Addi FlipStix.

Posted by Julia on March 2, 2015

Addi has created a new kind of double pointed needle: meet Addi FlipStix.

Some plant fiber yarns have a tendency to split, and for those, a blunt needle is preferable. Some stitch patterns require the precision of a sharp needle. FlipStix have a blunt Turbo point on one end and a sharp Lace point on the other, so you can flip them over to use the end that best suits your project or yarn. They’re made of high-grade aluminum, colorful and lightweight, a real change of pace from our mostly-wooden double pointed needle selection.

We carry Addi FlipStix in 6″ length, in US sizes 0 – 10. Look for them in the double pointed needle section, along with DPNs from Knitter’s Pride, Crystal Palace, and Lantern Moon. See you at the shop!

Ewe Ewe Trunk Show!

Posted by Julia on February 27, 2015

Snowy weather delayed our Ewe Ewe Trunk Show a bit, but now it’s here!

We have a variety of garments on display knit in Ewe Ewe’s superwash merino yarns, Ewe So Sporty and Wooly Worsted.

From small projects, like socks, mitts and cowls, all the way up to baby blankets, shawls, and sweaters, the range of garments here reflects the multiplicity of uses for these soft, easy-care yarns.

Come by the shop this weekend to see the Ewe Ewe Trunk Show! We’ll have it on display until Tuesday, March 3rd.

New patterns for Isager yarns.

Posted by Julia on February 25, 2015

Isager yarns are a longtime favorite here at the shop. Anne’s passion for Marianne Isager’s yarns and designs has proved contagious, and we keep Alpaca 1 and Alpaca 2, Spinni, Tvinni, Highland, and Tweed in good stock as a result. We’re always on the lookout for new ways to use them, and to that end, we’ve recently added a nice bunch of patterns to the Isager binder.

Theresa Gaffey, who brought us the ever-popular “Stole,” has designed a new rectangular wrap with Isager yarns: “Stole 2.0.” This version is similarly simple to knit, but has a decidedly new construction and look, and brings Spinni and Alpaca 2 together for a different texture.

“Not Quite Plaid” is a striped garter stitch scarf made in Isager Alpaca 2, knit on the bias and decorated with dropped stitches. The pattern gives options for three different sizes, from skinny scarf to shawl, and instructions for 3 or 5 colors.

“Cardicho” is a buttoned poncho, also knit with Alpaca 2.

Like Shibui yarns, Isager yarns are often combined, two or three strands at a time, to create a range of gauges, unique fiber and color blends. These two patterns do just that.

Isager yarns, while not machine-washable, are suitable for children’s things as well as adult garments and accessories. Check out the adorable “Mathilde” and “Trille Rille,” as well as Susie Haumann’s All You Knit Is Love.

Look for even more Isager pattern ideas on our Pinterest boards. Come by the shop to peruse our growing selection of Isager patterns and yarns; you may find your next project there. See you at the shop!

Hello, Malabrigo Mechita.

Posted by Julia on February 23, 2015

We’re happy to announce the arrival of a brand new yarn from Malabrigo: hello, Mechita.

Mechita is a single ply superwash merino in a fingering weight, with a generous 420 yards on each 100 gram skein.

This hand-dyed yarn comes in a wide range of colorways from semisolid to variegated, including many old favorites and some new shades, too.

Mechita seems made for next-to-skin accessories like shawls, scarves, and cowls. As I was photographing these colorful skeins, I paired up semisolid shades with variegates, thinking of the many popular two-color patterns that call for fingering weight yarns. “Daybreak,” “Spectra,” or “Clockwork” from Stephen West…

“Bolt,” “Different Lines,” or “Stripe Study” from Veera Välimäki…

“Whippoorwill” or “Catkin” from Carina Spencer…

Louise Zass-Bangham’s “Foolproof” cowl, Laura Ayler’s “Faberge,” or Robin Ulrich’s “Sothia”…

In short, you can use Mechita in just about any pattern that calls for fingering weight yarn, and there are plenty out there. Our Pinterest page has a “Fingering Weight” board, collecting inspiring stitches in fingering weight yarns like Mechita; check there for even more ideas.

Come by the shop to meet Malabrigo’s newest yarn, and visit us before March 6th to see the Malabrigo Trunk Show. See you there!

Malabrigo Trunk Show!

Posted by Julia on February 21, 2015

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve received a trunk show featuring garments knit in Malabrigo yarns!

Malabrigo is a small yarn company out of Uruguay that is well known for its soft merino yarns, and their vivid, hand-dyed colorways.

This collection features a variety of accessories and a few sweaters, knit in a wide range of Malabrigo yarns, including Sock, Arroyo, Silky Merino, and Rasta.

