Aug Newsletter

 July  August Newsletter

The Dog Days of Summer have arrived. Hot days and nights finds me in front of a fan working on some project or other. Lately my knitting productivity at low ebb but my historical genealogical research skills percolating. Maybe highlighting new items in shop will help kick-start my knitting mojo? Here goes....

*disclaimer: This post written way back in mid July before our sale. Before weeks of misery with awful smoke from fires up here that made me very ill. I'm still not 100% but trying to get caught up. Way behind on the newsletter, Mystery Box, new class announcement, launching a special kit. Ugh Pardon me for talking about the "heat" of summer etc.... when suddenly our temps are early fall-like! I kid you not. A tree in backyard is actually turning color already and nights are positively chilly! Don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled at thought of an early fall. Just not thrilled knowing it's probably a false-fall and we'll see triple-digits again before long. Until then read on!

Summertime Yarns 

Well stocked on all things cotton, linen and warm weather yarns.

Zooey

Awesome cotton/linen blend from Juniper Moon. This is a summer workhorse yarn. Holds up wash after wash and the linen makes sure the cotton doesn't stretch to the moon and back. Great for summer tops and skirts.  It's surrounding the latest Making magazine because how could they not? Those colors are just a perfect match.

Aine

This is a beautiful 100% silk fingering. Best thing? Super yardage packed in this wee little hank: 327yds!! Lovely little luxury is one of life's necessities.
 

Pima 100, Modern Cotton, Modern Cottons

Our staple cottons from Berroco. Modern Cotton & Modern Cotton DK are blends of cotton/rayon that have a lovely sheen and drape. Cool to the touch too. Pima 100 is a all-cotton in a big wide array of colors. Great workhorse yarn. There's a new Modern Cotton Collection with great patterns too.

Mykonos

New colors have arrived (that perfectly soft pink is calling to me!). I'm so wanting to make a slinky tank or skirt. It's perfect yarn for hot days: linen, cotton, rayon blend that is super cool to the touch. Bit ropey to work with but the end results are amazing and perfect for the high heat days of summer.

Nishiki and Sonata

Noro's signature gorgeous rich saturated colors (solid and multi) in a NO WOOL base! Perfect for those not wanting to use wool. Super soft cotton with touch of silk and nylon (for strength). In our climate this yarn is great and good year round.

Big Pretty Cakes (sans frosting of course)

Gorgeous cakes of self-striping yarns with lovely free knit & crochet shawl patterns.Yardage significant so one hank all you need. Two hanks yields big blankets, sweaters or shawls. These beauties all wound up and ready to use!

Rustic Quad 

Lambswool/Silk fingering blend with massive yardage: 1257yds

Soliel

This DK cotton/acrylic blend perfect for baby blankets and clocks in at a whopping 820 yds

Painted Cotton

This DK gem is a soft durable 100% cotton in a 357yd cake!  1 cake enough for baby garments, accessories or a gazillion dish cloths; 2 enough for a baby blanket. Colors are lovely summery shades that self-striping.

Fall Sneak Peek

I couldn't help myself. Two brand new Fall Berroco yarns just had to arrive now. Helps me get through heat waves knowing that yes....cooler temps will return. Shop samples have arrived too.

Aero

This is the lightest, loftiest yarn put up in a gorgeous cake in signature Berroco striping colorways. Best thing: it's super bulky and uses a #13 or L hook. Yes!!

Ponchos are still popular and this is Mera is perfect. I'm fighting the urge to start Savio, a crochet cowl. I really need to practice my crochet skills and this would be perfect project. 

Skye

In our buying appointment I fell in love with this amazing yarn. A blend of wool, yak, and synthetic fibers with beautiful sheen and subtle twist and a really surprising degree of springy-bounce. I love how it feels in my hands and responds to my needles. Stitch definition is gorgeous.

 

Above is Oakham, a gorgeous poncho and Meryton, a yoke-style pullover. We're in queue to get Oakham as a shop sample soon.

The patterns are named for Jane Austen locations! How lovely is that? Above are Longbourn and Pemberly. Big sigh....oh to be at Pemberly......

This Norah's Vintage Afghan is a bucket list project of mine. I'm so tempted to use Skye to  make a smaller more delicate blanket. There's 20 squares of amazing and unique cable patterns. But I'll call them my "swatches" to avoid my difficulties with project commitment: if it's just a "swatch" then maybe I'll not feel so pressured to finish! (My lack of finishing issue is legendary around here).


Fall 2018 Pattern Books: All are in the shop, ready to inspire. Lots of lovely patterns to pour over as you plan for cooler season projects.  Rest of the new Fall yarns will arrive later on. You can find 360 degree views of most patterns on the Berroco website. A great feature to see how the garment looks moving around from all sides. I use it often.

Until next time....Happy Summer!

*and maybe just maybe....Happy Early Fall!!*