Show and tell: for grown-ups.

Posted by Julia on November 23, 2016

I’m back with another round of show-and-tell, this time for the grown-ups among us.

Kellie has been busy crocheting “Artfully Simple Infinity Scarves” with Noro Silk Garden Lite. She reports that the pattern is as easy as its title suggests, but that it’s endlessly entertaining, especially with colorful self-striping yarns like these.

They’re long enough to be worn doubled, as shown above, but short enough to hang around one’s neck simply, as shown below; either way makes an eye-catching accessory.

Margie’s needles are always busy, and she’s so prolific a knitter that these finished projects are already well behind her. Still, they bear sharing: above is her “Inverness Cape,” knit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca, and below is her “Escher Poncho,” knit in Malabrigo Rios, with a bit of Fibre Company Cumbria Worsted around the edge.

And there’s more: here’s Margie’s third “ZickZack Scarf,” knit with Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball and Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace held doubled throughout.

Catherine knit this beautiful “On the Spice Market” with Shibui Staccato, a merino/silk blend that has the perfect drape and luster for this shawl.

She carefully chose colors inspired by those shown in the pattern photo, with a few adjustments to make it her own.

Here’s another Melanie Berg pattern, “Sunwalker,” knit by Emma with the brand new Isager Merilin. This is a shawl that the photo doesn’t do justice, as it’s the texture and hand of the fabric that stood out most to me; shawl-knitters, consider Merilin when fingering weight yarn is called for!

Below is Amy’s “Copenhagen Hood,” a quick cozy accessory knit in Fibre Company Tundra, living temporarily at the shop as a sample for her upcoming class on the subject. There are still spaces in her class, if you’d like to join and knit a hood of your own…sign up on our website!

Joanne knit this “Rise” hat with Shibui Drift and Silk Cloud held together, and was so pleased with it that she came back for more yarn to knit one for her husband. I understand the appeal, seeing how well this came out! I can hardly imagine a softer yarn combination, truly.

Nancy knit this “Flowers of Life” pullover for her husband, using a beautiful palette of Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift in an intricate all-over fair isle pattern. She’s graciously left it at the shop for a few weeks for all to see and admire; come in soon to see this knitted work of art!

Joanne also has some Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift show and tell: a “Beginner’s Fair Isle Cap,” her first-ever colorwork project. With guidance from Nancy, she selected this color combination and arranged the colors within the motif for a unique accesory.

Thanks again to the knitters and crocheters who share their work with us. We feel lucky to play a part in your creative pursuits, and look forward to seeing the projects you plan!

Shibui Sample of the Month: Breton Cowl colorways.

Posted by Julia on November 18, 2016

Our November Shibui Sample of the Month is on display at the shop til November 30th, and we’re offering the Shibui yarns for this project at 10% off throughout the month!

This particular “Breton Cowl” is knit with a relatively high-contrast combination of colors, namely Drift in “Graphite” and Silk Cloud in “Suit.” There’s an argument to be made that high-contrast colorways are better suited to this pattern than subtle ones, and here are a few such colorways.

Above: Drift in “Tar” and Silk Cloud in “Apple.” Below: Drift in “Velvet” and Silk Cloud in “Raspberry.”

Ginny recently brought her finished “Breton Cowl” in for show-and-tell, and it’s this very combination that she used. I love the bright pop of “Raspberry” against the deeply saturated “Velvet.”

For those who favor subtlety, here are a couple of low-contrast color combinations that I find just as exciting.

Above: Drift in “Suit” and Silk Cloud in “Blueprint.” Below: Drift in “Pollen” and Silk Cloud in “Mineral.”

Come by the shop to create your own “Breton Cowl” color combination, and get the Shibui yarns for this project at 10% off during November!

Just a reminder–all sales are final on discounted items; there can be no exchanges, returns, or special orders. Thanks!

Pom Pom Quarterly: Winter 2016.

Posted by Julia on November 16, 2016

The Winter 2016 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly is here!

