Louet North America Spring 2014 . . . and a Giveaway!

Mari Chiba's "Ballson"

The giveaway is now closed.  Enjoy the review!

When Mari Chiba asked me to be a part of the blog tour for this collection, I said yes right away.  This warm- and transitional-weather collection has 11 designs, all with delicate knitterly touches.

My favorite design in this collection is Ballson by Mari Chiba.  The deep square neckline has just the right amount of cling and just the right amount of lace.  The shaping is worked a little way in from the sides for an even more flattering look.  

The short sleeves make this a sweater I could wear year-round down here in Louisiana, if it were small enough.  The smallest size is 33" chest, and although there is no ease specification I think to fit me well I would need a 28 or 30.  Not many of the pieces in this collection are that small (sizes for the entire collection are on Ravelry), but I'm not afraid of a little arithmetic and Ballson doesn't look too hard to size down.

As with many of the tops in this breezy collection, care should be taken when choosing foundation garments.  In some photos, the model's camisole shows, which means bra straps could be visible sometimes.  

Another great design is Anne Podlesak's Camulet.  I'm a big fan of Anne's aesthetic, and this henly doesn't disappoint.  Many of the pieces in this collection have the same name as cities, but I wasn't able to find Ballson or Camulet.  Or Blaeberry, a sweet stole by lace goddess Susanna IC (in slightly different versions) for fingering or lace weight yarn.

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Anne Podlesak's "Camulet"

The other shawl in this collection is Sheyenne, a deep crescent inspired by the ferns of Southern California.  Designed by Laura Patterson of Fiber Dreams, the pattern requires simple chart reading and sock-heel short-rows:  a fun piece for timid knitters to expand their horizons while keeping it interesting for the more adventurous of us.

Another wonderful top is Karen Marlatt's Selway.  This  lace piece requires only minimal finishing.  This collection also includes two tank tops and a cardigan, as well as the designs pictured below.

These patterns are presented in clear two-column format with great schematics.  A feature I particularly like is the inclusion of the yarn label information on the pattern itself.

Caro Sheridan's photography represents this fun and relaxed collection well, and the flowers are an appropriate springtime touch.

And now, the giveaway:  I'll send one ball of Louet Gems Sport---enough for the contrast trim of Ballson---to one commenter chosen at random on February 15.  Simply say which design from this collection is your favorite, and why.  Check back to see who the winner is---if nobody's claimed the prize by February 22, I'll choose an alternate.  Good luck!

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Tiona Murphy's "Roanoke"

Patty Nance's "Tanana"

Jairlyn Mason's "Niobrara"