This week, the staff at WEBS is buzzing about…

A good friend of mine was turning 50 and I really wanted to knit her something special. After narrowing down hundreds of patterns, she decided she wanted a cardigan from Knit, Swirl! in a beautiful charcoal color of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. We decided the Plum Perfect pattern would be the right silhouette for her. It was a bit daunting starting since you cast on 513 stitches around the outside of the swirl. But working a few rows first before joining made it a lot easier to not introduce a twist. Since this sweaters is constructed so differently than any other sweater I’ve made, it was a ton of fun to knit and to see how it magically came together at the end with only one seam. I really want to make one for myself now, maybe the Sheer Beauty which alternates rows of lace yarn and DK yarn creating sheer stripes. > Dena C.

Metalico, the new yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas, was so nice to knit. I was lucky enough to snag a skein to knit a swatch for the store and I loved every minute of it! The yarn is so soft and warm, yet it is surprisingly light. It absolutely begs to be knitted into lace, as evidenced by my swatch. > Greta S.

Classic Elite Yarns Blackthorn was knit up into this fantastic wrap for a store sample, and I have to have it! It’s Widgeon Hill and you can find it in the new Classic Elite pattern book 9182 Blackthorn. It’s wonderfully warm and the sample is very long. You can wrap it several times around your neck for extra warmth and protection from winter wind. It’s also crescent shaped, so it sits really nicely over your shoulders so you can easily wear it as a traditional shawl. > Grace H.

I’m always excited when we publish a new season of classes, but fall tends to feel extra special to me. Maybe because I’m so happy for the air to get cooler and looking forward to yarn weather. This fall we are kicking off the schedule with two of the things I am most excited about – The Valley Yarns Trunk Show event, and an ergonomics class with Physical Therapist and knitter Carson Demers! At the Valley Yarns event you’ll be able to try on our new designs, get a sneak peek at the holiday designs, ask Kirsten Hipsky questions and try out our newest yarns. (It’s free, but we ask you to register.)  Carson Demers is offering two workshop options for learning about avoiding aches and pains while knitting – something I know many of us can use advice on. These both happen in September, so don’t miss out! > Tina M.

I was so excited when I saw a copy of The Beaded Edge 2 arrive at the store I ran right to the registers and bought it! I have Midori’s first book and I’ve dreamt of making beautiful beaded edges for everything but until now I’ve never actually done it. Once I had this book in my hands I grabbed a cone of UKI 20/2 mercerized cotton in dark grey and then headed down to the local bead store to find the perfect little pink beads. I’m so excited about getting the first full scallop done, I may just make this piece into a necklace. > Sara D.