The back to school yarn.

Does anyone remember the Staples commercial with the music track "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"? It got your attention because it aired not at Christmas but at back-to-school time. Ecstatic parents skipped down the aisles buying school supplies in anticipation of back to school, while their sullen youngsters looked on.

It's sorta like that in my house right now.

Then this wonderful yarn arrived and made me look forward to the fall even more. It's Cascade 128 Tweed, a chunky-weight tweed that's surprisingly soft and incredibly versatile.

I went looking for some great project ideas for this yarn, and it didn't take me long. First, a great, easy, free Ribbed Beanie pattern from Wooly Wormhead:

A really cute first felting project, Angela's Fabulous Felted Bag (also free). Yes, this yarn is the chunky cousin to Cascade 220, so it felts wonderfully:

The Shalom cardigan (free):

The ever-popular Juliet (this is a link to the pattern which you pay to download; Loops also has the printed pattern for sale):

This Owls sweater is a free ravelry download and oh my, too cute! Would be great if you have a Chi Omega to knit for:

This great cardi is from Stefanie Japel's book, Fitted Knits (gotta buy the book for this one - but it's worth it!):

And last but not least, the quintessential back-to-school project - the Brown Bag! The wool is naturally insulating, eco-friendly and sure to wow 'em in the lunchroom:


We got a small batch of the 128 Tweed to start, and now that I've found all these patterns, I think I will be re-ordering soon...meanwhile, shop early and shop often!

- Shelley
shop online at loopsknitting.com