FAQ

Q: How do I pronounce ¨malabrigo¨?

A:  maul ah-bree’ -go'

For the Guys - Menswear Inspiration from J. Crew

[caption id="attachment_417" align="aligncenter" width="425" caption="J. Crew Menswear"][/caption]

If you're a guy who loves Malabrigo -- or know a guy who loves Malabrigo -- what better source of inspiration than this most recent collection by J.Crew? Full of hats, scarves, sweaters, cardigans and vests, the entire collection just screams to be knit in wool. Try Rios for something that can be tossed in the wash, and you'll have it made all winter long. I doubt the J. Crew versions can say the same -- touche, dry-clean-only.

Chau, Hannah

malabrigo in Japan 日本

Now you can find malabrigo in Japan!!

At :

K-Style Shonan

3-5-2 Kugenuma Sakuragaoka

Fujisawa, Kanagawa  251-0027

Web site here

Knitscene Fall 2010

[caption id="attachment_404" align="aligncenter" width="243" caption="Malabrigo Lace #37 Lettuce, pattern by Hannah Fettig "Lettuce Pullover""][/caption]

Two new great Malabrigo patterns in the most recent issue of Knitscene magazine -- A sweet pullover from Hannah Fettig, and a heavier pullover by Leila Wice! What a fun way to keep warm and cozy going into those cooler fall nights!

malabrigo Lace, #37 lettuce: Lettuce Raglan by Hannah Fettig



malabrigo Twist, #18 applewood, #614 terron: Xylem Pullover by Leila Wice

photos: Joe Coca

Knitscene

Malabrigo Awards Excellent Wool Production

On March 12, 2010, a very special contest, sponsored in part by Malabrigo, was announced to the wool producers of Uruguay. In an attempt to continue the developing tradition of excellent, environment and animal friendly wool in Uruguay, The Uruguayan Wool Secretary is challenging wool farmers to bring forward their most beautiful, high-quality wools for evaluation. Each wool will be judged on not only quality, but also the practice the company competing employs -- using eco-friendly processes and well-known, reputable shearers. The wool lot (or clip)  are judged for quality.

The winner of the contest will receive a Grand Prize -- a trip for two to the Stitches event held in New York, October 2011! There, the winner can have a chance to market their yarns and show the excellence of Uruguayan wool to the rest of the world! Second and third place prizes will also be awarded! Winners will be announced in March of 2011 during National Merino Day.

If you're a Uruguayan wool farmer, you can read more details about the contest, in spanish, on the Secretary of Uruguayan Wool website.

Go Uruguay GO!!

If you've been watching the Soccer World Cup, you know that Uruguay has just made it to the top 16! Understandably, we're excited!

Eliana, Jenny, Esther, Tati, Susana and Zulma from Malabrigo Team made a flag with wool here at the factory to display our patriotic pride. Go Uruguay!

Weekly Color Feature - Rich Reds

1. Red glass, 2. Electric Pomegranate, 3. Venetian Red, 4. my so called scarf , 5. nothing is as it seams I, 6. UK - Oxford - Post Box, 7. Shanghai Zhujiajiao, 8. Poppy

Feeling inspired? Try these colorways:

[caption id="attachment_381" align="aligncenter" width="409" caption="Gruesa in Sealing Wax, Torero; Silky in Amoroso, Ravelry Red; Twist in Ravelry Red; Worsted in Vermilion, Red Mahogany and Intenso"][/caption]

Chau, Hannah

Sweater over Skirt

If you're looking to inject some of your slouchy, weekend pullovers with some fashionable street credibility, look no further than the Fall 2010 Ready To Wear show by Cacharel. Cacharel is a French label that flirts with prints while keeping their general shapes classic, creating something both creative and wearable. I was ecstatic to see that this year their Ready To Wear collection gave me an excuse to be comfortable, wear crazy printed tights, and look fantastic all in one go. I give you, the slouchy-sweater-over-skirt, sometimes-belted combo. I love it. Can't you imagine whipping out an ultra-simple slouchy sweater with some Malabrigo Twist, or your favorite color of Chunky, and being cozy and fabulous all winter long? I certainly can, and plan on doing so. Raglan shaping, here I come!

