Here is the lovely Linda bag. It is named for my good friend Linda who is battling cancer for a second time. She is strong and determined and we all wish her well. This pattern is easy and can be done in one evening. Quick holiday gift! I will try to post the pattern soon.

Ok, I thought the needle holder family was complete

Well, I guess I was wrong. Phil the tinman has come up with yet another size. We couldn't decide what length of the 'fat' holder to make, 7 or 9 inch. so he is now making both. Now you can make those chunky mittens, hats and socks and not loose your stitches. All you 'scared of those tiny sock needle' people can have a holder too!

Just a few new items

New stuff in the shop? oh Yeah, We got some lovely J-Knits sock and dk weight in today. Gorgeous colors named after cities, and you can almost guess without looking at the tag, which city it's supposed to remind you of. I have so much yarn and so little time. I've been trying to finish the purple Tahki tweed jacket for a couple of weeks now. You know how you just get to the end and you have to stop and do some other project just to keep your sanity? Well, I'm there. I made an ear flap hat out of Baby alpaca grande, so so soft and comfy. Last night I made a quick hat out of Taos by crystal palace. Super nice and the colors just flow into one another. Just one ball for each hat. If you need a quick Christmas gift, hats are the way to go. One nighters! One skeiners! and they don't break the bank! The best part is you won't get the dreaded 2nd sock, mitten, glove or whatever you have to make 2 of phenomenon. Yippee!!

New in the tin needle holder family will be an addition to the 'fat' size. There will be a 7 inch and an 8 inch. for all you hat and mitten knittters to fit all those larger needles 4-9 u.s.

Hope everyone is knitting lots now that the cooler weather has arrived!

Curl up with a new knitting book on tape and knit away..books on tape arriving soon, I hope.

Here is the picture of the whole family of dpn holders. Call the shop for prices or more info. I do take orders over the phone or email @woolworks@snet.net. I have a Paypal account as well.

The new baby has arrived!

We now have a very small needle holder for the 5 inch dpn's. It's really cute. This addition makes the needle holder family complete.

the Car after Rhinebeck!

As you can see there was very little room in the car when we were done. Dianna bought a wooden fall decoration and it fit between the seats. Thank goodness! We couldn't have strapped it to the roof. Even the front seat is loaded and Emily tries to knit. We had a crazy good time! Thanks Dianna!

Rhinebeck!

Ok, so I wasn't going to go. Well, I was going to go but I had worked a 12 hour shift the day before and the shop was supposed to be busy on Saturday with the craft show and the train coming to town. I could go on with the excuses but no one cares really. I was going with Dianna and wanted to go Sunday, she wanted to go Friday night and i just wasn't up for it. What I didn't know is she left and assumed i wasn't coming. I called her Sat. am to find out the plan and to my surprise and disappointment she was already there! Now who wants to drive 3 hours alone? Not that I can't, I just don't like to. Now here's the good part..John was going on a motorcycle ride to....? NEW YORK! Whewhew! So with backpack in tow we got on the bike and rode the 3 hours down the Mass Pike and Taconic state parkway. What an amazing ride! Awsome beauty, leaves still pretty and the wonderful smell of fall. The weather was really nice, not too cool. He dropped me off at the entrance took my helmet and jacket back with him, you'll see why this was seredipitous later. The cars, oh my, the cars! That meant people, knitting,spinning and weaving people. Wow, that many in one place all with wool and fiber in common. Incredible.

I met up with 'them' in one of the buildings, them as in Dianna and the lovely Emily, I didn't know she was there. What a wonderful surprise.
We ate lamb, the best apple turnovers in the world, and cheese.
We shoppped and shopped, amazingly we still can walk. It was indescribable. You know when you go to a fair and the people are just moving like cattle? If you bump someone they either say something derogatory or give you a dirty look. NOT here. It was nice, I know not very elaborate word for it but it was NICE. There were bags, backpacks, strollers, kiddiepacks, baskets, and anything you can think of to carry your stash in. People has no choice but to bump you but no one cared and if they did there were apologies all around.
The picture at the top of the page is Dianna's car before the trip...in the parking lot, before we emptied it out to fit all our take.
The place was mobbed. Fun mobbed. Glad we were going back on Sunday. The selection was incredible, a yarn snobs dream. We met the Bourgois' from Ontario with their Philosophers wool sweater and shawl kits. Eugene and Anne are a delight. I splurged on a cardigan of lavendars and purples. I've been admiring them on line for a long time and would love to learn the 2 handed techniques.

We saw the lovely Yarn Harlot herself amoung the crowd and signing books. I already have all her books signed so I felt funny just saying hello but she accomodated me with a picture, Love the sweater Steph!

I also went out on a limb and bought me some natural colored cashmere. WOW..amazing. It's for me!!

I also got a drop spindle and some fabulous merino and mohair roving in a divine wine color. I'm going to learn, really!

The car was so full on the way home I couldn't see out the windows. I was in the back.

Plymouth Yarn Sale, Starting NOW!

