Yarn options for Herringbone Cowl

The following are all the options for the two Herringbone Cowls in the adamynth shop. Any of these colour choices are subject to availability.

Light Grey

Salt and Pepper

Charcoal

Pitch Black

Barley

Buckwheat

Potting Soil

Berry Pie Mix

Garnet

Cardinal

Redwood Mix

Lunar Mix

Spruce Mix

Peat Mix

Cerulean Mix

Lavender

Blueberry Mix

Indigo Mix

Oceanic Mix

Starry Night

Tigers Eye

Winter White

Protected: Options for Malabrigo neckwarmer

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

The Bulky Berkshire Collection

I have collected here what I have named the “Bulky Berkshire Line” of my winter wear. All items in this collection are made with Valley Yarn’s “Bulky Berkshire,” which is a remarkably soft and sumptuous blend of alpaca and Peruvian wool.

What are alpaca and Peruvian wool? 

The alpaca is native to South America. Its fiber comes in different grades — from a softness that rivals cashmere to a just very very very soft grade. Alpaca also is one of the warmest natural fibers we have to work with. The alpaca hair is hollow, like the polar bear’s, and this air pocket creates insulation. It is not waterproof (no natural fiber is), but it is water resistant, relatively speaking. 

Peruvian wool is wool bred and usually manufactured in Peru. Why the label “Peru” is important is that Peru’s wool is especially known for its high quality and it softness.

So “Berkshire Bulky,” the yarn used in this collection, is simply a gorgeous and incredibly versatile bulky yarn.

A note on natural fibers and its most common synthetic alternative, acrylic.

• ADVANTAGES of acrylic:  First, price. Acrylic generally is much cheaper, and the price of any handmade garment in acrylic should reflect this. Second, durability. If a garment in acrylic is well made, it can generally withstand more abuse and lack of care in washing than natural fibers. 

• DISADVANTAGES of acrylic: First, warmth. Acrylic mitts will certainly be warmer than no mitts, but acrylic simply does not have the warming capacity as wool and alpaca. Wool and alpaca maintain warming if your garment gets wet. Wet acrylic will make you colder. Second, quality. This is highly subjective, but I have yet to meet an acrylic that rivals the care involved in making the yarn, the sumptuous and creative colours, and the outright indulgent softness of alpaca and other fine wools.

Colours

Winter mitts, scarves & hats: Below you will see photos of all the garments have made thus far out of Berkshire Bulky yarn. All are available for ordering on my Etsy shop ( Berkshire Knots shop ). 

And remember, any of these garments may be made in any colour shown in another photograph, or from the complete list of colours for this yarn, which can be seen on this page:  Berkshire Bulky colours .

Bulky Berkshire Mitts

Bulky Berkshire: Light Grey Heather

Bulky Berkshire: Black

Bulky Berkshire: Dark Grey Heather

Bulky Berkshire: pumpkin

Bulky Berkshire: Dark Brown Heather

Bulky Berkshire: Medium Grey Heather

Click here to visit Berkshire Knots shop    

Bulky Berkshire Scarves

This scarf is quite long and of medium length. It is crocheted in a herringbone design, using two strands of yarn at a time making this a super bulky scarf. The use of two strands along with the herringbone stitch gives the scarf a lot of texture. 

 

Click here to visit Berkshire Knots shop

 

Bulky Berkshire Hats

This is a slouchy hat, crocheted with many different types of stitches, making it quite textured. You can wear really slouchy, or the brim can be rolled to make it less slouchy. 

Click here to visit Berkshire Knots shop

Look who I ran into this morning

Early this morning, I stepped onto my front deck, which is quickly becoming overcome with treelings I refuse to cull. The morning sun quickly lit up the metallic Japanese beetle, trying unsuccessfully to perch inconspicuous like on a leaf by my nose. Supposedly he is a pest, but I didn’t know that this morning.  I watched him awhile — his copper and green lustre was rather beguiling. A simple beetle, but worth a second look. Indeed, for while I looked closely, and then I saw tiny soft yellow feathers on a leaf that I knew didn’t fly. Upon inspection these feathery things appeared to be antennae. It took quite some time to detect the luna moth and his masterful disguise. His wings might as well have been two leaves on my tree. The long trailers off the end of his wings just seemed to be part of the foliage. To my eyes, his legs identical to the ruddy brown of the leaf stems. The only give aways: his somewhat fuzzy white head which I did not see for some time and then those yellowy feather/ antennae. Where I live his lifespan is a glorious 7 days.

