Manic-In Monday

Our gal is still acclimating to colder temps after a long summer spent in sunny & tropical places. Clearly, she's a bit delusional and thinks she's still on a beach in Hawaii (is that a lei around her neck!?) That's okay, with the wind, rain, sleet and snow that we've now had for 3 days straight, it's easy to understand why she is in fantasy mode...

Even though it's grey and damp outside, she's going to stay cozy in this beautiful sweater knit with bulky alpaca. And since blooming flowers are a thing of the past in these parts, I'm sure her scarf will bring her some good cheer during these damp, grey days.

Sweater: Raglan Pullover, knit in Nashua Handknits Paradise yarn from the Nashua Handknits Paradise pattern booklet
Scarf: Blooming Scarf, crocheted in Mission Falls 1824 Wool yarn from the Mission Falls Goes Crochet pattern booklet

Addicted to flowers

I finished my 1824 Wool crochet project... a flowered scarf and a hat (sans flowers!) to match. And I'm sad... because I just LOVED making those crocheted flowers. This was a really fun project, and 7 balls of 1824 Wool (1 each of 7 colors) did the hat and scarf. I was really proud of the hat, but I thought there was an error in the pattern. I corrected for the apparent "error" in my own way, but now that I've finished the hat, I wanted to research it to see if anyone else had issues.

I asked Barb to look at it today. She has way more crochet experience than I do, and as an ex-CPA, she's got that number thing going on in her brain. She can look at a pattern quickly and calculate stitch counts like it's nobody's business. Turns out, there is NO mistake in the pattern. It was a simple case of Jill "skimming and scanning" and overlooking a few key details. It's not like THAT hasn't happened before! Oops.

So let this be a reminder of how important it is to READ the pattern and UNDERSTAND it. I don't always think you have to read through the entire pattern before you start... that can be frustrating as some things will only make sense when you get to that point and have the work in front of you in your hands. But it really is important to read each STEP clearly, as you are ON that step.

The hat - though nobody would EVER know I did a few things creatively, is being redone properly. That way the sample in the shop will be exactly as the pattern intended.

And I've moved on to my striped sweater... which will be finished tonight. And then I get to start another fun project... with some fun crocheted flowers, though just a few! The Insou Hat is knitted with Berroco Weekend, and has been on the Top 10 list of Berroco's Free Patterns for a while now. It's really cute, and I'm excited to make it.

Branching out

I've been straying a bit! Even though I have a number of knitting projects in the works, my attention has wandered a bit to other crafts. Now I'm just wishing for more hours in each day, so I can finish up some of these projects.

I still have a sleeve and the edging to do on my little striped Sublime sweater. It's terribly sweet, and I love knitting with the yarn, but I had to put it down to whip up a little doll sweater for knitting camp next week. Shawn is running the camp, and the kids are going to make an easy raglan doll (or bear) sweater and learn how to seam it together. Months ago, I told Shawn not to worry, that I'd take care of making up a pattern and knitting the sweater. Well, the other day she "reminded" me nicely that I hadn't made the sweater yet... and so I put aside my Sublime sweater, grabbed some Vintage Chunky and made this:I even finished all seams except for a few so Shawn can demonstrate for the kids. It's cute, easy and I know the kids can complete this... it only took me one evening.

And then, I got sidetracked again. We have been working on a category sort feature for all 1200+ patterns on our website... a way to narrow your search quickly - and find just the pattern you are looking for. This is a huge project on our end, and involved looking at (and through) every pattern and pattern booklet and classifying which yarn weight(s) and category(ies) and age(s), etc.

As I was looking through the Mission Falls patterns, I found an adorable hat and scarf set that are crocheted (Mission Falls Goes Crochet Pattern Booklet). I love Mission Falls 1824 Wool, and hadn't used it in a while. And, while I'm not a big crocheter, I do tend to go on crochet binges once in a while. I felt the binge coming on, and so I grabbed some yarn and started working on the scarf. (What's that? Is that a Sublime sweater calling my name? I'll pretend I don't hear it!) This scarf is SO much fun. I love love love it. I feel like I'm addicted to crocheted flowers now!

