Wool Leaves Blanket Class January 15!

My son's beloved 3rd grade teacher, Felix, and his wife welcomed a baby last fall. As a knitter, of course, this presented me with a golden opportunity to choose from that most beloved of categories, the knitted baby present!

I happily pored over tiny cardigans and teeny baby bootees patterns, but ultimately decided on a baby blanket. Fortunately, my favorite designer, Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed, had a terrific baby blanket pattern on his website, the Wool Leaves, that was neither saccharine nor too babyish.

 

And (bonus!) it was knit in chunky weight on big needles. The chunky lace pattern was easy and fun. This turned out to be one of my favorite baby gifts ever.

Here's my version (Encore Chunky with a single crocheted border):

Join me on Sunday, January 15 from 10am - 12pm (2nd session Sunday, January 29 from 10am - 12pm) as I teach this project class. The two sessions spaced apart will give you plenty of time to get this quick, elegant project done. Cost is $45 - space is limited - call the store at 215-242-1271 to sign up today!!

Traditional Icelandic Knitting

Ragga Eiriksdotti Teaches

THE LITTLE LOPAPEYSA

Class level: advanced beginner

January 17, 2012

11:00 - 5:00

$100.00

We are so excited to have Ragga back at The Tangled Web. Ragga last visited us in June while she was visiting from Iceland and we were fortunate enough to have her teach a steeking class for us.

In this class Ragga shares her knowledge about Icelandic wool and the classic and popular patterned yoke sweater that symbolizes Icelandic knitting in many knitters’ mind, the Lopapeysa.

The class consists of practical information about lopi knitting and the knitting of a tiny classic Lopapeysa containing all the elements of a full sized one. Through knitting the miniature version participants will learn techniques necessary to knit a Lopapeysa of any size. Participants receive written instructions containing a pattern for a tiny Lopapeysa and various tips and tricks about Lopi knitting.

During the class Ragga tells the participants about the Icelandic knitting heritage and how Icelanders have truly been a nation of knitters for centuries.

Techniques covered: German twisted cast on, invisible rib increases, working in the round with the magic loop method or DPN’s, combining sleeves and body for the yoke, stranded knitting of the yoke pattern, yarn management for stranded knitting, decreases in yoke pattern, loose cast off for neckline and steeking.

Refreshments will be provided.

A Taste of Britain

A little taste of Britain is coming to The Tangled Web.

Come Have Tea with Jenny Watson
Designer, Author and Instructor

Tuesday
October, 25, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Please call to RSVP 215-242-1271

Spend the morning at The Tangled Web with one of the industries top designers.

Jenny Watson has worked in the hand knitting industry for over twenty years and has worked as Chief Designer for Sirdar, Emu, Robin and Studley. In more recent years she has worked as a freelance designer for Noro, Queensland and Arucania. Living in a small Yorkshire (England) spa town of Ilkley, she is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, heart of the hand knitting industry, which is a constant inspiration to her.

During her visit she will discuss her background and how she came to be in the industry of knitting. Find out what inspires her and the thought process involved in the compilation of knitting patterns, as well as the ins and outs of publishing, from design to photography and book completion.

Later in the session there will be some hands on work while Jenny demonstrates her favorite knitting tips and techniques. Lots of knitted garments from her latest Noro book "City Girls" will be on hand to inspire you. This event is free but registration is required. Please contact the shop to reserve your seat.

Join Us for A Year of Fun!

Ysolda Teague’s “Whimsical Little Knits 2” is one of the most charming collections of patterns that we’ve seen in a long time. We love these smaller, pretty, fun projects! Join Diana as she works through all 12 projects in the book over the next 12 months.

We’ll gather one Wednesday a month to see our newest project, talk about recent projects, get guidance and generally have a lot of fun. At the end of the year, you’ll have 12 beautiful projects finished to give as great gifts or keep for yourself, though knitting all 12 is optional - we're all about lowkey and fun here! Knit as many as you like!