Actias luna – the luna moth

Actias luna – the luna moth

Actias luna – the luna moth

Actias luna – the luna moth

Popillia japonica – Japanese beetle

Popillia japonica – Japanese beetle

Floral Handbag Colour & Design Options

I apologise in advance for the rather lengthy nature of this post. I have a tendency to provide more detail rather than less.  If you are here to look at bag options (presumably you are), and you have a good idea of what you want already, you likely can scroll down to the sections that you need to look at. If you are investigating the idea of this bag, I’d suggest spending some time here and finding out how you can order a customised handbag, making a lot of your own choices about how it will look.

Last year I created a large crochet handbag with floral motifs. I lined the bag with hemp fabric and added various elements from Irish crochet, Romanian point lace and Japanese crochet (the body of the bag is based on a design by the Japanese crochet designer Ondori). Below is a photo of this large bag.

I loved designing and creating this bag, but sometime in the last year I realised that it is really quite large (~ 17 inches in diameter), and while I love all things hemp, including the fabric I used for the lining, I started to think about sturdier options. Hence, I have been working on a new bag, very similar in design but a more medium size (~12 inches in diameter on the outside, and ~11 inches in diameter on the inside with the new lining. For now I’ll leave the large bag and I’ll move on to the new and improved medium sized floral tote with numerous options. (If you are interested in a larger bag as described above, send me a message, and I’ll let you know your options).

---

Here is a photo of the smaller bag:                          

                                                                                                           

Medium floral handbag with Irish crochet flower

---

This post will fully explain your design and colour options for the floral handbag

The following chart summarises the options you have in customising your bag. Each will be explained in detail later in the post. 

What is common to all options:

• Basic dimensions:

  • outside diameter: ~12″
  • inside diameter with lining: ~10-11″
  • inside diameter without lining: ~11-11.5″

• Crochet body with floral motif

• Drop from shoulder to center of bag:

  • ~ 21.5″ (If the bag is for a smaller person, a child for instance, this length can very easily be shortened).

• Brass loops on the handles for reinforcement

• Colour choice for body

---

Now to the options:

Option 1: Floral crochet handbag — body only

This option is a simple crochet bag in the pattern you see below.

The crochet creates a fairly tight weave, allowing the body to function as a bag without lining. However, you need to understand that all crochet is a series of knots and loops that always creates some space between stitches. You could definitely carry a wallet and phone in this bag, but without the lining you probably wouldn’t want to carry small or slender things (e.g., loose pens). The spaces around the petals are just a little too big to safely carry small things in the unlined bag.

I can see this bag working for someone who carries most of their items in a wallet or small cases already. I also picture this bag made in some of the brighter colours available (see below) around the shoulders of a girl (who doesn’t want to carry items such as, say, earrings, loose in her bag). Magnetic snaps cannot really be attached to this version (with no lining), but if you would like something to close the bag, I could easily attach a button and loop. Let me know if that is what you’d like.

Option 1: Floral handbag – body only. The only difference you’ll notice on the outside of this bag and the one in Option 3 is that this bag does not have the large Irish crochet flower in the center. The body of the two bags is identical.

---

Option 2: Floral crochet bag — with lining and magnetic snaps

As I said, my first prototype made last year had a hemp fabric lining. Still like it, I do, but I wanted to create something with a bit more structure.

I experimented with yarns and stitches, and came up with a lining that is in fact crocheted (I’ll explain the pros and cons of that in a moment) out of a wonderful yarn that blends pima cotton and modal. Modal is a fiber processed from beechwood trees. The cotton provides a nice heft and structure and the modal provides an almost silky softness.

This is what the lining looks like:

A close up of the pima cotton/ modal lining.

The bag inside out so you can see the lining fit and the magnetic snaps.

Now, to the pros and cons of this new, crocheted lining:

Pros:

• This lining is thicker than cloth, yet still very lightweight.
• In my opinion, it is much more interesting than a piece of store bought cloth.

