Busy Knitters

Finally it felt like spring today.  Warmer weather and no rain.

There are two new samples hanging in the store.

This beautiful cardigan was in the parcel from Lynda that I received earlier this week. There should be one button on the cardigan but the button fairy didn't stop in this week.

Pattern: Sirdar book 398
Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Bella colour 09 Old Rose

The yarn is 85% cotton, 10% silk and 5% cashmere and shows stitch patterns very well.

Emma stopped by early today with the Kari Cowl

Pattern:  Kari Cowl from KnitWhits
Yarn:  Coastline colourway of Freia

The cowl is knit in the round and the lace pattern is easy to master.

I finished the baby cardigan I was knitting in Classic Elite Liberty.  Now it just needs to be blocked and have the buttons sewn on.  The blocking will be done tomorrow and the buttons are coming from Lantern Moon.

Last night I couldn't decide what to knit.  I pulled out a scarf that I was working on in tosh pashmina.  Small problem-I couldn't find the pattern. It isn't in my house (and when I got to work today I found out that all the patterns have been sold).  Then I pulled out Dryad, an amazing cabled scarf pattern from Jared Flood.  The pattern calls for 20 pattern repeats and I have 13 done.  It was fun to work on cables again.  I will try and get a picture tomorrow.

The third period is about to start in a 0-0 game.  I think it is time to concentrate.

Yarn and Bags

The store is taking shape. The shelves are full and the floor is looking empty.

Baby Bamboo is on the shelf in numerical order-thanks to Beth.  She came in when she was done work to help me.

Freia from Knitwhits arrived today.  It looks amazing!!  I can't wait to knit with it.

There have been some rumours on Ravelry that Offhand Designs is going out of business.  The business is closing because Larissa's husband has been transferred overseas.  Sadly this season will be the last for these amazing bags.  We just received a shipment that includes one each of the following.  These bags will go fast so don't wait too long if you are interested.

I haven't added them to the website yet because my day has been spent rearranging the store and trying to get yarn onto the new shelves. I will try and get it done this evening.

I ordered the bags with the 25" leather handle.  It fits over my shoulder comfortably.

There was also a Zhivago Jolly Holiday with a leather in the box.  A few bags are still coming

• Zhivago Annie-one with a leather handle and one with a velvet strap.  
• Jolly Holiday with velvet strap
• Super Cali with velvet strap

Scottie with velvet strap

• Jolly Holiday
• Annie
• Super Cali

Sock one is done

Sock one is done and the second sock is cast on.  I will take a picture tomorrow.  After waking this morning with a migraine most of the day was spent relaxing.  I am feeling better now and we are part way through the Sunday evening TV marathon.  Amazing Race is done.  I was happy to see the cheerleaders go.  They were very negative and not nice people.  Celebrity Apprentice is next.  Bring on the crazies!!

When I was at TNNA I ordered a cool new yarn. It has been shipped from California and I hope to have it this week. I talked about it in a post from TNNA and took a picture of the yarn in the booth.  Here are the swatches from the KnitWhits website.

• Six mulitcolors with at least 2 coordinating semi-solids for each multi.
• Each multicolor ball starts & ends with the same color, making adding a new ball a breeze with less waste!
• No sudden color breaks, no "wildlife"
• Our yarn is a soft, feltable, single-ply, 100% wool and is made in the USA
• These yarns knit up at the popular 4-5 sts/inch and 6-8 sts/inch gauges, they are interchangeable with other self-striping yarns and can easily be used in any Knitwhits patterns suggesting self-striping yarns.
• Our yarn is carefully handpainted in small batches. Some variations may occur between dye lots. When ordering larger quantities we will endeavor to match colors as close as possible.

There are two patterns coming with the yarn and I am going to knit them both.  Okay, maybe someone will be making it for the store.  :)

Kari Cowl

• A simple but elegant cowl that shows off your self-striping yarn
• Shown in Freia Handpaint Fiber in Purpleheart Worsted
• Suggested Needles: US 9 for worsted or US7 for sport
• One Size, instructions included for two weights of yarn, worsted or sport
• Requires either circular or dpns
• Skills: Knit, Increasing/Decreasing, Knitting in the Round

The colour of the cowl is Purpleheart.  How can that be a bad colour??

• Tan, Rose, Rust, Lavender and Grey
• Worsted:
• Needle size 5-6mm, US 8-10
• 18 sts & 24 rows over 4" on US 8
• 50 grams / 85 yds
• View coordinating semi-solids: Charcoal, Papyrus, Driftwood and Bell Heather

Idun Hat-once the patterns arrive I will be scheduling a class on Entrelac.

• Basic Entrelac shows off the slow color changes of a long repeat yarn, here neatly paired with a coordinating solid
• Shown in our new Freia Fine Handpaint yarns, uses one ball (Worsted weight) each color 
• Suggested Needles 5.5mm, US 9
• One Size with instructions included for customization
• Requires either circular or dpns
• Skills: Knit, Purl, Knitting in the Round

Entrelac

Over the next few weeks we have a new yarn and patterns arriving from KnitWhits.  I will talk more about them closer to their arrival date.

Why am I telling you this?  In the shipment there will be a pattern for an Entrelac hat.  I am going to teach Entrelac in April (more about that next week as well).

I have played with Entrelac in the past but wanted to know it inside and out if I am going to teach it.  How do I do that?  Knit something in Entrelac.

Here is my practice piece.

I learned something very important.  My cast on is way too tight.  I am knitting with 5.5mm needles and I should have cast on with 6mm.

After work I had an appointment with my chiropractor and then back to the store for class.  I did a bit of work on my sock.  The heel is turned and it should be smooth sailing the rest of the way.

Beth is upstairs yelling for me to hurry up.  There are many TV shows taping-Survivor, American Idol, Criminal Minds and the new Criminal Minds (I must learn the name of the show).  Can I get to the toe before bed tonight?