Lantern Moon Scissors

Brand new from Lantern Moon...

Embroidery Scissors! Available in three finishes: black, half gold and pewter. Don't forget, it's gift season... any of your crafty friends would love these.

It All Started with a Rice Basket

I wanted to share this awesome article about Lantern Moon with all of you. It's from the August 2011 issue of Yarn Market News, and even though that was 6 months ago, it's worth a read (or re-read).

Grab your coffee and take 5 minutes to read about a great company with a feel-good mission and kick-you-know-what products.

We LOVE the Lantern Moon products we sell. From the whimsical tape measures and fun stitch markers to the gorgeous and functional baskets and silk needle cases and high quality knitting needle sets, they're all great!

Manic-In Monday

It's official! Spring break has started in these parts... and our gal must have some big travel plans. Anyone sense a safari, or something like that? She's definitely ready for an action packed trip with a flattering (and fun to knit!) vest, a hot shawl pin and a versatile bag. Vest: Desert Vest knit with Rowan Savannah yarn. Pattern is in the Rowan Savannah Pattern Book. Desert Tank Shawl
Pin: Bamboo Leaf Coconut shawl pin
Bag: Lantern Moon Swing Bucket Bag in Black/Tan colorway

Manic-In Monday

First manic-In Monday of 2011... my apologies that we skipped the last one of 2010. Christmas and New Year's are busy here at the shop, and we thought we'd let our gal off the hook for last week.

So she's back to work after the break, and for this week she chose a sweater that is perfect for any workplace attire. A flattering v-neck, interesting and slightly flared ribbings at the sleeves and waist, and a beautiful stitch detail at the edges means that this sweater will be in the wardrobe rotation for years to come. Sweater: Saturday cardigan in Lousia Harding Blue Monday pattern booklet, knit with Louisa Harding Willow Tweed. In the booklet, the sweater is photographed in two versions: one is a solid done in another DK yarn, and one is striped, worked in two colors of the Willow Tweed.I love seeing a pattern worked up in so many different versions. I think it's neat (and different!) that the buttons continue up one side of the neckband. But if it's not your thing, remember... you can easily leave it out.

Bag: Lantern Moon Swing Bucket Bag, in Orange Print. These fabrics are all limited, once they're gone, they're gone! We just added a new one today.

Très mignon, ces moutons!

New colors of Sheep Tape Measures from Lantern Moon! In addition to the ever popular white, we now have beige and black.Several other new (non sheep) styles are also now available.

She's baaaaack! Manic-In Monday

It's been a long summer for our gal. She took quite a bit of time off. Next year she's going to have to get it approved from management - I didn't realize we were handing out such long vacations around here!

Anyway, she's back, and she's certainly making a statement in this vest. This was by far the favorite sample from our recent Berroco Sample Night at the shop. By seeing everyone try it on, we realized that it looks great on everyone. And, it can be worn open, with a shawl pin and even belted. So two thumbs up for versatility! Our mannequin opted to wear it with a stick pin. (If you haven't seen our redesigned shawl pin and stick pin pages online, check out! We have some great new choices for this fall and winter!) Her bag is a fun one - it's a new drawstring pouch from Lantern Moon that's coming in limited edition fabrics.

Pattern: Dickens Vest, in Berroco Book #298 Blackstone Tweed & Blackstone Tweed Chunky
Yarn: Berroco Blackstone Tweed Chunky in color Ancient Mariner - #6603
Stick Pin: Crown Tip Rosewood Pin - just $8!
Bag: Lantern Moon Swing Bucket Bag in Blue

Here's another image from Berroco - this time belted.

Fun New Stuff

Seems my pile of "to do" had grown recently - I have a spot in our office where Barb puts all the new items that need to be photographed and/or put online. The other day, I realized that it really needed some attention!

So yesterday, I started with some of the new items that just needed to be photographed. We got a couple of new colors of Noro Kochoran (we're still waiting for 4 more new ones - they are very late, if you ask me...) and 6 gorgeous colors of Louisa Harding Willow Tweed. This is one of my absolute favorite yarns. I just love the color palette, especially with the addition of these 6 new shades

We have some new shades of the Lantern Moon Silk Needlecases, and 2 brand new cases from Tilli Tomas. One is for circular needles and one is for straights.

These cases are so well done - we are all very impressed with the quality. They're made with different shades of silk and batik - and each style is available in four shades. The insides are great - 14 pockets for circs or 24 for straights. There's nothing flimsy about these cases - they are well worth the price.

