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Spotlight is for Yarnmarket shoppers who want to learn more about the yarns they enjoy and the companies that produce them. In our first issue, we are proud to feature Berroco, a brand recognized for its consistent quality and fashion appeal.
This popular American yarn label is distributed by a company that began in 1810 and is today run by Warren Wheelock, the great-great-great grandson of its founder. Guarding a tradition of quality and integrity, Warren oversees the selection of new fibers from throughout the world and the development of new patterns by his expert internal design team.
Assisted by his wife, Caroline, who grew up in a yarn family in France, Warren and his team seek out the finest mills in the world, then collaborate with them to produce yarns that meet the Berroco standards of excellence.
Yarnmarket has 59 Berroco yarns in stock in every color available. We cherish our partnership with this outstanding organization and we are delighted to offer our customers every current Berroco yarn including the new additions for Spring 2010.
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WIN A BERROCO GIFT BASKET WORTH OVER $125!
See details below »
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A member of the incredibly popular Berroco Comfort yarn collection, this DK weight yarn is a soft fiber blend of 50/50 superfine nylon and superfine acrylic -- just like the original worsted-weight Comfort yarn.
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This iridescent beauty is as luminous as its name implies. And, it’s in the prettiest of colors! From gleaming Goldfish to brilliant Infinity & Beyond, the colors capture the light to create luminous loveliness.
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This strong, sturdy wool provides softness and loft. It’s a machine-washable blend of 50% acrylic, 40% wool and 10% nylon in a worsted weight crafted in Peru. Berroco #290: Vintage Wool, features patterns for this yarn.
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Crafted in Italy, the corded, slightly nubby Seduce yarn creates a light, lustrous, breathable fabric. The fibers absorb the dye at different rates for a tone-on-tone sheen. 47% rayon, 25% linen, 17% silk & 11% nylon.
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This shimmering gem was inspired by the rhythmic markings on a bamboo stalk. Crafted of 97% bamboo and 3% nylon in a 1/8" wide ribbon of bamboo fiber woven wrapped with a delicate nylon band. It has wonderful drape and shine.
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This super chunky Italian yarn is a delight for quick-to-knit projects. It’s a heathered blend of 50% wool and 50% acrylic, crafted in Italy where you find many of the world’s best mills. Projects are in Berroco #287: Sundae.
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Peruvia Quick is a 2-ply, bulky yarn that knits up quickly to give you quick-to-create knitted or crocheted projects. The yarn is 100% Peruvian Highland wool so it’s sumptuously soft and warm for cool weather garments.
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This ultra-soft Ultra Alpaca Fine yarn is lush and warm. Perfect for open-weave items that call for a fingering weight yarn. Socks are cozy, warm and durable. 50% wool, 20% superfine alpaca, 30% nylon.
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This 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon yarn combines the warmth of wool with the strength of nylon. Machine washable, Berroco Sox comes in 31 self-striping color combinations. One ball creates one pair of socks.
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This worsted weight 25% superkid mohair, 10% angora and 65% wool mix was crafted in Italy with softness and loft provide cozy warmth. It’s perfect for sweaters, hats, and jackets to keep you snug and warm.
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Norah Gaughan |
Have you ever wondered what, exactly, goes into the making of a perfectly gorgeous garment? It begins with an idea – that spark of creativity that compels a designer to knit, rip out, knit again, and rip out over and over and over again until she sees on her needles the perfect execution of her vision. She experiments with fibers to ensure the right drape, the right stitch definition, the right EVERYTHING to bring out the genius of her design. And then, painstakingly, she captures those stitches on paper so you can replicate her creation.
It’s a long process and sometimes a painfully frustrating one. And it’s repeated over and over by the women whose creative inspiration is the engine behind the Berroco organization’s patterns.
Norah Gaughan is the Creative Director at Berroco. For years she studied under the tutelage of Margery Winter, who is now editor of Verena Magazine. Working collaboratively with this icon of the yarn industry, Norah learned the business, made a name for herself, and she is now one of the most renowned and respected knitting pattern designers in the world.
Cirilia Rose |
With six of her own books under her belt, Norah continues to push the limits with designs inspired by nature, mathematics, and architecture. She travels to shows throughout the United States and Europe to present her new lines and also to learn about new fibers she can experiment with, and to obtain inspiration from different environments and cultures.
Knitters excitedly anticipate new books and patterns created by Norah because they know they’ll be creating a masterpiece of originality that provides an intellectual challenge without being impossibly difficult.
Today, Norah has a young protégé, Cirilia Rose, who not only knits and designs, but is also active on the Berroco blog, Ravelry, and other social media. You’ll want to watch Cirilia as she follows in Norah’s footsteps to carry on the tradition of excellence in design from Berroco.
