Loving

I have a few more notable publications to share with you before all of our fall yarn starts rolling in.

The Best of Knitscene is pretty great.  It includes several of the most popular designs from Knitscene since they first started up in 2005.  I think of Knitscene as the cool little sister of Interweave Knits.  Here are some I think you might like.

The Central Park Hoodie is perhaps one of the most popular designs out there, with more than 4000 projects listed on Ravelry.  It's knit with Tahki Donegal Tweed, which we have in nice supply.  Our colors are a bit more tame and traditionally tweedy, but still fabulous.

The Geodesic Cardigan features some eye-catching pleats up the fronts.  It is knit with lace weight, but on size 6 needles, so don't be afraid.

I love the Kenobi Jacket, which was originally designed as a men's sweater jacket.  Doesn't it look like you could just live in this?  It's knit with Berroco Ultra Alpaca doubled, so the fabric is squishy and cozy.

The Phiaro Scarf is perhaps not for everyone.  I love the dropped stitch action, though.  It would be a great gift, and a surprisingly quick knit, too.

I have always been partial to the Pinch Hat in Classic Elite Ariosa.  I could take or leave the brooch, but I'll take the hat for sure.

Riding to Avalon was another of the all-time favorites from Knitscene.  This sweater is begging to be knit with Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool or Rowan Felted Tweed.

I feel like I'm seeing dolman (or batwing) sweaters all over the place.  The Berkshire Dolman Sweater includes a cozy turtleneck and nice deep ribbed cuffs, and it's knit with the very economical Cascade Eco Wool, making it even more appealing.

In addition to some of their best patterns, the book contains some very helpful articles on triangular shawls, reading lace charts, and creating and counting cables.  There are also some nice profiles on some of the designers that have made Knitscene what it is today, including Kate Gagnon Osbourne, Connie Chang Chinchio, and Cecily Glowik MacDonald.

Clara Parkes has also contributed an article about yarn weights.  Maybe that doesn't sound very exciting, but the article is really informative and will give you some valuable insight into yarn choices and substitutions.  (Her other books, the The Knitter's Book of Wool and The Knitter's Book of Yarn, are also really interesting.) 

Knit.Wear is also hot off the presses.  I love this.  Love.  My copy is already a little dog-eared.  The styling is really clean and minimal, which I find very appealing.  The designs focus on a few key elements, and the results are really stunning.  This is the premier issue, and I really hope there will be more.

Pam Allen has a great piece featuring one basic design at four different gauges.  It's cool to see how changing the weight of the yarn and adding a few key elements can really change a sweater.

On the Edge sows how good ol' stockinette stitch can really show off a detail, be it cables or lace.

The fitted jacket is knit with Aslan Trends Del Sur, and the capelet would be fabulous in Berocco Peruvia Quick or Cascade 128 Superwash.

The Reversible Scarf Tank would be lovely in Tahki Cotton Classic, and the red cabled hoodie is knit with Manos del Uruguay Rittenhouse 5-Ply, one of my favorite yarns at the shop.

This pretty Basket Yoke Pullover by Wendy Bernard looks comfy and stylish at the same time.  It's knit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca, which we are patiently awaiting in the next week or so.

Surprisingly, I like this little ruffle sleeve top.  It would be amazing in Cascade Ultra Pima.  But longer, always longer for me.

The dramatic Multi-Drape Kimono from Annie Modesitt is made with Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk.  So luxurious.

Eunny Jang's Exposed Seam Pullover is not even on the book's Ravelry page yet, but I adore it.  Only six balls of Soft Linen?  Yes, please.

The photos of Amy Christoffer's bulky Selvedge Cardigan do not do it justice.  Check out the bonus photos for more details of the short row shaping on the back hem.

This wacky little Chatoyant Vest features a slightly fulled (felted) collar.  The rest of the vest, knit in Lamb's Pride Worsted, is left unfulled.  Interesting...

We are eagerly awaiting our big fall orders from Berroco and Cascade.  If you have been waiting, please give us a ring later on this week and we can let you know what we have in stock.  In the meantime, take a look at some of our great books and magazines and start planning!

