Tilli Tomas Blog

For those of you familiar with the initialism MDSW, it needs no introduction. I will say, however, that it often makes me think of NSFW, or its other popular spelling, MD$W.

Vanillabean Knits snaps a photo from 2008 MDSW

This is a quick pre-party bulletin to get you excited as the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is fast approaching – only two weeks away! So are you going? Didn’t know it was happening? Looking for a last minute ride? We want to know – will you be at the 2012 Woodstock of fiber arts?

Tilli Tomas is going to be at Booth B30 in the Main Exhibition Hall. So rain or shine, we will be there. Definitely come visit and see some of our brand new offerings, including our glorious new colors of variegated Artisan Sock.

Since roughly the time last week that I made the matzoh-switch, I’ve been tracking the rare and elusive Perfect Bag.

My Perfect Bag (for a Perfect Bag is unique in shape and size to each hunter, much like a patronus) is at present a large, shapely tote with wide straps that doesn’t look like I got it for $1.00 at the grocery store, nor like it came from LL Bean. While I appreciate the classic ‘Bean tote, I am thinking more Longchamp Le Pliage, but less ubiquitous if you know what I mean.

Just when I thought I’d gnawed this idea down to the lead, Kaire’je Studio sends us a pic of another great bag she’s done, using Tilli Tomas Flurries:

Of course! Clearly the answer is to felt my own damn bag. (Er, or pay Kaire’je to make me one . . .)

The one above – Noni’s Cornucopia Bag – is gorgeous, but a little too curvaceous for me. So in my search for the Perfect Bag I’m opening up the floor – What’s your favorite bag pattern? Which tote will you be toting this spring?

Rushing to get dressed this morning, I realized I am sorely low on spring socks. You know the type – fun enough to show off a flash of ankle (or instep), but still warm enough to do a sock’s primary job. I am sad to report that in fact I only own one pair of hand knit socks – a Cookie A pattern that I wore on my first day as a married lady – and they are the most comfortable socks I own. So this year I’m in search of new patterns to inspire me to get out there, roll up my cuffs, and rock the “hand knit socks with Mary Jane” look. Or in my case, more like wingtips.

Some of my favorites from Ravelry that use some great, colorful techniques:

1. Tiptoe Through The Tulips by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

I prefer the solid body to the stripes myself, but I love both the pop of color and the idea of a contrast heel and toe. Even if you decide to skip the tulips, this is a great basic pattern for a fitted sock with contrast color blocking.

2. Flower Power by Suzanne Chotty

Truthfully, I don’t love this flower motif, but I thought this was a great example of what my friends and I call “faux-isle” – stranded color work using one solid, and one variegated. This allows you to have a multi-colored look without having to knit with a million colors. And who doesn’t love that kind of bang for your buck? You can use this technique in any fair-isle sock pattern by simply subbing in a variegated yarn for all the colors called for in the pattern motif.

3. Spread Spectrum by Kristi Schueler

So speaking of using variegated yarn, I seriously have no idea how she did this, but kind of want to knit them immediately. Great technique, no? And I love that you can apply this to any variegated yarn to really showcase the different sections of color. Actually, this would make a pretty cool technique on a sweater too. Hmm.

Kristi has a host of great ideas for knitting socks with variegated yarn in this book too, in case this makes you hungry for more.

4. LoveSocks by Devon Clement

Okay, so I kind of buried the lead on this one – these are my favorite of the bunch. Not only do I have a soft spot for fraternal twin socks like these (i.e., clearly matching but not identical), but this pattern is both sharply adorable and FREE.

While I think the above shot is a great use of dual-color work, this one below with the contrast heart is more my speed:

5. Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers by Melissa Dominguez

I watched Wigstock again this morning for the first time since it came out in 1995, and these socks just made me think of some fabulous queen channeling Dorothy. They also have a touch of Elsa Schiaparelli in them. So if you’re not afraid of the whimsical, may we suggest a little trompe l’oeil for spring?

6. Lickety Split by Pilpilan Wangsai

Speaking of whimsical, we leave you with this creation for your consideration. While I have never been a socks-and-sandals girl, Pinpilan does make a convincing case for giving my toes some room. In more practical terms, what I like about these is the bold use of contrasting colors and the button-back ankles – PERFECT as a detail for socks worn with skirts or shorts, where the back of the ankle is likely to show.

Hopefully these patterns are enough to get you started on your march toward spring style. And of course when you’re ready to get the yarn to start knitting – whether solid or psychedelic – you know where to find it.

