Pages

Jan 9, 2024

New Year, New Make-Alongs

Tale of Two Sweaters 

Our Winter KAL was planned for Jody Long's Enya  But twice is nice, so we now have two options to choose from!  A second group chose Noro Sia, a very popular Noro pullover.

KAL starts Jan 9th. As usual our Make-Alongs are free to join and receive 15% discount on supplies, with free pattern included. We meet weekly on Thurs 12-2pm to work together. Our KAL's usually run a couple of months so from Jan-March these are what we're working on! 

Enya 


Option 1: Enya is a bulky, fast coatigan style knit on #15...yes nice big needles = fast finish (hopefully)! Choose from this season's new Andeamo Twist (marled) or Andeamo (solid). Jody had this sample at his Fall Event to try on and many of us loved how this fit. Bonus is fact it'll go quick since it's a super-bulky. 

Kim: "I've cast on and it's fast-going! Just an hour and I'm already halfway up the back! But trick: Can I sustain momentum and actually finish it" LOL


           

       


  • SIZES: S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)
  • To fit bust: 32-34 (36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54) in
  • Actual measurement, at underarm: 37½ (41¾, 46, 51, 54, 59½) in
  • Full length, from neck shoulder point: 27¼ (28, 28¾, 29½, 30¼, 31) in
  • Sleeve length: 18 (18, 18½, 18½, 19, 19)in
  • Needles: #11 and #15 
  • Gauge: 9.5 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
  • Yardage: 875 - 1225 yards (5-7 hanks Andeamo Twist or Andeamo)

Sia

 

Option 2: Sia was worn by Tilly (shop mannequin) all last winter and it's found in Noro Magazine #19. Many customers were inspired to tackle this pretty easy, set in sleeve, minimal shaping boat neck pullover in Madara, a lovely Noro tweed. The worsted/aran weight yarn not as fast a knit, but the pattern a fun yet easy "spotted" stockinette pattern, so not too boring. Only a little bit of shaping at neck for this boxy pullover. A perfect winter cuddle-up kinda sweater. 

                 


  • SIZES: S (M, L, XL) Size S in photo
  • Bust: 45 (47, 50, 53)“  
  • Length: 22 1/2 (23, 23 1/2, 24)” 
  • Needles: US #6 and #7 
  • Gauge: 17 sts and 24 rows to 4in on #7
  • 5 (6, 6, 7) x 100g hanks of Noro Madara 

Tale of Two Shawls

Berroco's Crochet-Along!   Jan 23-Feb 29th

Thanks to the Berroco Designers, we also have two crochet shawl options when they host two very different style crochet shawls from Jan 23-Feb 29th. You can follow the designers progress, get tips, etc on  Berroco's various social media spots (FB, Instagram,Blog).  You can also join us for our weekly group sessions Thur 12-2pm for companionship, encouragement and cheerleading! Now's a great time to try your hand with expanding your crochet skills. 

We have plenty of Carousel and Aerial in stock for Alegria. We don't have Mistico, but Dulce a perfect sub yarn for the Houdin shawl.


The Alegria shawl is made with Carousel and Aerial held together. Carousel features color flowing all through the plies giving off an overall balanced look, while Aerial gives the shawl a soft and cozy halo effect. The finished shawl is made up of 100 crochet motifs joined as you go. Finished Measurements Approximately 25" / 63.5 cm on all sides. Berroco Carousel:3 balls #4423 Dunk Tank Berroco Aerial: 4 balls #3454 Lilac.

Houdin is a beautiful lace shawl with an all-over pineapple motif, crocheted from the bottom point up. Houdin is made with the light and airy Mistico. Brushed alpaca creates a soft halo while the cotton, wool and nylon core seem to illuminate flecks of color in this gorgeous yarn. Houdin by Alison Green Approximately 68" / 172.5 cm wide and 25" / 63.5 cm down center (sans fringe). Berroco Mistico:  3 balls #2538 Utopian (Our Sub Suggestion: Ducle). Hook, size H / 5 mm or size to obtain gauge. 

Here's what you need to know about the Berroco CAL

  • Runs January 23 - February 29

  • There’s no need to sign up! Just purchase the pattern and yarn, and join Berroco designers on social media for check-ins and giveaways.

  • Get 50% off the Houdin and Alegria shawl patterns on our website and Ravelry with code BerrocoShawlCAL (code expires on 2/1)

  • Tag your posts with #BerrocoYarn and #BerrocoShawlCAL on Facebook and Instagram so we can see your work in progress and finished pieces!

