A regal shawl, a wacky hat, and some colorful felting

I swear I was going to post this yesterday until I realised that we had a staff workshop in 10 minutes... so it got delayed. But we do have more photos for it!

First and foremost, prepare yourself to be amazed, with Duffy's (a.k.a. fiberqat) Queen Anne's Lace shawl:

Over 6 feet across and simply gorgeous. She was so (rightfully) proud of herself she brought it in to show off. A big 'thank you' to Tsipa (right) for helping Duffy hold it up during our impromptu photoshoot. And here's a center detail:

And the lovely edging that makes me think of peacock feathers:

Duffy said that it was an easy and very enjoyable knit. In fact, her ravelry notes compare it to "crack" (see link above). Hmm, sounds dangerous. Here's the pattern info on ravelry.

All in all, I think the best description is "wow".

Next, something completely different, is another amazing project that you have to see to believe... Wendy's most awesome self-designed EAT hat (okay, that's not what she's calling it):

Made with Kauni W-EM & W-EN for a friend who's a chef. Note the fork & knife motif as well as the inverted wine glass detail. Wendy is clearly crazy. In a good way, of course, but it must be said.

With those two projects, I bet I'm not the only one feeling like an underachiever right now. Oy.

In other, slightly smaller, FO news... we have NINE more cranes! Giving us 138. Almost half-way there. Keep 'em coming, guys!

And, finally, the reason this post was postponed last night... our staff Artfelt workshop. Here's us getting started with our base layers of wool laid down:

And here's the felting demonstration as best could be approximated (without a dryer on premises):

(with a peek at Lindsay's & Marjorie's unfelted pieces)

If you want to see more of the process, or pictures from our workshop, see our flickr page. I'll try and nag everyone to finished their projects over the weekend and bring them in next week for photos. Look for them in a week or two.

And that's everything, for yesterday today. Check back tomorrow for a sneak peek at our upcoming Mother's Day Special!

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?

Show & Tell

This was going to be a very short post (where my knitters at?), but luckily I managed to corner Tilly, Martha and Liz this afternoon for an impromptu series of photographs. But, if all y'all don't start popping in with your WIPs & FO's we might be in some trouble soon (hint, hint). So, without further adieu, I present a small parade of FO's.

First, we have Tilly's Cherry Blossom Bag (made with Cascade 220, Cork Chenille & ShibuiKnits mango wood handles). Now, aside from it being absolutely lovely and very well done, it's important to note that this was Tilly's FIRST (I repeat, first) "real" (direct quote) project. How humbling is that?

And she also lined it herself*...

It's almost unfair, isn't it? My first "real" project was a lumpy hat. Am I alone here? What was yours?

Anyway.

Martha brought out her Easy Raglan Sweater so that we might 'ooh' and 'ahh' over it (which we did, it's adorable!):

The pattern is from The Expectant Knitter by Mary Connolly. The yarn is Cascade 220 Superwash in "Turtle" (which is such a great gender-neutral color, if I may say so). It's so cute!

And, finally, all I have to show for ten days of frustrating knitting is... another porom. Behold, the front of my tweedy porom:

...and the side:

Now I really must stress that the frustration was my own fault** as I misread the chart and didn't bother to swatch (I know, I know, bad knitter!), so my first attempt was simply enormous. Lesson learned, I got it. I'm about to embark on a dangerous journey because of how much we at the store looove this pattern... but that will come later.

Now, I was going to show all y'all Micah's knitnotwar 1,0o0 crane, but I forgot to take a photo of it. Maybe on Thursday, with the eleven new cranes we got in yesterday (did you see that we're up to 75?!). Until then, keep dry!

*Yes, that's a zipper in there, too.
**Not Jared's.

Madrona wrap-up and a whole lotta yarn

The gang are finally back from Madrona (along with much of our inventory that we know several customers missed), and I have one last Madrona-y photo... the conference of Sandies

From left to right: Tacoma Sandy (who has requested that I not link to her blog or ravelry profile because she hasn't updated either in awhile, so you'll just have to trust us when we say she's a Knitter), Sandy Kay and Sandy B. That's a lot of Sandy-ness, isn't it?

