October 2012 Newsletter

Fun fact: potatoes are in the same plant family as Deadly Nightshade. I had no idea until Barbara from Denise filled me in. Proof you learn something new every day!

If you fancy the fabric used for the Night Shades case, you can find them, and several other prints from Tula's Nightshade Collection on sale now!

You can still "vote" by purchasing one of the 3 remaining colors. With the race for second place still undetermined, we will continue to keep a running tally of all '12 October colors sold in both Shepherd Sock and Shepherd Worsted through Election Day, November 6th.

The three remaining colorways are still available in Shepherd Sock and Shepherd Worsted. In addition, Red State and Blue State are available in Helen's Lace, Honor, Lion and Lamb, Shepherd Sport, Solemate and Sportmate.

Lots of new yarns here from Classic Elite! Already flying out the door are Liberty Wool Light (the fingering weight version of Liberty Wool Print) and Majestic Tweed. Liberty Wool Light comes with 200 yards per 50g ball and knits up on a US 4 needle. We love the bright print colorways and the awesome pattern names like "Zigzagatory" and "Cardiganism" found in CEY's pattern booklet, 9184 Liberty Wool Light. Majestic Tweed holds a little more sophistication with its tweedy silk flecks and wool, angora, silk and nylon composition. A deliciously soft heavy worsted weight yarn, Majestic Tweed is great for hats, scarves and cowls!

Made from all-natural fibers, this wool, alpaca, and mohair blend is the ideal all-purpose yarn for your knitting this fall. Color By Kristin features a lush palette of rich, complimentary colors, chosen specifically by Kristin Nicolas. If you aren't familiar with her, Kristin was the Creative Director at Classic Elite from 1984 to 2000. A prolific knitwear designer and decorative artist, Kristin is a born colorist and finds inspiration just about everywhere from her old farmhouse home to ethnic textiles and impressionist-era paintings! Love Kristin's colors but in need of some project inspiration? Check out Color By Kristin: Book 1! Brimming with projects like the Sebastian Gloves and Ginger Pullover, it is difficult not to be inspired!

Last but not least are Classic Elite's latest additions to their Mountain Top Collection! Chalet is an exotic alpaca and bamboo blend with a chainette construction that makes this chunky yarn lighter than you might expect... and gives the yarn a plush, squishy soft feel you'll love to cuddle up with! A chunkier version of the popular Vista yarn, Blackthorn is a heavy worsted weight wool and alpaca blend that knits up in no time on a US 11 needle. As per usual, CEY has some amazing pattern support for this yarn including the Birchfield Cardigan and Widgeon Hill Wrap!

Tricor Lux $15.00	Lovers of ruffle yarn take note! There is a new kid on the ruffle block! Knitting Fever's Tricor and Trico Lux yarns are similar in structure to the open webbing of Katia's ever-popular Triana and Triana Lux, but come in a new set of stunning colorways. I'm particularly drawn to the tonal shades of the Tricor Lux palette. Whether or not you are a fan of sparkle, it is impossible to deny that hint of glitter adds a certain je ne sais quoi to this particular ruffle yarn. For something a little more understated, Tricor (sans Lux) offers several solid and eye-catching multi choices that are sure to fit the bill!
Knit Simple - 2012 Holiday $6.99	It is never too soon to start your holiday knitting! Get a jump on those gifts with the dozens of project ideas in the latest issue of Knit Simple Holiday 2012. Projects range from stylish accessories and socks, to hats and home decor, and so much more, all categorized by the recipient. So there's gift ideas for mom, dad, the grandparents, the kids, and even the dog! We love the infinity cowl featured on the front page knit in Koigu's new Bulky yarn, as well as the Koigu KPPPM Tassled Shawl and the Blue Sky Worsted Hand Dyes Tassled Hat!
Eden Cotton Project Bag - 089 Bouquet $9.95	Getting started on your holiday knitting? Make sure it doesn't get tangled or lost with a handy project bag from della Q! Available in both Large and Small, the Eden Cotton Project bags are the perfect place to store your latest WIP (and they are also make great gifts/gift packaging for your fiber arts buddies!). The latest fall prints are here, including the cutesy Pansy Bliss, geometric mod Stem and the intricate black and white paisley Emboss.
Metalico $14.55	I think this may be about as close as you can get to knitting with metal, without actually knitting with metal. Blue Sky Alpaca's Metalico yarn is a opulent blend of baby alpaca and mulberry silk. The soft, natural colors of the alpaca combined with the shine and glow of silk really does give this yarn a metallic sheen. Metalico is great for stylish mitts or a luxurious cowl, though I'm partial to the Etched Rio Wrap pattern with its simple lines and elegant edging.
Verona Necklace $26.00	This stylish necklace design from Javori Designs was recently featured in Vogue Knitting! Verona is a simple, elegant accessory featuring alternating bands of stockinette and garter stitch for a sophisticated texture accentuated by glistening glass pearl beads. Each Verona Kit comes with everything you need except the knitting needles! A quick project you can finish in an afternoon, the Verona makes a wonderful gift. Be sure to check out the other designs by Javori including Tiffany and Venus!

