Eye Candy

Loving this pretty pile of marled Cascade 220. The 220 Wave is a superwash worsted yarn that would be great for blankets, sweaters, gloves, and hats. The shades slowly fade over the course of the skein, so it will knit up into something beautiful!

Squish Worsted

Would you please all take a moment to admire the crazy cool colors of the Farmer's Daughter Squish Worsted?

These skeins are 281 yards of some of the wackiest colors I have seen on yarn in awhile. And all super soft and machine washable, too.

I am now 100% sure I need a new hat or a wrap or something that will give me an excuse to take one of these home with me...especially that black and white one.

Berroco Ultra Wool DK

I have to admit, I don't spend too much time in the superwash section of the shop. I'm not knitting so many baby things these days, and I don't really mind handwashing my woolies. So this Ultra Wool DK from Berroco sort of flew under my radar. It is really lovely!

Some superwash yarns can feel a bit plasticy and a little to slippery for my taste. I prefer my yarn with a little tooth to it, and this stuff is a great balance between a crunchy yarn and a really great superwash. Our newest sample, the Lane's Island Pullover from Berroco really shows off how nice it is. Plus, you know...pockets.

If you haven't visited the superwash corner of the shop, I suggest stopping by to check out the Ultra Wool. Apparently we have it in worsted weight, too!

Eye Candy

Take a look at this cozy Wave sock! Worked up in the worsted weight 220 Superwash Wave, you could crank these out as a gift for yourself or someone you like. The pattern is a sort-of-made-up one by Emily. Give us a call or stop in to get the details. Love the way the colors worked up!

Plymouth Reserve

Take a look at the pretty Plymouth Reserve Worsted...superwash merino and silk in some really cool colorways. Love that cream and gold. Plymouth has a few pictures of how this knits up, but I can't wait to see more projects pop up on Ravelry.

Feza Harvest

We have a really cool new yarn in the shop, Feza Harvest. This yarn is an organically-dyed superwash merino. That's right, friends. It's machine washable and organic, perfect for your kid and baby knits. It's also a lovely choice for just about everything else, too.

These are 225-yard skeins of worsted weight yarn at a great price. Feza offers some great free patterns for Harvest on their website, including this really unusual lace pullover and a cool cabled scarf. Take a look at this amazing oversized golden version of the pullover. Stunning.

The colors inspired Sally to try a Boden-inspired colorblocked multi-textured scarf. I'm excited to see how this one turns out. The yarn is really nice knit up, with great stitch definition and a nice hand.

We are glad to be adding such a lovely and versatile yarn to the shop. Please let us know what you think of the Harvest!

Super Lamb

It's been awhile since I've seen JaggerSpun yarns in person, but they have been around for a long time. The mill in Maine was established in the 1880s, and they have been producing high-quality, beautiful yarns ever since. Their website has some great information about the history of the company and brief but sweet factory tour, if you are interested in that sort of thing. You know I am.

We are welcoming Super Lamb, a superwash DK, into the shop this spring. Each of these skeins is 124 yards of squishy merino wool. Sally used three of the periwinkle blue to make the Elyse Cowl from Quince & Co. It's a long and lean cowl that looks great doubled up.

There is something about this yarn that we can't quite describe. It has a heft to it, but it's not exactly heavy. It has a deep color, but it's not too bright. It has a nice matte finish, but it's still vibrant. I don't know what to say. Pop in and have a look will you? Let me know what words you would use to describe it.

Effects

Cascade has been trying out some interesting new stuff with their classic yarns. We talked a bit about the 220 SW Aran Splatter and the Heritage Prints sock yarn back in November. Now we have 220 Superwash Effects, which knits up with a really pretty faded denimy sort of look.

They all look cool in the skein, and then they work up into an even cooler mottled fabric. Some are more subtle and some are more pronounced, but I like them all. Take a look at the Cascade site to see all of the colors knitted up into swatches. The purple one, Lightening Storm, is one of the more variegated ones.

We have the full range of options at the shop now, and Sally is working up a hat sample in the Pinks shade. A surprising color choice for her, but I like it.

