Wednesday, October 28, 2009

New projects galore

We've been cooking up some new projects recently... some are still in the thinking stage, some are in the works, and some are completed. It's crunch time folks. The time of year that customers come in and count on us to give them quick and easy ideas for their gift knitting.

So we're busy coming up with new ideas and recycling some old ideas (
with new yarns!) so that we have an arsenal of suggestions for you. I have seen some really cute modular scarves recently. If you haven't tried this type of knitting, I have to say - it's easy and fun. It's like breaking a project down into lots of little steps. Okay, I'll be honest, there may be more ends to weave in at the end, but we think it's worth it. Manos Silk Blend is one of my all time favorite yarns. It is amazingly soft and the colors are lovely. I was rearranging the shelves the other day, and noticed how well some of the colors worked together. I grabbed a variegated shade and two solids and knit up this funky modular scarf. I'm working on deciphering my chicken scratch now so the pattern will be available shortly. It was easy, fun and took no time at all. There are some really great color combinations - come on in and let us help you choose one!

The Super Bulky Button Hat has been our most popular hat for two years now. It is quick, easy and affordable, using just 2 skeins of Malabrigo Chunky and a funky Frog Tree Ceramic button. However, Malabrigo can be hard for us to get... so Barb thought it would be fun to knit one up in one of our new super bulky yarns... Berroco Sundae. You still need two skeins of the Sundae, but you'll save 6 bucks and only have to work single stranded. Great pick, Barb!
(Doesn't our model look right at home in my backyard? I'm home with a bad cold and now a feverish child, but I sort of like the photo backdrop!?)

I'm not a fan of teeny tiny needles, but something about the Lace Beret in the Vogue Knitting Magazine Holiday Issue really called to me. The 0's and 2's didn't even deter me. I grabbed 2 skeins of Tilli Tomas Milan and some 20" Addi Turbos and cast on this past weekend. The pattern is charted, and is actually quite easy! I am very close to finishing... hopefully tonight! From baby blankets to baby sweaters, and hats to scarves, we have a lot more small projects that we're knitting up, so come on in and get inspired!

1 comment:

choo choo knits said...

I was recently attending a new knitting group and one of their former members was visiting the same night - Annie Modesitt! Wouldn't you know but she was knitting up a new design using Tilli Tomas yarns...including Milan. Oooh what a dream!

Another holiday idea is Oat Couture's "Nehalem Hat". It's a QUICK knit which has a nice cabled edge and a slight flop to the crown. I know I'll be making some as gifts because I can make them up using yarn from my stash (bonus) and the pattern comes with directions for two weights of yarn. Bottom line: use yarn from stash to make room for new yarn from Kaleidoscope - hooray!