Price includes the fabulous book, refreshments, guidance, test knitter notes, and good company.  Please note that Tangled Web Knit-Alongs are not classes; they're a group of folks working on the same project with the help, guidance and encouragement of all the other participants. We'll be here to guide you along the way.
                           

12 sessions: $125.00

Wednesday, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Our first project, starting this Wednesday, September 21, is the marvelous Damson Shawl pictured here:

 

Call the store at 215-242-1271 to sign up. Pictures of all 12 finished projects can be seen here. We also have samples at the store. Hope you can join us for the fun!

Juniper Moon Comes to the Web

Book Signing

Wine and Cheese Event

This fall we are thrilled to announce that we will be stocking the "Juniper Moon" line of commercial yarns and that the founder of Juniper Moon, Susan Gibbs, will be at the shop on September 23, 2011. She will be talking to us about how she got started as a shepherd and the inspiration behind her her new line of luxury yarns. We will have lots of yarn and pattern books available and Susan is bringing lots of samples garments for us to try.

Come join us for this great event. Space is limited so get your ticket today.

Here is a little excerpt from her website on how she got started.

"Not so long ago, I left my job as a network news producer in New York City in search of a “more authentic life.” I was pretentious enough to actually use those words. Out loud. To strangers.

A few months later, a chance encounter with Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep in a California bookstore changed my life in one amazing moment- I was born to be a shepherd. One year and many, many books later, I purchased a farm, five sheep and my first livestock guardian dog. Every day since has been an adventure.

When I’m not working sheep, I can be found dyeing yarn, directing my three new commercial yarn lines (to be released Fall 2011!), and photographing my flock. Spare time is kind of at a premium right now, but when I have some, I like to spend it reading, cooking for the people I love and playing with my dogs."

Come meet Susan Gibbs

Friday, September 23, 2011

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Tickets $10.00

Our trip to Juniper Moon Farm

My family and I set off on Wednesday to visit Juniper Moon Farm in Palmyra, Virginia. The Tangled Web is stocking their commercial line of exquisite yarns and I wanted to see, first hand, the inspiration behind the product. After 5 hours in the car we finally arrived at our destination and we were not disappointed.

The red barn is currently home to some very large pot belly pigs who were definitely ready for their closeup. Oops, let's not forget about the chickens. A few times a year there are baby lambs in the barn that anyone can view online via the farm's "Lambcam".

Lauren had lots of fun getting to know the livestock guardian dogs, Fettucini, Sabine and Lucy who are there to protect the flock from predators. During the day they play and sleep in the sun but by night they stand guard over the flock, protecting them from wild predators and roaming domestic dogs. Thanks to their hard work, they have never lost a sheep or goat to predators, something very few fiber farms can say.

Here are all the momma sheep.

Lauren and Olivia hold the newest addition to the flock. What a cutie.

Caroline, our gracious host, took time out of her busy schedule to give us a tour of the farm. She certainly has her hands full tending to all of the critters on the farm. Thanks Caroline. We saw sheep, goats, llama, and this very friendly donkey. Check out our photos.

All of the fiber grown on the farm is available for purchase through the Juniper Moon Farm CSA. You can purchase a knitter's share or if you prefer to make your own yarn you can purchase a spinner's share. Find out all the details on their website: www.fiberfarm.com/yarn-csa
Here's a bit of CSA yarn drying after spending some time in an indigo dyebath. So cool!!

Needless to say, it was a long trip and a lot of time spent in the car. Everyone was a little tired and a bit cranky by the time we got home last night but what an adventure. Special thanks again to Caroline for taking the time to show us around. Now we are more excited than ever to have Susan Gibbs, owner of Juniper Moon Farms at The Tangled Web on Friday, September 23. We'll have more on that in just a few days so stay tuned.

Turn Your Sock Knitting Upside Down!

Socks knit from the toe up are fun and easy. Take the class and see! Diana will be teaching Toe Up Socks on Saturday, June 18 and 25 from 9-11am.

No Kitchener Stitch! Easy hourglass short-row heel! Diana's favorite sock! Socks are a great summer project - small and portable - and doing them from the toe-up saves you time and effort!

Call the store for details and to sign up - 215-242-1271