close knit: the neighborhood yarn shop


Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Travel Projects

Right before I departed for the Memorial Day weekend, I was scrambling about in a mad rush trying to find a good travel project... something small and packable involving minimal equipment, easy-to-memorize instructions, no swatching, and very little planning. This time, I ended up with a hat. But I know this won't be the last mad scramble for a suitable project. So, I want to arm you all (and myself) with some ideas. Since it was a hat that saved my day, let's start with a good hat project.

Did you all know that we have started listing some of our best-loved patterns for sale on Ravelry? Most of them are small, one-or-two-skein projects that will totally fit the bill for a travel project. Melissa's Snowed In Slouch Hat is a great place to start. It's knit with Berroco North Star, a bulky chained alpaca yarn that is as soft as fluffy clouds.
You'll need a few circular needles, US7 and US11, and some double-points for the top. (I do not consider DPNs good travel companions, so I would probably save that part until I returned home. But that's just me. Same goes for the pom pom.) For me, this sweet slouchy hat fits the bill for a perfect travel project: small, two balls of yarn, only two circular needles, and easily-memorized instructions. Perfect.

We even have a lovely supply of little project bags in the shop for you to keep it all safe and contained in your bag.
Whether you are traveling far and wide this summer, or just need a nice easy project for a trip to the park or a sit-down in the garden, the Snowed In Slouch might be just the thing!

Stay tuned for more ideas...

Monday, May 29, 2017

Eye Candy

How about a little Noro intarsia pillow cover for your weekly eye candy?

Friday, May 26, 2017

Linen Season

I love wearing linen garments. Linen is so airy and breezy and easy to wear...really the prefect thing for summer. Linen yarns, however, are often not so perfect. I know a lot of you knitters and crocheters don't care for the rough feel of pure linen in your hands as you work, but I think you are going to like Cascade Hampton.
This cotton/linen blend reminds me a but of Cascade's Ultra Pima, but with a matte finish and more drape. Our current color palette is really tropical, and I'm particularly loving the blues and neutrals together.

This is a new yarn, so there are not a lot of projects on Ravelry to show off yet. Some really pretty scarves and shawls, especially nice for those who don't wear animal fibers. A few Ravelers have used Hampton to create Heidi Kirrmaier's Sunshine Coast, a great choice for this yarn. I have been thinking about this new pattern called Summer, and I'm thinking Hampton might be just perfect for it. It looks like the warm weather is upon us. Time for linen!

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Cashmere Queen


How about this pretty cashmere? The Cashmere Queen is a merino/cashmere/silk blend from Schoppel. This cool yarn is just as soft as you'd expect, but with a really cool almost-felted texture that Schoppel does so well.

Sally is using two balls to create the Purl Bee Lovely Ribbed Cowl in a super simple 2x2 rib. She will block this out aggressively to flatten out the rib a bit and create a nice drape.
I was also smitten with this pretty Fields of Wheat cowl I found on Ravelry. It looks like the knitter did fewer repeats than the original (free) pattern calls for, so she was able to get a nice length with one ball.
We have a lovely earthy, springy color range in stock, and I think you will all really love this stuff. But, fair warning from the yarn label...

Monday, May 22, 2017

Eye Candy

 
This sweet little sweater is gracing our shelves right now. It's knit up using Plymouth DK Merino Superwash, a lovely superwash in some great colors. Stop in and say hi!

Friday, May 19, 2017

Fiora Kerchief

 
Take a look at this cute little kerchief that Sally whipped up for us. She used just one ball of Lang Fiora, and the pattern is free when you purchase the yarn. Fiora is a cotton/rayon/acrylic blend, and the colors are really gorgeous knit up.
It's often hard to tell what you'll get when you start working with unusual yarns like this, but I was pleasntly surprised when I saw this little kerchief wrapped around the Gingham Gal's neck. We don't usually go in for a lot of novelty yarns anymore, so when we do, you know it's going to be a good one.

Stop in and let us know what you think of this new beauty!

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Summer Home Dec!

It looks like the weather might be taking a turn for the sunny this week. We have declared it home dec weather! Also, summer is a great time to learn some new techniques. Let's start off with a fun short row pillow class.
Emily will walk you through the magic of short rows to create this beautiful pillow using three balls of Noro Kureopatora. Short rows have so many uses. If you've ever shied away from a pattern because of short rows, now is the time to learn! Once you have it mastered with this fun pillow, you will be able to use short rows for garment shaping, design features, color manipulations...all the applications! Her class starts in a few weeks, so give us a call or stop in to sign up.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Eye Candy

...neutral alpaca edition. The addition of Imperial Yarns means we get this gorgeous alpaca, too.
Our Back 40 is 200 yards of sport weight alpaca in natural alpaca-y shades. You'll want to handle this stuff yourself to fully appreciate it.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Imperial Yarns Columbia

We are so excited to welcome Imperial Yarn back into the shop! We have a few stunning samples for you to try on and oggle. The Arrowhead Cardigan above is a serious project, and the results are certainly impressive. Colorwork, steeks...all the fancy techniques in this one. The Essential Sweater Dress below is a much simpler knit, but the look is gorgeous, too. This one can be knit as a dress or tunic with either a cowl neck or a hood.
The Raindrop Bag is very cool, with its elaborate cables and ample size. The bag is lined with fabric, so it's nice and stable. All of these beauties are designed and knit with Columbia, a soft and squishy 100% wool yarn, grown in Eastern Oregon.
We have a small range of colors for now, but I'm hoping that we will see more Imperial Yarn soon. If you love local yarns, stop in and take a look!

Monday, May 8, 2017

Eye Candy

There's a basket of Blue Sky Fibers Organic Cotton in the shop. There's not a lot, but the colors are so good. You only need one of each shade to make a Purl Bee Chevron Baby Blanket
I've made two! The pattern is really fun, and the yarn is amazing. Need a baby gift? This could be your go-to.

Friday, May 5, 2017

The Sale Tower

The sale tower is currently full of this gorgeous stuff. The Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester Aran has been discontinued, but what we have in the shop is ready to be yours at 40% off. Cables, colorwork, good ol' garter stitch...this yarn can do it all. It's still knitting weather, friends. Be prepared.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Make Happy with Lykke


I've seen this gorgeous interchangeable set from Lykke Crafts popping up on Instagram and blogs lately, so I was thrilled when Sally decided to carry them in the shop. Look at these beautiful birch needles!
The case that comes with the set is really lovely, too. It's a grey sueded denim with a pocket for all the bits and bobs that you need for interchangeables. This set includes US sizes 4-17, with two 24" cords, two 32" cords, and one 40" cord.

We are also carrying the regular circulars in this beautiful driftwood line. I have not had the pleasure of using these needles yet, but I look forward to hearing what you all think of them. Any of these beauties would make lovely gifts for yourself or your favorite knitter!

Monday, May 1, 2017

Eye Candy

Back in March, I showed you the beginnings of our slight obsession with the Paper Bag Hat. There's a finished product in the shop for you to see, and I think you'll like it, too. It's a free pattern on Ravelry, and we have had great luck with the Spun Right Round Sport Sock. Check out the great speckles and colors of this yarn!
I think I'm ready to jump on the bandwagon, too. Maybe we still have some Bug Jar left for me!