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Fashionknitsta Thursday: 3/11/10

2010-03-11T16:16:00.000-08:00

Hello and happy Thursday everyone! After all the excitement of the first ever Portland Yarn Crawl last weekend, this week at the store has seemed extra quiet. It was so great to meet so many locals that had never been in before and those coming in from out of town as well. If you didn't get the chance to visit us during the crawl you missed some great events! We were lucky enough to have both Julie Weisenberger of CocoKnits and Takako of Habu Textiles visit with us all weekend and bring along trunk shows. It was amazing to be able to see so many of their pieces in person and wonderfully enough a preview of many of the garments (all done in Habu yarns) from the soon-to-be released book by Olga Buraya-Kefelian & Vanessa Yap-Einbund Ori Ami Knits (now available for pre-order through our website).

This is Julie Weisenberger (modeling her pattern Yvonne) and myself in front of her garments.

Takako and myself in front of our Habu display.

Eva was kind enough to model a new CoCoKnits pattern, Lena, for me. It's done in Rowan Lima, a mostly alpaca with a touch of merino blend, and oh my goodnes, is it a dream. I think this one left us all drooling, I can't wait for the pattern to be published!

These pieces are all from Ori Ami Knits, from left to right are the Arcus Pullover in Habu A-32B silk mohair, the Duplicity Pullover in Habu Tsumugi Silk A-1 and Wool Stainless Steel A-148, and the Axonometric Top done in Habu A-174 Cotton Gima.

These beauties are on the far left the Puzzle Vest from Ori Ami Knits done in Tsumugi Silk A-1,. In the middle we have Tessa by CocoKnits done in Habu Shoshenshi Linen Paper A-60, and finally on the right another of my absolute favorites from Ori Ami Knits the Foldover Top , done in Habu Silk Stainless Steel A-20/21 and Tsumugi Silk A-1.

Thanks again to Eva for modeling the beautiful Rhombus Wrap from Ori Ami Knits. I think this one was a favorite for all of us. The gorgeous dress next to her is Concertino, also from Ori Ami Knits. This piece was by far my favorite, done in the Habu XS-21 linen held double it is absolutely the perfect weight for spring and just look at this detail:

So beautiful! I cannot wait for this book to come out! A big thanks to Julie and Takako for bringing all of their beautiful pieces to share with us and for letting me be a huge nerd and take photos with them. I hope we get to see you again soon!

Since I have so many super-secret-sock-club things to attend to I'll have to cut this a bit short today. Hope everyone has a great weekend, check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, as always, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

Three Needle Bind Off tutorial

2010-03-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

Now here's a tutorial I wouldn't have immediately thought of, but it turns out that many knitters are not familiar with the Three Needle Bind Off and that just won't do. Sandy Kay and I borrowed Lindsay's (our resident Fashionknitsta) nearly finished Vintage Baby Cardigan to demonstrate this super-easy technique - both in the English and Continental styles.

First a little background, the Three Needle Bind Off is used as an alternative to seaming knit garments. Two in-progress pieces (i.e. still on their needles) are worked together at the "seam" to create an effortless join that has a little extra elasticity. Please note: this technique is traditionally worked with the two pieces held right side to right side - ensuring that the seam will be on the wrong side and hidden. Be sure to check this before starting!

It is also important that both of the pieces being worked together have the same number of stitches. If they do not, correct this before working the bind off.

The first half of the tutorial is shown in the English style, the second half is in Continental. The technique is worked the same for both, only the working yarn is held in a different hand.

Text instructions:

Hold two pieces as if to knit in left hand, with the needles held parallel, making sure that the "right" sides of the garment are facing each other.
Using right hand needle, go through the first stitch on the front left needle as if to knit. Continue through the first stitch on the back left needle as if to knit. The right hand needle will be poking through two stitches at this point.
Knit the two stitches together by pulling the working yarn through both stitches. Once both the stitches have been knit, slide these two stitches off the left needles.
Repeat Steps 2 & 3, you will now have two stitches on the right needle.
Using the back left needle, pull the first stitch on the right needle up and over the second stitch (as if to bind off). This step may be a little uncomfortable at first. We recommend that you hold the back left needle so that it sticks out an extra half inch, making it easier to manipulate the stitch being bound off.
Continue in this manner, i.e. knitting one stitch from the front left needle with one stitch on the back left needle, then binding off the previously worked stitch (on right needle) over this new stitch.
After you have worked across the row, the "seam" will look like a crocheted chain. When you reach the last stitch, cut the yarn (leaving at least a 6 inch tail) and pull it through the remaining stitch.
On the opposite side, the seam will be almost invisible.
Congratulations, you've just completed one seam!

Next week? Picking Up A Provisional Cast On! And we have just the project for this.

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 3/4/10

2010-03-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday everyone! If you're in PDX I hope you're enjoying this beautiful day, it's really looking like Spring!

If you've been keeping up with the recent current events, i.e. the Olympics and Fall 2010 Fashion Week you may have noticed the same trend we have, a resurgence of Fair Isle and cozy knitwear! Sara has blogged a bit about it when she featured the Peruvian Alpine Skiing Team uniform and we've all been very excited to see it! With all this wonderful sunshine lately I've been trying to get into a Spring feeling and so far it's really not working out. Really, how could it with amazing patterns like this one by Helena Bristow based on the official US Olympic Hat designed by Ralph Lauren available (for free!) on Ravelry:

Love the moose motif! This little beauty is done with a worsted weight yarn so it would go super fast, I think because color is such an important part of this I'd stick with Cascade 220 Superwash (sadly not on our website, but available in the store) to get really clear reds and blues. Keeping in the Fair Isle spirit, one of my (and everyone else's it seems!) favorite pieces from this years Olympics was this great sweater for the Canadian Olympic team by the Hudson Bay Company:

I haven't stumbled upon a pattern based on this one yet (big surprise, right?) but I hope its on the way. Until then I suppose I'll have to be satisfied with this pattern for coordinating mittens.

Designed by Heather Desserud, this free Ravelry pattern is done with fingering weight yarn. Again, making color the first priority I'd use Jameison's Shetland Spindrift.

EDIT: Shortly after finishing this blog, on a whim I decided to take another look. This isn't exactly what I was looking for, but its pretty great. I'm not sure how I ended up at Canadian Living Magazine, but they had a beautiful pattern available for free by Paton's Design Studio for His and Her's Reindeer Sweaters!

Done originally in a chunky Shetland, I would love to see these in Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds Chunky or Shibui Highland Wool Alpaca.

Whoever was coming up with concepts for these Olympic looks was obviously on the right track as this knitwear and Fair Isle trend was present all over this years Autumn/Winter runways. In my opinion the D&G show at Milan Fashion Week was by far the stand out for this trend. Here are a few of my favorite looks:

I just love how they put the twist on the classic look of this traditional design. It was such an interesting move to incorporate the printed Fair Isle motifs on chiffon, but pair it with such a substantial knit leg warmer. In the third look I really love the juxtaposition of the leather with the little knit rib trim.

After a quick Ravelry search I found a couple of things that will I am hoping will get me started on the accessories I'll need for fall. The Oslo Legwarmers by Martha Mertzig is a step in the right direction, as well as the Cotton Reel Mittens pattern by Ysolda Teague that we just got in.

It was nice to see that there were options in this trend for men as well. Also at Milan Fashion Week Gucci showed a nice chunky Fair Isle Sweater:

I found a similar pattern on Ravelry (for free!) appropriately named The Dude by designer Andrea Range l.

The pattern calls for bulky yarn so Rowan's Purelife British Sheep Breeds Chunky would be a gorgeous choice.

If you're looking for something a little more tailored, British designer Lou Dalton showed a more traditional approach at London's Fashion Week:

Just beautiful, I love the classic look of a Fair Isle Vest.

As far as knitwear goes, Fair Isle wasn't the only trend to be see on the runways. Everyone from Michael Kors to Lacoste to Pringle of Scotland were showing knits:

Michael Kors

Lacoste

Pringle of Scotland

These are all lovely, I'm especially interested in the big chunky scarf at Lacoste, but by far the stand out of this season in the knitwear world was Prada.

Absolutely beautiful, the entire collection is wonderful (so Mad Men!) so I suggest taking a peak at the rest of it if you're interested. These pieces were really standouts, the cabled dress in the second image is beyond words and I love the stockings and the chic headbands. I'm going to have to get started on a pair of Cookie A's Rhiannon Socks immediately (definitely in Isager Alpaca 2 to get the wooly look!):

And one of these babys. This pattern, Julia's Cabled Headband is a free Ravelry download by Paulina Chin. My search found that there are quite a few cabled headband patterns on Ravelry so if you like the look, there is a lot to choose from!

Before this post gets too out of hand (I really could go on for days!) I probably should get back to shipping. I hope everyone gets to enjoy the sun today (hope it stays through the weekend!), as always check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

Tips, Tricks, & Tutorials

2010-03-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

So, by now, you may have seen our Provisional Cast On tutorial. If not, check it out, since it seems that Sandy Kay and I are odd ducks (well, you knew that already) and we do it differently than anyone else. And, as you never know when the odd technique will come in handy, we've decided to start documenting our own unique tips and tricks. Expect to see about one a week - hopefully every week.

The first tip/ trick thing came about because I just started a Ruffled & Ruched Scarf and, in a pique of curiosity, checked other Provisional Cast On methods online. And, d'ya know, I didn't find anything like ours. Weird. But, in any case, we'll be writing up tutorials as we come across techniques in our own staff projects that warrant attention.

Shown above is my IP scarf. Say 'hi' to Eva in the background. Next week we're hoping I'll be along enough to demonstrate how to pick up a Provisional Cast On. I'd better get knitting, eh?

Moving on. We just have to share with you the cutest little baby sweater. Several of us staffers here helped Lynne translate the British knitting terminology from the pattern (it's a Debbie Bliss) and all feel that it was completely worth the time and effort:

It's so schweeet! The pattern is the Hooded Jacket from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby book. It's not a hard pattern, by any means, just a little different for American knitters. Lynne certainly seemed to think it was worth the effort, too.

Next, I have two staff projects that will also feature into upcoming tutorials (so exciting!). The first is Darcy's Thursday vest:

Being knit with Habu Textiles Superfine Merino A-177 in Charcoal/ #6 and Habu Textiles Ramie Cork A-166 in Black/ #10. When Darcy finishes the knitting, we'll do a quick tutorial on handsewing handknits - i.e. creating the "dorsal fin" cowl on the front.

Then we have Sandy Kay's February shrug, which is actually a modified Skif June:

(It's the red-orange shrug on the pattern)

This one is going to be a doozy. Sandy choose to combine Habu Textiles XS-55 Linen Lace (yum) and Tsumugi Fine N-76 in #39. The hand is unbelievable, and the color? Just magnificent.

She's currently at the arm increases and making rapid progress. This thing is going to be gorgeous. And when Sandy finishes knitting, we'll do a quick tutorial on sewing handknits with a sewing machine! Sandy Kay is planning to bring in her Bernina. That'll be interesting.

Now, lastly, do you know about the upcoming Portland Yarn Crawl? You probably do, since we've mentioned it twice in two newsletters and on the blog, on twitter, and on ravelry. But, just in case this is the first you've heard of it...

See the website.
We'll be participating from March 5 - March 7th
There will be a yarn crawl raffle - win a prize basket from the organizers, or one of many, many prizes from us!
We will be hosting THREE amazing trunkshows this weekend - CoCo Knits, Ori Ami Knits, and Habu Textiles.
There will be a Portland Yarn Crawl scavenger hunt and, yes, we have one of the pieces.
Another session of Reading Japanese Patterns has been scheduled on Saturday, March 6th.
We'd compiled a list of easy parking suggestions, just because:
- We validate for ALL Smart Park garages with purchases over $25
- Street parking is $1.60/ hr (free after 7pm and on Sunday)
- Weekday parking at the nearby Presbyterian Church is $3/ hr in their secure, underground garage
- Weekend parking at the nearby Presbyterian Church is $2.55/ all-day before 5 pm. After 5 pm, it’s $4.
The Presbyterian Church is located on the corner of SW 12th and Alder - just 1 block from us (and the Streetcar) and 2 - 3 blocks from the MAX!
There will be all sorts of prizes and other fun special events at the store - but you have to show up to find out!

We'll hope to see you here this weekend!

Provisional Cast On Tutorial

2010-03-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

We've been having a lot of fun teaching our Happy Hour classes every week and one thing we've noticed, Sandy Kay and I, is that there are so many ways to do different techniques that you can always learn something new (especially from one another!). For instance, the way Sandy Kay and I perform a Provisional Cast On is completely different from what you'll find on KnittingHelp.com or Knitty.

Since so many of our customers are web customers, we thought it would be a good idea to create a tutorial once a week (or so, permitting) to share the many tips and tricks we've discovered. This week we're going to show you our own unique method for Provisionally Casting On.

A Provisional Cast On is used when the cast on edge will later be picked up or worked again, such as in the Ruffled & Ruched Scarf. As I was just about to start such a scarf (for a friend), Sandy Kay and I took the opportunity to shoot this tutorial.

When working a Provisional Cast On, always use a smooth and even waste yarn. Sandy Kay prefers a cotton yarns, I prefer superwash wool. The yarn shown is Cascade 220 Superwash. The main (or "working") yarn is Shibui Baby Alpaca DK. The tutorial is embedded as a slideshow below. If you would like to see each individual image, check out our Provisional Cast On set on Flickr.

Note: our method is a variation of the traditional Long-Tail, or left-handed, Cast On.

Text instructions:

Using both yarns held together, make a slip knot.
Place the slip knot on the right knitting needle.
Using thumb and forefinger, tighten slip knot.
Place working yarn over forefinger and waste yarn over thumb.
Using the waste yarn as the "tail", twist waste yarn with thumb and place over the right needle. Continue to hold the loop in place with thumb.
Using the right needle, catch the working yarn and pull it through the waste yarn loop.
Using thumb, pull waste yarn loop up and over working yarn.
Drop waste yarn from the right needle.
Tighten the stitch using thumb to snug the waste yarn up against the needle.
Repeat from Step 5, casting on as many sts as pattern calls for. DO NOT count the waste yarn slip st from Step 1 as a stitch.
Note: when working the first row DO NOT knit the waste yarn slip knot on the first st, simply pull it off the needle at the end of the row.

Over the next couple months, we'd like to cover the following techniques:

Picking up a Provisional Cast On (that's going to be really important for the next step in the scarf!)
Sewing handknits with a sewing machine (for Skif sweaters, etc)
Sewing handknits by hand - i.e. for the Thursday vest.
Joining new yarn the quick and easy way
A whole new jogless stripe method
Casting On in the round seamlessly
Stuffing a hand-knit toy without lumps

The whole point of this series is to provide knitters with new/ different methods to complete projects. If you have a request for a tutorial, please let us know! Leave a comment or send us an email at info(at)knit-purl(dot)com. We're always glad to take suggestions and would love to know that someone out there found this useful :)

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 2/25/10

2010-03-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Hello and happy Thursday everyone! I had a great blog planned for this week and then this happened:

"This" is about 100 Haapsalu Shawl books that arrived ahead of schedule and now need to be shipped. If you ordered one, be excited! They will be arriving on your doorstep soon!

Just for fun, here is a video of Rachel John's 1000 Strands Extreme Knitting project.

I think "Extreme" is definitely the right word! More info about this project and more can be found here. I'll be back next week with another edition of Fashionknitsta (promise!) and until then, as always, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Challenging ourselves.

2010-02-23T18:11:00.000-08:00

The Knitting Olympics are more than halfway over (can you feel the pressure mounting?), but we refuse to be overwhelmed... yet. Lindsay and I are making merry progress (as you shall soon see) and, well, everyone else are being very nice by not mocking. Sandy Kay is almost participating in that she's trying to knit up a Skif sweater in record time (don't ask) and has been going a little swatching crazy.

Now, normally, we wouldn't share swatches (who'd care, right?), but these are special little squares of handknit curiosity. They're each an experiment in the field of yarn chemistry. If you, like so many of us, have been intrigued by assemblage's beauteous Thursday vest and Paper Crane cardigan patterns, this next bit might just interest you.

