27 February 2011
Hi Folks
I sneaked away for a long and well deserved vacation (well at least in my opinion it was deserved).
Yes, I did get some knitting done. I have created a design for a Bermuda Project. All that are going on the Bermuda trip will have a project to do to remember the trip by.
While knitting the example for the Bermuda trip I ran into a common problem that can occur when knitting with cotton yarn, linen, etc. Your needle separates the strands and pierces the yarn easily. This can be quite annoying.
The solution is quite simple – start knitting from the other end of the ball of yarn. What is happening as you knit, and find that you pierce the yarn easily, is that with each throw if the yarn you are untwisting the yarn ever so slightly. Well, this adds up and you end up with a loose collection of plies.
By changing the end you knit from, your throw will wind the yarn up instead making the yarn's twist tighten instead of loosen and piercing will, for the most part, go away.
So simple.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
13 January 2011
We have been working hard to inventory the shop. It helps to know what you really have in stock so I don't say yes to you on the phone and then find out that there is none.
I have just gotten in more Addi Click Lace needles. Did you know that they're nickel plated now? Yep, no more brass. They have also changed the "wallet" that they come in. Wouldn't you know that the regular Addi Clicks are on backorder!
I told you that we would be getting in new yarns. Well, Eco Wool and Eco+ has arrived. There are free patterns on the Cascade website and Jered Flood knitted a lap blanked using an old doily pattern. The pattern is free and you can follow the link on Ravelry to down load the pattern.
Eco wool can be knit in two gages 3.5sts/inch and 4sts/inch. It comes in 478 yarn skeins so many sweaters only require two skeins. It has a small range of color (it's not 220 with over 200 colors) but the colors are great for any project. The color card gives you an idea of what is offered.
Here's a hint for all of you that use safety lines in your knitting. If you have a Boye Needle Master set you can pull a safety line through as you knit. Just put the thread into the tightening hole on the cable and knit away. As you knit the safety line is put into the knitting without any trouble. When you get to the end of the row, just release the thread, stretch out the knitting to pull the safety line along the width of the knitting and tie off the safety line! Voila!
I can't take credit for this idea. It came from a customer. Thank you Ms. Lyon!
We have been working hard to inventory the shop. It helps to know what you really have in stock so I don't say yes to you on the phone and then find out that there is none.
I have just gotten in more Addi Click Lace needles. Did you know that they're nickel plated now? Yep, no more brass. They have also changed the "wallet" that they come in. Wouldn't you know that the regular Addi Clicks are on backorder!
I told you that we would be getting in new yarns. Well, Eco Wool and Eco+ has arrived. There are free patterns on the Cascade website and Jered Flood knitted a lap blanked using an old doily pattern. The pattern is free and you can follow the link on Ravelry to down load the pattern.
Eco wool can be knit in two gages 3.5sts/inch and 4sts/inch. It comes in 478 yarn skeins so many sweaters only require two skeins. It has a small range of color (it's not 220 with over 200 colors) but the colors are great for any project. The color card gives you an idea of what is offered.
Here's a hint for all of you that use safety lines in your knitting. If you have a Boye Needle Master set you can pull a safety line through as you knit. Just put the thread into the tightening hole on the cable and knit away. As you knit the safety line is put into the knitting without any trouble. When you get to the end of the row, just release the thread, stretch out the knitting to pull the safety line along the width of the knitting and tie off the safety line! Voila!
I can't take credit for this idea. It came from a customer. Thank you Ms. Lyon!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
8 January 2011
Happy New Year!
We have been busy making sure that Santa brought all of the right things for a great knitter's Christmas – especially gift certificates.
We are getting in new items all of the time. I have more Skacel Lace Clicks coming. Now I can't get the standard Clicks. Go figure! I got in Hiya-Hiya interchangeable needles. So if you are interested, come by and see how they do their needles.
We are considering carrying interchangeable bamboo, ebony and rosewood needles. Tell us what you think about this. Would you purchase wooden interchangeable needles?
I thought you might want to know about the Vogue knitting patterns in the back of each issue. To quote:
To be fair they will send you the charts if you send them a SASE. I just thought you might want to know. You might want to check your issues to make sure you have the information you need for the issues you have.