And to make matters worse, I've sort of gotten into a sewing project for Helen and Sophie. Their 11th birthday is in less than a month. I told them I would let them pick out some fabrics and I would make them some throw pillows for their beds. (Apparently, at this age, the idea of lounging or reading on a pretty bed with lots of soft pillows is appealing!) I'm not quite sure how making pillows turned into making pillows, 2 new reversible comforter covers AND 2 sets of new curtains. But at this point, non-sewer that I am, I'm in over my head and there's no going back. We'll see how it all turns out!

Looking Fruity

Fruit hat madness continues. I completed a set of watermelon hats (adult & child) for a recent charity event.

And here are the eggplantand pumpkin hatsthat I made, after the original watermelon hat debut. I even have a very fuzzy (sorry!) picture of two happy fruit hat recipients. Yarns: for 2 watermelon hats & pumpkin hat - Spud & Chloe Sweater; for eggplant hat - Mission Falls 1824 Wool

Patterns: modifications and variations from a variety of sources but if you are interested in creating your own collection try out the Ann Norling Fruit Caps pattern to get started.

Customer Favorites

Over the past couple of weeks there have been some outstanding patterns and yarns that have been selling like crazy. Here are a few of the latest things that you may want to take a look at if you haven't already!

High Line Cardigan: This is a cute knit cardigan for layering over summery tops.

The pattern book is great and has a variety of other summertime knits in it including the White Rock Lake Pullover that was featured on our mannequin two weeks ago. Folks really like the feel and look of the subtle hues of Tahki's organic Good Earth Cotton yarn but I think this would knit up as a wonderfully bright summer splash of color using Classic Elite Katydid yarn too.

Minnow Knits #230 Pinafore Dress pattern and Jil Eaton Cottontail yarn: The combination of lovely colors in a machine washable cotton yarn and this adorable pattern have both of these items flying out of our shop. Maybe it's the butterfly sleeves on this little dress that's got everyone smiling? The pattern spans sizes 6 months to 4 years making it fairly versatile in the world of little people knits. We've sold this pattern to people who plan to use different yarns, too. Hey, substitutions are part of our job! We knit this up as a sample in the Mission Falls 1824 cotton because we wanted to see what the dress would look like using one of the Cotton Whirls (variegated). It's really cute!

Berroco Book #294 Origami and Berroco Origami yarn: This yarn is a great choice for the spring and summer. This blend of 58% acrylic, 16% linen, 15% nylon and 11% cotton has multicolored strands that knit into a remarkably light and crisp finished fabric. Color names like Sunset Rendezvous, Cucumber Water, and Party by the Shore definitely fit this summertime yarn well, and complement the designs you'll find in the pattern booklet.

The Pinafore Dress

I can't tell you how many of these patterns we've sold! All because of a cute little ad in a magazine for the Minnowknits Pinafore Dress pattern and the Jil Eaton Cottontail yarn. We've even sold out of the Cottontail yarn (in the same color it's pictured in) several times over.

It's a really cute pattern but I don't like always making something in the yarn it calls for. I'm on vacation now and needed a quick mindless project in a fun yarn. Because I just used Cottontail in the Sheep sweater from Roo Designs, I chose the Mission Falls 1824 Cotton in one of the "whirl" shades for the Pinafore Dress. I picked the "Bouquet" shade in tan and blues... think sand, sky and sea because after all, I was headed to Florida.
It knit up really quickly and is just adorable. The hem definitely curls a bit, but with a bit of blocking it will be perfect.

January Greatest Knits

Haven't done this in a while... sorry! Here are the greatest (hits) knits for January!

Kits
Manos Desert Throw Kit - This has been so popular for years now. Probably because there are so many gorgeous color combinations that can be made with all of the wonderful colors of Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica that we carry! I've noticed a lot of these kits going home for the winter with different folks.

And several people have substituted washable alternatives, since they've been worried about how the recipients may end up caring for the finished project. (Try Mission Falls 1824 Wool or Berroco Vintage if you want machine washable. They have great color cobos, too!)