Skif Swatches All together	Punta Yarns Montoya Beach Held single, knit on 4mm/ US 6's
Habu XS-55 Linen & A-177 Merino One strand each, knit on 5mm/ US 8's	Habu XS-55 Linen & N-76 Tsumugi Silk One strand each, knit on 5mm/ US 8's
Habu XS-55 Linen (double) Knit on 5mm/ US 8's	Habu XS-55 Linen (single) Knit on 5mm/ US 8's

If you want to drop by the store and feel them, we'll have them (and many more Habu swatches) on hand for fondling. Not in Portland? Well, each photo has a mini review attached. Just click on it for more information!

Next, on our list of staff doings, we have Eva's cashmere/ silk mitts:

(or, well, mitt)

Yarn? The delicious and decadent Swiss Mountain Cashmere & Silk by Handmaiden, in the color "Ocean". Eva is following the Ayanna Mitts pattern but (be warned) had to go down two needle sizes (to US 1's) to get gauge - this yarn has got bounce. It'll be worth it, though, as the finished mitts are going to be gorgeous.

Now, onto the Olympian knitting! While Lindsay and I might be the only staffers crazy enough to attempt the Games, we're at least making progress. Lindsay's Vintage Baby Cardigan is actually starting to look like a cardigan!

She's certain that she'll be able to finish be the Feb 28th deadline and still manage to make a set of matching booties (Ysolda's Tiny Shoes) as well. It's gonna be awesome.

I, myself, am not quite so far ahead as Lindsay, but am dutifully trucking along. My Gansey Vest (self-designed pattern, sorry) is coming along:

Though I am not to the half-way point as I would like. Soon, though. This might turn into a slightly different project to make my deadline. It was going to have a hood, but that's looking less likely right now...

And while I am on the subject of my Knitting Olympics project, I simply must share with you the best cable needle EVAH:

Lantern Moon's rosewood (or ebony) cable needle set. I, in all honesty, didn't did not like using cable needles and would just go needle-less - until I tried these. They are just perfect. Smooth but not slippery. And, to hold your stitches in place, there are these clever little grooves in the middle that make sure the cable needle doesn't slip out, even if it's smaller than the working needle. They are just AWESOME and easily win a 10 out of 10 from me.

I had to share that. Surely there are many knitters out there who have suffered from escapee cable needles (shudder) or from ones that are too sticky and stretch out your knitting (grr) and are either: a) constantly trying new cable needles and being disappointed or, b) trying to go needle-less (which doesn't really work when you get to cabling more than 2 sts). These Lantern Moon cable needles are the solution and everyone should try them.

In other Knitting Olympics, or would it be Olympic Knitting?, news - have you seen this? The Peruvian Alpine Skiing uniform:

Which features traditional knitting motifs (including Llamas!) in honor of Peru's rich knitting tradition. Read the article (and see the close-up!) here.

Lastly, we have some Store News to share...

Wanted: Sample Knitters. See here for details.
Finishing 101 is tomorrow night. Taught by me. I'll be covering picking up stitches along a straight seem (along both garter stitch and stockinette edges) and a curved seam. Swatches are required. See the class description for details. It's only $15 and you get to learn several new techniques!

And that is everything. Check back on Thursday for another fantabulous issue of Fashionknitsta!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 2/18/10

2010-02-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Sorry for the unexpected mini-hiatus last week, the arrival of the remainder of the Shibui Sock really made for a crazy day.

Today I have some very exciting news, we are now carrying a line of patterns by a designer I bet a lot of you are familliar with, Ysolda Teague! If you haven't heard of this fantastic Scottish designer, I really recommend checking out her website for some great inspiration. A couple of my favorites are the Snapdragon Tam and Flip-tops set:

I'm always on the lookout for a good flip-top mitt pattern and these guys are perfect. The recommended yarn is Madelinetosh DK, which I like, but I'd love to do this set in Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds DK or Shibui Merino Kid.

The Tiny Shoes:

No matter how old you are, shoes really do make the outfit. Demonstrating that perfectly, these little Mary Jane style booties knit with fingering yarn would be such a special gift for the tiniest fashionista in your life. A pair of these Tiny Shoes could be knocked out in an evening, and I already have a recipient in mind (done in Shibui Sock in Honey, definitely) for the first pair.

Straun:

I can't even count the number of times people have come into the store looking for a pattern for a beanie with a brim. The perfect winter accessory for outdoor pursuits, Straun would make a great gift or be fun to make for yourself. The pattern calls for a DK or worsted weight yarn (depending on how cozy you'd like it to be) and I would love to do it in Shibui Merino Alpaca or Malabrigo Twist. This hat would be super warm around the ears because of the doubled hem, and the brim, which could be potentially intimidating, is surprisingly easy to add.

It was hard to keep it down to just a few choices, all of her pieces are so beautiful! You can see the rest of her line with everything from hats to lace wraps to adorable knit animals available at Knit Purl here.

Some of you may remember way back in November when I blogged about a great little sweater that could find it's way into anyone's wardrobe, Hannah Fettig's Lightweight Pullover.

I'm very excited that we now have this pattern in stock! I still would love to do it in Isager Alpaca 2 (color 13!) which would be the perfect weight for a transitional fall piece, but I'm kind of day dreaming about a springtime version done in Shibui's new Staccato yarn. A blend of Superwash Merino and Silk with just a touch of nylon for strength, it would be absolutely gorgeous in this pattern.

The next pattern I have to share today is the Tuesday Night Cowl by designer Susan Lawrence.

This lovely (and free!) pattern reminds me a lot of the Burberry Inspired Cowl (also free on Ravelry) I saw a few weeks ago, but this one has instructions for worsted, aran, and bulky weights. The Burberry Inspired version was written for bulky only, which I find can sometimes come out a bit stiffer and dense than I would like. This pattern would be gorgeous in Malabrigo Twist or Rowan Lima.

For your inspiration today I have an amazing blog to share with you from a Fashion Designer and Fiber Artist out of Minneapolis, Annie Larson. Her blog, Swank Dollar is full of her amazing machine (and some hand) knit creations. My roommate Sarah was kind enough to show this to me the other day and I've been thinking about it ever since.

I don't know very much about machine knitting, but this definitely inspires me to look into it. It's so interesting and fun. Her blog again is linked here if you want to check it out. Unfortunately I can't find that much info about her or the yarns she uses or anything, but its neat to see how much freedom you could have with a little imagination. Ok, just one more, but only because it's really just too precious!

And with that I will leave you for another week. Check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta and, until then, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

Techno-geddon

2010-02-09T15:42:00.000-08:00

Readers may be perplexed by the fact that this post is dated to Feb. 9th, but only just appeared today, Feb. 11. This is because we have been facing our very own Techno-geddon. Hardware, software and even web hosting turned against us for a couple of days there, but we emerged victorious. If you tried to visit the website yesterday and, well, couldn't, that was due to our (and our web server's) Techno-geddon. We're back, though, and have a lot to show you!

First, is the collection of projects Sandra brought in to share. On the top is a Koigu Linen Stitch Scarf, made with 3 skeins of KPPPM:

Below that, in the lower left corner, is her Annabella's Cowl. Made with the yarns originally used by the designer in the color "Mighty Redwood". At the very bottom of the pile is her in progress Wavy Scarf, using Schaefer Helene in the color "Renata Tibaldi". Sandra is definitely going to have a warm and stylish neck this year.

Let's see, what else has been happening in the midst of Techno-geddon? Well, have you seen that we now have FREE SHIPPING?!

It's true. Get free Priority Mail shipping with a domestic order over $75. If you'd like to read all the specifics, see our Online Ordering FAQ's page.

Next, we have to admit to some excitement over the arrival of a special edition release from Interweave Press - Knitting Traditions magazine:

"Indulge your passion for knitting with Knitting Traditions! This 148-page special publication from PieceWork magazine presents more than 40 projects—socks, shawls and scarves, items for baby, a variety of hand coverings, hats, squares and edgings, and finger puppets—each with a story that provides historical context." - Interweave Press

Admittedly, we are a little geeky here (hence our staff obsession with Knitting: 19th Century Sources). But this magazine is absolutely packed with traditional and historic patterns from around the world. We just received 15 copies (for all you other knitting geeks out there!) and, well, 3 have already been reserved by staff members and Marj is even talking about using one of the patterns within as her Knitting Olympics challenge.

And, while on the topic of the Knitting Olympics, are any of our blogfans participating? I'm slowly managing to convince my ~~co-conspirators~~ coworkers to try it this year. I'm thinking of making the attempt. What about you? Are you interested? If so, what're you going to make?

While you ponder that, you might want to check out our New Arrivals page - we've just put up EIGHT new yarns from Rowan, Noro, and Habu Textiles. The Revive, IMHO, is absolutely scrumptious:

But we'll let you make that determination for yourself. Until next time, barring another Techno-geddon, happy knitting! And look out this afternoon for another edition of Fashionknitsta.

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 2/4/10

2010-02-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone! Hope your week is going well, it's been pretty great here at the store and I have a bunch of wonderful treasures to share with you all today.

If you saw Sara's last post (love the Geodesic Cardigan!), you'll know that around here we are really starting to think about Spring time knitting. I'm blaming a lot of it Kirsten Johnston's pattern Thursday. We just got the shop sample of this knit up last week, and I can't help but daydream about it everytime I walk by.

The original is done in Habu Ramie A-166 and Habu Super Fine Merino A-177. I've always wanted to work with the Habu Ramie, so I think if I did this I'd have to make two because I also can't help thinking about it in Malabrigo Lace Baby (maybe held with Isager Alpaca 1?). This isn't up on our website yet, but it will be soon. Thanks in advance, Sara!

Switching seasons, the next thing I have to share today is a great winter piece from Coco Knits:

This wonderful accessory is the Fleeced Earflap Hat by Julie Weisenberger. It's done with a chunky yarn, they suggest Lamb's Pride Bulky, but I would love to see it in Malabrigo Chunky or Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds Bulky. It's never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts for next year and this would be a great one for anyone. It has sizing for men and women and comes with all the instructions to knit in the fleece.

For all the CocoKnits fans our there Julie will be visiting us next month for a Meet and Greet on March 5th and will be giving a Finishing and Design Workshop on March 6th.

The last pattern I have today is from a designer I have blogged about before and absolutely love, Jane Richmond.

Sedum is a free pattern on Ravelry, and for some reason (maybe the grey sky?) it's really jumping at me today. I would absolutely love to make this cardigan in the natural Blue-faced Leicester of Rowan British Sheep Breeds Chunky. It would be so cozy next winter!

While wandering the internet this week, I discovered artist Michelle Vitale Loughlin's work and really fell in love with it - and her. In her earlier work she experimented with mixing fibrous materials and painting, influenced by her seamstress grandmother who emigrated to the US and sewed American Flags to make a living.

In 2004 she received the Puffin Foundation Grant to purchase a knitting machine and has since been creating mostly large-scale, site specific architectural forms; such as this piece, Water Falls, which is currently on view at the Huterdon Art Museum in Clinton, New Jersey.

Knit on an industrial knitting machine with silver synthetic fibers, Water Falls is in response to the 200 foot waterfall adjacent to the Hunterdon Art Museum. With this piece Loughlin wanted to portray how man-made objects and nature are no longer separate by including debris in with the pristine image of the falls.

It was kind of tricky to find out more info about Michelle, as her website doesn't seem to be up right now. I did find a few of her other works online that I'd love to learn more about, including this piece from 2007, Arc:

I wish I had something to link to for her. If you're interested, I would attempt a Google search; and, hopefully, her site will be back up soon. I actually happened upon Michelle's work via fiber artist Abigail Doan's blog, and was intrigued by her own interesting work as well.

The first of these images is her piece Crocheted Snow 01 from 2005 and the second is Primavera 02 from 2006. Doan describes herself as an "art-farmer living part of the year in an urban nest [New York City] and part of the year on a farm in Tuscany".

Most of her work is very focused on her interconnection and experience with nature and plant materials. The very ephemeral feeling and interventions with nature remind me very much of the work of Andy Goldsworthy. Really gorgeous pieces, she has a fantastic blog featuring her work and the work of others that I definitely recommend checking out.

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend and, as always, check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

- Lindsay

Just forget Death by Chocolate

2010-02-02T17:28:00.000-08:00

We've got the new way to overdose through decadence with the new Staccato, by ShibuiKnits. Can I just say, "Yum!"?

Is that a technical term? 'Cause it really should be. I mean, look at it:

No, wait, you should touch it. The fiber content, just FYI, is 65% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk, 5% Nylon. I played with a skein and made an a-MAZE-ing sock with it in the Ivory...

Which, unfortunately, I cannot show you just yet. Patience, though, shall be rewarded. I did, however, buy two skeins of Staccato in Cotton Candy last night...

For some fun and flirty socks. There might be a few discreet ruffles involved. It's tempting me to go ultra-fem. Must be the combination of the pink and the silk.

But don't be limited by my madness. Take a minute and imagine the possibilities. Like, oh, Connie Chang Chinchio's new Geodesic Cardigan:

(from the latest KnitScene)

Or, how about Hannah Fettig's best-selling Featherweight Cardigan?

I know I'm tempted, anyway. They'd be fantastic Spring knits and would only take 5 - 10 skeins of Staccato.

Shop talk. My goodness, lots has been happening around here. We have quite a few new yarn lines in (see above, below, and the last post!), several new patterns and, well, a flurry of activity. Just wait for the next Newsletter, it's gonna be a doozy.

Anyway. Onto vicarious knitting. I convinced Jenny (our graphic designer) to share her in-progress Man Glove (remember her New Year's Resolution?), which is nearing completion:

For the inquiring mind, the yarn is Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca in "Mist Grey". The pattern is vintage, which vintage we don't know, but I'd guess the 40's. It's lookin' good, right? We're trying to encourage Jenny, so feel free to leave comments! We'll make sure she gets them.

Next, well, this also involves another New Year's Resolution. Amazingly, Lindsay is managing to both fulfill and break her resolution in one go. Lindsay is taking Judy Wilcox's Two Socks on Two Circulars class and has fallen mad in love with the technique. In fact, she just bought another skein of sock yarn, Madelinetosh Glazed Sock in "Violin", to cast on another pair...

Which she plans to have to the heel (along with the green pair above - Shibui Sock in Seaweed) by the next class on Sunday. I see a wicked addiction in the making. But, call me callous, I'm sick of being the only sock addict on staff, so I'm not saying anything.

Oh, alright, I did tease her a bit. Feel free to leave comments, she'll definitely see them!

Lastly, we have an overwhelmingly huge new selection of Rowan yarns in the store. They're not on the web yet, but they will be soon. The additions include new colors of Denim, Summer Tweed and All Seasons Cottons. Also in the photography box is the new Purelife Revive, which is an awesome thing (recycled silk, recycled cotton, and recycled rayon).

Expect to see these beauties on the website in a couple of weeks.

And, before I go, here's a super-cute Jake & Co. photo:

Just because.

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 1/28/10

2010-01-28T21:57:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! I've been so excited to share these with everyone that I think we should just jump right in.

The first thing I have to share today is Imagine Knit's Elsa Tunic by designer Jamie Thomas. I think this is a relatively new pattern for us, I hadn't seen it before a couple of weeks ago and began pestering Sara to get it online (thanks Sara!).

I really love how versatile this could be, you could easily make it longer or shorter and color can go so far with this simple design. The yarn it calls for is Habu Tsumugi Silk (a yarn I've always been interested in) held double. Elsa takes at most 3 cones of the MC and 2 cones of the CC so even for the largest size this is still a less than $75 project. I wish I could find a picture of the back of this pattern, they use a ribbon for the neck ruching and it looks so beautiful tied in the back. I'd love to have this this little tunic for spring and summer, a shorter version would look great with jeans or dressed up for work, while a longer one would be a fantastic warm weather dress.

About a week ago I discovered Paris-based artist Aurelie Mathigot and I have been very anxiously awaiting sharing it with you.

These images are of her 2005 crochet installation "My Bedroom". I absolutely love the details, especialy on the dresser.

Gorgeous, just gorgeous.

On her website she says her work is "inspired by the notion of recovery and the necessity of talking about everyday life in another, new, way". She describes a few reoccurring themes in her work like "the will to hide, the need for isolation and for being overwhelmed by the textile material."

