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Guest: Linda Pratt of Westminster fibers talks with Kathy about SMC Yarns. SMC is a shortened version of the Schachenmayr brand. The brand has been given a huge face-lift and rejuvenation. SMC Select is a little higher end, fashion-focused line. Several of the Gedifra yarns have been absorbed into SMC Select.

• SMC Select Silk Wool
• SMC Dolce Vita

Steve’s Big Announcement!
We’re excited to introduce Knitter’s Pride needles, hooks, and accessories that we’re now carrying online and in our store. Check out our entire Knitter’s Pride collection!

Dreamz – laminated birch (Symfonie wood) needles, every size is a different color

• Dreamz Interchangeable Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set
• Dreamz Fixed Circulars
• Dreamz Single Point Set
• Dreamz Single Points
• Dreamz DPN Set
• Dreamz DPNs
• Dreamz Crochet Hook Set
• Dreamz Crochet Hooks
• Dreamz Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Hook Set

Nova – nickle-plated brass

• Nova Interchangeable Needle Set
• Nova Fixed Circulars
• Nova Single Point Set
• Nova Single Points
• Nova DPN Set
• Nova DPNs

Cubics – Symfonie wood with an ergonomic square shape

• Cubics Single Points
• Cubics Fixed Circulars
• Cubics DPNs
• Cubics Interchangeable Needle Tips

Trendz – Acrylic Interchangeable Needle Set

If you experience any problems with any of the parts and pieces of your Knitter’s Pride needles or hooks, just let us know and we’ll get a replacement right out to you!

We’ve also got a ton of accessories! Sock blockers, cable needles, stitch holders, chart keepers, magnet boards, shawl pins and more!

CAL with Kirsten
After the crochet chain, you’ll work the main body of the cowl. Round 4 and 5 you work into the chain, not the chain space. You should have a loose gauge here, so you shouldn’t have to force the hook.

Learn from us and make sure you check your gauge! A couple double crochets off over four inches makes a huge difference in the finished size. Make sure you’re working nice and loose!

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Tina our Education Manager talks with Kathy about our fall classes.

• Design Your Own Knitted Cowl with Kirsten Hipsky
• Dyeing Silk Scarves with the Kangaroo Dyer
• Porcelain Sheep Ornaments
• Two Classes with Guest Teacher Laura Nelkin
• Guest Teacher Shannon Okey teaches Sewing Patterns for Knitting
• Guest Teacher Andi Smith teaches Big Foot Knits
• Exploring Tunisian Crochet
• Design a Pi Shawl
• Beginning Weaving and Weekend Weaving
• Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving
• Fabulous Chenille Scarves with Dena Gartenstein Moses

Upcoming Events

• Craft Activism Book Signing and Event with Gale Zucker
• Valley Yarns Trunk Show
• National Spinning and Weaving Week
• Rhinebeck Road Trip
• Stitches East
• Juniper Moon Trunk Show
• Bag Day

Steve’s Yarn Picks
New Yarns

• Sublime Lustrous Extrafine Merino DK
• Mirasol Kutama
• Prism Indulgence
• Queensland Collection Caracara

Closeouts Yarns

• Gedifra Fiorista
• Nashua Handknits Cilantro
• Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Silk
• Noro Shirakaba

Doris Chan Valley Cowl Crochet-A-Long

So, today we’re joining this cowl in the round!

Some tips I found useful: When you’re making the foundation chain, don’t omit the stitch marker at the beginning. It’s very, very useful. Work on a flat surface – it’s a lot easier to see when there’s a twist and to tell up from down

Here are the joining directions in my words: When chain’s the right length, lay it flat, then bring the beginning together with the end that’s on the hook without twisting – the marked stitch is at the bottom (closer to you) and the hook is at the top (further from you) Put one twist in it by bringing the marked stitch up to the hook and work a slip stitch in the marked stitch

Now the top of the foundation is connected, but the bottom is still split. So let’s join that together: Rotate your work on the table 180 degrees, so the marked stitch and the hook are at the bottom and the split ends are at the top.
Work 3 slip sts in the chain above the marked stitch Slip stitch into the base of the last FDC Now you’re ready to go!

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Kirsten and Kathy chat about the fall photoshoot and how she came up with the collection of projects.

Check out the behind the scenes video!

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Debbie Bliss Paloma
• Debbie Bliss Riva
• Madelinetosh Tosh Chunky
• Classic Elite Pirouette
• Be Sweet Simply Sweet Satisfaction
• Be Sweet Simply Sweet Whipped Cream
• Classic Elite Premiere Closeout
• Classic Elite Waterlily Closeout

CAL – Valley Cowl

Pattern is laid out with the notes and special stitches on the first page, so you have to go to the second page to know exactly how much to chain.

Foundation double crochet! Not as hard as you think it is
– Directions are very clear as to exactly where to put your hook (through the face of the chain and under the nub) Sounds weird, but makes a lot of sense when you’re looking at your chain
– I found an Addi hook to be the most useful, nearly a necessity: the head is pointy and narrow and fits into the chain easier than other hooks.
– Doing the foundation double crochet exactly as directed makes a very clean edge and the resulting chain is really flexible and stretchy

Gauge is given in Foundation Double Crochets, which is very handy. You can check your gauge as you’re starting your project!