New: Friday Drop-In Summer Sock Circle KAL

Weekly Friday KAL Summer Sock Circle

Now is the time if you've wanted to tackle socks. Starts June 7th with our weekly sock drop-in circles: Fridays 12-2pm. Maureen will guide you along as you tackle your first, or umpteenth sock. Her favorite go-to sock pattern: Crazy Sock Lady's 9" circular Vanilla Sock. Come to pick out yarn, needles and get your complementary pattern for joining our group. 

Maureen l-o-v-e-s making socks! You'll benefit from her years of sock knitting experience. Lots of tips & tricks as she coaches you toward the finish line. Check out the Crazy Sock Lady youtube channel for lots of video tutorials. Here's the  9"Circulars video for a preview of our Summer Sock Circle. Come by June 7th with your sock WIPs, problem-socks, or come cast on a new sock project. 

Last summer we held a Sock KAL using the Knit 2 Socks in 1 book (Kim is still working on her socks...) If you're intrigued by this awesome sock method join us on Fridays. It involves a tube, life lines and (eek!) steeks...or cutting your yarn on purpose! (Yes, we "cut" stitches on purpose!)

Note these Friday Circle are a free KAL/drop-in sessions for those wanting an excuse gather weekly and knit on socks with others!. It's for those who know basics of knitting and want to up their game with a new challenge.* Or be challenged to actually finish socks already on the needles

 (........Kim hides behind desk......drags her multiple sock wips with her.....) 

Socks are the perfect summer-travel-project to shove in your bag and hit the road! Let's go! It's summertime and the knittin' is good! 

"Honey I can't do that now...I've got to go to my Sock Circle!"

*Want to Learn How To Knit? Sign up for individual classes with Kim. Sessions this summer on select Thurs Jun-Aug. Watch for future blog posts or call/email to inquire*

Trunk Show: Berroco Vintage Baby Mar 25-Apr 4th

Come view this Trunk Show Mar 25-Apr 4th at the shop. The patterns in the new Vintage Baby Digital Collection are the bomb!! P-E-R-F-E-C-T knit and crochet projects for a new baby....or two....or three! Last year Berroco debuted Vintage Baby. 

It's a perfect little ball of "baby" (dk/sport weight) yarn. Smaller yardage means less expensive so perfect for baby projects that often use less yarn. Vintage Baby is a lovely blend of fine acrylic + wool = superwash! Another reason it's a yarn destined for all things baby or kid. 

Megan and I are so excited about this collection we squealed with delight when Rep Betsy showed us. This crochet blanket is gorgeous! Watch for kits in the future because making up colorways is one of my favorite pastimes! Maybe I'll finally focus on improving my crochet skills with Frankie the Blankie!

Kirby is an adorable sweater, just right for a wee baby or toddler. Just 2-3 balls needed to become a family heirloom for any new baby or toddler. 

If the lace pattern a bit too twee....just ignore and make it all St St instead. Or if feeling adventurous add a few stripes in the yoke. However done...Kirby will be a perfect fast knit,  easy to crank out for the next baby shower on the calendar. You'll have everyone oohing and ahhing with delight (in between silly shower games and yummy cake). 

Below are two versions showing how color choice can change the tenor. Top is in a soft golden while the bottom is in a bolder, more saturated lemon yellow. To make less delicate....opt to leave out the lace pattern and choose the bold hue and bingo... a perfect little baby boy sweater. Or add buttons all the way down for a more traditional Grandpa-Cardi look. 

Babies need hats and Ray, a lovely striped bonnet is perfect for topping wee ones little noggins. 

And no self-respecting baby can be without a lovey, cuddly animal. Harper the Elephant is not only adorable, but co-ordinates nicely with this whole layette! 

Here's a few other free pattern options: Two adorable blankets: Baby Fern Lake (knit) and Baby Eden(crochet). 

Cardis: Skylar (crochet) and Dylan (knit) and Speckles (knit). Pullover: Elena (knit)  

And another adorablehat! Fayeyre

If you're looking for a baby project...come see the trunk show starting Mar 25th! 

Extra Credit Points for those Reading to End...

Sneak Peek At What's Ahead

March Kit of the Month

Noro Entrelac Pillow 

Spring Mystery Box

Big mystery even to us still! LOL 

The Muse of Inspiration will strike. 

She likes to be unexpectedly inspiring! 

Friday Fundays

Open Stitch Drop Ins Return in April.... finally! 

Place to sit, work on projects together 

and encourage each other to finish....

espeically Kim! 

Enjoy the Day! 

New Stuff: Lykke Cypra Sets & Lantern Moon Ebony Line

 Cypra Needles

This week discovered our little shop one of a few to get the Lykke Cypra Needles sets! (Don't judge me still using pumpkins and fall leaves for display....it looks awesome with the gorgeous chocolate suede cases! LOL) 

New from Lykke the long-awaited for metal option to their popular wood and bamboo interchangeable needle sets. Made from pure, unsealed copper so over time a beautiful patina emerges. Or you can do special cleaning regime to keep shiny, just like a brand new penny. Details from Lykke:

CYPRA COPPER NEEDLES are made from 100% copper and will acquire a lovely soft patina with continued use or if preferred, the copper needles will remain bright and shiny by using our specially-developed Copper Polishing Cloths. This add-on accessory product is a two-part system containing an inner cloth that is treated with a trade-secret formula to remove tarnish and to restore luster without scratching or removing the finish. The 100% cotton outer cloth provides a gleaming shiny finish. 