Of all of her work, this piece encompasses this idea best. "My Bedroom" was created during a 2 month stay in Rio De Janiero, and expresses “a quiet extravagancy” that came from her need for security in response to the “intense colors and violence” from the city.

These are two more of her pieces, on the left is part of her Food series and on the right is part of her installation "The Dinner". I wish I could find better pictures of this one, I think it is my favorite of her work. Just for fun here is one more of the food series (I love the lacy hamburger box top!):

The last thing I have to share today is the work of Melanie Porter. I happened upon her website a few days ago, she worked for years as a knitwear designer and now restores and reupholsters old chairs completely by hand. Here are a few examples of her absolutely beautiful work:

This makes me really inspired to recover all the chairs in my house. It would be so fun (and quick!) in Shibui Highland Wool Alpaca. If these interest you as well I would recommend checking out her website to see these and more.

Hope you enjoyed these as much as I did! I'm already looking forward to what I have found for next week's post (just a hint: crocheted snow!). As always, check back then for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

30 minutes to go...

2010-01-27T17:21:00.000-08:00

until Fearless Leader and I teach this week's Happy Hour class: The European Divide. I've been practicing my English knitting (I still have some area for improvement) and the Norwegian Purl, which is a cake-walk. If you're looking for something to do this evening, this class is looking quite worthwhile.

In other news, I managed to corner some customers during last week's Sip 'n' Stitch:

Literally, corner. But, at least I have some customer projects for all y'all! First, we have Jay's newest in-progress design:

I don't have a name for it... yet. We'll have to wait and see. Next, I also have Lew's in-progress "Dad's Sweater"...

From The Knitting Man(ual). Unfortunately, I can't really read Lew's (or is it Lindsay's??) handwriting and am drawing a blank on the yarn being used. Ah, well. I'll try and get a FO photo and info when the time comes.

Lastly (in terms of projects), we have a Monster for Tika! Meet Penelope the Empathetic Monster:

(she was feeling naked without her bow, so we lent her some eyebobs!)

{I'll get her a bow soon, promise!}

For those of you interested, Penelope was knit with one ball of Rowan All Seasons Cotton (not the three expected!) in each of Jacuzzi (honest) and Wisteria. She was really easy and fun to knit (I feel a Danger Crafts! obsession coming on), so expect to see many more monsters around.

Wow, doing well with twenty minutes to go! Next, I thought I might mention that we're having an Oleana sale - all Oleana products are 40% off (while supplies last).

If you don't live in the area, give us a call (868-656-5648) for a list of the garments and colors in stock.

And, lastly, we have new Rowan yarns! Oooh, the yummies...

Expect to see Rowan Lima and Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds DK (that is a ~~mouth~~ keyboard-full!) in the next Newsletter. Lindsay and Marjorie and I are seriously coveting the PBSB DK in the Bluefaced Leicester colors. Just think of the gorgeous knit-and-purl patterns and cables one could make!

But that is everything. For now. Check back tomorrow for another edition of Fashionknitsta Thursday! Until next week, happy knitting!

-Sara

Cable Limerick Contest - VOTE!

2010-01-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

We have to admit to some shock and awe over the fact that we had over 20 entrants (and 35 entries!) for our Cable Limerick Contest. Who knew so many knitters were fans of poetry? Well, after a strenuous "nomination" process (think the Academy Award... in which the staff of Knit Purl is the Academy), we have five contestants for our top prize, a Cabled Rib Wrap kit, and two runner-up prizes ($25 Gift Cards).

To vote for your favorite limerick, leave a comment (or reply to this post) and we'll tally up the responses. The deadline to choose is midnight (PT) on Monday, January 25, 2010. Please only vote for ONE limerick/ entrant after reading all five choices. So, without further adieu, here are the nominees:

A
You’re a knitter and that’s undeniable.
Your devotion to the art is reliable.
When your dreams through the night
Are of handspun delights,
To some it may seem certifiable.
- Carol Y.

B
The bane of the knitter’s enjoyment
Was lost-cable-needle annoyment.
So, She fashioned a sheath
That attached to her teeth,
And held it for ready deployment!
- Anna-Lisa K.

C
At ninety McGee took up knitting.
He knit day and night without quitting.
“I am cabling fast
To make up for the past.
And if I had teeth, they’d be gritting!”
- Carol L.

D
There once was a brown sheep named Mary,
Who had lovely fleece but was quite scary.
When getting a shave,
She never behaved
And therefore remained quiet hairy.
- Karen F.

E
She thought that merino's divine:
He couldn't tell cashmere from twine.
Their romance expired,
When she finally tired
Of casting her purls before swine.
- Kim F.

Thank you for your input. And, to everyone else who entered, thank you so much for participating!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 1/21/10

2010-01-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone! Another Thursday is here and, with it, another edition of Fashionknitsta. If you're a PDX local, I hope you've been enjoying this warm-ish (for January, at least) weather, as I know I have. I'm going to try something a little different today, because I've collected a couple great patterns for men and home ideas that I've been thinking about blogging about for a while. Enjoy!

The first pattern I have to share is my favorite men's sweater pattern in the store, the Zip Up Cardigan by Hannah Fettig (her name might ring a bell if you're familiar with the her Featherweight Cardigan).

The cardigan calls for a gauge of 3.5 stitches to the inch on a 10 1/2 needle, and I'd love to do this in Rowan's Purelife British Sheep Breeds Bulky. With a size range of Child's 2-16, and Men's S-2X this pattern is perfect for all the males in your life. Absolutely wonderful for those hard-to-knit-for teenage boys, this pattern is so basic, simple, and versatile I would make this for my dad, brother, or ~~boyfriend~~ husband.

Something I've also had my eye on for a while as a great guy gift is a knit tie. Lately I've seen good versions like this one at J.Crew, but really this is definitely a pattern even a beginning knitter could manage.

Lion Brand has free pattern for this seed stitch Knit Necktie on Ravelry. I really like the look of this one, I'd love to do it in Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran, or Shibui Knits Merino Alpaca. For a wintery version I'd also love to see it in Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca doubled.

The last pattern I have to share is one I've been thinking about for probably about a year now. I know my knitting resolution was to finish old projects and not start things, but I'm so close to finishing the blanket I've been working on it hurts. In light of that, I think its fair to take this a bit more realistically. The Cable Table Runner from the "Clever Ideas" section of Rowan Magazine 45 has been haunting me ever since the first time I laid eyes on it.

Isn't it just gorgeous? This understated and chic runner was originally done in Rowan Denim, which is a lovely yarn and practical for something on the table, but I've always envisioned it in Rowan's Lenpur Linen (color 566!). It would be absolutely fantastic to do a matching place mat set as well, simple with just the cable pattern going up the left side. What a perfect springtime project.

With that I will leave you for today. I hope everyone has a great weekend! As always, check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Drive-by blogging

2010-01-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

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: 1/14/10

2010-01-14T18:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday, everyone! I hope your week is going wonderfully. I'm very excited to share with all of you some wonderful things I found this week.

The first find I have is the work of a really wonderful Dutch designer, Christien Meindertsma. I have seen her work from time to time, but until recently had never really looked deeper into her design philosophy. The thing I found most interesting was the ongoing Flocks project. Taking a "slow design" approach, the focus of her work is the connection between the farmer and the final consumer. In projects like the One Sheep Cardigans and she worked with one farmer to create pieces from a single sheep. The finished garments include biographies of the animal, their eartags, and any prizes the animal has won.

She has also made these beautiful mittens from the fur of one rabbit.

My favorite of the projects is the Aran Rug, knit from the wool of 18 merino sheep, it is an interesting exploration of scale. A traditional Aran motif is magnified and repurposed into a cozy rug.

Absolutely beautiful work. More information about the designer is available at her website and more info about the Flocks project specifically is available here.

The thing that first brought Christien back into mind was my friend Amanda sent me a link to her Urchin Pouf's. These beautiful home accessories are available for $1,600 for the larger size at Design within Reach, but I knew I had seen a free pattern for them somewhere.

A quick Google search brought me to Pickle's blog, run byAnna and Heidi Pickles, for this wonderful version (also available on Ravelry):

I would love to have a couple of these for my living room. You hold a super bulky weight yarn triple stranded and then stuff them with an old duvet. I cannot stop day dreaming about doing these in Shibui Highland Wool Alpaca in Seaweed, ooohhh, and Mulberry.

I couldn't help but keep browsing the Pickles blog for a bit, and I came across this really cute vest:

The pattern for the XS-M size Wild Vest is available for purchase from their website, or the large size is available for free. It looks like its done with about a DK weight yarn held double. I'd love to see it in Rowan Wool Cotton or Felted Tweed. Ooohh, or the texture might be absolutely lovely in Shibui Merino Kid.

Anna and Heidi's blog is definitely worth checking out, its full of fun (and lots of free!) patterns and great ideas. Their Ravelry is also a good place to hunt. I'm finding I could do an entire months worth of blogs just with their stuff. I mean, just look at this beautiful crocheted lampshade (also a free pattern!):

And this gorgeous and simple wedding bolero!

I really suggest taking a peak at their stuff, it's really, really lovely.

Finally, just for funsies, I have found a really cute Etsy store with adorable patterns for the critter or science lover in your life. The Crafty Hedgehog is a really fun little shop with a range of things from patterns for these little guys...:

...to ready made hand knit lab rat disections:

(they also come in a frog version)

Shipping calls, so I must leave you with that for today. Have a great weekend, here's to hoping it won't be too dreary. As always, check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Itchy fingers?

2010-01-12T17:52:00.000-08:00

My goodness, this is going to be a busy week. We have a Sock Club package going out (which is awesome, I can't deny it) and a humongous yarn crawl hitting our fair city on Saturday and Sunday. But, first, I have two worthy causes I want to bring to your attention:

Handknits for Hard Knock Kids (deadline to donate: January 15, 2010). Last time I checked, we had 48lbs of clothing and it'd be simply fantastic if we could collect 50 lbs in total! We still have a couple of days left. That's totally enough time to whip up a child-sized hat or two (which is my goal for this week)... I'm afraid my attempt to knit mittens hasn't worked out too well, but I shall NOT be discouraged! And neither should you. If you've been working on a donation for our Hard Knock Kids and won't make the deadline, let us know and we'll run it over to the Oregon Foster Care office when you're ready!
Handknits for Tika (deadline: open-ended for now). Farrah (blogfans should know Farrah) is collecting handknit chemo caps and other "comfort" items for Martika, a 12-year-old girl she mentors. Tika has been diagnosed with cancer and will be spending the next four to six months undergoing chemotherapy treatments and lengthy hospital stays. We'll also be collecting on Farrah's behalf, so feel free to send handknits to us and we'll make sure they get to Farrah.
(how can you say 'no' to this face, right?)

If you're interested in donating, Tika's favorite colors are purple and pink (respectively) and she's not allergic to any fibers we know of. I would (humbly) suggest that all donations be machine-washable (just like for our Hard Knock Kids), because of the stressful situation the family is in. Also, it's important to know that Tika will be shaving her head soon and chemo caps made for her shouldn't measure above 18" in circumference. I've done a quick survey on ravelry and found several suitable children's "chemo cap" patterns*:
- "The Republic" Hat-Toddler Edition (and on ravelry) <-- I am making this cap for Tika with Merino Worsted in "Peony", so don't you copy me :P (please)
- Floppy Brim Hat (on ravelry)
- Rib-a-Roni (only available as a ravelry download)
- Windy City Hat (on ravelry)
- Pretty In Pink Ribbons (only available as a ravelry download)
- Braid-Edged Cap (on ravelry)
Or, for a change, you can make Tika a cute and cuddly handknit toy to hold while in the hospital! (I foresee a run on Danger Crafts patterns...)
Lastly, how about knitting a square for Tika's Patchwork Blanket? It has to measure 6" x 6", worked at 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in St st. (Purple and pink are preferred.) This is a quick knit and can be done with stash yarn in an hour or less.

I'll definitely be making Tika a "The Republic" hat and a toy or two (Sammy the Sock Monster has caught my eye and heart...), plus a square (or two, they're quick!) for her blankie. Maybe I'll even have (some of) them done in time for next week's post (which will be next Wednesday, btw). The yarn is bought and wound, too, so I have no excuse!

And now that I've twanged your heartstrings enough, onto the yarn crawliness. If you should have a reason to visit us this weekend, please do not be surprised if you are met with the sight of dozens of knitters literally jammed into our tiny downtown store. Seriously. Last year was... wow. As far as we've been told, there will be 150 knitters swarming in downtown PDX (expect to see lots of knitting on the MAX and Streetcar!), that will be visiting LYSes in smaller groups. Just don't say we didn't warn you. Right now, I have a ~~short~~ list of upcoming Portland Yarn Crawls:

Seattle-to-Portland Yarn Train (January 16th)
Seattle-to-Portland Yarn Train Overnight Trip (January 16th & 17th)
Portland Yarn Crawl (March 5th, 6th, 7th)

And we'll probably have a few more to add to that list in the coming weeks.

Next, have you read the most recent Newsletter? Do you know about our Cable Mania KAL & the Cable Limerick Challenge? As of this afternoon, we have ~~rather shockingly, actually,~~ 14 entrants and 23 limericks so far! Apparently quite a few of our Newsletter subcribers are poetry fans. Or they just really want a Cabled Rib Wrap kit. It could go either way, I'm sure.

If you're feeling poetically inclined, we'll be accepting entries through January 18th (yes, MLK Jr Day), so go and put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

Finally, don't forget that the Gratis Knits deadline is this Friday, peeps! We've raised the honorarium to $100 in store credit (which can be used online, in the store, or over the phone - we're that easy) and are looking for a fun winter pattern. Wristlets or a hat would be nice. It doesn't have to be complicated. Just a pattern that uses a yarn we carry (currently) and is something people will want to make. (Like I said, we're easy) If you have any questions, feel free to email us.

I'm afraid that's everything of note. I have no new staff projects (well, one or two that are Top Secret, but that's something else entirely), though I swear we will have some by next week. Come heck or high water! Until then, why don't try your hand at writing a limerick or pattern? Or knitting a chemo cap? At least you won't be bored ;)

*It's so sad that if you search "child chemo cap" more than a dozen patterns pop up :(

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 1/7/10

2010-01-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! I know I'm a few days late (sorry about that!), the early arrival of Haapsalu caught me completely by surprise. In any case, I'm very excited to be back and blogging again this week as I have been saving up quite a few things to share.

The first thing I have today some of you may have seen, as its made it into the most popular patterns on Ravelry, the Burberry Inspired Cowl Neck Scarf by Julianne Smith.

This wonderful (and free!) pattern is available via Julianne's Ravelry, and on her blog. It takes just about 200 yards exactly of a bulky weight yarn, and though I love the slight sheen of the merino silk blend she chose, I'm torn between wanting to try this with Malabrigo Chunky or the new Malabrigo Twist (coming to the website soon, promise). BUT if you read Sara's last post I will be beginning absolutely no new projects until I complete at least of few of the thousand I have going, so sadly this will have wait. Oh, but it could be so quick...

This next lovely little accessory I found on Ravelry is also going to be hard not to start (and leave half-finished for a month). Dapper, by Andrea Satterlund, is an adorable (and free, and quick!) pattern that I think is very now, and I love it; but, then I'm a bow person.

Can be worn as a headband or bow tie, done entirely in garter stitch, and adjustable this would be really fun to have for spring. Andrea has a really great crafty blog that I recommend checking out as well if you're interested.

If you, like me, have an Etsy browsing problem you may recognize the next lovely piece I have to share today. I first saw this beauty from Vart's shop when it was featured on Etsy's Holiday Gift Guides: Statement Gifts list and I have been thinking about it ever since.

This beautiful hand felted shawl is made of 100% merino and is embellished with silk and Swarovski crystals. Really one of the most gorgeous nuno felt pieces I have ever seen and truly inspirational. Vart's shop is full of other wonderful nuno felted accessories including bowls, bags, and jewelry. I really recommend checking it out. And, if you wanted to maybe try your own hand at nuno felting we have both a beginning and advanced class coming up with our fabulous felting teacher, LeBrie Rich of PenFelt.

