KNews at Knitting Today

Typing that makes me feel a bit like Dr. Seuss.  

For heavier socks, this really rocks / It’s great for feet and sweaters so sweet! / You can knit it in a box / You can knit it with a fox

Okay, enough of that.  This is one of those fall in the middle type yarns.  It’s heavier than a sock yarn but a bit lighter than a typical dk.  I’m looking at colorway 7521 thinking it would make some really cool Prairie Heights socks, while Penny is running around picking out yarns to use as trim on the baby sweater (of course).  

I’ll not be starting those socks anytime soon, however, as I’ve taken a tip from Lea-Ann and I am making myself finish (and in some cases start) projects that have been lounging around, or long ago promised to someone.  So far I’ve made three silly scarves, three hats, and two ponchos,  and finished a pair of socks.  Oh, and I’m knitting the felted snowmen from Marie Mayhew (so fun- I can’t wait to finish and add the doo-dads… I have so many ideas!).  Almost forgot, I’m also knitting a prayer shawl.  When I am finished with the above mentioned, THEN I can start on the two pairs of Alpine Boots, THEN I get to make the felted door mitten.  Fortunately for me, these are all quick projects.  Except for the sweater…. really should finish that, also.  Finding time to knit while re-modeling is not an easy thing!  

On the bright side, I should have no trouble finding something to knit on for UFO night! -Susan

Click to see Encore Sock

that I would never be one of those crazy women with a “stash” of yarn just sitting around.  I know…. how absurd to even think it possible.  I was reminded of this comment this weekend when my son snapped at me “Why is there more yarn on my dresser?  Can’t you put it somewhere else?”.  In my defense, his dresser is in the dining room because we are remodeling the entire upstairs (it is completely gutted at the moment) so it’s not like I ventured into his private chamber to plop my yarn onto his dresser.  It was the closest flat surface when I unloaded the bag.  To answer his question- No, there isn’t anywhere else to put my yarn.  I had already covered his sister’s dresser with a bag and a tub; the extra dining room chair has a bin of Cascade 220 and fun fur waiting to be turned into Alpine Boots - not to mention the several bags of already started projects strewn about the house.  What to do with all this yarn that is turning my children against me?  Well, I had a brainstorm while packing up the summer clothes in one of those giant Space Bags.  I admit that I have some yarn that I have no idea, at this point in time, what it will someday become so why not throw it in with the clothes and vacuum seal it?  Yep, that’s what I did.   Won’t it be fun next spring to open up that “box” of clothes to find that delicious yarn just waiting for me?   And as a bonus my son can stop whining at me.

Susan

Okay, here’s the scoop.  I have decided that I absolutely must have a felted door mitten for the winter season.  I’ve liked this project since it came in and now that we have the Shepherd’s Wool I can’t stop thinking about it.  I pull in my driveway and I picture it on my door… I dream about it… I must have it.  So, what’s the problem?  I cannot decide on a color!  I’ll walk out and pick up the skeins and squeeze them; bury my nose and inhale (they all smell the same, in case you’re wondering); turn them over in my hands. But still, no decision.  Those of you who know me know how anal I can be so what comes next will probably surprise you because….

This is where you all come in.  I have narrowed it down to three colors (Hunter Green, Garnet, and Royal Blue- see below, but note that the colors are a bit darker and deeper than what you will see) and I will let all of you pick for me.  Here’s what you do: post a comment telling me which color you like best.  I will go with the color that gets the most votes and then post the finished project here.   The nominees for Felted Door Mitten are:
 

A bit of background:  My house is buttercream yellow with an oak front door.  I have a white porch and no shutters or anything else that may argue with the mitten color. 

So, there you have it.  Post a comment and let’s get the ball rolling.  Pun intended.

Susan

The first thing that comes to mind when I squeeze this yarn is “YUM”.   It’s top merino so it’s extra lofty, which also means that it’s perfect for felting.  The really cool thing about Shepherd’s Wool is that it’s practically homegrown- it is milled and spun right in East Jordan, MI.  I have three projects picked out to do with this yarn, and that’s only because I don’t have time to pick out any more.  I want a Wonderful Wallaby , a pair of Felted Clogs, and a Covered Rock Saddlebag. Oh, and maybe a Felted Door Mitten. Check back in a few days and look for the new Noni patterns.  She’s expanded into clothing designs (cute, cute, cute!) and she now uses Shepherd’s Wool for her designs.  Can’t say as I blame her!  We’re going to carry all 45 colors…. here’s what we have so far.   - Susan

Click to see Shepherd’s Wool

Olympic Knitting:  Are you knitting during the Olympics?   Friday night, August 8, 2008, is the start and we are gathering at Knitting Today starting at 6:30 to enjoy. RSVP please, bring your UFO or new Olympic project and we’ll get going.  

TofuTee:  We also have the TofuTee Trunk Show in the store and that will be the last time to come and see it before it is shipped on to the next venue.  The TofuTee is a great pattern, knit sideways, uses 5 balls of the Tofutsies yarn and we have 15 new colors as well as several from the old collections in stock . . . .

http://www.knittingtoday.com/go.mvc?ID=tofutsies 

Looking forward to seeing you!  Lea-Ann

Sometimes it takes a while for the correct elements to come together.  Do you know what I mean?  I’ve had my eye on the 2nd Time Cotton for a long, long time and absolutely refused to get rid of it because I just knew the perfect project would come along.  Well, Helene Rush the owner of Knit One, Crochet Too has done it.  She designed “hey, Teach!” for knitty.com.  The best thing about the pattern is it is upsized 55″ and I can’t believe it wouldn’t look good on anyone.  The pattern can be found here:

http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTheyteach.html

And, it is designed for 2nd Time Cotton, which can be ordered here:

http://www.knittingtoday.com/go.mvc?ID=7070

The Tofutsies Snack Pack, that is.  (we’re really not trying to make you hungry with all this talk of “Yummy” and “Snack Packs”- honest!)  Fifteen new colors of Tofutsies goodness just waiting to become a pair of socks or a baby sweater.  Ooooh, or a shawl!   Not all fifteen colors are in the picture; you’ll have to follow the link to see the rest.

http://www.knittingtoday.com/go.mvc?ID=tofutsies

When a sock yarn comes in that is named Yummy, I must do the tests to see if it lives up to its name.

• Feel – wonderful! 
• Color – beautiful!  Pot dyed.
• Care — Washable  Superwash. 
• Appearance — The twist looks lovely to work with, reminding me of Interlacements Tiny Toes, another lovely yarn. 

 The specs: 

Manufacturer/Distributor: Fibranatura/Universal Yarn, Inc.
Fiber Content: 100% Superwash Wool
Yarn Class: Superfine
Suggested Gauge: 32-40 sts = 4″
Yardage: 4.55 oz/370 yards (130 gr/338 m) approx.
Suggested Needle Size: US 1-3 (2.25-3.25mm)
Care: machine wash and dry flat
 

Ordering information for Yummy sock yarn: 

http://www.knittingtoday.com/go.mvc?ID=yummy

Beautiful yarn!  Beautiful colors!  I must say we’re on overload from Noro right now . . . come in and check it out.  We’ve been pulling some design ideas and they are sitting by the yarn displays.  Lea-Ann

ETA:  Wow! Look what Carli has started already . . . the Magic Mirror Socks from http://jeanniefanihi.blogspot.com/2008/06/magic-mirror-socks.html

Susan snuck in last week and received some new yarns and patterns (she’s on summer break with her kids) . . . . check out the New July category. They are some luscious colorways! I can’t wait to delve into Jackie E-S’s new shawl pattern . . . where does she come up with these ideas . . . . Lea-Ann

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