What's New: 5.7.08

It is finally spring and I am loving the sunshine we get between the raindrops. As the weather in Minnesota gets warmer, we don’t see many of you during the spring and summer months while you trade knitting needles for garden tools, tend families and maybe take a break from knitting.

Many of you also knit daily, just like me but move toward smaller more portable projects. If you think you are not a “summer knitter” or just prefer wool, I urge you to try one of the new cottons or cotton blend yarns. The yarns made available today to us knitters now mimic the textile garment industry. Cottons have changed dramatically.

Gone are the harsh, unforgiving and dull yarns of the 70’s and 80’s. The modern spinning process allows even 100% cotton yarns to be loosely spun which makes them soft and an easier knit. Check out the Tara (cotton/nylon) blend from Muench. This is a personal favorite because it is not only easy to knit but feels like cashmere. Price is great, too.

Cottons in the store are awash with bright colors and sheen. Many of the summer yarns in the shop are blends of cotton and other fibers which have great memory, good stitch definition and are easy on the hands to knit. I have to say that I love the natural blends of plant fibers such as bamboo, rayon/tencel and even the microfibers mixed with cotton. The blends produce a fabric that is “lighter” and easy to wear.

Focus Yarn: Linen Jeans – 20% Off your purchase of 5 or more skeins. Wednesday, May 7 through Saturday, May 10

Check out this week’s Focus Yarn: Linen Jeans by Berroco. Linen Jeans is a rayon (70%) and linen (30%) blend. Linen will soften with wear and the natural fiber breaths. Berroco pattern book #270 is filled with patterns for this yarn. Two of my favorites are the Lalo ¾ sleeved top and Lemana which is a great front wrap top with short sleeves and open work knitting.

Happy Mother's Day

We are OPEN on Mother's Day 12-4 PM. Gift Cards are available for purchase in any denomination.

Let your family know what you want. It's YOUR DAY!

NEW THIS WEEK: Knit So Fine from Interweave Press-great designs and detailed yarn and instructional information.

Knit So Fine educates knitters about fine yarns: what they are, the many advantages of knitting with fine yarns, plus tips and techniques to make the knitting process more enjoyable. Knitters will also find stylish and contemporary patterns, including a drapy silk top, a supple zippered cable hoodie, a bamboo skirt with stunning drape, a bohus-inspired pullover, a wrap dress, a ruffled scarf, and much more! Discover the versatility of knitting with fine yarns, from quick knits and small projects to long-term projects that are worth the wait, with Knit So Fine.

The new releases of Interweave Knits and Knit & Style are loaded with fun projects for spring, summer & fall knitting. There were also a few cute crochet patterns in the new Interweave. Both the websites for these magazines offer free patterns in easy PDF downloads.

Knit N Style offers the cute swing jacket we have knit up in the store as a free PDF.

Class Update

Openings remain in the Scoop Neck Tank starting on Saturday, May 10
Knit with the Expert on Saturday May 10 from 12-2 PM
Sunday May 11, Knit with an Expert is changed to Sunday, May 18
Knit up a cute pair of Mary Jane’s with Nancy starting Tuesday, May 13
Learn Continental Knitting on Saturday, May 17

This fun and striking tee is from Jonelle at Southwest Trading, the great company that brought us Tofutsies. You need five skeins of Tofutsies in different colorways blended one-into-the-next for a soft hombred look that is genuinely breathtaking. The pattern is available in up to size 66" and requies only 7 skeins to complete. Pick up your free pattern with purchase of 5 skeins of Tofutsies @ 10% Off your purchase of 5 or more skeins.