Cons:

As I said above, all crochet everywhere has some space between stitches, making it a troublesome medium to create something such a handbag lining that is supposed to keep things in and not let them fall out through the spaces between the crochet stitches of the body.

This problem took quite some time and experimentation to tackle, but I believe this lining is as strong and solid as a crochet lining can be. I used an unusual stitch, called a linked double crochet. This stitch links each stitch much tighter and closer than almost any other stitch available, yet still allowing the type of drape you want in a lining. Certainly there are some spaces, and if you want to carry very very tiny things in this bag, I’d suggest using some sort of case. But this lining should really keep virtually everything you want in the bag in there.

To summarise, this option involves the body of the crochet bag, as seen in option 1, along with a sturdy, unique lining and brass magnetic snaps, making the bag quite a strong bag indeed.

---

Option 3: Floral crochet handbag — with lining, magnetic snaps and accessories

This option has several accessories along with all the elements of the previous two options. I really enjoy using and combining different crochet traditions. In this option, I included:

• A large flower attached to the front of the bag.
  

  Although inspired by Japanese designs, this flower is ultimately a form of Irish crochet — a type of crochet traditionally made of thread creating very tight, intricate lace. This flower is made of the same wool as the bag but with the same technique, creating a very strong yet intricate applique.

• A pocket sewn onto the lining.
  

  The pocket is again created with the same yarn as the body, giving the interior a complement of shades. It is crocheted with a herringbone stitch, creating a sturdy, tight woven fabric.

• On the pocket is another element of Irish crochet. 
  

  –– a branch with leaves, keeping with the nature theme of the bag.

• A key fob crocheted in what is called Romanian point lace or cord.
  

  Romanian point lace, like Irish crochet, traditionally uses fine thread. Using yarn here a strong key fob is created. A brass key ring is attached.

Here are photos of the bag with all accessories:

Above are views of the front of the back with the large flower on the front.

A close up of the pima cotton/ modal lining.

The bag inside out so you can see the lining fit and the magnetic snaps.

Above are the photos again of what the lining and the magnetic snaps look like.

Inside pocket with Irish crochet applique

Romanian point lace key fob with brass swivel loop

Close up of the pocket and key fob before they were sewn in (the key fob is not attached to the pocket; it is simply lying next to it in the photo

Above are images of the inside pocket, the key fob and magnetic closures, and a close up of the pocket and key fob before they were sewn into the lining.

I find the process of creating all of these elements and combining them into this useful and beautiful piece really satisfies a creative need of mine. I need to mention, though, that especially Option 3, with the accessories, is a large project. I indicate in my listings the time frames for these different options, but I do want you to be aware that particularly Option 3 takes quite some time to complete. If you are interested in this option for a gift or there is any other fixed deadline please let me know. I certainly will love to create the bag for you, but in order to guarantee a timeline for Option 3, it is best to check with me first.

---

Colour options

Below I have images of the colour options for the body of the bag and for the lining. If you wish to order a bag, please tell me exactly what is written under the colour you want. Scrolling on top of an image will allow a caption with the name of the colour to pop up.

Option 4a: Colour of body

The body of the bag is made of a high quality medium weight 100% Peruvian highland wool called “Wool  of the Andes.” Peru is well known for it wonderful, high quality yarns. If you like details (like I do) you might be interested to know that this Peruvian wool (as with most wools coming from that country) are a blend of wool from Corriedale sheep (providing a structure desirable in a handbag) and with Merino sheep (providing a luscious softness).

Below are the colours in which this wool is produced. My supplier sometimes is short on stock, so if you like a colour, please let me know the name given below the image, and I’ll check on availability. Scrolling on the image will allow the name of the yarn to pop up. This is the name I need for custom requests.

I have organised the colours by colour family (loosely). One thing you might want to attend to is the colours that have the label “heather.” Heathered wool is not a pure solid colour. It has a base colour, and then flecks of darker and lighter hues. I am very partial to heathers, but you see what you think. The bag in the pictures is made out of the colour “Mink heather.”

