Manos del Uruguay has been in the ESK family for as long as we can remember. They’re a vital part of what makes this place so special. From a huge variety of bases & show-stopping colorways to the wonderful backstory of supporting local women, Manos gives us so many reasons to call them family! Let us show off some of those reasons with our Manos del Uruguay Shopping Spree where the ESK Kitties were challenged to spend $125 on any Manos base for 1 patterns-worth of yarn. Here’s what some of the kitties came up with!
Pattern: Cowboy Cowl by Pam Powers
Yarn: 2 skeins of Gloria in Plata
Needles: US 8
Cost: $48 – I could make two!
Why: As a chunky knits lover, I went straight for Gloria! Having worked with it before, I knew I wanted a few things from my pattern: some stockinette (Gloria is perfectly plied so my stitches look super tidy) and something I could snug in all day (this base is the definition of plush). Insert Cowboy Cowl by Pam Powers! I’d only need 2 skeins so I’m way under budget and I would have a cowl I’d reach for most mornings – can’t beat that!
Pattern: Afternoon in Lisbon by Lisa Hannes
Yarn: 1 Fino Mini-Skein Set (Dorothea) & 1 skein of Fino (Silver Teaset)
Needles: US 2
Cost: $72
Why: I’ve been kind of fascinated by this pattern since it came out and keep fantasizing about knitting it!
Pattern: Three Sisters by Cetus Knits
Yarn: 2 skeins of Alegria (9008 Orquidea & 2600 Magenta)
Needles: US 4
Cost: $52
Why: I love the textures of this pattern, including the mosaic color work used to blend the variegated and tonal colors together.
Pattern: Lucinda by Carrie Bostick Hoge
Yarn: 8 skeins of Silk Blend (300X Topaz)
Needles: US 4
Cost: $124
Why: The texture of Silk Blend lends perfectly to this design and would keep this pullover lightweight. Dye takes to the wool/silk blend in the most wonderful heathery way so I chose a solid color to show off the natural striations that would mimic the tweed yarn used in the sample. It’s knit in the round so it’s seamless, which I love, and would be a great addition to my stash of simple projects I can bring to knit night!
Do you think you can take the Manos Shopping Spree challenge? Post what project you’d choose & details just like the ESK Kitties did as a comment on this post. 1 lucky blog reader will win the yarn they chose! Don’t forget, you have a budget of $125 for 1 patterns-worth of yarn. We will announce the winner by commenting “Congratulations!” on their post on Wednesday January 23rd so get to planning those Manos del Uruguay projects now!
eatsleepknitblog 
Pattern: Indigo Sea Shawl by Carrie Bostick Hoge – https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/indigo-sea-shawl
Yarn: 5 skeins of Gloria (3 Crema, 2 Black)
Needles: US 7
Cost: $120
Why: I’m looking forward to traveling a lot this year and a unique colorwork shawl would be the perfect accessory for keeping warm on the plane as well as an easy way to create versatility in my wardrobe. I also find Crema to be a fascinating, rich neutral!
Pattern: Exploration Station by Stephen West
Yarn: Alegria (1 Agave, 1 Antigue, 1 Carnaval, 1 Locura)
Needles:6
Cost: 104
Why: I would really like to knit my first shawl and what better way than with cheerful colors! I also love that there is a brioche section, a new skill to learn.
I would get 2 skeins of Alegria in the Tahiti colourway to finally try and conquer the Bain scarf by Lucy Hague.
Pattern: Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli
Yarn: 5 skeins of Gloria in Hongos, Estancia (A), Estancia (B), Petunia, and Purpura.
Needles: US 9
Cost: $120
Why: I’ve never used this base. I’ve never knit anything pink. I’ve never knit stripes. Heck, I’ve never knit a sweater! I’ve always been a crochet girl, but I recently started to knit and I’m obsessed. I think these yarn colors and the base would lend themselves well to a fantastic fading knit project! Delicate pink can totally be the color of bravery, y’all, and with this yarn, I could try to knit something brave (for me).
I would make a Time Trades by Caitlin Hunter, because I’ve made one already, it flew off my needles, and my mom requested one. The silk blend of Fino would be perfect for her, because she lives in a warmer climate.
Yarn: Fino mini skein set in Augusta and 2 full skeins Fino (Damask and Admiral)
Price: $104
Needles: 5
Pattern: Arbor Vitae by Joji (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arbor-vitae)
Yarn: 3 skeins of Fino in Poison
Needles: US 2-1/2 😱
Cost: $96
Why: I love the details in this sweater; the cables, that sweet little fringe. The color of the sample is also a perfect balance of dark and moody, so I’d make it in a similar colorway of Fino. It does use small needles but is a seamless design so I would be willing to take the plunge! Plus, Fino? Yummmm!
I hope I’m not too late!
Pattern: Donita by Lesley Anne Robinson
Yarn: 4 skeins of Silk Blend in Fractal; 3 skeins of Silk Blend in Wisteria
Needles: US 6
Cost: $93
Why: I love Lesley’s brioche shawl patterns and these colors would look stunning and the slik component would add a lovely drape to it as well. Love purples!
Pattern: Donita by Lesley Anne Robinson
Yarn: 4 skeins of Wisteria and 3 skeins of Fractal in Silk Blend
Needles: US 6
Cost: $93
Why: I love Lesley’s brioche shawls and the silk and merino blend in this yarn would drape beautifully in this shawl. Would be a dream to knit up!
I would do Vintersol by Jenn Steingass in Manos Maxima. One Sand, one Loam, and four Saffron for a cost of $120.
I think I would get 4 skeins of Algeria, 1 each of Pescador, Wedgwood, Stratus and Natural for use in a Xandra wrap for the Q1 KAL. Total cost $104, probably woyld use us 4 or 5 needles.
I would choose six skeins of Maxima to knit Andrea Mowty’s Weekender in Cotton Candy! I have been looking for just the right yarn!!
6 skeins X $20=$120!!
I might be late to the party here, but I found this cool crocheted pullover pattern made with Allegria that is beautiful.
Pattern: hondius way pullover
Yarn: 4 skeins allegria – either carmine or orla orrr heck I could spend all day on that choice
Hook: 3.5mm
Cost: $104
Pattern: So Faded by Andrea Mowry
Yarn: 4 skeins of Allegria (2 in Agave, 1 in Bataclana, 1 in Black)
Needles: US 3 and US 5
Cost: $104
Why: I’d love to do a sweater fade project and these three colors fade so well together.
I would make All the Love by Joji in Silk Blend colorway 3217 Dark Wash. My total cost would be $124 for eight skeins.