Our contest with Kristin Nicholas ends tonight at midnight!  If you haven’t already done so, leave a comment here on the WEBS blog and one over at Kristin’s blog.  We’ll randomly select a winner over the weekend and make the announcement next week!

The prize?  Well, the winner will receive and autographed copy of her latest book, Color By Kristin, the yarn for any project in the book – remember – it’s her lovely Julia Yarn too!  Plus we’ll toss in the needles and some other goodies as well!

We’ve had a tremendous response to this contest and I can’t wait to pick a winner!

Kathy

As many of you know who have attended a Stitches show, we always bring along Berroco yarns and our faboo rep Andra.  Because Stitches East was in her home territory, it would have been a conflict for her to work for us when many of her other accounts were at the show as well.  Instead, we imported Jan from the NY territory to help us out.  Jan did a great job and was a huge help to us.  Working these shows is not easy or glamorous so we are grateful for all Jan did!

The hit of Stitches East from the Berroco line was Nimbus and it is this week’s featured FREE pattern.

Nimbusis  a darling cropped cardigan with a stylish shawl collar and exaggerated garter stitch detailing.   The yarn used is Berroco’s Peruvia Quick which knits at a brisk 3 sts/inch on a #11 so Nimbus is a definite contender for a holiday gift.  You could easily make Nimbus longer if the cropped look is not for you.  You would need to do just a bit of measuring and note taking so that you increase the length of the stockinette sections appropriately.

Nimbus is shown in color #9117 Gris Merengo.  Now, I’m pretty much a black & white girl with a strong affection for grey.  I was shocked that the shoppers at East were not gobbling up the grey!  Instead I saw #9143 Aquamarina, #9147 Blue Nile and #9114 Chipotle flying past my register.  There’s never a right or wrong choice when it comes to color – go with what you like.

The simplest way to download the FREE pattern for Nimbus and purchase the yarn is as follows:

1.  Click HERE to go Yarn.Com to the kit page for Nimbus.  Gris Merengo is the default color and 5 skeins are listed which is for the smallest size.  You can increase the number of skeins you want and/or click through and change your color.

2.  We’ve also pre-selected a set of #11 straight needles.  You may leave these as is, select a different set of needles or de-select them if you already have a pair of #11 straights (I’d use circs myself – do what works for you!).

3.  Remember, discounts will not be applied until check out where applicable.

4.  Complete your purchase on our site then zip over to Berroco’s website to download the FREE Nimbus Pattern here.

That’s it!  Let me know what you think of this week’s free pattern!

Cheers!

Kathy

Yesterday I gave you some of the background on the cover of this year’s Holiday Catalog.  What I didn’t include was a shot from the photoshoot:

I think it’s just magical how shots like this come to life.

Okay – enough about the cover.  Time to talk about some of the great things happening INSIDE the catalog.  Remember, the printed catalogs are working their way across the country.  My graphic designer based here has yet to receive hers, but her Mom in Wisconsin received her last week. I’ll never understand the postal service.  If you can’t wait or aren’t currently on our mailing list, you can check the catalog out ONLINE.

There are 46 projects in the holiday catalog – 9 of which are FREE!  Consider them our gift to you.   I think they are a nice mix of quick knits and more involved projects.  I love being able to offer our own Valley Yarns designs to you for free, but I love the relationships we have with our vendors which gives us the ability to showcase their yarns and offer a free pattern as well.  Let me highlight a few for you:

First up is the Lavendar Ribbed Hat knit in Valley Yarns Northfield.

The allure of this hat is the attention to the details and the fact that it’s knit on smaller needles than usual for Northfield.  This means the fabric is dense and cozy and will keep you warm no matter how cold it gets this winter.

Our Spotted Christmas Stocking knit in Berkshire Bulky will not only be fun to knit, but fast!

Berkshire Bulky is available in 40 colors so don’t feel compelled to stick to the traditionall red/green combo.

The Herringbone Scarf is a showstopper.  Designed and knit by Dori – the absolute best, smartest, most amazing-est knitter around and long-time WEBS Store Associate, this scarf is spectacular:

The picture really doesn’t do it justice.  Dori used our 2/10 Merino Tencel blend which means the finished fabric is warm, drapes beautiful, has a lovely sheen and can easily be dressed up or down.

From Knitty.com we are featuring Thermal:

We reknit this dynamite top in our Huntington.  The waffle stitch is designed to be stretchy and close fitting.  Thermal makes a great layering piece.  Remember ALL KNITTY.COM PATTERNS MUST BE DOWNLOADED FROM KNITTY.COM!

