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 Emerging from the cloudy, cold days of winter each spring can be a major adjustment to our lives, and many of us enthusiastically embrace the warmer weather, sunnier days and signs from Mother Nature that new life is sprouting up all around us. For the gardeners amongst us, these climate changes are a seasonal delight, and we are enjoying planning out our flower and vegetable gardens. In similar ways, all of us knitters and crocheters have a plethora of options for choosing our warm-weather styles too.
For Spring 2009, the fashion designers are embracing new life for all of our wardrobes with a renewed sense of fun and color we haven’t seen for many a past season. Neutrals are taking a backseat to brights, retro looks are definitely coming to the forefront, and popular classic styles are being modernized in new and innovative ways. Luckily for all of us, knitwear fashions are staying right in line with the runways of Paris, New York and Milan for our spring wardrobes this year. No matter what our preferences, we have a multitude of knitting and crochet options that are up to date with the Top 10 Trends for Spring 2009 and can rely on many of our favorite designers plus some newcomers too. Please see the Spring Fashion Outlook article for a detailed look at the Top 10 trends this season.
 We can always count on Gedifra Design Director Karola Gottwald to keep her finger on the pulse of haute-couture fashion trends and incorporate the best of the best into her seasonal collections. In her latest Gedifra pattern collection – Gedifra Highlights #091 -- she has outdone herself with some truly spectacular choices our fingers are just itching to knit and crochet. From the geometrical lines & layering options of her Milena Long Jacket and the Fiorista Ribbon Tie Vest to the ever-popular feminine details of the Fiorista Ruffled Jacket, we love the way Karola creates projects that combine several trends into one garment. She even has her distinctive version of asymmetrical necklines where she’s carefully moved the neck placket of the Fiorista Cap-Sleeve Henley and the neck scarf of the Milena Scarf Neck Top from the traditional center position to left of center.
 Then new Noro designer Jenny Watson has developed some particularly beautiful striped, geometrical garments showcasing various Noro fiber gems. The classic Furisode Sleeveless Pullover and the clever Silk Garden Sock Shrug with buttoned “sleeves” are both great for the layering so popular for spring. These projects also feature auto-striping yarns that make it easy to achieve the geometrical trend seen in all the boutiques and department stores right now. Jenny even shares her version of the Grecian goddess, free-flowing style in the Chirimen Baby Doll Top, and it’s all in a self-striping yarn once again.
 We’re also becoming more and more fascinated by the knitwear designs of Alchemy co-founder Gina Wilde. Intriguingly, many of her spring projects look as if she’s establishing the trends rather than following them. From the innovative Alchemy Le Monde Bag with its new version of geometrical patterning to the ultra-feminine Silk Purse Queen of Hearts Bolero with its ruffled cuffs and front trim, Gina’s designs are right on track to keep us in style all season long. Then when we check out her switch from horizontal striping to the more flattering vertical design of the Silken Straw Surfer Top, we see how cleverly she uses current trends to suit a variety of body shapes and sizes. We also love Gina’s use of contrasting brights in her Silken Straw Josephine Bag, which shows that carefully chosen bright colors can work excellently together and be sophisticated instead of gaudy.
 The knitwear gurus of Rowan Yarns definitely have as distinctive a style as any haute-couture fashion house, and for Spring 2009 they have enthusiastically embraced the feminine, floral and geometrical trends. From the crocheted femme neckline of the Calmer Arles Top to the ruffled edging of the Milk Cotton Lotus Cardigan, Rowan designer Marie Wallin aptly demonstrates for us that femme rules the season. Then Marie turns her considerable talents to interpreting the floral style oh so beautifully in the Cotton Glace Anemone Cardigan that the end result takes our breath away. From its ultimate ruffled collar to its floral motifs throughout the body of the cardigan, this sweater is definitely a stunning example of how several fashion trends can work together.
 Also from Rowan and featured in the seasonal magazine Rowan Knitting Magazine 45 comes several geometric styles from world-renowned knitwear maven Kaffe Fassett. His Kidsilk Haze Cassis Long Vest absolutely elevates the concept of layering to a new level and transforms stripes to a work of art. Also his Summer Tweed Red Earth Cardigan shows how a terrific colorist and textile artist can create a masterpiece using just various shades of a solid-colored, slightly heathered yarn. His designs can truly inspire all of us to develop garments and accessories that go beyond just the trends.
 Of course, no review of high-fashion knitwear would be complete without checking out the spring collection from Anny Blatt for the French versions of the latest styles. From our first glimpse of the cover of Anny Blatt Printemps-Ete 2009 - #205, we could tell that innovative geometrical designs would be superbly displayed. The Anny Blatt Corneille Halter magically transforms a shimmering ribbon yarn and a glittery eyelash novelty into a sophisticated swirl of colors and shapes. Also the subtle sheen of the Anny Blatt Flaubert Pullover and the Victoria Boileau Shell add a new dimension of elegance and European flair to even the most casual of outfits.
 Even companies known for their traditional, classic designs are incorporating the most current trends and modifying their approach. Consider, for example, the latest release featuring Tahki’s Cotton Classic yarn. Tahki: Cotton Classic 3rd Edition is filled with cabled sweaters, comfy pullovers and cute hoodies as we would expect. But woven into the selections is the atypical, Bohemian-inspired Cotton Open Stitch Cover-Up where the vertical stripes widen as they skim down toward the hemline. This collection also includes a great layering option in the Cotton Sampler Stitch Tank, and we recommend this little top because it can double as a vest all spring and then we can wear it as a tank top all summer.
 Then to whom do we turn for the glitz and glamour forecasted for the season so that we have some glimmer and shimmer in our spring wardrobes? One of the first designers to come to our minds is Iris Schreier, Artyarns designer and yarn guru extraordinaire. Since creating her wonderful collection of beaded and sequined yarns, Iris has developed spectacular projects for our eveningwear collections. From the subtle glitz of the Regal Silk Side to Side Shell and its coordinating Regal Silk Side to Side Jacket to the elegant Beaded Victorian Scarf and the Beaded Mohair & Sequins Jacket, Iris shows us just how to add the glamour we crave to our fashion collections. Then the piece de resistance is her Beaded Ensemble Scarf, oh so superbly crafted of just one hank of her beaded silk/cashmere fiber gem.
 Also a new yarn from Fiesta -- Impressionist La Boheme -- is receiving rave reviews for its subtle sheen and ability to dress up even casual outfits. The Impressionist La Boheme Wrap and the Impressionist Criss Cross Scarf both demonstrate this yarn’s beauty quite marvelously. Add that each of these projects starts with a free Fiesta pattern available from Yarnmarket.com, and we have the perfect choices for year-round glamour.
 And when we crave other great sources for fashionable projects to keep us current with all the latest trends? The knitting and crochet magazines give us a wide range of projects and design approaches with an eclectic mix of perspectives so that we can consider new options for developing our own personal styles. Even our accessories can be right up to date a recent issue of Cast On for Knitters demonstrates. We love the whimsical Spottie Dottie Socks featured in this magazine, and now that we can add them to an outfit as a funky example of the geometrical design, this footwear option is transformed into an expression of our own personal style too.
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