Eye Candy

I love it when sweet treasures show up in the shop. These lovely, loosely-woven handkerchiefs are so unusual. The ones above are the perfect size for wrapping up your hair or a gift. These brightly colored double-sided ones are smaller, but so adorable.

These locally-made project bags are also pretty fabulous. They are double thickness with a nice substantial draw string, so they are going to last. We are expecting more soon for the Rose City Yarn Crawl. Stop in and see the pretty things!

Tiny Notions!

Look at all the wee things in this basket! Stitch markers, pins, scissors, enamel pins, and hand salve for you. This cute llama(?) wishes to see you soon.

Eye Candy

I know this basket might not look like much to a non-knitter, but those of us who know can recognize all kinds of awesome in here.

We have interchangeable needle sets from Lykke, ChiaoGoo, Knitter's Pride, as well as addi Flexi Flips, which will essentially eliminate the need for double-pointed needles. These high-quality tools will make knitting even more fun and make great gifts! If you are hoping to receive some of this awesome for the holidays, send your people in and we will make sure they bring home the best stuff for you.

Rafa's Hat and Targhee Worsted

Sometimes a pattern and a yarn are just meant to be together, and this combination seems to be one of those times. The free Rafa's Hat pattern (thank you, Joji) and the soft and supple Targhee Worsted from Knitted Wit are a match made in knitting heaven.

The design is all about ribbing, but with a little interest so you don't get bored. The all-over rib also means that it will fit a range of head sizes, so it's great for gifts if that's a thing you do.

This yarn is truly soft and bouncy, but it's also hefty enough that it will stand up to some long-term use. We have a range of beautiful semi-solids, as well as some lovely variegated shades. It's definitely hat season for me, and it might even be gift knitting season. I hope this prefect combination inspires you to cast on!

Interweave Knits, Gifts Edition

The new Interweave Knits Gifts is here! As usual, it's chock full of good stuff. Let's look...

Some great colorwork hats and mitts and cowls...

Love these cabled and textured pieces, too. (This hat is my favorite.)

 

 

How about this gorgeous hap shawl?

And, of course, the musk ox, the llama, French bull dog, and racoon.

The gifts issue is always a good one! See anything that inspires you?

Pantry Products

I'm loving these fabulous slaves and balms from Pantry Products. Muscle Salves, Boo Boo Balms, and Body Butters...yes, please.

I don't know about you, but my skin is crazy dry from all the heated air in my house and the constant hand washing this germ season. They hurt! Plus, when I sit down to knit, I always find myself with little snags and rough spots that take away from the pleasure of my needles and yarn. Body Butters to the rescue! (I am also excited to try the Muscle Salve, because I am just generally sore the closer I get to forty.) Let us know what you think about these lovely Pantry Products!

Lucky You!

Did you receive a lovely Close Knit gift certificate in your holiday loot this year? (I did!) Pop in to the shop and choose something you'll love to make and use. Nothing like having a new project ready for the new year! 

We are open 10-6 today (Wednesday), but no Open Knit this week. Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be regular hours this week as well. See you soon!

Classy Gifts

Did you know we can apply your gift certificates to any and all Close Knit classes?

Are you a fledgling knitter, looking to up your skills? Adrienne's Beginning and Beyond Thursday night class might be just right for you. If you are struggling with the basics or looking to try the next thing, she can get you going. Bring a project or just grab some needles and yarn. She will get you on the right track.

If you prefer hooks to needles, Melissa's Crochet Workshop on Sunday afternoons is your class. She can help you refresh your skills or start from scratch. Granny squares, cowls, hats...all the crochet.

Do you know about the 2017 Blanket? The 2016 class was such a resounding success, we are doing it again in 2017. The structure of the class is a little different from the others, so take a look at the dates and terms and decide what works for you.