From our friends at Tahki/Stacy Charles comes this gorgeous shawl pattern knit in Gioiello:

We’ve had this shawl in the shop for several seasons and it continues to be a favorite.  Gioiello is a yummy blend of merino and kid mohair (plus some cotton, acrylic and nylon) and features a multi-color palette with just a slight hint of glitz.  This shawl only takes 2 balls!  Again, the Gioiello Shawl Pattern can be downloaded at www.tahkistacycharles.com.

Last, but not least is Drift from Berroco and knit in their new fall yarn Vintage:

Love Drift.  Love, love, love.  The style is beautiful and Vintage is an easy care yarn so you can machine wash this sweater!  Pattern can be found at here.

Remember, these are only a few of the 40+ projects we are featuring so be sure to check them all out!

What are you adding to your project queue?

Kathy

This year’s holiday catalog is out and working it’s way across the country to your mailbox!  With this issue we are also launching our on-line catalog.  You can browse the pages, click through to add items to your wishlist or shopping cart and then zip right back to the catalog.  No worries – the print version is not going anywhere!  The online catalog is something many folks have been asking for and we’re happy to offer option.

One of the things that makes the Holiday Catalog different from the others we send throughout the year is the cover.  Rather than showing a model in a garment we get to have a  little fun and create something whimsical and inspiring. 

The first holiday catalog we mailed back in 2006 featured Woolly:

Woolly rocked.  Everyone loved Woolly.  He is the bar that all Holiday Covers are measured against.  I will love him forever.

In 2007, this was our cover:

I really liked it but it wasn’t quite Woolly.  Still very adorable and fun.

Last year was this:

My least favorite.  No comparison.

So, as we started planning for this year’s catalog, the line was drawn in sand.  The cover must be spectacular.  It must measure up to Woolly, if not exceed.  That was my challenge to myself and my team.  We bantered around a lot of ideas and it was Mary in our Marketing Department who came up with this year’s concept – cookies.

I loved the idea, but I will be honest, as we began to move forward with the concept I became nervous.  Skeptical even.  I really wasn’t sure if the cookie idea was going to be able to deliver the same emotion that Woolly did.  I was worried I wouldn’t love it.

Once the cookies were completed and ready to go to photography I was silently panicking.  Our timeline was tight and if I didn’t love the shot it was going to mean I was either going to have to live with it or pull everyone together and come up with something else which would have been nearly impossible.

The only people I said anything too was our designer and photographer.  They have worked a lot of magic for me but I just didn’t think they could take the cookies and create a shot that I loved.

Color me wrong.

They sent me back about 6 or 8 possibilities, all slightly different.  Each of them took my breath away.  Although the team wasn’t in 100% agreement, I made the final decision. 

I LOVE the cover.  I cannot possibly find enough adjectives to express how MUCH I love it.  It’s perfect.  It can stand proudly next to Woolly.  My thanks to Mary for the idea and early prototypes, to Kirsten for creating the cookies, to Linda for brainstorming with us and of course to Penny & David who turned all of our hardwork into this beautiful shot. 

Tomorrow I’ll share with you some of the great projects and gift ideas INSIDE the catalog.

Remember, if you haven’t received yours yet, you can check out our NEW on-line catalog here.

Kathy

I think I can officially say that this week is unofficially Kristin Nicholas week at WEBS!  With the clocks turning back this past weekend, what a bright and colorful way to face the shorter days!  We have several exciting things going on that I want to share with all of you!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had the opportunity to talk with Kristin on this week’s episode of Ready, Set, Knit!  Her latest book, Color By Kristin has just been released and it is a spectacular book.  I spoke with Kristin about several of the projects and wanted to share pictures with you.

The Over-the-Top-Shawl is perfectly named:

Until you read the fine print (or have a conversation with Kristin) you don’t truly understand how this shawl is constructed.  It is knit in the round.   This not only makes the colorwork easier (I use that term very loosely) to do, but it’s also how the fringe is created.  Yes – once you have finished knitting this drop-dead piece in the round, you steek it and then unravel the steek stitches up to the start of the pattern.  It’s brilliant and terrifying all at the same time.  The finished piece measures approximately 25″x72″ long.  It uses 7 different colors of Nashua Handknits Julia.