The third hero of the Berroco design team is Donna Yacino, the design room assistant. Donna not only helps Norah and Cirilia keep on top of their work, she’s also a designer who has been contributing to each collection since the 1980s.
Donna Yacino |
One of the most important functions of the design team is to help select yarns for the company. Choosing yarns is a global group adventure with a process that begins with the gathering of new items from around the world. Representatives from Peru, Brazil, Turkey and France either visit Berroco in their Uxbridge, MA office or send their newest wares via mail.
The team also travels to Italy to visit mills and attend the big trade fair Pitti Filati to see the latest innovations. Drawn in first by their eyes and then by their sense of touch, Warren and his designers must then face the realities of price and practicality. These specifics narrow the field and they begin knitting. There are heated discussions, personal likes, personal dislikes and in the end the winners emerge. Sometimes the entire team is so attuned to what is right for Berroco that they immediately agree on a yarn the instant they see it.
Next season (Fall 2010-11) Berroco’s team tells us we’ll be seeing a color filled, quick knitting bonanza. Their yarns will be perfect for first time knitters, and for the more experienced.
This dream team continuously develops interesting new designs that make the best of the Berroco yarns they help Warren and Caroline select. They are a unique creative force within the knitting industry whose work is admired by knitters throughout the world.
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Classic lines and sophistication create a look reminiscent of Coco Chanel. This cardigan is superb when knitted in supple, beautiful Lustra yarn. A stand-up collar, patch pockets and raglan sleeves make this an elegant garment to dress up jeans or add a finishing touch to evening wear.
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If you’re looking for traditional style with a modern interpretation, Norah Gaughan’s Pure Merino Potter Jacket is classic and contemporary. The double-breasted cardigan features crisp ribbing and a polished button band. Straight sleeves flair slightly to leave plenty of room for layering.
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This appealing cardigan has wonderful ribs and patterning with 3/4 length raglan sleeves. The two-button top closure gives this sweater a contemporary look. Cuzco alpaca/wool creates softness and provides great stitch definition. Looks great with slacks for the office or jeans on the weekend.
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This adorable set is created with Comfort Chunky yarn from Berroco. A striped sweater and hat with a little pom pom and matching booties makes an appreciated shower gift for a little boy or girl. Comfort Chunky comes in 33 fabulous colors, so choose your two colors and get knitting!
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Crafted of Berroco's terrifically feltable Peruvia, this generously sized tote measures 18" wide and 12" (without handle) after felting. You can craft this superb bag from your favorite 3 colors of Peruvia and complete your project in no time. It would make a sensational gift for your special BFFs and family.
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This pretty smocked tank top is created with Berroco's Linen Jeans yarn. The babydoll shape is accented across the yoke with a smock pattern and ribbing. The empire waist is flattering to every figure and you can wear this top alone or layered with for a variety of looks in all seasons.
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The traditional stockinette cardigan is modernized with a fabulous yoke pattern. The yoke alternates cables with diamonds and the seed stitch for added interest. The seed stitch is also used for the front placket, cuffs and bottom hem instead of the more common ribbing.
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This sensational bag is uses Jasper yarn. A chevron pattern is accented with bunches of bobbles, each made unique with the self-striping yarn. Texture and color are what make this bag so special! Finished size is 11.5" x 12.5".
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This fabulous jacket is created with Touché yarn, a cotton rayon blend that offers superb stitch definition and beautiful drape. The body is knit in the round creating a beautiful flowing effect with a wide shawl collar. This jacket will look great when worn over just about anything!
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This cozy neck warmer is created with the heathered wool and acrylic Sundae yarn. A gorgeous rib pattern is used on this easy-to-knit cowl that is finished off with large buttons for easy on and off. The finished size is 12" x 34" so it’s a quick knit for yourself or as an appreciated gift.
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This cable and rib hat of Comfort Chunky yarn is machine washable in 50% superfine nylon and 50% superfine acrylic. Modeled after the classic fisherman's hat, this warm, fitted hat has ribs and cables and a fold-up brim. 18" around un-stretched. A great weekend project.
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Win an autographed copy of Norah Gaughan #6, enough Berroco Pure Pima yarn to create the Tremella pattern, Crystal Palace needles, and a Yarnmarket deluxe bag.
Norah is known for her unique designs that are inspired by her love of an intellectual challenge. In her interview with KnitchMagazine she told us that she graduated with a double degree in Biology/Art. She studies the world with a scientific eye and then creates innovative knitting design based on patterns she sees. To enter this contest, send an email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
with the answer to the question:
From where did Norah get her inspiration for her popular Prospera design?
A winner will be drawn from the correct entries on March 23rd, 2010.
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Top Berroco Yarns at BargainYARNS
Keltic Yarn
Ultra Silk Yarn
Softwist Colors
Zen Colors Yarn
Suede Deluxe
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