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close knit: the neighborhood yarn shop
Take a look at this pretty new yarn from Plymouth! Incan Spice is a wool/alpaca/silk/yak blend...quite the combination! The silk gives it a really pretty luster, the alpaca and yak create an amazing halo, and the merino gives it some strength.
Plymouth has released a few patterns for this yarn, a fairisle hat and a simple lace cowl. That hat requires three colors, and the cowl is worked up with just one ball!
The colors are really rich and beautiful, and there is a cute little yak on the label. What more could you want?
We have more hand dyed speckles! The dyers at Plymouth Yarns know what they are doing apparently. This is Estilo, a single ply sport weight.
It reminds me a bit of some Tosh yarns we used to carry. The speckles are so subtle, and the color combinations are really unusual. It seems like the knitted fabric would have some lovely drape and flow, so I would use it for a shawl or scarf or something flowy. Stop in and take a look!
I realize that swatching is not everyone's favorite part of a project. But when you get to use a beautiful shade of Harrisville Flywheel, it's really not so bad. This is the Stonewall colorway, but I think I bought all of it. Don't worry. The other shades are gorgeous, too.
Emily wants to teach you knitting magic! Brioche stitch creates this gorgeous, double-sided fabric that is thick and squishy and so satisfying to knit and wear. I made a brioche cowl years ago, and the finished product reminded me of a sea creature.
Emily used the Brioche Basix pattern, a freebie on Ravelry. You can use that pattern for the class, or any other brioche pattern that you like. My cowl is a mashup of the Purl Soho Brioche Cowl and the Newsprint Cowl, if that one looks appealing.
Class starts August 1 at 6:30! Give us a call at the shop or pop in to sign up.
We love a good speckled yarn, and the Baby Alpaca Hand Dyes are always just perfect. The whole range of hand dyes is really beautiful, but the speckles always get me. I'm in love with all five. The Plymouth website gives you an idea of how they will knit up when you scroll over each colorway, but it seems to me that the skeins we have in stock have more white background showing through than the swatches on the website. I did a little Ravelry search to give you a better idea of what to expect.
The photo above shows 141 (blues and brights) and 145 (pinks and purples).
These two are 142 (blues and blacks) and 144 (browns and oranges and yellows). And this one below is 143 (PINK).
Obviously, they are not going to knit up the same way between dye lots, so you might get some slight variations from what you see on Ravelry. But they are all so beautiful, you are guaranteed a lovely finished product!
My week has started with a whirlwind! How about you all? I'm hoping to squeeze in a little calming knitting this evening to soothe my soul. In the meantime, here's a lovely hat and some pretty Swans Island yarn for your viewing pleasure.
Look at this big ol' batch of Cotton Supreme! Such pretty colors, and the yarn is so very squishy. I've used this for cute little baby hats, which are in the shop as samples, and I know a few knitters have used it for blankets. I have face cloths and washcloths on the brain, though, so that needs to happen.
There are at least six fresh shades of Kureyon in the shop. It took us a few minutes to find them all, but they are sure pretty. All you Noromanicas out there, come and get it!
Yes, I did look a little crazy as I took these pictures out on the street corner. But this beautiful Fibra Natura Flax deserved to be seen in some sunlight! This beautiful sport/DK weight pure linen is available in a range of summery shades for all kinds of great projects...pullovers, cardigans, wraps, bags, facecloths. Your finished items will be machine washable and dryable. In fact, whatever you create with this yarn will soften up appreciably with each washing.
We are also happy to see Flax Lace in the shop this season. It's a much lighter weight, and a much softer color palette. So lovely and sophisticated.
Imagine a floaty wrap using this beautiful yarn. Lace patterns, garter stitch...either one would be really lovely to wear, and the perfect thing to be knitting on this summer.
The linen always goes fast, so if you see colors that you love, pop in soon and make them yours!
The fall issue of Knitscene is out, and it is chock full of cute cardigans with lovely details. Let's take a look!
This one has thumb holes on those extra long cuffs!
I also loved the shawl on the cover, and these cute little mitts.
I remember reading somewhere that one should always be knitting or sewing for the next season. Can we start knitting for fall now? Always?
I do love knitting on the beach. This is the start of my (third) Tea with Jam and Bread, this time for my littlest one in colors of her choosing. I'm using good ol' Cascade 220 again, which softens up so much and stands up to some serious abuse. Not the most summery of projects, but the kid needs a new sweater for fall.
I hope your summer knitting is relaxing and satisfying! We will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, but otherwise we are open regular summer hours this week. Happy July!
