Manly Hat Class This Sunday!

Do you know a handsome man who needs a handsome hat? Then take our Manly Hat class this Sunday from 9am-12pm! We're making the Pressed Rib Hat from Churchmouse Yarns. Call the store at 215-242-1271 to reserve your space.

I Am Loving This Sweater

I am loving this sweater.

I have been collecting cream colored yarns for the last two years and I am having so much fun working with each and every one of them. There is probably enough yarn here for two sweaters, a couple of hats, maybe a scarf and a pair of fingerless gloves so I wouldn't really call it a stash buster.... but I digress. Anyway, I have finished all my increases and I am ready to just knit, knit, knit. This is the really fun part. No shaping to keep track of so the knitting is easy. The only thing I have to decide is which yarn to use next and do I need to add something different. Oh yes, there's still time to shop for more variety. Maybe something with a little bling. Bling is always good. Anyway, enough about me. Let's talk about you.

How's your sweater coming along?

In my last blog I talked about how to select the right yarns from your stash and I left you all rummaging through your your Rubbermaid containers. Now that you have all of your materials at hand it is time to start knitting. I would suggest starting with your base yarn. This yarn is the one that will be used throughout your sweater and is usually a sturdy, relatively plain worsted weight yarn that will hold up to finishing around the neck. The other reason that I suggest starting with the base yarn is that it is perfect for checking gauge. So after you have worked a few inches of the pattern you should stop and check your gauge and make any necessary adjustments. If you need to adjust your needle size I would suggest checking your gauge again after a few more inches.

The next big step is trying it on for size. After I completed all the increases and put my sleeve stitches on a holder I was ready for a fitting. This requires knitting half the stitches onto a second needle so that you can easily fit the garment over your head without loosing stitches.
If you are satisfied with the fit then you are ready to knit, knit, knit. If not, better to make changes now than to give away the sweater later.

Now you're ready for the fun part. I know that this part will be hard for some of you. You will want to know how many rows of this and how many rows of that. What is the formula? Try not to be too obsessive. Try not to over plan. Try not to plan at all. Just know that in the end it is going to be beautiful and just enjoy the process.

I'll see you when the body of my sweater is complete. Until then, Happy Knitting!

P.S. Please don't leave all those tails til the end. Work them in as you go or better yet 'spit splice' when ever possible.

A Classic ReDo - The Top Down Stash Buster

I can't believe that I knit this sweater 13 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 9 months pregnant with Olivia and on vacation at the Jersey shore. I really wasn't allowed to do much so I sat in my comfy chair and knit this great sweater. I was very excited to use up so many little bits of this and that.... the last stages of nesting I guess. I really didn't have a plan and since I couldn't move very far I would just reach down and put my hand in my giant bag of bits to choose the next yarn that would go into my sweater. This might be a challenge for some of you but I think you should resist the urge to plan. Just have fun with it and have faith in your overall choices.

This version was knit from the bottom up and I can remember running out of some of my bits and wondering how I would finish the sleeves and make them look semi symmetric. The key is not to worry. As long as you have similar colors and textures you will have nothing to worry about. If you were to look closely at my sweater you would notice that my sleeves are similar but not identical.

I new when I finished this sweater that it wouldn't be long before I'd want to knit another. Well....13 years later I'm ready to get started.

Are you ready to get started?

For the 2011 version we are using one of my favorite "Knitting Pure and Simple" patterns which means that we will be knitting our new sweater from the top down. I love the raglan shaping and the idea of no-seams is very appealing. We are making this sweater as a knit along so you are welcome to come in and join us on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. Can't make it in? Here are a few helpful hints to get you started.

First, gather your stash. I like to dump it all into the middle of my dining room table so I can see everything.

Second, edit. Get rid of the yarns that just don't look right with the majority of your yarns. Don't worry. This should be really obvious.

