Drive-by blogging

Wow, what a week we've had!  Including (but not limited to) yarn crawlers (in crazy Classical hats, no less)...

E tu, Medusā?
(I tried to fit "Spartacus" in there, but it just doesn't decline right.)

Workshops like Kitchen-Safe Dyeing (lots of fun)...

Really. Honest.

Yarn Chop Suey, anyone?

And an amazing Sock Club kit that is getting rave reviews on ravelry.  (Say that three times fast)

Plus, we have a (small) Handknits for Tika progress report:

Yes, Penelope is looking a bit poorly right now (sans ears and arms and, uh, legs), but she should be finished by next week.  I'm making her out of Rowan All Seasons Cotton in colors #239 ("Jacuzzi" - I wouldn't make this up!) and #229 ("Wisteria").  And, yes, for those of you paying attention, Penelope is not Sammie, as previously discussed.  I lost my copy of the pattern and we're sold out.  Darn it. 

Also, Penelope is wearing Tika's "The Republic" chemo cap, knit with ShibuiKnits Merino Worsted in "Peony".  The (completely awesome) buttons were found down the street at the Button Emporium.

Hopefully, by next Tuesday, we'll have a finished stuffie (plus ears and arms and, uh, legs), blankie square, hospital bed socks and hat to give Tika.  If you're interested in contributing (even a 6" x 6" square will help!), please let us know and we'll put you on the list.  There might even be prizes involved.

Next, we have an exciting stock update.  Remember those lovely and exotic shawl pins that literally sprinted out the door in November?  Well, they're BACK IN STOCK!

We're down to three of the Black Pearl Shawl Sticks, so I suggest that (should you have been coveting one of these beauties... like moi), run (don't walk) to the Accessories section of our web site and get yours before we have to wait another two months for the next shipment.

Last, but definitely not least, be sure to tune in tomorrow for another fantastic edition of FashionknitstaThursday (trust me, I get to proof each article in advance) and check your inbox on Friday for a jam-packed Newsletter with new yarns, new books and the winner of our Cable Limerick Contest!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 12/10/09

Brrrrr! As I write weather.com reports its a chilly 27 degrees outside. Wonderful knitting weather I'd say, and I hope everyone is doing a lot of that this week! This Thursday I have a bunch of super-fun knitted art and accessories to share with everyone.

Last week Darcy shared this awesome link with me to Discover Magazine's feature on Knitted Science. Now a lot of these are really wonderful ideas and really interesting ways of combining the knitting and science worlds, but I have a few favorites. I really enjoyed the Crochet Coral Reef by Christine and Margaret Wertheim, the Sensory Neurons by Kelly Willits (which you can actually buy from her Etsy store), and my very, very favorite, Anita Bruce's Knit Plankton. After hunting through her website, I really love how Anita's Zoology and Art degrees have come together in a most interesting and beautiful way resulting in creations like these beautiful lace starfish:

these lovely coral specimens:

and, my favorite, the knit plankton:

This is an image from her show Degree show in 2008:


The second two images are from Ms. Bruce's Degree show in 2008. I love how she has these really delicate and intricate pieces, yet keeps the feeling so scientific. Really beautiful work, more of which can be seen on her website, and I managed to track down her Flickr, which is also worth taking a peek at if you're interested. I know I have posted a lot of her images, but I have to share just one more, a lacework set of Octopi. One done in wire and one in fine string:

Love them!

Ok, onto the next great find. Has anyone heard of LFLECT? Jenny, our wonderful graphic designer, shared this website with me earlier this week and I'm totally obsessed. LFLECT is a brand designed by Elena Corchero in Scotland. They make hats, scarves, ties, bags, and more knit out of Scottish Highland Wool that is reflective in the dark. During daylight it's a typical (though well designed) wool hat:

BUT at night they reflect to call attention to pedestrian and bicyclist:

I've seen similar ideas, but never one this well executed. The best part about these also is that they are completely customizable. You can choose design, color, with or without pom pom. There is even an acrylic option for those allergic to wool, or Vegans. I think they really have covered all the bases. Currently these are only available at Lost Values and Bobbin Bicycles in London, and online. Really wonderful idea, now how do we make yarn that does this!?