Yesterday (as we unpacked the Madrona collection), Cindy came in with her very first hat:

Made with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted and Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed. The pattern is Anne Berk's Road to China Hat, though Cindy admitted that she shortened the brim so it wouldn't fold over. It was very cute and I wish that the photographer involved had gotten a modeled photograph. Oh, well.

Next we have Karen's Clara. Knit with Isager Alpaca 2 in color #19, this is quite possibly the cutest little baby dress I have ever seen:

I wish I'd known about it a couple years ago. Though, maybe Kandyce might wear one... hmm. Now, while on the subject of adorable little girls in fabulous handknits, we've had requests to share photos of Ayanna in the Children's Bolero (you may have received our e-card?). Well, here are some almost painfully cute outtakes:

Aaaawww. Plotz.

Doesn't Ayanna have the biggest eyes you've ever seen? Sooo cute. Now, because I know we'll get questions - the sample Ayanna is wearing was made with 2 skeins of ShibuiKnits Merino Worsted, in "Mulberry".

And while I know that nothing will seem impressive after the Ayanna photos, I feel it is my duty to inform our devoted readers on the InterWebs of the new sock yarns we just got it:

5 new colors of happiest girl! dyeworks sock and two entirely brand new sock yarn lines by Abstract Fiber that aren't even on the website yet: Super Sock and Mighty Sock. Super Sock is 100% Merino Superwash, whereas Mighty Sock is a 50/50 Superwash/ Tencel blend. They are both awesome and should prove wonderful to knit with and wear. All will be in the next Newsletter (it goes out this Friday, so look for it online then!).

Next time we have... 3 boxes of Malabrigo, new Oleana and the Lucy Neatby Trunkshow. It'll be a knitting extravaganza. Sort of. Check back on Thursday...

end of week round-up

Let's pretend it's Thursday, eh? Yesterday was New Year's Day and I can't remember why I couldn't post on Tuesday, but it's been that kind of week.

First and foremost, the promised "Gina's socks" (modeled by Gina on Monday):

Made out of ShibuiKnits Sock in ManBlue. Knit on size 1.5 (2.5mm) Addi Turbo circs at a gauge of 8 sts & 12 rows per inch. The pattern was something I made up, but am rewriting because I like it so much.

Next, we have Trish and her awesome self-designed funky hat:

Made with ShibuiKnits Merino Worsted in "Spectrum". I'm afraid we didn't get any more details than that, sorry!

Then, let's see, we had a visit from da babies:

Which I had to share because of the gratuitous cuteness factor.

It should be mentioned that they came by with their daddy to pick up this year's OFB Food Drive donation box (to drop off at the OFB):

Which, I am told, weighed in at 90lbs. A fact I find rather disheartening as we collected over 130lbs last year during a food drive that lasted less than a week. Maybe we'll do better next time.

In less depressing news, we have the whatsit prototypes:

The Whatsit (once it is properly named) will be a Knit Purl pattern, which is worn like this:

(modeled by Darcy)

Cool, huh?

But I can't tell you too much about it yet, as the patterns aren't finished and it still doesn't have a name.

Moving on, to... sock club SPOILERS. Before proceeding, let it be know that you were warned.

The January 2009 kit is available for members to pick up in the store:

Out-of-town members' packages have already been shipped.

Whoo, what a week!

Regular blogging schedule should resume next Tuesday, I promise. It should also be mentioned that my New Year's resolution for the blog is to get more coworkers involved, so expect (or hope) to see posts from knitters other than myself here... eventually.

Gratis Knits: Summer 2008

Hello friends. I'd like to introduce you to a lovely woman by the name of...

well to enhance her burgeoning fame, let us now call her:

Fabulous Farrah.(bling bling)
How I wish I had the mad-skills to make little diamond-dust sparkles erupt as you read her name. I can only manage a meager (bling bling).

Fabulous Farrah (bling bling), designed the Basket Weave Baby Hat for the wee ones of the world. Her original design was created out of Cascade 220 (my personal favorite work-horse yarn) but Fyberduck and I found the hat is just as elastic (great for growing noggins) in Rowan's All Season's Cotton.


For those not familiar with the blog, each quarter we in blog-land will rifle through submissions from you and post a free pattern to our readers (all two of you). In return the person whose submission was chosen receives (drumroll):

An Authentic Knit Purl gift card loaded (with our meager budget) to the hilt with gauranteed real, fifty American dollars!


