Premier Needle Arts Acquires Berroco

Premier Needle Arts, parent company of Knit Picks, We Crochet and Connecting Threads, among others, has announced the acquisition of yarn company Berroco.

The company will remain a separate entity with existing management, locations and sales channels, according to a news release.

“Berroco is known for providing support and innovation for its customers in local yarn stores,” Premier Needle Arts CEO Mark Hyland said. “Local experience and support are critically important to makers for inspiration and education. Berroco will remain committed to these values as it continues to operate independently and serve local yarn shops with its present sales team, full product line and customer support.”

Berroco CEO Warren Wheelock noted that the companies share core values, a family focus and similar business philosophies.

“We are pleased that our current customers and the next generation of Berroco customers will be served as part of the PNA family, which understands the crafting space and embraces customers’ needs, especially those of the local yarn shops,” he said in the release. We are confident that PNA will help the Berroco brand drive a path for the future by continuing to provide ‘Yarn for All Makers™.’”

It doesn’t sound like much will change for yarn crafters or employees, so that’s good news. I look forward to seeing how this acquisition changes the yarn landscape.

Next Pattern:

Last year I cleaned out my closet and realized that I had about 24 handknit sweaters. This knowledge hasn’t completely stopped me from knitting more sweaters, but it did get me thinking about places in my wardrobe where I might actually need more knit things, and one thing I noticed a lack of was knit vests.

I have a couple of them and I love them for layering when it starts to get a little warmer, like when it’s cool in the morning but hot in the afternoon, or cold in a building but warmer outside. I’ve already knit myself one new vest this year, and with these patterns I’m pretty sure I’ll be making more.

This chunky vest pattern from Daisy and Peace on Etsy is sort of the quintessential vest you think of when you think of knit vests, with a scoop neck and ribbed edges. It uses bulky yarn and is great for beginners since it is worked flat. There are six sizes available.

The Knit Purl Girl has another pretty take on the basic knit vest, this time with a higher, double folded neckline. The Semper Slipover is worked with a mohair blend and a wool yarn held together to make a DK weight gauge. The tops of each side are worked separately, then joined for working in the round.

Minimi Knit Design has another great take on a classic vest, this time with a v-neck. It’s worked in the round from the top down using worsted weight yarn. Sizing ranges from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm actual bust measurement.

One thing about all the vests I have right now is that they are pullovers, but this version with buttons is pretty cure, too. It’s from MMadisonMarie on Etsy, and it uses fuzzy, chunky yarn and has an oversized fir with a V-neck and button closure. It’s worked flat and comes in three sizes.

Or you could make this cute vest with an I-cord tie, from Nicoline Sofie Knit. It’s worked from the top down starting with all the pieces separate, then joining and working the whole piece back and forth in rows. It has I-cord edging, comes in six sizes, and calls for a combo of alpaca and a glittery yarn.

Svetlana Volkov’s Nola Slipover is made with two strands of worsted weight yarn held together to get a bulky gauge. It has a high neck and roomy armholes, with a slightly cropped body. It’s available in eight sizes and you can get a copy on Ravelry.

Knit a Vest with Cabled Details

Knit a Cozy Vest for Fall

Play with Fisherman’s Rib in This Fun Long Vest Project

Next Pattern:

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