The On-the-Go-Knitter’s Tote is a beautiful, functional bag which measures approximately 16″w x 14″ high x 4″ deep when finished:

The base is worked back and forth in garter stitch and then the sides are picked up and knit in the round. Eight beautiful colors are used for a total of 14 skeins.

I love the Best Friends Pullovers because the models are true best friends.  Kristin’s daughter Julia on the left and her buddy Bridget is on the right. 

I also just love this photo.  In both cases, the sweaters are worked in the round to the shoulders with steeks used to create the armholes.  The arms themselves are knit in the round and then stitched into the openings created by the steeks.  Both sweaters use 7 different colors.  Both sweaters also feature simple embroidery stitches that really add that extra bit of WOW!

Kristin and I didn’t get to talk about this pattern on the show, but I wanted to highlight it anyway.  I’m rather smitten with the Lazy Daisy Teapot Cozy:

I know, knit or crocheted “cozies” are somewhat cliche.  I think this teapot cozy has a tone of attitude.  I also like that although it’s colorful, it’s not knit using any sort of charted pattern.  Once again, Kristin takes this project to the next level with not only the colors she chose, but with the embroidery details she adds at the end.  As we always say at WEBS – it’s all in the finishing – be it blocking, seaming or embroidery.  The final steps of any project are usually what make great projects stand out from the rest of the crowd.

I could easily go on about the other 18 projects in the book (that’s a total of 22), but I’ll let you discover them for yourself.  The first three chapters are dedicated to a discussion by Kristin about using color, the fair isle technique and how to design with it.  There is a ton of valuable information packed into the first 32 pages of this book.

Now, I have a question for you.  How many of you actually clicked on the links I provided for each of the projects?  If you didn’t click, scroll back up, pick one and click through, then come back.  I’ll wait.

Well?  Do you like our new Kit function?  I am over-the-moon tickled with this new feature!   Each project in Kristin’s book can now be “purchased” all at once.  You don’t need to zip around and select the quantity for each of the yarns, then go find the book and then navigate around to the needles.  The kit page features the yarn in each colorway, pre-populated with the quantity for the smallest size or in the case of the shawl, the only size.  The book is listed as are suggested needles.  You can easily “un-select” any item you don’t need, you can change your quanities on the fly or if you want different colors, you can click through and do that as well!  The page will show the total FOR ALL ITEMS SELECTED.  If you change quantities or un-select something, the price will change.  NOTE:  The price is the full price BEFORE OUR YARN AND BOOK DISCOUNT IS APPLIED.  This will happen in the shopping cart.  Remember – everything starts out SELECTED.   You have to buy the book once so you have the patterns.  Once you buy it or if you already have purchased it, you can unselect that option.  Same witht the needles if you don’t need them.

To see what other kits we have already put together you can simply click here or if you start on our homepage, click on “Books, Patterns & Kits” on the top navigation, click on “Knitting” on the left navigation and you’ll see a list of Kits right in the center of the page.  We plan to create these kits for all of our best selling patterns and books.  It’s a lot of work so check back frequently to see what is new. 

We also announced on the podcast we are now carrying Kristin’s yarn Julia.  It is distributed by Nashua Handknits, a division of Westminster Fibers (same folks who distribute Rowan and Gedifra and Kertzer).  Julia is a unique blend of 50% wool/25% mohair/25% alpaca.  Each skein has 93 yards and it’s a classic worsted weight yarn at 5 sts= 1″ on #7 needles.  I realize the fiber content doesn’t sound that special, but it is.  The properties of each of the fibers and how they are blended together are what creates the feel, the drape, the look of the finished fabric in Kristin’s garments.  Plus, she has honed her palette over years.  There are lots of yarns out there with large color ranges, several of our own Valley Yarns included.  But the way her palette works together just simply can’t be found in another yarn.  I am thrilled to be carrying Kristin’s Julia yarn.

Now, onto the festivities of the week ahead.

1.  We will be featuring a trunk show all week of several of the projects from her book.  Be sure to stop in an check them out in person.

2. Kristin will be at WEBS this Thursday night, 11/5 from 6:00-7:30pm for an impromptu Book Launch Party!  She’ll be signing copies of her book, talking about her yarn and will be bringing more garments from the book as well.  We’ll have light refreshments as always.

3.  We’re also having a contest!  What fun would it be if we weren’t giving something away?  Starting today, leave a comment here on my blog and on Kristin’s Getting Stitched on the Farm blog.  Tell us what you think of her book, the projects, how has Kristin inspired your knitting, etc.   The contest starts today and ends on Friday.  We’ll select a random winner who will receive a signed copy of Color byKristin, the yarn for a project of their choice in the quantity for their size (if applicable) and the necessary needles, notions, etc.  Pretty cool, huh?