There will be a Sale on all Plymouth yarn in stock. (no special orders for this sale) I have received a huge shipment of Encore, sock yarn, alpaca,wools, lovely blends of merino, alpaca and cashmere,baby yarns and more. I will give a 25% discount on any thing from Plymouth in the shop. Buy now for those special holiday gifts! Stock up on your dwindling stash! Lots of pattern support too, I'll give a 10% discount on any Plymouth pattern as well.

Bulky, Chunky Sale

We will have a sale on all Bulky and chunky yarns starting the 13th thru the 20th. All these yarns will be 20% off.

New bags from Della Q

Today we received the bags we've been waiting for from Della Q. Lovely silk bags with pockets and zippers, totes and small purses as well as some needle cases for circulars.
More sock yarn we've been looking forward to came today also from Madelinetosh. Love the colors! Hand dyed.
New Ann Norling patterns and the Aspen bulky weight merino and acrylic blend from Muench have also arrived. I made a ear flap baby hat, so cute and took only 1 hour!

This week we are expecting the new addition to the tin needle holder family. The smallest of the group to fit 5 inch needles, not sure of the price yet. And don't forget we already have the 'fat' holder for the larger, up to a size 9 dpn for the hat and mittens maker.

Quick and easy cabled baby sweater!

Anny Blatt Angora and ribbon, Delicious!

The Pictures as promised

Here are the pictures for the earlier post. Unfortunately you see them before you see the post I'm even talking about! Crazy how that works. Anyway the top pic is the Ritratto, followed by the recycled silk on the left, the Llama silk on the left below, the AnnyBlatt angora and ribbon on the right and the Louet kidlin and mohair on the bottom.

Erratic downloads

Pictures for the previous post

Hopefully this worked. I'm having technical difficulty. My computer likes to shut off whenever it wants and I'm really frustrated. On a nicer note we got some really nice yarn from France today from Beregere, a cotton and wool washable blend. Wonderful pattern support and children's books as well.

More New Yarn to suit everyone's fancy...

We have had an eventful week. Lots of new people to meet and knit with! I just wanted to update everyone on the new yarns that came in recently.
New from Yarns Northwest (Russi Sales) is a lovely Silk and Merino. I has a marvelous hand with 70% Merino and 30% Silk. The colors are jewel like with a soft sheen. Would make a wonderful scarf, nice next to the skin.
If you are looking for a bit of glamor for the evening we have a mohair blend with just a hint of sparkle that will catch the light beautifully. It's from S. Charles and it's called Ritratto. The colors are great for evening wear or to dress up the winter coat without being too heavy.
Also in the realm of dressy is the Bouton d'Or, Songe. It's a fine yarn of kid mohair, viscose, and polymide. I made a fan and feather pattern scarf with 2 balls, doubled. It was just the right length. Every one who touches it thinks it's lovely.
We have loved Louet from afar and now we have it in the shop! Their yarn is just fabulous! The colors cover a wide range and the hand is magnificent. I can't wait to work with it.
Kidlin is the 49% Linen and 35% Mohair, 16% Nylon blend lace weight. It comes 250 yards. It makes a beautiful shawl with nice stitch definition.
Mohair is worsted weight, 105 yds, 78% Mohair,13% wool and 9%nylon. Again wonderful colors.
Gems comes in fingering, sport, worsted and bulky. We have started with the fingering and sport to supplement the baby yarns. It's just divine! 100% washable and DRYABLE Merino. The fingering makes lovely socks and I've chosen some nice soft baby colors. In the sport (dk) weight the colors are more adult or child, nice hews for fall.

If you are a lace knitter and are looking for a step up to cashmere, we have a gorgeous 70% cashmere and 30% silk from Filatura DiCrosa called Superior.

Also for the knitter willing to spend a little more for that someone special, We have some Anny Blatt Angora Super. It's a variegated and incredibly soft with lots of loft. There is a ribbon that matches and they are wonderful carried together. You will not want to give it away! The sample in the shop is very much loved almost like a kitten!

If you are looking for silk, We have some blends and some 100%. If bright colors are what you fancy try the Mango Moon recycled dk silk. This company is known for assisting women of Nepal with shelter, healthcare and education. The colors are vibrant and mostly in the reds, blues and purples. Plymouth yarn has come out with a Llama and silk blend in a worsted weight that is wonderful. The colors are more subdued with a heather tone. It's an 'ok to be next to your skin' yarn. Fabulous!

I will try to post some pictures soon.

I have opened an account with DellaQ for those that would like to see some pretty silk bags and purses, they should be in next week.

Seems the pattern of this week was the Tahki Tweed vest in the fall Tahki knits book. There are some wonderful earth tones reminiscent of fall in this conservative but classic yarn. It's a wonderful staple item and is always in style.

Would you like to knit something FAST? I just made the Baby cable cardigan in the BIG Needle Knits book from Plymouth. The book is not new but I should have used it sooner. Two days (with working in between) to complete the 6 month size. Really cute!

New Stuff!

