New Noro Inspiration

contributed by Shawn

The new Noro Knitting Magazine Premiere Issue Fall 2012 (http://www.kyarns.com/product/noro-magazine-fall-2012/noro-knitting-patterns) is full of new Noro inspiration!

I loved the Crochet Slippers:

Crochet Slippers

So I immediately grabbed my new favorite color of Noro Kureyon and worked up a pair of these. They're a perfect summer adaptation of warm wooly slippers!

My slippers!

I love the Crochet Throw made of hexagon shapes.

Crochet Throw

This is a perfect crochet pattern alternative to the Modular Afghan that I love so much from the Knit Noro book.

I already have some favorite colors of Noro Silk Garden picked out for the Checkerboard Cap.

Checkerboard Cap

All you need is 1 skein each of 2 different colors of Noro Silk Garden yarn for this simple color work hat.

And, it you're inclined to begin your Holiday Knitting in July, then you might want to take a look at these classic hats: the Man's Slouchy Hat and the Man's Ribbed Hat.

Slouchy Hat

Ribbed Hat

Each hat can be done with just 2 skeins of Kureyon (1 skein each of 2 different colors). I think they are perfect designs that anyone would love to receive as a gift this winter.

The Cropped Jacket features a wonderful construction that shows off the Noro colors so well!

Cropped Jacket

Cropped Jacket - back view

The pattern calls for 984 yards color A and 656 yards color B Silk Garden Sock.  We no longer stock the Silk Garden Sock, so have already helped some people choose from the colors of Taiyo Sock yarn so they could get started on this one right away in time to wear for late summer!

I hope this magazine inspires you to pick up some new colorful knitting or crochet projects too!

Show and Tell

Michele has been working on two vests for her sons. The pattern is the Marco vest pattern in the Debbie Bliss Rialto pattern booklet. These are just beautiful, and if you haven't knit with this yarn, you may just want to give it a try! It's 100% extra fine merino wool that is machine washable. It's got such a lovely hand, and as you can see, it's great for cables! Don't they look super?

She's also working on another fun project where she is knitting Wope. It's "Wope" with a "W", and it stands for Woolen Rope. It's woolen jute based cord and is commonly used for making ottomans and rugs. Michele is making the "Le Poef Wope Ottoman" which is a free pattern here.

It looks small in the picture, but it's going to be this big:

I've been working on some things as well. I just finished a couple of projects that made it back to the shop with my husband, who just flew back to the states for a couple of weeks. 

This cozy piece is knit with two strands of Berroco Vintage Chunky, and is quite comfortable. Barb enjoyed wearing it around the shop yesterday - too bad we didn't get a picture of it on her, rather than on our form! 

But here's a shot of Helen wearing it before it left Finland. Much larger on her than it needed to be, but she loved it. This is a stretchy piece, so we recommend going small. Pattern will be available shortly.

And I made a cowl/scarf which was really fun and used 4 different yarns. Each year we come up with a mixed fiber shawl that uses gorgeous yarns from different companies. People are sometimes scared to mix fibers, and we love to show people how great the results can be!

We usually have only one pattern option, but this year we've added a second one. We do have the regular lengthwise pattern knit up (this one was done by Kim):

And then to shake things up a bit, I made a side fringing scarf and cowl combination. It all depends on how you want to wear it... as a cowl:

Or as a scarf:

Either way, it's really cute, and the colorways we've chosen for this kit will be up online later today. It's a great gift idea!

Dream in Color November Yarn Club

It's here! The Dream in Color Yarn Club November Yarn has arrived. It's a beautiful skein of Smooshy with Cashmere:

The free pattern is for a really nice scarf, shown on a man (yay! a manly pattern!) yet not so manly that it couldn't be unisex.

These monthly yarns have been going quickly, so if this one interests you, snap it up before it's gone.

Searching for the perfect men's headwear

I really enjoy knitting hats and I love finding exciting hat patterns that I've never tried. It's easy to find hat patterns for women, but I find it more difficult to find good hat patterns for men. And I have a number of guy friends who appreciate a hat handout every now and then.

Guys typically like more muted colors and they're definitely not into the lacy look. I recently found some patterns that are perfect for guys. And hey, if you change the color of the yarn, I think even the girls will like these. It does help that both were designed by men who knit.

The Koolhaas Hat is by Jared Flood (aka Brooklyn Tweed). I always admire Jared's patterns and this hat has been in my queue since it was first published in an Interweave Knits Magazine a couple of years ago. Since I now know how to cable without a cable needle, I picked the pattern up and it seemed like much less fuss to make all those 1 stitch twists. I love it! Think of all the different colors you could knit this in to suit anyone you know! I used the Manos Rittenhouse Merino.

The Botanic Hat is by Stephen West (aka Westknits). This hat is reversible so you can decide if you're feeling more bold or just wanting to keep your head warm with simple stripes. Again, I used Manos Rittenhouse Merino. Here's a happy friend wearing it:And the reversible version:I have plans for another Botanic Hat in more solid colors using Malabrigo Worsted but in the meantime I've been distracted by another of Westknits' designs... I cast on for Windschief with the beautiful sunset color of Malabrigo Rios.

Christmas projects

I just started another project... on top of all the other ones I have going. Last year I had the high hopes of giving each of my sons a hand knit sweater from me. They seemed to both show interest in having me knit them sweaters, and that hadn't happened in years!

Andrew got his sweater - all neatly folded in a tissue paper, in a wrapped box. Poor Eli received a wrapped book. I had picked a pattern out for him, but hadn't even gotten to the point of purchasing the yarn. Months later, I finished Eli's sweater. Both of them were thrilled, and love their sweaters.

This year a friend of mine (I won't mention any names) teased me about how I didn't finish Eli's sweater and had to give him a book in it's place. So I decided to start a little earlier this year and use bulkier yarn.

I picked a new yarn we have in the shop: Nashua Handknits Granite yarn. The color is gorgeous. Ever since we got it, it has been calling out to me each time I walk by it. (It's extremly hard to work in a yarn shop. You just can't control yourself!)

I'm using the color Blue Brown:and am making a pattern right out of the Nashua Handknits Quarry pattern booklet. It's a great guy sweater and with bulkier yarn I'm hoping it goes quickly. This time, in time for Christmas!

Two sweaters for the guys

I am very excited. I finally finished my son Andrew's Christmas present...(it's only April!) At Christmas he opened a box full of yarn and a pattern. I had finished the back, and only half of the front. I'm not sure if other people wrap unfinished gifts but for me, it's becoming a bit of a trend.

Even though it was not finished, he was still thrilled, and he was surprised that I had knit so much of it without him knowing. I used the Blue Sky Alpaca's Mens Ribbed Sweater pattern. The pattern calls for Blue Sky Worsted (which is one of my favorite yarns) but to make it machine washable I substituted Berroco Pure Merino Nuance in this beautiful blue color. It also made it more affordable.

Andrew just loves the sweater and has actually had a chance to wear it since we are still experiencing some cold weather here in Vermont.


My youngest son Eli is patiently waiting for HIS sweater to be finished. I'm making him the "Hacky Sack Hoodie" from the Son of Stitch N Bitch. I am knitting it in the Lambs Pride Worsted which is what the pattern calls for, but I'm substituting the Berroco Jasper for the contrasting color. This is actually my first top down sweater - and I love it. Definately the way to go if you're not fond of seaming.