  • Join Mel, Emily and Casey for weekly live check-ins in our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok pages. The first LIVE is on 1/24 at 1 PM EST.

  • Want more connection? Join our Facebook or Ravelry groups to share your progress and to ask questions.

  • Want to learn to crochet? Get started with our How To Crochet Basics video.


Let's get Makin'!


Nov 6, 2023

Closed Tue Nov 7th: Holiday Elves Arrive!


The Elves are Coming!!! The Holiday Elves are landing this Tues in a whirlwind of peppermint and snowflakes from the North Pole to decorate for the holidays! It’s a big job so they requested shop close just that day. Then next day it’s all set up & ready.

Here's a few suited up, resting and getting ready for their journey south. to create a  magical holiday wonderland. 

CLOSED -  TUES NOV 7th

While you excitedly await the big holiday reveal here are holiday links to inspire:

Churchmouse Holiday Head Start patterns: Lots of adorable knit & crochet patterns curated for us. Long time-fav is the Wee Jolly Elves. This year we have awesome holiday sock yarn by West Yorkshire Spinners. The Christmas pattern perfect for the Jolly Stocking Cap



The Jolly Elves pattern is fun,easy and great way to use up leftovers. Plus you can totally change up colors to suit your favorite palette or holiday. (Easter, or Halloween and Autumn. Elves are seasonless! 

Berroco holiday patterns: Pagtes of great patterns. Each year the Design Team create a new Minutia collection: Minutia '21 top of my list. Be sure to search for all the past years for tons of wee little minutia ornaments, perfect use of your scrap yarns to make ornaments, gift tags, garlands. There's also awesome bird patterns. Love the Cardinal and Chickadee. They too have tons of Stocking patterns, knitor crochet: Few faves: Blitzen, Dasher, Comet Trio, the Mega Macro, Magi. There's also tree skirts (Reindeer Games and Cherry Cordial). Most if not all of their holdiay patterns free too! I dream of lots of these beautiful Erastus stars all over my tree someday! 





Christmas Novels: This book genre seen serious growth in past years. Use to just be a handful of novels but not there's tons to choose from! Nothing nicer than a lovely, holiday read with cup of cocoa! 

Popular British author, Jenny Colgan one of earliest to pen many Christmas novels. This year no exception. New one just released and on order! 

Here's a past blog post on fun Icelandic tradition: Jolabokaflod (Book Flood)

And here's a gorgeous pic of the Northern Lights....just because! Last weekend was an amazing, huge Aurora Borealis that reached as far south as England and was a rare Red Aurora. Anywasy...this is a bucket list item that I never tire of learning about. Seek out Joanna Lumley's Northern Lights BBC special. Well worth it. 

Off to start the holiday yarn shuffle in anticipation of the Elves arrival bright and early in the morning! If you're feeling ready for some holiday cheer....be sure to pop into the shop starting Wed! 







Oct 17, 2023

OMG Love at first stitch! Berroco Talara


New Yarn Alert: Berroco Talara 

I'm in love! It's the squishiest, softest yarn to work with. Immediately cast on a striped scarf with all the colors! Tube scarf to make it even easier to finish. It's going to be a big long, warm, colorful tube to wear all winter.  It's a chainette style yarn which creates a bouncy hand, but got to say....a bugger to rip back. But I love it so much...all's forgiven!  

Last spring at our rep appt this yarn sucked me in right away. Rep Betsy had sweater on the needles and I couldn't stop squishing it, delighted with how cozy it works up. I'm dreaming of lovely cardigans and pullovers I can live in all winter. 

Color palette is just lovely. Hence my decision to use ALL the colors in a super stripe scarf! I couldn't decide which to use....so they all get used!


Okay...enough gushing. Here's the skinny: "Talara is a delightfully lush and charming mid-weight yarn made of 100% llama. It’s soft to the touch and easy to work with, has a bouncy texture, and creates a fabric that has next-to-skin comfort." Pattern booklet #446 Talara features lovely designs. Especially handy are Maitake and Porcini, two hat-mitten sets; one knit and other crochet! Perfect for gifting.


Maitake (knit)



Porcini (crochet)


Cremini, a lace cardigan and Morel Vest both wardrobe building sweaters. Tartufo wins hands-down for cuddliest weekend sweater.


All Berroco patterns available here online. We also print out single patterns if you prefer. Just contact us (email is best) or pop into the shop. Maybe you'll catch a glimpse of my latest WIP!


Kim's Super Striped Tube Scarf Wonder