21 March 2012

More summer yarn has arrived!

The newest is Revive. Rowan Revive is their wonderful tweed effect, fully recycled summer yarn. It is a rustic tweed as only Rowan can do, with signature Rowan colors. Made from recycled cotton, silk and viscose. The regenerated fibers are spun into this beautiful, high quality yarn, that gives life to new hand knitting. This yarn is spun in Italy.

To match up with the yarn we have Rowan Magazine No. 51. The Sping/Summer issue includes this beautiful Rowan Revive Pattern – and many others.

14 March 2012

It's hot, but I don't need to tell you that.

We have in scarf kits from S Charles using their Crystal yarn and pattern for the Kathleen Scarf for the:

"Sticking it to heart disease"

The Stitch Red campaign is being sponsored by many yarn companies and a portion of the purchase price is being donated to Stitch Red.This is a great summer scarf that will add a bit of sparkle to your summer outfits. Help Stitch Red fight heart disease.

2 March 2012

I guess that I missed Winter, but, maybe not really. Okay, just kidding.

We got in the first batch of school color Footprints 'Team Colors' sock yarn. We have in stock UVA and West Point. We can get most any college but those were the first requests and we finally got them.

So, if you're a sock knitter and are willing to knit a pair of school color socks for yourself or for a special someone, we can help you. Just ask.

23 February 2012

It's finally here! The long awaited for revised edition of The Principles of Knitting.

This book was first published in the 80's and was sold out quickly. As little as a year ago it was selling for hundreds of dollars on ebay.

This revised edition has pictures of the knitting techniques instead of drawings, much easier to understand. This is not a pattern book but a book about technique - one of the ultimate reference books that you will ever own. I cannot imaging any knitter not having this book on their bookshelf.

23 December 2011

I've heard it many times, "If I buy another needle my husband will ......"

As a husband I would like to say that I have many tools that look the same but are very different. Screwdrivers, socket wrenches, box wrenches, etc. I also have the same tool in different places, trunk of car, tool chest, kitchen drawer, etc. I won't even go into power tools.

I see no difference in having needles made out of different materials and whether they are straight, double point, circular or interchangeable. Needles are the tools you use to make your knitted project and not all needles are suited for all projects. Just like a slotted driver won't work for a phillips driver.

So, the next time you hear the question, ask about his tools for his "hobby".

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

22 December 2011

My Christmas hours will be: Saturday Dec 24, 10-2 pm. Closed Dec 25 - 27. I'll be open Wed Dec 28, at 10 am.

Just a quick thought. If you are trying to figure out the instructions of a "complicated" stitch pattern, DON'T use the yarn that you will be using for the project. This is especially the case if the project is to be knitted in a dark color or on very small needles.

Grab any light colored yarn that is at least DK weight, but not bulky. Knit the stitch pattern using needles appropriate for the yarn you've grabbed for the test of the pattern.

There is no reason to try the stitch pattern using your project yarn and having to ravel it out several times because of confusion of the pattern wording or your misunderstanding of the stitich pattern's instructions.

Once you've figured out how the stitch pattern works you are ready to go with your project. This does not, however, relieve you of doing a knitted sample for stitch gauge. Be good, knit a gauge. It really does save time!

Happy Holidays! Happy Knitting!

15 December 2011

Christmas is almost upon us!

If you're looking for a special gift, we've just gotten in some beautiful stitch markers. Some are made from stone (unakite, jasper, etc.) and some are glass and wood. Problem is, they're all beautiful.

We also have sheep cell phone holders. It's hard to explain but they work and their fun. You have to stop by and see.