I think by now everyone has probably seen the new line of patterns we have been carrying, Churchmouse Classics, by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas of Bainbridge Island. This line is full of wonderful accessories for both genders. Right off the bat the Welted Fingerless Gloves were the most popular, with Annabella's Cowl and the Cashmere Beret coming in at close seconds and thirds. Now, I really like all of the patterns, but the one that excited me most was the Pressed Rib Cap and Muffler Set.

It is one of my goals for this blog to not only feature fashion forward designs for women, but to also find great things for men and children alike and this is, so far, one of my favorite man things. It's always so hard (especially during the season of giving) to find a nice pattern for a picky brother, or father, or boyfriend that still has enough detail to be special, but doesn't have so much going on that it borders on feminine. This is the pattern that really fits that bill. The two color is done in a more interesting way than average stripes, and the pressing to finish really leaves it with a professional look when it's done. Can you imagine it in Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca? Mmmmm...I'm definitely adding this one to my file for future gifts.

Last on the agenda today are these cute little "knit" candles from Anthropologie that Sara shared with me:


These are actually made of porcelain, but don't the stitches look real!? It makes me really want to attempt actual knit candle holders, maybe felted ones? Wool is self extinguishing right? Probably a really bad idea*, since I tend to have bad luck with fire, but perhaps taking up ceramics is an option.

*a subsequent search on Ravelry returned no results for knit candle holders not made of wire, so I think no, not a good idea.

With that I have to leave you all for another week, I hope everyone has a cozy weekend planned. Stay tuned for next week's edition of Fashionknitsta and, until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

How we overcome the chill

At this exact moment, iGoogle claims that the temperature outside is 32F (or 0C for you metric knitters), making Portland quite frosty right now. Working in a building that dates to the Shanghai Tunnels (seriously, we're connected via our basement) means that our heating system is older than most grandparents and not the most efficient machinery on the planet. But that's not a problem for knitters!

In the past week we've seen some creative (and often elaborate) ways Portlanders have developed to keep warm when the wind chill causes the temperature to drop into the negatives. One of which was an awesome Chain Link Scarf (pattern by Teva Durham); but, alas, I have no knitter to credit. Blame Kristin, she forgot to get the now Anonymous knitter's info.

Our knitter (I am told) was also wearing handknit mittens and multiple layers. Notice the sweater over a shirt over another shirt. The scarf, if you're into that sort of thing (chances are that, as a knitter, you might be), was made with the new Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed Chunky. Soft, thick and quick. Ideal for sudden forecast changes.

My 0wn coping method involves layering multiple handknits. Right now I'm madly in love with my recently finished Sapphire Sabine:

At 65% baby alpaca, this light little cardigan is surprisingly warm (okay, maybe not that surprising if you know that alpaca is 3 - 7x warmer than wool!). But, darns, people, it is nice and toasty in a frigidly cold basement. All I need are wrist warmers and I'm set. I thought my coworkers were going to strangle me when I said that.

And, before the questions pour in, the pattern is Sabine, by CoCo Knits. The yarn was Road To China Light, in the color "Sapphire". The pattern said I'd need 7 skeins, but I think it could have been done with 6. If you're making the XL size, you probably can get away with a little less yarn than suggested. But don't quote me on that. The Knitting Fates will strike me down.

Next on the list of toasty ideas is our Handknits For Hard Knock Kids clothing drive. Knitters across the PDX area are getting the warm fuzzies after donating their handknit and store bought clothing:

Knit a hat, or buy some mittens, or clear out your closet and you'll stay toasty all winter long!

Our donations box is almost full after a week, which means we'll have to get another box because we're not stopping anytime soon. We have a week and a half left for donors to qualify for one (or more!) of our fantabulous prizes, but will continue to collect donations through the New Year. So, if you want to earn an inner glow and possibly win a skein of handpainted yarn, bring in some clothing to donate!

In less toasty news, we do have some fun events coming up in the next few days:

1. The Holiday Happy Hour #5: Danger Crafts Toy! is scheduled for tomorrow night. I'll be helping Sandy Kay teach students how to create jogless stripes as well as join two in-the-round projects (such as legs) into one. It's gonna be great, and I'm going to endeavor to bring my IP Sammie the Sock Monster with me.
2. a very cool eCard (with preview!) that features one of CoCo Knits' new patterns! Perfect for layering, Tessa is one of those garments that can be worn year-round.
   

