This week’s featured FREE pattern is just lovely.  I give to you, the Valley Yarns pattern #293 Herringbone Scarf:

This scarf is knit using Valley Yarns 2/10 Merino/Tencel.  Since this yarn is used by both knitters and weavers, it comes on cones.  One cone is $22.50 and you can get 4 scarves!  That makes the cost of each scarf a ridiculously low $5.62!!

2/10 Merino  Tencel is warm but the Tencel also provides a nice sheen to the finished scarf as well as nice drape.  Designed by Dori, one of our long-time store associates and probably one of the greatest knitters ever, the pattern is beautiful and feminine.

I hope you enjoy this week’s free pattern!

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 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