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Guest: Dora Ohrenstein, author of Custom Crocheted Sweaters. Kathy and Dora chats with Kathy about crochet and her new book. They also talk about how crochet has evolved. Dora’s book includes a comprehensive teaching section at the beginning. Through research on Ravelry, she discovered that people want to make garments, but they find that they don’t fit. The book answers this fear with information about getting your measurements and modifying the pattern to fit you.

Check out Dora’s song Family of Stitches on here site crochetinsider.com.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Artyarns Ensemble Light
• Juniper Moon Farm Findley Dappled
• SMC Egypto Cotton
• Aslan Trends Santa Fe Closeout
• Plymouth Nazca Wind Closeout
• Lana Gatto Class Closeout
• Lana Gatto Camel Hair Closeout

Brenda Dayne is coming to WEBS! Stay tuned for more details.

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Guest: Kate Atherley, author of Beyond Knit & Purl. Kate studied mathematics and has always been a knitter. She worked in the tech industry for 15 years and knit throughout. 10 years ago she started teaching knitting. Kate created the book as a follow-up to the questions she receives after teaching someone the basics of knitting.

The book is available online as a digital PDF and also available as a physical copy.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Schoppel Wolle Zauberwolle
• Classic Elite Sanibel
• SMC Select Reflect
• Regia 4 Ply Design Ombre Stripe by Kaffe Fassett
• Jojoland Baritone Closeout
• Aslan Trends Pima Clasico Closeout
• 2/8 Worsted Closeout

KAL with Kirsten

Hearts of Oak Hat

It’s a simple, straight-forward hat. You’ll need just one ball of Valley Yarns Northampton in red. For the cast on, Kirsten recommends knitting the first couple rows of the ribbing flat, and then joining it. This way, it’s easier to join in the round without twisting. Next week, Kirsten will get into the stitch pattern.

Facebook Party will be Friday, February 17th from 3:00pm-4:00pm. Ask us questions and we’ll be online answering your questions.

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Guest: Kirsten Hipsky, our Design Manager chats about our latest designs.

We’re working with Jimmy Beans Wool and their Stitch Red program. It’s a national campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of heart disease in women. We will be contributing a portion of our sales of Northampton in red and the dedicated patterns to The Heart Truth. Kirsten designed the Hearts of Oak Hat with a great stitch pattern she found in one of the Barbara Walker collection.

The Hearts of Oak Hat will be our next KAL!

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Katia Bossa Nova
• Katia Sole
• Pagewood Farms Swagger Light
• Pagewood Farms Ringlets
• Rowan Summerspun
• Rowan Wool Cotton 4 Ply
• Noro Katura
• Berroco Ric Rac
• Tahki Coast Closeout

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Guest: Stephannie Tallent, author of the upcoming California Revival Knits. Her first book is set to be released soon with Cooperative Press. It in inspired by the colors and architecture of southern California. Think beautiful, bright, Spanish-influenced tiles and wrought iron. There are projects in the book for everyone! Several of the projects would be great for your first colorwork project.

Stephannie also shares a bit of her background and how she got into knitting.

Find Stephannie at www.sunsetcat.com and on Ravelry as stephcat.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Fyberspates Scrumptious Aran
• Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace
• Fyberspates Scrumptious Sport
• Knitting Fever Petals
• K1C2 DungarEASE
• Knitter’s Pride Cubics Interchangeable Deluxe Set
• Knitter’s Pride Dreamz Special Interchangeable Set
• Knitter’s Pride Nova Special Interchangeable Set
• Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK Closeout
• Tahki Coast Closeout
• Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed Chunky Closeout

Trends from TNNA

Ruffle yarns were everywhere! Lots of different variations on the ruffle yarn theme, including new ideas. If you prefer classic yarns, don’t worry, those aren’t going anywhere. Lots of cotton/linen designs for spring.

Facebook Party – Friday, February 10th 3:30pm-4:30pm EST. We’ll be answering questions and chatting about what you’re working on.

Pre-Game Party at the store Sunday, February 5th

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Guest: Della Quimby of della Q. If you’re at VKLive this weekend, make sure you stop by and visit with Della. She’s in booth 2402.  Check out the Della Q Cotton Edict Bags as well as all of her needle cases.

Della Q wants to develop the ultimate knitting bag! They want you to tell them what you want in a knitting bag. Visit their Facebook page, like them, and let them know what you’re looking for!

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Berroco Circus
• Berroco Lago
• Berroco Captiva
• Berroco Versa
• Berroco Vintage Colors
• Cascade Cloud 9 Closeout
• Cascade Soft Spun Closeout
• New Madelinetosh Colors

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Tina and Kathy discuss upcoming classes. Check out our class listing on our website!

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Austermann Murano Lace
• Malabrigo Arroyo
• Trendsetter Acacia
• Plymouth Earth Homestead Closeout
• Classic Elite Alpaca Sox Discontinued Colors
• Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace Discontinued Colors
• Plymouth Kaos Bewitched Closeout

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Guest: Carol Sulcoski chats about the year in fiber!

