Furry

We don't stock a lot of fur yarn, but this one is really good. Soft, luxurious, not all staticy and plastic (like so many of them were back when I was learning to knit). This is Arequipa Fur and Arequipa Worsted, a coordinating set of fur and lovely merino yarns from Plymouth. The worsted is a superwash merino and silk blend, and the fur is alpaca and merino. It's unusual to find a fur that is all natural fibers, so we had to give this one a go.

We currently have six shades of the worsted and three of the fur, and they play together very nicely. Sally used the grey to whip up a sample cowl. This fancy cowl is available in-store as a free pattern with the purchase of the yarn. I was very impressed by the stitch definition of the worsted yarn. Maybe it's the silk that adds the crispness to the ribbing.

The astute among you will see the continuation of the theme of furry alpaca yarns in natural shades. We know what we like.

Emily Knit a Knee Sock

Emily knit a knee sock from just one ball of yarn.
It's pretty, and it's patterned, and it will keep her nice and warm.

She used a festive sport yarn, so it didn't take too long.
On US3s and up to her knees, how could she go wrong?

Okay, I'll stop with the rhyming now (I mean it). This yarn is so pretty! Self-patterning yarns seem to come and go in terms of popularity, but I love how they knit up. Lucky for us, Regia is putting out some really cool colorways right now. And for those of you who balk at knitting socks on tiny needles, this yarn might be just the ticket.

This sport weight yarn works really well on a US3, so you won't be knitting forever. I have knit several pairs of socks over the years, and the ones knit with Regia yarns wear like iron.

Emily has been kind enough to make her knee sock pattern available to all of us as a freebie with the purchase of the yarn. This sturdy sock yarn is a real winner. Stop on by, and you'll see why! (Uh oh, more rhyming...)

Llovely Llama Cowl

We spoke about the beautiful neutral alpaca Cascade Nevado earlier this month. Well, in no time at all, we have a free pattern to offer you.

Sally's Lovely Llama Cowl uses just one skein of Nevado, US11 needles, and a few short evenings of your time. We are offering the pattern for free with the purchase of the yarn, and it's a good one. Perfect for gift knitting, I would say. The stitches are all pretty simple, and you get to choose three big, awesome buttons. Who doesn't love big, awesome buttons?

This yarn really looks so much more interesting knit up in person than it does in the skein. The stitches are surprisingly crisp for a brushed sort of yarn, and there is much less halo than I would have expected. This is likely due to the nylon content, which gives it added durability and structure.

Stop and by and say hello to the yarn, the buttons, and the fabulous Emily, who graciously modeled the cowl for me. She is new to our shop this fall and is already contributing great ideas, samples, and a fabulous energy to our little corner. Welcome, Emily!

Debbie Bliss Lara

Say hello to Debbie Bliss Lara! Which we have in lots of pretty neutrals, sticking with our unofficial fall theme.

Lara is an almost-boucle, superchunky alpaca/wool blend. The solids are subtle and heathered, and the variegated shades produce a mottled, almost tweedy fabric. 

You can see it paired with a solid black in the Long Line Waistcoat shown up top. Many designs in the Lara pattern book are really lovely, in fact. I liked the Tank Top, knit with only four balls.

The Sleeveless Top is cool, too. Dramatic and cozy.

I can imagine quite a few teenagers loving the Hooded Scarf (with mitts/pockets).

If none of these patterns are your thing, how about the fastest and easiest scarf ever? Sally dedicated two balls of Lara and one whole evening to this lovely scarf.

If you have a friend who is begging to learn how to knit or a young person who needs a little knitting kit for the holidays, this would be a great introduction. The yarn is gorgeous and soft. (Never start with yucky yarn...it takes the joy out of it.) Aside from the cast on and bind off, it's all knitting. The thick yarn makes for nearly-instant gratification, too. A winner all around. Here's the free pattern for you.

Come down and check out this great new yarn while we still have a nice range of natural shades available!

Babies

Yes, this book is back in stock...All You Knit is Love: Knits for Babies 0-18 Months.

I know I talk about this book often, but it is just so good. My babies are all well out of the 0-18 month size range (and have been for about five years), but that didn't stop me from buying this book. A few of my most treasured projects were made from this collection. I like to think that the finished products will be treasured as well.

The Gry's Hoodie that I made as a shop sample has gone to live with its new owner, due to arrive in the outside world any day now. I have started a new sample using Bumblebirch Heartwood in the Dandelion colorway, another shop favorite. Keep your eyes peeled for that in the shop this winter.

I made these Ballonpants a few years back for one of my favorite small humans, and they will go down as one of my most precious knits. I loved every moment of work that I put into these, and I love how stinking cute they are on a big diapered baby bottom.

We have a lovely supply of Isager Spinni, Alpaca 1 and Alpaca 2 for these projects, although many work up beautifully in your favorite sock yarns.

If you have babies on the way, yours or otherwise, I cannot recommend this book enough. The instructions are clear, the designs are classic, and your finished work is sure to become a treasured family heirloom. What more could you ask?

More Possum: Rimu DK and Heron

We are happy to be carrying Heron this fall, a new yarn from Zealana. This yarn is a little different from its sister yarn, Rimu DK, which is freshly stocked as well. We have been loving the Rimu DK for a little more than a year now, so it's great to see some more offerings from Zealana.

Heron is a worsted weight yarn with 80% merino and 20% brushtail possum fur. Heron is a handwash only fiber, so it will felt nicely if that's your kind of thing.  Heron is a great choice for a luxuriously soft sweater, hat, scarf, mittens...anything you can imagine! It holds up well in cables and lace work, and it seems like a great choice for colorwork, too.

I was curious about the New Zealand brushtail possum fiber, so I poked around the Zealana website. I found these fabulous Wool School videos explaining the virtues of the fiber and why they include it in their yarns. They are both informative and interesting, if you are a fiber nerd like me. And the yarn professor is adorable.

I am impressed by the colors, quality, and durability of both of these yarns from Zealana. I hope to see more from them in the shop. What do you all think of this unusual fiber?

Cascade Nevado

Continuing our fall theme of naturally-colored fluffy yarns, we have Cascade Nevado!

This beautiful bulky yarn is a llama/wool blend with an interesting brushed texture. A little bit of nylon holds the whole thing together, and it is as soft as a cloud. The label recommends a US10, but I feel like this yarn would do well knit on slightly larger needles. And it looks like it will bloom beautifully with a good soak in wool wash.

Being a brand spanking new yarn, there are very few patterns and projects made up with this yarn. So I poked around a bit to find some inspiration for you all.

The Purl Soho Bandana Cowl was an obvious first choice. Free pattern, very stylish, just a few short rows to challenge your brain...perfect. And it seems like you could knit it with just one skein of Nevado.

I am also loving the Arika Cowl by Jane Richmond. This one is a $4.95 Ravelry download, but it is worth every penny. Two skeins of Nevado, a little bit of seaming and some very cool fringe. I can see this being a popular gift item. And so cozy!

Need something even faster? Try Kristen Hipsky's Last Minute Hat. She uses two strands of bulky yarn held together to make a quick and easy ribbed hat. I love the idea of using two of the natural shades of Nevado to create a pretty marled knit fabric. I can't make any promises, but it seems like you should be able to get two hats out of two skeins. I suppose it depends on how ambitious you go with the pom pom.

I am excited to see what you all make with this pretty new yarn! Any ideas popping into your heads?
All project photos borrowed from the associated pattern link.