We can't keep up with what our friend Kathy is working on, but we know she's always got something on her needles and under her sewing machine presser foot. She zipped through a two samples with new yarns that arrived with our move this summer; when she dropped off the top knit with Twig, she said we could borrow a couple other sweaters she had knit, we chatted, and she flew off onto her next stop. This was during our sale, so we were pretty busy and distracted and didn't really check out the sweaters for a few days . . . her Forager sweater made it onto a mannequin and we admired it but were too busy to pop it onto social media or into an email . . .
This sweater though - it has quietly enticed four knitters to make it during its short three week display life. Is it the design or the yarn? It might be the design - those modified contiguous set in sleeves with mock cable detail are gorgeous, as is the little detail just before the ribbing starts. It's from Isabell Kraemer, and we promise that any of her designs is a delight to knit and wear. (Remember the Humulus? Still a favorite in the knitter world!) Both Ashley and Kathy have knit several of Ms. Kraemer's other tops, all with great success.
If it's the yarn, we're talking about Moordale from Rowan. This British Bluefaced Leicester wool & alpaca blend launched a couple of years ago. We thought about discontinuing it after it wasn't a big seller for our little shop. But then we got some feedback from you and decided it should stay. The BFL fiber gives it sheen and strength; the alpaca gives it drape, and a definite soft hand. The yarn wears well; the color palette is irresistible. In Kathy's sweater, the design's stitchwork shines. A restock of Moordale along with a few new colors is on the way!
Of course this pattern could be knit with other dk weight yarns we have available! Ask us for our recommendations. And thank you Kathy, for sharing your fantastic Forager with us for a while. We are pretty sure she'll be taking it home to enjoy this fall, so stop in to see it for yourself before it is reclaimed!