The theme of this issue is “reflections,” one that has been interpreted in a variety of ways by the magazine’s contributors. The shawl on the cover features a graphic stripe knit in Shibui Silk Cloud, one half sunny and bright, the other half dark. An article by designer Anna Maltz finds her reflecting on fit and body image in ready-to-wear clothing and handmade clothing – a thoughtful, interesting read.

Every issue of Pom Pom is beautifully produced by people that clearly understand the appeal of the magazine as physical object. The paper is soft, sturdy, and matte, the photographs beautifully-taken, the patterns compelling.

And, a cherry on top, each issue features a recipe. This issue, it’s a tempting pair of cocktails.

Look for Pom Pom Quarterly on the teacart here at the shop, and come quickly, for it has a tendency to sell out. Cheers!

Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guide No. 1: Stripes.

Posted by Julia on November 13, 2016

A delightful new book is now on our shelves, the Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guide No. 1: Stripes.

Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner are the knitters, designers, and writers behind Mason-Dixon Knitting, a long-running blog that has evolved into an online community and growing list of publications. Their latest endeavor is the Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guides, pocket-sized booklets focused on a particular knitting technique, featuring the approachable patterns and humorous musings these two are known for.

This first Field Guide is all about stripes, and features three striped patterns: a pair of color-block mitts, the glorious “Breton Cowl” that we have on display throughout November, and a cozy blanket.

Come by the shop to pick up the Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guide No. 1, and come during November to see the “Breton Cowl” in person!

Shibui Sample of the Month: Breton Cowl.

Posted by Julia on November 9, 2016

November is here, and with it, a new Shibui Sample of the Month! We offer a 10% discount on Shibui yarns purchased for our featured sample til the end of the month.

Our current Shibui Sample of the Month is the “Breton Cowl,” by Antonia Shankland, from Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guide No. 1: Stripes.

This luxurious cowl is knit with thick garter stitch stripes of smooth Shibui Drift, punctuated by stockinette welts in fuzzy Silk Cloud.

We’re offering a 10% discount on Drift and Silk Cloud purchased for this project til the end of the month, so come by the shop to see it before November 30th!

Just a reminder–all sales are final on discounted items; there can be no exchanges, returns, or special orders. Thanks!

Shibui Sample of the Month: Nova colorways.

Posted by Julia on October 19, 2016

Our October Shibui Sample of the Month is on display at the shop til October 30th, and we’re offering the Shibui yarns for this project at 10% off throughout the month!

This particular “Nova” is knit with two different yarns held together, dk weight Dune and lace weight Cima, each in the color “Cove.” “Cove” looks a bit different in Dune than it does in Cima, due to the difference in fiber content and texture, but they blend together seamlessly to create a nearly-solid fabric.

One of the most exciting things about mixing yarns like this is the possibility for blending different colors. Suppose instead of matching “Cove” with “Cove,” you selected a color just a shade lighter, like “Fjord,” or paired it with “Suit” to emphasize the blue?

Blending colors this way opens a world of possibilities, especially with 20+ shades of Cima on our shelves. Here are a few other ideas.

Dune in “Field,” paired with Cima in “Field” (above) or “Grounds” (below).

Dune in “Abyss,” paired with Cima in “Abyss” (above) or “Tar” (below).

Dune in “Pollen,” paired with Cima in “Pollen” (above) or “Brownstone” (below).

Come by the shop to create your own “Nova” color combination, and get the Shibui yarns for this project at 10% off during October!

Just a reminder–all sales are final on discounted items; there can be no exchanges, returns, or special orders. Thanks!

knit.wear.

Posted by Julia on October 17, 2016

Update: this issue of knit.wear is sold out!

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The latest issue of knit.wear is here, and it’s flying off our shelves!

This stylish magazine from Interweave is notably garment-oriented, a publication with more sweater patterns than accessories.

I spotted some familiar yarns in this issue: a sweater knit in Shibui Pebble, with a bit of Shibui Cima on the bottom edge for a layered look, and a lace-edged poncho in Fibre Company Canopy Fingering.

Maybe it’s just because I’m finishing up a cardigan at the moment, but for me the standout feature of this issue was a new-to-me buttonband technique from designer Sarah Solomon.

Come by the shop to pick up a copy of knit.wear while they last!

