I’ve long been in love with the yarn line from Manos del Uruguay. I’ve used their silk blend in my Dimorphous Mitts pattern, and Serena (a surprising and luscious blend of Pima Cotton and Baby Alpaca) in the Furrows Shawl. So I was totally on board when they asked me to design a collection for their Spring 2013 pattern line. They launched it at the Winter TNNA show, and if you follow on instagram, you’ve probably seen a few snaps of it.
They are meant to be a nice mix of layering pieces to transition from the early days of spring to the blessedly cool nights as summer settles in. Here they are! Click the pictures to embiggen them 🙂
Melo
This lovely A-line pullover is knit in Serena with stripes in Maxima. The loose shaping and v-neck would be great over a camisole and a pair of cropped jeans. Knit at 18 sts/4″ the fabric is open, drapey, and perfect for spring. You could keep the palette neutral, or pick a bright main color and do a natural stripe. The possibilities are endless and could change the whole look.
Algorta
Algorta is a drapey little number, worked in Serena, with a not-too-ruffley peplum, and a lace band slung low across the hips. With a set-in cap sleeve and a low scoop neck, this top would be great over a pair of pants, or with a flowing linen skirt. Keep an eye out, this lacey pattern will appear again throughout the collection.
Solis
I have to say, Solis is my favorite of the pieces (although I do love them all), I have yarn sitting next to me on my desk as I type this to make one for myself. From the front it looks like an easy, scoop neck tee, but the back is that lovely lacey pattern you saw in the band of Algorta. It’s fun to work, and blocks out to such a beautiful, geometric mesh. Solis has just a hint of sleeve and knit in Silk Blend, it’s such a versatile piece with just a hint of shine. It’s eminently wearable and I see it paired to great effect with a brightly colored tank underneath.
Anillo
Anillo takes the same stripe pattern from Melo, and turns it into a slouchy hat. The twisted ribbing will keep it firmly in place on your head, whether you want to wear it farther back, or pulled down to your eyebrows (depending on the weather…). Knit in Silk Blend with brightly colored Maxima stripes, it would brighten up any gray, rainy spring day.
Collarin
And last, but certainly not least is Collarin, a simple cowl knitted in Silk Blend, with double button holes. When you fold the button holes together, then pop the buttons through, the whole cowl ruches around the buttons. The buttons are handmade, featuring brightly colored swatches of the same lacey pattern from Algorta and Solis. There’s a tutorial on how to make the buttons in my guest post on WhipUp.net
For now the collection is only available through Fairmount Fibers (Manos’ parent company and distributor in the US), but this summer the patterns will be available for download and purchase through all my normal distribution channels. I will, of course, let you know when that happens. But for now, if you want to buy the patterns, talk to your LYS that carries Manos del Uruguay yarns and let them know.
I’d love to hear what you think about it!
And thanks for all the patience while I went through Radio Silence while working on it.
Mwah!
Mim
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