This week on Ready, Set, Knit Steve reviews new yarns and closeouts.  I give a few suggestions for kids holiday gifts.  Pixie & I begin our review of cast-ons.  We’ll continue next week and then move onto bind-offs!

New Closeouts

Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino - 7 closeout colors
Classic Elite Desert
Classic Elite Renaissance

New Yarn

 Opal Sock Yarn – Cathy Kruse
 
Gift Ideas for Kids
 
Potholder Looms  - Regular  & Deluxe
Easy Weaver A & B
Jill Eaton Learn to Knit Kit
Learn to Knit by Guy & Hall  (kids book)
Learn to Crochet by Guy & Hall (kids book)

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

Enjoy!

Kathy

This week on Ready, Set, Knit I talked with Shannon Okey.  How we’ve recorded 152 episodes without having her on the show boggles my brain.  Shannon is another one of those amazing women in our industry who has A LOT going on.  Be sure to listen in and find out what she’s been up too!  Also – if you are in the Boston area, Shannon will be making two appearances in Beantown over the coming month. 

Next Friday she’ll be at the Common Cod Fiber Guild’s first Fiber Fashion Show and then in December she’ll be back for Bazaar Bizarre Boston.

Steve had a few new gems to talk about this week too!

Nazca Wind from Plymouth
Boucle Merino Superwash from Plymouth
Knitosophy from Dream in Color

CLOSEOUTS

Seduce from Berroco (discontinued colors)
Bonsai from Berroco (discontinued colors)

Pixie and I chat about a variety of borders and embellishments .

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

Enjoy!

Kathy

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 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

Hi Everyone

I’ve had several requests to post pictures of Pixie’s completed Summer Petals Cardigan which was our last CAL on Ready, Set, Knit.  My apologies for being remiss in doing so.  Here are the pics I took:

The pattern can be found in the summer issue of Interweave Crochet (it’s the cover sweater).  The pattern calls for Rowan Bamboo Soft but Pixie substituted Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy.  You’ll notice the picture of Pixie’s finished Cardi looks longer than the one on the cover.  That’s because it is.  Pixie opted to add a little length so that it would fit the way she wanted it to fit.  I know doing a full garment as a CAL on our podcast was a bit challenging for some of you.  Thanks for hanging in there with us!

One of our new patterns that we have debuted and you’ll see in our Holiday 2009 catalog which will be arriving in mailboxes over the next couple of weeks is Thetis. 

Valley Yarns Pattern #288, Thetis is knit in our Colrain which is a 50% merino/50% tencel blend.   It knits at 4 sts = 1″ and each 50 gram ball has 109 yarns.  With Colrain priced at an affordable $3.99/ball – this lovely pullover is a great value costing between $35.91 and $51.87 depending on the size you make.

What I love about this particular pullover is it’s interesting construction.  Here’s a quick video clip describing exactly how Thetis is made:
 

 
I hope you enjoyed the video.  We have more coming with many of our latest designs.

It’s been a crazy week at the shop with New York Sheep and Wool last weekend and Stitches East this coming weekend.  It has meant a lot of visitors.  Yesterday along I had the pleasure to meet DarthKnitter from Twitter & Ravelry, Julie from Twist Collective, and my buddy Diane of Creatively Dyed Yarns among others.  I had to leave mid afternoon to pick up the boys from school which meant I missed Team Ravelry:

Posing as Bob is the lovely Ysolda Teague who just did a book signing at the store a couple of weeks ago!  Her Bob Head is priceless but best of all?  She knit it in Valley Yarns Northampton Bulky!  I love my boys but I am so bummed I missed seeing this (and of course them) in person! 

Kathy

This week on Ready, Set, Knit, Steve & I talk about several new yarns , a few gift ideas and some of the newest Valley Yarns Patterns!

Schafpate Sock Yarn from Opal
Los Angeles from Wisdom
Cashmere Scarf Kits for Her from Jade Sapphire
Bamboo Interchangeable Needle Set from WEBS
Knitting Bags from Namaste
Christmas Stocking Kits from Judy’s Colors

Thetis Pullover knit in Valley Yarns Colrain

Selene Striped Cardigan knit in Valley Yarns Superwash DK

Hampshire Tweed Cardigan knit in Valley Yarns Williamstown

Soft Cables Afghan knit in Valley Yarns Amherst

Pixie & I continue the 3-button Jacket KAL from Classic Elite  featuring one of their great new fall yarns, Chesapeake.

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

Enjoy!

Kathy

On this week’s episode of Ready, Set, Knit! I have the pleasure of talking with Knitter’s Review Founder Clara Parkes.  Clara’s sophomore book, The  Knitter’s Book of Wool hits stores next week. 

I have to say, after the success of her first book, The Knitter’s Book of Yarn, I wasn’t sure how she was going to top it.

I should never have doubted Clara for a moment.  Shame on me!  The Knitter’s Book of Wool is an in depth adventure into all things wool.  It is informative, interesting and a must have in your library.