Weekend Hats

Everdeen Beanie in Malabrigo Silky Merino

Weekend Hats arrived at the shop recently, and I am really impressed.  The book was compiled by Cecily Glowick MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre, who are also responsible for New England Knits and so many other fabulous designs. 

The book includes hats from more than 20 designers, and I feel like I would make and wear almost every one.  Even better, we have almost all of the yarns used in the book, so you don't even have to futz around with yarn substitutions!  I know you want to see what's in there, right?  Here you go.

Plait Beanie with Classic Elite Ariosa

Wanderer Cap, maybe in Kathmandu Aran or Portland Tweed

Flyer Cap with one skein of Lamb's Pride Worsted

Chroma Cap in Berroco Ultra Alpaca

Topiary Beanie, maybe with the new Shalimar Breathless

Hued Toque in Rowan Felted Tweed

Union Long Beanie in almost any DK yarn

Trellis Hat in Fibre Company Canopy Fingering

Lea Cloche, maybe with Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed or Tahki Donegal Tweed

Ogee Beanie in Cascade Venezia Worsted

Pebbled Beanie in your favorite sock yarn

Welted Toque in St. Denis Nordique

Brier Toque, maybe in Melody Superwash

Long Leaves Beanie in Madelinetosh Vintage

Solitaire Beanie in Malabrigo Worsted

Laura Irwin's Layer Cloche in Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK

Ruche Beret in Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino

Glashutte Hat in Fibre Company Road to China Light

Which one to make first?  I love St. Denis Nordique, so I think the Welted Toque will have to be up first.  But the Long Leaves Beanie is such a great balance of garter stitch and lace.  I also love the simplicity of the Brier Beanie.  I'll just have to make them all.  Did you see something you like?

Hats make great gifts, even for people who might not normally wear handknits.  The details included in many of these designs add a professional touch to the finished product.  Sally has more copies of this fabulous book on the way, so make a list of which ones you like best and come claim your yarn.

And don't forget...we are now open Mondays from 10-6 to feed your yarn habit!

Mondays are for Yarn

Fall has officially arrived here in Portland.  I know we'll be having a few more spotty days of sunshine and warmish weather before we really hunker down, but September 23 has come and gone, so I say it's fall.

I know more than a few of you are just as happy to see the rain as I am, so I feel comfortable admitting that I am quite pleased to welcome back the season of rain boots, Gore-tex, and woolly layers.  In celebration, we will be open every single Monday from 10 to 6 through the knitting season.

I am also quite happy to welcome more new yarn to the shop.  This pretty pile is Breathless from Shalimar Yarns.  It's a fingering weight merino, cashmere, silk blend that reminds me a little bit of Madelinetosh Pashmina.  The Breathless colors are beautiful, with a tonal richness that knits up into an interesting final product.  We've already had at least one knitter match up a few lovely shades of blue for the Stripe Study Shawl from Ravelry designer Veera of Rain Knitwear Designs.  We are trying it out right now to see how you all like it.  If you love it and want more, please let us know!  How about a few more beauty shots?

We also have a fresh batch of Jojoland Melody Superwash in some rich fall colors.

Many of you know and love this from the Swirl Scarf and Shawl we discussed in September last year.  We have been out of the deeper colors all summer, but now they are back, and they are lovely.  My favorites are: MS26, MS12, MS27, and MS36 (left to right).

Melody Superwash is a fingering weight, machine washable merino/nylon blend.  It would make some mighty fine socks, but it seems to be used more often for scarves and shawls.  The color repeat is very long on this yarn, so it won't knit up like a variegated yarn.  It stripes over several rows, longer or shorter depending on how wide your piece is.  There is a bit of a cult following for this yarn.  If you are part of that cult, come and get it while we have a nice deep stock to choose from.

Ann also delivered a lovely mohair scarf to the shop...some biasing, some garter stitch, and a little ruching for you.  It's a freebie pattern at the shop with the purchase of just two balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze.  I feel that this little darling would be the PERFECT gift for the woman who is perhaps a little hard to please.  Add a little sparkle by knitting it up in Luna instead.

I know my fellow rain-worshipers are out there, because we chat about this on Sundays.  Well, it is our time, my friends.  And now you have Mondays to enjoy even more yarny inspiration.  See you soon.

