Out of the pigeonhole.

Yesterday, we debuted two of our new Hot Loops Wall projects in our online store.  Both are Loops Original patterns, created by our very own Loops Troops.  Both are part of the new Osage Collection, named for towns in Osage County, Oklahoma, where we did our photo shoot and coincidentally, where a big-time movie is now being shot.   

(Seriously, there have been George Clooney and Julia Roberts sightings all over the place.  We keep hoping for Miss Julia to visit Loops, because we know she is a knitter extraordinaire.)

We can actually imagine Julia sporting this new pattern, called Burbank Bag.  It's a felted bag project from Gina Hills, made from Jewel Handpaint, a new thick-and-thin aran weight from Cascade Yarns.  It also has a touch of Little Flowers from Crystal Palace, used as a carry-along yarn to give the bag extra texture.

Our next new pattern is Barnsdall Blanket, a continuation of our ongoing Missoni obsession, designed by Gene Wiseman in the new Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK yarn.

Here's the thing.  While we adore both of these patterns, we would hate for you to pigeonhole these yarns as belonging only to these projects.

Because this Jewel Handpaint yarn is incredibly versatile and beautiful.  Just gaze upon this color range:

It's soft enough that it should, be no means, be limited to felting projects.  You could make this.

Or this.

Or this.

And the yarn for the Barnsdall Blanket?  It may be called Baby Merino Silk DK, but this ain't your grandma's baby yarn.  It's got merino.  And silk.  And yes, it is washable.  But it's about as far away from that chain-store-acrylic stuff as you can get.

I love that it looks much more expensive than it is, with its subtle changes in hue that feel almost hand-dyed.  Case in point:  This.

And I love that you can use it for other things besides baby.  Like this.

I confess, I'm not much of a pigeon fan.  But thinking outside of the pigeonhole?  That is something to coo about.

- Shelley
shop online at loopsknitting.com