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Guest: Kathy talks with Brandy about her new book, Just Like Me Knits.

Brandy was living in north, rural Georgia and began to fill some of her time by learning to knit and crochet. She co-founded the online knitting magazine Petite Purls based on her interest in designing for her children.  The new book expands that to include matching designs for that special doll.

Katie Garter Jacket knit in Blue Sky Alpacas Multi Cotton

Steve’s Yarn Picks

Cascade 220, Cascade 220 Superwash, and Plymouth Encore remain on sale through May 31st!

• Classic Elite Firefly
• Debbie Bliss Bella
• Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy
• Valley Yarns Southwick
• Valley Yarns 2/14 Alpaca Silk

• Louisa Harding Colline
• Malabrigo Mecha
• On Line Tasco

• Zealana Willow DK
• Zealana Eco Possum DK

Amy Herzog will be here June 6th to celebrate the release of her new book, Knit to Flatter.

The Third Annual I-91 Shop Hop is happening June 27-30th.

The New England Weavers Seminar (NEWS) is happening July 11-14, on the Smith College campus.

 

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Guest: Kathy talks with Heather Ordover about her new book: What (Else) would Madame Defarge Knit?, the sequel to What Would Madame Defarge Knit?

Heather runs the Craftlit podcast and site, and while reading A Tale of Two Cities, she was inspired to wonder what Madame Defarge WOULD knit? As the book idea began to take shape she wanted to make sure the designers not only got paid, but were able to actually recoup the costs of their time spent creating those designs, and to have the book printed in the US, so she worked with Cooperative Press to make it happen.

Iseult’s Dress from What (Else) Would Madame Defarge Knit?, knit in Harrisville Deigns Highland.

The books are divided into thematic sections related to classic literature and each pattern is accompanied by a wonderful essay. WWMDfK- the Shakespeare edition and a Mme Defarge goes Medieval edition are in the works.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

Cascade 220, Cascade 220 Superwash, and Plymouth Encore remain on sale through May 31st!

• Plymouth Kudo
• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK

• Anzula Milky Way
• Lorna’s Laces Haymarket

• St Denis Boreale
• St Denis Nordique
• St. Denis Sommet
• Berroco Nanuk
• Berroco Souffle
• Berroco Circus

Amy Herzog will be here June 6th to celebrate the release of her new book, Knit to Flatter.

The Third Annual I-91 Shop Hop is happening June 27-30th.

The New England Weavers Seminar (NEWS) is happening July 11-14, on the Smith College campus.

 

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Guest: Kathy talks with Amy about her new book: Knit to Flatter - The only instructions you’ll ever need to knit sweaters that make you look good and feel great!

Amy talks about how she began with a series of online tutorials that she called Fit to Flatter which became a wonderful class  and is now a fantastic book! Knit to Flatter teaches you how to understand that the shape of your body, and not so much your numerical measurements, has a bigger impact on what garments look best on you and how to choose the right shapes to enhance your best features.

The Stoker pattern from Knit to Flatter, featuring Valley Yarns Stockbridge.

She also reminds us that it’s OK to use a pattern you really like as a starting point, altering it to fit your shape and that yarn choice make a big difference in the final garment.

Please join us on June 6th to meet Amy, celebrate the release of the book and get your own copy signed!

Steve’s Yarn Picks

Cascade 220, Cascade 220 Superwash, and Plymouth Encore remain on sale through May 31st!

• Berroco Ultra Alpaca
• Lang Jawoll Magic Degrade – perfect for the Wingspan pattern
• Classic Elite Soft Linen
• Classic Elite Fresco
• Grignasco Loden
• Rowan Fine Lace
• James C. Brett Marble Chunky
• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK
• Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool
• Noro Kama
• Filatura di Crosa Nirvana
• Louet Gems Fingereing
• Valley 5/2 and 10/2 Cotton
• Valley Yarns 20/2  Silk
• Collingwood Rug Wool

• Symfonie Deluxe needle set 
• Nova Special needle set
• Dreamz Chunky needle set

The annual Tent Sale on May 18th and 19th.

The Third Annual I-91 Shop Hop is happening June 27-30th.