That's right friends. No Samoleans, Whozits, Manants, or homemade coupons for free foot massages here. Real money to buy yarn.


That kind of added purchase power is like a drug. It makes people giddy with happiness. So much so that they are moving so fast they are blurry in photographs.


Also included is street cred folks. Without it (as we all know) you can't "throw down" in a Westside Story-esque Knit-off. People won't have documented proof of your mad skills, yo dawg!

Congratulations Fabulous Farrah(bling bling)!
Without further ado:

Basket Weave Baby Hat
By Farrah Weinert(bling bling)

Size:
Infant (Toddler)
[14” (16”) head circumference]

Yarn:
1 ball each of 2 colors of Rowan Cotton Purelife (100% Organic Cotton, 120m / 131y per 50g ball)
Colors shown: 986 (grey), 981 (white)

Supplies:
2 circular needles Size 3.25mm/ US3 (16”, 20”, or 24” will work) OR
Set of 5 3.25mm/ US3 DPNs
Tapestry needle

Gauge:
36 sts & 32 rows = 4” in “Basket Weave Pattern” (after blocking)
24 sts & 32 rows = 4” in st st

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

K2, P2 Rib: (multiple of 4 sts)
Every rnd: *K2, P2* around.

Basket Weave Pattern: (multiple of 12 sts)

Rnds 1 & 2: (K10, P2) around
Rnds 3 & 4: (K2, P6, K2, P2) around
Rnds 5 & 6: (K10, P2) around
Rnds 7 & 8: (K4, P2, K6) around
Rnds 9 & 10: ([P2, K2] twice, P4) around
Rnds 11 & 12: (K4, P2, K6) around

Abbreviations:

MC Main color
CC Contrast color
DPN Double-pointed needle
CO Cast on
K Knit
P Purl
Sts Stitches
Rnd Round
K2tog Knit 2 sts together

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Brim:
With MC and first needle, CO 84 sts. Divide evenly between needles and join in rnd being careful not to twist sts.
Work in “K2, P2 Rib” for 1” (1 ½)”. [For a brim that folds up, work in rib for 2 ½” (3)”.]

Hat Body:
Work in Basket Weave Pattern” for 2”.
Change to CC and continue in pattern for 1”.

Crown Shaping:

Rnd 1: (K12, K2tog) around
Rnds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12: K around
Rnd 3: (K11, K2tog) around
Rnd 5: (K10, K2tog) around
Rnd 7: (K9, K2tog) around
Rnd 9: (K8, K2tog) around
Rnd 11: (K7, K2tog) around
Rnd 13: (K6, K2tog) around
Rnd 14: (K5, K2tog) around
Rnd 15: (K4, K2tog) around
Rnd 16: (K3, K2tog) around
Rnd 17: (K2, K2tog) around
Rnd 18: (K1, K2tog) around
Rnd 19: K2tog around

Finishing:
Break yarn, leaving a 10” tail. Using the tapestry needle, draw tail through the remaining sts. Draw tight and weave in ends. Block lightly.

Muffin Top

In the midst of putting together July's newsletter, tech editing the Summer Gratis Knits pattern, and updating the website, The Blogger -

(Shown above, being camera-shy, with the final draft of the new Gratis Knits)

- and I realized something terrible...

We hadn't updated The Blog in over a month.

We're overdue several articles, we know - True Plies about Habu Fique and Rowan Cotton Purelife, gossip from TNNA, No Mean Feet updates - but there's one item we've been intending to bribe our readers with for some time.

A free pattern for the Muffin Cap I made with that Fleece Artist Blue-faced Leicester roving, circa April . Several members of the staff clearly had fun trying on the second cap I made with this pattern:

Sooo, in order to whet your appetite for the next Gratis Knits, below's a free pattern (written by moi and edited by The Blogger). Until our next update, look for the new Gratis Knits (and an exciting KAL announcement) next week!

