Category Archives: Yarn

I just can’t leave knitting!

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Welcome to my life.  Knitting has been a good thing.  Knitting has done wonders for me in the past. Today was the grand opening of the LaGrange County Fair. I entered my Rainbow Tam.

The Rainbow Tam is a free pattern from www.knitty.com called Three Tams.  We have a add on if you would like to make it a slouchy tam instead of a more fitting one.

For these tams, we use Shepherd’s Wool and Noro Kureyon. It makes a great variation. As I entered it in the fair, the judge had nothing to comment about. She liked it and gave me a blue ribbon.

Knitting has also traveled with me to an art portfolio review. I decided since it’s a needle “art” I can show my professor. I told him that this is considered art and showed him my knitting. He laughed! He said he had a dream about knitting the other night. How crazy is that? Anyways, I ended up with a six hundred dollar scholarship for my art classes.

Recently, a friend of mine had a baby girl. I wanted to knit something nice for her and decided a baby hat. Well, it did not turn out right. While at work, I flipped through a Creative Knitting magazine and found a pattern called Ollie the Octopus.

I decided to knit it out of leftovers of  Dream in Color Classy. It’s the colors that make up the Tulip Baby Sweater. It was weird because it wasn’t knit in the round, so I changed the legs to be in the round and seamed up the part knit flat, but I finished it! I’ll be giving it to her soon. A cool simile was stated by the grandpa. He said when they change her diaper, she squirms like a little octopus! Too perfect, right?

As I am starting college, I have some friends who want to learn and make their own projects.  My favorite thing we have now is cowls. They are so cute and fun! I’m into scarves and want to make some for my friends that are going away to college. I have a challenge from the head of the sales department of SMC, the yarn company that produces Schachenmeyer, Nashua and Regia. He wants me to knit the longest scarf and show him at TNNA-Phoenix this January. (I’ll be going, right mom????) So, I’ll be knitting that with slouchy hats and finishing up my monster Hugo from the Rebecca Danger book.  Speaking of Hugo, is anyone else knitting monsters?  We might participate in a travelling monster show!!

So many projects! A lot of less time with me at art camp all of July! Stop in and say hi to Mom. She’ll get lonely without me! ;)

Free Pattern for Ty-Dy

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Mermaid Tee - 1734

The new patterns from Knit One, Crochet Too are in stock!  I am partial to the Mermaid Tee; I think it would be figure flattering for most body types, and I just like the way it looks.  You knit this swingy little tee in strips (ten for the body and three for each sleeve) and then join the strips using the three needle bind off technique.  Notice how that gives a little extra pop between the strips?  The thought of not having to seam is appealing to me as well.  See all the new Knit One, Crochet Too patterns by clicking on the link to Ty-Dy yarn below.

Now, to get to the real reason you are reading this post- the free pattern! 

Lucia Tee - Free Pattern!

The pattern is a sweet, feminine top called the Lucia Tee and is available with the purchase of Ty-Dy yarn.  It is knit in the round which is a bit unusual for Helene, and a nice treat for us.  I think it’s absolutely adorable.  It is a relatively simple knit, suitable for advanced beginners and should be quick enough to have done before summer really kicks in.  Interested?  Click on the pattern link above to find out how much yarn you will need; choose a color and place an order.  You will be offered the pattern for free during the check-out process.  We are working on re-stocking the yarn; if you wish to order a color that is low on stock please call us (1-800-426-5098 or 260-351-2260) and tell us what color you need and we’ll make sure we get enough to fill your order.  Just a little head’s up- Ty-Dy prices are going up in July!  That includes all members of the Ty-Dy family.  Anything you order before then will be filled at the current price, but please do make sure to get your order in soon.

Discontinued Colors of Shepherd’s Wool Fingering

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Pay attention here if you are a Shepherd’s Wool Fingering lover.  We recently received news that some of the colors are being discontinued.  There will still be plenty of colors available (I think 26?) so there is no need to panic, however… if you have a favorite colorway you may want to check out our remaining stock of discontinued colors.   We still have several skeins of many of the colors, some not so much.  I think I will have to snag a few myself!

Catching up

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Kudo – YUM!

