What's New: 9.1.10

The Labor Day weekend is upon us and kids are returning to school this week and next. WHERE HAS THE SUMMER GONE?

While our current heat wave does not scream "fall is coming," we all know the weather will cool, the leaves will change colors, and we will need to grab a sweater or shawl for cooler evenings. We have several great sweater and shawl classes starting in September. Check out the details below. The store is loaded with inspiration- projects big and small. Lots of new books, patterns and samples. We have many events and surprises planned for this fall. Watch for weekly updates.

Plan for the upcoming holiday weekend. Make sure you have a portable project that can be knit while sharing time with family and friends. We will have plenty of staff on hand to assist you all week. If you are staying in town, stop in over the weekend.

Lorna Miser will be in the shop Saturday morning with garments from her new and upcoming books. We will be open regular hours Saturday and Sunday.

We will be closed on Labor Day.

Please join us on Saturday morning, September 4 between 10 a.m and 1 p.m. to meet Lorna Miser. Lorna will be here to sign books and assist you with any yarn selection for a favorite pattern. Lorna will bring garments from "Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting" and "The Knitters Guide to Hand Dyed & Variegated Yarns."

Lorna founded Lorna's Laces Yarns which she sold in 2003. She is the author of two wonderful books for knitters. Lorna's first book "Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting" is filled with 24 wonderful patterns. It is a beautiful book about friendships that initiate through knitting. Each story has a knitting project that relates to that friendship. Knitting, as we all know, does bring people together for the love of the craft. In November, we can expect Lorna's second book, "The Knitter Guide to Hand Dyed and Variegated Yarns."

Our fall/winter class schedule is just about complete. There are several great classes that start in September that you may want to consider before we get the schedule published. Samples of the projects will be available at the shop this week.

The Wrap Cardi is a great sweater to bridge the seasons. Knit in Plymouth's new super wash merino, the hand on this garment is wonderful. Class begins Wednesday, September 8 from 6-8pm.

The Tea Party Cardigan is a Spud & Chloe design, knit in their wonderful Sweater Yarn (wool/cotton blend). Wool/cotton blends are truly all season. Sweater yarn has a great hand and drape. Class starts Saturday, September 18 from 10 am-12 pm.

Join Thora Lee starting Saturday, September 11 from 1-3 pm to knit the Dragon Shawl. This shawl is light on your shoulders but the design ensures it stays on your shoulders without slipping.

Jenny is teaching a "Learn to Crochet" class starting September 18 & Socks on 2 Circular needles with Thora Lee is offered beginning September 7 from 5-7 pm.

Our first of many mitten classes starts September 16 from 6-8 pm with Lindsey. Think Holiday gift giving, NOW.

What's New

A large shipment arrived today from Cascade Yarns. New to the store is 220 sport weight super wash wool in many beautiful colors. Great for color work and those who like to knit on smaller needles.

New colors of Eco Duo arrived and Magnum has been restocked. This blend of alpaca and merino is super soft. Local designer CiD used this in her sheepy hat & mittens design. See the Cascade Yarns website for great free patterns for these yarns.

For those of you ready to start on holiday knitting, check out CId's HolliAmis.

Freebies & Resources

As we enter Fall, how about a new set of wristers from Jeane in Cleveland. You need less than 100 yards of worsted weight yarn.

There is also a simple chemo cap pattern on her site.

Most of you know I am a fan of minimal finishing and I love top down knitting for the ease of construction and fit. Top down allows me to custom fit my arm length and adjust to fit my chest size, etc.

Susan B. Anderson of Spud & Chloe and all those Itty BItty Hat and Nursery books has a great knit-along and tutorial on her blog as well as a great pattern and threads of do's and don'ts.

Top down knitting is great for both pullover's and cardigans.