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

           

       

Enya Details

• 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. 

                 

Sia Details

• 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'!

September KAL: Scraptastic Stashbusting

 September Stashbusting
 Scraptastic KAL

Starts Sep 14th 12-2pm

Join us weekly at our Thursday meet-ups 12-2pm. We're now in Stashbutsting mode for September. Bring your old leftovers &/or stash. We'll work on sorting, swapping and picking colors to make the Scraptastic Cowl by Ambah O'Brien. It's a fun, easy and adaptable pattern. Written for fingering, dk or worsted.  Easily make it larger, but we love this size.  

Perfect vehicle of creativity. Just put yarn balls in a bag, grab and go! Whichever color you grab is next! Makes for great holiday gifts too. Just bring you stash, various sized needles and join us starting Thurs Sep 14th to do some serious stashbusting! 

Drop-ins sessions are free and only out the $6 for the pattern. 

 Prefer crochet? We have options!  Stained Glass Cowl (tunisian crochet) or Granny Stripe Cowl (classic crochet). Both are perfect vehicles to use up stash! And make fantastic gifts. 

There's a story behind the Scraptastic cowl shop sample (there's always a story!)... 

One day I'm pattern-trawling (my usual mode when I'm procrastinating on something). Found the Scraptastic Cowl pattern and it's a great stashbuster. Added to my notebook's Stashbusters bundle (because you can never have too many pattern bundles....especially potential stash reducing patterns....too bad they don't make themselves.....)  Bought the pattern because this one has serious making-potential! Written for multiple gauges (!), easily adaptable larger and opportunity to get creative with languishing bits-n-bobs lying around, or other yarns taking up space all around the house.....closets......under the bed..... The ink on my freshly printed pattern wasn't even dry when lo' & behold.....Lovely Alice walks in with a plastic bin and says..... "Help me find a pattern for all these little leftovers of mine." Talk about perfect timing!! "Why Alice I have THE perfect pattern!"  Had to be easy to follow (check), use up her stash (check) and be smallish project to take on her Japanese trip in a few days (check!).   We sorted her bits right then and there, strategized on color placement, read through pattern for any needed adjustments and Viola!  Alice thrilled to 1) have new travelling companion and 2) used up half her bin of stash! and 3) I'm thrilled to have Alice test-knit the pattern I'd hope to someday turn into a workshop!

Weeks late this little lovely (well-travelled) cowl came back to visit me! Calling it Alice's Hakone Cowl She went to this little out of the way Japanese town where our dear English Sister, Belinda lived for a decade. Alice was shocked I knew where Hakone was! Hence a cowl was born! 

I adore this photo of Alice in Japan working on her cowl!!! Makes me very happy indeed. Her Japanese trip was wonderful and so is her lovely stashbuster cowl! Thank you Alice! 

Stay At Home KAL and CAL galore!

One thing we've got during this Stay At Home thing... a plethora of KAL and CAL to keep us busy!

If any of these are tempting and you need help or supplies just email us. 

While our shop is closed we make few runs a week to prep orders. I'm getting good at virtual texting to create custom orders! We send out invoices you can pay online. Then my front porch is the perfect pick-up spot! Or we ship. 

I should be encouraging everyone to use up their stash, finish old WIPs lying about the house.... But who am I kidding! I earned the moniker Cast-On Monster for a reason! So let's cast on something new and exciting!!

BERROCO

Cardi House Party!

I'm really trying hard not to cast on Rhys in the new Cambria-a fantastic linen, baby alpaca and lycell yarn I adore.  I've even swatched! Using the lovely heathery lavender.

Here's few of the Berroco Designer's favorite patterns to tempt you to join their Cardi Party. We have plenty of Berroco yarns in the shop we can make custom kits if you want to join the group to bang out a cardi.

 

We love Remix (top L), Summer Silk (top R), any of the 4 weights of Ultra Wool-our favorite superwash yarn (bottom R is chunky) For a warmer season cardi's there's Pima 100, Modern Cotton worsted or dk.

Another summer favorite: Medina. This is a great multicolor DK weight yarn with great drape and durability. Blend of cotton, acrylic and rayon. A brand new Crochet Medina collection just released. Check out all the patterns for Medina. Super versatile yarn perfect for weavers too!

To help all their retailers Berroco launched a special Drop Ship Program. During the national shut-in, if we don't have yarn you need in the shop, Berroco will pull your order and ship direct to you! Shipping is just $7 from RI.

We've long loved working with Berroco and this new program to help their LYS just bolsters our admiration! Call or email us what you're needing and we do the rest. 

Berroco's Drop Ship Project of the Week. Norah's Vintage Afghan 

Kits Available Online

This is on my To Do List for ages. Chock full of complex cables designed by cable-designer extraordinaire, Norah Gaughn. Every year I want to turn it into a monthly class series. For those who can't wait for me to get around to it...here's a chance to challenge yourself. 

Berroco put together Vintage ($180) and Comfort ($130) kits with their Direct To Home Ship program. Order kits in our online shop. A few pics below just a sample of options.  See here for all the various 10 kit color options.   Free Pattern

 

 

We can also do custom kits from stock in our shop if you prefer a different yarn. We suggest Ultra Wool or Remix for a washable blanket. For pure wool (hand wash) go with Ultra Alpaca or Mercado. Just give us a call if you're interested in ordering a kit. Order Ultra Wool Online. For other yarns email or call us and we'll start making a custom kit to your specifications.

NORO

Knitting Fever launches Apr 16th a new CAL. The pattern is a popular classic, the Noro Crochet Slippers by Yoko Hata, originally published in the sold-out premier issue of Noro Magazine (Fall 2012). 

Purchase Kits Here

This is a fairly quick, portable project and  new pair of slippers might be a welcome gift for anyone, including yourself. Throughout the CAL, Knitting Fever will be posting step-by-step updates and helpful tips for both right and left-handed crocheters. Feel free to join them and post your progress using the hashtag #StayHomeNoroSlippers 

When: Launch date, Thursday, April 16.
Where: Knitting Fever's special Facebook Group and follow us on KFI's Instagram page, 
tag us @knittingfever. 

Download the FREE PATTERN for Noro Crochet Slippers.
 
Materials:
2 (3) skeins Noro Kureyon*
US size E-4 LYKKE crochet hook/ 3.5mm
*Or any Noro yarn in comparable gauge, ie: Silk Garden, Taiyo, etc.

Schedule:
Week One: yarn choices and sole completed.
Week Two: slipper upper completed and finishing techniques.

  
Oh look at the clock! It's Tea Time!! Perfect time to go into garden and cast on! If anyone partakes of any of these KAL/CAL let us know! We'd love to see your handiwork. Email or tag us on instagram @maisie.blue 

 Keep safe and sane!