Emily has a sock class planned for January, and you know that will be fun. She is ready and willing to teach you what you need to know to get those cozy socks onto your needles and then onto your chilly toes! You get to choose the method: double points, two criculars, one long circular, toe-up, top-down. So many options.

Adrienne is also working up a set of advancing skills classes to keep you learning new things. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for information about that series of classes.

If you are lucky enough to have received a Close Knit gift certificate for the holidays (we know many of you have), consider using your gift to hone your knitting or crochet skills in 2017!

Needles and Bags!

Send your people into the shop this week, and we would love to help them choose a gift for you! Let's talk about a few ideas.

We chatted a bit last week about the Della Q bags in the shop. They are fun and so useful and not terribly expensive. You need another project bag, I promise.

This cool zipper pouch has a pattern printed right on it. One side has a chart, and the other side has a suggested stitch count and the abbreviations. We can help you (or your people) select some yarn and needles to tuck in there for the perfect little present.

We also have so many lovely needles sets. These interchangables from Knitter's Pride are always popular. The Dreamz are color-coded wooden needles, some of my absolute favorites.

The crazy cool Marblz plastic ones are always extremely popular, too. The colors are really pretty, and they are very smooth for plastic needles.

There are so many great gifts we can suggest for your favorite fiber enthusiast, even if that is you. Send your people in, and we will make sure you get what you need! If all else fails, a gift certificate is always perfect, right?

Queen Bee in the Shop

We love these bags. You are going to love them, too, I think.

These lovely pieces are all hand made here in Northeast Portland, right over on Williams, in the super cool studio of Rebecca Pearcy of Queen Bee Creations. The little bags are great for storing all the little bits and bobs associated with knitting, and the big buckets are just the thing for those large projects that need some room to breath. I am sort of in love with those medium-sized waxed canvas bags. They would be ideal for a sock project or a little baby sweater.

Stop in to choose your favorite or send in a loved one to select one for you as a gift. We will do our best to keep these in stock through the holidays, so don't be shy! You are going to love these awesome bags as much as we do.

With Your Arms!

Did you know that Lisa can knit a cowl without using knitting needles? And she can do so in about fifteen minutes? Seriously.

Just one skein of Plymouth Baby Alpaca Magna makes this awesome cowl. 

Lisa cast eight stitches onto her arms with the yarn doubled, and then she knit until the yarn was gone and stitched it together. This seems to be the most popular arm knitting site, but there are plenty of resources and videos out there.

Sally ordered more of this lovely alpaca, so we should have a nice selection for you, but we have plenty of yarns in the shop that would be great. If you are in need of some actual, real-live last minute gifts, this might be your go to!

Lilly Brush

Save your sweaters!

Each of you needs one of these. I bought a Lilly Brush for myself last winter after trying many different sweater shavers and lint removers, and I love it! This little brush will depill a sweater more effectively than anything else I've used. Plus, you can use it to save your hand knits and machine knit sweaters. Tell your people to come in and grab one for you. It's the perfect size for your stocking.

Little Lo-Lo Goodies

Sally thought you all might like these fabulous, Northwest-made, eco-conscious LoLo Bar products from Bar Maids. Do you have to stuff your own stocking each year? Fill it with these.

I have gone through many of their amazing moisturizer bars, and I promise you will like them. These bars are solids discs of yummy smells, and they won't leave your skin all greasy. My hands are so dry in this crazy cold weather, and these bars make such a huge difference.

We also have their lip balm and cuticle sticks. I have not had a chance to try these yet, but I can only imagine how fabulous they will feel. In fact, my cuticles are in desperate need of some love right now...

Consume More Fiber

Do you need help getting more fiber into your life?  Maybe these nice posters from Fringe Supply Co. can help.

These 16x20 letterpress posters are printed on some beefy cardstock.  I love the graphics and the clean design...look at those fat sheep!

And we have tote bags!  These are beefy and high-quality, too.