Last spring, my rep emailed, saying I needed to get in the queue for the next new Lykke needle. Here's a peek at our converstion about Cypra needles sets:

Rep: "You should order and get in the queue now for Cypra. Going to be hot and sell out fast. And they're copper!" 

Me: "Copper? Ick....will they make fingers smell like pennies?!" (I hate that smell.....)

Rep: "No! But there's awesome properties with using and wearing copper, so they're healthy too...." LOL 

Me: "Oh! I just read a new study out on how copper is a great virus-killer, it stops cold viruses on contact. So in therory can I use my new needles when I run out of Zicam swabs?" (I am addicted to Zicam....)

Rep: ROTHFLOL "Kim I can't suggest you stick needle up your nose to prevent covid or colds.....but..... we could tell Lykke there's a new selling point to add to the marketing sell sheet" (She falls off chair again, ROTHFLOL) 

Me: "Okay...sold...order me up some!" 

We love our Rep's great sense of humor and spend too much time laughing during our appointments. I promised not to use my needles for anything other than knitting.... 

Cypra includes a new, clear memory-free, swivel style cord and have both metric and US sizes etched onto needle. You get a generous ranges of sizes, cords and accessories compared to other brands:

3.5" tip set includes:

• 9 pairs IC  tips  (US 3 - 10.5)
• 4 x clear MEMORY-FREE Swivel Cables (2-12", 1-16", 1-20" lemgths)
• 2 connector
• 4 keys 
• 8 stoppers
• Vegan Suede handcrafted case
• Great for small circumference projects like socks, hats, and children's clothing.

5" tip set includes:

• 12 pairs of IC (US 4 - 17)
• 5 x clear MEMORY-FREE Swivel Cables (2-24", 2-32", 1-40" lengths)
• 2 connectors
• 4 keys
• 8 stoppers
• Vegan Suede handcrafted case!

LYKKE stands behind their products and guarantees your set for 5 years against manufacturer's defects. You can contact them for warranty issues at Lykke Crafts Warranty. Only few sets left and listed up online with all our Lykke Sets.

Useful Tips & Tricks

• Use the key to tighten when putting tips onto the cords. A non-negotiable step. You think you can hand-tighten enough.,...but trust us....you can't. We've tested it and the tips stay on when we use the key. Sometimes after a long session of knitting I notice one tip slightly unscrews a bit. Then I just get my key, tighten and back to work I go. If I don't use the key....then I'm seeing the tips unscrew right away. So hang onto those magical little keys! 

• Interchangeable cords make great stitch holders. With the stoppers you have a ready-made stitch holder. Nothing worse than a bunch of stitches on those straight, hard plastic and long stitich holders that just get in the way. Instead put a stopper on end and a needle tip on other. Transfer your stitches to this cord. Remove needle tip and replace with the stoppers. Bing bam boom! A much nicer stitch holder! 

Lantern Moon's Ebony Needles, Hooks & Fabric Cases

Just a quick blurb for now since hot off the delivery truck. Lantern Moon is back and launched these new needles and fabric cases. I'm using a pair to swatch and liking how they feel. The needle and hook storage cases are a lovely. Alas...no case for straight needles, but options for circulars, interchangeables and hooks.  

Next week I vow to talk books! Promise. Wanted to get word out we have the Cypra's because they're hard to come by right now. Glad I listen when told to get in the queue! LOL 

Shop Mystery KAL for Jan

Join us for a Jan Mystery KAL!

One of our favorite knitters, Michelle Hunter (aka KnitPurlHunter.com and author of the  Building Blocks books series and an awesome video library) hosts regular KALs. For first time all the planets aligned so we can join in the fun with her next endeavor.

What pray tell is on tap for Jan 2015? It's a unisex cabled scarf using Hikoo's Kenzie yarn called Endgame






Here's how it works:

Michelle releases parts of the pattern each Thurs. mornings in Jan on her blog. There's no pictures posted until the big reveal at end of the month so we have to knit it to see it.

Our Shop KAL starts Jan 4 or 5 (Sun or Mon) from 1-4ish. It's  free so just Come by, (call or email) to sign up and to pick out your yarn. Then cast on with us. As always with Michelle there's new techniques & skills learned as we knit away. By month's end we'll have a lovely modern cabled scarf, mad new skills and a gift ready for gifting. So join us on Sun or Mon during month of January.

Materials List:

• Kenzie by HiKoo, 50% New Zealand merino, 25% nylon, 10% angora, 10% alpaca, 5% silk noils, 3(4) skeins – all the same color (just arrived in the shop: new brighter colors! )
• Waste yarn -contrasting color in a similar weight to Kenzie, 10 yards
• US #6 (4mm) straight or circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• US #7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• Cable needle
• Tapestry needle

 

Check out all of Michelle's previous KALs for examples of her designs.  Prizes are usually involved on her blog so be sure to register and check out what's needed to qualify.