The New England Weavers Seminar (NEWS) is happening July 11-14, on the Smith College campus.

 

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Guest: Kathy talks with Carol Alexander, editor of Crochet World and Crochet! magazine.

Carol talks about her path from designer to editor of 2 major Crochet magazines and the insights she gained during that journey into the inner workings of bringing a magazine full of great patterns and useful knowledge to market, as well as how many people and just how much time it takes to do so.

They also discuss the resurgence of Tunisian crochet, the best yarns to crochet with and why knitters should try crochet.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

New Yarns

• Online Supersocke Ocean Color
• New Colors of Northampton!
• New Colors of Amherst!
• New Colors of Charlemont!

• Cascade Ecologoical Wool
• Classic Elite Crestone
• Euro Yarns Tinseltown
• Universal Yarns Classic Shades
• Valley Yarns 60/2 Silk

Don’t forget about the Tent Sale on May 18th and 19th. There will be some great grab bags as well as some Noro on sale, we’re cleaning out the warehouse, folks!

The Third Annual I-91 Shop Hop is happening June 27-30th.

The New England Weavers Seminar (NEWS) is happening July 11-14, on the Smith College campus.

 

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Guest: Kathy talks with Kim Cole, creater of the Gleener, a fabric care wand that will help eliminate surface pills and fuzz from your hand knits and almost any other fabric.

After using most other de-pilling products on the market to try and save a favorite sweater, Kim was frustrated by their lack of effectiveness and began the process of developing a product that would work. It took over 7 years to bring the product to market but now the Gleener is available to help you care for all kinds of fabrics from natural fibers to synthetics.

Here Kendra shows you how easy the Gleener is to use on your handknits.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

New Yarns

• Sweet Georgia Silk Mist
• Sincere Sheep Equity Sport

• Berroco Vintage
• Knit One Crochet Too DungarEASE
• S. Charles Ritratto
• Plymouth Baby Alpaca Aire
• Rowan All Seasons Cotton

• Plymouth Marley
• Universal Yarns Dolce Merino

Don’t forget about the Tent Sale on May 18th and 19th!

And the Third Annual I-91 Shop Hop is happening June 27-30th.

 

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Guest: Kathy talks with Donna about her path into the knitting world, she began as a computer tech writer and at the prompting of a friend began to transfer to writing about something she loved – knitting! She now writes books and teaches as well as tech editing for independent designers and translating German knitting books into English. She has a new book in the works on knitting in Lithuania with history, culture and telling that culture’s story through knitting; similar to her book Arctic Lace.

Donna has also worked to develop 2 different apps for iPad and iPhone. First there was the Knit Companion app and her newest is Travel the World of Knitting with embedded stitch video tutorial and a collection of new patterns.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

39th Anniversary Sale Highlights

• Berroco Blackstone Tweed
• Grignasco Merino Silk 25
• Regia Hand-Dye Effect
• Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel

• Plymouth Yarns Trabajos del Peru
• Classic Elite Pirouette Discontinued Colors
• Classic Elite Seedling Discontinued Colors Solids and Handpaint
• Classic Elite Sprout Discontinued Colors
• Classic Elite Yarns Fresco Discontinued Colors
• Liberty Wool Discontinued Colors Solids and Prints

Upcoming Events: 

Join us at  Stitches South! this week in the Renaissance Waverly Hotel & Cobb Galleria Centre April 11-14th in Atlanta, GA.

Don’t forget about the Tent Sale on May 18th and 19th!

The Third Annual I-91 Shop Hop is happening June 27-30th.

 

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Guest: Kathy talks with Sally Melville about her new book, Knitting Pattern Essentials: Adapting and Drafting Knitting Patterns for Great Knitwear.

This book is about adapting patterns to make sure that you’ll get something you love but it also helps you to draft patterns to create garments you’ll really wear. Beginner knitters can use the book to check measurements and patterns for basic fit. Intermediate knitters can see if sleeves were drafted to fit well and Advanced knitters can liberate themselves from patterns entirely.

Chapter 8: Fabrics, Finishes and Fixes is particularly useful, and Sally’s favorite chapter! This chapter helps you to clarify and fulfill the sometimes cryptic instructions in patterns. In this book you won’t find instructions for how to do things like long-tail cast-on but you will find instruction on when to use that cast-on.

Steve’s Yarn Picks 

• Jojoland Splatter Dash
• Fancy Tiger Crafts Heirloom Romney
• Aslan Trends Lecco
• Misti Alpaca Baby Me Boo Closeout
• Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Sock Discontinued Colors Closeout
• Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Tonos Pima Silk Discontinued Colors Closeout

The Rivers’ Family Music Meltdown and Book Bash! is happening today, here in Northampton. Check it out if you’re in the area!

Thanks to everyone that came out during the storm to see June Hemmons Hiatt.

Upcoming Events: 

Join us at  Stitches South! in the Renaissance Waverly Hotel & Cobb Galleria Centre April 11-14th in Atlanta, GA.

Don’t forget about the Tent Sale on May 18th and 19th!

 

Kathy and Steve are taking a break from the show this week but you can listen to past episodes from the archives. We’ll be back with a brand-new episode on March 30.

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Guest: Kathy talks with Valley Yarns Design Manager, Kirsten Hipsky about the new Valley Yarns patterns featured in our Spring 2013 Catalog.

Best sellers at Stitches West were:

Blue Mist Cardigan in Southwick

looks more complicated than it

is and it’s a great standard wardrobe

piece.

Burning Branch Shawl in BFL Fingering

Has an easy repeat, looks much more

complicated than it is and works with a

range of yardages.

Hidden Hills Pullover in Northampton Sport has a great neckline with classic, simple colorwork and the Pelagic Shawl, using 6 color of Northampton Sport, is a wonderful update to our Jambalaya Shawl.

There’s also lots of crochet love in this catalog with the Molly Socks, The Michel Vest in Longmeadow and the  Meyer T-shirt in Goshen.

If you haven’t gotten a catalog yet, you can request one on the website, here.

Steve’s Yarn Picks 

• Juniper Moon Farms Moonshine
• Mirasol Illaris
• Mirasol Hachito
• Mondial Trilly
• Circulo Tecido Rendado Trico
• Queensland Collection Leche Closeout
• Queensland Collection Dream Closeout
• Mirasol Sawya Closeout
• Mirasol Asikita Closeout

June Hemmons Hiatt, author of The Principles of Knitting, will join our Tuesday morning Drop-in THIS WEEK on March 19th for a book signing and chat. Don’t miss out, register now!

Our 39th Anniversary Sale Starts April 1! and don’t forget about the Tent Sale in May!

Join us at  Stitches South! in the Renaissance Waverly Hotel & Cobb Galleria Centre April 11-14th in Atlanta, GA.

 

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Guest: Kathy talks with Rhonda Fargnoli of Coastal Colors Yarns about launching a new yarn company.

Rhonda and her partner Charlie have been teaching art for over 35 years and have applied their love of color to their new line of yarns. They use botanical extracts and many of the plants from their own yard to dye the yarn.

BFL, Superwash Merino, Flax for the Spring, are all yarn bases that they use but they keep their selection small and they buy their yarn locally. Coastal Colors yarns are currently available in 8 stores and online soon at Colorful Stitches in Lenox, MA.

Rhonda also works at RISD – The Rhode Island School of Design in their Continuing Education department as an adviser the Hand Knitting Design program.

Thanks to the Berroco Team for a wonderful Event this past Thursday night. Norah and the gang, as well as our customers, braved some typical New England late-Winter weather to be here with us.

Steve’s Yarn Picks 

• Plymouth Jelli Beanz 50g ball Closeout
• Plymouth Galway Nep Closeout
• Plymouth Baby Alpaca DK Closeout
• Plymouth Baby Alpaca Chunky Closeout
• Plymouth Alpaca Prima Closeout
• Knitting Fever Luxury Mohair Closeout
• Louisa Harding Albero Closeout
• Louisa Harding Millais Closeout

We’re happy to announce that WEBS is going to to Stitches South! We’ll be there with 6 booths at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel & Cobb Galleria Centre April 11-14th in Atlanta, GA.