Of course, right now I'm thinking I want one made out of Madelinetosh Merino. Just think how warm and soft it'd beee... And it'd only take, like, 4 - 7 skeins. Now there's an idea. A dangerous one, I'll admit, but it does have the potential for greatness.

Now, before I go back to data entry, I have a couple of updates:

1. Have you seen our facebook page? We'd love it if you became a fan or friended us!
2. Our limited edition Super Sock in "Opal Creek Winter" is going to be back in stock shortly. If you read the most recent Newsletter and just missed out on a skein of your own, now is the time to place a preorder before these next 25 skeins are gone for good.
   

With that, we've covered everything. So, until next week, stay warm and keep knitting (or crocheting)!

And the winner is...

We are pleased to announce the winner of our Twitterific Sock Contest and recipient of a 09/10 Sock Club Membership is 3894! Congratulations Helen, enjoy a lovely year of socks.

Next on the agenda: New products! We have just received some lovely handpainted yarns from Schaefer and roving from Abstract Fiber that we just can't wait to share with everyone. Pictured left is Schaefer Helene, a beautiful 50% Merino, 50% Cultivated Silk blend. The colorway pictured is Gertrude Erdele. On the right we have Abstract Fiber's Alpaca Silk blend roving in colorway Chocolate Rainbow. I can't get over how gorgeous both of these are, I especially like how well they work next to each other. These are both available in the store and will be available on the web shortly!


Now onto my favorite new toy, we have recently received some of these absolutely beautiful Traveluxe clutches by Offhand Designs. They come in such gorgeous fabrics and they are perfectly (in my opinion) laid out to accomodate straight needles, DPNs, and circulars, PLUS they have a zippered notions pocket. I snatched up the one on the left and am completely obsessed with it. This is definitely made worse, of course, by the fact that it so conveniently fits in my purse.

an interior view:

We also got a few of the Offhand Designs handbags but unfortunately all but one were snagged before I could get pictures. The size of this bag makes it so functional: large enough to be a great project or an overnight bag, but still not too large to be an everyday bag.


So that is what is new with us, stay tuned next week for an update on Marjorie's Skif and some more customer and staff projects. Until then blogfans!

-Lindsay

Quickie

Today has been on the hectic side, so unfortunately blogging (which involves sitting at a computer undisturbed for some time) has been pushed off so many times that now it's 10 minutes to 6 o'clock and this post still isn't finished. Which means brevity is definitely the better part of valor right now.

First. Have you see our Easter basket? You know, the one in the eCard we sent out a week ago? This one, in fact:

Well, if you haven't and are in need of some Easter Basket Inspiration, drop by to see it in person. The eggs (painted, hand-felted, and hand-knit), bunnies and chickens are worth a visit...

Or so we're told.

Two. Since I have no customer projects from the past two days immediately available (alas), I am afraid I only have one FO to show off:

Which is, incidentally, a store sample in case you want to touch it or try it on.

Anyway. It's Porom*, by Jared Flood, knit up with Habu Textiles Bamboo XS-32 in "Green", which is not up on the website right now (it's a new color) but will be soon. I can tell you, quite honestly, that it is just scrumptious to knit with and the finished hat is lovely. You can also see more photos here.

Third, finally, the Josh Jakus UM bags are on display!

You may have seen our excited tweet when they arrived. Seriously, there are no words to describe how awesome these bags are. And, it's obvious from the admiration they receive from visitors, that we're not alone in our appreciation. We also have, by Josh Jakus, their line of felt accessories. Everything from a wine bottle cozy to the coolest eggflat you'll ever see:

It also makes a great yarn storage device/ centerpiece.

All of the Josh Jakus pieces are made with recylced industrial felt excess and are made in Berkeley. The designs are entirely modern, unique and perfect for a variety of purposes. We're certain that these will be very popular among knitters as they're both practical and stylish.

And that is everything I could cover in 15 minutes. Toodles until next Tuesday. Look for a Newsletter in your inbox tomorrow!


*We like the pattern, what can I say?