Ready, Set, Knit! 398: Kathy talks with Betsy Perry
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This week Kathy talks with Betsy Perry, owner of Classic Elite Yarns, about their newest pattern release, The New Generation, an all baby and child collection with sweaters, blankets and accessories.
They also talk about the monthly Classic Elite pattern releases and the collection of shawls and wraps that will debut in May. Sign up for the weekly newsletter from Classic Elite for great tips and free patterns.
Steve’s Yarn Picks of the week:
- Hikoo CoBaSi DK
- Plymouth Yarn Dream Baby DK Paintpot
- Noro Silk Garden Sock Solo
- Loren Patik – Closeout
- Universal Classic Shades – Anniversary Sale
- Classic Elite Mohawk Wool – Anniversary Sale
- Schachenmayr Tahiti – Anniversary Sale
400th Episode Giveaway!
Be sure to comment on this post and tell us about your favorite yarn from Steve’s Yarn picks that you’ve used (you have all 398 episodes of Steve’s Yarn Picks to choose from!), and don’t forget to include the hashtag that Kathy mentions in the show! Comments will close at 11:59pm EDT on Tuesday April 21st, and a random commenter will be chosen to win a $100 WEBS Gift Card. Be sure to listen to the show next week when we’ll reveal the winner!
(Please note: Each winner will have one week to claim their prize before a new winner is chosen. Remember to leave us a way to contact you when commenting!)
Reminder:
Mark your calendars, WEBS Tent Sale is happening May 16th and 17th, and don’t miss the 11th Annual Fleece Market on May 16th!
Upcoming Events:
Classic Elite Yarns Trunk shows are ongoing and there’s always something new to see! Stop by the store to see what’s on display.
Be sure to check out all of our upcoming Events here.
- Ready, Set, Knit! 474: Kathy talks with Andra Asars - January 28, 2017
- Ready, Set, Knit! 473: Kathy talks with Maura Pfeifer - January 21, 2017
- New Designs in Valley Yarns Colrain! - January 20, 2017
Tags: 400th Episode Giveaway, Classic Elite Yarns, the New Generation
April 18th, 2015 at 11:45 am
I have purchased several yarns after hearing Steve’s description. The one I remember I had to purchase was Lang Yarns Jawoll Magic Degrade. He mentioned it would work well with the Wingspan pattern, which I wanted to knit. #Steve I am Angellac on Ravelry
April 18th, 2015 at 1:56 pm
My favorite yarn from #Steve’s Yarn Picks of the Week is Nashua Handknits Julia. I bought a bunch of colors (1-3 balls of each) and have been using them for various hat, glove, and mitten projects. In fact, when WEBS did the Sebastian Gloves KAL in late 2012, I already had the yarn in stash to participate! And then I made another pair the following summer. What a great yarn.
April 18th, 2015 at 3:18 pm
Hi Kathy and Steve
#Steve!!
One yarn I bought after listening to the podcast years ago was Prism Symphony. I bought a bunch of skeins, and made 3 Wurm hats over time, one for me, one as a chemo hat for a friend, and one for my 90 year old Auntie Pearl.
Thanks for the podcast and the lovely yarn
Irene
April 18th, 2015 at 3:47 pm
A yarn I bought years ago, after listening to #Steve was Valley Yarns Longmeadow. This has become one of my favorites, if not my favorite yarn, to knit warm weather sweaters.
April 18th, 2015 at 4:52 pm
#Steve and his yarn picks encouraged me to purchase two Cheshire Cat 5-skein packs. One to send to my sister-in-law and one to keep for my stash (of course!). I will eventually use it for a Spectral cowl.
April 18th, 2015 at 6:56 pm
A few years ago right after Botanical Knits 2 by Alana Dakos was published you featured the exact yarn Alana had used for her Sprig pullover as a close out. The reason for the sale was the put up had changed from 50 grams to 100. The yarn was Fibre Company Canopy Worsted. I was thrilled to get such a great yarn at a discount. The Sprig pullover is beautiful. Thank you. #Steve
April 18th, 2015 at 7:34 pm
#Steve and his yarn picks have encouraged me to try Lorna’s Laces Solemate. I’ve made 3 pairs of socks so far. The yarn is so soft I’m going to use my 4th skein for a shawl.
April 18th, 2015 at 8:22 pm
I’m pretty sure #Steve mentioned some discontinued colors of Noro Silk Garden Sock as a closeout a while back, and I bought myself a skein. It’s currently the center entrelac panel on my in-progress-but-nearing-completion-at-last Tenney Park Pullover. Once the sweater is for-sure finished, I’ll use the rest of the skein for some fun ankle socks.
April 18th, 2015 at 11:58 pm
I’ve got some SweetGeorgia CashLuxe Fine which was mentioned a wee while back, it’s beautifully soft and the colours are gorgeous too. I think I might have to get more.