[caption id="attachment_377" align="aligncenter" width="446" caption="Cacharel showed sweaters zippered, belted, and skirted at the Fall 2010 RTW show"][/caption]

Chau, Hannah

Your Favorites, Our Thanks!

I always think it's really interesting to hop on Ravelry and see what the yarn rankings are. Did you know that if you do a search of all Malabrigo yarns, and then sort by most projects, you can find out what most Ravelers are stashing? It's just another cool feature, but it was fun to see what your favorite Malabrigo yarns were!

1. Malabrigo Worsted

2. Malabrigo Lace

3. Malabrigo Sock

4. Malabrigo Silky

5. Malabrigo Twist

6. Malabrigo Aquarella

7. Malabrigo Gruesa

8. Malabrigo Seleccion Privada

9. Malabrigo Organic Cotton

10. Malabrigo Rasta

Where do you forsee Rios ending up on the list? I think it'll quickly skyrocket up in the ratings!

Chau, Hannah

Hats off to Malabrigo

There seems to be a sudden rash of Malabrigo headwear in the new patterns on Ravelry! If you're as excited as we are about it, be sure to check out some of these lovely new patterns from various designers on everyone's favorite knitting website (aside from this blog, of course!) Click the linked name of the pattern below to go to the pattern page.

1. Autumn Forest Gnome Hat, 2. Mairead, 3. City Hat, 4. Antelope Hat 5. Nettie Hat, 6. Skid, 7. Owlie Hat 8. Whirlwind

Chau, Hannah

Uruguayan President José "Pepe" Mujica with us.

The president came to the PTI (Industrial Technologic Park ) where our mill is located, to see the building. Because there are many, many companies here that specialize in various types of technological and business production, the building has been selected as an ideal site for a new school of technology, where people can come and learn about various business practices and see first-hand how several around them are run.

No worries - Malabrigo isn't moving, we're just getting new neighbors!



Pictured are workers Vane and Toño from Malabrigo team with the President in the center. We like to think that he thought the yarn was very soft and beautiful, too!

Going to the TNNA, stop by New York

New York was on the way to Columbus, so we have to stop and see such an interesting city. We stopped by the Knitty City store in NYC and said hello. We love to look at the art where we travel, and walking by the street we found this:

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="468" caption="Antony Gormley art at New York buildings"][/caption]

It was amazing and funny because I read that New York City police have responded to many calls in the past few weeks from residents concerned that these life-size body casts gazing down from buildings are real people preparing to jump.

Chau, Antonio

Weekly Color Feature - Verdant

1. Meeting the pregnant princess of the forest, 2. Cool Weird Plant!, 3. making a thing of beauty without too much thought about what it means, 4. 48::365 Blooming Moss..., 5. Hydrangeas, 6. Fat Quarters for Happy Green Quilt, 7. Kermit Funky Carolina , 8. Hostas

Feeling Inspired? Try Malabrigo in these colorways:

[caption id="attachment_327" align="aligncenter" width="393" caption="Worsted in Nostalgia, Moss, and Forest; Lace in Saphire Green, Silky in Helechos and Dill, Lace in Verde Adriana, Twist in Lettuce"][/caption]

Chau, Hannah

Patterns for Malabrigo

There are a ton of patterns out there designed just for Malabrigo, and one of the best places to find them is in the 'Designing Junkies' thread on the Malabrigo Junkies group on Ravelry.com. Here are a few of my favorites from the most recent additions!

1. Elysium , 2. Vita Cloche , 3. Jay Street Slouch , 4. Wild Growth , 5. Sweet Eleanor Hat , 6. Pettine Shawl, 7. Squiggle Mittens , 8. Cecilia

Chau, Hannah

Antonio on Hello TNNA Blog

[gallery]

At the Booth:

Melissa Leapma signing Malabrigo Book Two,  Tobias and  Shannon Okey with a Tomato Beret.

Above pictures from Antonio

The crew from Ravelry - Jess, Casey, Mary-Heather and Sarah - have been busy updating their blog with the awesome experiences they're having at TNNA (click the logo above to see the blog). One experience was learning about our new yarn, Rios, at the Malabrigo booth with Antonio! You can watch it here: Hello from TNNA! Rios video -- You have to knit it!