Browns and greys

WofA: Silver

WofA: Pumice Heather

WofA: Onyx Heather

WofA: Mink Heather (the bag in the photos is made of this)

WofA: Grizzly Heather

WofA: Fedora

WofA: Dove Heather

WofA: Cobblestone Heather

WofA: Chocolate

WofA: Chestnut

WofA: Camel Heather

WofA: Briar Heather

WofA: Bramble Heather

WofA: Almond

Olives and greens

WofA: Shire Heather

WofA: Larch Heather

WofA: Noble Heather

WofA: Forest Heather

WofA: Evergreen

WofA: Thyme

WofA: Cilantro Heather

WofA: Fern

WofA: Pampas Heather

WofA: Bamboo Heather

WofA: Green Tea Heather

WofA: Avocado

WofA: Peapod

WofA: Grass

WofA: Jalapeno

WofA: Everglade Heather

WofA: Tranquil

WofA: Spruce

Blues, Teals, Purples

WofA: Midnight Heather

WofA: Delft Heather

WofA: Solstice Heather

WofA: Sapphire Heather

WofA: Winter Night

WofA: Celestial

WofA: Hyacint

WofA: Arctic Pool Heather

WofA: Icicle Heather

WofA: Mist

WofA: Baltic Heather

WofA: Whirlpool

WofA: Ciel

WofA: Wonderland

WofA: Lake Ice Heather (this is likely a greyish white with blue hints)

WofA: Clarity

WofA: Calypso Heather

WofA: Cadet

WofA: Fjord Heather

WofA: Indigo Heather

WofA: Sprinkle Heather

WofA: Mineral Heather

WofA: Seraphim

WofA: Haze Heather

WofA: Columbine

WofA: Blackberry

WofA: Amethyst Heather

Reds, pinks, oranges, yellows, rusts

WofA: Currant

WofA: Garnet Heather

WofA: Hollyberry

WofA: Cranberry

WofA: Red

WofA: Firecracker Heather

WofA: Victorian

WofA: Fairy tale

WofA: Rooiboos Heather

WofA: Brown sugar

WofA: Bouquet heather

WofA: Orange

WofA: Persimmon Heather

WofA: Pumpkin

WofA: Caution

WofA: Semonlina

WofA: Creme brulee

WofA: Brass heather

WofA: Turmeric

WofA: Wheat

WofA: Chestnut

WofA: Amber Heather

WofA: Blossom Heather

WofA: Conch

WofA: Rouge

WofA: Pink Posy Heather

WofA: Papaya Heather

Neutral white and blacks

WofA: White

WofA: Oyster Heather

WofA: Gosling

WofA: Dove Heather

WofA: Cloud

WofA: Coal

Option 4b: Colour of lining

For the two options with the lining, the yarn used is a pima cotton/ modal blend. Modal is a fiber processed from beechwood trees and lends a silky softness to the yarn. The colour I used for the bag in the pictures was “Shine Platinum.”

Browns and greys

Shine Willow

Shine Robot

Shine Mongoose

Shine Hazelnut

Blues, purples and greens

Shine Sailor

Shine Pageant

Shine French Blue

Shine Sky

Shine Reef

Shine Clarity

Shine Serenade

Shine Iris

Shine Hydrangea

Shine Wisteria

Shine Macaw

Shine Peapod

Shine Green Apple

Shine Pistachio

Shine Wallaby

Reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks

Shine Serrano

Shine Grapefruit

Shine Clementine

Shine Sweet Potato

Shine Dandelion

Shine Crocus

Shine Cosmopolitan

Shine Blush

Shine Currant

Blacks, white, neutrals

Shine Black

Shine Platinum

Shine Cream

Shine White

Note on choosing colours for bag and lining

If the number of choices makes choosing one difficult, I’d strongly suggest choosing a few options you like for the body of the bag, as that is most visible, and sending me your thoughts. I can offer some suggestions. I do think it is important that if you are paying for a customised handmade bag that the main body colour be something you have a strong preference for.

In terms of the lining, again, I think it best you choose your preference, but if you just can’t picture what a colour would look like, I’d suggest choosing a colour that is either from the neutral category or one that matches your body choice.

In the end, while I have my own quirks and preferences which may differ from your own, I am always willing to help you choose.

If you have made it this far in this blog post, I assume you are at least piqued by the idea of this bag. I hope it helped, and please feel free to contact me with any queries.