Yarns
madelinetosh, Madeline Tosh, madtosh, Tosh: no matter what you call it, it's been HOT this month. We now carry 4 madelinetosh yarns: DK (this used to be called "Worsted"), Sock, Lace, and Pashmina (which just arrived last Friday). No question about it, madelinetosh yarns are the current favorite. We couldn't keep the colors in stock from our first shipment and the second shipment, while just in, is going fast! All of these yarns are very soft machine washable wool that comes in amazingly dyed colorways. You'll have to knit with it to believe it! (NOTE: In addition to what we order for the shop, we are happy to special order Tosh yarns. Any yarn, any color. This is not on our webiste yet, but will be once we figure out the best way to do it. Please call us for details.)

We have two samples here in the shop: Barb's Kiwassa Shawl knit from one skein of the Lace, and Jill's World War II Hat from one skein of the DK (formerly Worsted).

Notions and Needles
Kollage Square Double Pointed Needles - We've reordered these over and over, and they are still flying off the shelf. The feedback we've gotten is that these needles are amazing and really do help prevent hand fatigue.

I've used them to knit some of Craftyheghog's Stuffed toys and really enjoyed them. Other customers are now addicted to the short double points for smaller projects like socks. Come in to the shop and try them - we have a set on the counter to test drive.

Knit Kit - All in one, and one for all. There is a tool for every knitter contained in this handy little case. This is becoming everyone's favoirte traveling companion because it is TSA approved!
It includes folding scissors, point protectors, stitch markers, a crochet hook, thread snips, measuring tape, and row counter.

Projects
Alice Cowl - Knit from our new Road to China Light yarn. New colors for this yarn are now in stock, and they have so much depth to them! Great jewel tones to compliment a wonderful free pattern design from the Fibre Company for this cowl - just the thing since it has been in the negative temperatures here in Vermont. And by the way, cowls are the IN thing!

Manic-in Monday

I came home from my trip today, to find that our shop mannequin is rocking a completely new look. I'm sure she's getting dizzy from these never-ending outfit changes, but if you want to be a trendsetter, it's the price you have to pay.She's definitely leading our style parade this week, and if she could walk, there'd certainly be a spring in her step! She's wearing our funky striped version of the Endless Knitted Cardi, with a bevy of coordinating accessories: a small cabled bag, a cute sweater closure, and a yarn-turned-necklace. Even her shoulder bag - with its brilliant POP of red, is the perfect contrast to the green in her outfit. WORK IT GIRL!

Details
Sweater: pattern Stitch Diva Endless Knitted Cardi; yarn Noro Silk Garden Sock
Shoulder Bag: Namaste Hermosa Bag in brand new RED (it's gorgeous!)
Cabled Bag: pattern Gardiner Yarn Works Cable That Bag; yarn Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Pistachio
Yarn Necklace: Tilli Tomas Rock Star
Sweater Closure: JUL oval stick pin

We're on a mission!

To knit with Mission Falls, that is!

We carried Mission Falls 1824 Wool and 1824 Cotton years ago, until they switched mills, and had some issues with production. Then they fixed the issues (sort of!) and switched distributors. Even though these yarns were two of our TOP selling yarns, we decided to drop them until they worked out the kinks.

Well folks, they've worked out the kinks! They've had no issues for a couple of years now, and that's a long enough trial period in MY book. So they're back in stock in our shop and we're all now itching to start new projects. (This has been a BAD week for us... we've had over 600 pounds of yarn arrive this week and it's all been very tempting!)

1824 Cotton is just awesome. We have all the old pattern booklets that we carried before and all of their new pattern booklets. We have always loved this yarn for babies and kids, and in all the years we weren't stocking it, there has been no price increase! So it's still $5.60 per ball, which is a great price for this yarn. It's also now available in 8 variegated shades, which we hear are the MOST popular... we'll see! The variegated shades are a reasonable $6.50.

(Shawn's potholder crochet class is PERFECT for one skein of 1824 Cotton... maybe I need some new potholders for my kitchen?)

The 1824 Wool is 100% merino wool and it's just like Charmin! In that you can't stop squeezing it, that is...I have some crocheted granny squares in this yarn at home that I've been meaning to finish for over 2 years now. With this yarn back in stock at the shop, this granny square project has moved up the "to do" list I think! There are new colors that have been added since we discontinued it, and the new colors really add life to the overall palatte. There are also some tri-colors which are beautiful, they cost just a bit more than the solids.