Make This: Scarves

I have been asking around about what you all like to see here on our little blog.  Aside from the shop updates and free patterns, it seems you all want me to show you what to make!  Lucky for you, my brain is constantly thinking about fabulous pairings of patterns and yarns.  Call it my version of Fantasy Football.  In an effort to make project planning and selection as easy and fun as possible, I'm starting the "Make This" series.  I'm going to kick things off with scarves.

Sneak peek of one of my new designs...not quite as basic as you might think

Most of us learned to knit by making a basic scarf.  Over the years, I seem to have stopped knitting them, because I have the hardest time finding one each fall.  I've been wearing a store-bought acrylic mess I received as a gift years ago, and that seems a little silly.

I love knitting scarves for several reasons: precise gauge is not critical, they make great gifts, the knitting is usually pretty straightforward, and they don't require an exorbitant amount of yarn.  I'm going to share some patterns with you and give you a few yarn options at different price points.

Tristan Scarf

Tristan Scarf by Nancy Ricci is a shop favorite.  Two skeins of chunky yarn and an interesting but straightforward stitch pattern, and you have a great scarf for anyone who might deserve it.  If you have mastered the garter stitch scarf, this is a great next project.

Under $40: 2 balls Rowan Cocoon

Under $40: 3 balls of Classic Elite Ariosa

Under $30: 2 skeins Misti Alpaca Chunky (shown in the sample)

Under $30: 2 skeins Cascade 128 Superwash

Under $20: 2 skeins Lamb's Pride Bulky

Miss Jenni Shawl

Also from Nancy, the Miss Jenni Shawl in classic feather and fan stitch.  If you have never tried lace, this would be a great choice for your first lace project.  Feather and fan employs the most basic lace stitches for a very impressive result.  The pattern is written for two yarns held together, a fingering weight and a lace wight mohair.

Under $65: 2 balls Karabella Lace Merino Silk + 2 balls Kidsilk Haze

Under $50: 1 skein Classic Elite Alpaca Sox + 2 balls Kidsilk Haze

About $50: any of our fabulous sock yarns + 2 balls Kidsilk Haze

If the thought of doubling yarns makes you nervous, you could easily make it work with a single strand.  I would choose something with a little mohair to achieve that nice fuzzy halo.

Under $90: 2 skeins Artyarns Silk Rhapsody

Under $35: 3 balls Rowan Kid Classic

Rain on the Prairie Scarf

The Rain on the Prairie Scarf from Interweave Knits Spring 2011 is a sweet little tuck-in scarf, perfect for that one skein of pretty yarn you can't resist.  You'll need less than 400 yards of anything from lace to sport weight.  There are dozens of options at the shop; here are a few of my favorites.

Under $25: 1 skein Misti Hand Paint Suri & Silk (shown in the sample)

About $25: 1 ball Kauni Effectyarn

Under $25: 2 balls Rowan 4 Ply Soft

Bias Scarf in Firefly

The popular Bias Scarf I designed for Classic Elite Firefly works really well in other yarns, too.  We have the beautiful orange sample, which has been getting a lot of love.

Bias Scarf in Fresco

This scarf would be great in something with a little silk or linen to accentuate the drape of the bias.

Under $40: 3 skeins Debbie Bliss Andes

Under $35: 3 balls Classic Elite Soft Linen

Under $30: 3 skeins Classic Elite Fresco (shown in the orange sample)

Under $30: 3 skeins Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool

I would love to have samples of all of these to show you, but we just can't knit that fast!  So, you'll have to use your imagination and trust me that these will be fabulous.

Sadly, it looks like the cost of fiber is increasing across the board this year for a wide variety of reasons beyond the control of retailers.  We will continue to do our best to keep our prices where they have been, but we wanted to give you loyal and fabulous customers a little heads-up on the whole thing.  That being said, come get your yarn while my numbers are still good!

I am gearing up for the release of my own designs, including a few scarves.  I've included some sneak peeks for you here, so stay tuned for more on that soon.

Sneak peek of another work-in-progress

Hopefully this little overview will get you jump started on scarf knitting, either to protect yourself from those chilly winds right around the corner or to wrap up as gifts.  What do you want to talk about next?