I’m sewsable on Rav
#Steve
April 19th, 2015 at 5:41 am
I purchased two sweater quantities of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool and am knitting the Clairette cardigan. Excellent recommendation, #Steve!
April 19th, 2015 at 8:14 am
I initially purchased the JaggerSpun Super Lamb 4/8 Cone in fuschia right after #Steve mentioned it on podcast and I made a shrug for my young niece (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/aasny/cornwall-park-shrug). After the yarn arrived, I immediately bought two more cones (pink and terra cotta). I can’t wait to use this yarn again, it feels awesome.
April 19th, 2015 at 9:16 am
I’ve never knit with lace-weight yarn, but I couldn’t resist buying some beautiful Noro Lace after listening to #Steve and his irresistible description. Love that radio voice very Saturday morning! Happy Anniversary and Happy 400th episode!
April 19th, 2015 at 10:50 am
I am always tempted by the yarn picks that #Steve mentions on his Yarn Picks of the Week, but I can’t always act on them (wish I could!) I have bought discontinued colors of Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 paints after hearing about them on Yarn Picks of the Week. Can never have enough of these stash staples!
April 19th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
I really like the picks of the week segment! So much great information. It’s like a friend calling from WEBS helping me pick out yarn to order online. Thanks #Steve I know I’ve used many of the yarns mentioned, but I can only think of Cascade 220 right now…
April 19th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
I look forward Steve’s yarn picks of the week. My favorite is Vallley Yarns Northampton. I’m knitting my first sweater with it. I need to rip out four rows so I’m taking a break.
April 19th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
#steve
April 19th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
#steve almost forgot!
April 19th, 2015 at 3:07 pm
I have to admit that I’ve been shopping at Webs and the Anniversary Sale longer than I have been listening to the podcast. I was at the store yesterday for my annual pilgrimage, and I bought two SQs of Silky Wool after hearing #Steve mention it on the show a couple of weeks ago. Hubby and I will get matching jackets out of a Viking book by Elsebeth Lavold out of that yarn. Thanks!
vruf on Ravelry
PS: your staff was so helpful and kind during our time at the store!
April 19th, 2015 at 3:32 pm
#Steve is the ultimate enabler between his weekly yarn picks and his deals of the day. My favorite pick of the week was Frog Tree Merino Melange. I had no project in mind but bought a sweater’s worth because it was such a great price. The perfect sweater just presented itself, and I’m looking forward to casting on this week.
April 19th, 2015 at 4:20 pm
There are two awesome yarns that come to mind that #Steve talked about that I bought and used. I made my daughter in law a beautiful Burberry cowl out of Berocco Flicker that my granddaughters try to steal. I bought Charlemont kettle dyed and made my friend a shawlette for her 60th birthday. At Stitches East I bought the 40th anniversary ruby Charlemont and made myself a hat and cowl. Lovely yarns. Keep them coming!
April 19th, 2015 at 5:09 pm
I almost always hear about an interesting yarn from #Steve and his Yarn Picks. Somehow I manage not to place an order every week, but I think I make up for it when I do order. The yarn that comes to mind for me is Cascade Heritage Paints 150. I bought it in the close out and I sure wish I’d been aware of it before…it is lovely stuff!
April 19th, 2015 at 7:15 pm
I know I have several things in my stash from #Steve’s yarn picks but the only one I can remember that I have used for sure is the Cascade 220 paints. I really enjoyed knitting with that yarn.
April 19th, 2015 at 10:28 pm
I learned about Valley Yarn Goshen and Long meadow by listening to your podcast. Something else I began to build knowledge about was yarn weight, gage, and stitches per inch. When I first started listening, I couldn’t relate to what different yarn weights looked and felt like, and stitches per inch on the different size needles that Steve included when he was describing the yarns. Hearing this to help describe the yarn for the listener has helped me get a better idea of how all this works, and what to consider when choosing a yarn for a project.
April 19th, 2015 at 10:29 pm
I just did post 23 and forgot to add the #Steve in the comment.
April 19th, 2015 at 10:58 pm
I love the yarn picks of the week with #Steve. My most recent acquisition is Noro’s Taiyo Lace. Bought it specifically because of the price and Steve and Kathy mentioning it would deb great for weaving. Can’t wait to try it on my new rigid heddle loom!
April 20th, 2015 at 7:05 am
I have learned a lot about the qualities of different tyoes of yarn from listening to #Steve and Kathy discuss the yarn picks of the week. I am always interested to hear about new close outs. I bought a sweaters worth of Silky Wool in a close out color after hearing Steve talk about it and it has become one of my favorite sweater yarns!
April 20th, 2015 at 7:35 am
Oh geez. #Steve’s yarn picks of the week are so dangerous to me!
I would say I have two picks that really did it for me and that I bought sight unseen. One was Cascade Heritage 150 – which became my favorite yarn ever. The other is the Jaggerspun 4/8 cones, which are phenomenal!