I'm so excited about the new yarns coming in. This week we received some Jo Sharp silk wool blend and the pattern books. Really nice hand. I also got in some Claudia hand dyed sock weight yarn. Gorgeous colors and she uses Louet yarn like Koigu. We ordered more from Reynolds as the new kids line is wonderful and catching on. The book has 42 patterns for infants to size 6 child! The yarns are lovely and washable, not your run of the mill acrylic. There are great cottons, washable wool and a wool,acrylic blend. Great 'Gap'like preppy colors.

If you like fair isle try Whiskey from Reynolds. I just love the colors and the yardage for the price is nice too. There is great pattern support, hats, gloves, mittens, vest, sweaters and more.

More sock yarn from Madelinetosh and J-knits are on the way!
I'm working on a sock using Maxime Print from Filatura DiCrossa and I just love the patterning. Five colors arrived this week. New Opal is in also. Better get knitting on all those socks for Christmas! Why not join us for Sock Night, Tuesdays from 6:30-8pm. All levels and ages welcome.

Books and more Books have arrived! Lots to peruse. Come in and be inspired!

I forgot to note that the pattern as written has a cast off edge at the thumb. The ones I am making now have a partial thumb so if you wanted to make them you'd just have to place the thumb stitches on a holder and go back and pick them up, knitting the thumb like a mitten. Go up as far as you want and cast off in rib, ( it will fit better).

Here are the fingerless gloves that did not get eaten by the beagle hiding behind the chair. I am using a variegated yarn from Decadent fibers. It has a matching mohair I'll probably use with the remainder in a scarf.

I am loving the new size of tin needle holder. It's great for the thicker yarns and a must for not loosing everything off the dpn's. These are fatter versions of the original and hold up to a size 9 dpn with work in progress.

why do dogs like paper?

Why do dogs, especially puppies, have to chew up the most unusual things? Do they care if it's the newspaper for a few cents or the most costly out of print book you own?
Obviously they don't because mine just chewed up my friends copy of the October Knit'n Style!
Why? Because he wanted to digest the lovely patterns or learn to knit? Not a chance. It was because I was on the phone and he couldn't stand it. All the attention was not directed at him. I happen to speak rarely on the phone and it was a very important call, but he didn't care, it's all about HIM. I was just glad he didn't eat the yummy fingerless gloves in progress in the bag with the magazine. Then he would have wished I was still on the phone! Here is the pattern for the mock cable gloves......Will post picture when I can get the camera to download.

Mock Cable Fingerless Mitts

These mitts are fitted and do not fall off. The merino has some stretch and great stitch definition, nice for beginners.

Materials: worsted weight yarn, about 85 yds. for each mitt. (I used Berocco Pure Merino)

Size 5 (us) dpn’s or size to get gauge.

Gauge: 6 sts. to the inch without stretching, knitted in K2, p2 rib. (Note: check gauge in the round for more accuracy)

Pattern: Right Twisted mock cable, (T2R) made over 2 knit stitches as follows:

Knit 2 tog but don’t let stitch off needle, knit into the first stitch of the 2 you just knit together, let stitch off needle.

Cast on 40 stitches

Join in round on double pointed needles being careful not to twist

Cuff: K2, P2 around for 10 rows or until cuff is desired length.

Body of mitt: Row 1; Cable twist (T2R), P2, repeat around.

Every 2^nd and 3^rd round, K the knits and purl the purls.

(You will have two knit 2, Purl 2 rows between your twisted cable rows.)

Continue in this pattern for 5 inches

Gusset for thumb: Knit in pattern as set for 18 stitches (next stitch will be a purl), Place marker, Make one stitch, Purl 2, Make one, Place 2^nd marker. Finish round in pattern to first marker.

Next and every other round, continue in pattern without increasing between markers, purling the stitches between the markers.

Odd rounds: Increase between the markers one stitch on each end.

Continue in this manner until you have 16 purl stitches between the markers.

Next round: Remove 1^st marker, Cast off 15 of the purled gusset stitches (you will have one purl stitch left on your needle), remove 2^nd marker. Finish round in pattern to the cast off edge, pick up 1 stitch and purl it, Join with the other purl stitch on the other side of the cast off edge and continue in the pattern around. You should have 40 stitches again. (This closed the thumb gap)

Continue in pattern as established for 2 ½- 3 inches or desired length (try it on and see how far you want your fingers to stick out the top) Cast off in pattern. Do not end with a twisted cable round or it will ruffle.

Created on 11/8/2006 11:42 PM©

who needs a scarf?

Thank you to all my 'ladies'

Happy Birthday to Dottie!
Thank you to Paula, Dottie and Sue for everything you do for the shop and for me. You are all wonderful friends and I could never run the shop without you.

Finally not blogless!

Hope everyone is enjoying the end of summer and getting ready for school. We really can't complain about the summer weather. It was beautiful and luckily for us the knitters didn't care how hot it was. Thank you to all my wonderful customers that were so helpful in helping me move and start up in the new location. You are all very much appreciated!

Check out the newsletter and updates. I will use this blog to post sales also so check in often. I'd love to hear from you.