This technique is used to carry alternating yarns up the side of your work, and a good one to know if you decide to make Kristen's striped Ohana Shawl! You can use the same technique for alternating hanks of hand dyed yarns or when utilizing different dye lots.

1) Cast on and knit an even number of rows in the first color.
2) Join the second color and work two rows.
3) To change back to your first color, hold your work so that the right side is facing you (keep track of the RS by placing a locking stitch marker on that side.) Pick up the working end of your first color by reaching underneath the second color, bring the yarn to the front and knit the first stitch.
4) Repeat this partial wrap after every two rows, even if you aren't changing colors, to lock the carried strands in place.

Note: Give your fabric a little tug along the edge where you've wrapped the yarns after the first couple of partial wraps, to make sure you're leaving enough slack in the carried yarn so that it doesn't pull the edge tighter than the opposite edge.

Happy Knitting!
Terry

Tosh Onesies and Shorties: Starting at 15% Off! We've still got Onesies and Shorties! Tosh Onesies are still here, but they won't be for long -make sure to grab your favorite colors before they disappear! Also from Tosh, Prairie Short Skeins don't show up in the sale section, but are definitely worth perusing at your leisure. Just 50 yards short from a regular skein of Prairie (790 yards vs 840), these skeins are dyed to first-quality perfection in dozens of the most popular Tosh colorways!

Discontinued Colors from Manos: 40%-50% Off! Check out the beautiful hand spun Wool Clasica in Naturals and Semi-Solid colors. There are also a few colors of Rittenhouse left, but you'd better be quick, we're already almost out! This gorgeous wool comes from Uruguay where the yarn is crafted by local women in co-ops designed to bring social and economic opportunities to rural women. Available in many stunning colorways, Wool Clasica is perfect for cozy sweaters and throws, as well as winter accessories such as mittens and hats!

More Hand Maiden Onesies: 30% Off! Did you miss out on the first round of Hand Maiden Onesies? Don't worry, we've got more! More colors, more bases and more of your favorites! These skeins are mis-dyes, meaning they are one-of-a-kind originals. The pictures you see below and on our website are a general representation rather than an exact likeness, but you better believe they're still as gorgeous! Available in Sea Silk, Double Sea (DK weight Sea Silk), Sea Three (worsted weight Sea Silk), Sea Three 150g (a bigger hank, yippee!), and introducing Lady Godiva (a luxurious worsted wool and silk blend), there is plenty of choices for you next project or adding something special to your stash!

Stitch Nation Yarns: 35% Off! Grab some while you can! Sadly, the Stitch Nation yarns -Alpaca Love, Bamboo Ewe, Full o' Sheep, and Washable Ewe- are being discontinued. But the good news is they are now on sale! These affordable yarns are even MORE affordable and great for making gifts, afghans, stylish accessories... you name it! Made from all-natural fibers like wool, alpaca and bamboo, all four Stitch Nation Yarns come in a fun, colorful palette of cheery colors you'll love working with!

Here are some of Jenn's favorite new things at the shop: