Pacific Northwest

I had fun in the Freia booth at TNNA. New colours will be arriving next week.

The Freia Fibers Spring 2017 collection of ombrés are unified by their namesakes found in nature's grand palette of the Pacific Northwest.

AURORA embodies some of the rich colors found in the Northern Lights. The luminous hues begin with a pale pistachio green that evolves into a brighter seafoam; from there, the yarn shifts into light sky blue and ends with the mystery of midnight.

CHINOOK opens robustly with a deep turquoise that transitions through bronze riverbank shades ending in an earthly terra cotta. The auburn is reminiscent of gorgeous autumn leaves, and the vivid cerulean brings to mind the crystal waters of Lake Tahoe.

COHO is named for the salmon that thrive along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. This is a sweetly romantic tint that features warm grey/lavender, silver cloud, and ends in a dreamy pop of peach. This colorway is feminine but muted, and pairs beautifully with our bolder gradations.

The new colours are coming in Shawl Ball.

With so many reasons to love our new Merino Fingering yarn, it's hard to know where to start. First-off, the fiber: this is our first single-ply fingering yarn, and our first yarn in a luscious, lovely 100% merino. With a micron count of 21.5, it has an against-the-skin softness for neckwear. Then there's the feel-good manufacturing: this is a true cruelty-free merino, grown and spun in the United States to our particular specifications. Though exceptional stitch-definition has long been a hallmark of our single-ply yarns, the loftiness of this Merino Fingering is particularly versatile, lending itself to be stitched up in a variety of gauges without losing definition or drape. Voracious Freia fans will be perhaps most excited by the upgraded yardage. These 100 gram "Shawl Balls" measure 430 yards, perfect for single-skein projects.

The shawl patterns aren't on Ravelry yet but should be soon! Hopefully a week and a half.

The Medialuna Shawl takes just a single ball of the Freia shawl ball and 3.75mm needles.

Shifting Sands is also knit on 3.75mm needles with one ball of Shawl Ball.

I couldn't help myself. Sample balls came home from TNNA and I cast on Medialuna this afternoon. We'll be taking this yarn to the Toronto Knitters Frolic and the more samples the better.

I haven't knit with the Shawl Ball before - it's very nice. And tomorrow I get to see how well the yarn rips out. YIKES! The pattern says to roll the ball into two balls. I thought I was being smart working from each end of the ball. All of a sudden it hit me - at the end of the shawl I will be working with the same colour for the main and contrast colours. I need to be working the mauve for the main and the grey colour for the contrast. The main will go from mauve to grey. The contrast will work from grey to peach. That way the colours won't overlap.

Today's public service announcement - the designer asks you to do a step in the pattern for a reason. Don't try to outsmart them.

One good thing - before I rip this out I'm going to try it on a bit bigger needle. The pattern calls for 3.75mm but I think it will work on 4mm. This will make a larger shawl.

I have a feeling I'm going to have knitting nightmares tonight. :(

Big Box of Hedgehog

It's been a long evening working on the computer. Accounting. :( My post is going to be quick because I can barely focus.

Here's a little teaser from a shipment that should be arriving soon.

Turf, Jezebel and Tidepool

Mr. Canada Post made a visit this morning. Hedgehog is here!

The Potluck colours are great. I'll have them on the website tomorrow.

Now I need to choose my colours for the Ambah O'Brien Mystery KAL. An email came from Ambah this evening with some notes on the KAL including

How should I arrange my colours?
While all of the colours are used equally in the project, CC2 will be the best choice for the colour you'd like to dominate overall. It is perfect if MC and CC1 work well together and use CC2 to contrast against these two.
MC: Can be a soft/subtle or bolder contrast to CC1, either a solid or variegated will work here.
CC1: The perfect place for your speckle skein, if you are using one. A solid/ semi solid or variegated will also work well here, if you are using 2 variegated skeins they will be best placed here and for MC.
CC2: Best for a solid/ semi solid skein. Great to have this colour contrast or be darker/lighter than MC and CC1. Perfect for a bold colour choice or a dark or light neutral.

Visit Ambah's website to join her mailing list...
 

Beth was Lucy sitting today. They started out in the office but someone wasn't on her best behaviour. The other dogs caught her attention and she wouldn't leave them alone. Then the cleaning ladies came. And there were meetings going on. Beth packed Lucy up and brought her to our house.

It seems that she is pretty comfortable here.

Prism

There was a new shawl hanging in the Prism booth at TNNA. I took a picture but I couldn't get a good picture. Here it is.

Three strands of slender, silky Delicato team up in varying color combinations to create this dramatic wrap.

You take charge, changing color gradually and at will.

Laura's colour combinations are amazing. The kits should be arriving mid-February.

Lynda knit this Eccentric Wrap for us and I have knit the kit as well. There will be more colours coming. These kits are more tonal. Our kits are not coming with 6 skeins. Ours will have 7. This makes the wrap a bit bigger. Or it is perfect for Find Your Fade.

The kit will have 1330 yards of yarn. A bit less than Find Your Fade calls for but the shawl is huge and most people wouldn't mind it a big smaller.

 Check out the awesome classes!

Fun day of visitors

Lynda sent a box this week - what a great vest.

Pattern: Library Vest from Churchmouse Yarns (pattern in the store or available on Ravelry)
Yarn: Zara from Filatura di Crosa

Sarah and Cathy stopped in for a visit and Sarah put the vest on so we could see how it looks. The buttons haven't been sewn on yet but Sarah thinks she would like it with no buttons. Or maybe just one button at the top.

With simple styling that lends itself to the classroom, workplace or weekend, this vest is so classic, so quintessential, it could become your uniform. The jumper length has a certain schoolgirl chic. The abridged, hip-length version is a flattering layer without the bulk of a sweater. Either way, it’s a nice little primer of techniques you’ll use again and again.

I had to check under Sarah's coat when she left. I was afraid that the vest was going home with her - it fit her perfectly.

It was a fun day for visitors. Wannietta came in this afternoon - she just finished a shawl for the store.

Pattern: Born Trippy (free on Ravelry)
Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres Sock
Full skein of Fly
Mini skeins - 1 each of  Hush, Wish, Sorry not Sorry and Coral

Just one skein of Hedgehog Fibres Sock Yarn together with four Sock Minis will knit up into this cute little chevron scarf. Use your prized favourite speckle-tastic skein! Add a few pops of colour with the Minis, or use a second full skein for a slightly longer scarf. Speckles work well with a matching or a contrasting semi-solid.

Hedgehog has new colours. Meet Hula Hoop. They're on order and I'm hoping they'll be here sometime in March.

I'm not sure if she realizes that she's a dog.

BIG!

Big Loop arrived this afternoon.

100% Merino Wool
1135 grams (40oz)
115m (125 yards)

One ball and 35mm needles will make a super simple garter stitch throw.

35mm needles. These are huge!

 

I asked Beth if she would be willing to make a store sample. Her kind of knitting - really, really big needles. She was a bit disappointed when I told her that Loopy Mango sent a finished throw with my order.

The Nantucket throw pictured was knit with one ball. Two balls makes a great throw for the couch.

Little Monster is knit with two balls and 25mm needles.

Buy the yarn on Saturday and have a throw knit by Sunday. There are five colours in the store and on the website.

Our shipment from Offhand Designs should be here next week. Meet Snoopy

I might need this one in my collection :)

Happy to be Back

It's good to be home and back in the store. I've been arranging shipments for yarn and accessories purchased at TNNA. An order was placed for a new yarn for the Toronto Knitters Frolic (It's a secret right now). Plus there has been unpacking of boxes.

The first of two boxes from Hedgehog Fibres arrived this afternoon and was filled with Twist Sock.

80% Blue Faced Leicester wool and 20% nylon, superwash. Hard-wearing fingering weight yarn with a high twist in the ply. Great stitch definition, best suited for sock knitting. That tight twist will keep precious hand knit socks in shape wash after wash after wash. Soft, yet durable and machine washable. Best of both worlds!

Lynn used Twist Sock for a pair of socks and loves the yarn. This was before blocking the second sock. I can't get a new picture because she is wearing them all the time.

LITLG posted a picture on Instagram that has me excited.

Life in the Long Grass just finished dying a huge batch of yarn. Some of the yarn pictured will be on the way to us very soon. It could be arriving next week.

Loopy Mango has been shipped and should be here tomorrow afternoon. You could have a throw knit by Monday.

I'm unpacked, laundry is done and now it's time for a bit of knitting before bed.

On My Way Home

I'm posting early today. Most of the day will be spent flying and I don't think I'll want to sit down and write when I get home.  It's been a fun morning. The power went out in the hotel about 5:45 and was out for about 45 minutes. Thankfully my flight isn't until 12:40 so I have lots of time to get ready. I spent some time wandering yesterday. 

The Venetian is decorated for the Chinese New Year. I haven't been to The Wynn in a long time.

 

It was nice to be out in the sun.

 

I did spend some time working while I was away. I've been emailing with Hedgehog Fibres and our next order has been shipped. There will be 19 colours of Skinny Singles including 2 potluck colours. 10 colours of Twist Sock. 23 colours of Sock including 2 potluck. 

Shamrock and Ink are coming in Skinny Singles.

Nutmeg is coming in Sock.

I hope the order hurries. I haven't decided on the colours yet for my Ambah O'Brien Mystery KAL. There is still time for you to purchase the pattern - there is a coupon code for $2 off until February 3 when the KAL starts.    Now I need to pack. I've tried to answer all emails while I was away but if I've missed something I'll be back in the store tomorrow.

Vegas

Every time I pass this store in the Forum Shoppes I dream about what it would look like as a yarn store. 3 floors of yarn. Can you imagine??? I'm going to be dreaming about this tonight. 

The Conservatory at the Bellagio was beautiful as always. It is decorated for Chinese New Year - The Year of the Rooster.

 

There is always someone working in the gardens. This lady is having her flowers replaced.

 

There was a lot of walking today. I'm in the room writing and enjoying a tea. I think I'll knit a few rows before thinking about dinner. 

Another picture of Lucy at work. Beth wore her out. She would try and sleep under Beth's feet but then Beth would need to get up. There wasn't much rest so she should sleep well tonight.