The Isager is Here

We resisted it for far too long...Sally has caved to the beauty that is Isager.  We are starting out with some pretty books and a bit of yarn.

Above is the Amimono Bird Collection, The Fine Line, and the latest Amimono book from 2010.  I began collecting the Isager Amimono books as soon as I learned of their existence, and I am thrilled to see them on our shelves.  I have also been less-than-patiently waiting for the Bird Collection to be translated into English and appear at our shop.  (Surprise!  It also contains a Little Birds Collection for the littles in your life.)


We have a few more books from the Isager line, too, including Hat Ladies, All You Knit is Love, and Tutto a Mano.  I feel compelled to warn you that the baby book in the middle there contains cabled balloon pants (ballonbusker!) that are impossibly cute.  I am dying to see some on an actual child.

And we have yarn, too.

This is Spinni (or Wool 1), a single ply lace-weight wool in a stunning and sophisticated color palate.  There are several designs in the the Bird Collection that feature this lovely stuff.  We are narrowing down our choices on which other Isager yarn we will be carrying, but we can help you find the perfect thing if you are ready to get started on any of these designs.

We have a few single patterns from Isager, as well, which are really worth a look.  This is the Bateaux Mouches Scarf, the Olive Blouse, and the Zig Zag Scarf.  I feel like the Olive Blouse was the one that really pulled me into the Isager world initially, so it's great to see the pattern available as a single.

I don't know what it is about these designs that I find so appealing and inspiring.  Perhaps it's the attention to fine details, the unusual shapes and techniques, or maybe it's because they are just so pretty.  I have yet to knit a stitch from any of these books that I have been coveting and collecting for years, but I have plans.  Lots of plans.

Petite Trunk Show

We spoke last month about the Royal Petite phenomenon.  The trunk show has arrived from Blue Sky Alpacas, and I am quite certain the craze will continue once you all see these finished items.

We have here the Catherine Cowl, the Mitini Mitts, the Buckingham Hat, the Tiny Empress Set, and the Westminster Hat.  The Royal yarn is incredibly soft, and these designs really demonstrate how some relatively simple stitches can have high impact when worked in such a luxurious yarn.

The Westminster and Buckingham Hats get the approval of a choosy (and very itch-sensitive) 5 year old.

The yarn is amazing, the designs are classic, and I stand by my assertion that even the most particular recipient will approve of any one of these pieces.  We have a great range of colors and patterns in stock now, but they do go quickly.  If you have been dreaming about any of these, I would pop in this weekend and choose your favorite.

Majestic Tweed

Earlier this fall, we received a shipment of Majestic Tweed, a beautiful new yarn from Classic Elite Yarns.  The colors are rich and tweedy, and it's so soft.  The angora gives it a nice subtle halo, and the silk really adds and interesting touch.

We now have a trunk show at the shop featuring designs from the Majestic Tweed pattern booklet, #9185.  Let's take a look!

From the cover, the lovely (and very long) Queen's Jubilee with a pretty stranded yoke.

Marquess, a swingy cardigan, employs some intriguing construction work.

Check out the sideways back detail.  Very unusual.

Lady Jane takes an interesting twist on the classic cabled cardigan by adding very deep armholes and wide sleeves...so cozy and easy to wear.

Baroness has a nice wide boatneck and grown-on sleeves.  I didn't care for the photos of this, but I really like it in person.

We have accessories, too!  The beret, Coronet, has a sweet and surprising leaf edging incorporated into the brim.

Perhaps my favorite of all is the unusual cowl, Tower of London.  This piece combines a classic cabled section with a strip of netting.  I love the way the two parts play together.  With four skeins of Majestic Tweed, this might be on the holiday gift knitting list for some special people. 

Jenni and I agreed that this yarn is so much more appealing knit up in these pretty samples than it has been on the shelf.  The subtle tweediness really shines through, and the soft hand and slight halo are really hard to resist.  We will have these for another week or so.  Drop off your ballot and come take a look!

Flicker

We have shelves full of Berroco Flicker!  I know how many of you fell in love with this yarn, so you'll be happy to see some new colors in the mix.

The new colors include the beautiful blue known as Violette, the deep heathered red called Giselle, and that gorgeous teal, Myrtha.

Want a few ideas?  Okay.

We have a sample of the Simple Slouchy Hat in the shop that Sally modified slightly in order to make it a single skein project.  (Let us know if you're interested, and we can make a copy for you when you come in for the yarn.)  

