This week’s guests on the podcast: Bijou Basin Ranch‘s own Carl and Eileen!

Carl and Eileen haven’t been on the show since they launched the Lhasa Wilderness yarn, their yak and bamboo blend yarn. Have you worked with Lhasa Wilderness yet? If not, splurge, go buy yourself some! Like Marly said, “…it’s like BUTTAH…” to work with! (Trust me, after having worked with it, it’s SO amazing!)

BBR has launched a few new yarns since they were last on the show! Sport weight is a new endeavor, taking their already great yarn and “thickening it up” to make it a heavier weight than the . Took a while to get the right feel and consistency, but now this yarn is a super fun one to work with!

Eileen talked about the Shangri-La yarn, a Yak and silk blend, and how she loved the glossy look of the silk and how the pieces made in this yarn drape beautifully and the sheen from the silk makes them just gorgeous.

Carl and Eileen went on to mention their cashmere and cotton yarn, Roslyn and how it doesn’t feel like your regular “kitchen cotton”. Marly has always said how much the stiffness of cotton yarn makes her hands ache, but with the addition of just enough cashmere, her hands never ache. Carl also mentioned how with this cotton blend, the finished projects have a “smoothness” to them that you don’t see with traditional cotton. (Anyone else wanting to go use the special discount code below for some Roslyn?)

Seraphim…ohhh sweet Seraphim!! A lot of folks don’t enjoy working with an angora yarn because of the halo/fluff that gets in your nose. You HAVE to check out Serpahim. BBR has blended angora with just a touch of viscose to keep the fluff factor down. No fuzz, no sneezing, and it’s light as a feather! Marly has a great pattern out with BBR called the Fir Trees Cowl made in this luxurious yarn, and you should really check it out.

Have you signed up/subscribed to BBR’s newsletter via their newly updated website yet? This way you can stay in the loop as to what is going on at the Ranch, and you can get updates regarding upcoming pattern releases and other fun deals! Also on their website, BBR is having a photo contest where you can enter your candid pictures (photoshop is actually discouraged!), to win a $300, $175 or $50 gift certificate to BBR, and the top 10 entries also win a BBR t-shirt!

Speaking of pattern releases…look who has some BBR patterns coming out!!

Marly Bird Rocky Mountain Collection

* Sneak Peek *

This week’s Show Notes Giveaway!! Enter to win a skein of Tibetan Dream Sock Yarn in their classic brown 85% Yak and 15% Nylon, perfect for a cozy pair of socks!! Also included will be a new BBR T-shirt! Carl is very excited about these new shirts! You all know the drill, make sure you use the keyword that Carl gave on the podcast in your comment below!

A deal for everybody!

–This week only: A special 15% off ENTIRE ORDER coupon code just for The Yarn Thing listeners!

The code is case sensitive: MARLYBIRD

The weekly deal for 8/27/13 — 9/2/13.

Listen to the show to get the coupon code for 50% off!

Sweetheart Tunic

Yes, this is Marly’s very first sweater she ever knit or designed. Not bad, huh? Well let me tell you a little about the Sweetheart Tunic. It is named sweetheart for the subtle lace hearts in the body of the garment. The shape is a modified a-line, which just happens to be Marly’s favorite. The stockinette portion at the bust can easily be extended to hit below the breast (the model was a little bigger than the medium tunic so the ST st portion hit a little too high on her).

But most importantly, a pattern that works for both little girls and big girls alike! Sized for XS-4X!!! This will become a staple in your wardrobe. Perfect to wear all year around, the Sweetheart tunic is the best garment to spend your time knitting.

The Lhasa Wilderness yarn is what really makes this piece exceptional. The 75% yak coupled with the 25% bamboo creates a yarn that is soft to touch, brilliant to look at and comfortable to wear. Because the yak has a tight crimp to the staple it keeps the bamboo in check so that you get to see the luster and shine of the bamboo but you wont find that it stretches at all! Treat yourself and your needles with this fabulous yarn and make a beautiful garment for you.