Two years ago, iconic knitwear designer Veronik Avery started her own yarn line, St.-Denis Yarns, to offer knitters and designers versitile and ethically-sourced yarns. Her first yarn, Nordique, is 100% American wool, and available at the shop in 22 colors. Now, the two most recent St.-Denis magazines, Issue 2 and Issue 3, are in space as well. Once you get a look at these patterns, you’ll know why both books and yarn are flying off the shelves.
Start your St.-Denis journey by exploring the complexities of Robin Melanson’s Athyrie, a lace-embellished shrug that converts into a shawl. This amazing garment will button around your arms to create a 3/4-sleeved shrug, button up behind your back to become a short-sleeved shrug, or unbutton all the way to turn into a snuggly shawl. Check out the other photos on Ravelry to see this piece in all its glory.
If you like your lace with a little oomph, check out the Bright Stripes Lace Scarf by Kat Coyle, a glorious combination of stripes and lace that manages to show off both techniques in the finished product. Whether you make yours with Kat’s original bright colors or choose different ones, this scarf will keep you happy all winter long, and earn you admiring glances every time you wear it. We can see this one looking more chic and formal in different neutral shades, or dramatic and bold with different shades of the same color.
If you’re in the market for a good transition garment, look no further than Laura Grutzeck’s Trellis Cardigan. With an all-over lace pattern and half-sleeves, Trellis will look great on its own or layered with a long-sleeved tee underneath. Again, you can make Trellis vastly different depending on the color you choose: a pale shade will look more classic, while a jewel tone will show off this sweater’s texture and go wonderfully with jeans.
St.-Denis isn’t just about lace, though. Check out the glorious Bird Mittens and Hat by Kirstin Kapur: stranded colorwork at its finest. Make the first set for yourself, and then one for someone you really want to impress as a holiday present. The Felted Booties would make another great winter gift; especially if you haven’t tried felting yet, this project is a must.
Avery’s own Market Jacket is another fantastic sweater to take you from fall through winter. Knit in brioche stitch, it’s cozy yet well-designed, and Nordique will drape wonderfully in this pattern. The ultimate in transitional sweaters, though, is Grutzek’s Pullover with Cowl, a crew-neck sweater with detachable cowl. Pick a color you love, because you’ll be wearing this classic sweater for years to come.