Third, make sure you have a base yarn. I can best describe this as a plain yarn with lots of yardage that pulls the whole thing together. Lastly, make sure that you have lots of variety to add to that base. Mohair, chenille, variegated, boucle, thick and thin, the more the merrier.

The pattern we are using calls for a worsted weight but don't be afraid to add in other weights. Most of my lumpy bumpy yarns are bulky but they add such great texture to the project that I wouldn't dream of excluding them and over a few rows these heavier yarns will not distort my gauge. I also have some left over sock yarn that I will either double up or run with one of my other yarns. In short, don't be afraid to experiment.

I know you are dying to go check out your stash so I'll let you go for now. Maybe I'll see you on the 19th. Either way I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Good luck and Happy Knitting

January Project of the Month

It's time to announce our monthly special Project! This month, our project is fun, great-looking and quick. We are featuring the Easy Colorwork Headbands pattern from Momogus Knits.



The pattern features your choice of a pretty snowflake or handsome checkerboard pattern. Worked in worsted weight yarn, these headbands are a great introduction to colorwork and are perfect for hitting the slopes or the mall!

Here are both patterns worked in Ella Rae Classic and Noro Kureyon:



Good news! Ella Rae Classic is 20% off this month. Come on in, pick up a pattern and two gorgeous colors of yarn, and you'll be on your way!

Sensational Shirttail Update: The Five Most Fearful Words in Knitting

Here is the latest on our progress. Cheryl has finished both sleeves and is working on the back. She changed the design a bit by adding 2 slipped stitches, one on ether of the cables to frame them. I’ll let her explain in the next installment.

I have finished the back and the fronts and have done one cuff. The pattern combination is easy to follow without referring to the instructions, once you get going and quite fun! A bit of stockinette, a bit of Moss stitch and a cable every eight rows.

So I was moving along and really enjoying myself and then when I referred to the pattern for the next direction as I was working on the armhole, there they were, the five words that strike fear into the hearts of a knitter: AND AT THE SAME TIME!! Now, I have to change to Moss stitch on some of the stitches, decrease on the armhole side and for the fronts also decrease for the V-neck of the cardigan. Oh and by the way don’t forget to do the cable on the first row of the eight-row pattern repeat. YIKES!!

Over the years as I built my knitting skills I have learned that there are certain situations that just call for the simplicity of a piece of paper and a pencil. AND AT THE SAME TIME is one of them. Here is my method - I write out the number of rows in each pattern repeat-in this case the eight row repeat for the cable, and then write a letter to correspond with the direction, like a D for decrease. I also make a column on either side of the row number in this case one side of the number was for instructions on the armhole side and the other for the v-neck. As I complete each row I cross it out on the chart. It works well for me and both fronts were the same. So try it next time you see those five fearful words and you too can knit with joy and no fear!!

Happy Knitting,

Carole

Eliminate Holiday Horror

Frightened by what awaits you under the Christmas Tree?

We've taken the fear out of opening your gifts this holiday season. All you have to do is come in and fill out a "Holiday Wish List" and then let your friends and family know where you want them to shop.

Turn your holiday frown up side down. No more stinky lotions, holiday bric-a-brac and year old fruit cake.

Don't delay! Come in and start shopping today. Your holiday happiness depends on it.

Gift Project #3 - Chunky Bias Cowl

Thanks go to Stacey for this great pattern. This fantastic cowl is knit on the bias on a size 15 needle and takes only two skeins of Ushya by Mirasol. You can also feel great about supporting a company that gives back. Here's a little info on the Mirasol Project.

"The philosophy behind the Mirasol Project is very simple, the Mirasol Project supports local communities in Peru through the sales of the Mirasol Yarn Collection.

Peru’s heritage and culture of textile artistry is rich and ancient. The Mirasol Yarn Collection includes yarn made from the animals tended by these communities for generations in the Peruvian highlands. Without them we would not have this beautiful yarn.

By purchasing the Mirasol Yarn Collection you are supporting the shepherds and their families ensuring the continuation of this tradition."

Happy Knitting!