Modern Gingham

Have you all seen Emily's latest design?

Her Modern Gingham cowl seems like just the right kind of thing to be knitting in this heat! It's designed with Berroco Remix Light, a mix of all kinds of recycled and non-wooly fibers in a DK weight. The yarn has a really nice and interesting hand to it, and it's just right for this cowl.

The mix of fibers also gives the yarn a little bit of a tweed or faded denim look, which I really like, and I think it looks really cool in this low-key colorwork pattern. I love the gold, charcoal, and natural shades that Emily used for her sample...strong contrast and so classy.

If you want to try out some nice beginner colorwork this summer, the Modern Gingham is a great place to begin! Emily's pattern is for sale on Ravelry, and we can always help you purchase it in the shop if you prefer. We have a nice array of colors in the Remix Light, so stop by to choose your favorites!

Rose City Yarn Crawl: Bumblebirch and Zigzag Ladies

The Bumblebirch is so lovely on the shelves. It will be even more lovely worked up into something you love!

Speaking of things we love, check out these gorgeous Close Knit gals in their Zigzag Gansey Cowls! Remember, this is a free pattern with the purchase of the Imperial Yarns Columbia, a gorgeous Oregon-grown yarn. Pop over to the Ravelry page to read a lovely bit about the inspiration for this cowl. The yarn is 10% off during the crawl, too, so you really have no reason to resist this beautiful piece.

Rose City Yarn Crawl: Patterns are Out

The Yarn Crawl starts a week from tomorrow! There is so much happening in our shop and all around Portland. First, let's talk about patterns...

The shop patterns have all been released. They theme this year was Waterways, and there are some really cute patterns for knit and crochet. From fish washcloths to bags to some gorgeous wraps and cowls, there is something for everyone. These patterns are available for free at each shop you visit during the crawl, and the yarn for each pattern is 10% off during the crawl.

Pic borrowed from Ravelry pattern site.

I have been anxiously awaiting Sally's Zigzag Gansey cowl, which she knit up in Imperial Yarns Columbia. We have a lovely stock of this Oregon-grown yarn in the shop right now. It is squishy and local and softens up and fluffs up so nicely with a wash. It's good.

Pic borrowed from Ravelry pattern site.

We also have a really cute crochet bag pattern by Melissa, the Sandy River worked up in Cascade Hampton. This sweet cotton and linen bag is just the thing for your adventures.

The patterns are all really lovely, and I appreciate how the different shops showcase yarns that are really special to them, from local Oregon options to favorite hand-dyed yarns. It's cool to see the shop personalities come through in their patterns.

Also, have you all been working on your Mystery Knit and Crochet-a-long patterns? All of the clues have been released, so it's time to get cracking. We can't wait to see all of your lovely creations next week!

Stay tuned for more information about what's happening in our little corner of the crawl!

Soft Donegal

The Soft Donegal is back! I know it looks like it's going to be rustic and scratchy (which apparently not everyone loves), but it is so buttery. The colors are rich and each of these lovely skeins is over 200 yards of Aran weight yarn. This yarn is ideal for cables and color work, but it's also perfect in plain and simple stockinette.

We used it to knit up our Heathcliff Hat. I love the ribbing and the structure of this hat. The brim can be folded over for more of a skullcap look, too. This pattern is available for sale on Ravelry as part of our first Close Knit Collection from the fall, A Warm Welcome. More on these collections soon!

Close Knit Yarn Crawl Patterns

As part of the yarn crawl, we have two brand new shop patterns for you!

The sweet and romantic Silver Tip Fingerless Gloves are crocheted in Berroco Indigo, a beautiful cotton yarn made from recycled fibers. It will remind you of your favorite jeans.

The Coffee Beanie is a fun colorwork hat knit up in Woolstok from Blue Sky Fibers. This fun pattern works up so fast in this beautiful worsted weight yarn. 

These patterns will be available during the crawl for free with any purchase. After the yarn crawl, the patterns from all of the shops will be complied into an eBook available for sale on Ravelry. In addition, the yarns for each of these lovely designs will be 10% off during the crawl. We hope you love them as much as we do!

Baby Cashmerino 5

We see these Baby Cashmerino books every year or so, maybe.  I am not normally moved by any of them, but Baby Cashmerino 5 was particularly adorable.  Mostly it was the Gingham Bear on the cover that caught my eye.  And, yes, there is a pattern for that in the book.  The baby is wearing the Simple Crossover Top, which would be such a nice basic.

This Garter Stitch A Line Jacket looks so wearable over the inevitable layers of the Oregon winter.  And who doesn't like garter stitch on kiddos?  There's a sweet little contrast edging at the neck, cuffs, and sleeves.  A nice chance to play with some easy colorful touches.

The Artist's Smock has an unusual neckline and some soon-to-be-filled up pockets.

I like the simplicity of the Single Stripe Sweater.  And that Gingham Bear again.

Looks like an interesting construction on the Trellis Stitch Jacket.  The cropped style is so sweet, and the cables look like they would be fun to knit.

The Square Neck Top is the one that really got me.  Debbie Bliss has published similar designs in a few previous magazines, but something about the color-blocking and the swingy shape of this one really appealed to me.  And that face.

The Gingham Jacket is a classic, and would be great for a little girl or boy.  Imagine all the fun color combos.