We've posted a pattern on Ravelry that seems to be a quick like. It was designed by Lyn's mom and we thank her for the pattern. It's a quick knit and only takes one skein of Berroco Boralis. You can use any yarn you wish but that is what we used for the model. If you go to my Ravelry page it will link you through to the websites page and you can down load the .pdf.
We are inventorying the shop so the drudgery work is at hand but we are still open and willing to help you and serve you needs. Stop by and break us away from the counting, please.
Happy New Year!
We have been busy making sure that Santa brought all of the right things for a great knitter's Christmas – especially gift certificates.
We are getting in new items all of the time. I have more Skacel Lace Clicks coming. Now I can't get the standard Clicks. Go figure! I got in Hiya-Hiya interchangeable needles. So if you are interested, come by and see how they do their needles.
We are considering carrying interchangeable bamboo, ebony and rosewood needles. Tell us what you think about this. Would you purchase wooden interchangeable needles?
I thought you might want to know about the Vogue knitting patterns in the back of each issue. To quote:
"Some patterns in this issue require large charts of lengthy instructions. Space considerations have made it necessary for us to move parts of the instructions to our website. Please read the NOTES before beginning a project to check if any part of the instructions is on our website.
To find these items, visit our website and click on 'CHARTS.'"
To find these items, visit our website and click on 'CHARTS.'"
To be fair they will send you the charts if you send them a SASE. I just thought you might want to know. You might want to check your issues to make sure you have the information you need for the issues you have.
We've posted a pattern on Ravelry that seems to be a quick like. It was designed by Lyn's mom and we thank her for the pattern. It's a quick knit and only takes one skein of Berroco Boralis. You can use any yarn you wish but that is what we used for the model. If you go to my Ravelry page it will link you through to the websites page and you can down load the .pdf.
We are inventorying the shop so the drudgery work is at hand but we are still open and willing to help you and serve you needs. Stop by and break us away from the counting, please.
Friday, December 31, 2010
15 January 2011Hi folks,
Here's a new pattern that was designed by the HCY Design Team. You can find the link on the HCYs Ravelry page. It's knit with one skein of Berroco's Borealis and it's just garter stitch to boot.
If you don't know about Ravelry, it's time to find out about it. There is no fee and the knitting world will open up to you. Need I say more.
Friday, December 17, 2010
17 December 2010
New yarns have started coming in! I just got Cascade Yarns 220 in Sport Weight, and it is washable too. That means all of your baby patterns pre-1970 will no longer be a problem. You don't have to resort to acrylic yarns.
To help those of you who do not have older baby patterns I ordered Penny Straker patterns that support this weight of yarn. These are classic patterns and will be be just as fashionable today as they were in the '60s and will be for scores of years to come. These sweaters will become family heirlooms.
New class schedules were mailed on Monday. I just got mine today and it was the post office that they were mailed from! You should be receiving the schedules today or tomorrow. If you are impatient, the schedule is on the website.
New yarns have started coming in! I just got Cascade Yarns 220 in Sport Weight, and it is washable too. That means all of your baby patterns pre-1970 will no longer be a problem. You don't have to resort to acrylic yarns.
To help those of you who do not have older baby patterns I ordered Penny Straker patterns that support this weight of yarn. These are classic patterns and will be be just as fashionable today as they were in the '60s and will be for scores of years to come. These sweaters will become family heirlooms.
New class schedules were mailed on Monday. I just got mine today and it was the post office that they were mailed from! You should be receiving the schedules today or tomorrow. If you are impatient, the schedule is on the website.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
9 December 2010
I have been remiss. I am sorry for not having posted for awhile.
I have been busy trying to bring in new products for your winter knitting. And, we have gotten in some great yarns. I've just ordered some Cascade Eco + and there are free patterns for this yarn. I have been notified that it has shipped so I hope it will be in next week.
Jered Flood has knitted a beautiful throw using the Eco yarn. You can see and download the pattern from Ravelry.
There will be more yarns coming soon and I will let you know as they arrive.
The class schedule is at the printers as I write this. If you don't get one in the mail by the end of next week, please let me know. I've added a class about cast-ons. It might surprise you how many types there are and how they might just be a bit better than the one you're presently using.
I'm including some of the pictures of the tams knitting at the PJ Party weekend. Courtney was nice enough to model her tam for me.
And now for a smile....
I've found that there is a very permanent way of attaching buttons to your sweater. I use dental floss (not waxed). I know you're saying, "What about the white?" Well, a permanent marker takes care of that. The color only has to be close - not an exact match. The best way is to back the button with another button. Fabric shops sell emergency buttons. They're clear and just the ticket for the backside of the button band. This stops the button from being torn out and helps it lay flat on the surface of the button band.
Happy Holidays!
I have been remiss. I am sorry for not having posted for awhile.
I have been busy trying to bring in new products for your winter knitting. And, we have gotten in some great yarns. I've just ordered some Cascade Eco + and there are free patterns for this yarn. I have been notified that it has shipped so I hope it will be in next week.
Jered Flood has knitted a beautiful throw using the Eco yarn. You can see and download the pattern from Ravelry.
There will be more yarns coming soon and I will let you know as they arrive.
The class schedule is at the printers as I write this. If you don't get one in the mail by the end of next week, please let me know. I've added a class about cast-ons. It might surprise you how many types there are and how they might just be a bit better than the one you're presently using.
I'm including some of the pictures of the tams knitting at the PJ Party weekend. Courtney was nice enough to model her tam for me.
And now for a smile....
I've found that there is a very permanent way of attaching buttons to your sweater. I use dental floss (not waxed). I know you're saying, "What about the white?" Well, a permanent marker takes care of that. The color only has to be close - not an exact match. The best way is to back the button with another button. Fabric shops sell emergency buttons. They're clear and just the ticket for the backside of the button band. This stops the button from being torn out and helps it lay flat on the surface of the button band.
Happy Holidays!
Friday, October 29, 2010
29 October 2010
Don't forget tomorrow's Porch Party. It looks like the weather will be great - cool and sunny, so it will be the perfect time to wear that just finished sweater! We'll have hot tea available and lots of goodies. The party will be all day so come when you wish.
The PJ Party was another success if I do say so. Lisa Myers of Manos del Uruguay was our guest speaker. She had many sweaters to show and all of the lines of Manos. Lisa also spoke about the Manos project and how it was one of the first "Fair Trade" yarn suppliers. Manos employs women in the very rural areas of Uruguay who would otherwise not have any employment at all.
Hunt Country Yarns has carried Manos del Uruguay yarn from the day we opened our doors in 1997. We will continue to supply the finest that Manos has to offer to our customers.
Check out our website for the exciting news about the shop's upcoming trip to Bermuda! This will be a sit back and relax trip to remove the doldrums of winter. This trip is open to stitchers and their partners. There will be plenty to do aboard ship and much to do in Bermuda. Not to worry if you don't pursue the needlearts.
And lastly, a tip:
If you drop a stitch in a fine dark yarn or fuzzy yarn, hold the knitting over a bright source of light (try a lamp on the floor - take care with the hot bulb). It will be much easier to see where the stitches are and probably very easy to see the dropped stitch. Catch the stitch with a safety pin (we have the coilless ones again). Now you can decide to pick-up the dropped stitch or (heaven forbid) ravel back to the error.
Don't forget tomorrow's Porch Party. It looks like the weather will be great - cool and sunny, so it will be the perfect time to wear that just finished sweater! We'll have hot tea available and lots of goodies. The party will be all day so come when you wish.
The PJ Party was another success if I do say so. Lisa Myers of Manos del Uruguay was our guest speaker. She had many sweaters to show and all of the lines of Manos. Lisa also spoke about the Manos project and how it was one of the first "Fair Trade" yarn suppliers. Manos employs women in the very rural areas of Uruguay who would otherwise not have any employment at all.
Hunt Country Yarns has carried Manos del Uruguay yarn from the day we opened our doors in 1997. We will continue to supply the finest that Manos has to offer to our customers.
Check out our website for the exciting news about the shop's upcoming trip to Bermuda! This will be a sit back and relax trip to remove the doldrums of winter. This trip is open to stitchers and their partners. There will be plenty to do aboard ship and much to do in Bermuda. Not to worry if you don't pursue the needlearts.
And lastly, a tip:
If you drop a stitch in a fine dark yarn or fuzzy yarn, hold the knitting over a bright source of light (try a lamp on the floor - take care with the hot bulb). It will be much easier to see where the stitches are and probably very easy to see the dropped stitch. Catch the stitch with a safety pin (we have the coilless ones again). Now you can decide to pick-up the dropped stitch or (heaven forbid) ravel back to the error.
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