So, let the commenting begin!  I’d also LOVE your feedback on the new kit function.

Cheers!

Kathy

P.S.  Remember Kristin’s book and Julia yarn are discountable!

On this week’s episode of Ready, Set, Knit I had the chance to catch up with the fabulous Kristin Nicholas.  Not only is she among the top echelon of the knitterati, she lives right here in our lovely valley.

She has a brand spankin’ new book out called Color By Kristin. 

It’s amazing.  If you’ve been scared of color work, scared of steeks (that would be me) this is the book for you.    Kristin promises to ease my fears and if she can do that – the rest of you are golden because I am SURE I am the biggest scaredy cat among us!

What I am most excited about is that we are now carrying Kristin’s JULIA YARN!  Yes – the rumors are true!  There is no substitute and it’s what she uses exclusively in her designs.  We are stocking every color featured in her new book.   We are thrilled to be partnered with Kristin, her book and her yarn!

Steve also talked about a bunch of yarns! 

Swirl DK from Lorna’s Laces - $6.99 – this is a great new closeout!
Angora Merino from Gedifra - $5.49
Ego Tweed from Schachenmayr - $4.99
Akona from Gedifra - $3.99
Cotton Java Color 4-ply from Regia -  $7.99

Folks – listen to the podcast there are a lot of exciting announcements and I will be blogging about those as soon!

You can listen to Ready, Set, Knit! via our website or you can download the podcast on iTunes.

Enjoy!

Kathy

This week’s free pattern is a super new scarf!  Perfect for women or men, the Shale Pleated Scarf has an interesting stitch pattern that looks great when finished. 

Knit in our Valley Yarns Berkshire, it will keep you warm no matter how cold it gets this winter!  As designed, the pattern takes 4 skeins of Berkshire and your finished scarf will be 12″x72″ for less than $20!

Click here to download your FREE copy of the Shale Pleated Scarf  Pattern!

Enjoy!

Kathy

We have just received in the latest “special” issue from Interweave Knits. 

This year’s Holiday Gifts issue is HUGE!  It has nearly 60 patterns – twice as many as most issues.  There are lots of great gift ideas, as you would expect.  Many are quick knits others are more involved.   There are several that spoke to me that I’d like to highlight below:

First is the Ripple Cardigan designed by Coralie Meslin and knit in Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

 This is a gorgeous cardigan that has a simple style but very interesting construction.  It is knit in multi-directional pieces.  The pattern has 6 sizes and depending on your size, you’ll need 4-7 skeins of Kidsilk Haze.

Next is the Little Majolica by Kristin Nicholas.  Without even showing a picture of this pullover, you know it’s going to be a colorwork masterpiece.

Told you so!  This stranded piece utilizes two colors.  As if that weren’t enough, Kristin introduces a two additional colors by utilizing the duplicate stitch.  Duplicate stitch is one of those underrated embellishing techniques.  I think this garment gives the duplicate stitch instant credibility.  Little Majolica is knit using Kristin’s signature yarn Julia – named after her beautiful daughter. 

I’m also lovin’ Slip-Stitch Layers by Simona Merchant-Dest.  Knit in Mission Falls 136 Merino  Superwash, this simple but stylish pullover is absolutely a sweater I would wear.   

Unlike stranded work, slip stitch only uses one color per row and the knitter “carries” or “slips” stitches from row to row.  In addition to creating a beautiful result, the fabric is also warm.  Perfect for folks like me who freeze all winter!  Slip-Stitch Layers is generously offered in 7 sizes and requires 7-11 skeins of MC and 4-6 skeins of CC.  Just remember our yarn discounts apply!

The “story” in this issue that really spoke to me was “One, Two, Three” – beautiful projects that utilize 3 or fewer skeins.  Here are the ones that I particularly like.

The Quicksilver Bag by Norah Gaughan. 

Really, do I need to say more than that?  Probably not, but I will!  Adorable and functional with a simple construction.  The picture shows the bag as a casual accessory.  With the sheen and texture of Bonsai, I can imagine it sophisticated and dressy as well – change the handles and such and Poof!  A completely different bag.  It would also be beautiful knit in Bonsai Colors.  A great and easy gift too that is affordable!