Finally, the last thing I have to share today is the work of Miami-based artist Frances Trombly, someone I remember hearing about in school who has recently been brought back to my attention. Using embroidery, weaving, crochet, and cross-stitch, Frances creates by hand things that are normally mass-produced. Here are a couple of my favorite pieces:

Mop, 2008
Hand spun silver wool and cotton, wooden mop handle

52 X 14 X 13 inches

Box (Broward Paper and Packaging), 2008
Hand-woven fabric, embroidery, packaging tape

Dimensions variable

(being in shipping, I love this one especially)

Untitled (pile), 2005
Hand-Woven and crocheted cotton

Dimensions variable

These are amazing, and I have to stop or I'm going to post them all. You can see the rest of her work on her website.

Well, ok, just one more:

Garden Hose, 2007
Crocheted cotton and metal hook

32 linear ft
Site Specific installation at Casa Lin, Miami

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and is getting back into the swing of things easily. Have a wonderful weekend and check back next week for another edition of Fashionknista. Until then, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

Brace yourself.

2010-01-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

It's a New Year and the time for new opportunities and to make new resolutions. And, boy, have we got some resolutions this year. I took a little sampling of our staff's goals for 2010 and, I have to say, I'm not too surprised that we're really pushing ourselves:

Lindsay: to cut wips by down 50%, and learn to knit Continental and to knit two socks at one time.
Marjorie: to learn to knit two socks at one time and how to knit lace.
Mine: to master Fair Isle.
Darcy: to finish her Habu sweater and learn to knit Fair Isle holding both yarns in one hand.
Eva: to make her first sweater.
Jenny: to finish her boyfriend's Christmas present (gloves); which, incidentally, is her first knitting project.

Do you have a knitting New Year's resolution? We'd love to hear it!

On top of setting (slightly unreasonable) goals for ourselves, we've also got some great store updates to share:

We have collected 47lbs of clothing for Oregon Foster Care children! We'll continue collecting through the 18th, too. So keep on bringing those handknits and hand-me-downs in. Questions about what to donate? See our Handknits for Hard Knock Kids post.
We DID have Malabrigo Twist in stock... for about 5 minutes. I'm really sorry, blogfans, but it sold before I could get it on the web (or even photographed). And, before you complain, I swear we ordered two bags of every color. People just really like this yarn. But, don't worry!, we have some scheduled to arrive next week and I SWEAR it will go up on the web and be featured in the Newsletter.
We're looking for a new Gratis Knits pattern and have decided to increase the gratuity to $100 in store credit. That's right. Get your pattern up and in view of over 11,000 knitters and get a $100 gift card as an additional reward. See our updated Submission Guidelines (or the upcoming Newsletter) for more information!

Let's see what else we've got... A couple of weeks ago (while I was sick and not posting), Andrea sent us photos of two cushions she had finished for Christmas gifts:

The pattern is the Cable & Twist Pillow from Interweave's recently released Knitted Gifts. The yarn is (was) ShibuiKnits Merino Kid in Pagoda and Seaweed, held double to get the correct bulky gauge. Andrea also posted these lovelies on her ravelry journal, if you want more information about the project.

I, however, have not been that conscientious. Sorry. In lieu of other staff projects (my coworkers claim that they have none on their persons. I think they LIE.), I present my current traveling sock (and knitpod):

Which is currently traveling a lot back and forth between home and work. The yarn is Handmaiden's luscious Casbah (love, love, love) in the color "Fleur" which was a new release at Sock Summit (I think). We don't carry the color currently, but I think we have it on order. I also just finished a pair of mitts and a WhatsIt (see below for both), since we're so low on projects to share today (hint. hint. hint.*):

And, because it was a rainy day (like we really need an excuse), Lindsay and Eva and I might have gotten a little carried away taking photos for the blog this afternoon...

Sometimes seriousness is way overrated. See our how silly we can be set on flickr if you need a quick giggle.

That seems like everything, but I feel like I'm forgetting something. What could it be?

Oh, wait. It might just be our upcoming KAL, the details of which are still under wraps. Check your inbox this Friday for an awesome Newsletter that will include some breathtakingly beautiful yarn, a limerick contest and a lot more! Until then, stay dry**, blogfans!

*Don't make me pull out the pointy stick, guys.
**If you're not in the PNW, maybe that should be "stay warm"!

PSSST!

2009-12-31T13:01:00.000-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yourdon/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Lindsay is busy, busy, busy right now trying to ship out all of the many copies of The Haapsalu Shawl that arrived two weeks early, so there won't be a Fashionknitsta Thursday this week. We're all bummed. But at least it's New Year's Eve, so there's a reason to party!

I haven't been posting lately because I've been pathetically ill. Hardcore customers know that I was out of the store for two whole weeks. Imagine the yarn withdrawal I suffered on top of my flu symptoms. It really wasn't pretty.

But, in super-secret news that I will only be revealing to blogfans... be sure to check next week's Willamette Weekly for a coupon for a FREE Happy Hour class.

Seriously. Don't miss it.

Other news? We've been firming up the dates for a visit from our favorite tweedy blogger and putting together another awesome year of Sock Clubbyness that has a really cool Portland-centric theme. We think it's gonna be fantabulous.

Anyway. New Year's Eve is swiftly approaching and we'll be closing early... soon. Check back next week for a real blog post and another edition of Fashionknitsta Thursday. Until then, enjoy 2010!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 12/17/09

2009-12-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another edition of Fashionknitsta! On this rainy Thursday, I hope everyone is staying warm and dry. I have a lovely selection of things (mostly thanks to my wonderful friend Amanda for showing them to me first) that I'm very excited to share with you today. Beginning with a piece called Auntie Peggy Has Departed, by London-based artist Shane Waltener.

This piece was installed in Aldwych Tube Station, the Strand, London in 2003. In the statement about this piece Waltener writes:

Doilies are like dreamcatchers, each knot holding a thought, a memory. The sum of these make up the history of a place.

This is such a beautiful thought, and so true about knitting as a craft. Every stitch is a symbol of a moment and so much thought and care and reflection is put in, whether your project be for yourself or someone else; which I think is a feeling that comes to many knitters as they get more involved in their craft.

Much of Waltener's work revolves around this idea, in his bio for the UK Hand Knitters Association he says, "beyond the aesthetics of knitting, I am interested in the social dimension of the craft, people exchanging stories, recollections and memories when knitting together". His work also deals with the balance of knitting in the larger discussion of art vs. craft and the idea of high art vs. low art. More of Waltener's fiber and mixed media installations can be found here, and I really recommend checking them out.

The next thing I have to share is also lace-centric and really interesting. Lace in Translation is a project between 3 art and design studios working to share their own interpretation of The Design Center at Philadelphia's collection of traditional lace designs by the Quaker Lace Company. The three European and Canadian teams, Demakersvan a studio based out of Rotterdam, Cal Lane a Canadian sculptor, and Tord Bootnje a Dutch industrial designer, are showing their takes on this historic art at The Design Center until April 3, 2010.

This is Demakersvan's interpretation, a 16 panel, 152 foot lace fence made of galvanized PVC coated wire.

Sculptor Cal Lane cut, welded, and painted her inspiration into a 1000 gallon oil tank and burnt a traditional lace design into the lawn at the Center.

This is Tord Boontje's contribution to the project, the first is an installation of Sofa Aramide and Dynema Fibers with powder coated steel, the second is a Raffia lace curtain.

More information on this project is available on all of the designers and teams websites as well as at the Lace in Translation home page.

A strange coincidence that all of these lace based projects would find me this week, if you receive our emails you may know that we are on a bit of a lace frenzy as of late. We recently received word that the famous Estonian lace book Haapsalu Sall (Haapsalu Shawl) by Siiri Reimann & Aime Edasi would be translated and printed in English available early next year. We are taking pre-orders for the second shipment of this beautiful book right now, the first were reserved almost immediately.

The next thing I have to share with all of you today is courtesy of Jenny, our graphic design wonder, De*Nada is a line of chic knit accessories founded by Virginia Blanca Arrisueño, who cites the culture and traditions of her Peruvian heritage as her inspiration.

The Challah Braids

The Eternal Roped and Skinny Fringe

The Eternal Web and Ladies Gloves

I really like this line, none of the patterns look as though they would be too difficult to figure out and make your own, and it's a really good example of well photographed knitwear.

The final thing I have today is this really interesting headband, also found by my friend Amanda, by the French accessories designer benoit missolin :

Pom-poms! I really love how fun this is, and how easy it would be to make! Can you believe they charge $194?! A pom-pom maker costs about $8. Outrageous! I'm really glad she showed me, I have a few girlfriends who should be expecting pom-pom headbands for Christmas (only maybe I'll make mine a little smaller).

With that, I leave you all until next time. In light of the holidays, there will be no Fashionknista next week, but check back the week after for a new post. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 12/10/09

2009-12-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

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:

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.
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:

Have you seen our facebook page? We'd love it if you became a fan or friended us!
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)!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 12/3/09

2009-12-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Here at Knit Purl the holiday season is in full swing making me (and I hope all of you!) feel extra inspired. Thanks to a long weekend of pursuing the internet from bed, I have tons of things to share with all of you on this lovely Thursday.

The first thing I have to share is some wonderful photos of the "Fashion Collective" event that took place at the Armory on October 12th. Artist and costume designer for Portland Center Stage, Fuschia Lin, showed a retrospective of her work from 1999 to present. We first got word of this event when Fuschia commissioned one of our lovely customers, Laura, to knit a custom pair of toe socks for one of her designs. Knit with Koigu KPM Solid color 1150 and Shibui Silk Cloud in Blossom held together, these really turned out to be a wonderful addition to the collection.

Here is a link to a review of the show from the Portland Mercury by Marjorie Skinner. In addition to her work for Portland Center Stage, Fuschia has designed costumes for Bjork and Karen O., has sold her designs in Paris Boutiques, and has been featured in a number of magazines making her a real treasure for Portland. Thank you so much for sharing these with us, Fuschia!

Last week while visiting my parents I found the cutest Fair Isle Cowl that I am still kicking myself for not taking a photo of. It's from H&M which unfortunately does not have an online store, so I'm still working on tracking down a picture of one. Anyway, I have blogged about several cowls in the past, but it had really never occured to me to mix that trend with the comeback Fair Isle patterns are making right now. I took my search to Etsy and, of course, found some wonderful things. My favorite are the designs from Elf518's shop including the pattern for this absolutely adorable owl cowl:

She doesn't have a pattern for this one, but I really love it and couldn't not share it:

Ok, so I know those really aren't very traditional, so if you are looking for a more classic I also found a great pattern on Ravelry for only $3. Alicia's Fair Isle Cowl by Sheila Joynes:

This one is much more along the lines of the one I saw, I think it would be really nice (and quick!) out of the Malabrigo Worsted Merino in Tuareg with Sunset as the accent, oohhh or the Madelinetosh Tosh Merino...there really are a lot of options with this one. I shall have to ponder.

Next on the agenda today is a really fantastic Etsy store, Spinthread, that our fabulous felting teacher, LeBrie Rich, showed me. The piece she was calling to my attention were these super funky Pom Pom Neck Huggers:

Really fun (and really easy to make!) these accessories would be a great conversation piece as well as keep you nice and toasty. Now, these are really neat, but the embroidered jewelry she has really caught my eye:

Hand embroidered and backed with lace, these geometric necklaces are such a beautiful and unique take on the floral and gem bib necklaces we have been seeing so much of lately. In addition to the necklaces she also has brooches and earrings in the same style, definitely a shop worth checking out.

There is so much more I want to share with you all today (for example, knit plankton!), but shipping calls and I shall have to save them til next week. Hope everyone has a lovely (and warm!) weekend ahead of them, stay tuned for next Thursday's edition of Fashionknitsta and until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Get that warm, fuzzy feeling.

2009-12-01T15:55:00.000-08:00

We promised to blog weekly and we meant it. Last week was more than a little crazy and, well, Fashionknitsta Thursday fell on Thanksgiving, so that didn't happen. We are determined to get back on schedule, though, and stick to it... even if it takes me 'til closing to write all this up. Which it might, since a lot has been happening here!

Firstly, we have a blog subject that's long overdue and that you should expect to see a lot of over the next two weeks -

Handknits For Hard Knock Kids

It's the happiest time of the year... for some. For others, like children in foster care, it's the time where they can be the most lonely. But we can help make children in foster care more comfortable, in strange places with strange people, when they can't be with family.

From now through December 17th, we'll be accepting donations of handknit (and store-bought!) clothes and toys in good condition for Oregon children in foster care.

Drop off "New or used, hand-knit or store-bought [clothing]," at the store (or mail it to us, if you live out of state!) and you'll been entered into a prize drawing that includes several one-of-a-kind skeins of sock yarn from happiest girl! dyeworks, sock yarn from Abstract Fiber, many Knit Purl gift cards, and any other prizes we can rummage up.

We'll be collecting clothing from now through Thursday, December 17th, the night of our prize drawing. If there's continued interest, we'll continue to accept clothing after the holidays.

The Knit Purl clothing drive for children in the Oregon foster care system. Many foster care families can barely afford to feed and clothe their foster children, making the winter months particularly hard when the cold weather sets in. After reading an article in the Oregonian and Mim's blog post, we decided to do something.

Curious about what you can/ should donate?

"The only requirements the woman I spoke to noted were that items need to be clean and in good condition. They can use every size since they care for kids of all ages, from newborns to teenagers." (-Mims Copeland)

If you have any handknits, or hand-me-downs, sitting around the house, please consider donating them. Just think of the warm and fuzzy feeling you'll get and, quite possibly, the lovely prizes we've collected for generous knitters.

And now we can return to our regularly scheduled programming and sharing customer projects. Y'all know how much I love to share what our knitters have been doing. It brings me a little dose of vicarious joy every time.

Sarawan brought in her completed Seed Stitch Scarf a few days ago, and we all had to compliment her yarn choice:

ShibuiKnits Highland Wool Alpaca? Niiice (it's so sqooshy!). I think several staffers want to make their own version of this scarf now, because Sarawan was stylin' it. There aren't any notes on her project sheet, so we're just going to have to assume from her smile that she likes it, too.

Next, Tanuja wore in her Noro Silk Garden cardigan, from Noro Mini Knits (Design 26):

I just have to say that I looove her color choices. There are actually three different Silk Garden colorways in there, though I couldn't tell you where or when they start. But it definitely is lovely, and totally works for layering this winter and wearing into spring. Unfortunately, I couldn't find Tanuja (or her cardigan) on ravelry, so we can only admire from afar.

Yesterday, Martha brought in her finished Clara baby dress to show off:

We are so proud of her for sticking to this project - the pattern was translated (confusingly) into English from its original Scandahoovian language and can be really frustrating at times (trust me, I've helped a lot of perplexed customers with this 'un). Final verdict? It's totally worth the annoyance and confusion. Honestly. I've had several knitters tell me so, and just look at it. Isn't it adorable beyond words?

Martha's (getting back to the original topic) was made for a friend's daughter, and is on ravelry here. Go and fav it, you know you want to!

And that's all the customer projects I have for this week (and last week, too). If you have a project you'd like to share, please let us know or visit the store, because we'd love to feature it!

Lastly, we have some store updates to share. You may already know that Takako of Habu Textiles...
will be in Portland this Friday and Saturday, for the express purposes of teaching Knit Purl customers how to read Japanese patterns and to show off the Habu Textiles trunkshow. But, did you know that we're down to three spots left in the second session of Takako's Reading Japanese Patterns class?

It's true! But, don't worry, if it fills up and more knitters want to take this fun (and very useful) class, Takako has agreed to teach another session on Saturday. So, if you've been pining for a Japanese pattern book, you might want to clear your schedule this Friday!

And, ooh!, we have some new items in the store. My favorite are the two Danger Crafts patterns that just came in. Esther the Eccentric Elephant...

and Sammie the Sock Monster...

Who, incidentally, I have bought the pattern for and plan on casting on this weekend (squee!). He's so cute! He could even guard the sock yarn stash... Hmm, imagine.

And, lastly, we also have a new line from Punta Yarns. MeriTwist:

A delicious handpainted 100% Merino BULKY yarn that just begs to be knit up as a chunky scarf or hat. Yum. Knit at 3 sts/ inch, it's simply ideal for those last-minute holiday gifts you forgot to cast on a month ago (don't worry, we won't tell).