~*~*~

A Very Basic Muffin Cap
by Sara Morris

Sizes
S (M, L)
Head circumference: 18 (20, 22)”

Materials

• 1 (1, 1) skein Fleece Artist BFL Aran
• US 9 (5.5mm) DPNs, set of 5.
• US 9 (5.5mm) circular needle, 16" long
• US 7 (4.5mm) circular needle, 16" long
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle

Gauge:
16 sts & 20 rows = 4” in St st

Abbreviations:

CO Cast on
Kf&b Knit into front and back of st
PM Place marker
Rnd round
St stitch
K knit
SM slip marker
Dec decrease
K2tog knit 2 together (dec one st)
BO bind off

~*~*~

Pip:
Using DPNs, CO 4 sts. Work in i-cord for 4 rows.

Crown increases:
Rnd 1: Kf&b every st (8 sts), PM to indicate start of rnd. Switch to knitting in the rnd by placing 2 sts on each of 4 needles.
Rnd 2: Kf&b every st (16 sts).
Rnd 3: K around.
Rnd 4: *K1, kf&b, PM* around (24 sts).
Rnd 5: K around.
Rnd 6: *K to 1 st before marker, kf&b, SM* across rnd (32 sts). (Note: when there are too many sts to fit on the DPNs, switch to larger circular needle)
Repeat Rnds 5 – 6 another 10 (11, 12) times, until there are 112 (120, 128) sts.

Body:
Continue to knit in the rnd, as established, for another 2 (2.5, 3)”. On last stockinette row, dec 4 (0, 2) sts evenly across for 108 (120, 126) sts.

Brim:
Prep rnd: Using smaller circular needle, *K1, k2tog* around for a total of 72 (80, 84) sts.
Rows 1 – 5: *K1, p1* around.
Row 6: work *K1, p1* BO.

Finishing:
Weave in ends and cinch in pip at top. Block the cap flat, smoothing out the decreases and body. Wear in cool weather!

Gratis Knits: Spring 2008

Baby Court Jester

Size:
Baby-Toddler

Measurements:
15 – 17” head circumference

Materials:

• 1 skein of DK weight yarn (or light worsted)
• 4mm/US size 6 circular needle and dpns, 12” long (or one 32” long circular needle for Magic Loop method) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Pom-pom maker (optional)

Gauge:
24 sts & 28 rows = 4” in St st.

Notes:
I used about 38g of handspun that Fyberduck created for the hat. While we determined it was a light worsted weight yarn, because it was a thick and thin ply, the fabric was a bit too lacy when knit at lower gauges. If you choose to use a commercial yarn for this pattern you will want a fabric that is sturdy but not stiff. The gauge is the most important factor. There is a list of possible substitutions at the bottom of this post but you might find other plump sport-weights or some light worsted-weight yarns work just as well. When in doubt go with a heavier yarn because it will fit a baby at some point in their life.

Abbreviations:

* repeat instructions following the single asterisk as directed
alt alternate
dpn double-point needle
K knit
kfb knit front and back (increase one st)
k2tog knit two stitches together
P purl
pm place marker
rnd(s) round(s)
skp slip, knit, pass stitch over—one stitch decreased
st(s) stitch(es)

I-cord Cast On (á la Ruth Sørenson)

Cast on 5 sts on DPNs or circular needle and k 5 sts. At the end of the row, slide the sts to the other end of the needle and pulling the yarn around the back, k the sts again. You’ve completed one row of Icord.

Continue in this manner, pulling down on the cord occasionally as you go, until the cord is approximately 20” long. Break yarn and thread through the last row of sts, cinching them up tight.

(Now here is the cool part… You may have noticed on one side of the I-cord a slight gap. Some call this gaping a “ladder”. It looks like disaster in a sock, but in this case it is your best friend.)

With your needle pick up K 90 sts creating 1 st in each of the rungs from the ladder starting about 2½ inches from one end of the I-cord. If your sts are off-center when you fold the I-cord in half), do not worry because you can always pull off or add the first few sts at the beginning. Just make sure to end with 90 sts total.

Hat Body (working flat)

Row 1: *kfb, K 19 sts, skp, k 1, k2tog, k 19sts, kfb *. Repeat between the * to the end of the row.

Row 2: P across.

Repeat Rows 1 – 2 once more.

Hat Body (in the round)

Rnd 1: *kfb, K 19 sts, skp, k 1, k2tog, k 19sts, kfb *. Repeat between the * to the end of the row.

Rnd 2: pm to mark start of the rnd and join stitches in the round (being sure not to twist the stitches). K row.

Alt row 1 with a K row until you loose the will to live which, coincidentally, measures about 5” from the I-cord edge.

