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

Color Inspiration for our next KAL!

In anticipation of the arrival of Stephen West and StevenBe, we're hosting a knit-along! I(Kassie) have prepped some fun color combos for different projects.

Zauberball 2134 & Step Classic 1005

I imagine this combo as a Daybreak.

Trekking Maxima 911 & CoBaSi 033

A customer picked out this combo for a Spectra, which I thought was fun!

Alpaca Silk 16 & Kenzie 1007 and 1001.

I've got these three in my stash, I'm planning on making Flagstone.

Zauberball Crazy 2231 & Trekking XXL Tweed 209

Another stashbuster for me, possibly destined to be a Chadwick!

Any Firefly fans? Schmutzerella Yarns on Dude in
"Yeah, but She's Our Witch" and "Two by Two, Hands of Blue"

A fun combo from a local dyer, I'm thinking Rockefeller for this pair.

I hope you've been inspired, and that I get to knit with you after the LYS Tour! Now I have to decide between making that Flagstone or Chadwick. See you soon! :)

Spring Knitting & Crocheting: A Round-Up!

I've known many crocheters and knitters who abandoned their craft during the warmer months. After all, we are, by and large, a wool-loving people (I know I count myself as such; alpaca, anyone?). Who wants to be at the beach or on a road trip with a sweater's worth of merino piled on their lap?

However, I'm here to tell you that the terms "Spring knitting" or "Spring crocheting" are not oxymorons! There's no need to put down your needles and hooks during the warmer months. Allow me to don my "enabler" hat for the moment and share some warm-weather projects, inspired by our shop yarns, that are catching my eye this season.

First off is Hekla, a versatile short-sleeved pullover designed by Skacel Collection's Cirila Rose. Hekla features two of our favorite yarns, Schoppel-Wolle Leinen Los (a yarn that's been flying out of the shop as of late), and Zauberball Starke 6 (available in-store only), the self-striping, DK weight cousin of the ever-popular Zauberball.

Hekla Pullover by Cirilia Rose

For a quicker knit in Leinen Los, try the Blackberry Hat by Malia Mather. This textured, slouchy cap is a great spring accessory, takes just one ball of Leinen Los, and the pattern is available in-store, too.

Blackberry Hat by Malia Mather. Image © Jarrod Duncan

For you shawl knitters out there, there's no time like Spring for whipping out light, airy accessories! CoBaSi, a delightful blend of Cotton, Bamboo, Silk, and a hint of nylon, is a favorite among customers and staff for it's versatility and great stitch definition.

Last year's Spring Knit Purl Hunter KAL, Ridgely, features CoBaSi in 2 colors.

Ridgely by Michelle Hunter. Image © Michelle Hunter

For crocheters, try this sweet, vintage-inspired apron in Patina from our most recent magalog. Motif projects are great when the weather starts to heat up. They only take a little bit of yarn at a time, and don't overwhelm you with piles of fiber to carry around.

Hexagon Apron by Cirilia Rose

Lastly, there's the ever-popular Riff Tunic, knit up in a variety of non-wool yarn choices. We have seen some gorgeous customer-knit versions show up in the shop. Two of my favorites use Kid Paillettes, a jazzy mohair blend that's peppered with sequins, and Merino Cotton 135, a yarn with a broad enough palette that ANYONE can find a color they love. Both yarns are available in-store.

Riff Tunic in Merino Cotton 135

Riff Tunic in Kid Paillettes

Enjoy your Spring & Happy Stitching!

-Sharon

Basic Blocking

Hi friends! Today I'll be showing you the very basics of blocking. A few tips before we get started: don't change the water temperature drastically, agitate too much, or pour water directly on your item. Doing so can cause felting (felting can be fun if it's on purpose!). Always handle wet projects with more care as they are much more delicate. Finally, always support your piece so it won't stretch out. Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather your small item to be blocked, a bowl, some no-rinse wash, and a towel.

Step 2: Add room temperature water to bowl. Drizzle in a tiny squeeze of the no-rinse wash and give it a good swish. 

Step 3: Place your item in the bowl. Push it to the bottom, gently turn over and push it to the bottom again. Let sit for 30 mins to an hour.

Step 4: Lift item out of the bowl while supporting it from underneath without letting it stretch. Gently squeeze excess water out.

Step 5: Place on towel, gently roll away from you.

Step 6: Reposition item on the dry part of towel taking special care to avoid twisting or stretching out ribbing.

- Sample shown is the Hipster hat by TinCan Knits in Reggae Ombre -

To learn more (with some hands on blocking experience) feel free to sign up for my class Project Finishing 101.

Happy blocking!

Jessica