Debbie Bliss always seems to include a nice basic raglan, like the Two Color Raglan Sweater.  Adorable.

There is a Rosebud Bear, obviously, and a Rosebud Crossover Top.

The shelves are fully stocked with Baby Cashmerino, and I've found the Cascade 220 Superwash Sport to be a pretty nice substitute, as well.  It's a little thicker, so the sweaters will come out a bit bigger.  Good thing babies grow so fast!

Time Flies

Oh my.  Do your weekends last longer than mine?  I feel like these short days make time fly.

We have all kinds of good stuff for you at the shop.  The newest Berroco shipment included one of my favorite yarns, Peruvia Quick.  So many beautiful colors.

I used this awhile back in my failed vest attempt...it is still waiting for me to find the perfect project and enough time to knit it.  About seven million knitters have made Aidez, a free pattern from Cirilia Rose and Berroco.  This design strikes a perfect balance by combining relatively intricate cables with a chunky yarn for an impressive result that won't take all winter to knit.  Take a look at these amazing examples.

Sally made the Man Hat with 99.99% of one skein of Peruvia Quick.  Free pattern, $11 skein of yarn, a few hours of knitting = perfect gift.

Norah Gaughan uses it in her newest Berroco book, Volume 9, for Kaide and Geordie.

Look at those amazing cables pop.  There are some other lovelies in Volume 9, as well.  I love Parlan in Ultra Alpaca Light.  Oh, that mustard yellow.

Aeneas in Peruvia looks like a cabled hug.

We also have the new booklet featuring Flicker, #311.  Maila, a sweet little lacey shell, only takes three skeins of Flicker.  So cute with a pair of jeans for a casual holiday thing.

The cowl neck on Nurmi is dramatic and flowy, and who doesn't love a cabled cardigan like Siri?  There is a great slip-stitch hat, too, and mittens, and a scarf, and more.

The Berroco website has some great freebies using Flicker, too.  I am planning to have a freebie for you, very soon, I promise.  As soon as figure out where those extra three or four hours of my day have gone.

Books and Patterns

It feels like new books and patterns are arriving everyday around here!  We have several familiar favorites and some highly-anticipated new friends as well.

These two baby books are probably my favorite ones on the shelf: Vintage Knits for Modern Babies and Vintage Baby Knits.  I recommend these often, and I know our new mama Melissa agrees.  If you have a new baby in your life or one on the way, these books needs a spot on your knitting book shelf.  They make great gifts, too, for an expectant knitter.

I have been waiting for this pattern to arrive: French Press Slippers from French Press Knits.  I love felted slippers for our wet and chilly winters, and I have been rocking my Snugs for several years now.  Perhaps it's time for something a little more dainty.  We have a bright orange sample in progress, so keep your eyes peeled for those in the next few weeks.  Hmmm, a pair of these would be a great gift, too.  I find that people who don't really wear handknits still appreciate a good pair of felted slippers.

Like colorwork?  Need a great reference book full of so many charts your head will spin?  Enter Alice Starmore and her Charts for Color Knitting.  You pretty much can't get a better chart dictionary than this one.

I know many of you have been looking for the pattern for the little elf hats we have in the window.  It's the Pointy Elf Hat from the fabulous More Last Minute Knitted Gifts, which we finally have back in stock.  Also back on the shelves, Vintage Modern Knits, featuring the amazing luxury yarns of The Fibre Company.

Miriam Felton's Furrows Shawl is so classy and interesting.  You'll need 475 yards of fingering (sock) or sport weight yarn (400 for the main color and 75 for the edging).  Choose something fabulous and you'll want to wear it everyday.

Knit, Swirl! from Sandra McIver is full of patterns for one style of sweater, the giant circle with arms.  There is probably a more sophisticated name for this style.  There is all kinds of information in here and a lot of math, but the results are pretty striking.  I love these two the most.

Shades of Grey

Silhouette in the Sun

Like to make little toys?  Susan B. Anderson is one of the best designers for this kind of thing.  Spud & Chloe at the Farm is so stinkin' cute.  We also just received Itty Bitty Toys, and Judy is teaching a class in November to hone your technical knitting skills. 

Check out these cute guys from Itty Bitty Toys and take a look at Judy's class page.  The bird flips inside out into an egg, and the frog reverses to a turtle!

On that note, perhaps you need to create something a little weird.  Knitwit and Amigurumi Knits are for you.

If squid and 6-legged dolls are not your thing, how about one of the best knitting books ever?  Veronik Avery's Knitting 24/7 is full of beauties.  Sally loves this book, and we think you will, too.  So many classic designs in some beloved yarns.

The highly-anticipated Coastal Knits from Hannah Fettig and Alana Dakos is on the table, too.  This book is beautiful.  These girls know what they are doing.  I promise a preview and yarn suggestions soon.  

Finally, a HUGE amount of Berroco arrived yesterday.  I saw a ton of Vintage, Comfort, Comfort Chunky, Ultra Alpaca, and Ultra Alpaca Light.  There might have been more in there.  I know we are expecting Flicker late October or early November.  We will be receiving the beautiful natural earth tones as well as the new pale shades, all with the fabulous sparkles.

Book, yarns, and patterns!  Oh, my!  Come see the new goods that are rolling in every day, and stay tuned here for more updates.