I am really impressed with the quality of the goods from Fringe Supply Co.  Their company motto is "nice things for makers", and I love the idea of giving quality goodies to people who will really appreciate them.  Either of these would make lovely gifts for your favorite fiber fiend.  Or yourself.  We won't tell.

P.S. Congrats to our lucky Yarn Crawl winners!  Emily M., Rebecca B., Marie B., and Janelle S. won our Close Knit door prizes.  Our big basket went to Karen D., and Jill P. and Michelle L. each won a gift certificate.  Thanks so much for participating, and we hope you love your gifts!

Wake Me Up Tea Cozy

Our dear Melissa worked up this wee tea cozy pattern right before the holidaze, and it totally got lost in my scramble.  Fortunately, it would be a lovey gift any time of year, for yourself or your favorite tea drinker.

The little tea pots are available at Townshend's Tea, just down the street from us on Alberta.  Each one uses just one ball of Classic Elite Liberty Wool, so the personality of each cozy will be unique!  Thanks, Melissa!

Warm Me Up Tea Cozy

by Melissa Tyler

 

Knitting side to side really punches up the impact of this self-striping yarn - making an adorable and vibrant cozy to keep your morning tea warm. 

 

Yarn: 1 skein Classic Elite Liberty Wool
Needles: US7
Gauge: 20 stitches over 4"

Instructions:

CO 29 Sts.  If you leave a nice long end, you can use it to seam the opening for the handle.

Slip first stitch, k to end.

Repeat for 57 rows or 6”.

Create Spout Opening: Sl1, k8, cast off 9, k11 to end.  (The longer side will be at the top of the spout opening.)

Next row: Sl1, k10, CO9 (I like the cable cast on for a neat edge), k to end.

Sl 1, k to end.

Repeat for 57 rows/until total length is 12”. Cast off.

Finishing: Weave in ends.  Seam the cast on and cast off edges together, leaving an opening for the handle.  Pinch together the top to create four equal crown points and use blanket stitch to close.  Brew a little pot of tea, cover in cozy, and settle in with your knitting!

Here We Are

Hi friends!  Sorry about that inadvertent blog break there.  I was busy knitting my fingers off in preparation for Christmas.  I tried to keep things simple, but I did end up knitting a hedgehog at the last moment.  It happens.

I also had to finish the mini Groovy ordered up by my youngest.  I loved knitting one for myself in the spring, so it wasn't too hard to agree.  I used one skein of Berroco Weekend DK, and I just knit until I ran out of yarn.  It was so nice to work with, and she loves it.

Now that I have finished the frantically-knitting-for-others phase, my attention is turning to selfish knitting.  Let me tell you what I'm thinking.

I have four skeins of the most beautiful green Harrisvile Highland sitting on the shelf waiting to become Tea With Jam and Bread. I have not yet chosen my contrasting colors, but I'll see what speaks to me when the time comes.  There are plenty of options.

Photo borrowed from Knitty.

I was so excited to see Streymoy in the most recent issue of Knitty.  This cardigan is not for the faint of heart, but it's the kind of garment you would pass down to the next generation.  The designer included so many thoughtful details, it's hard to believe it's a free pattern.  The pattern calls for Cascade Eco Wool and Eco+, a yarn that we love and keep well-stocked.

Photo borrowed from O-Wool site.

There are a few smaller projects percolating in my brain, too.  I have seen several lovely versions of the Garfunkel Hat, and I am so excited to try it out in the Debbie Bliss BFL DK.  We have a great color selection, and I think the texture of the yarn would be great for colorwork.  It's hard to tell, but it looks like there are at least three colors involved here, and I love the double-thick ribbed brim. 

Another Shibui No. 10 is on the list, too.  The sample I knit for the shop is pretty great, and I am a little tired of the glass head getting all the good hats.  We figured out that four skeins will make two hats with a little creative rearranging of colors.

This is what's knocking around in my head.  Now that the new year is almost upon us, what are you all knitting?