For the last year I’ve been collaborating with the wonderful folks over at Fairmount Fibers on a Spring collection using Manos del Uruguay yarns (who they are the U.S distributors of) and guess what – today is finally the day when the entire collection is released! Pulling inspiration from a modern earth tone palette, this Spring collection uses clean, simple lines and floral eyelet details to create light, transitional layers that are as easy to knit as they are to wear.
Let me tell you more about this collection!
The Yarn
If you aren’t familiar with Manos del Uruguay yarns, they are a fair trade, nonprofit organization providing jobs to craftswomen from rural Uruguay. They produce yarn that is spun with high quality fibers & dyed into gorgeous colors, and they are focused on yarns that are sustainable, ethical & beautiful. I love their mission, and the yarn is absolutely stunning. Additionally, it’s found at many local yarn shops so you can not only support a great organization but also support yarn shops that need our support now more than ever! For more details about the Manos story, click here. And to find a yarn shop that carries their yarns, click here.
The Inspiration
First and foremost, I was so inspired by the yarn and the color palette that Manos has for each of their different yarns. They are modern but still very natural, exuding both an earthy and sophisticated vibe all at the same time. On my mood board, my color palette looked like this:
As you can see from the flower photo, the color palette led to my next source of inspiration which was flowers. You can’t think Spring and not think of flowers, right? Not only is each piece in this collection named after a flower, but I also wanted each to have touches of floral-like details – you’ll see eyelets as an overarching theme as well as stem-like linear elements. The key with all of these details though is simplicity – I made sure to keep every stitch and technique in all of these designs in the “advanced beginner” realm, and many of the designs can comfortably be done by newer knitters too!
The Designs
Let’s dive into each of these designs! If you want to view the collection as a whole, you can view it here on Ravelry.
Amaryllis
This seamless cardigan is knit with Serena, an alpaca/cotton blend, AND it’s double-stranded! You use 2 different colors of Serena and 1 strand of each color is held together as you work the whole piece to create a marled affect. If you’ve never double-stranded before don’t worry – check out my tutorial page here! Click below for all of the pattern details.
Hyacinth
This little layering vest is knit with the Alpaca Heather yarn, a sport-weight wool/alpaca blend and knit seamlessly from the bottom-up. Featuring rows of easy eyelets (like a well manicured floral bed!) and simple garter stitch details, this piece is relaxing knitting at its best. Click below for all of the pattern details.
Forsythia
Featuring asymmetrical eyelet details and linear visual interest, this simple layering top can be worn either with more ease for a poncho-like fit, or with less ease for a more sweater vest-like fit. It’s knit with Silk Blend, a DK-weight merino/silk blend that combines softness with great stitch definition. Click below for all of the pattern details.
Azalea
Azalea is a flowy, flattering tee you’ll want to wear all Spring and Summer (and maybe into the Fall and Winter too if you live in a warm climate!). Knit up with the Sport-weight Feliz yarn, a Merino/Rayon blend, this tee is knit seamlessly from the bottom-up and has an easy breezy boxy fit. A diamond eyelet motif is featured along the hem, then simple garter details are mirrored at the shoulder line. Easy knitting and easy wearing! Click below for all of the pattern details.
Mountain Laurel
This asymmetrical scarf/shawlette is SO much fun to knit! If you’ve ever seen a pack of Manos’s Fino mini skeins and wondered “what can I make with this?”, this piece is your answer. This is another double-stranded piece, so although it’s worked with fingering-weight yarn, it’s a fast knit and it’s worked on a US 8 needle, and you need just 1 pack of Fino mini skeins + 1 full skein of Fino. In each section you work 1 strand of a mini skein with 1 strand of the full skein of Fino yarn. You work combinations of stockinette stitch with an easy eyelet mesh stitch, and it’s the perfect size for layering with any outfit. Click below for all of the pattern details.
Narcissus
This 3/4 sleeve pullover is knit seamlessly from the bottom-up and features a Little Arrowhead Lace stitch pattern along the bottom of the body as well as on the sleeve cuffs, and just a little bit at the collarbone. It’s knit with the DK-weight Milo yarn, a merino/linen blend that I just loved working with. It has both drape as well as a beautiful, natural texture (with the linen flecks). This is another sweater that you can either wear more fitted (as modeled), or with more positive ease to be more oversized and drapey. Click below for all of the pattern details.
Snowdrop
Snowdrop is the answer to “What can I make with 1 skein of fingering-weight yarn?”! Knit up with 1 skein of Alegria, a merino blend with an amazing color palette, this simple stacked cowl features asymmetrical eyelet diagonals, for a simple yet still beautifully interesting look. And with the gorgeous drape of Alegria, it falls just perfectly on your neck and gives any outfit a great pop of color. Click below for all of the pattern details.
I hope you love this collection too and find a pattern (or two, or more!) that inspires you. Collaborating with Fairmount Fibers on all of these patterns was such a wonderful experience. And working with the Manos del Uruguay yarns was such a joy. I started knitting this collection in March of 2020, right at the start of the pandemic here in the US. I think every time I see these designs I’ll be reminded of the therapeutic benefits of knitting during stressful times. The combination of keeping our hands busy and minds focused, along with having pretty, soothing fibers in our fingers, can help with mindfulness and provide some comfort, even if just for a moment.
If you have any questions about any of these designs, feel free to reach out!