The alpaca content adds a nice drape, even with the chained texture, so ruffles might be nice.  Maybe Just Enough Ruffles?  Or for slightly more than just enough ruffles, perhaps the Flickering Ruffle Scarf from designer Andra Asars.

Photo from Andra Asars website

Flicker is such a nice gift-knitting choice.  I feel like people who might not normally be into the handkints might easily be swayed by this pretty stuff.  The sparkle adds just enough to make a basic knit something special...I think I might have to make the  Grey Quartz Cowl with this in mind.

Photo from Andra Asars website

The yarn is lofty and light, so it's great for sweaters, too, and Berroco has a slew of freebies for Flicker.  Find your favorite pattern and come see the lovely new shades in person.

Royal Petites

Our knitters have been going crazy over the new Royal Petites from Blue Sky Alpacas.  So much so that we've had a difficult time keeping the yarns and patterns in stock!

Royal is pure royal alpaca, the finest grade of alpaca yarn available, and it is a true luxury.  The color range has a bit of an old-fashioned feel, too, perfect for the newest line of patterns.  Most of these sweet little designs use just two balls of Royal Petites.

We have the Windsor Mitts, the Tiny Empress Set (which includes little tiny mitts, too), the Westminster Hat, the Buckingham Hat, the Catherine Cowl, and the Mitini Mitts.  So many of you have fallen in love with our lovely sample of the Windsor Mitts that Ann so graciously knitted up for us.  I am quite smitten with the Westminster Hat, myself.

Take a look at the pattern links for photographs of the designs.  A little set of yarn and a pattern would make a great gift for your favorite knitter, and the finished items should please any recipient.  Come see these pretty petites while they last!

Also, our favorite neighbors are celebrating seven years of amazing business.  Enjoy the deals at Bolt for the rest of the weekend while you're on our little corner!

Also, we're skipping Open Knit Night this week since it's Halloween.  Enjoy the sugar rush!

Liberty Wool

The shelves are stocked with fresh Liberty Wool and Liberty Wool Light from Classic Elite Yarns.

If you know this yarn, you probably already love it.  We've used it for baby hats, crocheted beanies, cowls...all sorts of things.  I'm still itching to try some of these amazing pillows.

If you don't know Liberty yet, you should come take a look at the beautiful (machine-washable) colorways.

Yarn photo from our own lovely Lisa and pillow beauty shot from Classic Elite Yarns.  Thanks for sharing!

Jane Austen Knits Again

The newest Jane Austen Knits is here!

I must admit, I scoffed a bit when the first issue arrived last year.  How many Austen-inspired knits could people actually design?  Quite a few, it turns out.  And there have been really lovely pieces in each and every issue.

I love the Sensible Shawl.  Garter stitch, a little sawtooth edge, and some ties in the back...so perfect and cozy.  We just received boxes of Berroco Peruvia, which would be ideal for this lovely shawl.

I like the Delaford Wrap and the Walking to Meryton Bonnet, too.

The wrap is L-shaped, so I feel like it would stay put, and the bonnet has some interesting construction and shaping details.  This would be really nice in Dream in Color Classy or Schaefer Chris.

Emma's Overdress, shown in red below, is such an unusual design, and the Kellynch Tunic is so pretty and feminine in Classic Elite Soft Linen.

These are painfully adorable: the Regency Bolero and Bonnet and Wristlets for Baby Emma.  The bolero would be perfect in Cascade 220 Sport, and the baby items are knit with sock weight yarn.

Of course, there is a tea cozy.

And a vest that is a true labor of love.

I find this military-inspired spencer sweater quite intriguing, although I doubt I would wear it in the garden.  It's designed with Cascade 220, which we have in great supply right now.

This hat cracks me up.  I'm not so sure that I could pull it off, but I'm guessing many of you all could.

Fanny's Chemisette is an interesting little piece.

The Misses Bertram Wrap is unusual and pretty, too.

Wouldn't the Netherfield Evening Bag make a lovely gift?  Knit with just 2 balls of Louisa Harding Mulberry Silk, it would be a quick knit, too.

The Pleated Neck Scarf is knit with Kid Silk Haze, and the Lady Russel Shawl is generous and beautiful.

The Jane magazines always contain some really interesting historical articles, too.  I know many of you have begun collecting these magazines, so come see us!