Lion Brand Notebook ®
As we begin to feel a winter chill in the air, we turn our crafting imagination to a neutral with a warm undertone. Our November Color of the Year is the beloved hue of fashion and home decor blogs alike, which we call Wolf. Grey is certainly the new black, and this particular shade is warm enough to be worn by a variety of skin tones. It adds a tonal streak to either your interior style, or your wardrobe, so don’t make the mistake of limiting its possibilities. Keep reading for our take on this celebrated neutral, plus four brand new patterns.
Wolf is a mysterious blend of taupe and charcoal, so unlike other standard greys, it won’t turn out too cool. In fact, Benjamin Moore heralds Wolf Grey as one of their most popular colors for 2018 for just this reason. While other pure charcoals can take on a blue hue that can be less flattering to the wearer. But the addition of of a taupe-y undertone to our Wolf warms it up enough to make it universally appealing. This undertone will bring out rosier undertones that keep us looking cozy and cheery in the chillier months. Even if you’re a lifelong #AllBlackEverything fashionista, your style is about to be tamed by this sophisticated neutral. This is also a fabulous color to craft with, since it’s light enough to highlight your stitch definition while retaining a chic trendiness. Maybe that’s why you’ll see that we’ve chosen some timeless patterns for Wolf.
Cabled Poncho (Knit)
WOLF
Boyfriend Cardigan (Knit)
Nothing is more classic or versatile than a Boyfriend Cardigan (Knit). The shape is relaxed yet flattering, with just a hint of being over-sized. Plus, this particular pattern features pockets! While borrowing a cardi from your sweetheart has its own special charm, there’s nothing like making your own.
This one is stitched up in Scarfie, one of our universally popular yarns. Scarfie has such a beautiful ombre, so even this simple stockinette stitch sings in this taupe & charcoal blend. This yarn is also a wool and acrylic blend, so in addition to looking fab, it’s also truly cozy. Not to mention the squish of a CYC 5 Bulky weight fiber.
When you’re styling this cardigan, consider going all the way to a menswear-inspired look with slacks and a button up. Or you could go the casual route, and layer over a tee and leggings. Be sure to utilize this piece as a neutral layering piece. It will look amazing styled over a floral print dress, or even another textured item.
Misty Shaded Tunic (Knit)
Another wonderful shape for fall is the tunic. Our new Misty Shaded Tunic (Knit) creates a long line, which is a fun way to play with proportions. You can style it over leggings, dark jeans, or even a maxi skirt. The tunic is a classic shape, so the intrigue comes from the yarn choice. In this case, Shawl in a Ball and Pound of Love are combined to create a totally unique color palette.
Pound of Love will make up the bottom of this pullover, in addition to establishing the base for the color. If you haven’t worked with this yarn before, then you’re in for a giant treat. You’ll need just one over-sized skein to stitch the entirety of the bottom half of this tunic, in addition to the lower sleeves. Visually, this taupe becomes the anchor color, which makes all the other colors stand out even more.
For the top half of this tunic, Shawl in the Ball creates a fantastical storm of colors. Each of them alone would be beautiful paired with the taupe of the bottom. But it’s the earthy, ombre effect that really captivates us.
This next addictive knit project will have you day-dreaming of your next square. The smaller squares that make up the Stitch Pattern Poncho (Knit) are made of simple knit and purl stitches, but once combined, create a stunning big picture. While you’re crafting, each completed square will give you a fresh burst of accomplishment, encouraging you toward the cast off. Since it’s made with Touch of Alpaca, it has that namesake alpaca blend that will make this a perfect topper for chilly days.
Cabled Poncho (Knit)
Nothing defines the knitting season more than bold cables and over-sized accessories. Just look at Lenny Kravitz sporting this whopping masterpiece on the first nippy day in Los Angeles! For a more demure and (dare we say) wearable version, check out our Cabled Poncho (Knit). This striking piece is so much simpler to make than it looks, you’ll be making your own fashion statement in no time.
This poncho will have you practicing your stitch-work in two basic rectangles, which are then seamed together for the finished product. However, if you want to achieve that iconic Lenny look, just knit a little longer, forget the side seams, and add some fringe.
The poncho is definitely a go-to for when you need a warm option, whether it’s a chilly day and you’re going sans jacket, or you’re going to be in a cold place (or on a plane). But because you’ll be using our Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, this poncho will be even toastier. It would be perfect to layer over a long-sleeved tee or even another light-weight knit, or over a more pigmented dress as a statement accessory.
These four brand new designs are just a few suggestions for an extremely versatile color. We’re sure that once you hunt down a ball of your favorite yarn in it’s most wolf-like hue, it’ll become your new favorite neutral. This yarn list has us howling at the moon for something beyond the basic black. If you plan on embracing this warm, tonal trend, let us know in the comments just how you’ll do it. Whether you feature it in your home or in your closet, it’ll add a streak of sophistication to your style.
Written with Adina Klein, Creative Director of Lion Brand.
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