I appreciate that Cascade is trying out a few new things with their old standby yarns. Let's hope they keep this one around for a bit!

A New Go-To?

This yarn has been knocking around the shop for a few months.

I have been meaning to tell you about it, but I was kind of overwhelmed by all of the colors.  And then Sally ordered more colors.  So now it's time to talk about it before she orders even more.

I must say, I am really impressed with the new Rowan Pure Wool Worsted.  When folks come in looking for a nice all-purpose worsted weight yarn, I generally show them the Cascade 220.  But now, I feel like we have another very nice option in this yarn.  And it's superwash!

I was pleasantly surprised at the reasonable price point, too.  Only $10.95 for 219 yards of superwash wool.  That's a pretty good deal, especially for Rowan.

Honestly, I have not always been impressed with their superwash yarns, so I was a little skeptical.  

But then Ann whipped up this River Mist Cowl in the light grey and mustard shades, and I knew I was going to have to give it a shot.  The yarn is soft and lofty, and the colors are really rich and full.  A few heathered options, as well.

We have two of the pattern books featuring Pure Wool Worsted, Simple Shapes and The Pure Wool Worsted Collection.

Let me show you a few designs from Simple Shapes.  Who doesn't need a grandpa cardigan like Minn?

Or a basic cap or cabled scarf like Burra and Ismay?  Lots of classic stuff.  Several men's sweaters, too.

I love that cover sweater, Alba, from the collection.

Morna looks like a cozy live-in sweater, for sure.

Spence is designed as a unisex fisherman's sweater, and it really shows off how well this yarn does cables.

Rowan also offers a collection of free home decor and pillow patterns for Pure Wool Worsted.  The patterns use several interesting textured stitches and multiple colors to create some really unusual items.  I really like the Chainlink Cushion and the Wheel Barrel Cushion.  Take a look at their site for more.

I think this yarn is going to be a big hit for all you knitters looking for a high-quality superwash option.  I know it will be a great choice for the man sweaters, too.  I am happy to have more options to give people looking for a nice basic worsted wool in a wide range of colors.  I'll keep you posted if Sally orders even more!

Cascade Favorites

Our newest shipment from Cascade Yarns was full of goodies.

We have a well-stocked shelf of Cascade 220 sport.  I love the color range of this yarn, so many rich solid shades and beautiful heathers, and the sport weight is great for the Oregon climate.  I have several sweaters on my wishlist that I would love to knit with this yarn.  Like these...

Flurry (photo from Classic Elite website)

Drops Tailored Cardi (photo from Drops website)

Pipit (photo from Heidi's Ravelry Shop)

Pomme de Pin (photo from Savory Knitting)

If I had eight arms and unlimited knitting time I would cast on for all of these right now.  Alas, I do not, so will one of you please help me out and get started?  Thanks.  Also, it's $5 for a skein of 164 yards, so you're getting a screaming deal.

If you prefer a little thicker yarn for a little faster gratification, perhaps you'd like to see the Eco Wool and Eco +?

Same great Cascade colors, but at 3.5 stitches per inch rather than 6.  Still a great value yarn at $20 for 478 yards!  I have ideas for this one, too.

Boxed Pullover (photo from Interweave)

Cobble Hill Pullover (photo from Interweave)

August Pullover (photo from Rain Knitwear Designs)

Shalom Cardigan (photo from Involving the Senses)

We also filled in our supply of 220 Superwash Paints in some beautiful colors.

I am particularly smitten with the yellow, the red, and the dark purple.  This yarn is ideal for kids and babies, but it's great for adult items, too, if you like the variegated look. 

We use it for our learn-to-knit socks class.

This would be a perfect, easy-care baby blanket, sweater, hat, booties, whatever.  How about a February Baby Sweater?  Or one of the many many designs from Knitting Pure and Simple?  Their top-down designs are great for first time sweater knitters.

We have a nice deep stock of colors in all of these beauties right now.  I f you have knitting on the brain on this windy afternoon, come by the shop and take a look.