Fibre Company Meadow and an Invitation to Knit-A-Long

I feel a little late to the party. I am usually pretty up to date on the popular new yarns and patterns, but Meadow from The Fibre Company snuck up on me. I went to have a look at the Ravelry projects using Meadow, and I found well over a thousand. Why didn't any of you tell me about this gorgeous yarn? Maybe because we have just started carrying it.

The Fibre Company is known for the unusual combinations of fibers in their yarns, and Meadow is no exception. Meadow is a merino/llama/silk/linen laceweight, with almost 500 yards in each skein. The yarn is soft and lofty, and the colors are really interesting.

 

Grace Anna Farrow, a very popular shawl and wrap designer, has used Meadow to create some stunning designs. We are carrying Twinleaf, Roseum, Ursa, and Cepa.

 

 

I have not had a chance to knit with Meadow yet, but I am eager to try. There are rumblings of a little summer knit-a-long using this lovely yarn. I'm not usually a joiner, but I think I will jump on the bandwagon this time. We are thinking a nice, airy, floaty shawl or wrap...just the thing for the chilly Oregon summer evenings. Think about it, and I'll let you know which pattern Adrienne decides to use. Looking forward to it!

Knit Night at Cruzroom

If you are in need of a little more scheduled creative time in your busy week, stop by the Cruzroom tonight for some tacos, drinks, and some crafting camaraderie. The bar is just a few blocks from Close Knit on NE Alberta and 24th Ave. We'll get started around 8:00, and there will be drink specials just for the crafters. The owner has promised a special corner for us with good lighting.

We'll be doing this every Monday night, except for the last Monday of each month. In December, our very own Melissa will host a knit-along for one of our popular free patterns. This week, I will have a few samples from the shop to show off to get you thinking about your next project.

Any and all skill levels are welcome, and Jenni and I will be available to help with any knitting questions or emergencies. Any kind of crafting is welcome, too, although we aren't really set up for glassblowing or anything...

Knitting Groups and Knitalongs

Would you like to breathe life into your knitting this summer? Are you looking to have more fun or infuse a sense of purpose into your knitting? Why not join a knitting group or start a knitalong?

Here at Close Knit, we host a weekly knit night on Wednesdays from six to ten p.m. Our group is friendly and welcoming with veterans and newbies alike and the lovely Adrienne is here to help you and ring up your purchases. Bring your own beverage or grab one from Mash Tun and join the fun.

You can also start your own group at home, in a cafe, or even outside in this beautiful weather. When my son was a baby, I got together with other mothers and we knitted while the babies played at our feet. These days, I join a diverse group of knitters and crocheters who meet in a variety of interesting locales. I get lots of knitting done, see what others are making and get inspired by the energy.

If you're looking to add a sense of purpose to your knitting, you can start or join a knitalong. Close Knit has copies of Portland author Larissa Brown's beautiful book, Knitalong, which outlines the history of knitting together, discusses organizing knitalongs and has some great patterns and ideas.

Or, you might have seen yesterday's post on our Facebook page about knitting helmet liners for soldiers. Stop by, pick up a free copy of the pattern and join your friends for a knitalong.

Knitting groups and knitalongs are a wonderful way to make new friends, get inspired by others' projects and ideas or create items for a good cause. Join us at Close Knit next Wednesday or look into starting your own knitting group or knitalong. You will be amazed by the friendship, the rewards and the knitting that you will create.

Close Knit knit night photo courtesy of Chris Bittner Tolomei alicethelma.com

Soldier hat liner photo courtesy of kae1crafts at flickr.com

Exciting Events

Why not learn something new this spring and summer by taking a class or joining a knitalong at Close Knit? We've just released our late spring/summer 2010 schedule and the offerings are exciting. Come take a "just the basics" beginner class or let Adrienne guide you through a project at your own individualized pace. We have sock classes for knitters and crocheters.

And, we have lace for knitters and crocheters as well.

Knit the popular Tea Leaves Cardigan and learn seamless, top-down sweater technique.

Or, dive into a seamed sweater and let Judy guide you through the process.

Another exciting event here at Close Knit is the first Classic Elite knitalong, which will begin on Wednesday, 12 May. Participants will choose between two Classic Elite sweater patterns from the Spring 2010 pattern line (either Sideways Lace Vest or Smocked Pullover) and use a Classic Elite yarn. The KAL will meet on Wednesday evenings during open knit night to share process and progress. With a minimum of four participants, we will hold the KAL and those who complete the project by 31 July may put their names in a drawing to win an impressive CEY gift basket worth over two hundred dollars! Stop by the store to register for one of our classes. And, while you're here, check out the CEY spring patterns and yarns and let us know if you'd like to participate in the knitalong as well.