Fresh colors and a great desire to knit

As well as fresh color, we have some great news for you to start with: tomorrow Paul Pascuali, founder of the yarn manufacturer of the same name, celebrates a milestone birthday! We are big fans of his yarns - the high-quality qualities of the finest natural and luxury fibers simply speak for themselves.

To give him a special gift, Maschenfein is dedicating a special design to him. Sandra and Marisa have designed the Paul Scarf, which is adorned with our Frieda pattern and knitted from the pure cashmere yarn Cashmere 6/28. This certified organic quality is one of our absolute favorites: such a soft and elegant yarn!

The small shawl is started at one point, where it slowly builds up by increasing at the sides and changes into the pattern that you already know from the scarf and shawl. It becomes narrower again towards the second tip by decreasing at the sides.

To make Paul even happier, one euro from every pattern sold (up to and including February 29, 2024) will be donated to a good cause of his choice. It doesn't matter whether you buy them here on maschenfein.com or on Ravelry. In any case, we hope to make Paul happy and say: Happy birthday! Here's to many more years with Maschenfein and Pascuali.

You can reach into the color box again with the following model: Lulu Slipover Junior by PetiteKnit, which is of course also available (and even first) in an adult version and also in a heavier cozy version. I have to admit that I had another one of my famous knitting visions here. While I was able to pass by the adult version quite easily, I was so enthusiastic about the children's version that I have already ordered yarn for it(Double Sunday in pink lilac) and have also added the model in my size to my wish list aka knitting list aka doom. Here I'm flirting with Peer Gynt in Ballet Shoes.

Either way and no matter which version you choose, you knit your model from the top down. The back is worked first, then the front. Ribbed cuffs are worked along the armholes and double-knit edges are worked along the sides, which form a slit at the bottom. The side buttons are a little eye-catcher. I opted for the cotton buttons from Merchant & Mills in yellow (note: you may need a different button size depending on the model). Are you missing your button model? We are already reordering!

Before I go back to more muted colors, I want to quickly show you a new yarn from Sandnes. Ballerina Chunky Mohair is a classic brushed yarn with a mohair fiber blend. However, the quality is heavier than the classic mohair-silk yarns and does not contain any silk. Instead, a small amount of polyamide is used for stability and durability.

I am usually less in favor of synthetic fibers in yarns, but I have to say that the bright and cheerful color palette makes up for the (actually only) 5 percent polyamide. You can knit Ballerina Chunky Mohair into airy tops, but it's also wonderful as an additional yarn for more fluffiness. Sandnes has even designed a small collection of its own for the yarn - I'll include the patterns in the box. And here's another note: since January, Sandnes patterns are no longer available as a magazine bundle, but only as individual patterns. So when you buy them, make sure you check the appropriate box and add the pattern to your basket if necessary.

If that was all too colorful or too light and airy for you - no problem. I understand that. You look outside, see a glimpse of sunshine and think: sneakers! And then you wonder why you come home with frozen toes after shopping or a visit to the playground ... No, no, it's not spring yet, it's just spring fever!

These feelings are perfectly okay (or as my son's latest Tonie figure warbles "Every feeling is allowed"), but they have to be kept warm in the truest sense of the word. How do you do that? With knitwear, of course! The new winter essentials from Paula_m are a perfect match. Susanne has designed a set consisting of a hat, collar and mittens. The ribbed pattern is simple but not boring and looks perfect on these timeless accessories. Susanne originally knits with No Waste Wool from Knitting for Olive, a new quality from the Danish manufacturer, which we have of course added to our portfolio.

The yarn is a little something special, as half of it is made from recycled wool fibers that are left over as waste or remnants from the production of other yarns. The other half is made up of merino fibers, which ensure that the yarn is stable and does not tear. The look is woolly, but the yarn is still soft. All fibers are certified.

Also new is the Jacques Collar from Susanne. I'm a big fan of these knitted collars. They have a sweater look, but are finished much faster. Perfect for people like me, who would still like to make winter knitwear if it weren't for the fact that spring and the lack of time are already breathing down their necks. So: knit collars, be warm and still plan the linen projects (if you can, you can).

For the cheat sweater, as Susanne herself called it, we have created two kits for you: One with Alpaca Soft DK from Rowan and the other with Como and Premia from Lamana. So you decide whether it should fluff or not. If you ask me: do both! You know if you can, you can ...

It is knitted from the top down in a half-brioche, with the "wrong" side of the pattern on the outside. I was skeptical about this for a long time, but I have to say that I now really like the look. The Gujo Collar from aegyoknit, for example, also has the wrong side on the outside and it is: 👌

I've also brought along a bit of network gossip today. I don't want to let it get out of hand, not that it will be said later that they gossip at Maschenfein, but I still have some important information ...

For example, we have already laid out the latest book from Laine Verlag for you. In 52 Weeks of Accessories, as the title suggests, you will find 52 pattern for great knitted little things (be it scarves, hairbands, bags or gloves - there's pretty much everything) from 48 designers. Among them are Lindsey Fowler, Susanne Sommer and Veera Välimäki, for example. By far only a small selection - I don't know many of the designers myself yet, but I'm really looking forward to their contributions! So put your name on the waiting list for the English-language book and it will be in the post for you from February 16.

I would also like to take this opportunity to draw your attention once again to our new inspiration "Nordic knitting love", which already sweetened last weekend. In it, Louisa has put together lots of interesting facts about our new yarn manufacturer Istex and our other Nordic yarns - supplemented by lots and lots of knitting ideas, of course. If you missed the inspiration, take another look!