New Issue of Laine Magazine up close
We have long been captivated by Laine Magazine and the newest issue doesn’t disappoint. What an incredible publication! The high quality of the patterns, articles and photography are always so beautiful.
Laine is all about natural fibres, slow living, local craftsmanship and the beautiful and simple things in our lives and that’s exactly what we love about it. There is always something to aspire to and be inspired by.
We thought we’d take an in-depth look at a few of the patterns in this issue. It’s always great to be able to purchase the yarn that the pattern has been designed for but we know that isn’t always possible whether it’s because of budget, colour or fibre content, there are always more options.
All of the patterns in this issue are incredible and we have highlighted just a few of the stunning designs to take a closer look at some of the beautiful yarns used and to offer you some alternative choices based on weight, texture and appearance.
Snowy Forest
This incredibly sumptuous circle yoke pullover was designed to feature a deep yoke with bold cables. The pattern comes in two different length options: cropped and regular. The sweater is shown in two different versions: one made holding a strand of each sport weight yarn and silk mohair together (the dark version), the other made with one strand of worsted weight yarn (cream version) . It’s so wonderful to have so many choices available in a pattern!
You could combine a beautiful sportweight like De Rerum Natura Ulysse with a strand of silk and mohair for softness and warmth. Or, just use a single strand of De Rerum Natura Cyrano to give those gorgeous cables in the yoke centre stage. We can see CaMaRose Snefnug being another popular choice held on its own as it is super light and has the soft halo of alpaca in a single strand. Quince & Co Chickadee held with Ito Sensai would be another stunning option.
Akwa Miri
Akwa Miri long shawl collar cardigan has been inspired by the traditional oversized American College cardigans and a cotton textile hand woven by Ibo women of Akwete Nigeria. The fabric produced by the women was originally referred to as “Akwa Miri” (Cloth of the water) which means towel.
The super cosy cardigan with its shawl collar and large pockets is designed for Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter. Shelter is a lovely soft and light, woollen spun yarn with a slightly speckled rustic appearance. Using shelter would certainly make this a very light and cosy garment. Another alternative would be the Biches & Buches Le Petit Lambswool. This is a slightly lighter yarn but a with a very similar rustic look and also very soft. The yardage is slightly less on the Biches & Buches lambswool and as always, best to check your gauge before starting a project this size. There are many colours to choose from in both yarns.
Ascend Sweater
Ascend is one of those great layering pieces that is surely going to be a classic. One you wear with or over everything. A high contrast version is a great way to show off the texture on the bottom and sleeves of this sweater. Try it in a more subtle contrast of neutrals for a beautiful understated option.
The wide folded mock neck collar completes the design with so many interesting details on a really wearable boxy fit. Ascend is designed in a 100% merino worsted weight wool. Daughter of a Shepherd Brume Aran with it’s natural silvery flecks or Ram Jam would make a beautiful “wooly’ rustic garment with great stitch definition. For a soft and smooth alternative the De Rerum Natura Gilliatt , a blend of Merino D’Arles, (Provence, France) and Portuguese black merino from Alentejo,is available in 39 colours! If you like a bit of alpaca for extra warmth , Quince & Co Owl is one of our favourites with another great and varied colour palette to choose from. Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter is another fabulous option with a beautiful range of colours, a soft hand and slightly rustic appearance.
Seli Sweater and Cardigan
Seli is a seamless cropped top-down raglan, the cardigan is steeked in the front and both feature embellishment on the cuffs, neckline, hem and sleeves. The sleeves have descending motifs created using the Estonian inlay technique called Roosimine. By using intentional floats on the right side of your work you can create some stunning motifs that look like embroidery.
The pattern was designed for a 100% fingering weight wool and we think Quince & Co Finch might fit the bill nicely. Another option might be the Isager Highland wool held together with Isager Alpaca 1 for a warm and soft fabric or the Biches & Buches Le Petit Lambswool or Jamieson’s Spindrift might make another good choice for a more rustic ‘woolly’ appearance although it’s quite soft once blocked.
Skog
Skog is a light-weight, perfectly oversized turtleneck sweater with a bit of colourwork on the sleeves. The silhouette looks simple but there is a lot of subtle shaping making it a really flattering fit. Using Biches & Buches Le petit lambswool for the main colour, it also uses a lace weight silk mohair held with a contrast colour for the graphic pattern on the sleeves. This gives it some lovely textural interest as well as contrast. You could also try the Biches & Buches Le Cashmere and Lambswool for added luxury, Brooklyn Tweed’s Loft or Isager Highland wool for a similar light but cosy fabric.
Portia Shawl
Featured on the cover of Laine issue 10 is the Portia Shawl. Portia is a big statement shawl with bold, luxurious cables. It doesn’t get cosier than this. Portia has been designed for a fingering weight wool held with a lace weight silk and mohair yarn. We think it would be beautiful in any of our more lofty wool fingering yarns like Biches & Buches or Brooklyn Tweed’s Loft but it would be amazing to knit this in hand-dyed fingering weight with subtle colour variations like the Lichen and Lace merino singles held with some mohair as well.
It is all about texture with warmth and a beautiful halo of fuzz from the mohair. You might try Quince & Co Finch or Tern held with any of our silk/mohair blends. Gepard Kid Seta, Isager Silk Mohair and Ito Sensai all come in lots of gorgeous colours. There are so many options with this as the intended gauge allows you to play with heavier weights as single strands or lighter yarns held together. De Rerum Natura Ulysse is a sport weight but would make a lovely choice held with some mohair or you could try CaMaRose Snefnug , a soft and cosy alpaca, cotton and merino blend which could make a beautiful lightweight but cosy shawl. Just remember to check your gauge and needle size to help you purchase the right amount of yarn. Otherwise, the sky is the limit with possibilities.
We hope that’s helped you a little bit in making some decisions about which yarns to try and has sparked some creativity. Remember, if you need some advice or help in figuring out quantities when making substitutions we are always happy to help!
Recent Arrivals
- Temaricious 100 thread box sets have arrived! The special box comes with a lovely botanical design and is a limited edition once a year for the holidays.
- New Leaf and Avo colour combination for the Floral KOKON Blouse Kit.
- Some new kits for the Ellen Sweater designed by Camilla Vad have arrived!
- We will have more of the charming birdcage tea light holders available this weekend and ready for when the online shop opens again.
- More beautiful squishy and soft Merino sport plus from tôt le matin yarns has arrived in some new colours! Photos will be up over the weekend.
Thank you for your understanding and patience this weekend while we had the shop open for local visitors. Our online shop should be up and running again on Sunday evening the 13th.
Stay warm, stay safe and happy knitting!
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