Mondays are for Yarn

Fall has officially arrived here in Portland.  I know we'll be having a few more spotty days of sunshine and warmish weather before we really hunker down, but September 23 has come and gone, so I say it's fall.

I know more than a few of you are just as happy to see the rain as I am, so I feel comfortable admitting that I am quite pleased to welcome back the season of rain boots, Gore-tex, and woolly layers.  In celebration, we will be open every single Monday from 10 to 6 through the knitting season.

I am also quite happy to welcome more new yarn to the shop.  This pretty pile is Breathless from Shalimar Yarns.  It's a fingering weight merino, cashmere, silk blend that reminds me a little bit of Madelinetosh Pashmina.  The Breathless colors are beautiful, with a tonal richness that knits up into an interesting final product.  We've already had at least one knitter match up a few lovely shades of blue for the Stripe Study Shawl from Ravelry designer Veera of Rain Knitwear Designs.  We are trying it out right now to see how you all like it.  If you love it and want more, please let us know!  How about a few more beauty shots?

We also have a fresh batch of Jojoland Melody Superwash in some rich fall colors.

Many of you know and love this from the Swirl Scarf and Shawl we discussed in September last year.  We have been out of the deeper colors all summer, but now they are back, and they are lovely.  My favorites are: MS26, MS12, MS27, and MS36 (left to right).

Melody Superwash is a fingering weight, machine washable merino/nylon blend.  It would make some mighty fine socks, but it seems to be used more often for scarves and shawls.  The color repeat is very long on this yarn, so it won't knit up like a variegated yarn.  It stripes over several rows, longer or shorter depending on how wide your piece is.  There is a bit of a cult following for this yarn.  If you are part of that cult, come and get it while we have a nice deep stock to choose from.

Ann also delivered a lovely mohair scarf to the shop...some biasing, some garter stitch, and a little ruching for you.  It's a freebie pattern at the shop with the purchase of just two balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze.  I feel that this little darling would be the PERFECT gift for the woman who is perhaps a little hard to please.  Add a little sparkle by knitting it up in Luna instead.

I know my fellow rain-worshipers are out there, because we chat about this on Sundays.  Well, it is our time, my friends.  And now you have Mondays to enjoy even more yarny inspiration.  See you soon.

Swirl Shawl

JoJoland's Swirl Shawl has a bit of a cult following. We often have trouble keeping the pattern in stock. Knit with JoJoland Melody Superwash, the design takes advantage of the yarn's gradual color changes. Although the final shawl looks as if it is comprised of dozens of medallions sewn together, the whole thing actually knits up in one piece. The shawl version uses five balls of Melody, and the scarf version included in the same pattern uses just three. The lace pattern is deceptively simple, and the final result is certainly eye-catching. We have a nice stock of Melody at the shop right now, including some really beautiful, rich colors. I like the red to dark brown the best (#18), but the deep purpley-blue (#12) is a close second for me.
In addition to the Swirl Shawl, we have several other patterns written for Melody, including Hidden Squares, which also plays up the color changes in the yarn.
Any of these would be a lovely gift, either as a finished knitted scarf or as a kit for a knitter you love. Stop by to check out the samples and admire the yarn and new patterns before they disappear again.