PREVIEW - brand new Naturally Soft Aran

The new Aran 'brights' (top clockwise) - Cherry Red, Magenta,
Teal, Cobalt, Emerald and Ochre

After exciting months in design and development, our Naturally Soft Aran is almost ready to hit the shelves in a yarn shop near you! By now, there will be plump bags filled with seriously soft merino in a myriad new shades sitting in our warehouse, eager to go out into the world and grow up into something scrumptious for Autumn/Winter.

It sometimes seems like it's been a long time coming - and maybe it has. But the MillaMia team have always been utterly committed to producing something uniquely desirable - yarn that is as pleasurable to knit with, as it is to see, wear, touch. This dedication to excellence takes time, but the results are tremendous! Our Naturally Soft Aran is a worthy big brother to Naturally Soft Merino, which was in itself a tough act to follow.

We took inspiration from the highly sought after qualities of our Naturally Soft Merino, and aimed to include the soft handle, fabulous stitch definition and washability that has become synonymous with our sportweight yarn. These qualities are all wrapped up in our new Aran along with a twist that is a little lighter to provide loft without too much weight, but the initial point of difference has to be a dramatic change in the colour palette. In the 16 new shades you will find 4 subtle melanges that add depth and tonal interest to the knitted fabric, more complex colours such as dusk and powder blue, not forgetting the key brights such as cobalt, emerald green and a saturated, richly toned ochre.

The new 'melanges' (top left to right) - Cinder, Slate, Stone and Latte

This exciting palette offers scope for sophisticated adult accessories as well as a new opportunity to cosset sweet babies and cute kids in stylish and fun colour combinations, which you'll see in 'Tiny Treasures'. There is nothing quite like seeing a newborn swaddled in a softly textured handknit, or a small child warm, comfortable and stylish, is there?

Naturally Soft Aran - 16 stunning new shades to knit up a warm and colourful winter wardrobe

We revelled too, in the opportunity to fully exploit the joys of knitting with a heavier weight yarn – in oversized accessories and richly textured knits. In Finishing Touch, there are snoods, mitts, scarves, bags and pouches – all showcasing the soft subtle beauty of the new yarn and the 16 brand new colours. The melanges have a particular appeal in these adult pieces – with the delicate tonal differences in the yarn really working to add depth and interest to large cables and stitch patterns.

Our beautiful new Aran is almost here . . . what will you knit?

(posted by Max)