Chau, Hannah

International Knit in Public Day - Uruguay

Knitters Knitting, Talking, Dancing....

Event Poster

It was a rainy, rainy, day for this year's IKiP day here in Uruguay, but luckily the group of knitters who had gathered outdoors in the plaza found dry, warm solstice in one of the local businesses. They were served cups of hot soup, hot cocoa, and given sugared croissants as they spent their time knitting garments not for themselves, but for children in Uruguay who might otherwise not have wooly, warm, goodness.

This is a project that we at Malabrigo try to support every year -- this year we sent bags of our Aquarella yarn to become quick scarves, hats, sweaters and ponchos, and it was so fun to see what everyone made with them. Participating knitters had the chance to win Malabrigo yarn prizes depending on what they had in their knitting bags, how long or how many knits they made during the day, or if their name came up in the random drawings! It was a fun day for all, I think -- and the host was remarkably enthusiastic, which always helps.

Afterwards, one of the hosts made sure to show us all the boxes filled with knits -- there were so many already on the table, it was surprising to see nearly four more boxes that were filled with knitted charity items. It's good to know that this winter, so many people will be warm just because of knitting!

Boxes of finished knits - Aquarella on top!

Chau, Hannah

Midsummer Night’s Shawl from Interweave Crochet Magazine

Photo: Joe Coca

You can find this amazing pattern at Interweave Knits Magazine .

It is made with f Malabrigo Yarns Lace Baby Merino  (color #98 Tuareg)

Designed by Lisa Naskrent

One Skein - Rasta

What can you make with one skein of our newest yarn, Rasta? Plenty! A Ravelry pattern search revealed some awesome results for the super-bulky, 90-yard skeins of color deliciousness. I picked one of my favorites for this reoccurring blog feature. So grab your biggest needles, your skein of Rasta, and get knitting! Who knows.... maybe you'll even finish something in a single afternoon.

Marian, by Jane Richmond, is a quickie cowl with a lot of style. Since it's all in seed stitch, you can knit it with any colorway without worrying about pooling or striping. Try it in one of the more vibrant multis, like Arco Iris or Indecita, for something truly original and fun. It requires US size 19 needles, which can be hard to come by, but will be useful in future when you decide you really, really need that Rasta afghan. Click on the picture to go to the Ravelry pattern page!

Chau, Hannah

From My Favorites - Chunky Knits

My first large-scale knitting project was a shawl for my mom in Malabrigo Chunky. It was also my first project knit in Malabrigo! I used Red Java, and the knitting practically flew off the needles, it was so fast. Sometimes, you just need a quick project in a super soft, happy color of yarn. We're lucky that this season chunky knits are equally as popular as ultra-fine knits are.



I spotted some super-chunky knits on the runway recently and thought I would pop some pattern suggestions on here for you to check out -- if the pattern was offered on another website, I tried to link there, but some of them were only on Ravelry. Click on the photo to find the pattern. All the patterns listed here are from my personal favorites, and I didn't pick anything I wouldn't myself knit up.

[caption id="attachment_276" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Modern Garden Cardigan by Veera Valimaki (Ravelry only)"][/caption]

I love this Modern Garden Cardigan by designer Vera Välimäki. She has a lot of great patterns on Ravelry, but most of them are more fine-gauge knits, and it's nice to see her do something with chunky yarn for a change. At least one person has already thought to knit this project in Chunky, but I think you could probably pull off the lace in Twist, too, since you can block it a bit extra for your particular proportion. What I love most has got to be how easily the shaping is integrated into the leaf pattern! I would knit this in Verde Esperanza Chunky to keep the leaf motif going, and maybe use wooden toggle buttons!

[caption id="attachment_277" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Amber, from Rowan Yarns (web link)"][/caption]

I'm not sure if it's kosher to link to another yarn website's pattern and recommend to knit it in Malabrigo instead of the recommended yarn, but I'm feeling adventurous today, so here goes! I love this pattern from Rowan, and it's free -- what kind of awesomely cozy knit would this be to have around the house or wear out with a pair of super-thick tights and boots? The best kind, I'm certain! I think I would probably go to Twist for this one, simply because it has better stitch definition and a little bit of a smoother texture than Chunky, and the original recommended yarn is a cotton (though, how is cotton supposed to be as cozy as merino wool?) I think I'd have to either knit it in Zinc, for a similar look to the original, or Azul Profundo, for an extra shot of color.