As I’ve said previously, I freeze all winter.  When temps dip below 70 degrees I’m not happy.  Also well documented is my affection for cashmere.  Let me show you one of the ways I get through our long, cold New England Winters:

Cashmere.Fingerless.Mitts.  The delicate and feminine Wine and Roses Mitts were designed by Jolene Treace and were knit in Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 2-ply.   That would be One Skein of Cashmere.  I know, times are tight and even one skein of this lovely yarn is a bit pricey at $41.00.   Maybe this is your splurge, maybe it’s the project you find a nice substitution from your stash for.  I love the design and I think we all deserve a bit of luxury if possible.

Next up is a lovely project that features one of our Valley Yarns!  Building Block Scarves by Sarah Hoadley are knit in our Sugarloaf.  

Sugarloaf is 52% Merino and 48% Acrylic Microfiber.  It’s super soft, knits at 4 sts/inch and has a nice drape.  I’m tickled with the results!  The construction is pretty neat too.  If utilizes a long cast-on to form the perimeter and then knit in the round to the center and features mitred corners.  Also, if you scroll back up to the cover image, guess what you’ll see!  One of the scarves!  I knew the scarves would be in this issue but I was simply tickled to see one of them on the cover!  Woohoo!  Congratulations Sarah and thank you Interweave!

Last but not least are the Kumara Red Socks.  How could I not favorite a sock pattern?  I think it has unofficially been the year of the sock. 

The Kumara Red Socks are a quick knit and will wrap your feet in warmth and luxury.   Kumara is a merino/camel blend from Classic Elite which is super soft and lofty.   These socks only require 2 skeins and what a great gift they will make!  I’m just not sure I’d be giving them away.

I have just highlighted 7 of the 57 projects in this issue.  There are just over 60 days until Christmas (fewer if you are knitting for Hanukkah) and these are all possibilities in that time frame for most of you (some are beyond my reach at this point, but I’m slow and steady so don’t go by me).

I hope these ideas have inspired you!  What do you like in this issue?  Are one of my faves one of yours too?

Kathy

This week on Ready, Set, Knit  Steve highlights the following yarns, magazines & patterns:

YARNS

Ecologico from Schachenmayr
Sierra Color from Regia
Silenzio from Schachenmayr

MAGAZINES

Knitters Magazine Fall 2009
Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2009

PATTERNS

Thermal from Knitty.com reknit in Valley Yarns Huntington
(NOTE:  The pattern must be downloaded from Knitty.com)

Kiyo from Knitting Matters knit in Valley Yarns Deerfield
(NOTE:  We are the exclusive on-line resource for Knitting Matters Patterns)

I get to catch up with one of my favorite guests, Lexie Barnes.  Her new collection is just hitting stores and features 3 new fabrics and several new styles.  My life is pretty hectic but I often feel like a slug compared to what Lexie is juggling!  Besides her bag line, she has just opened Twist Pop-Up  Store in Thornes Marketplace in downtown Northampton.  The store will feature several of the artisans that show at Twist Fair in addition to other indie crafsters.

The next Twist Fair is coming up as well in just a couple of weeks.  It will be held on November 13 & 14 at the Northampton Center for the Arts.  The show is a blast and features some of the best indie craftsters.

If that weren’t enough, she’s also working on her next book, due out in Spring 2011! 

Pixie & I finish up the 3-Button Jacket KAL!

You can listen to Ready, Set, Knit! via our website or you can download the podcast on iTunes.

Enjoy!

Kathy

It’s finally here!  This weekend at the Connecticut Convention Center, Stitches 2009 will be in full swing.  We’re excited because this is the first time a Stitches will be this close to home for us.  Although it’s also a little strange.  Usually when we go to these shows, we’re immersed 100% in only the show.   This time the rest of our life will not be on hold or on the backburner while we’re “away”.  Working at th show will be fully integrated with hockey, cooking meals, getting the laundry done, etc. 

We hope to see many of you this weekend.   You’ll find us in booths 301-309 & 400-408.  Ten booths PACKED with yarn.  The highlight of which is the debut of Blue Moon Fiber Arts at WEBS! 

The show runs today and Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 10-4.  The Connecticut Convention Center is a brand new facility and with free wi fi – my new favorite place for a show! 

There will be lots of great activities throughout the weekend – demos in the hall, classes being offered, book signings, etc.  If nothing else, you’ll come away inspired and maybe with a slightly larger stash!

Be sure to stop by the WEBS Booth and say hi!

Kathy