Lion Brand Notebook ®
For our August Color of the Year, we chose Sapphire blue, which is omnipresent in all levels of fashion. Consider the lowly blue jean, worn by the masses, yet still incorporated into every designer’s collection. All of America has fallen in love with blue hues, and Sapphire in particular is embraced as one of the most American colors. In spite of its saturation throughout the fashion world, it can still play into your wardrobe as a neutral or an accent color. For a list of Sapphire yarns, plus a few new patterns, read on.
All the fashion junkies out there will certainly remember Meryl Streep’s infamous monologue in the movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. She admonishes her intern, who has dared to question the eminence of of the fashion industry:
Barry Wetcher/20th Century Fox/Rex
“What you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise. It’s not lapis. It’s actually cerulean. And you’re also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent, wasn’t it, who showed cerulean military jackets? […] then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and so it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you’re wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room.”
And so, from jeans to ballgowns, Sapphire has been the go-to statement color for First Ladies and celebrities.
Bianca Top (Crochet)
While sapphires are the birthstone of September, they’re considered the ‘gem of gems’ year-round. They also hold significance in almost every religion. Art historians of Western Culture note that the Virgin Mary is painted in a royal blue robe, and has been for centuries. And in ancient Egypt, royal blue was associated with godliness. Artisans made a royal blue powder from ground lapis lazuli, to use as decoration. Even the world’s most famous gem, the Hope Diamond, has a dark blue hue.
Tivoli Tunic (Crochet)
Our new Tivoli Tunic (Crochet) is a darling crochet project, which uses our Jeans Yarn in Classic.
If you’re a trivia buff, then you’ll love this fun tidbit: the name ‘blue jeans’ actually comes from the term ‘Lue Genova’, which refers to the sturdy blue pants worn by Genoise sailors. Who knew?
This project is just a Level 2 pattern, so even those newer to crochet could embark on their first garment. Our Jeans Yarn is a CYC 4 Medium weight, so it works up rather quickly. In addition, our crafters love the feel of it – soft to craft with, soft to wear.
This Tunic is long enough to style over jeans, leggings, or tights, without worrying about being too revealing. The stylish side slits ensure ease of movement, as well as being cute. Wear it with a short or long-sleeve tee, and experiment with colors. The brilliance of a tunic like this one is the multitude of styling options, so you can wear it through several seasons.
Bianca Top (Crochet)
Another lovely Level 2 pattern is our Bianca Top (Crochet). With a bit more visual interest than your standard pullover, this top is a subtle statement piece of Sapphire blue.
The unexpected color changes are created by our beloved Shawl in a Ball Yarn, in the color Wind Chimes. Some say the Sapphire stone fosters greater inner peace, so the name Wind Chimes seems especially fitting here.
This project would be a great next step for crafters who’ve typically made one-piece projects. The structure is fairly basic, but the final effect suggests a lot of movement and shaping. You’ll make two rectangles and sew them together, with minimal finishing.
Everyday Tunic (Knit)
Our Everyday Tunic (Knit) is a quintessential transitional piece, which means it will carry you from one season to the next. The chunkier turtleneck is perfect for cooler weather, so you can wear it on its own in the fall, or layer over a long-sleeve tee for the winter months.
This blue is that classic Americana, well-loved hue that just happens to look good on almost everyone. Since it’s a turtleneck style, it’s always refreshing to have a bright but unobtrusive color so close to your face.
The yarn is Feels Like Butta, one of our newer fibers, in a beautiful Royal Blue. One of our reviewers noted that it maintains its softness, even in a tighter stitch, which would work perfectly for this project.
Cowl Neck Pullover (Knit)
Color-blocking is definitely on-trend, so we love how the Sapphire blue pops against the navy in the Cowl Neck Pullover (Knit). Plus, both of these blues are relatively understated, so you can still add a pop of color with your jewelry or shoes.
This sweater has a relaxed fit that’s also very stylish right now, making it perfect to pair with even your most distressed denim. The colors and shape are just the slightest bit on the preppy side, so you can either go with that for your full outfit, or contrast with jeans & white sneakers.
You’ll use Vanna’s Choice Yarn for this project, which is considered Level 3 (Intermediate). If you haven’t ventured into color changes before, this would be a straightforward opportunity.
There’s no end to our love affair with Sapphire blue. It’s glorious in its saturation, which makes it the perfect getaway color for those stuck in a neutral rut. You can use this color to make a bolder statement without taking too much of a fashion risk. It’s vibrant without being loud, and never goes out of style.
Written with Adina Klein, Creative Director at Lion Brand.
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Sabrina
I wish the Tivoli Tunic came in Curvy Girl sizes. I love it!
Aileen Elgie
Is there a sock yarn in the Sapphire collection.
Louise Bollanos
I just love the cowl neck pullover – looks fantastic with jeans and would be perfect to wear in the fall. 🙂