You’ll also want to check out this week’s Knitter’s Review in which Clara discusses nine of her favorite woolly yarns.

Before we talked with Clara, Steve & I got pretty silly with this week’s line-up of new yarns.  You’ll have to listen in to truly understand, but here are the yarns we discussed:

New Yarns

Yummy from Fibranatura
Cocoon & Cocoon Multi from Rozetti
North Pole from Wisdom Yarns

Closeouts

Classic Wool from Shepherd
Pastaza from Cascade
Colour 4 Me 8-Ply from Shepherd
Baby  Alpaca Chunky from Cascade
Dolce from Cascade

In the second half, I was tickled to welcome Pixie back to the show after a much deserved vacation.  She was raring to go and we launched right into our next KAL!

Project:  3 Button Jacket from Classic Elite’s Weekend Pattern Booklet 9102

Yarn:  Classic Elite Chesapeake - 50% organic cotton/50% merino wool

Amounts:  9(10, 11, 13, 14) depending on size 34½ (38, 42, 46½, 50½)”

Needles:  Recommend #7 or whatever size you need to attain a gauge of 21 sts and 30 rows over 4″.  Also one 24″ circular needle 2 sizes smaller than the body needle.

Other:  Size G crochet Hook, cotton waste yarn for stitch holders, 3 buttons, tapestry needle, locking ring markers.

This is a truly great jacket. 

Just a reminder that Clara Parkes will be teaching at WEBS on November 7th.  We have a few spots left.  You can read about the class and register here.  She’ll also be signing books after her class so be sure to join us!

Kathy

Note:  Edited to add links to new yarns.

Recently on our podcast Ready, Set, Knit, Pixie and I finished up our latest project.  It was the Summer Pedals Cardigan from Interweave Crochet Summer 2009.  Before we started the project, we spent a couple of episodes reviewing the crochet books that we love and cherish.   I realize not everyone listens to the podcast, so I thought I would take our notes and give all of you that read the blog the information.  I’m thinking I’ll do this over two posts, but it may turn into three.  We’ll see.

Let’s start with crochet reference books & stich dictionaries.  I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have at least on solid reference book in your collection.  What will work for you will probably be different than what works for me or Pixie, so we’ve compiled a healthy list.  Everyone learns differently and some books have different strengths and teaching methods than others. 

In terms of reference books, one should be small enough to carry in your crochet bag so you’ll have it with you at all times.  Two books that fill the bill are Edie Eckman’s The Crochet Answer Book

and Nancy Brown’s The Crocheter’s Companion, which is spiral bound – a definite plus when you are using it on the go!

They both have good illustrations and cover a wide variety of techniques.  Another good reference book that is spiral bound is Nancie Wiseman’s The Essentioal Book of Crochet Techniques.

It has excellent illustrations in color as well as all of the requisite information.

A larger book that we really love but can’t easily carry around is Crocheting School:  A Complete Course, puslished by Sterling. 

It has the best, large color illustrations of any crochet book and it’s one Pixie depends on and that I have in my own personal library.

Crocheting in Plain Englishby Maggie Righetti is another very good reference book, particularly for beginners. 

Be sure to read Chapter 1,  ”A Living History”.   It is a charming short story about the author’s experiences with crochet from the age of 7.  What’s lovely about this book is that the author writes as if she’s talking directly to you and shares many of her experiences as a struggling crocheter and as a crochet teacher. 

A new book out by Jane Davis, Crochet:  The Complete Guide (spiral bound as well = love) is a lovely little book with lots of great information – however, in this instance the title maybe a tad bit on the ambitious side.

Rowan also has a new book out called Crochet Workshop:  The Complete Course for the Beginner to Intermdiate Crocheterby Emma Seddon and Sharon Brant (spiral bound too) that is quite interesting, has wonderful color illustrations and covers pretty much everything a crocheter needs to know. 

In addition, there are some great patterns and a lot of ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

One last book to mention is by Pauline Turner and is titled Finishing Techniques for Crochet. 

This is the first book we’ve seen that is dedicated to finishing techniques for crochet and it certainly has some great information.

Next, you need at least one good stitch dictionary – but Pixie and I both agree you can never have enough of them.  Some personal choices we like are as follows.

The Crochet Stitch Bible by Betty Barnden (spiral bound):

The Harmony Guides 300 Crochet Stitches vol. 6 and 220 More Crochet Stitches, vol 7. 

I own both of these books and refer to them frequently when I’m itching to crochet.  They give charted as well as worded directions (which is why Pixie & I both love them – she’s a chart lady and I need words) along with some of the most wonderful stitches you’ll ever see.

The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs by Linda Schapper has 500 classic and original patterns, a wonderful pictorial index so you can find what you need very quickly and an overall nice format. 

Finally, another little book (spiral bound) by Helen Jordan is called Textured Crochet and contains some very beautiful and unusual stitches. 

This would not be my first choice if I was looking to purchase my first stitch dictionary, but that’s just me. 

I hope you find this list helpful and not too overwhelming.  Like any tool or yarn choices, mileage may vary based on your own taste and learning style.

