Yarns to Love
MDK Gems: Twining Wrap and Nua Sport
Dear everybody,
This month’s MDK Gem really sends me into the nostalgia feels.
It’s the snuggler I’ve been swaddling myself in all winter: the Twining Wrap by Carol Feller.
This was the project that got me through early 2020. It’s one of the highlights of Carol Feller’s designs in Field Guide No. 14: Refresh. I look at it and think Wow, I can’t believe I made this. It’s one of those cable projects that is simple to work and dazzling when you’re done.
Carol is famed as a teacher as well as a designer, so we’re lucky to have quick videos from her explaining the techniques she uses in these Field Guide patterns. Here she is, talking us through the Twining Wrap construction. It starts with just four stitches, which lets us ease into the stitch patterns as the shawl grows.
A Special Offer on Carol’s Exquisite Yarn
Field Guide No. 14: Refresh stars not only Carol’s designs, but the yarn that Carol designed herself: Nua Sport.
It’s been a favorite of MDK knitters—Nua Sport isn’t available in all that many places, and there’s something delicious about its unusual fiber mix of merino, yak, and linen.
The colors are great too, with names made up by Carol’s husband. Unexpected Macaw! Frog on the Wall! Kitten Fluff!
Our MDK Gems special offer: Save 10% on Nua Sport from now through March 1 when you use the coupon code REFRESH at checkout.
We’ve just brought in a batch of Nua Sport, so we have all 17 colors available now.
Have a Peek at All the Patterns
And all the designs in Field Guide No. 14: Refresh are lovely.
Transom Cardigan: The fun of exploring clever construction is what this design is all about. The saddle shoulders, the shape of the garment—it all converges in a forever piece that combines classic and modern. And Carol’s training as a textile artist means that the fabric we’re making is a perfect weight, just gorgeous.
Trellis Top: A neat, versatile layer. We love it. It has the easy feel of a poncho, but the buttons down the sides mean you can wear it as you like.
Arcade Cap: A quick topper if you’d like to try a skein or two of Nua Sport.
We hope you’ll have fun hanging out in Carol’s world. This Field Guide is such a breath of fresh air.
Love,
Ann
Can’t say enough good things about this yarn, having used it multiple times. Currently working on Agnes by Camilla Vad using Kitten Fluff as the main color and Rolling Bales, Late Night Blues and Unexpected Macaw in the contrast colors. Love it.
I, too, love this yarn. I have made the Trellis Top in Chalk and Plum from Field Guide 14 and a cowl in Unexpected Macaw, from (as I recall) a pattern on Carol Feller’s website. Chalk and Plum is purple, without shouting PURPLE. Subtle enough to coordinate with many other colors and interesting enough to stand out against neutrals. Unexpected Macaw…a perfect shade of blue. As versatile as navy, but brighter. For when you really need a pleasant pop of color.
What really sets this yarn apart for me though is the structure. Crisp enough to provide good stich definition for all of the design details. Yet soft enough to wear in comfort and casually drape as a shawl. Carol’s designs are such fun to knit both for the overall architectural approach and the subtle stich details that provide texture.
Definitely put one of Carol’s designs on your needles, or on your list. Your future self will thank you.
P.S. I have found that Unexpected Macaw sells out quickly.
Kudos to the photo stylist and photographer of these photos! Beautiful work.
LOVE the Trellis Top. So adoptable in length, buttoned or not. Great addition to the wardrobe.
Now, what I really want to know is WHO does your photography? Every day you are showing us still-lifes that are drop-dead gorgeous pieces of art. Luscious, deeply rich, delicious, extraordinary lighting effects. Have you ever thought of offering prints of these photographs? I’d love to have some on my walls..
Delightful knits with delightful yarn!
Ann, like you the Twining Wrap was a COVID project for me and I fell in love with Nua Sport. After spotting the Trellis Top on a LYS person I jumped at the chance to revisit the yarn. Finished it mid- January, just before leaving for Florida, and will look forward to wearing it when I return to New England in April. Carol’s patterns are so well written and the cable patterns keep the projects interesting.
I loved every pattern in this MDK field guide. Glad I own it!