It’s the perfect time of year to wrap yourself up in the squishy comfort of an extra long cowl. Whether you prefer to wear it long like a scarf or scrunch it up doubled for extra warmth the Blue Quartz Cowl is the ideal piece to add to your winter wardrobe.

Designer Fatimah Hinds drew on her background as a geologist to craft an interlocking matrix of cables and lace that evokes the beauty of a quartz crystal. Worked sideways and seamed this pattern can be easily customized to your perfect length. And when knit in Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky, with it’s combination of incredible loft and softness, it easily becomes a go-to knit for that perfect holiday gift.

How will you wear your Blue Quartz Cowl?

As we approach the end of 2014 we still have a few exciting 40th Anniversary projects to share with you and one of our favorites is the Long Collared Vest by Sally Melville. We were so thrilled when Sally expressed an interest in being part of this year’s celebrations! Working with the Burgundy color of our Berkshire Bulky she has designed a cozy knee length vest that we all wanted to curl up in when it arrived in the office.

The large shawl collar hugs you around the shoulders and neck while the textured bodice stitch helps to give the vest structure and visual interest. And just for fun there’s a decorative button band on each side of the ribbing that makes a great place to showcase your favorite decorative buttons. The Long Collared Vest is a great winter knit and the perfect layering piece. With over 3 dozen colors of Berkshire Bulky to choose from which will you cast on with?

Steve’s Deal of the Day for this weekend is Ella Rae Classic Superwash Chunky – $4.79/ball (reg $10.50), a great stash yarn available in over 45 colors! This yarn can work up into some really fast and satisfying projects.

The cinder scarf by Jared Flood, part of Classic Elite Quick Knits, is a soft and cozy scarf with flowing oversized cables. Here Ravelry user schknitzle has knit the scarf in color #23-Aqua Heather a color quite similar to a very familiar jewelers’ gift boxes!

For a more substantial but still fairly speedy project try Kate Davies’ ever popular owls sweater, shown here knit by Ravelry user millicurie in color #16-Grey Rose Heather.

This yarn knits at a similar gauge to our Valley Yarns Northampton Bulky and Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky so be sure to check out the patterns for those yarns as well by simply clicking on the “Related Patterns” tab at the top of the yarn page.

And don’t forget! Ella Rae Classic Superwash Chunky is Steve’s Deal of the Day through 11:59pm EDT Sunday, June 1, 2014. Use Promo Code FBCLSUPCH2 at checkout to get the special price, $4.79/ball (reg $10.50). 

The Winter Games begin Feb 7th  – just 2 weeks away!

If you’re looking for a few quick projects to knit or crochet before the games begin, to show your support, we’ve got some great ideas and each pattern is FREE.

Our Last Minute Hat pattern is a great quick knit! Written to double strand our Berkshire Bulky, you could easily substitute with 3 strands of our Valley Yarns Berkshire or Northampton.

The Last Minute Mittens are also a great choice. Shown knit in Northampton Bulky, you could substitute Berkshire Bulky, and easily add stripes.

The Bits and Pieces Cowl is a great way to show your team spirit, and being worked in singled crochet on a larger hook with Berkshire Bulky you’ll zip right along!

Finally, a cute and slouchy crochet hat from the My Mountain collection from Schachenmayer worked in their Boston yarn.

If you already have projects planned but need yarns in the right patriotic color scheme to support Team USA we have a few more great options:

Berroco Comfort, Berroco Comfort Chunky, Plymouth Encore

What will you be working on during the games? And what events are you most looking forward to?

Check out some of these great projects knit in Valley Yarns that caught my eye recently on Ravelry.

1. anisa uses one of my favorite Valley Yarns, Northfield, to knit Gundrun Johnston’s Shalder sweater. Love the pockets.

2. Nikol Lohr’s Bunny Hop Thrummed Bunny Slippers look so cute and cozy knit in Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky. Keep these in mind if you’re looking for a quick project as we approach the holiday season.

3. bookishmomma has made the incredible Fireside Sweater in Valley Yarns Berkshire, combining two of my favorites, cables and a cardigan.

4. TonkaDancikova’s Stanley Cup Championship Shawl is an excellent project for a Bruinsfan, knit out of Valley Yarns Northampton.

5. LaniO’s Asymmetrical Buttoned Raglan knit in snuggly Valley Yarns Sheffield would be the perfect sweater to pull on to get rid of a chill. Plus I love the button detail of Kirsten Hipsky’s design.