[caption id="attachment_278" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Entrechat, by Kristen Hanley Cordozo (designer's web site link)"][/caption]

I can hardly mention something as fabulous as chunky knits without mentioning Kristen Hanley Cardozo's pattern Entrechat. She knit this up specifically with Malabrigo Chunky in mind, and it certainly is picture-perfect in her chosen color (Emerald), though I think personally I'd love to have one in Pearl or Natural, myself. I feel like this is one of the few shrugs I could actually pull off -- I have a long torso and usually prefer full-length cardigans or sweaters to shortened ones. The idea behind the name is really neat, too -- Entrechat is a ballet movement in which the dancer leaps into the air, crossing their legs in a rapid, fluid movement. The cables certainly invoke the same feeling, with a lot less physical preparation for the knitter!

[caption id="attachment_279" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Twisted by Galia Lael for Knitpicks (web link)"][/caption]

I'm doing it again - another knit designed for a different company, but so perfect for Malabrigo I can hardly stand it! Who wouldn't want this hat in fantastic super-softness and amazing color? Twisted, by Galia Lael, is a cabled hat with a sort of horizontal herringbone texture. You can make it as a beanie, a slouchy beret or a traditional beret. I'm a fan of the slouch, myself -- but you'll hardly look like a slouch with this many complex cables adorning your crown! I would knit this in any of my favorite Chunky colors -- Frank Ochre, Lettuce, Continental, Marron Oscuro, or any number of others.

Do you have a favorite chunky knit, or a specific color you can see yourself working on one of these in? Let us know! We love to hear feedback in the comments.

Chau, Hannah

Weekly Color Feature - Luminosity

1. what? I'm cute?, 2. sulphurs, 3. Chinese landscape #7, 4. Rococo-style stone house in Guadalajara Mexico, 5. LYM Perina nuda (Banyan Tussock Moth), 6. Lit Through Shadow, 7. Untitled, 8. Emperor

Feeling Inspired? Try these colors from the Malabrigo collection:

[caption id="attachment_271" align="aligncenter" width="361" caption="Merino Worsted in Butter, Applewood, Pollen and Pearl"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_272" align="aligncenter" width="365" caption="Silky in Narciso, Tatami, Natural and Topaz"][/caption]

TNNA

Malabrigo will be attending The National Needlearts Association's trade show this June -- if you're going, be sure to stop by and see us! We'll be introducing our newest yarn, Rios, to the world, and you know we've always got extra surprises up our sleeves, too. Look for Antonio and Tobias at Booth #222,224,226 June 12 - 14, and Melissa Leapman will be signing Malabrigo Book 2 as well, on Sunday at noon.

Meanwhile, we will be holding down the fort here at the factory, so keep an eye on the blog for news and other extra-special posts.

Chau, Hannah

Knits at Alice + Olivia

[caption id="attachment_255" align="aligncenter" width="246" caption="Alice + Olivia Fall 2010 collection"][/caption]

I totally fell in love with this simple-but-sweet collection from the Alice + Olivia Fall 2010 line. Personally, I'm a sucker for both incredibly bright colors and remarkably subtle, soft color palettes equally. This collection provides perfect inspiration to use Malabrigo Yarns -- can you just imagine Malabrigo in ultra-soft, gentle-colored knits, wrapped around your neck and shoulders as a dainty-but-substantial cardigan? I certainly can.

[caption id="attachment_256" align="aligncenter" width="251" caption="Alice + Olivia Fall 2010 collection"][/caption]

If you're looking for the perfect color palette to carry you from summer into fall, or you live in a slightly warmer climate and aren't quite ready to sacrifice daily sunshine in favor of the darker colors of winter, this is the perfect selection! Try making a cardigan in Silky to wear now, or splurge on a Twist or Worsted cardigan for winter. Check out the color chart below to find your perfect tones!