New Fiber Events
Vogue Knitting Live in NYC and LA
Interweave Knitting Lab
Sock Summit Returned

Indie Publishing Trend Continues
Content and designers who may not have a chance to work with the mainstream publishers get the chance to be seen.  Beyond Toes by Judy Becker, Extreme Double Knitting by Alasdair Post-Quinn, Koigu Magazine, Little Red in the City by Ysolda Teague

Downloadable PDF Patterns
One issue that comes up with this is that it cuts the LYS out of the group, or just left to a handful of retailers who have the technology to support it. Copyright infringement also comes up as an issue here, but many, many people love being able to have the files on their computer because it takes up less physical room, and there’s instant gratification that you have the pattern right away.

Trends in Knitting
Sock knitting still strong, but there isn’t quite the frenzy
Over-dyeing, muted tones, and more subtle shades are becoming more popular
Resurgence of fashion yarns, especially ruffle yarns (Rowan Kidsilk Creation)

Lace Knitting
Wendy Knits Lace by Wendy D. Johnson and Loop-D-Loop Lace by Teva Durham are two books that have brought accessible lace to people. Even if it’s not “true” lace, it’s a great accent on a piece.

Crochet
There’s something happening with crochet! We’ve consistently had crochet patterns in our top 12 Valley Yarns. We’re all thrilled that there’s growing excitement around crochet.

Discontinued Yarns We’ll Miss
Rowan Calmer
Nashua Handknits Julia by Kristin Nicholas
JCA/Reynolds has phased out all of their knitting yarns
Mission Falls
Sanguine Gryphon is splitting into two companies

Big Anniversaries
Rowan’s 50th Magazine
Knitter’s Review 10th Anniversary
Potter Craft 5th Anniversary

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Stylecrafty Luxury Merino Closeout
• Fibranatura Mermaid Closeout
• Trendsetter Poppy
• Tahki Lily

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Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Gedifra Fiorista Fino Closeout
• Kertzer Down to Earth Cotton Closeout
• Universal Yarn Deluxe Chunky Long Print Closeout
• Ornaghi Filati Merino Fine Esse Closeout
• Ornaghi Filati Chicco Closeout
• Ornaghi Filati Orsetto Closeout

Last Drop-In is 12/20 and will start again for the evening Drop-In on 1/5.

Kristin Nicholas will be in our parking lot offering frozen lamb from her farm, Leyden Glen Farm on Thursday, 12/22 from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Year End Sale begins online 12/22 and runs through 1/1. In store the sale is 12/26-12/31.

Sneak Peek

In Store – You’ll find all the yarns that are online, plus small lots of special deals like Nashua Daylily, grab bags similar to what you saw at the Tent Sale, and more!

Online – Classic Elite Allegoro Overstock (sale $4.29), Classic Elite Moorland (sale $4.39), Di.Ve’ Autunno (sale $3.19), Di.Ve’ Zenith (sale $3.29), Filatura di Crosa Aiko (sale $9.99), Mission Falls 1824 Cotton (sale $2.99), Nashua Creative Focus Linen (sale $4.29), Valley Yarns Greenfield, (sale $1.99), Cascade Nikki (sale $5.99), Jo Sharp Silk Road Ultra (sale $3.79), Plymouth Indiecita Alpaca Boucle (sale $2.99). For weavers we have Valley Yarns 1450 Rayon Chenille Discontinued Colors ($13.99/lb), Ironstone Mohairs on sale, Valley Yarns 10/2 Bamboo (sale $15.99/lb)

Upcoming Hours

• 12/24 – open until 4:30pm
• 12/25 – closed
• 12/26-12/30 – 10:00am-5:30pm
• 12/31 – 10:00 am-4:30pm
• 1/1 – closed

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Guests: Joan Trapper and Gale Zucker, author and photographer of Craft Activism. This book features a variety or projects spanning numerous crafts as well as stories about the creators.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Knitting Fever Flounce Metallic
• Plymouth Joy Rainbow
• Plymouth Joy Prism
• Wisdom Yarns Marathon Socks Twin Cities Closeout
• Universal Yarn Classic Worsted Tweed Closeout
• Fibranatura Shepherd’s Own Closeout
• Fibranatura Sensation Closeout

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Important Info: The Coastal Knits Book Signing and Trunk Show has been postponed until December 10th.

Guest: Susan Gibbs of Juniper Moon Farm shares her story with Kathy. She chats about her current flock and the new commercial yarn collection that she has created. Check out Juniper Moon Farm on our website – Findley, Willa, and Chadwick.

Here’s a link to the Sluggy Bonnet pattern Susan mentions.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Valley Yarns Greenwich
• O-Wool Legacy DK Closeout
• Universal Yarn Pace Closeout

Visit pledgereg.com to donate to our Hot Chocolate Run Team.

Holiday Gift Ideas

• Knitter’s Pride Symfonie Rose Knitting Needles
• Knitter’s Pride Symfonie Rose Crochet Hook Set
• Knitter’s Pride Shawl Pins

Ground Shipping Cut-off Dates (order by 3pm EST)

• West Coast 12/15
• Midwest & South 12/16
• East Coast 12/20