I’m still playing catch-up from the two weeks I was gone in March, but I’m slowly getting there.  I thought maybe you would all like to know what’s new since I’ve been back.  Well, truth be told it’s been here for quite a while, but I’ve finally gotten it up and running for your knitting pleasure!  :-)

The pic you see to the left is Plymouth Kudo.  It is so scrumptious!  It’s a cotton/rayon/silk blend in oh, so pretty colors.  There is just enough silk to give it a bit of luxury, and I really like the look that the silk slubs provide.  It makes me want to knit a fun scarf (free with purchase!) to brighten up next winter.  I know… who wants to think about next winter when we are not so patiently waiting for this spring?  What can I say- I was a Girl Scout.  Think ahead and be prepared.  Which is, incidentally why I also have dental floss, a flashlight, and a tape measurer in my purse at all times.  One never knows…

Anyway, back to the point.  We also now have Vizions, and Grass, both from Plymouth as well.  It’s been a while since we’ve had a nice novelty yarn and Vizions fits the bill nicely.  It’s a rayon/linen blend in self striping colorways that I think would make a very pretty shawl.  Or why not try it with Jackie?  So cute!  Grass is (as the name implies) very natural looking; has a definite earthy feel about it.  It is a cotton/linen blend, very soft to the touch.  I’m thinking that I must make the Miley Tee.  In the Chambray colorway… or maybe the green.  If you click on the link for the yarn above, you will see all the colorways, as well as two patterns, one knit and one crochet for the Grass.

Let’s see.. what else have I checked in?  So many things… I’m just going to throw them out there: Zauberball and Zauberball Crazy, the new Creative Knitting, and the cutest little things going right now- Balloon Tying Creations Collections One, and Two.  We are temporarily out of them because Lea-Ann sold them all at the Spring Fling for machine knitters, but we will have them in stock again soon. I know there are some other yarns, but it’s the end of the day and my brain is refusing all prodding to remember what they are, so I’ll have to do a walk about and let you know what else is looking for a place in your stash.

Until then- happy knitting and think spring!

Short Row Pennants

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Knit One Crochet Too - Short Row Pennants

You know how sometimes you see a pattern and think “eh, it’s okay, but I’m not sure it’s for me” and then you see it done up and it completely changes your mind?  Happens to me all the time, and it happened again when Lyn brought in the Short Row Pennants cardigan from Knit One, Crochet Too, knit in Ty-Dy Wool color 1745 Grapes.  Lovely.  (I think I would probably lean towards Minerals or Stormy Seas, myself.)    The yoke is a K1,P1 rib and the bodice is comprised of 5 pennants. 

Short Row Pennants - Back

The sleeves also have 5 pennants, beginning at the wrist, topped off with a stockinette sleeve cap.   I really like how the few rows of garter stitch between the pennants provides just a bit of extra definition.  I especially like the back, as the pennants go across the entire piece. You can get the full effect, and the striping works well with the width of the pennants.  Doesn’t it look cool?  I can’t help but think that the design would be kind to one’s figure, what with the color play confusing the eye and all that. 

Lest you be thinking that you are done with wool for now, thank you anyway, we have two new colors of Ty-Dy Cotton. There are new patterns on the way, as well. Just in time for warmer weather.  We’ll let you know as soon as they arrive.

Bamboo Ewe

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Morning Frost Wrap

Remember in an earlier post when I said that I would like to try the Bamboo Ewe from Stitch Nation for Debbie Stoller?  I have casted on for the Morning Frost Shawl from the Stitch Nation- Collection 1 and have about 22″ done.  That’s almost 50% finished.  I tell you what, this is such an easy pattern it’s not funny.  Four row repeat, two of which are pearling, the other two are the same with the exception of the first few stitches.  I almost feel like I’m cheating it’s so simple.  And yet it is just lovely.

As for the yarn… it is a four ply, soft to the touch, has a soft sheen compliments of the bamboo, and from what I can tell will block out very nicely.  In short, I like it.  I am using colorway 5510, Beach Glass (which is what the book calls for) and the soft green/blue is so calming at the end of the day.  Another + for Red Heart.

Gardening at Night Bag

I want to tell you just a bit more about the book, as well.  It’s got 13 projects in it- two of which are crochet.  There are two sweaters, and a car coat that I really like, in addition to the shawl.  If I knew how to crochet I would already be making the Gardening at Night crochet bag because it is cute, cute, cute!  Mind you, there are no mind-blowing new techniques, but that is not what this little book is all about.  It has very do-able projects using simple lace, cables, and Fair Isle- all rated “Intermediate”.  I would consider this a good next step type of book for someone looking for everyday type of knits.  All in all, this is not a bad deal for $4.99.

Yarn Snob Meets Debbie Stoller

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Quick- finish this phrase without thinking:  I say Red Heart, you say ______.  You said Super Saver, didn’t you?!  I know you did because that’s what Red Heart means to almost everyone.  It always has to me, anyway.

I feel I must warn you that what I am about to say may offend some people, and please understand that this is not my intention.  Before reading on, one must understand that I am a self proclaimed Yarn Snob.  Notice the capital letters; this is on purpose.  When I found out that we would be carrying Red Heart I could feel my nose begin to wrinkle and my lip involuntarily curled.  I may have shuddered, but I’m not sure.  This reaction comes from the immediate Red Heart – Super Saver connection.  I am not a fan of Super Saver.  There, I said it.  I don’t like the feel or the look.  I cannot imagine wearing it next to the skin or wrapping up in an afghan made from it.   I realize that it certainly serves a purpose and fills a need, but as I said, I am a Yarn Snob.  I thought that I would never, ever like a Red Heart yarn.  Ever.

And then we got our first shipment of Red Heart product.  Included in that shipment (in addition to the Super Saver) was Full O’ Sheep, Alpaca Love, and Bamboo Ewe, all from Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller. (Also included was Mystic,  an Alpaca/Acrylic blend that is just lovely to the touch.  I’ve not knitted with it yet so today I am going to focus on the Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller).  I have to admit that my interest was piqued.

I immediately liked the Full O’ Sheep, a single ply 100% wool with a bit of a lofty feel to it.  The colors are rich and bright, and have a slight sheen that you don’t usually see with wool.  The Alpaca Love is  a wool/alpaca blend that is also nice but not quite as soft to the touch.  I like to felt, so I was curious as to how these would do, and I have finally put them to the test, by knitting a large swatch out of each.

Full O' Sheep/Alpaca Love

I used a size US9 needle, could have stood a 10 I think.  I must say I enjoyed knitting with both of these yarns.  The Full O’ Sheep (darker pink) is a bit splitty (for me, anyway) but I liked it none the less.  It’s like a younger cousin of Mauch Chunky from Kraemer Yarns, as it has the same loosely spun feel.  I was very happy with the swatch, even being knit loosely; I could easily see myself knitting a garment out of this.  The Alpaca love was a bit easier for me to knit with and I was happy with the way it turned out as well.  This morning I threw them in the washer with some old t-shirts and a pair of sneakers to see how they would felt. I have a front loader, so it usually takes me some time to get the results I like.

After felting one round

I expected the Full O’ Sheep to felt pretty quickly, and it did felt down more than the Alpaca Love (which very definitely needed another go  round). However, I didn’t have adequate time, as I needed to get to the shop so I will throw them in again this evening.  I don’t think the Full O’ Sheep will take much longer.  The pic posted is after felting for one cycle.  I will post another after I give it another go.

Long story (very long story) short- I have to re-think my stance on Red Heart.  Just because a yarn says Red Heart on the label does not mean that picky knitters/crocheters need avoid it.  I plan on knitting something out of the Mystic because it really does feel wonderful.  I will also try the Bamboo Ewe; I am interested to see how it holds up, etc.

Pass the crow, please.

Dream in Color back in stock

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Remember the colors of Dream in Color Classy that were used in the Tulip Baby sweater?  Spring Tickle, Blue Lagoon, Visual Purple… Yum!  Those colors still seem to be the most requested.  Well, good news Classy lovers!  They are back in stock and available for purchase.  Also (soon) available is the kit for the Tulip Baby Sweater kit.  Follow the links to see all the Classy in stock and to order the Tulip kit.  Make sure to put the sweater kit on the wait list if you want it, and when it’s in stock we’ll let you know.

Just so you know… IT”S SNOWING!!

I love lace …

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And, yes, I admit it….

This pattern, The Traveling Shawl/Scarf, has been in my personal queue for at least a year, I think. I wanted to do it in Jojoland Melody Superwash,  but have some other projects earmarked for that lovely yarn plus I already did the “in the pink”.  Here’s the link to that pattern.  So, when the dream club  cashmere arrived, I just knew what it was destined to become.

I started my day with six rows of beautiful, repetitive, restorative knitting and a couple cups of coffee. Now I can go to work!

P.s. If anyone has a skein of this yarn they don’t want, let me know or I’ll only have half a shawl to wear cause dummy me, I didn’t cast on for the scarf size!

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Sometimes you just have to start

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a new project.  Even though I have two sweaters and a Christmas stocking to finish for customers, a knitalong to lead in full o’ sheep, a sweater pattern to edit for a vendor, a website to update, class schedule to publish, a  play bill to get printed, folded and stapled, this fabulous new yarn, Boku from Plymouth Yarn, arrived, and the pattern, Ayako Jacket from Knitwhits, has been waiting for it.

So, what do I do? Take a Sunday afternoon and start knitting!  This pattern has unique construction and I expected it to be difficult, but its not. First, a gauge swatch is not required.  Do you need picked up off the floor? Plus, its a four row repeat and it grows fast since the length is measured along the straight edge.  And, finally, I’m enjoying the yarn, the color changes and the hiyahiya wooden circulars. So, I have started listening to knitting  podcasts to set aside some knitting time daily.

What about you? Do you have a  sweater on the needles? Do you have a new yarn you are trying? Would you like to join me in knitting Ayako? The next sweater night is Thursday, November 11 … Call right away and we’ll get your yarn ordered. And, lastly, what knitting podcasts do you listen to?

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