Quickie

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

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

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

Or so we're told.

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

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

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

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

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

It also makes a great yarn storage device/ centerpiece.

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

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


*We like the pattern, what can I say?

BIG News

We have good news, Great News, in fact. And LOTS of it. So much, in fact, that it's going to be divided into two posts (sorry, it had to be done).

First, get ready to squee!, as the KnitPod is officially, well and truly, available for sale.

Isn't that just beautiful?

Shown above in Maple, the only reason these are actually in stock is that I/we've forbidden staffers to buy the first few made. Get one (or two) before the next lot comes in. These things are so special, you'll probably want several. Made with locally-grown hardwood by M.W., a Portland-area woodworker, each KnitPod is one-of-a-kind and truly is a work of art. Now, since there are only four KnitPods in existence at the moment, after the first four are sold, they will be sold on pre-order basis. M.W. has promised that it will take no longer than 2-weeks for order turnaround, so get ready to carry your socks in style and with an easy mind - never drop stitches, break yarn or bend/ dull your DPNs again!

Second, Kauni is BACK IN STOCK. Grab some while you can.

Third. We have 90 cranes!

Melissa dropped off 13 today.

But, since we still need more (and a reason to party), we're hosting a Crane Knit Night this Thursday during our regular Sip n' Stitch. Drop by the store to knit (a crane!), earn store credit ($1 for every crane knit that night), drink champagne and feast on chocolate and strawberries. We'll also have door prizes and giveaways... just because we can. Come by on Thursday night, it's going to be awesome!

Now I must hasten away, as my Intermediate Handspinning Techniques class starts in 5* minutes. Check back for more exciting news!

*Make that 3.

Che Bellezza!

Italian. Lit. "what a beauty", but synonymous with "How lovely!"

This literally just walked in the door (thank you, UPS), from Chameleon Colorworks:

Handdyed lace yarn, made with 100% extrafine Merino wool (sumptuous!) and dyed in several of our favorites plue FOUR new semi-solids. It should be on the shelf tomorrow. (I know I'll need three for a very special lace project as soon as it's available.)

The next little bit of news we have for you is that we're on twitter! (see sidebar --->) Many of us have downloaded apps onto our iTouches and iPhones, so there will literally be up-to-the-minute information on our page, if you want to follow us and get frequent updates on store happenings and the like.

That's all the News we have for now. No one's been in to show off their FO's (hint, hint, hint), so I don't have any pretties to share. Nor have there been any donations of cranes in the past few days, so we're just a bit boring at the moment. But check your inbox tomorrow for a very cool eCard that is full of Easter knitting! Until next Tuesday, enjoy the lovely weather outside!

Show & Tell

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

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

And she also lined it herself*...

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

Anyway.

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

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

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

...and the side:

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

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

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

Gratis Knits: Winter 2009

Better late than never, right? Ar this point, we're accepting submissions for the next Gratis Knits, due to come out in April, so please consider sending a pattern our way. Now, without further adieu, get your needles ready!

Flurries Slouch Hat
By Sandy Bingham
(this pattern is also available as a PDF)

Sizes:
Adult M (22” head circumference)

Yarns:
MC: The Fibre Company Road to China [65% Alpaca, 10% Cashmere, 10% Camel, 5% Yak, 10% Soya Fiber, 73m/ 80y per 50g skein]; color: “Light Amethyst”; 1 skein.
CC: Tilli Tomas Flurries [100% Merino wool with glass beads, 64m/ 70y per 50g skein]; color: “Atmosphere”; 1 skein.

Needles:
•3.75mm/ US 5 circular needle, 16” long
•4.5mm/ US 7 circular needle, 16” long
•4.5mm/ US 7 DPNs, 8” long set of 5

Gauge:
19 sts & 24 rnds = 4” in St st on larger needles

Notions:
•row counter
•stitch marker
•scissors
•tapestry needle

Notes:
Do not cut yarn when changing colors. Carry the unused color up the inside of the hat and catch it on the first st of the sixth rnd of the current color. Knit the first few stitches after the color changes tightly to prevent holes, being careful not to pucker the work.

Abbreviations:
CO - cast on
CC - contrast color
K - knit
K2tog - knit 2 together
MC - main color
P - purl
PM - place marker
Rnd - round(s)
St(s) - stitch(es)

Rib pattern (multiple of 3 sts):
Rnd 1: *K2, p1* around.
Rnd 2: *K1, p2* around.
Repeat these 2 rnds for pattern.

Stockinette: (in the rnd)
Every rnd: k around.


PATTERN

Brim:
CO 102 sts with MC using smaller needles. Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts. PM to indicate start of rnd.

Work “Rib Pattern” for 1.5”.

Body:
Change to larger needles and knit 6 rnds of Stockinette with CC. Alternate MC and CC every 6 rnds for a total of 6 stripes (36 rnds), ending with a MC stripe. Switch to CC to begin crown shaping.

Shape Crown:
Shape crown as follows while continuing to alternate MC and CC every 6 rnds:

Rnd 1: *K4, K2tog* around. (85 sts total)
Rnds 2 - 4: K around.
Rnd 5: *K3, K2tog* around. (68 sts total)
Rnds 6 - 8: K around.
Rnd 9: *K2, K2tog* around. (51 sts total)
Rnds 10 -12: K around.
Rnd 13: *K1, K2tog* around. (34 sts total)
Rnds 14 -15: K around.
Rnd 16: *K2tog* around. (17 sts total)

Cut working yarn leaving a 6” tail, use tapestry needle to pull tail through remaining sts and cinch tight.

Finishing:
Weave in ends, block lightly.