And last, but certainly not least, we finally received our shawl pin order from Lantern Moon and, thusly, have both the Textured Metal Shawl Pins and Classic Shawl Pins back in stock!

Yes, we are excited, too. One of those Classic Shawl Pins will be mine. If you've been coveting them (like myself), grab one (or two) soon, because even Lantern Moon admitted that they didn't know when we could get more.

That must be everything. If it isn't, we'll try again next time. Have a good week!

More than 3 things.

2009-11-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

Normally, on a Friday, I'd be frantically writing & coding a Newsletter. But, because of the impeding holiday (Thanksgiving) and some interesting staffing schedules, we decided to send it out a day early (i.e. last night). So now I have the time to catch up the blog (which is sorely behind due to a second influenza mishap). The way I see it, we have 3 things to cover today:

Customer Projects
New In The Store
What We've Been Doing

Except, there are more than three things to talk about, but it sounded good. Because there's so much to catch up, I'd better get started now.

1. Customer Projects

A little over a week ago, Catherine wore in the loveliest shell:

Which, it turned out, she had knit herself! And designed, too, incidentally. She knit it with ShibuiKnits Sock and Silk Cloud held together, both in the color "Dragonfly". The pattern was inspired by a stitch pattern in one of the books in Barbara Walker's fabulous Treasury of Knitting Patterns series. She insisted, though, that I not picture her face. But I'm sure knitters will be able to identify her from the awesome handknit garment(s) she's wearing.

The second customer project we have is Sarah's Koolhaas scarf. She took the stitch pattern from Jared Flood's Koolhaas Hat and used it to make a truly scrumptious scarf:

and a closeup:

Made with Catherine Lowe Couture Yarns Merino 5 in the color "Moss". And, OMG, this thing felt amazing. It was sooo soft and sqooshy and lofty and amazing. We passed it around so everyone could touch it. It really made me want to make something with the Merino 5. A lot. I wish I could remember how many balls she needed...

Oh, well. Moving on.

2. New In The Store.

we have the coolest tool from M.W. Woodworks - darning eggs.

Based off of traditional (read: antique) darning eggs, each is hand-turned and has a handle for easier maneuverability. They're currently available in Maple and Black Walnut/ Ash, and are just gorgeous. They feel really nice in your hand, too. M.W. always does the most beautiful work.

And, while he was visiting this week, he dropped off a new shipment of KnitPods (in Black Walnut, Maple, and Cherry), one of which I am desperately coveting. Which is ridiculous, since I own two. Well, three now. M.W. also brought in the prototype for the 7-8" KnitPod (for longer DPNs), that I am currently test driving. So far, I'm loving it and think it's going to be a great for a variety of projects.

3. What We've Been Up To.

Oh, so much. If you've visited the store lately, you might have seen droves of us running around like madwomen. Well, it's all for a purpose. One of our biggest success stories this week was our Holiday Happy Hour class #3 -

We had eight students (which is a high number for a weekday class). Students either started a Challah Infinity Scarf:

Or a pair of Malabrigo Loafers/ Prairie Boots:

It was really exciting for Sandy Kay and I to see so many students making progress in a single hour, too.

One of my students had finished the sole of one slipper, and two others were nearly ready to braid their first section of the Challah Scarf.

And, lastly, I've been working on a What'sIt (so we'll have a sample for the pattern!):

Please pardon the desk photo. The yarn is Handmaiden's glorious Cashmere & Silk in the color "Pansy". It's just blissful to work on. In fact, I'm already designing another one skein project, just for this yarn! Oo0h, decadent.

And that's everything of note. Sandy Kay and I are still working out the details of the Handknits For Hard Knock Kids clothing drive, so expect to see that next Tuesday. We already have a collection of amazing prizes for donors and are working our a rewards system for knitters who knit their donations. But that's for later. Until then, have a happy weekend!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 11/19/09

2009-11-19T12:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday, everyone! Hope everyone has been having a wonderful week and is ready to enjoy the upcoming weekend. With how chilly it's been I'm really looking forward to some knitting in front of the fire. Originally I had a different post in mind today, but I was so excited when I got in this morning to see that we had received TWO brand new CoCo Knits Patterns, Gretel and Tessa, that I just can't help myself.

First, let's look at Gretel. Gretel is a beautiful light-weight tank with a cowl neck, perfect for spring and summer layering.

The sample is done in Habu Cotton Gima, it takes just 2 skeins for the small and medium (that's only $14.50), and only 4 (that's still only $29!) for the largest size making this a seriously affordable and fun project. The cowl neck detail really makes this pattern, I would definitely wear this with a camisole and jeans, or make it a bit more work appropriate with a nicer blouse.

Now let's move onto Tessa. Tessa is a really chic vest/top that is also wonderful for layering, but probably a little more appropriate for the temperatures we are experiencing currently. The neck detail makes this just a little more special, but it could definitely be worn by a range of ages and body types.

This beautiful piece can be worn open or closed (though I think I prefer closed) and I think, like Gretel, that it would be really easy to dress up or down. It could also be really versatile based on your yarn choice. The sample is done in Mirasole Tupa, a 50/50 Merino Silk Blend which makes me think of this as kind of more of a fall and winter pattern. They suggest Habu Shoshenshi Paper (100% linen) as an alternate yarn which brings a whole new tone to Tessa for me. While both of the suggest yarns are lovely, I think if and when I knit this pattern I would like to see it done in Rowan Wool Cotton. It has definite potential to be a big part of my winter and holiday wardrobe.

Sadly as both of these patterns are brand new they are not up on our site yet. I have been assured it will be soon, but until then they are available in the store.

My next pattern to share comes courtesy of past employee I'm sure many of you remember from in the store and her many blog appearances, Liz, who sadly left us for the tundra of Alaska. While innocently stalking her on Ravelry, I happened upon this pattern that she had recently favorited for the Carnaby Street Pullover by Melissa Wehrle from the Fall 09 issue of Knitscene (the Berkshire Doleman Sweater in that issue from the same designer is also really cute).

Lately I have seen a big comeback of military inspired cuts and details on clothing in stores, but I hadn't seen very many new patterns with that feel. The button detail on this pullover really hits that trend and gives it enough of that edge without taking it too far. The pattern calls for Brown Sheep Lanaloft Sport, and conveniently this is just about the same gauge as the Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca, which would be my choice for this lovely sweater.

During the same round of Ravelry-ing I found a pleathora of projects inspired by this scarf from Anthropologie:

None of those that I saw quite captured it exactly, but there is a free pattern available from Isager that I think is really close. The Cherry Scarf (available free with purchase of the yarn from Knit Purl) is done in Isager Alpaca 2 and Tvinni, and its a pattern I have been considering making for a while.

The Alpaca 2 is the majority of the scarf and the Tvinni is used for the accent colors. With 20+ colors of the Alpaca 2 available 30+ colors of Tvinni, the possibilities for this scarf are almost endless. A few customers have come in with theirs, and we recently got a shop sample of this and everyone I have seen has been different. I think its really fun to make a project truly your own like that and because this isn't just your average scarf it's a great project to make for yourself, or as a gift. I don't think too many people would complain about having their neck swathed in alpaca all day.

With that I will leave you for today. In light of the Thanksgiving holiday next week there will be no Fashionknitsta, but check back the week after for a new post.

Until then, stay chic, blogfans!
-Lindsay

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 11/12/09

2009-11-12T14:37:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is having a great week! It's Thursday, and today I bring you another edition of Fashionknitsta. I have some really fun pieces I found this week to share with all of you - some knit, some not. And so, I will begin with the not.

I happened upon this really fun Etsy store, Vilte, that specializes in Nuno Felted items. She has a lot of really beautiful items, but I'm going to just share my favorites, like this collar:

If you aren't familiar with Nuno Felting, it is a Japanese technique that melds loose fiber (typically wool roving) onto and into a sheer fabric (usually silk).

Our wonderful felting teacher, LeBrie Rich, teaches a Nuno Felting class here at the store. There is one class coming up at the end of the month, that is unfortunately full, but there is another class coming next February, as well as an Advanced Nuno Felting workshop. I've seen this class while in session and it always looks like a lot of fun, but I never really thought about how far you could go past a scarf!

Vilte makes the possibilities seem endless, as she not only makes collars and scarves but uses Nuno felt for jewelry, rugs, and even custom-order wedding dresses. I really love this dress in particular:

Her website is pretty amazing. If you're into felt art, I definitely recommend checking it out.

Ok, now back to more knitting-related matters. While wandering downtown the other day, I saw this adorable sweater at Banana Republic:

I really enjoy double-breasted cardigans, so, of course, I immediately started hunting for a good pattern as soon as I got home. So far, the best version of this I have come up is this pattern, the Alex Sweater Jacket from Debbie Bliss' Luxury Collection:

This beautiful garment is done in Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed, a yarn I've used before and really like. While I like that this seems almost more blazer-y to me, it's not exactly what I'm looking for. In my search I also discovered the pattern for Thea, by Kim Hargreaves.

This cute sweater jacket is done in Rowan Kid Classic (I might substitute a doubled Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca, big surprise). I think I really want these two patterns melded together, as I prefer the collar on Thea, but the higher button placement on Alex.

Now, the holidays really are my favorite time of year. Holiday decorations, music, food, everything about it. I also have a fish thing. Seriously, if you ask my friends they will tell you I have a serious under-the-sea problem. And so, when I saw these little crocheted treasures at Anthropologie, I knew I would have to spend a day making a few Christmas tree ornaments:

These will be pretty easy to figure out sans pattern, but (in case I'm feeling lazy) there are a few free patterns for similar creatures on Ravelry, like this one by Ana Paula Rimoli:

Ana actually has quite a few fun little animal patterns (some free, some not) that are definitely worth checking out - if you're into knitting creatures.

The last thing I have to share today is simply for inspiration's sake. It was something I wasn't planning on blogging about originally; but, the more I think about it, I just can't help it. Because, really, how cool are these?

They are part of a series by Portland artist Rachel Denny, called "Domestic Trophies". She does all kinds of unbelievable pieces with fiber and other media, so it is definitely worth checking out her website.

With that, I leave you for another week. I wish everyone a good (and warm!) weekend. As always, check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta and, until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

The things we do for yarn.

2009-11-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

To most knitters there's nothing more glamorous than working at a knitting store (except, perhaps, owning a knitting store) and, most of the time, LYS employees will agree.

Most of the time. Last Friday, however, all I heard from my coworkers were complaints as we did a quick photoshoot for the weekend's eCard.

You may remember it?

And, really, what a bunch of whiners. It couldn't have been more than five minutes (ten on the outside) that we were, ah, posing...

(From left to right: Me, Jaia, Marjorie, Lindsay, and Sandy Kay)

... against a brick wall, and they started kvetching about how cold it was or that their fingers were going numb or how their shoulders had frozen in place. Sheesh. Consider the importance of the project, my coworkers! If we don't stop to illuminate the world about exciting new mitten and wristlet patterns, who will? It is our duty, nay, privilege, to model shop samples in strange and interesting ways!

Let this be a lesson to current/ future/ hopeful LYS employees - working at a knitting shop isn't all knitting cashmere.

Anyway. Thought I'd share the latest behind-the-scenes look at Knit Purl.

Moving on. We have some fantastic new accessories in. My favorite are the Classic Shawl Pins, distributed by Lantern Moon. Sleek and simple, these polished metal pretties are just what I want in a shawl pin:

Well made, beautiful and modest enough not to detract from the shawl it's pinning closed. Since I mostly wear handknit shawls (or would like to), I'd rather the shawl be the focus and not the pin. But, if you're into the bling (and there's nothing wrong with that!), Lantern Moon has also released these Textured Metal Shawl Pins:

Which, I have to say, are quite lovely. They make me think of Moroccan jewelry - with all the granulation in different sizes and concentric circles. It's very pretty and quite attractive and would probably work really well with a sweeping shawl or cloak. Can't you just imagine it?

Both shawl pins were designed by Jim Knopf, who seems to have an awesome collection of buttons and other accents across the pond, in Germany. Interestingly enough, knopf means "button" in German. Isn't that a fun fact?

We're still waiting on some of his newest button collections and some more shawl pins - all distributed by Lantern Moon. Be sure to watch the website for updates.

And, last but certainly not least, we just received several copies of the eagerly anticipated book, Itty-Bitty Toys:

Written by Susan B. Anderson, the same author of Itty-Bitty Nursery and Itty-Bitty Hats, this collection is so much more than you'd expect. With toys that range from traditional Sock Monkeys and Teddy Bears, there are also Koalas and a Giraffe and a ducky family!

I grabbed some sample photos from Susan's ravelry journal, just so you can see how unbelievably cute this book is:

Koala Mama & Baby	Mama Duck & Ducklings
Giraffe	Christmas Set

Sweet, right? We just love it. I think my favorite is the Mama Duck & Ducklings, followed closely by the Giraffe. Check out the book on ravelry, it's too cute to resist! Be sure to look at least one of the reversibles - toys that can change from one animal into another! Like the Lion & Elephant. If you saw them in a toy box, you'd never guess they were handknit, would you?

And I think that's quite enough awesomeness to share this week. Check back next week for a book full of wool, the joys of shipping out a Sock Club installment (don't worry, I'll get photos!), and proof of my incurable Start-itis (you may want to read this from a distance, it may just be contagious).

Until then, enjoy the liquid sunshine out there!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 11/5/09

2009-11-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday again, and this week I have some great pieces that I'm really excited to share with everyone.

The first is a relatively new pattern (that's coming soon to Knit Purl), from designer Hannah Fettig, the Lightweight Pullover:
If Hannah's name sounds familliar it's probably because she is also the designer of the super popular Featherweight Cardigan, and the Whisper Cardigan from the Spring 2009 Interweave Knits. I really love the classic look of this sweater, updated just a bit with the slight cowl neck. It really is a perfect layering piece and would look great on a range of ages and body types.

This sweater is knit with a sport weight yarn, she suggests Classic Elite Yarns Fresco, but I would do it in Isager Alpaca 2 (big surprise, right?). While I'm tempted to do this in a charcoal, I've been waiting to find the perfect project to use their most beautiful purple color (# 13), and I think I've found it here. I cannot wait until we get this pattern in! I just want to lounge by the fire in it.

I guess I'm having a sweater day, because the next 'pretty' I have to show you is this lovely number, a Sweater Jacket from Talbots that Sara so kindly shared with me:

I then discovered this pattern for the 103-1 Jacket by DROPS design for FREE on Ravelry:

I really love the style of this and how versitile it could be to dress up or down for a holiday party, or work, or just with jeans for the weekend. I also really like the slightly higher neck, I really enjoy that in sweaters. This pattern calls for a super bulky yarn, they recommend Garnstudio DROPS Eskimo, but I would love to see it in ShibuiKnits Highland Wool Alpaca or Debbie Bliss Como.

My final bit of inspiration today is somthing I have been thinking about for a while, its kind of an update to a pretty classic pattern. One of my favorite winter accessories is a cowl, I'm not so much a scarf person unless they are the size of a small blanket. But the cowl is the perfect little addition when its too cold to go out without at least a little something around your neck, and I love that you can keep them on indoors. It's also a great way to add just a little pop of color and interest to an outfit. The Urban Cowl, a Knit Purl pattern by Jane Field, is basically my ideal - its simple and nicely proportioned.

The original pattern was done in ShibuiKnits Silk Cloud, which I think is a great choice, but I would love to make one in Isager Alpaca 1. I think I'm actually going to need to put my current projects on hold and whip this up really quickly so I can stop day-dreaming about it.

I'm sorry if this weeks post seems a bit thin, it's been quite crazy around here and haven't been surfing the interwebs as much as I should have! Stay tuned for next week's edition. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Excitement abounds.

2009-11-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Quite literally, in our case.

Sandy Kay and I are just beside ourselves that knitters are interested in our (slightly crazy, we admit it) Holiday Happy Hour series. We were a little worried, as we scheduled the classes, that we'd end up staring at each other (alone, with no students) on Wednesday nights for the next month and a half.

How exciting is it, therefore, to have so many students already enrolled! Thank you for encouraging us in our madness, everyone :D

Not familiar with our Holiday Happy Hour series? Check out the article "TGI... Wednesday?" in our latest Newsletter for more information on what the classes will cover and how to enroll. Tonight marks the first class, and the focus will be Pam Powers' Ruffled and Ruched Scarf. We'll be teaching students the double needle cast on while sipping champagne. If you're registered for the class, we'll look forward to seeing you this evening!

Anyway, I just had to share. It's the little things.

Moving on, we have some fantabulous customer projects to share from the past week. First, we have a beautiful (and entirely sumptuous) Cherry Scarf from Kathy.

Made with the delectable Isager Alpaca 2 (yum! and currently on sale) and Tvinni 1 (not on the website... yet!). You may remember the Cherry Scarf pattern as a free pattern released by Isager in the Fall 2009 issue of Vogue Knitting?

If not, here's a reminder...

It's such a clever knit. Helga Isager (the designer of Amimono) is a creative genius. It has to be said.

I do wish we had a modeled photograph of Kathy's FO, but it seems our customers tend to hide or duck when the store camera is pulled out.

Unless, it turns out, they're in handknit costumes!

Like Kristen and Cody were at our last Sip 'n' Stitch. Yes, you are really, truly seeing two handknit costumes (well, the masks and mittens were handknit) that an intrepid knitter (Kristen) made to wear this Halloween!

The first, modeled by/ knit for Cody, is a Dr. Zoidberg mask and pair of lobster mitts:

And, alas, there is no pattern for the set. (I know you were thinking about it)

The second costume was H.P. Lovecraft's infamous monster Cthulhu, modeled by Kristen:

...and attacking Martha...

(I bet you didn't know that Cthulhu wore glasses until now.)

Luckily, Kristen based her mask off of the Cthulhuclava (a purchasable pattern), so I can point other adventurous knitters in the right direction. I just know I'm going to be seeing more of these around. Imagine skiing while wearing one - wouldn't that be an amazing photo op?

If a blog reader does attempt such a thing, I demand to see photos. It's only fair.

And that's about it for this week's update. Check back next week for more fantabulous customer (and staff!) projects. I myself am planning greatness this weekend in the form of a new Christmas Ornament Kit!

Until then, happy knitting!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 10/29/09

2009-10-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday, everyone! Welcome to another edition of Fashionknitsta. Today I have a wonderful assortment of things I've been waiting weeks to share with all of you.

First on the list is Shibui's Retro Tailored Cardigan by Olga Buraya-Kefelian. I have to begin by thanking Sara for putting this up on the web for me, and then continue by apologizing to her for the harassment she has had to endure because I've been bugging her about this pattern since pretty much my first entry.

I absolutely love this pattern and have been a teensy bit obsessed with it since the first time I saw it. It's done in ShibuiKnits Merino Kid, which is a yarn I love the texture of and it's reversible!

Totally cute either way you wear it, I really really like the color the sample is done in (Honey), but I have always sort of imagined it in the back of my mind done in Midnight so that is a going to be a tough choice (especially since ShibuiKnits yarns are on sale through the 8th of November).

Here is a shot of some of the details and the other way to wear it from Olga's Ravelry page:

Now, if you read last week's post you might have noticed that I featured one of Olga Buraya-Kefelian's patterns, the Akomeogi Tunic. I did not realize that both of these patterns were by the same designer until I sat down to write this post. I wish I had known before because she has a great collection of patterns she has designed on Ravelry and I really recommend you check them out.

Next on our agenda today I have a supercute (and easy!) slipper shoe to share. For a while now I have been stalking these Marc by Marc Jacobs flats on Zappos:

...and today I found a pattern for these adorable babies by FrenchPressKnits on Etsy:

Aren't they a perfect lounge around the house version? There are just so many options with these, they are so easily customizable using color and great buttons and how perfect would they be for holiday gifts?!

These are done with a worsted weight yarn and a size 15 needle and then they are felted. It looks like she uses Paton's Classic Wool, but I think they would be great done in Lamb's Pride Worsted for great color choices, or Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca doubled if you really wanted to treat your feet!

The designer's name is Melynda Bernardi and she has a great blog as well as a Ravelry account and I think both of them are definitely worth looking at. I just have to share this picture from her blog, I love it!

The final thing I have to share with you today is something I've been waiting oh-so-anxiously to show everyone. If you have been in the store, you have probably seen the lovely and ever-popular Oleana collars, like this one:

I think one of our most asked questions is "Where can I find a pattern for this?" and sadly, we have had to answer that there is not one...

...until now! I am very, very pleased to be able to announce the arrival of our newest pattern line, Art Fiber Designs, and to share with you the beautiful Ruffled & Rouched Scarf pattern that is now available both in store and on our website:

Much like the Oleana Collar, this is a wonderful accent to complement a winter coat or just over a sweater. We were so excited to find Pam Powers, the designer, that I have been having a really hard time keeping quiet about this one.

It can be done in an Aran or DK weight, and the original was made with Elsebeth Lavold Angora. I would really like to see it in Shibui Baby Alpaca DK. Sandy Kay just told me that she is on her second one using Art Yarns Silk Rhapsody, so I bet it's just luscious.

Coincidently, the Ruffled & Rouched Scarf is the featured pattern at our first Holiday Happy Hour, taking place next Wednesday, on the 4th of November from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. If you attend the Happy Hour it costs $15 ($35 if you attend 3 of them), and we'll walk you through the double-needle provisional cast on needed to start this beautiful piece. Attending the Happy Hour also gets you a 10% discount that evening (an addedl bonus), and there are a series of these evenings listed on our classes page. Be sure to register before they are full!

And with that I leave you for another week, and hope everyone is enjoying the seasonal rain and staying warm. Until next time, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

busy, busy, busy 'round here

2009-10-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

But I thought I might mention Three Things:

Some lovely cashmere-y sock yarn arrived this afternoon for our lucky, lucky Sock Club members to enjoy sometime this year (not next month, though! we have something equally special planned for November...)
Eyebobs are on the website, including three new styles. Check out the Eyebobs page for more details.
Our "Ten Reasons To Love October" Sale is still going strong. If you missed our newsletter last Friday, check it out before all the yarn is go-o-one!

Gratis Knits: Fall 2009

2009-10-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

Asymmetrical Cabled Collar
by Sara Morris
(this pattern is also available as a PDF)

Sizes:
13.5" long by 4" high on narrow end and 6" high on wide end.

Yarn:
1 skein of ShibuiKnits Merino Alpaca (131 yds / 120m per 3.5 oz / 100g skein)

Needles:
5.5mm/ US 9 needles

Gauge:
20 sts/ 26 rnds = 4" in St st (in the rnd)

Notions:
1” button
Tapestry needle
Cable needle

Abbreviations:

BO – bind off
CO - cast on
C4f – cable 4 sts front (slip 2 sts onto cable needle, hold in front, k2, k2 off of cable needle)
K - knit
K2tog - knit 2 together
P - purl
Pf&b - purl into the front and back of the stitch
Ssk – slip, slip, knit 2 sts together through back
St(s) - stitch(es)
YO – yarn over
W&t – wrap & turn

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

Directions:

CO 72 sts.
Rows 1 & 3: K6, *p2, k4, (p2, k2) twice* four times, p2, k4, p2, k2.
Rows 2 & 4: P2, k2, p4, k2, *(p2, k2) twice, p4, k2* four times, p6.
Row 5: K6, *p2, c4f, (p2, k2) twice* four times, p2, c4f, p2, k2.
Row 6: P2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2, p2, w&t.
Row 7: K2, p2, k2, p2, k4, p2, k2.
Row 8: P2, k2, p4, k2, p2, w&t.
Row 9: K2, p2, k4, p2, k2.
Row 10: P2, k2, p4, w&t.
Row 11: c4f, p2, k2.
Row 12: P2, k2, p4, k2, *(p2, k2) twice, p4, k2* four times, p6. [On this row knit the wraps together with their sts]
Rows 13 - 17: repeat rows 1 - 5.
Row 18: P2, k2, p4, k2, *(p2, k2) twice, p4, k2* four times, p6.
Row 19: K6, *p2, k4, (p2, k2) twice* four times, p2, k2og, yo, ssk, p2, k2.
Row 20: P2, k2, p1, pf&b into yo from previous row, p1, k2, *(p2, k2) twice, p4, k2* four times, p6.
Row 21: K6, *p2, k4, (p2, k2) twice* four times, p2, k4, p2, k2.
Row 22: P2, k2, p4, k2, *(p2, k2) twice, p4, k2* four times, p6.
Row 23: K6, *p2, c4f, (p2, k2) twice* four times, p2, c4f, p2, k2.
Rows 24 - 30: repeat rows 6 - 12.
Row 31 - 35: repeat rows 1 - 5.
Row 36: P2, k2, p4, k2, *(p2, k2) twice, p4, k2* four times, p6.
Row 37: K6, *p2, k4, (p2, k2) twice* four times, p2, k4, p2, k2.
Row 38: BO all sts in pattern LOOSELY.

Finishing:

Weave in ends. Block into proper dimensions and to straighten short rows. Sew button in place.

Fashionknitsta Thursday 10/22/09

2009-10-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Looks like it's a double blog day here at Knit Purl, as Sara said earlier last week we were all a little out of the game. Sorry about that, but it just means I have twice as much to share with you today!

I know this is a little late, but on October 9th I was lucky enough to be able to attend The Procession, a wonderfully staged presentation of Dayna Pinkham's hats paired with the fashions of local designers including our lovely neighbor Elizabeth Dye of The English Department.
Here are a few of my favorites from the show:

Just beautiful. The first image is Elizabeth Dye's Nevermore which I recommend everyone go and check out while she still has it in the store.

Now onto some more knitting related matters. A few days ago LeBrie, our sensational felting teacher, shared the most amazing Etsy Store with me. Isobel and Cleo makes truly exceptional couture knitwear garments and accessories. Upon investigation it seems they use a really nice mix of machine knits with hand knit details. These tights make me want to just knit my legs little Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca* homes and never take them off.

*yes, I know the originals are merino, but I have an alpaca problem.

There is also a lovely modern interpretation of a shirt dress done in pima cotton, which makes me really think of the possibilities of the Rowan Purelife Cotton 4 ply.

I think this is definitely a shop anyone looking for great inspiration should check out.

So by now I think everyone knows that in addition to my alpaca addiction I also have a ruffle problem. I'm so glad that Sara shared this top from Anthropologie:

and brought this pattern for the Akomeogi Tunic by Olga Buraya-Kefelian from the Summer 09 Interweave Knits back onto my radar:

When I first saw this top I immediately fell in love. It's done in Louet Euroflax Sport Weight linen and because I love the look and drape of this as-is, I think I would stay with that yarn (but I think I would choose French Blue...or maybe Charcoal).

I'm really glad that Sara has an Anthropolgie addiction (and also glad we haven't ever shopped together because I can see that would be dangerous) because she also brought this dress to my attention:

Then she shared this pattern with me for the Maid Marion Dress by Sarah Wilson and I almost fell out of my chair:

and I have to include a shot of the back because really love the drop:

I know that this isn't an exact match, but I think the resemblence is uncanny. For a few weeks I have been searching for a great pattern to fill what I think is a lack of cute knit dresses (the cabled turtleneck styles a-la Michael Kors do not count, we've seen those) and especially cute knit dresses that can work for spring. The original was made with Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Solids, I think I would probably do some combo of Shibui Sock and play with the colors. Maybe the do the body in Midnight and the band in Honey with stripes of the Honey at the bottom? Hmmmmm... I could really get into that.

So as a final inspiration of the day, I will share with all of you something that our wonderful graphic designer Jenny showed me this morning:

These treasures are the work of designer Patty Benson of Papaver Vert. Jenny showed these to me via a feature about her on Design Sponge (a really fantastic blog I really recommend you checking out), and then I went on to check out her website and she really makes the most amazing felted home accessories. Sandy Kay saw me oohing and aahing over these and brought to my attention the pattern for these great little bowls featured in the brand new Interweave Holiday Gifts 2009 which we just got in stock:

These would be so fun to make with or without the lace detail and I think they would be almost easy enough to come up with without a pattern just using Lamb's Pride Bulky or Cascade 220 doubled. I'm really inspired to go home and knit covers for all of our plants now, I hope you are too.

And so with that I leave you for today, thanks for putting up with our tardiness and stay tuned next week for another Fashionknitsta Thursday. Until then, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

And we're back!

2009-10-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

I apologize for my/ our absence these past two weeks, we've been taking turns getting sick out here at the LYS, which has thrown everything off-schedule and out-of-whack. But we're all back (and all well, never fear!) and rearing to get back to our old schedule. So, without further adieu, let's start with a customer project that just has to be shared. Prepare yourself for the "Wow" factor...

Susan came in wearing her recently finished Wisteria sweater (pattern by Kate Gilbert), and we had to get a photo:

Do you want to hazard a guess at what yarn she used?

Handmaiden's Sea Silk (in "Straw"), held double, making this the most delectable Wisteria on the planet (unless, maybe someone's made one out of cashmere...). Just... wow! I didn't get to see it in person (see the intro paragraph), but Lindsay and Kristin couldn't stopped sighing over it when they told me about it later.

Alas, I couldn't find Susan's project on ravelry, so we'll just have to love it from afar.

Next, we have a vampire that's cuter than Edward Cullen (sorry, couldn't resist), because Sandy Kay has finished Victor the Vampire!

(he even has a handknit cape!)

And he's on display in our side window. The next time you drop by the store, be sure to check out the creepy/ cute Halloween display we've set up. I'll take a picture of the finished display (we're missing a pumpkin and some handknit bats), and post it in next week's post for all of our lovely out-of-town blogfans.

Finally, on the project front, we have Lindsay's in-progress alpaca blanket:

That she's making with Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca. It's soooo soft, you (okay, we) just want to roll in it. Mmm, alpaca.

Anyway, lest I start to drool, we also have some announcements this week...

First and foremost, we still have a couple of spots left in our upcoming Mad Hatters workshop. If you've ever been interested in learning to knit colorwork or design your own colorwork projects, this is the class for you!

Second, did you know that Julie Weisenberger of CoCo Knits is coming to Knit Purl?? It's true, she is! And she's going to be teaching three awesome classes: What Not To Knit, Finishing/ Design Techniques, and CoCo Knits Cornucopia. If you're a CoCo Knits fan be sure to register early (this news is going out in the Newsletter tomorrow!), because we expect these classes to fill up fast.

Last, but not least, be sure to check back tomorrow for another installment of Gratis Knits! Yes, that's right, we're bringing back our popular quarterly free pattern series.

But, until then, keep knitting!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 10/8/09

2009-10-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another Thursday and another edition of Fashionknitsta.

I have to thank a couple friends today for sharing some great pieces with me. In fact, my first inspiration piece comes from within my own home, a wonderful bag my roommate agreed to share with us. She got this a few seasons ago at Urban Outfitters and I have always thought it would be a really fun project.

I found this, the Posh Purse by Robin Chachula, on Ravelry and, though it isn’t exactly what I’m looking for, I think I’m on the right track. I’m not great at manipulating crochet patterns; but, I think done in chunkier yarn like Shibui Highland Wool Alpaca, perhaps, this would be a really close match. If any of you have seen a pattern that matches more closely, please let me know!

The next piece I’m looking at today also comes from a friend. I was sent a link to this cute cashmere/wool blend vest at Nordstrom:

It immediately brought to mind a project I actually bought yarn for just last week. This vest is a design from Helga Isager’s Amimono Spring/Summer 09 collection:

This vest is done with Isager Wool 1 and Alpaca 2 held together, and while this pattern is in the Spring/Summer 09 book, I think its a perfect layering piece for fall. I've seen several of them made up (the second image is actually one from Leslie, one of our wonderful customers) and they are just beautiful in person.

Color choice was a seriously hard decision, because I love the neutral look of these samples, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone and go for blues with color 23 of the Alpaca 2 and color 101 of the Wool 1. I'm really excited to start this project, I just wish I had thought about it in July! This book is full of fantastic patterns, so if you're interested get it while you can as the ever popular Amimono Fall/Winter 08 is now sadly out of print.

(Just a note: that vest from Nordstrom costs $198, while the Amimono version only costs $108 including the book with the pattern.)

My final inspiration to share with you all today is actually a sneak peak of a pattern coming for Knit Purl this holiday season. Last year while blog-cruising I saw this lovely accessory:

I immediately fell in love with it, but could not believe that it cost something like $120. I could hardly wait to share it with my coworkers, and Sandy Kay and Sara began whipping up their own versions. You may remember seeing this previously on the blog, but here is Darcy modeling Sandy Kay's sample:

Sandy knit this little treat out of Handmaiden's Swiss Mountain Cashmere in colorway Moss. With a fiber content of 65% cashmere 35% silk, this is definitely something I'd love to use to keep my ears warm with this winter. Check in next month for the release of this pattern, I know I'm excited!

As always I wish you all a lovely weekend, see you next Thursday for the next edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

Sweater weather is here!

2009-10-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

Admittedly it's more Featherweight Cardigan weather than cabled raglan weather, but we'll take what we can get around here. In fact, we're sooo excited about the leaves turning and the temperature dropping, the latest Newsletter features a variety of ideal cool-weather garments. Also in this issue are several new books, patterns, and yarns. Check your inbox for more information! (or click here)

Let's see. Not in the Newsletter this week (because it just arrived yesterday!) is Leigh Radford's new book:

One More Skein, a collection of one- and two-skein projects. My favorite is the most stinking cute (to quote a coworker) thing ever - Sadie's Capelet:

It even has a hood (which you can't see in this photo, unfortunately). I wish I'd had this pattern when my niece was still baby-sized... It's just so adorable. And practical. No sleeves to try and get on a squirming baby. Very clever.

The book's not on the website (like I said, just came in yesterday!), but it will be very soon. If you desperately want a copy, drop by the store or contact us.

Next on the "Not On The Newsletter" List, the Danger Crafts trunkshow:

Yes, that IS a knitted robot. As well as a collection of knitted toys that range from silly to tongue-in-cheek to just plain cute. The patterns will be on the website in the next couple of days, so look for them!

Moving on to my favorite part of the store blog - a customer project. Walrus (a.k.a. Hannah) dropped by on her was to the Button Emporium to show us her Chemo Chapeau...

Made with Malabrigo Sock in "Stonechat". She needed a bow and button to complete the look...

Which we think is lovely (and a nice use of sock yarn in a non-foot-shaped way). It's also a chemo cap, which makes it double awesome. The fact that the pattern is by Portlander Marnie MacLean might just make it triple awesome, right?

In less interesting news (for me, anyway), I finished Tegan's bolero over the weekend and only have to sew on the buttons for it to be ready-to-wear:

(And a close-up, for those of you who are really bored.)

The pattern is Knitting Pure & Simple's Children's Bolero, the yarn is (well, was) ShibuiKnits Merino Worsted in "Peony". The buttons are from The Button Emporium and have, ha!, peonies on 'em.

And that is everything I have to blog about. Next time, we'll reveal the true nature of our blue mystery. If you can guess what it is before then, we might just have a prize for the winner... Until next Tuesday, enjoy the cool weather!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 10/1/09

2009-10-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

It's Thursday again which means time to share with all of you some great fashion forward designs I've been looking at over the last few days. Fall is upon us and I hope all of you are feeling the wonderful inspiration I am that comes with the cooler temps and changing leaves.

I don't know about you, but I love a good cardigan. Even as a kid growing up in Southern California you would have found me in the middle of July in a cardigan. So, now that I'm an adult and I can make my own, I need to find the perfect one. My instinct right now says shawl collar and with a wrap tie, BUT will I like that next year? If I'm going to put the work (not to mention $$) in I want to like it for a very long time, of course, though I also don't want to put the effort into something plain that I could get at the Gap. Well, I found this sweater by Tory Burch:

Love the ruffle and I think I will continue to love the ruffle for quite sometime. Ok, so style is decided, time to find a pattern. Flo by Kim Hargreaves is the first to come to mind. I know I referred to the wonderful book Thrown Together last week, but I'm really in love with it. The patterns are classic, but with a twist which I think is perfect.

I think I would make the sleeves a touch longer (need to keep my hands warm once the rain starts) and not gather them, but otherwise this fits my vision wonderfully. Now yarn? The book calls for Rowan Cashsoft 4ply and Kidsilk Haze, but I think I would do Isager Alpaca 2 in a grey, and a Shibui Silk Cloud in Mist or perhaps Mulberry for a bit of saucy contrast. Or now that I'm thinking about it, it would be lovely (and washable!) in Shibui Sock. Hmmm....

Another Option I found for this is from Vogue Knitting Fall 2007. This Ruffled Jacket by James Coviello, is really adorable.

Again, I would make the sleeves a little longer but I love the shape of the bottom and how the ruffles follow the whole edge. The original calls for GGH Bel Air and GGH Soft Kid held together, I think I would do Malabrigo Worsted and a strand of Shibui Silk Cloud.

A while ago my roommate asked me to find her a good free pattern for a Mobius scarf. I keep telling her to sign up for Ravelry because it will change her life, but for some reason she still hasn't. This is beside the point though, and I'm quite glad she hasn't gotten her own yet because whilst perusing Ravelry for said Mobius pattern I stumbled upon an amazing collection of patterns I had never seen before. Jane Richmond is a designer from Vancouver Island and I am absolutely in love with her patterns! A few highlights are her Cozy Bolero:

Which I think would be beautiful (and quick!) done in Shibui Highland Wool Alpaca held double. She also has a number of lovely hat patterns, each with the perfect amount of slouch; though I think I'm leaning towards Pasha as my favorite. Probably because I'm a big fan of the yarn it's done in: Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK, which I wish we had on the website, but I don't think it's quite made it there. Although, it would also be quite luscious in Catherine Lowe Alpaca 6.

You should definitely check out her Ravelry page and blog for these patterns and much much more.

For my last pick this week, I didn't have to wander far. I've always been a CocoKnits fan but last week we got in a new pattern, Yvonne that is absolutely fantastic.

I've already expressed my love of the cardigan, but this sweater would also satisfy my wardrobe needs when all I feel like doing is wrapping myself in a blanket. I think it might just be fate that this pattern entered the store right around the same time the Fibre Company's Road to China Light did. I'm so anxious for that yarn to make it onto the website, it is amazingly soft (not to mention the colors! Oh the colors!) and just the perfect gauge for this pattern.

Once again I wish you all a great weekend, and check in next Thursday for the next edition of Fashionknista. Until then, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

We like the fuscia here.

2009-09-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Which has nothing to do with Franklin's talk (see further below), but it certainly makes sense in terms of current staff projects. Like, oh, Marjorie's Skif Heart (IP):

Currently being knit with over a dozen different yarns that are nearly all in the hot pink to purple-pink range. Even the marigold and orange you see there comes from a painted yarn that has, you guessed it, pink and purple as well.

Next, we have Kristin's Mystery Sweater (also IP), that I cannot find on ravelry (and it's Kristin's weekend right now...), but clearly it's a shade of purpley-pink:

And, finally, we have the Children's Bolero I am making for my niece, Tegan, (IP):

Using ShibuiKnits Merino Worsted in "Peony".

Are you sensing a strange trend here? It's a bit weird, actually. All of a sudden, our projects match. It must be something in the water.

But at least I also have this, my natural white cashmere lace:

(Evelyn Clark's Cocoon Lace Scarf or Wrap and Cashmere 1)

Which I somehow convinced Franklin (yes, that Franklin) to hold in lieu of a traveling sock :

He's such a good sport. And hilariously funny. If you missed his lecture last night, well... I don't have to words to describe such a side-splitting experience. I did manage to snap a shot before the event really started...

But completely forgot to take any photos during or after. Yes, I know. Bad blogger, no cookie.

If you did miss it, I suppose I shouldn't mention the trivia and prizes (knitting cartoon totes!), or silly photos, or Victorian patterns or... never mind. It would be cruel to go on. In the end, we had two seats left (not bad with 35 chairs squeezed in the room with a projector and screen), which you can see right there. Next time (yes, Franklin's promised to visit us again, apparently we aren't that odd), we're thinking a bigger venue would be quite lovely.

And, lastly, to prove we like all the colors of the rainbow* (not just the purpley-pink ones):

I have a basket of samples for my upcoming Kitchen-Safe Dyeing workshop. I wouldn't have mentioned it at all, but I've been nagged by several coworkers. So, there, I've mentioned it and even put out samples on the coffee table. Make what you will of it.

Until next time, stay colorful!

*Although, it may be fair to say we like some colors more than others.

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 9/24/09

2009-09-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

It's Thursday, which means this is the first post in what will be a weekly column focusing on discovering some great fashion-forward knit designs and finding realistic ways to make them yourself. I'm not exactly sure yet what shape this blog will ultimately take, but I can promise it will be fun.

So to begin, the leaves are changing and the temperatures are cooling, which means fall is upon us and, I don't know about you, but this season I'm seriously obsessed with knee socks.

All summer I have been noticing them on some of my favorite style blogs and, with the Portland climate, these socks are so practical. Under boots, with flats, all the time. I think dresses are coming back in a big big way and this trend works out so perfectly with my new favorite accessory. Ever since the first time I laid eyes on Cookie A's Milicent Sock pattern I have been in love with it and I think now is the perfect time to take it on.

I'm definitely going to do them in Shibui Sock, (although wouldn't they be amazing in Isager Alpaca 2?) but now the problem is color. Mulberry? Midnight? Keep it classic with Ivory? Oh, how to choose?! I suppose it's good that Cookie A's Rhiannon Pattern is also pretty irresistible.

Another piece I'm loving for fall is the peplum sweater. I've seen some really cute ones out there like this one from Marc by Marc Jacobs:

And now for the DIY version. I love this pattern Beatrix from Kim Hargreaves book Thrown Together, done in Rowan Felted Tweed (a yarn I just so happen to have been itching to work with):

We just got this book back in stock, though unfortunately I don't think it's made it to the website yet.

Another version I love is The Ballerina Wrap Jacket by Mari Lynn Patrick in the Fall 09 issue of Vogue Knitting. It's a little trendier, a little less equestrian, but I really love the length. This one is done with Koigu Merino Kersti, but I would absolutely love to see it in ShibuiKnits Baby Alpaca DK.

I could spend all day doing this, but there are orders to attend to, so one last piece. I saw this necklace by Muntedkowhai on a blog, and I think it is such a great idea and it would be so easy to make your own. It is very reminiscent of the jewelry in Knot (which we are currently out of, but I wish would finally arrive from Japan). I think, well, any Habu yarn really would be wonderful for these but I'm itching to try it in the Cotton Gima or the Konyaku Root Sizing Silk:

and detail shot:

I found this pattern for a bookmark by Crochetroo (free on Ravelry), which I think would be amazing adapted into a necklace:

... there are more on her blog here.

I wish everyone a good weekend, and check in next Thursday for more fashion inspiration. Until then, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay

We love colors.

2009-09-15T16:03:00.000-07:00

All of them. A lot. Which is why we've set up our newest display:

And just might be planning some wicked Fair Isle treats over the next few weeks. Oh, yes, indeedy. Along those lines, Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting is BACK IN STOCK!

Get your copy while we still have them. I know I (and several other staff members) have. This is THE reference to have on the art of Fair Isle. Really, honestly, and truly. It has pages and pages of detailed diagrams, pictures and instructions on everything from technique to designing your own sweater. If you're a knitting tech-phile, this is the book for you.

Anyway, that's what I think.

Moving on... Frances kindly brought in her newly finished Girasole:

No, it hasn't been blocked. But it's still gorgeous! In fact, I had a hard time taking a photo that didn't have someone or another's hand on it, petting. The finished "cloth" is just sublime - due entirely to the high quality of Catherine Lowe's Silk Mohair 1. And Frances has promised to bring it in after she blocked it, so keep an eye out for that!

Lastly, we sent out the very first Sock Club 2010 packages this afternoon! Excitement abounds. We can't wait to see (and hear) your reactions, o loyal Sock Club members, so please let us know what you think. Until next time, blogfans, start planning those Fair Isle projects...

And the winner is...

2009-09-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

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

Gonna be a photo-finish!

2009-09-08T17:45:00.000-07:00

If you've been paying attention to our Twitterific Sock Contest poll (like we have... with baited breath), you know that the race is getting really, really close! If you haven't, now is the time to vote as the poll closes tonight at midnight (PT). So far, it's a tight race between gldelx and 3894:

Website Polls Powered By MicroPoll

Really close race, actually. So get in there and vote, if you haven't already!

Next, on my list of topics to cover... Fall Classes!

And, howdy!, do we have a bunch of 'em. Now, admittedly not all of them are up on the website yet (including Fall-Inspired Felted, all of our Christmas Ornaments classes, Kitchen-Safe Dyeing and Intermediate Spinning Techniques), but many of the hot topic classes are, if you want to register early.

Personally, I really want to get into Franklin's Tomten Jacket class - especially because of all the finishing techniques and jacquard garter stitch techniques that will be covered. It sounds fascinating, but first I have to find out if I'm working that day or not...

Anyway. Have you noticed that blogger finally managed to transfer all the posts from the previous blog to this one? (Though the Archive feature is acting fairly strange...)

And that Gratis Knits is back on the sidebar? We're catching up! Lindsay and Sandy Kay and I are already talking about reviving Gratis Knits. What would it take, o' faithful blog readers? It seems that people actually knit the patterns, but knitters don't seem to keen on submitting... Any suggestions?

Skif-a-long

2009-09-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

I think Sara hit the nail on the head with thinking the Knitting Fates were paying attention. It's barely noon (well, it was when I started this!) and we already have a huge amount of staff and customer projects to share with all of you.

We'll begin with Dana's lovely Rosamund's Cardigan (pattern by Andrea Pomernatz) from Interweave Fall 2009. Dana knit this cardigan with Joseph Galler's Peruvian Tweed in color 105 and it took her less than 3 weeks! I am loving the choice of alpaca for this short-sleeved cardigan, it really makes it the perfect layering piece for this late summer-early fall weather we are having. Thanks for sharing with us Dana!

Now onto a round up of some staff projects. Kevin was so kind to share with me a sweater of his own design, his annual summer sweater project which is turning out just lovely. He wanted to make a heavy winter sweater and so is working with Shibui Highland Wool Alpaca in Ivory held with Joseph Galler Peruvian Tweed color 117. The surprise contrast pockets are the Shibui Highland Wool and Malabrigo Chunky in Olive. Great choices for a winter sweater and I love the color palette, especially those pockets! I am such a sucker for green anything.

Thousand apologies for the horrid picture quality. I have now learned my lesson taking pictures in the basement.

Continuing on with Marjorie's beautiful Heart Skif. Her materials list is just absolutely drool worthy:

Habu Silk Tweed Kasuri (coming soon to Knit Purl!)
Habu Root Sizing Silk in colors 1 and 5 (coming soon to our website)
Habu Silk Stainless in color 16
Habu Tsumugi Silk in color 67
Shibui Silk Cloud in Peony
Isager Tvinni in colors 17 and 17s (coming soon to our website)
Isager Viscolin in Wine

Wow. She is also contemplating doing the top in Art Yarns Silk Rhapsody color 251, talk about luxurious. I think we should all do our best to convince her this is a great idea. This was a fun project even to photograph, I can't wait until she finishes it!

and a detail shot

So, if you've noticed the title of this blog you would guess this post would include multiple Skifs and you would be right. Sara and the Sandy's are also in the early Skif planning stages which is very exciting especially since Knit Purl going to host a Skif KAL beginning October 1st!

I was able to wrangle Sara to get an idea of what she is pondering for her June, which right now is Habu Tsumugi Silk, Habu Cotton Linen Spiral, and Isager Viscolin. I can hardly wait to see what color family she is thinking!

And now onto a couple non-Skif related things.

If you've ever been interested in dyeing your own yarn and roving but never wanted to ruin your good pots or deal with harsh chemicals your wish has been granted! Coming this November Sara is going to be teaching a class on Kitchen-Safe Dyeing.

Here is a preview of some of her test samples which came out quite beautifully, I really want to see these spun and knit up. The class (which will be available for registration online or over the phone soon) will be held here at the store on November 7th from 1-5pm. Two skeins of yarn will be provided and a crockpot is the only material you are required to bring.

Just in case any of you missed our e-Card on Friday, we are getting into the end of summer spirit with a WoodSock special. All Noro Silk Garden Sock and Kureyon Sock as well as Sheep Shop's Sheep Feet are 15% off through the 14th of September. I must warn anyone interested in this to jump on it fast, these are going quicker than we anticipated!

As long as we're talking socks we should remind all the sock knitters out there about the opportunity to win a year's membership in our Sock Club through our Twitterific Sock Contest. Entries need to be submitted by midnight tonight, September 4th so if you're interested grab your camera!

Until next time blogfans!
-Lindsay

In which a request was granted.

2009-09-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

You know, it's so nice to know that (out there, somewhere) people/ the Knitting Fates have been paying attention. Remember the last post, in which there was much lamentation over the lack of customer and staff projects?

Well, not today! Clearly, some of you lovely blog readers decided to take it upon yourselves and bring your beautiful handknits in. And, wow, beautiful is definitely the word today!

First, Gillian came in modeling her recently finished Silk French Vest (Habu Textiles Kit #68):

(and back)

Lovely. Can't find it on ravelry to fav it, though. We'll just have to admire from afar.

Then, Virginia came in to show off her Flutter Scarf:

Made with Isager's Alpaca 2 in color 100. Yumyumyum. I think Sandy Kay wanted to run off with this one, actually.

She also brought her French mystery shawl/ wrap/ thing:

and a close-up...

A mystery because Virginia bought the pattern in France but her husband was in such a hurry she didn't have time to get yarn or more information. Sooo... all we know is that it was made with Alpaca 2 (and only because she bought it from us)(colors: 16, 22, 19 & 2105). It's gorgeous, though, right? Personally, I would have run off with it, given the chance. I wish we knew what the pattern was.

Oh, well.

This morning Lindsay, Marjorie and I went 'round the corner to take some quick photos of a new store sample and two staff FO's. First, we have our sample Summer Shawl by Ruth Sorensen:

and back

and side

and a close-up

Sorry for the blurriness of the photos. I took the point-and-shoot and really regret it. Anyway. However blurry the photo, the shawl is still gorgeous. Knit by nonsie, this particular shop sample took almost four months to make. Talk about perseverance!

Made with Kauni Effektgarn in W-EG (the pinks and violets) and Kauni Solid in W-RR7.

Second was my own recently finished Girasole shawl, modeled by Lindsay:

...and folded in half (the way it probably will be worn!):

Quick specs... Yarn: Isager Hojlandsgarn. Pattern: brooklyntweed's Girasole shawl.

And, finally, we have Darcy's most adorable and funky Yves:

Playing the piano. Clearly. (big 'Thank You!' you Michelle's for lending us the baby grand)

Project specs? Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (3 colors). The pattern is from The Knitted Odd-bod Bunch, a book that will very soon be up on the web. Honest.

And that might just be everything. Whew! Keep it up, guys! We love seeing your finished projects. Keep your fingers crossed that the flood will continue into Thursday's post...

A day late, true, but with extras!

2009-08-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

Like, oh, KAUNI!

It just came in this afternoon. We're excited, you can tell. See? If I had managed to blog yesterday, you blog-readers out there wouldn't have known we had Kauni back in stock until next Tuesday.

In further stock updates, we tweeted yesterday that Tosh Sock is back in stock (look at all those pretty colors together!). If you've been coveting one (or more) of the colors that literally ran out of the store earlier this summer, I'd grab some soon if I was you. Personally, I am contemplating enhancing my stash with a skein in "Wash".

And, while we're on the subject of Madelinetosh, I'm going to try and make this next photo less of a non sequitor:

In lieu of actual customer and staff project photos (c'mon, peeps!), I finally pulled out my OTN mitt (and matching hat) that I'm making with Madelinetosh Merino in "Corsage". No making fun of the desk clutter will be permitted. But you can feel free to 'ooh' and 'ahh' over the pretty watercolor effect the yarn has - my coworkers definitely have. It's just scrumptious to handle, to boot. Definitely ideal for cool Fall and Winter weather (a scarf would be nice...), which probably means that even more Madelinetosh is going to end up in my stash.

Dangerous stuff, this.

Anyway. Have you seen that our Calendar of Events has been updated? We have all sorts of amazing and wonderful classes planned this Fall. From felting miniature Jack o'Lanterns to Kitchen-Safe Dyeing, we've got you covered (generally with wool). Check it out and register for a class or two, you'll be glad you did!

Moreover (while we discuss website updates), a Newsletter & eCard archive has been added to the website. It's small right now (limited to the last two months), but we're working on archiving the last year's worth of Newsletters and eCards there.

And, finally (is it really 5:30pm?), an eCard went out this afternoon with information about a two-week special offer and preordering Cat Bordhi's next book. See your inbox (or click here) for more details.

Until next Tuesday, have a great weekend!

You know how the saying goes...

2009-08-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

"So much to do, so little time."? That seems to be our new mantra 'round here as we transition from the old website to the new, from summer to fall (big transition in the knitting business) and just generally try and keep from being buried in wool. Not that we're complaining... especially about that last bit.

Now, let's see, we've had a slue of recent happenings. The most noticeable will have been Lindsay's first blog post last week. Lindsay is our web fulfillment person and will be blogging (hopefully) once a week about customer and staff projects. If you're a web customer and want to share your current wip or recent fo, be sure to shoot Lindsay an email [info(at)knit-purl(dot)com] and she'll be glad to blog about it.

Next, we have some photographic leftovers (that I just found in the back of our ~~fridge~~ camera's media card), which I thought our blog readers might find amusing...

First, during Sock Summit, we had many sock-themed goodies at our various events. Including sock-shaped cookies...

and sock-shaped doughnuts, made for us specially by Voodoo Doughnuts:

Something you cannot but love, right? Socks and doughnuts... together in a non-sticky-wool way!

There was also a pic from last week's "No Mean Feet!" - which I can't recall why it was relevant now, but thought might still be interesting to our readers out in BlogLand:

During which I took a photo of Hannah's literally just-finished BeGyle Socks:

Cute, huh? That link up there, btw, goes to Hannah's ravelry journal if you want more information on the socks. You have to give her props, since she knit them (argyle socks!) in 18 days! That's just over two weeks. It kind of makes me dizzy, actually...

Moving on, we have this lovely (if slightly blurry and anonymous) photo of a knitter and her recently-finished Vintage Baby Cardigan:

I'm afraid I have no more information than that. Maybe the knitter (or the knitter's friends) read this blog and might help a poor, befuddled knit-blogger out?

Now, onto the more recent goings-on. First, very exciting, we have our Twitterific Sock Contest! Don't know about this? Check out our most recent Newsletter or the Twitterific Sock Contest page.

Oooh, it's gonna be exciting (we hope). We're going to give away one membership in our Sock Club to the lucky winner. In the spirit of inspiration and leading the way and Good Old-Fashioned Silliness*, we posted the first image:

Lindsay and I had fun with entertaining the masses at Pioneer Courthouse Square. If you're thinking about participating, do! The prizes are amazing (one year's membership in the Sock Club or a KnitPod or ShibuiKnits Sock yarn) and it's not hard to enter. Seriously. If the Sandies can tweet, anyone can.

And finally, we have from last night's The Yarnover's (Lace Knitters Night), an extremely blurry photo in which at least two of the ~~victims~~ subjects are visibly trying to escape**:

But, it's worth mentioning (aside from the ha!-we-caught-you factor), as three of the knitters last night were working on their Girasole Shawls from our recent KAL. It was a nice big group, too, with ten knitters on the first night! Maybe lace knitting is bigger than we think, but just really really quiet.

It could happen.

Anyway. Until next time, you might want to check out our lovely Twitterific Sock Contest page, our recently updated Calendar of Events page and, quite possibly, stalk #twitterificsock on twitter. It's gonna be great!

* We're good at that, we know.
**Nice try, Marj & Leslie.

Hello blog fans!

2009-08-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

This post is coming to you from Lindsay, the resident web girl. We are all so excited about the new website, but the beauty does not come without hard work; which has unfortunately cut into valuable blogging time lately. So, from now on I'll be contributing to hopefully bring all of you a more-often updated blog.

So first we have a round up of some staff and customer WIP's:

This is my Soft Kid Bubble from Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin. I'm using the Isager Alpaca 2 in color 18 and I am absolutely loving working with this yarn. I'm 7 inches in and already planning my next project with it.

Next we have a blanket Brook is making with her own pattern out of Handmaiden's Big Blue in color Moss which is turning out lovely.

Now onto Sandy Kay's Sea Tangles inspired scarf done in a brand new color (coming soon to Knit Purl! ) of Habu Silk Stainless Steel pictured with one of the brand new SplitYarn bags we are carrying. I don't think these bags have quite made it onto the website yet but they are available in the store for purchase.

and a detail shot:

Now onto a finished project from Roz. This is her first crochet project, a cat from the book Kyuuto! Amigurumi. This adorable kitty is a gift for her two-year-old granddaughter and it's made with Sublime's Superfine Merino DK and Joseph Galler's Belangor angora.

(Sara M. says "squee!")

Until next time, I hope everyone has a great weekend, and look for a newsletter tomorrow featuring our Twitterific Sock Contest!

Did that just happen?

2009-08-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

The last week has been more than a little crazy. If you follow us on twitter, you'll know that we were bombarded at both our booth and in the store during the Sock Summit. Moreover, the website transition could have gone a lot smoother (a fact that we lament this ourselves, quite a bit). But it's done and mostly working, so we're grateful for our small victories.

If you were left wondering where the heck the promised Newsletter was, over the past weekend, well that's a good question. In fact, due to some of the wrinkles in the transition, we couldn't get it out until Wednesday. In the future, however, it looks like sending our Newsletters will be easier than ever (I may have just cursed us, oh... dear). Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Also, while on the topic of Newsletters (and eCards), it seems that the color PDX (in happiest girl! Sock) sold out within a half hour of the latest mailing (check your inbox). But we do have the KnitPods (some) and a few other treats.

Now, moving on to blog-worthiness, we have some really sweet goodies this time. First, Farrah brought in her finished Hidcote Shawl last night and I even managed to corner her into modeling it:

The pattern? Miriam Felton's Hidcote Garden Shawl. Knit with Suri Blue in "Smoke", by FarrahW (on ravelry). Isn't it just gorgeous? And the yarn is magnificent (we have it on order!). Yum, yum. Go on, go to ravelry and fav it. (You know you want to!)

And while I had Farrah cornered, I made her model the Cherry Blossom Shawl she knit for us as a store sample:

The one you can see on Anne Hanson's blog (knitspot). Made with 3 skeins of ShibuiKnits Silk Cloud, this thing is just plain dangerous. The sheer number of people I've seen petting it does not bode well for it's safety! Of course, if you want to participate in the Cherry Blossom KAL, we've been helping people out with their questions and getting started.

While Farrah was been subjected to the Nikon, everyone at JoAnn's birthday party last night was shouting advice to her (how to stand, how to hold her arms, etc); so I returned the favor and took a couple of shots of the group:

Which they didn't much like, but fair's fair. Some of the quicker knitters managed to dash out of the frame before the shutter clicked (which is why you can see abandoned projects in chairs). I'll get them next time, mwahaha.

And, finally, just because, I managed to get a shot of the Birthday Girl:

Who tried (and almost succeeded) to hide behind her sock in progress. The sock, it should be mentioned, is being knit with our fantastically popular limited edition colorway "City of Roses" (which has sold out, sorry!). So pretty.

Let's see... Other news? We-ell, Franklin Habit of the Panopticon has agreed to visit the store and teach/ lecture in late September. Mark it in your calendars! We'll post registration information on the website/ blog/ calendar sometime in the next fortnight or so.

Also, the Fall 2008 issues of Marianne Isager and Amimono are back in stock. Grab 'em while you can!

And, last but not least, the Habu Trunkshow is up and will continue to be on display through the end of August. Drop by (or give us a call) to find out what unusual yarns and fibers we have in stock!

Can't blog.

2009-08-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

Drowning it html.

Look in your inbox tomorrow for an awesome Newsletter using our brand-new, super-shiny template.

P.S. provided the html doesn't drive us all mad in the meantime.

P.P.S. I promise we'll do better than this next Thursday - lately the Newsletters have been more complicated than usual.

A promise kept.

2009-08-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of us - managing to blog on a day like today (in the midst of Sock Summit preparations, launching a new website and general day-to-day chaos) as promised. First, we have a lovely FO, knit by Leslie:

The "Amber" Vest from Amimono. Made with two strands of Isager Wool 1 and two strands of Alpaca 2 held together:

And knit on size 11 needles. It looks amazing when modeled (hint, hint, my coworkers!) in a very rustic Bohemian sort of way. Helga Isager has the most funky and earthy styling. Maybe someday, if we're lucky, we'll catch Leslie wearing it and I'll snap off a "live" shot.

Next, we have some ~~silliness~~ beauty to share. Katie (also known as nonsie) brought in the Summer Shawl she's working on:

And decided to pretend to be a mermaid. 'Kay. I missed this one, so I have no explanation. Moving on...

We've had several customers call about our ad in this issue of Interweave Knits (now available, btw), wanting to know what the yarn is - and what color. The yarn is ShibuiKnits Sock in their new-ish color Zinnia. Which is, err, out of stock - so... sorry!

Next on the list of updates, we received a HUJE shipment from Fleece Artist:

That included a new yarn (Silk Bamboo), several new colors of Great Big Sea and Sea Silk, as well as favorites that were backordered until, well, yesterday! So, if you're in need of some lovely Canadian hand-dyed goodies, we've got 'em. And be sure to check your inbox for a Newsletter on Friday that will have a special offer and information on the new yarn line and colors.

And last, but not least, you're invited to our upcoming Portland Designers Showcase:

See the original (full-sized) version here.

This Friday night, one of our Sock Summit Special Events, we'll be hosting a collection of designers not to be found elsewhere; including, but not limited to:

Leigh Radford
Kristin Spurkland
Chrissy Gardiner
Marnie MacLean
Star Athena
Judy Becker
Lee Meredith
Larissa Brown
Sarah Pope
and more!

The event in free. Take this rare opportunity to socialize with many of the designers who have appeared in Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, Twist Collective and Knitty over the years. We'll hope to see you here!

The blog has moved!

2009-08-04T16:00:00.001-07:00

Look for a shiny new template on our new website.
If you are not automatically redirected from this page, click here.

busy, busy, busy

2009-08-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

The crew of Leverage have descended on The Governor Hotel (which is located kitty-corner from us), so all parking has been blockaded in a 1-block radius around the hotel. It's kind of interesting to watch, even if we don't have any parking spaces today!

P.S. You probably noticed, but the new website is UP! We'll have a 'real' blog post later this afternoon, honest. Just have to color-correct the photos...

A bit disappointed.

2009-07-30T17:33:00.002-07:00

And I bet you will be, too. I'm afraid there are no pictures of the City of Roses sock sample, nor of last night's Girasole KAL. Mostly because we had to cancel when the A/C gave out. But, to make up for this deficit, we do have super-dooper Top Secret (can you keep a secret?) screen shots of our new website...

Let's start with the new Yarn page navigation:

Where knitters can browse yarns by weight, fiber content, and brand. Need something vegan? Now you can find the perfect animal-free yarn with just a click of the mouse. Or maybe you are a sock fanatic and want to see all the fingering weight (or Superwash Merino!) yarns we carry - this fabulous page will do all the work for you.

Then, when you narrow down your selection, the "pop-up" information feature will tell you all about the yarns in that category, without having to click on them!

Scrolling over each yarn line brings up a short description of the yarn that includes it's brand and price. Then, once you've found the perfect yarn, the really cool thumbnail color cards come into play...

Just click on a thumbnail and watch the larger image appear above. It's a little like magic (especially to us). But that's not everything (not even close!) we have in store for you with this new website.

There are going to be some amazing surprises in the new site, but we don't want to ruin it. So, please be patient, as the new site will be up soon for your viewing (and surfing) pleasure. Maybe we'll even have a contest. See how many of the new options people can find... Hmm, doesn't that sound promising?