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! 

New: Berroco Vintage Socks

Let's Talk Socks.....

Knitted socks are the best. Hands-down. Knitting socks (once mastered) is easy-peasy work. It takes practice, but once you find your favorite methods, needles and yarns...they can fly off the needles. They are great travel knitting projects, especially in the dog days of summer. Many knitters always have a pair going as a back up for just in case (your luggage is lost....or....you're in between bigger projects.....or....sitting at long lights in the city......or......a nervous flyer that knits to forget you are flying......so many reasons!)

Berroco Vintage Sock  

Just launched is a great affordable sock yarn Berroco Vintage Sock. Perfect to not bust the bank, cut your teeth on your first sock knitting adventure, or to make adorable small footie socks! Lots of great patterns in this booklet. 

The blend of wool/acrylic/nylon key to making these super long wearing, durable and sturdy. Holding up in the washer and dryer. Don't fear the acrylic....it's a high-quality, super-fine acrylic. Perfect to make this sock yarn pocketbook friendly. Because once you branch out to indie dyed, handpaited sock yarns....the price can get up there!  

Today there's many method options for sock knitting: magic loop; two circulars; addi Flexi-flips; special 9" sock circulars, or just old-fashioned dpn's. Experiment to find which method suits you best. Everyone has a preference.

Berroco's #441 Vintage Socks booklet filled with lots of patterns to choose from (Berroco booklets: on our website here). Just grab a ball or two of Vintage Sock yarn and you're ready to cast on! With summer around the corner the shortie-socks are calling my name! 

Berrco has a bunch of great sock knitting tips to help ease the process. Berroco's Tips for Socks 

SUMMER KAL: Knit 2 Socks in 1 

July - Aug 2023: Thurs 12-2pm

Join in on our latest shop KAL. Starts Jul 13th through Aug 2023. We meet Thur from 12-2pm. No fee to attend but please sign up on our website and purchase supplies with us. You'll need the book, sock yarn and appropriate sized needles, and other various notions (stitch markers, tapestry needle, tape measure, etc,...). Informal KALs with no specific instructions. We all just help each other along! 

Summer Sock KAL July - Aug 2023

Join us for our next KAL: Knit 2 Socks in 1. We'll meet each Thurs 12-2pm from Jul 13th to end of Aug. No fee to attend but please sign up on our website. Helps us gauge how chairs to have out and books to order up! The sock yarn we've got covered! Plenty of that always in stock.  

It's an informal KAL (knit along) not a class. We'll help each other as we work our way through the book. It's an amazing new sock technique that is life-altering! 

You literally knit a tube then do strategic steaks for heels/cuffs/toes and Bob's Your Uncle! You got two socks! Beauty of this technique is you focus on the easy parts first (big long tube with a few lifelines added). Then you do the hard parts (heels, toes) one after the other. Author uses same basic heel and toe construction too. Many life-long sock knitters are hooked on making socks this way now. 

The book is detailed with tons of patterns for different types of socks. Also uses different weights, so there's chunky beds socks, skinny no-show socks and baby booties! A total of 7 styles and 21 patterns. Contains a wealth of sock knitting info. We give 15% supplies discount when you sign up for the KAL. 

We ask you purchase supplies with us in lieu of charging a workshop fee. Help us keep it free and fun! Come with your supplies and ready to cast on. Various methods will be in use (dons, magic loop, flexi-flips, two-circulars) and we'll all share tips/tricks as we stumble along. So pick you took of choice and grab some sock yarn. See you starting Jul 13th! 

2023 Summer Sweater KAL: Jody Long's Verdi

Want to make a summer sweater? 

Join us for our Jody Long Verdi KAL starting April 28th. Verdi was the most popular pattern during Jody's recent US LYS Tour and proved same for our customers. Hence the KAL!

Meet-ups are during our regular Friday sessions12-2pm. Come pick out yarn, get your pattern, choose size etc. Then cast on your swatch (yes....swatching a must!), knit up your sweater and (hopefully) you'll be wearing it by June! Join us when you can make it, or need help...or encouragement...or as an excuse to just sit and knit for a few hours. Weather finally turning warmer so patio table ready and waiting for us to work away at on our Verdi sweaters! Might try to get a zoom session with Jody to show off our finished sweaters if his schedule allows. 

Verdi uses a new yarn Lino Moda, a perfect DK linen/cotton blend. The strength of linen pairs beautifully with soft cotton for a yarn that holds it shape and wears well over time. Great for all things baby, kids and garments.

Colors are delightfully tonal. This is achieved since each fiber takes the dye differently. Creates a tonal marl effect.  This imparts a rich depth to finished items, be they garments, baby blankets, tote bags, crochet projects..... all are wonderful. It's a great 

KAL are great way to work collectively with others on same pattern. It helps to have others in same boat, as we all work our way to the finish line. We can help each other with the tricky bits, offer tips and tricks along the way, and provide encouragement when the knitting gets boring! Kim's got swatches made and will help initiate you to the joys of swatching! Can't avoid that crucial step when making garments. Our Lino Moda order arrived and already a reorder on it's way (few colors sold out fast!). Come by the shop to see pattern and yarns to see if you're up for the challenge. 

Join us for the Spring Sweater KAL

starting April 28th from 12-2pm! 

Jody Long Event Recap

Our Jody event in March was a blast and super informative. We learned all about Jody's personal background, his attention to tailoring details of his patterns (thanks to his Grandmother....a Royal Tailor to Queen Elizabeth!) and his love of designing flattering garments with little modern touches. How he'd skip school to knit in the woods by his house. His career trajectory and shocking ability to crank out a finished sweater in just a few days. 

Grateful for our lovely model, Brig! She's now ready to tour the world with Jodi as his fit model. Our handsome sales rep Joseph happily played dress up as well, in addition to escorting Jody around on the tour. 

Having piles of Jody's hand knit garments to see and try on was awesome. Makes a huge difference. As a result of this event we brought in Coastline, an aran weight cotton blend we hadn't brought into shop before. After seeing how great it works up, we said "yep! we need this yarn too!" 

Another important fact: Jody prefers to sweaters in pieces, not top down. This allows for a better constructed garment that is more flattering to wear. I know...I hear the groans of "I hate seaming," but if you're wanting sweaters to fit and flatter....rethink avoiding seams. He's not totally averse to in the round patterns....but only when the fit of the final garment is enhanced by this method. Think of knitting in round like a pole, with the rounds slanted up as you go. When put on a body there's a subtle twist to the garment that can be less than flattering. Hence his preference for pieces vs. "tubes". 

We also learned Jody is one of world's fastest knitters! He clocks in just behind the official world champion. We hear they're going to have knit off one of these days and he hopes to become #1! It was mesmerizing watching how fast his fingers fly! No wonder he can design so many patterns each year. He can finish a sweater in 3 days or so, a shawl in 2 nights. Truly impressive! 

Despite the very stormy, windy, blustery, wet, wild day.....we have perfect turn out. About 20ish total. Thank you everyone for braving the elements! Jody loved it! His future plans next year's tour involve classes and workshops! Thank you Mom for making your awesome Clam Chowder and tons of cookies! 

Most importantly we learned he never uses this typical pattern writing shortcut "just reverse shaping"  when it's time to make the right or left fronts. Instead he writes all the parts of his pattern out so it's easy to follow!! That "just reverse shaping" is one of our pet bugaboos (Jody's too) and a real PITA. Now we foresee many Jody Long sweater patterns being knit at maisieblue in the future! Yippee!....Kim can cast on more sweaters!!! But don't hold your breath she'll finish them any time soon..... LOL 

January Newsletter: Winter Sweater KAL

Winter Sweater KAL: Lettlopi Cardigan Coat

I'm making this pattern: #1504 Top Down Cable Cardigan to replace my ratty-tatty, much worn, pilled filled shawl collar long sweater coat (that I dearly love but has seen better days):

It's a Knitting Pure and Simple and one I've longed to tackle. After swatching between the Lettlopi and Mercado, I chose the Icelandic Lopi. I was hoping the chunky Alfasloppi would work but alas....the pattern gauge is 18st = 4" so the worsted version won. Plus the Lopi yarns are know for their lightweight lofty quality so garments are very warm but not heavy.

With my tension I'm using a #7 because it yields a tad tighter fabric, better for a jacket that needs durability over drape. I'll try on as I go and if needed pop up to next larger size if it seems to be working up smallish. Want this baby to go over my cozy, warm flannel shirts so need to have positive ease. 

At moment we have loads of Lopi  as well as Mercado (my second choice) up front and center on display. This year we had amazing woven wool Lopi Blankets in the shop and there's a few left. Decided it was perfect time to highlight the blankets (did I say how much I Love Love Love these blankets?) and showcase all the Lopi yarns while winter is still here.

Alfaslopi (chunky) and Lettlopi are listed up in our online shop with links and descriptions of why this is a unique wool. It's only in Iceland and we're lucky to have Berroco distribute here in US. Head over to the shop to read more details on this unique wool yarn.

Designer Spotlight: Diane Soucy is designer behind Knitting Pure and Simple patterns, one of the most are solid, dependable and easy patterns around. Only drawback: no schematics but that's really it. Majority of the designs are top down and classic shapes. Fit is usually generous, boxy vs. fitted, with some of her newer designs including tips on shaping to make a more fitted garment. These classic shapes are easy to tweek or change up.

On the Bookshelf

For my next book, I'm looking at this new time travel / mystery / suspense series by Julie McElwain: The Kendra Donovan Series. It's utter escapist fantasy for those who love a good time-travel story.

The protagonist is a young, up and coming FBI agent who is caught up in a disastrous mission leaving her partners dead. She then sets out to track down those responsible but instead gets caught up in a time portal and whoosh! She's in same castle location but it's 1815. Thrust into adapting into a new world., her investigative skills prove handy when a body is found dead and Kendra needs to find the killer. Plot is important so this is a series to read in order. 

A friend loved the first book up and quickly wanted the whole series. She said it was such fun to read and can't wait to read the rest. Fast-paced, fun, suspenseful.... a perfect series to gobble up. And yes...I admit it...the covers are what first attracted my attention then "time-travel" hooked me!

Newsflash!

The next installment in the Lane Winslow Series by Iona Wishaw releases April 27th!

Yeah!! Here's sneak peek of the cover: This is a fantastic series and has kept many of us happily following the adventures of Lane and her neighbors during the past year of the pandemic. I CAN'T WAIT!! I've listed it up in our online shop if anyone wants to pre-order.

 

More Good News!

There is a new Maisie Dobbs our Mar 23rd!! It's just out in hardcover so order ahead if you want a copy. Paperback won't release until 2022.

In meantime if you want something to tide you over, you can read Jacqueline's newly release memoir of her childhood in Kent, This Tine Next Year We'll Be Laughing. Also in hardcover but the paperback is out this summer. 

The above is a charming how to / inspiration book with wit and wisdom of Maisie (and Jacqueline who before her success as an author was a Life Coach!). This gem is fun to dip into when you need a bit of uplifting advice or just a dose of Maisie as we wait for her next installment to arrive! 

Traditionally March heralds a new Maisie Dobbs release. For me personally it's filled with fond memories of my first day as a new Mum, sitting outside with Jordi sleeping in his seat, me drinking tea and eating Girl Scout Carmel Delites....while reading my latest Maisie. And my beloved Siamese mama-cat, Tazzi snuggled on my lap, keeping me warm. 

 

Enjoy January Everyone!