[caption id="attachment_257" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Top Row, Worsted in: Periwinkle, Apricot, Pollen, Natural, Second Row, Worsted in: Pearl Ten, Pearl, Polar Morn, Pidgeon"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_258" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Top Row, Silky Merino in: Narciso, Mint Frappe, Madre Pearla, Tatami, Second Row, Silky Merino in: Cape Cod Gray, Celeste, Suny Lime, London Sky"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_259" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Twist in Applewood, Zinc, Natural"][/caption]

Chau, Hannah

Craving Crochet?

I'm a beginning crocheter, and more than a little obsessed with the loveliness of the crocheted housewares - afghans, blankets, throws, pillows - that I see on Flickr almost every day. I'm working on a giant granny square blanket right now at home from my Malabrigo scraps, and thought some of you might consider doing the same -- crochet is a great way to experiment with color combination, whip up a quick project or gift, and use up scraps! Pictured below are some of the most inspiring crocheted blankets I've found on the internet.

1. have you been to your local goodwill recently? 1of3, 2. anemone, field of flowers 1, 3. Untitled, 4. early morning..., 5. Sunburst, 6. Ripple progress, 7. Crochet blanket love..., 8. How to Crochet a Blanket

If you're interested in trying some crochet of your own, there are tons of great websites and patterns out there just dying to be made in your favorite Malabrigo colors.

Chau, Hannah

Weekly Color Feature - Turquoise and Deco Green

1. Cool Balloons Underwater, 2. sea green, 3. day 16-treasures, 4. making a thing of beauty without too much thought about what it means, 5. DollQuiltFront, 6. The Blue "Pondering Life's Mysteries" Chair, 7. Hickory Horned Devil (caterpillar), 8. Hilarious Damsfly

Feeling inspired?

Try worsted in Water Green, Continental, Mint or Taureg

Or try Silky Malabrigo in Ankara Green, Teal Feather or Spring Water!

Chau, Hannah

Warm Neutrals - Fashion Forecasting

[caption id="attachment_229" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Elise Øverland Leather Skirt, Fall 2010"][/caption]

If you weren't sure what colors were going to replace the tried (and maybe tired) nautical themes of this summer season, wonder no more! All over the runways were warm neutrals, meant to add some life into the sad, gray wardrobes of last season. If you're looking to punch up your winter knits, think about trying some of our yarns in Worsted, Chunky, or Twist!

The Elise Øverland show was all about leather. You can get the same rich, worn-in color of her oiled leather pieces with Cinnabar in worsted. Knit it in sleek stockinette with interesting shaping and false seams for a tailored look.

[caption id="attachment_230" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Elise Øverland, Fall 2010"][/caption]

If you're the kind of knitter who likes to have a little more visual interest (and maybe complex colorwork) in their knitting, you might want to pick several warm neutrals and pair them together for your favorite colorwork pattern. Elise Øverland also showed a really beautiful pairing of brown and maroon with a touch of yellow-beige that would be particularly sophisticated and lovely for the fall season. Get the soft, shiny, drape of this blouse by using Malabrigo Silky.

Malabrigo Yarns has some lovely options for such pairings not only in Worsted, but also in Twist, Chunky, Sock and Lace! Colors to look at include Rhodesian, Rattan, Cinnabar, Sunset, Mahogany, Marron Oscuro, Cabarnet, Rich Chocolate, Roanoke, and Dark Earth. In Twist, try Burgundy or Terron. If you like variegated yarns, think about Sotobosques!

Chau, Hannah

malabrigo Podcast

Fiber Beat English

Fiber Beat Español

The Savvy Girls here

Tha savvy Girls # 30 here



The Never Not Knitting here

Hunting Wabbits with the Malabrigo Junkies

Hola, it´s Hannah here! I will be updating the blog during my stay so there will be lots of new information and insider photos for you for the next two months!

I also wanted to highlight a few patterns, especially the newest winner of the Malabrigo Junkies´annual Malabrigo March contest -- Wabbit Season by Alexandra Tinsley.  This earflap hat is knit out of our new yarn, Twist, and features pom poms and an opportunity to choose cute buttons!

[caption id="attachment_217" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Photo credit to designer -- click for pattern!"][/caption]

If I were going to knit this hat for this winter I would knit it in Teal Feather or Applewood. You can find great buttons on Etsy -- for my imaginary Applewood hat I like these from seller Pinky Noodles.