This week, we have a trunk show of kid’s designs from Blue Sky Alpaca. The new fall patterns are adorable, and I’m itching to cast on for a kid’s sweater! Here are some of the highlights:

The Kid’s Pullover is a great little fair isle project. It’s knit with Blue Sky Alpaca Skinny Cotton yarn, a soft DK-weight cotton that’s completely machine washable. The pullover you see here is definitely for boys, but the colors can be easily customized for a girl.

The Girl’s Sundress looks summery, but it’s really a great all-season garment. Your little one can wear it alone in warm weather, or layer it over tights and a long-sleeved shirt in the cooler months.

The Baby Hoodie is a staple garment at Loop. It knits up quickly, and with all of the colors of Dyed Cotton available, the possibilities are endless!

If you’re not sure if the baby will be a boy or a girl, why not knit a toy? This fish is not only adorable, it’s entirely unisex. Knitting toys is a great way to spice up your knitting–and you’ll never have to worry about whether or not it will fit!

Those are only a few of the samples we have on display. The trunk show is only here for a few days, so be sure to stop in and take a look!

Since I made the switch over to our new shop Spool, my knitting time has definitely been taken over by sewing. That does not stop me, however, from planning new projects! For the past week or so, this beauty has been catching my eye as I pass by the Loop window on my way Spool. It’s the Passionflower Tank, knit by Katie, in Sublime’s new Soya Cotton DK. I stole it away and had a little photo session with my current quilt project - which doesn’t know that it may be taking a back seat to this sweet sweater!

This pretty top is from The Luxuriously Exotic Soya Cotton Hand Knit Book. I love the names of Sublime’s pattern collections! The directions are clear and thourough, as we have come to expect from Sublime’s pattern writers. You have a choice of making this a tank or adding cap sleeves. Simple reverse stockinette details at the waist and the flirty keyhole neckline make this tank stand out. This is definitely a project that you could be wearing not long after you cast on!

A 50/50 blend of cotton and soy, this yarn is strong and soft. The stitch definition is beautiful, and the soy fiber keeps the garment in place. The color palette, though, is my favorite part. You can decide between warm summery tones, like the tart tangerine that Katie chose, or cool ocean blues and greens. Either way they will be sure to spice up your summer wardrobe!

Thanks, Katie, for the inspiration! Now which color should I choose?

Elizabeth and I came up with lots of silly haiku to describe this fantastic yarn, but I thought we’d spare you! Really, we need to write an ode to one of Loop’s favorite yarns. Haiku is Alchemy Yarns’ 40% silk, 60% mohair hand painted yarn. The silk content makes this yarn so soft, and the semi-solids and colorways are nothing short of breathtaking. I have knit sweaters with it before, but now I need to cast on for a new one since I saw this beauty .

Craig made the Kelly Cardigan from Erika Knight’s Classic Knits. The pattern calls for laceweight silk mohair doubled. Haiku fit the bill perfectly. He did a beautiful job with it, creating a sweater that is light and warm, classic and stylish.

The lovely people at Alchemy also lent us this beautiful stole they call The Illusionist. It is knit with 4 skeins of Haiku on a US 10 needle. The ruched pattern and silky shine make this a wrap you will never want to take off.

This yarn knits up so beautifully, you really should stop in and see these samples for yourself!

We have a beautiful trunk show of garments from The Natural Knitter by Barbara Albright on display now through Sunday, August 26.

The Natural Knitter is another gorgeous book from the folks at Potter Craft. It contains a wealth of information about knitting with natural fibers and over 20 projects by designers like Norah Gaughan, Debbie New, and Barbara Albright, herself.

Here’s a few of our favorites from the trunk show:

Memories of Ukraine by Lidia Karabinich in Euroflax Originals Linen Yarn.

Arthur’s Field of Dreams Sweater by Charlotte Quiggle in Blue Sky Alpaca’s Worsted Hand Dyed Yarn.

Architectural Rib Pullover by Norah Gaughan

Even though the book’s photography is spectacular, it’s even better to see and feel these sweaters in person. Remember, the trunk show is only here until Sunday, August 26, so come in and see it today!

Vogue Knitting’s 25th Anniversary Issue lives up to the buzz that’s surrounded it all year. From the 11 fabulous covers, to the interviews with knitting greats like Mari Lynn Patrick and Meg Swansen, to the over 60 designs, it’s destined to become the collector’s item they intended to create.