~ Casey

@Berkshire Knots

Colour choices for bulky convertible fingerless gloves: Berkshire Bulky

Convertible mitts in bulky alpaca wool

Here are some photos of my convertible fingerless gloves with Berkshire Bulky yarn. Clicking HERE will take you my Etsy shop.

 

Bulky Berkshire: Medium Grey Heather

Bulky Berkshire: Dark Grey Heather

Bulky Berkshire: Black

Bulky convertible gloves in Berkshire Bulky: Light Heather Gray

Berkshire Bulky

Valley Yarn’s “Berkshire Bulky” is a blend of alpaca and Peruvian wool, making for a very soft, smooth yet structured yarn. It creates a very warm, thick fabric. Convertible mitts made in this yarn are, like the yarn, thick and chunky.

Colour choices in Berkshire Bulky

Below are all the colours Valley Yarn makes in this yarn. Availability for some colours sometimes varies. If you find a colour you like, send me message on Etsy or through the blog, and I’ll let you know if your choice is readily available.

Berkshire Bulky: Black

Berkshire Bulky: Dark Heather Gray

Berkshire Bulky: Medium Heather Gray

Berkshire Bulky: Light Heather Gray

Berkshire Bulky: Coffee Bean

Berkshire Bulky: Chocolate

Berkshire Bulky: Dark Brown Heather

Berkshire Bulky: Brown Heather

Berkshire Bulky: Tan Heather

Berkshire Bulky: Cream

Berkshire Bulky: Forest

Berkshire Bulky: Hunter

Berkshire Bulky: Olive

Berkshire Bulky: Mistletoe

Berkshire Bulky: Lime

Berkshire Bulky: Navy

Berkshire Bulky: Dark Teal

Berkshire Bulky: Blue Ming

Berkshire Bulky: Turquoise

Berkshire Bulky: Colonial Blue

Berkshire Bulky: Royal

Berkshire Bulky: Blue

Berkshire Bulky: Stone Blue

Berkshire Bulky: Light Blue

Berkshire Bulky: Eggplant

Berkshire Bulky: Amethyst

Berkshire Bulky: Periwinkle

Berkshire Bulky: Red Purple

Berkshire Bulky: Plum

Berkshire Bulky: Burgundy

Berkshire Bulky: Red

Berkshire Bulky: Wine

Berkshire Bulky: Fuschia

Berkshire Bulky: Rose

Berkshire Bulky: Light Pink

Berkshire Bulky: Pale Lilac

Berkshire Bulky: Copper

Berkshire Bulky: Pumpkin

Berkshire Bulky: Orange

Berkshire Bulky: Gold

 

Yarn choices for children’s convertible fingerless gloves: Malabrigo Arroyo

Malabrigo Arroyo

The children’s mitts that I make are made out of the same yarn as the adult mitts — the same merino wool, the same manufacturer and manufacturing process — but the yarn is lighter. Rios (for adults) is called worsted weight, considered a medium weight yarn. The category “worsted” is mostly determined by the diameter of the yarn strand. Malabrigo Arroyo is a “sport” weight yarn, meaning it has a slightly smaller diameter. The kids’ mitts use exactly the same pattern and exactly the same number of stitches (and, actually, considerably more effort given the tininess of things) as the women’s mitts. But by using a smaller crochet hook and a smaller yarn, the mitts I have made should fit most 8-11 year olds (if you’re wondering if these will fit your child, take a look at my post on hands sizes ).

These are the child’s mitts I have in my shop as of November, 2014. They are crocheted in Malabrigo Arroyo: English Rose

Custom orders

I welcome custom orders. If you like the style of the glove, but you prefer a different colour, please send me a message, and I’m sure I can accommodate. On this page I have provided photos of the colours usually available to me in Malabrigo Arroyo. If you like one of these colours, let me know, and I can make a pair of mitts for you. (My yarn store occasionally runs low on stock in some colours, so if your preference is not immediately available, I’ll let you know and provide some alternative suggestions).

What if these colours just don’t do it for you? 

If you like the style of the gloves, but you can’t find a Malabrigo colour you like, just let me know what you’re thinking. I’m not being paid by Malabrigo–I can almost certainly find a suitable yarn for you.