Never Enough Colorwork

Kassie can't get enough of colorwork!

  One of my most recent FOs: Heartskull Hat by Siouxsie Stitches.

My spooky beanie! :)

  It was a quick knit for me, whipped up in two weekends. :) If you need one before Halloween, but don't know how to do colorwork, I teach a class on how to knit with a color in each hand!

  I knit them both using Kenzie, which is now a Stash-quisition yarn, AND we just got 10 new colors in!!!!
  I've got a bit leftover of the blue and purple, so I've decided to use them up to make another hat. I plan on knitting Clayoquot Toque by tincanknits, which is part of their newest collection, Road Trip. We'll be getting in our copies soon, and hopefully a Trunk Show too!

  Here's the three colors together, Boysenberry, Tekapo, and Glacier, along with my lil doodles to try and choose which colors to put where.

I might have to flip a coin, I think they both look cute!

Kassie's Vacation Knitting

   I'm about to head out on vacation! And of course, I have more than one knitting project planned. I'll be flying on a plane, so I thought I would share some tips for traveling with your knitting, as well as the projects I'll hopefully finish!

   Knitting and crocheting are ideal for long flights. But there's always the fear of your needles being taken away! These are a few of my traveling rules:

Colorful Skies by Jessica Bolof,
using Zauberball #1505

• Bamboo! I always use bamboo, I find it breezes through the security scanner. Sometimes they tend to linger on the metal needles. 

Outlander Cowl by Andee Fagan,
using Schmutzerella Yarns Mondo in "Expelliarmus".

• Regardless if I am knitting in the round or flat, I always try to have at least 1" of the project knitted before I pack it. Then the (bizarre to some) needle and cord has a purpose, instead of a potentially suspicious object.

Stripes Hat, Ribby or Slouchy by Barbara French,
using samplers for my Dyeing Yarn 101 class (coming in August)!

• I always try to travel with circulars. They look less like sticks of doom and more like sticks of wibbly wobbly. I also keep my cord length between 16"-24". If I do travel with double-points, I put them in with pencils or makeup brushes! So sneaky!

Snip-its, Yarn Cutting Pendant, or Addi Mini Scissors may all make "the cut" at security!
The cute notion case is by local artist ChubbyCloud Designs.
I've taken home the toadstool one. :)

• But how do you travel with certain tools? A needle gauge, crochet hooks, fix-a-stitches and tapestry needles are travel essentials. I've never had a problem with blunt tapestry needles or crochet hooks. Scissors are a risk though. Blunt-tipped scissors with a blade 4" or shorter are technically allowed, but a security agent can still take them away.

   Sad to say, your knitting is not guaranteed, even if you use my tips. But I've also heard of knitters having no problems at all, with metal needles or even their interchangeable Addi Click sets!

   Do you have a fun trip planned? What tried-and-true travel methods do you use?

Custom Fit

Custom Fit

Many of you have heard of Custom Fit by Amy Herzog. For those of you that are not familiar with Custom Fit, it is a program to create a pattern to fit YOUR body!!!  It's like having a custom tailor for all of your sweater needs! I am doing a test drive to see how it works.

First comes measuring yourself. We are not talking bust, waist, and hips. Amy has you take 22 different measurements from your body!!! Yes…you heard correct 22!! I highly recommend wearing exercise clothes or something close to the body to get accurate measurements.  I also recommend a friend to assist you. As a Custom Fit yarn shop, we would provide this service to you, to help you get the most accurate measurements and ensure the best fit. 

Secondly, SWATCHING!!  I know most knitters like to skip this step, but the key to a well-fitting garment is knowing the exact final measurements. Amy not only needs you to knit a swatch, it needs to be not 2”, not 4”, but a whopping 6” swatch in the pattern stitch of your choice. 

My Custom Fit dashboard for Swatches!

I chose to knit a swatch out of Zitron’s Patina, a shiny, versatile, single-ply blend of merino and rayon:

I chose classic stockinette stitch plus a garter stitch border around, but you can choose literally any stitch pattern that catches your fancy!

Third, BLOCKING. Amy suggests blocking the swatch the way you are going to care for your sweater.  This is also a critical step to gauge and fit. I put my swatch in my washing machine under the hand wash cycle then pinned it out to dry.

Fourth, designing your very own, custom fit sweater!! I input all my numbers and answer questions about what type of sweater I would like to knit up. Magically a Custom Fit pattern is created for YOUR BODY!!!

My Custom Fit dashboard for Patterns!

So we would like to know if this is a program you would like to see us offer to you, our customer?  Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

I have started my Custom Fit sweater and I will update you on the progress!

Happy Knitting

Liz

Sock Yarn Club Progress

Happy Sunday everyone! Now that summer is officially here, it's time to announce the pattern vote for the Summer 2014 Sock Yarn Club! This time we are featuring a local designer too! The lovely Stick Chick Knits has a great assortment of patterns. Check out the vote in our Ravelry.com Group!

(click photos to view larger)

Still working on your Spring 2014 project? So are we!! Betsey and I are, admittedly, a bit more behind than we'd like to be. But we're confident we'll finish before the Summer installment starts in July!

Remember, a finished shawl or pair of socks, photographed and posted in the FO Thread, might earn you a prize! We're excited to see your finished projects! :)

--Kassie

Knitscene...Accessories 2014

The special issue of Knitscene accessories 2014 is now available.  Our very own Jessica has a design in this issue!!! These are my top five knit accessories.