I was especially pleased to be offered a chance to feature an original Loop pattern in this issue. Our Collared Vest (pictured below) is in the “Silver Palette” section on page 117 and on Vogue’s newly-designed website.

Knit in the wonderful Koigu Kersti yarn, this easy-to-knit collared vest is a fantastic layering piece for fall. The pattern is available for immediate download as a pdf file.

While we’re always excited to receive a new issue of Vogue Knitting, we were particularly looking forward to the new Spring edition because Loop is featured as the Inspiration Yarn Shop! You can read about us and see pictures of the store on page 24.

Vogue is one of knitting’s top magazines. Every issue has articles on traditional knitting by authors and teachers like Meg Swansen and Beth Brown Reinsel, and knitting techniques by masters like Nicky Epstein. They also present portraits of knitting’s leading creatives, like this month’s article about Maie Landra, founder of Koigu Wool Designs.

And of course, there’re the designs. From Very Easy Vogue to advanced lace and colorwork projects, Vogue always presents the latest styles. New designs by knitting’s top designers like Mari Lynn Patrick and Shirley Paden are presented along with those from fashion’s top designers like Anna Sui and Michael Kors.

There’s always so much inspiration in Vogue. We’re honored they found a little inspiration in us, too!

Here’s a little of what you’ll find in this issue of Vogue -

From Margaret O’Leary, a simple and flattering cardigan.

From Michael Kors, a casual short-sleeved raglan cardigan.

A fitted cardigan with eyelet pattern by Shiri Mor.

And these adorable cardigans with Peter Pan collars from Debbie Bliss.

My favorite, though, is the cover design by Shirley Paden. A breezy dress with fields of eyelets and lace details, it just says, Spring. Pick up your copy of Vogue and see what inspires you!

On the first night of Sweater Class, each student selects a project and yarn. Because there are so many tempting options, Grace tries to have a few good suggestions ready ahead of time. As she was showing us some of them this afternoon, we got excited and thought we should share them with you here.

The first is the Becky Pullover from Penny Straker. With raglan sleeves and a turtleneck, this great unisex sweater is sure to become a staple of anyone’s wardrobe.

The Becky Pullover is knit at a light bulky gauge of 4 stitches to the inch. You could use yarns like Lamb’s Pride Worsted, Bel Air, or Terra.

Another sweater option Grace selected is Tempation, a cardigan from the new line Sublime.

Knit in Sublime’s Cashmere Merino Silk DK yarn, it has flattering waist shaping and an attractive seed stitch edging on the cuffs and collar.

And last, from Rebecca No. 29, the Sweater with Wide Collar in GGH’s Soft Kid.

While this sweater is the most challenging of the three, primarily because the Soft Kid can be difficult to take out if you make a mistake, it is still an approachable first sweater for a knitter who likes a challenge.

While we often think of Sweater Class for newer knitters, there’s no reason it has to be. If you’re ready to take on cables, a gansey, or colorwork, Grace is a patient and knowledgeable teacher who can assist with any sweater project.

The next Sweater Class begins Wednesday, February 7. Call a few friends and sign-up today!

We reach for Mac and Me scarf and blanket patterns again and again at Loop. They’re modern, comfortable designs that are as fun to knit as they are to wear. So we were thrilled when 5 new patterns arrived this week.

Three of the patterns use Blue Sky Alpaca’s Brushed Suri, a soft and fuzzy blend of baby suri alpaca, merino, and bamboo. Brushed Suri is unique among fuzzy yarns because it’s content is all natural and it is very light.

Lucy’s Fuzzy Sweater is a comfortable pullover for girls age 1 to 6.

The Brushed Alpaca Vest can be made cropped or full length for girls 6 months to 8 years old.

And for the adults, there’s the Alpaca Cowl Neck pullover. Leave the sleeves off for a shell or knit the long belled sleeves for use in colder weather.

Two of the new patterns use Blue Sky Alpaca’s Organic Cotton. We love this yarn for babies because the colors are that of the natural cotton, it’s soft and cuddly, it’s machine washable, and it’s organic. But we also can’t resist the Dyed Cotton for it’s fantastic colors. They are the same fiber content and gauge, and can be used interchangeably.

For the Lattice Baby Blanket, the yarn is doubled for extra softness.

Molly’s Blanket combines garter stitch and yarn-overs to create a new classic you’ll knit for all your friends.

If you love Mac and Me patterns like we do, you’ll have a hard time knowing which to knit first. If you’re new to them, then just grab the first one that appeals to you and jump in. They’re great fun!