The Tosh DK

Our Tosh DK supply is plump and full right now. This yarn is truly one of the most lovely and satisfying, which justifies its nearly cult following. The newest colorways to join our family include those rich and full semi-solid jewel tones up above, as well was these new friends below.

These speckled skeins are Yoko and Stormborn. Check out this ridiculously cute baby cardigan in Yoko and this super simple beanie in Stormborn. These projects will give you an idea of how these unusual yarns knit up.

We have some new variegated shades, too. The colors are almost Malabrigo-like, which I consider high praise. Apparently, we like blue at Close Knit. If you know Tosh DK, you probably already love it. If you don't, you might want to pop in and find out before it's gone.

Yes. We have Tosh DK.

We haven't seen yarn from Madelinetosh in some time. When they called a few weeks ago and told us they were ready to dye our order, we couldn't say no. We now have four baskets full of Tosh DK, one of their most popular yarns. This is a gorgeous plied, superwash merino wool with more than 250 yards in each squishy skein.

Need some pattern ideas? There are more than 32,000 projects on Ravelry using Tosh DK. A few of my favorite ideas include Gudrun Johnston's Norie, the Brass and Steam Shawl, and the classic Baby Surprise Jacket.

This is also a perfect choice for sweaters. It's so soft, the colors are rich and interesting, and the yarn holds up very nicely to the kind of wear you will be giving your new favorite sweater. The thousands of knitters who have used this yarn for sweaters can't be wrong.

This yarn is notoriously difficult to get our hands on, so if you see something you like, don't hesitate. Who knows when we will be able to refresh our stock again!

Tosh Merino DK, Limited Quantities

 

The Tosh Merino DK is currently in the shop.  We only have four skeins of each color, though.  Man, this stuff is hard to get our hands on these days, but it's totally worth the effort.

The Merino DK is the buttery soft single ply with a lovely silky sheen, essentially the thicker version of the Tosh Merino Light Ann used for the Ombre hat.  I have a few skeins hanging out in my stash waiting to become the perfect thing.  I was poking around on Ravelry, and I came up with a few ideas for you all.  It's time to start knitting gifts, right?

Puck from Lioness Arts

Rikke from Sarah Young

Mara from Madelinetosh

I would absolutely try another A Little Ruffle from Jennifer Lang.  Remember that shawl that everyone made a few years back?  I think it's time for a fresh one in some new colors, don't you?

With such limited amounts in our grasp, what will you make with this coveted stuff?

Tails to Hat

We have these bowls of Madeline Tosh Unicorn Tails on the table...but what to do with them?  

Ann used these tiny skeins of Tosh Merino Light to make a One Bad Ombre hat!

What a fun way to use these little pops of color.  The pattern is available as a Ravelry download.  The designer makes lots of notes and comments about her gauge, but Ann suggests using the US3 recommended in the pattern.  The nice little turned hem adds a clean finish to the brim of the hat, and the length is perfectly slouchy without being sloppy.  Seems like a great project to add to the gift knitting list, doesn't it?

Basic Scarf and Unicorn Tails

Sorry to be away so long.  I have been doing my civic duty at the courthouse, sitting on a jury this week.  The case has been interesting, but there is a lot of sitting and waiting.  And, in true Portland style, my jury summons specifically informed me that I can bring fixed circular knitting needles.  I am cranking away on a nice basic scarf using the Churchmouse Pressed Rib Scarf pattern.  I am using about 600 yards of some llama/silk stuff that we carried years ago.

This pattern is such a great basic in any yarn.  Remember Sally's yellow and marled one in Cascade 220?  Love it.  This yarn and pattern are playing so nicely together, and the knit ribbed fabric is squishy and soft and awesome.  I cannot tell you the last time I knit a scarf for myself...the basics are often the best, aren't they?

On a completely separate note, we have TOSH.  Not a ton, but enough to get everyone riled up.  I can't promise that all of this Tosh Merino Light is still at the shop this week (jury duty), but I'm sure there is still plenty.  In addition to this stunning yarn, we have Unicorn Tails.  Yup.  Unicorn Tails.

Unicorn Tails are 52 yards of Tosh Merino Light skeined up for your colorworking pleasure.  We have a huge range of colors in these mini-skeins.

I can imagine these being the perfect thing for a shawl edging or some fancy mittens or an accent color on a cap. Or just collecting and displaying as art.  That's normal, right? 

Those neons up there are calling my name.  And the earth tones, and the warm pinks.  If this trial goes on too long, I'll be treating myself to some Tosh to keep me going.

Don't forget!  Debbie Bliss is coming to our little shop on Monday!  If you want to meet her and hang out and get inspired and see her new stuff, call us at the shop or stop by to pay your $5 and sign up!

Tosh for the Holidays

Hi friends!  Our much-anticipated shipment of Madelinetosh arrived this week, just in time for you to treat yourself.  We have a healthy supply of Tosh Merino Light (above), plenty of Tosh Merino DK, and little bit of Tosh Merino and Tosh Vintage.