Number one of course is the beautiful Recursive Shawl, by Jessica Bolof.  I would knit this out of Schoppel-Wolle Gradient. Gradient is 100% virgin wool with a whopping 285 yards. Jessica knit a sample out of Gradient and it only took one skein!!!  One skein check, big needles check, quick knit check = PRICELESS!!

Gradient #1701

Second on my list is the luscious Eva Marie Hat & Cowl, by Susanna IC.  My choice of yarn for this project would be Schoppel-Wolle Cashmere Queen.  Cashmere Queen is 35% cashmere, 45% merino wool, and 20% silk.  The feel and drape of this yarn will work wonderfully with the lace pattern.

Cashmere Queen #9205
Cacao

Third on the list is the Nene Shawl, by Julie LeFrancois.  This shawl is knit out of our Schoppel-Wolle, Zauberball, one of my favorite yarns!!! I just love the color changes.  This shawl has an easy lace pattern, which lets the Zauberball shine!!

Zauberball #1508

Fourth is the Calamus Hat, by Teresa Gregorio.  Calamus is a cute lacey slouchy hat that can be worn year round, easily knit up in Zitron Lifestyle.  Lifestyle is 100% Merino Extra Fine and is superwash.  Lifestyle is a Stash-quisition yarn and comes in 47 wonderful colors.

Lifestyle #89
Fuchsia

Fifth is the Dressel Shawl, by Megi Burc, for those of us that love color work this lovely shawl has Greek motifs.  I believe Kenzie by Hikoo would be the perfect tweed to knit up this gorgeous shawl.  Kenzie is 50% New Zealand Merino, 25% Nylon, 10% Angora and 5% Silk.

Kenzie #1001
Peppered

Kenzie #1011
Tamarilla

I truly love all the designs in this issue. There are plenty of great gift ideas for you to get a head start on your Christmas knitting, birthdays gifts, or just for YOU!!! Come in and get your copy while supplies last.

Happy Knitting! 

Knit.wear

Knit.wear…Spring/Summer 2014

It is here!!!  The Spring/Summer 2014 issue.  Knit.wear is a bi-annual issue so it is packed with beautiful sweaters.  So I have picked my top 4 Favs!!

My first choice is the Folded Lace Tank, by Bristol Ivy.  The simple tee has folded pleats on one shoulder with lace hidden inside the folds.  A beautiful “everyday sweater”. I would use Zitrons, Glanz Punkt, it is 60% Silk and 40% Modal.  The drape and sheen would be gorgeous!!!

Glanz Punkt #8028
Electric Magenta

Second choice is the Gusset Tunic, by Alice Tang.  A simple pullover with an asymmetrical gusset on one side.  The yarn is what makes this simple design beautiful.  I would use Schulana's Macaibo, 51% Cotton and 49% Viscose.  Macaibo has a wonderful drape to it.

 

Macaibo #33

Third on my list is the awesome Short–Row Vest, by Carol Feller.  This vest is knit out of our very own Schoppel Wolle, Leinen Los!!!  I know for sure Sharon cannot wait to knit up this beauty!!  I can see her looking very cute wearing this vest with a pair of her awesome high heels!!!

Leinen Los #0980

Leinen Los #9093

Fourth, but not last, as I LOVE all the sweaters in this issue, is the Pleated Elliptical Cardigan, by Sara Morris.  I would knit it out of Rylie, by Hikoo.  Rylie is 50% Baby Alpaca, 25% Mulberry Silk and 25% Linen.  Boy, not only luxurious but a dream to wear!!  This cardigan has a vintage look of a bed jacket with an updated edge of inverted box pleats and a pretty smocking stitch.

Rylie #090
Driftwood

Come in and pick up your copy of Knit.wear  Spring/Summer 2014 before we run out!!!  What sweaters will be your favorites?

Liz

Interweave Knits

Interweave Knits...Summer 2014!!

Have you seen the Interweave Knits Summer 2014 issue yet?  Soooo many gorgeous garments to knit up.  Sometimes I only like a few garments in a magazine - this issue I love them all!!!  My only problem is not enough time!!  All the designs are classic and what I  like to call “everyday go to sweaters.”   

My top three are the Driftwood Tee, by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark.  Driftwood is a simple tee with a geometric lace panel on both the front and back for interest; easily my go-to sweater!!  Zitron's

Patina would be a beautiful choice to knit up the Driftwood Tee.  Patina is 55% Merino Wool and 45% Rayon.

Patina #5005 Raisin

My second choice is the Estuary Tank, by Amy Christoffers. A simple tank with four seperate pieces, knit in garter and stockinette stitch to create interest. The good news it is knit up with a bulky weight yarn…sooo, it's a quick knit!!!  We will be getting a new yarn by Hikoo called Zumie.  Zumie is a bulky weight yarn that is 50% Acrylic, 30% Wool, 20% Nylon.

Zumie #110 Sky High

My third choice is Farmstand Tee, by Lois S Young, a lacy yoked tee to give a little pop to a simple silhouette!!  Hikoo’s, CoBaSi Plus would be a great yarn to knit up the Farmstand Tee.  The cotton, bamboo and silk combination would make an attractive summer tee.

CoBaSi Plus #063 Amber Waves

If you do not have your copy of the latest issue of Interweave Knits, ours are here! Come and get yourself some yarn, too; you will not be disappointed (and let us know which picks are your top three)!!  Good luck; it won't be an easy choice!

Happy Knitting,

Liz