrals right here at Loop on the weekend of Saturday 29 April. Our ticketed sessions to chat with Aimée, Jonna of Laine Publishing, and friends have sold out, but Loop will be open as usual after a private morning session on the 29th and Aimée will be in the shop (along with other special guests) from 2 – 5 pm. We’ll have tons of yarns for these patterns in stock and available to purchase on the day (and especially overflowing with LBA yarns of course), but if you can’t wait to cast on feel free to stop by the shop or email shop@loopknitting.com for yarn recommendations!

Embroidery Magazine

The cover art for the latest Embroidery Magazine is by Amanda McCavour, whose specimen-like embroideries you can learn more about in the issue!

We’re totally enamoured of the latest issue of Embroidery Magazine. The March/April 2023 issue is a truly globe-trotting textile tour featuring some of the most brilliant stitchers working today from Mexico to New Zealand. With book previews, maker profiles, and even tips on how to take your very own real-life textile tour of Paris, this one is a real treat!

Uptown Shawl Kits

Cosy Uptown Shawl goes with just about everything

Speaking of using different yarns together, we’ve made more of our beloved Uptown Shawl Kits! This glorious pattern by Susie Haumann uses a nifty slip stitch technique that alternates La Bien Aimeé Merino Sport and Gepard Kid Seta for a lightweight yet super squishy texture that’s to die for. This is a great piece for the transitions between seasons — muted enough to wear with your winter wardrobe as the chilly days continue here in the UK yet bright enough that it won’t weigh down your pastels come spring!

CaMaRose and De Rerum

We’ve had lovely deliveries from CaMaRose and De Rerum, two really wonderful European yarn producers whose products show the greatest care for the environment, animal welfare, and the wearer of the final product, resulting in soft snuggly yarns you can really feel good about. The latest arrivals from CaMaRose included Snefnug, Yaku, Midnatssol and Hverdagsuld. Even if you don’t have a specific project in mind these yarns make fantastic stash boosters. It’s never the wrong time to stock up!

Happy knitting!

Main image © Laine Publishing

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