Ann used the Tosh Merino Light to make Stephen West's Daybreak Shawl.  I know that several of our knitters have also used it for Veera's Stripe Study Shawl to great effect.

We unpacked a few big boxes today, too.  More Cascade Magnum, Lana Grande, Cloud, and Eco Cloud came to join us, as well as more needles and notions.  If you're looking for something specific, give us a call.

Chocolate oranges and candy canes are delicious, but wouldn't a few skeins of Tosh be a lovely "surprise" in that stocking you stuffed for yourself?  We're open from 10AM until 3PM on Saturday, December 24.  Just a thought.

Spud & Chloe, Blue Sky Alpacas, and Madelinetosh

Sorry for the lack of updates this week.  We have so many new things in the shop, so let's get right to it.

Jenni and I spent a lovely afternoon unpacking boxes from Spud & Chloe.  We have a fresh stock some of their best patterns and of all three of their yarns: Outer, Sweater, and Fine.

 

I snapped these photos of my littlest one several months ago when we had a Spud & Chloe trunk show. 

This is the Best Friend Sweater, and the size range covers little ones through teenagers.  She gives it her approval.  We have this pattern back in stock, and the Buga Baby Bunting, too.

The Blue Sky Alpaca Shelf is also full of fresh Suri Merino, Bulky, and Worsted Hand Dyes.

Look at the pearly goodness of the Suri Merino...perfect for Nancy's stylish Sally Hat and Gloves.

The gorgeous Bulky is always popular for those quick last-minute projects.

The new colors of the Worsted Hand Dyes are beautiful.  Sally always chooses the best ones.  One skein of this yarn will make you a Deizel Seedie Ribbie Beanie, one of the most popular hats at the shop.

Speaking of the best colors, Madelinetosh has arrived!  Check out the new range of Tosh Merino DK, the prettiest single-ply you could ask for.  Holy color.

We are trying out the Tosh Sport.  Look at those amazing colors and that satisfying 2-ply texture.  This is my kind of yarn.

We are waiting patiently for Tosh Merino Light, one of your favorites.  I'll let you know when it arrives.

There is more new stuff, so stay tuned and I'll show you more next week.  Have a great weekend, friends!

Classes and Coastal Knits

I promised you all a run-down on Coastal Knits, but I want to remind you about our classes first.  We have some great ones starting this week, with so many options depending on what you'd like to learn.

Knitting: Beginning and Beyond starts on Thursday night with Adrienne.  Even if you know how to knit, this class might still be for you.  Want to learn knitting in the round?  Increasing and decreasing?  I know many of you are sort of stranded at the garter stitch scarf phase, so take advantage of this opportunity to push your knitting to the next level.  Class is Thursday night 6:30-8:30 on November 3, 10, and 17.

Judy's Knitted Toys and Skills Class begins on Tuesday night.  Judy will show you how to make any of these adorable guys while honing your knitting skills.  There are so many techniques involved in creating little toys like these, and it's nice to learn on a small project.  Class is from 6:30-8:30 on November 1, 8, and 15.

Ann has several offerings starting next week, including a Learn to Crochet Workshop on Monday, November 7, her Learn to Knit Workshop on Tuesday, November 8, and her always-popular Beginning Sock Class beginning on Tuesday, November 15.  Ann's celebrating her birthday this week, and I know she would love to see your shining faces in her classes next week!

Okay, now for Coastal Knits.  This book is a self-published beauty from Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting and Hannah Fettig of Knitbot.  These gals live on opposite sides of the country, and their designs draw inspiration from the California and Maine coasts.

The book itself is beautiful, with photographs, project sketches, and line drawings that really play up the beachy coastal feel of the designs, which are also really stunning.  Here is a smattering of what you'll find in the book.

Gnarled Oak in Tosh Merino DK (which is on the way to the shop!)

Rocky Coast (my favorite) in Fibre Company Organik

Water's Edge

Panoramic Stole in Fibre Company Canopy Fingering

Pretty short row shaping

Cambrian Cowl, try Misti Alpaca Chunky

Sand and Sea

Judy will also teach a Knit Your First Sweater Class beginning on Monday, November 14.  If one of these gorgeous Coastal Knits sweaters strike your fancy, Judy can help you make it happen.

We received a box from Interweave on Friday with a nice pile of Weekend Hats, which you all seemed to love.  I love it, too...check out my preview from earlier this month.

We also received the LAST copies of knit.wear that we will be able to get our hands on.  This magazine has flown off the shelves (for good reason), and Interweave will not be printing any more.  They would only let us order 15 of the last 100 in stock, so come and get yours.

Let me know if there are any other classes that seem interesting to you.  We've been discussing a colorwork class, maybe some cables, and perhaps a kid's beginning knitting class.  Please leave a comment if you have thoughts or feelings about the classes.  Okay, I'll be back soon with more updates!