April 20th, 2015 at 9:57 am
A long time ago, based on #Steve’s yarn picks, I bought a huge mohair-y wool that I can no longer remember the name of. I knit 2 rectangles for a poncho on size 17 needles. Much more important – based on this week’s yarn picks by #Steve, I am looking at the Schachenmayr Tahiti colors. As the Cotton Queen, how can I resist?!
April 20th, 2015 at 10:13 am
I always look up the yarns that #Steve and Kathy discuss. The ones that I can’t seem to get enough of are Colrain and Charlemont.
April 20th, 2015 at 10:27 am
The always appropriate Plymouth Encore of course. I’ve made a ton of accessories and baby garments with that yarn. Always lots of choices with #Steve.
April 20th, 2015 at 12:11 pm
#Steve and his yarn picks of the week are my favorite segment of the show. Many times, I learn about new yarns for the first on his segment. I bought a sweater lot of Noro Silk Garden Solo based on Steve and Kathy’s review; I have yet to knit it up but I look forward to knitting up my skeins.
April 20th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
I am not sure if it was actually #Steve’s pick of the week that motivated me; more likely it was the one-two punch of Kathy and Steve urging me to buy Classic Elite Chesapeake for a particular cardigan. That was in 2009, and I did make the sweater:)
April 20th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
I can’t remember if #Steve every motivated me to purchase yarn I didn’t already want to buy 🙂
April 20th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
I can’t remember whether I’ve purchased yarns specifically that Steve has described although weekly, I know I look at several of his picks of the week. A recent favorite is Schachenmayr nomotta Extra Merino that I purchased in 2009 and finally just completed in December a lovely Erin Cardigan for my daughter. #Steve
April 20th, 2015 at 4:32 pm
#Steve you mentioned the Schachenmayr yarn that you carry. I’m not sure you mentioned Tahiti, but I just got a skein to knit a “Dangled Conversaion” shawlette for my co-worker
April 20th, 2015 at 5:43 pm
I have not tried any of those yarns yet. I think that I would like to try the Dream-baby DK Paintbox to weave a baby blanket. I like the colors and the fact that it would be machine washable.
#Steve
April 20th, 2015 at 8:08 pm
#Steve mentioned a yarn with no name that sounded so lovely I immediately ordered some–it is in Ravelry as Wildwood Yarns Alpaca/Lambswool/Silk Fingering. I bought a steel blue-grey and black and made myself some Anemoi mitens that feel so wonderful they are sinful!
April 20th, 2015 at 11:14 pm
I love that #Steve has cascade 220 on the sale through May as I need to stock up but couldn’t this month due to the dang IRS .:)
April 21st, 2015 at 10:38 am
I love Cascade 128 Superwash. Happy Anniversary Kathy and #Steve!
April 21st, 2015 at 10:40 am
#steve I am not sure if this was one of your yarn picks, but I do know that I use Valley Superwash all the time. Most of the baby hats that I give and sell are Valley Superwash because its perfect!
April 21st, 2015 at 11:40 am
I love using Hikoo and Universal Yarns as far as softness and price. They’re a pleasure to knit with and they’re my go-to yarns when making anything for baby. Thanks for having so many choices #Steve.
April 21st, 2015 at 2:02 pm
I love hearing the descriptions of the yarns, the colors, and the banter during #steve Yarn Picks. Usually I’m out walking while listening, so it has to be really good for me to remember by the time I get home. Cascade 128 is a favorite and I just have to try the superwash.
April 21st, 2015 at 7:38 pm
I have purchased several yarns that were #Steve’s pick of the week! Elsebeth Lavoid silky wool, several Noro (whenever he mentions Noro I look it up,) and several baby yarns such as Dreamland. Love this segment of the program! Thank you!
April 22nd, 2015 at 8:43 am
You want me to pick one yarn I have heard about from #Steve. That is truly funny.
Cascade 220 Super was from Anniversary sale in 2013.
Debbie Bliss Andes that will become a sweater for me.
Alpaca Silk which I am still looking for the perfect shawl.
Cascade Yarns Dolce that I am swatching to make a sweater for my husband.
Tahki Yarns Dreams which I am making a top for me.
Valley Yarns 2/10 Merino Tencel (Colrain Lace).
I think I need to stop listing to Steve talk about yarn. (Not).
April 22nd, 2015 at 10:50 am
Oh my goodness – there are so many yarns that I have found thanks to #Steve’s enabling every week! Filatura Di Crosa Cristallo
was one of the “deals” that I took advantage of and made some wonderful shawls with. I love your program and listen to it every Saturday while I walk in the morning. Thank you!!
April 22nd, 2015 at 8:10 pm
I think it was 2009 or 2010 – I bought some Universal 100% wool (bulky) and made a soft, warm sweater for me. It was a great value.