Pattern Sale

Don't miss out! Melanie Berg's knitting patterns are on sale through April 3.

From now through April 3, use the coupon code "mairlynd" at Ravelry's check-out, and for each of my self-published patterns that you purchase, you'll get another one for free. Simply put all patterns into your cart before checking out, and don't forget to add the coupon code correctly.

We have new kits in the store. 4 skeins of a cotton/viscose blend (50/50). The 4 skeins total 880 m/960 yards.

There are 7 colour combinations in stock and the kits sell for $48.

The pattern for the baby blanket is free.

Wrap your loved one in this exquisite hand knit blanket using one of our specially developed gradient color kits. A luxury for your little one day to day or for yourself on a chilly Summer evening enjoying the company of family and friends on the back deck as the sun dips below the horizon.

The kit will make a great shawl. Free Your Fade popped in to my head the minute I saw these.

Take a look what other people have used the kit for on Ravelry.

Don't forget that our Spring/Summer hours have started.

Tuesday-Friday 10-5:30
Saturday 10-4
Sunday-Monday Closed

Stating that - we will be open this Monday, April 2 until 4pm for those who are off on Monday and need yarn.

Now it's time to clean the house. We are expecting a few guests (close to 30) tomorrow for dinner.

The Shift

Alex finished The Shift (pattern purchased on Ravelry) and it is awesome.

This cowl is the perfect all-the-time accessory! And the answer for all of those knitters out there who love to knit shawls, but have a hard time styling them. A fun and engaging knit with shifting colors, that looks like an asymmetrical triangle shawl, and it only takes a fiddle-free second to throw it on as the finish to every outfit!

I talked to the store yesterday before boarding the plane and Lynn told me that she left The Shift in the front room. Just in case I stopped in today. She knows me well.

The trip home was uneventful but the airport in Toronto was jammed. Customs took forever and there was a lot of traffic on the way home. By the time I got home it was too late to write.

On Wednesday night I went for a walk down the strip. I miss it but I'm happy to be home.

Knitting by the Pool

The weather was beautiful today so I spent some time by the pool.

I’m using an Anzula Squishy Skeinette kit to make the 3 Color Cashmere Cowl. No, my drink doesn’t have any alcohol. I sent the picture to Beth who showed it to my dad. He asked how I could prove that statement. I told him that if there was alcohol there would be no way that I could knit.

I’ve made a few changes to the pattern. I left out the holes in the first set of stripes. I also shortened the stripes. 

Now it’s time to get changed on on my way. It’s my last night in Vegas.

Noro

We received a new book today.

The patterns are fabulous.

On my walk through The Bellagio today I saw this dress in a store window. Are they trying to tell us that eyelash yarn is coming back???

I went on an adventure to the Outlet Mall today. There are two in Vegas. I went to the South Mall. My last time there was about 15 years ago and it looks just the same. Tip - try the other Outlet Mall. I think it’s a lot nicer than the one I went to.

Now it’s time for dinner. I’m so tired and it’s only 5:30 here. I’ve walked over 10km already and it’s a good walk to get to dinner. Maybe I’ll get to bed a bit earlier tonight :)

Hockey Night in Vegas

There is a game in town tonight and I’m going. Colorado is visiting. They are fighting for a playoff spot so it should be a great game.

I’m up early this morning to do my chores. Labels for mail orders have been made and Lynn has the yarn boxed up and ready to ship out. Emails have been answered. 

Here are a few more pictures from The Conservatory.

I can’t wait for my flowers to start blooming.

Here is one of my new pairs of shoes. I’ll need to knit a shawl to match :) Or go through my closet because I must have one with this colour in it.

I had a short nap this afternoon and then there wasn’t time to finish my post before heading to the game. I’m home now. We (Vegas) won 4-1. 

Now it’s bedtime. I’d like to think that I’m going to sleep in tomorrow but it won’t happen. I’ll be up early. It is supposed to be warmer and my plan is to sit by the pool with my knitting. That’s the plan tonight. Who knows what is going to happen in the morning.

Not One. Not Two. Yes Three

The Airplane Scarf is the perfect plane knitting. Totally mindless. Knit every row. Around and around.

I made it safely but it was late (or early) when I finally got to sleep. When I was clearing Customs in Toronto the agent asked why I had so much luggage. My suitcase and carry on had lots of empty space. And it’s a good thing. Donald Pliner had shoes on sale. Three pairs are coming home with me. It was a good sale :)

My travels today took me to The Conservatory at the Bellagio. Spring flowers. So pretty.

I have many more pictures. All sadness goes away when you are walking through The Conservatory. Everyone is happy. They are taking pictures and talking and pointing. 

It is beautiful outside. The sun is shining and compared to the weather at home it is hot. I’m going to take my knitting to the pool and enjoy the sun for a while.

True Colors

My family isn't good at secrets. I can't believe I was able to wait until today to share.

On Thursday and Friday I wanted to share these pictures but I held them back to make sure there was a Saturday post.

I'm writing today's post ahead of time. There might not be time in the store on Saturday and when we close it's time to head to the airport. I land at 11pm PST so it'll be around midnight by the time I'm checked into my room. That is 3am our time. By the time I actually get settled into bed and asleep I will have been awake for almost 24 hours.

On Wednesday afternoon Alex and I made up some kits for True Colors. The kit consists of a 100 gram skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock and 2 String Quintet kits. We took the kits apart and numbered the yarn as a suggestion for the order that they should be knit.

Alex is really good at putting together colours so I asked her to start on this while I was doing something else. She would pick up a String Quintet and then put it down. Then another. Finally I asked her what was wrong. She had the colours for the picture below but couldn't come up with another one. 'Nothing goes together'. We both looked at the kits and came up with the top combination. I love it. I want/need it :)

Pattern: True Colors (purchased on Ravelry)

Let your true colors shine in this eye-catching shawl!

Whether your style is bold, elegant, playful, or simply unique - you’ll find this asymmetrical triangle shawl to be the perfect playground for your personality. 

It knits up to a generous size, with a simple lace pattern creating a stunning scalloped effect. Eyelet stripes separate gradient color bands, which become the accent color when the scheme is reversed near the end. 

Use a Staccato Set by Lorna‘s Laces to create the gradients, or search through your stash for all those skeins of extra sock yarn you’ve been saving for a special project.

Spring is on the way?

It's a bright, sunny day today. Looking out the window you might think it was spring. Lynn and I redressed our mannequins. The black clothes are all gone and now it's pretty pastels. (Tomorrow's job is to steam our garments - please excuse the wrinkles)

Not really spring but the cowl looks amazing on the vest.

We even brought out some pretty spring baskets.

It's time to pack. Of course my knitting is ready - 2 projects. Just in case. Then bed. I'm tired and I should get a good nights sleep tonight. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.