We also have a new yarn from Tilli Tomas called Carousel. It's a loopy kid mohair, with a hint of iridescence and a whole lotta bows. The colors are lovely and I really see this as a fun novelty yarn that will be popular for special gifts this gifting season.

That's all I got done yesterday... but the pile of new stuff is still there, and doesn't seem to have gotten any smaller. What's up with that?

Manic-In Monday

This week's outfit is one of my favorite new spring sweaters! It is such a great style - a classic v-neck cardigan sans pockets, and it looks great over basic tees or dressier tops. Add a fun & lightweight bag that's perfect for toting your gear this spring, and a wrist twist of glitz (say that 10 times fast!) and it's obvious our gal is thinking of cheerier temps that are just around the corner.

Did you notice all of the cardigans in the stores this fall & winter were crew necks WITH pockets? Crew necks make me feel like I am choking, and pockets on the hips? Who needs useless little squares of extra fabric on that area? Not me. I'm shouting out a huge thank you to Berroco for bringing back a flattering V-neck with no pockets. Now, I'm off to cast on...

Sweater: Ano Sweater knit with Berroco Weekend yarn from Berroco Book #296 Weekend

Bag: Lantern Moon Lucy Bag

Wrist Twist: Berroco Lumina yarn, great for a little glitz! Makes a fun sweater or accent edging!

Manic-in Monday

Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving weekend! This week we are featuring our newest Mixed Fiber Lengthwise Shawl. It is so gorgeous!!! For the past four years, we've come up with a mixed fiber shawl or scarf that uses a number of different yarns. Each year it's different, because we try to incorporate some of the great new fibers that are available.

This year we're using a really gorgeous combination of yarns. I have to say, I had to much fun on Saturday picking out color combinations for this shawl! I've photographed them and listed them all clearly on the kit page for this shawl, so it's easy for you to figure out what works best.

But hey, you don't have to use these yarns. It's really all about taking different yarns and blending them together, and this project is a great stash buster. Best of all, it's easy and the pattern is free!

Any shawl pin will work, but we love this "S" curve pin from Lantern Moon. And the cute project bag is from Hiya Hiya.

Best Picks

Here's a re-cap of the best picks for the past few weeks!

Best Picks Patterns:
* Fiber Trends Snowboarder Hats for Everyone (AC91) is a quick and fun knit! We knit our sample of this hat in less than 3 hours. Once we put the photo up on the web, we couldn't keep the pattern in stock (don't worry, we have it now!) The hat uses Lamb's Pride Bulky and Mille Colori Big, and would make a great holiday gift. The pattern is for adults, but it includes alterations for smaller heads.

* Norah Gaughan for Men is a collection of stunning patterns for men, in gorgeous colors of Berroco yarns. Our customers are snatching up these books at a record rate because it isn't easy to find such great colors and designs for the guys on your knit wear list.

Best Pick Accessories:
* Lantern Moon Rice Baskets are hot! We like these so much that we always fill them with yarn and use them as displays in the shop! But, they are really great project baskets and wonderful display pieces for your home. An added bonus? They come from Lantern Moon, a women's artist cooperative in Vietnam.

Best Pick Yarns:
* Lang Mille Colori Big is a sumptuously soft, variegated, machine washable yarn that comes in a huge 207 yard skein. One skein will make a bulky scarf (pattern included on the label), or grab a Lamb's Pride Bulky and make the Snowboarder Hat (above.)

* Berroco Sundae is another bulky yarn that's become a new favorite. Barb recently knit up a Super Bulky Button Hat in this yarn and it is gorgeous. We've always used Malabrigo Chunky for this hat, but it's such a great pattern, it's super to see it worked up in different yarn choices like the Sundae.

Best Picks Projects:
* The Simple Scarf made with Tilli Tomas Angel is just that... simple! But the yarn is so decadent. One skein knits up to create a gorgeous length of warm and fuzzy beaded goodness! The scarf pattern is included with the yarn purchase. We don't have this one photographed yet, but come in and check it out!

* The Half Crepe Shawl has been in the front hallway for a couple of weeks and continues to draw "oohs" and "aahs" from our customers. It is knit from a single skein of the Mountain Colors Half Crepe yarn. It's a great beginner project and a free pattern comes with the purchase of each skein. The shawl hugs your shoulders and doesn't slip because of the unique construction of the yarn... it's slightly elastic when knit! Check this one out in person, too if you have a chance.