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'!

New Noro Summer 2023: Akari, Akari Solo

Akari & Akari Solo

Yum! This is the soft, silky fluid Noro Akari in lovely "solid" complimentary shades. For customers who eschew Noro's rougher, naturalistic texture....we hand them Akari or Akari Solo. Blend of 26% silk, 21% cotton, 15% rayon, 14% mohair, 12% wool & 12% nylon. It's high rayon content provides a lovely soft touch and perfect drape. 

Imagine the squeals when our latest shop samples arrived from KFI. It was a Thurs Sock KAL day so there was a cacophony of delightful "squeees" as we all fondled this: 

Meet #18 Bisect. The beauty of this little top-down pullover: written for stripes of both Akaris, or just Akari Solo. Looks just as lovely in the solid version. The sample is SO soft and squishy! A true revelation at how gorgeous both Akari yarns are for sweaters. 

Pattern in the latest Noro Magazine #22. Great issue chock full of many pattern potentials future projects (see patterns here). We now have shop samples of #12 Assateague (Sonata & Sonata Shima) & #14 Spectra (Haruito). More on these new summer yarns in a later post. But they're great cotton Noro! Perfect for warm weather projects. The Spectra cardi would be perfect in Akari Solo for cool weather. 

Noro Magazine #22 Spring/Summer 2023

Find Sonata, Sonata Shima & Hariuto in shop. Coming soon to website. 

Akaris Pattern Ideas: Nighshift 

The Nightshift pattern is a long-popular Andrea Mowry staple. It's addictive knitting at it's best. Noro is a perfect choice. Our shop sample used Akari + Silk Garden, in that super-popular colorway that's always out of stock. Now with Akari Solo even easier. Just pick 1 color of each. Hardest part is choosing with color combo! 

We prefer to use just 2 colors and 40 row repeat option. Streamlines the pattern to 1 pg (Six color version is 11 pgs!). Makes it much easier to knit. Still: Keep diligent notes as you go! It's very easy to mess up the pattern if you're not paying attention! Unless you're wanting practice "tinking" back.  

Closeup: Kim's Nightshift Shawl (shop sample)

My pattern notes literally resemble hieroglyphics as I charted my progress. But I loved it and the slipping, sliding, and genius edging (beautiful technique for semi-cord edges). 

 

If triangle shawl not your thing....try the smaller Shift cowl. Same basic technique and look, but in a kerchief style cowl. These make great gifts and excellent way to use up stash. Andrea always has loads great new techniques so plenty of learning takes place. Fortunately she posts many videos on her website to help. Or even easier.... Shiftalong hat. These take DK or fingering so Akari won't work. But Noro Silk Garden Sock and Silk Garden Sock Solo perfect subs. 

New Noro Yarns and an Event!

Come in store for a special Noro event with our hilarious and beloved Noro rep, Gilda. She's great at helping find perfect patterns for all your Noro. If you have stash, questions, problems bring 'em! Gilda will help you and provide lots of laughs. Most of our new Fall Noro here as well. We'll also toast the memory of Mr Noro-san who sadly passed away last month. 

Join us celebrate our love of all things Noro. 

Thurs Oct 27th 4-6pm 

Malvinas Beautiful, saturated Noro Solids! Vibrant and versatile Malinvas is perfect for colorwork projects, a cute and stripey number to keep you cozy, or just a single, bright semi-solid to show off your stitches. It's 100% Merino wool sourced from Las Islas Malvinas in Falkland Islands, Argentina.  It's a work-horse wonder at a user-friendly worsted-weight yarn. Gauge range: knit 14-18 stitches per 4" US7-8 needles, or crochet sc 9.5-12.5 st 4" on US# 7-H hook.  Each 150g ball is a generous 328 yards and there's 14 complimentary colors specifically designed to match the gauge and colors of other popular yarns in the Noro family, such as Kureyon, Ito, Silk Garden, and Viola. Just look at all the ways you can combine Malvinas with your favorite Noro colors! I'm obsessed with the Koko Blanket and am determined to master this crochet hex! It's on my short-bucket-list. Both the Poppy and Emily Poncho are super easy knits (two rectangles pretty much) using combo Ito or Kureyon with Malvinas. Dahlia uses it with Viola in this brioche wrap. Below are a great color block cardi, #8 Moldavite and #9 Legrandite, an intarsia vest. Both in the soon released issue #21 Noro Magazine.  Can we talk Stashbusting? Malvinas is great in combo with your Noro stash too. Just pop into the shop and we'll help you plan how to use it to reduce your stash. In fact bring your stash to the Noro Event Oct 27th to get help on using it up. We have a  Ravelry Stashbusting Bundle patterns for inspiration.  (Kim "collects" patterns in addition to casting on too many projects....it's called Pattern Trawling and a great way to procrastinate!)  Haunui Silk  Haunui Silk is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! A natural blend of raw mulberry silk and unique mixed-breed Haunui merino wool from the Taranui farm in New Zealand. We adore last year's unique merino Haunui so this is a no brainer!  Take the gorgeous natural colors of the Haunui Sheep and add luscious raw mulberry silk to create a marled blend. Gorgeous neutrals of course (the hallmark of this line) with the zing of silk. It's a single ply with a sprightly, thick and thin quality, which lends itself to easy and advanced stitchwork by creating its own texture. Soft, squishy, and with a touch of shine Pretty sure there's going to be another hat on my needles soon! Below is #4 Hokitika and takes 1 hank Haunui Silk and 1 Furreal Pom Pom! We got both in stock!  Below are the beautiful color-blocked scarf, #1 Akaroa (1 hank ea 3 colors) and #2 Taranaki, a stunning shawl collar, cabled cardi (6-7 hanks).  This neutral palette perfect for any of the afghan or lap blanket too. This will be perfect for using with Akari. Kim's Nightshift Shawl below used one color Akari with Silk Garden #269, a highly coveted/hard-to-get cream based neutral. Now Haunui Silk works just as well!  Additionally the new 2022 Haunui arrived. Because it's undyed each season varies slightly. This time there's an lovely light oatmeal! Both Haunui and Haunui Silk are available in store and online!  Kashirukuru Last of the new Fall 2022 Noro yarns is Kashirukuru. Another richly saturated color palette in same Falklands merino base as Malvinas, but with addition of Mongolian cashmere and Japanese mulberry silk!!  More luxurious blends ups the price a bit...but there's a perfect 1-2 skein cowl, and 3-4 skein scarf. Either pattern makes for a perfect holiday gift. The Lila Cowl features the seed stitch to create a simple and lovely two-color striped cowl, perfect for adding a little warm flair to any fit. The wide Origami Scarf will surely catch the eye with its elegant, three-dimensional arrow motif and compliment your jacket as the weather cools. The Celeste Cowl features the basket weave stitch for a textured, woven look with just one skein! At 16-18 stitches per 4 inches on US 7-8 needles, the 75 gram skeins contain 180 yards and come in 10 bold colors. Any of the 1 hank patterns make perfect gifts. Not yet in the shop but expect it to arrive by early Nov.  Noro Magazines The 10th Anniversary Issue #21 due any day now. In meantime there's plenty of past issues for inspiration. The beauty of Noro is many yarns are easily substituted. Just look up which weight a yarn is then see which in same category could work instead.  In honor of this decade milestone KFI having a year-long KAL: A Voyage East Afghan/  Blanket designed for Silk Garden and Silk Garden Solo, but as with Noro yarns creative substitutions always a possibility. More details on Facebook, Ravelry.