Parkhurst covers U.S. with home, baby lineup

NEW YORK — Tapping into the broad American market, and diversifying into home and infant's products, 75-year-old Canadian women's sweater producer Dorothea Knitting Mills has launched two new companies, Parkhurst Home Accents and Parkhurst Baby, both of which made their maiden U.S. showings this month at the New York Home Textiles Show at the Javits Center here.

"We're completely covered in the United States with sweaters and accessories, and this is an entirely new direction for us," said Jodi Heller, Parkhurst's U.S. sales manager. "It's a natural extension of what we've always done. It's the same designs, the same looks, adapted for the home."

Increasingly, said Heller, "You're seeing apparel companies getting into home fashions, just as we are."

For its debut line, Parkhurst Home Accents showed a broad range of throws and accessories in cottons, cotton blends and faux furs, in textures that run the gamut from silky fur, chunky basketweaves, ornate cables, patchworks and herringbones. Throws are accessorized with coordinating pillows.

Parkhurst Baby, which focuses on the infant and toddler market, launched a line of crib, receiving and stroller blankets in solids, textures, with lace effects and such novelty looks as butterflies, lambs and a Man on the Moon. Baby hats and toques are also available a variety of styles.