Shawls! Here I am wracking my brains for a spring (er, in Boston it’s more like summer today) knitting project and then, from the depths of the Yarn Snobs forum on Ravelry, out they jump:

Batik shawl by jmallen on Ravelry

Zetor shawl by Booknutty on Ravelry

Shipwreck shawl by Stricktante on Ravelry

That last one in particular was in Knitty some years ago, great shawl. You can see a host of amazing shawls (and other FOs) in the Yarn Snobs 2012 FOs discussion, and then you can get some yarn for your next shawl here!

Stylish women (and men) the world over are hip to this truth: accessories are key!  They can take a simple black ensemble from “backstage” to “runway”.  You know what I mean – it’s the difference between looking like a roadie and a rock star.

Case in point, our new Sari Ribbon Cuff:

If our new bold and bright Sari Ribbon isn’t your thing, maybe Nelkin Designs has your number:

While the pattern has you beading by hand, we say life is too short! Just knit it using our pre-beaded Rock Star yarn!

The best part about the Soutache cuff is that it’s also a necklace. Just keep knitting a little longer, and voila!

So whether your inner self is a little more MIA, or a little more Arwen, there’s something to bring a little glamour to your needles.

With March nearly upon us, we’re celebrating with a host of new sock yarn colors, including my personal favorite, Limoncello:

Oh, it makes me wish I was eating olives and sipping something citrusy in Italy.

My other favorites for this coming spring are Aspen and Muted Clay. I can’t be the only knitter out there who follows fashion trends, so if you’re with me on this one, holler. If you’re not, here’s a primer on why slighty-off pastels are spring’s big thing.

Speaking of sock yarn, Knowknits has some adorable new patterns using our Artisan Sock. Example A, the Little Man Lucas sweater:

As I said, adorable.  Talk about style, too – this is a very grown up looking sweater!

It’s shown here knit with colors Mud and Twigs, but I think it might not be a bad idea to punch the color up a bit for the little ones.

Then again, I run around looking like I fell into a pile of Oilily everyday, so what do I know, right?

We have an adult t-shirt pattern in the works too, using a combination of the Artisan Sock solids and variegated. So for those of you not afraid of some smaller needles (with big style payoff), stay tuned!

We’re fortunate enough to work with a myriad of knitwear designers (lest you think we do all this sample knitting ourselves).  This roster includes the lovely and talented HeartStrings FiberArts.   Luckily for us, she has two new, beautiful patterns out showcasing some of our favorite yarns:

This picture of the Austrian Lace Stirrup Leg Warmers makes me want to get a pedicure! Delightfully chic, and great with a pair of open-toed shoes for spring. She used Tilli Tomas Artisan Sock, a beautiful 90/10 Merino/Nylon blend. I’ll probably make mine in some boring shade of gray, but don’t let that stop you from experimenting with some wild colors.

Another great accessory (HeartStrings has a wealth of them) is this Rock Star Choker, made with Tilli Tomas Rock Star beaded yarn. With all those glass beads around your neck, all you’ll need is a little sunshine. Or a disco ball. Your call.

Check out all of HeartString’s new patterns and then visit our yarn page to pick out something fun, quick, and glamorous to punch up your accessories wardrobe for spring!

We had a new big hit at the TNNA show in Phoenix – Sari Ribbon:

What’s great about this sari yarn compared to others you’ve surely seen on the market is that it is not reprocessed and spun – which means the colors of each sari stay separate, one into another. This creates a really beautiful variegated, almost Noro-like effect.

The other big hit was our variegated sock yarn, especially in Coconut Grove and Bad Romance:

This all brings to mind Diana Vreeland’s old line: “Pink is the Navy Blue of India.” So, this spring, embrace your inner Bollywood!

Looking for something to help shake the food coma? Some humble suggestions:

Helen Bingham will be hosting a trunk show at Fresh Purls in Providence, RI this Saturday, Nov. 26th. Get yourself down there to see (and touch!) her beautiful designs, including the Golden Beauty pictured – using Tilli Tomas yarn of course! You can check out the Rock Star yarn that she used to make this beautiful tunic and headband set here.

A little about Helen: She is both a talented knitter and a long distance runner! She says that all those miles help clear her head and find tune her designs. Clearly it’s working: she’s designed for Classic Elite, Nashua, Misti International, Sheep Shop, Swarovski, and Skacel! We are honored to have her working in our yarns, and hope you get a chance to go see her fabulous work in person.

Blue Alvarez whipped up these fingerless mitts in our Tilli Tomas Artisan Sock yarn. Just hold two strands of the sock yarn together, CO, and before the weekend’s over you’ll have a holiday gift! Pattern comes in two sizes so it’s sure to fit everyone on your list, including you! You can download the pattern on Ravelry free of charge. Yes, we said free.

Ready to knit? You can get Tilli Tomas Artisan Sock here to get cranking on those mittens. Have a fabulous weekend and don’t shop too hard!