We just got in a shipment of Tabitha yarn from Great Adirondack.  Tabitha is one of my favorite yarns because it is a chunky, nubby thick and thin yarn that is 75% cotton and 25% rayon.  That's right, no wool!  It can be used as a substitute for thick textured wool yarns in jackets, sweaters, and coats that call for a gauge of 3-3.5 stitches per inch.  Shown here in the Songbird colorway:



And Paprika:



We have gotten in four colors to start with.  If you would like to order this yarn in any other Great Adirondack colors, we will be happy to special order it for you.

For those of you who are still nervous about venturing beyond scarves and shawls, we have some inspirational examples of summer tops and tunics that you can knit by sewing two simple rectangles or triangles together.  If you choose yarns with great drape that knit up well on large needles, you can quickly make a beautiful piece to throw on over a tank top or shell all summer long.

Herta just finished this gorgeous top using South West Trading Company's new corn yarn, A-MAIZing:



This is really just two rectangles joined together at the shoulder and the sides.  Although the stitch looks complex, it actually is not too difficult as far as lacey stitches go.  It is a pretty straighforward repitition, making it fairly easy to keep track of where you are in the pattern.  I will be writing up the instructions for this top this weekend.

Best of all, A-MAIZing can be machine washed and dried.  I would wash this particular top in a lingerie bag because of the lacey stitch. 

Many of you who have been in the shop know Linda Brannen, who is a genius at putting together colors and textures.  I absolutely love this top that she just made using Great Adirondack Cyclone and Judi & Co. Half Inch Rayon Ribbon:



Again, this consists of two rectangles joined at the sides and shoulders.  This one is knit from side to side on large needles, alternating several rows of Cyclone in Leopard with a row of Half Inch Ribbon in Tortoise.  Linda trimmed it Copper colored Chips from Trendsetter (we do have these in stock, but haven't gotten them into the on-line catalog yet).

Another one of Linda's creations that is a favorite in the shop is her Marshgrass Butterfly: 



This is made from two triangles (like two small shawls) that are joined together for a few inches at the shoulders (leaving the ends to hang loose, sort of like slit sleeves).  This one is knit from Blue Heron Rayon Ric Rac in Marshgrass, with a row of Judi & Co Moonlight Ribbon worked in a drop stitch near the top.

Linda also paints beautiful glassware, which you can see at her web site: www.lindabrannen.com.  My favorite is her Bird of Paradise: