Fresh & Juicy

Today was an interesting day. We had crazy weather. Beth sent this picture from her work in Caledonia. Melo doesn't look impressed.

When I got to work this morning and opened my computer it wouldn't connect to the Internet. After doing all the usual things (unplug the modem, unplug the router, restart the computer) I called my Internet provider. It took almost 2 hours of calls with them to decide that the router is damaged and I need a new one. You forget how much you rely on the Internet until you don't have it. I'll be heading to Best Buy tomorrow before work.

Now the happy news.

Mr. Canada Post brought us more sock yarn yesterday morning.

The colours of Opal's new Fresh & Juicy are awesome.

Mr. UPS brought us a box from Classic Elite yesterday afternoon that included more colours of Hanako.

One skein will make this cute hat.

We received more colours of Palace as well. Seven skeins will make this cozy Pi Shawl.

Alex stopped by the store with the pieces of the Shaded Landscape Wrap.

This is what the Wrap will look like when finished. The store sample will be edged in fuchsia.

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. 

No Internet meant that I had some time to knit. I'm working away on the Sleeveless Slipover. The Studio Linen is very nice to work with. There is a slight sheen to the yarn when it is knit.

We finally have a new episode of The Big Bang Theory. I'm off to watch. And if I don't hurry Beth is going to start without me.

Sneak Peek

Churchmouse Yarns sent out a newsletter this morning with a sneak peek at their new patterns.

The printed patterns have been shipped and I hope we'll have them by the end of the week but I'm guessing early next week. They will also be available for sale on Ravelry on Thursday.

I'm making the Sleeveless Slipover in the tunic length - that is why I was swatching the blue linen. Wannietta is making us a sample - hip length. Lynn is making herself the cropped length. We are all using Studio Linen from Erika Knight.

85% is recycled rayon-linen fibre, sorted from selected wastage and regenerated using the eco-friendly hydrolysis method. Blended with 15% premium natural linen, these fibres are twisted and dyed by a specialist Italian spinner in Biella to produce a unique yarn with a dry hand feel and subtle sheen. 

Cool to the touch, and with a delicate drape Studio Linen is the perfect yarn for summer. With a refined palette of eight essential colours that will work with everything you wear and a clear stitch definition, Studio Linen crafts beautiful garments both in knit and crochet. 

Made in Italy

Another shipment of Studio Linen is on the way to us. The yarn is really, really nice to knit with. I was afraid that it would be stiff but it isn't. I went down a needle size (3.5mm instead of the 3.75mm that the pattern called for) because I knit a bit loose and I wanted a nice crisp tension. I like how it is looking so far - 11 rows in.

This Thursday, March 23rd, we'll launch five new Churchmouse patterns (as will many other yarn shops all across North America). 

Our in-house designers have been working on these latest creations for many months. 

The images on the patterns were shot on the Bainbridge Island waterfront by talented photographer Jared Flood. 

The patterns from Churchmouse are very well written and I highly recommend them.