Dividing the hat into points…

Set up rnd:

K 45, place remaining 45 sts on waste yarn or a stitch holder

Left point:

Fold hat in half with adjustable ties in back, PM, and K the first stitch in the row joining it in the round.

K 3 rnds.

Decrease row: K2tog, K 17 sts, skp, K 1, K2tog, K 18sts, skp, k1. [41 sts remaining]

Continue in this manner by decreasing 4 sts every 4^th rnd, until there are only 5 sts left.

Break yarn and thread through the remaining 5 sts cinching them tight to secure.

Right point:

Return remaining sts to needle(s), PM to mark beginning of rnd, K 4 rows.

Decrease row: K 9 sts, skp, k 1, k2tog, k 17, skp, k1, k2tog K 9. [41 sts remaining]

K three rows

Continue in this manner, decreasing 4 sts every 4^th rnd, until there are only 5 sts left.

Break yarn and thread through the remaining 5 sts cinching them tight to secure.

Finishing:

Weave in ends. Add pompoms to the ends of your hat points or tassels. Decorative buttons are cute too. Go wild; the hat isn’t meant to be serious and the only time one can wear such ridiculousness if they aren’t in the theatre, is under the age of 3 and over the age of 83.

Substitutions:

If you aren't a spinner or can't get your hands on some handspun in an appropriate weight, I suggest giving the following brands a try:

For lots of color Scotia Silk, Great Big Sea, or Blue Faced Leicester DK are nice. Koigu Kersti is a fab choice as well. If you want transitional color, try Migrations, Mitsuri, or Silk Garden. You could try a plain hat too or one with stripes out of Balance or Sublime Yarns Extrafine Merino Wool too.

All for the Love of You

"Excuse me miss, would you mind modeling this hat for me?"

"Me?"

"Yes. I think you might just be the right size and I need a snapshot or two for our store blog."

"Well okay, so long as my mommy is okay with it. She has legitimate concerns about the modeling industry, with the drug scandals and body image controversies."

"Oh of course. I mean I can only respect her for just taking the time to think about these things and the impact her decision could place on your life. Please, just take your time."

------------

"Well she said it would be alright. How do you want me? Is sitting here in my stroller okay for you?"

"That would be lovely."

Snap!





"Wow! That was a great pose... uh, sorry didn't catch your name."
"My name is Daisy."
"Like in the song?"
"Yup."
"Well great shot Daisy."
"Oh that was nothin'. Should I show you my 'nonchalant-mid-conversation pose circa 1968'?"
"Uh, sure. Sounds grand."

Snap!


"Holy macaroni! Who knew the photo could get better? Show me another one!"
"Sure thing!"

Snap!



"I call that one 'action shot'. I like to mix it up a bit and try to capture every aspect of the mood and tone of the designer's handiwork."
"Well that's just stellar. I never realized I'd be dealing with such a professional when I asked for your help. I feel honored to be in your presence because I've learned so much from this experience."
"Your welcome!"
"How about one more shot for the blog readers? I'm going to post a free pattern for them tomorrow and I'd like to get just one more shot. That is, if you feel like you have one more in you."
"Why don't I give you 80% of a full-throttle, no-holds-barred sparkler of a smile with just a hint of patty cake action? I'd pull out all the stops and give you more but the imagery is usually too powerful for the average person. The pictures usually causes peoples teeth to ache with cavities, they are so sweet."
"No, by all means do what you have to do."

Snap!


Ladies and gentlemen I present to you Daisy; a girl sure to break the hearts of many.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the free pattern to the Baby Court Jester hat. I only hope I'm recovered enough to post it. My ovaries ache.

Rockin' in the USA!

This is Jeff Friedman.

Perhaps you can tell by his twinkling eyes or his provocative smile; he is a rock star. The kind of rock star that brings serious mojo to the knitting circle full of hellfire and smokin' attitude. Nothing scares him. Especially not a technique steeped in historical significance: double knitting.
As you can see, he knit a hat. An ear flap hat with stripes and textured patterning around the brim. That makes him a particularly bold rock star. The kind that doesn't mind getting dirty.












All that and he's new to the land of knitting. Anna Makarovna would be proud.

Here's to you Jeff; keep on Rockin' in the USA!