What crochet book do you love and turn to again and again?

Kathy (and Pixie too!)

Note – Edited on 10/12/09 to correct a couple of typos!

Hi Everyone

To say we have a lot going on in October would be a MAJOR understatement.  It’s only October 7th and we’ve already been busy and we have three events still to come this week alone!

Before we get into what we have upcoming, a couple of belated thank yous.  First to the fabulous Amy Singer who was at the shop just two short weeks ago.  For those who made it to her “No Sheep for You” presentation, it was a great evening. 

I only had time to make a quick introduction and snap a couple of pictures before I had to speed up to the boys’ school for Back to School night.   As I left the classroom, it was already full of laughter.  Her class the next day was a hit and then – she was gone.

Last week we hosted author and designer Mary Beth Temple.  She was in the shop on Thursday night to sign copies of her latest book Hooked 4 Life and offered a free class on Friday that she’s in the process of refining. 

This past Sunday was our annual Knit for the Cure event.  We once again partnered with the Cancer Connection and this year we knit chemo caps.  Thanks to everyone who came and participated.

I told you it’s been busy!

Tomorrow, October 8th, we are tickled to welcome Ysolda Teague to WEBS.  She’ll be in the shop from 6-7:30pm signing copies of her book (which we’ll have for sale), selling some of her single patterns and most importantly, displaying many of her garments.  Should be a fun time so be sure to drop by!

This weekend is Columbus Day weekend.  The hockey schedule shifts into full game mode and we are also participating in two major events here in our valley. 

The first is in partnership with Yankee Candle.  If you listened to last week’s podcast, you already know what’s going on.  The Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarf will be a the Yankee Candle Flagship Store  in South Deerfield, MA over the weekend.  Each Day from 12-4pm folks visiting Yankee Candle will have the chance to knit a row on the scarf to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  We are donating the needles and yarns to the cause and are truly thrilled to be partnering with such a great company.  For more details, visit the Yankee Candle site. 

In addition to the Yankee Candle event, we are also going to be participating in the Paradise City Arts Festival.  For those of you not familiar with Paradise City, it is a high-end, juried craft show.  The artists who participate are truly gifted.  Several of our customers participate in the fall show and it’s always great to see them.  This year, we’ll be doing a variety of demos and participatory activities geared towards kids.  Here’s our schedule:

Sat 12-1pm Spinning Demo with Ashley
Sat 1-2pm Wet Felting with Gail (aka The Kangaroo Dyer)

Sun 12-1pm Kool-Aid Dyeing with Gail (aka The Kangaroo Dyer)
Sun 1-2pm Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom with Leslie Ann

Mon 11:3o-1pm Beading with Janet

If  you’re planning to be in the area this weekend, I highly encourage you to check out both of these events and of course swing by the store to say hi and to check out a GREAT trunk show from Filatura Di Crosa.  We have 10 or so amazing garments that will be in the shop for the next couple of weeks.

Also coming up later this month:

10/17 Bus Trip to Rhinebeck - my last update showed only 7 or 8 seats left!

10/19 & 20 Annie Modesitt will be at WEBS.  She’s teaching a class and although we haven’t scheduled a formal booksigning, I’m sure if you are loitering about with her book in hand, she’ll be happy to add a little signature!

10/20ish We’ll be receiving a Trunk Show from Judy’s Colors.  It’s really time to get inspired for holiday and her stocking kits are just the thing to get us rolling!

10/23-25 Stiches East in Hartford.  Did you listen to the podcast a couple of weeks ago?  Did you hear our big announcemnt? 

 We are partnering with the amazing Tina Newton of Blue Moon Fiber Arts and will be carrying a wide array of her yarns, including the Socks that Rock family in our booth at Stitches East and after the show, back at the shop. 

It’s so beautiful and exciting I can barely stand it.  Tina is one of those amazing women that I just wish lived closer so I could just be around her more often.  We are incredibly honored to be carrying her yarns.

We will not be carrying any BMFA on our website and it will not be discountable.

November is pretty jam-packed as well and we kick things off on November 7th with the lovely Clara Parkes.  She’s teaching a class and will be signing copies of  her NEW book The Big Book of Wool. 

She’s also our guest on this week’s podcast so be sure to tune in!

There’s more, but I think that’s enough for now!  What events are you most excited about?  Anyone we haven’t had at the shop that you are hoping to see on the schedule?

Kathy

This week on Ready, Set, Knit! Jackson is back at the microphone while Steve was in Chicago at Stitches Midwest. 

He and I get the distinct pleasure of introducing our new Bamboo Interchangeable Needle Set.

I also continue my conversation with Linda Pratt of Westminster Fibers.  This week we talk about the new yarns & pattern books for Nashua Handknits.

Pixie and I continue the Summer Petals CAL and I say au revoir to Pixie as she heads to France for a much deserved vacation.

The pattern can be found in the Summer 2009 issue of Interweave Crochet.

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

Enjoy!

Kathy