We’ll have these garments on display at the shop until March 6th; come by to see them, touch them, and plan a project or two in Malabrigo yarns!

Hello, Geilsk Cotton/Wool.

Posted by Julia on February 20, 2015

We’ve welcomed another new yarn to the shop! Meet Geilsk Cotton/Wool.

Cotton/Wool is a fingering weight blend of 55% wool and 45% cotton, a combination that brings the best of both fibers to the yarn. The wool lends elasticity and loftiness to the cool, soft cotton, and the result is a nice balance of animal and plant fibers, and smooth, well-behaved fabric.

We spotted Cotton/Wool at market last May, noting that we lacked a fingering weight cotton and wool blend here at the shop. We chose to carry it after knitting a simple swatch, its smooth texture rendering stitch patterns neatly, with nary a snag.

Danish knitwear designer Bente Geil has developed a unique bunch of patterns for Cotton/Wool, ranging from shawls and scarves to vests and larger sweaters.

I’m currently knitting this “Jiffy” vest as a sample for the shop in Cotton/Wool.

You can wear it with the ribbing at the neck or upside down, with the lace at the neck.

Look for Geilsk Cotton/Wool and its accompanying patterns in the fingering weight section at the shop. See you there!

Interweave Knits.

Posted by Julia on February 18, 2015

Spring knit and crochet magazines always seem to arrive just as winter is hitting its stride, an irony that strikes me every year. With a layer of wintry mix on the ground outside, I sit down to write about the newest in warm-weather knitting. Interweave Knits Spring 2015 is here!

Spring is a season of layering, when a chilly morning may turn into a warm, sunny day. Lightweight cardigans, tees, and shawls are common garments in this issue, reflecting our seasonal needs.

This shawl is made in the soft and lofty Shibui Maai, a chain-plied blend of merino and alpaca.

I also spotted a tutorial on knitted-on edgings, a handy guide for many shawls in this issue and beyond.

Look for Spring knitting inspiration at the shop, but if the weather’s iffy, check our website or Facebook page first; we post there if we have to close the shop due to inclement weather.

New colors in Smooshy with Cashmere.

Posted by Julia on February 15, 2015

We recently restocked our cubby of Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere, a luxurious blend of merino, cashmere, and nylon.

At 20% cashmere, Smooshy with Cashmere has more cashmere content than many other merino/cashmere/nylon blends we’ve run into. It’s a treat for the hands as you’re stitching, and makes a particularly plush finished product.

Hand-dyed in semi-solid and variegated colorways, Smooshy with Cashmere is a special skein for special projects: an heirloom baby garment, a cuddly pair of socks or mitts, a comforting cowl or shawl.

When it really needs to be soft as can be, consider Smooshy with Cashmere. Come by the shop to take a look; you’ll find it in the fingering weight section. See you there!

Select Opal sock yarns: now on sale!

Posted by Julia on February 13, 2015

UPDATE: As of 4/22/2016, we are totally sold out of these Select Opal sock yarns!

*************************************************************

In an effort to clear space for new Spring yarns, we’ve moved some of our Opal sock yarns into the sale trunk, and discounted them by over 30%!

These Opal yarns are fingering weight blends of superwash wool and nylon, tightly-plied to make sturdy, long-lasting socks. Like many Opal yarns, they’re also self-patterning, meaning that the yarn is dyed to create a color pattern in the knitted fabric. This makes for fun and sometimes surprising socks, entertaining to knit even in simple stitch patterns. Above is Opal Mosaik, with short lengths of each color that make wild patterned stripes, and below is Opal Krokodil, with longer stretches of color that pool for staggered, irregular stripes.

Check out our sale trunk for great yarns at a discount, and help us make room for new yarns to come!

A reminder: all sales are final on discounted yarn. There can be no returns or exchanges, nor special orders–the discount applies only to what we currently have in stock. Thanks!

Back in stock: Binkwaffle bags.

Posted by Julia on February 11, 2015

Once again, we’ve replenished our dwindling supply of Binkwaffle bags, those colorful, reversible, dumpling-shaped bags that have quickly become everyone’s favorite.

The large Binkwaffle bags have been particularly sought after of late, so I thought I’d post that they’re back in stock at the moment; come by soon to claim one before they disappear again! A large Binkwaffle bag is roomy enough to accommodate a big wrap, baby blanket, or sweater in progress. The small size, on the other hand, is a perfect way to tote a hat, sock, cowl, or pair of mitts in progress. You might just have to have one of each…

Come by the shop to plan your next project and pick up a bag to stow it in!