Show and tell: accessories.

Posted by Julia on October 9, 2016

It’s been less than a month since my last “show and tell” blog post, but already there’s so much to share. Here are some of the finished projects that started life as yarn on our shelves!

Above is the “Rise” hat, knit by Robin, who is teaching an upcoming class on the subject here at the shop. She made it with two yarns held together throughout: Shibui’s newest yarn, Drift, and their classic Silk Cloud. This pattern is free with the purchase of Shibui yarns for the project, and features cozy cables and a tidy tubular cast-on.

Below is Robin’s “Rise” cowl, knit with Fibre Company Canopy Worsted and Shibui Silk Cloud held together throughout, an equally luxurious yarn combination for the project.

Here’s the subject of another upcoming class, Marsha’s “Super Fast Mittens,” a pattern she’s made available for sale here at the shop. Made with Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande, they’re quick and cozy, designed with ease of knitting in mind. Join the class for an introduction to double-pointed needles!

Peggy brought two finished accessories in for show and tell; above is her “Basket Whip” cowl, knit in the (sadly discontinued) Fibre Company Savannah, and below is her “Holden” shawl, knit in Geilsk Cotton/Wool. Both yarns are well-balanced blends of plant and animal fibers, lightweight from fibers like linen and cotton, but plush from merino wool.

Ruth knit this “Rhys” scarf in Fibre Company Knightsbridge, a fuzzy heathered blend of llama, merino, and silk. It’s a handsome piece, decorated with cables and texture patterns, and the yarn is so well-suited to a next-to-skin accessory.

Petra has been on a Steve Rousseau kick, knitting and crocheting several of his intricate shawls in a row. Her latest is this “Dimitri Rectangular Shawl,” knit in the lightweight, tweedy Shibui Pebble.

Thanks to everyone who shares their creations with us, those who gamely submit to my photography as well as those who’d rather not. We love seeing what you’re working on, and the pleasure and satisfaction that you derive from your finished projects.

See you at the shop!

Shibui Sample of the Month: Nova.

Posted by Julia on October 6, 2016

October is here, and with it, a new Shibui Sample of the Month! We offer a 10% discount on Shibui yarns purchased for our featured sample til the end of the month.

Our current Shibui Sample of the Month is “Nova,” by Shellie Anderson.

“Nova” is a sleeveless top with a small collar, originally designed for warm-weather wear with Shibui Rain. A change of fiber transforms this piece into a layer for fall and winter, a cozy vest knit with Shibui Dune and Cima held together throughout.

We’re offering a 10% discount on Dune and Cima purchased for this project til the end of the month, so come by the shop to see it before October 30th!

Just a reminder–all sales are final on discounted items; there can be no exchanges, returns, or special orders. Thanks!

Shibui Sample of the Month: Stole 2.0 colorways.

Posted by Julia on September 16, 2016

Our September Shibui Sample of the Month is on display at the shop til September 30th, and we’re offering the Shibui yarns for this project at 10% off throughout the month!

Theresa Gaffey’s “Stole 2.0” looks great in these cool neutrals with a pop of “Pollen,” but there are so many more options as far as colors are concerned; when this garment arrived, I went straight to our Shibui yarns to play matchmaker.

Above is a warmer take on the same color strategy, with a gradient of neutrals in Pebble (“Ivory,” “Sidewalk,” and “Caffeine”) and a bright pop of Silk Cloud in “Brownstone.” That pop could easily be a golden yellow, deep purple, or clear blue, or any bright shade you might favor. We have Silk Cloud in oodles of colors!

This next colorway is cool and watery, with Pebble in “Fjord,” “Canal,” and “Suit,” outlined by Silk Cloud in “Fog.”

This one is bold and bright, with a higher contrast edging: Pebble in “Clay,” “Poppy,” and “Bordeaux,” and Silk Cloud in “Tar.”

Here’s a more colorful selection: Pebble in “Pollen,” “Graphite,” and “Velvet,” trimmed in Silk Cloud “Caffeine.”

Come by the shop to play the color game yourself, and make our Shibui Sample of the Month your very next project!