This week the WEBS staff is buzzing about some of their favorite books.

There have been lots of great books published this past year but one of my favorites is the recently released All Wound Up by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.  This latest collection of knitting essays is a fun and enjoyable read, perfect for any knitter on your holiday list. We can all use to laugh a little more!
> Kathy E.

Vintage Modern Knits slowly crept onto my radar as a ‘must own’ book. First we received the trunk show in the store and I tried on the Brigid Jacket, knit in my favorite shade of green. Next, at Stitches East, I saw fellow staff member Greta wearing the Yangtze Cardigan sample and she “convinced” me to try it on. Now I walk by (and check out) the Cady Twisted-Stitch Mittens displayed in the store throughout my workday. I’ve been itching to work with more Fibre Company yarns lately and what better way to start than with this collection of gorgeous patterns designed for those same yarns?
> Emma W.

Knit Noro Accessories – I love the beautiful colors of Noro yarns, but I have trouble finding projects to do with them. I’m not the kind of person to wear an entire sweater out of something so colorful (I have a lot of gray in my wardrobe), so accessories are a perfect way for me to have fun with color without going over the top. There are great basic accessories as well as some Entrelac Mittens that I’m smitten with!
> Mary K.-H.

Crocheted Softies by Stacey Trock is a great addition to my crochet book collection. The patterns are so fun, and there are so many different critters to make! I love how the finished softies are big and squishy; perfect for a little one to cuddle. If you aren’t quite confident in your crochet skills, don’t worry! Stacey is coming to WEBS January 21st to teach the tricks and techniques used to make these softies.
> Grace H.

The Intentional Spinner is a fantastic introduction to the world of fibers, spinning technique, theory and love for anyone with an interest in spinning their own yarn. It includes an instructional DVD for spinners who are just getting started, as well as advanced techniques for experienced spinners and a great explanation of multiplayered terminology that is claear, easy to read and very practically helpful as you perfect your skills. One of my favorite spinning reference books.
> Ashley F.

This week the WEBS staff is buzzing about quick holiday knitted gifts, limited edition yarn and more.

1. With just a couple of weeks left for holiday knitting I was looking for a quick project. I had some Cascade Yarns Eco Cloud in my stash and I thought it would work up into a nice cowl. After a Ravelry search I found the Infinitude Scarf to be just the right project. Wow! I was amazed how quickly I finished this project, just two nights. I made the large size (skipping the last repeat) and used 2 skeins. I fell in love with Eco Cloud, so soft and squishy. I can’t wait to use this yarn again. I have a new favorite yarn. > Dena C.

2. Blocking Boards – Most knitters are givers, and don’t usually spend a lot of money on themselves. We use mattresses, carpets, and anything else soft and flat to block our projects on to stand in for a blocking board. But a blocking board is so much easier to use. It folds up neatly to be tucked away when not in use, and it has a grid on it so you can easily block to the right measurements. This would definitely be a treat for the knitter or crocheter in your life! > Grace H.

3. The Hartford Artisans Weaving Center 2012 Calendar – I love the new weaving calendar produced by the Harftford Artisans Weaving Center. Each month features a beautiful close-up photo of weaving which I find wonderfully inspiring. But wait, there’s more! The calendar also lists the dates of the various fiber festivals on the East coast making it easy to plan for fiber adventures! > Leslie Ann B.

4. I am making these Monstah Pants for my 8 month old Grandson, Jack.  What a wonderful, fun pattern to knit.  This pattern is by the Wandering Lady and is a free download on Ravelry.  One of the best things for me was picking wild and crazy colors for these pants.  The pants are knit in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash and Valley Yarns Valley Superwash for ease of care. > Theresa B.

5. My niece turned 10 yesterday and no matter what I did, I could not come up with the perfect present! An eleveth-hour search on Ravelry brought me to the Shroom Hat from the Winter 2009 issue of Knitty. It’s a great slouchy hat knit in Spud & Chloë Outer. The yarn is super soft and warm and (the best part!) the hat took only two hours to knit! I even tried it on myself and it was super comfortable. I think I might need to whip one up for myself. It calls for two hanks of Outer, and I think I may be able to squeak out another hat with my leftovers if I buy one more hank. If you’re looking for a great, really last minute gift, this is a great choice. > Mary K.-H.

6. CISA Yarn – We have partnered with a local shepherd and our own Kangaroo Dyer to create a very special, but limited edition yarn.  It is 85% wool and 15% nylon.  All sales of this yarn will benefit CISA, which is a non-profit group dedicated to sustaining agriculture right here in Western MA. > Kathy E.

7. O-Wool Legacy DK - I recently used O-Wool Classic for some non-WEBS-related knitting, and fell in love with it. Then, I came in to the store to work a couple of days ago and saw that we had a closeout of O-Wool Legacy DK in some gorgeous muted colors! The hand is similar to the Classic, but it is just a bit lighter weight – for those of you out there planning your early spring knitting, this would make a great light sweater knit at a slightly loose gauge. I know that’s what I’m going to do with it, and I can’t wait until I’m able to pick some up! > Elisabeth P.

Here’s a few items the WEBS staff is buzzing about this week.

1. Valley Yarns Spotted Christmas Stocking - It’s a really fast, cute knit that’s a great way to welcome a new family member into your Christmas traditions. The main body is in a simple slip-stitch pattern which is easy to customize for different people. This pattern is available for free on our website. And we have stocking kits set up available in two color combinations. > Kirsten H.

2. Autumn Vines Beret in Madelinetosh Tosh Sport (color well water): This yarn was a joy to work with, which is no surprise. This colorway is so often backordered that I jumped at the chance to work it up. The Never Not Knitting pattern (available as a downloadable PDF) was easy to follow and a gratifying knit. Definitely a great gift knit. > Cara S.

3. Knitted Wild Animals by Sarah Keen – After I knitted the monkey from this book, I knew I would do more. I’ve made the zebra, panda, elephant and penguin. I am knitting my way through this great book. The giraffe is the latest. He is Eli and named for my favorite quarterback. All the animals live in Chicago with my family. What shall I make next? > Marion H.

4. Rollie StitchKeepers – Your project never comes off the DPNs with these stitch keepers. Reaching into my knitting bag and pulling out a project is not frightening anymore. > Gail C.

5. Standard Design Timberrr! Animal Prints – I love this new sheep print. Made by a local artist, this cutie would be perfect in a craft room or in the bedroom of a little future fiber-enthusiast! I like the look of the wood grain, and the little sticks as legs is an adorable detail. > Tina M.

This week we have a video edition of The Holiday Buzz at WEBS. Watch our video to find out what’s on our wish lists this year and for some of our favorite gift ideas.

• Stephanie recommends Vogue Knitting Knitopedia and Knitter’s Handbook.
• Theresa is knitting a top-down v-neck sweater with Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky.
• Theo is considering 55 Christmas Balls to Knit by Arne & Carlos.
• Wool Pets Needle Felting Kits are Malea’s favorite holiday gift item.
• Grace would love to get a yarn swift.
• Kirsten recommends Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns and A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns.
• Deb would really like the Knitter’s Pride Symfonie Rose Crochet Hook Set for Christmas.
• Greta says that 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders, Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders, One-Skein Wonders, and Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders are great books to give a knitter and have lots of ideas for knitted gifts too.
• Karen suggests Valley Yarns Spotted Christmas Stocking Kits as a great project for the holidays.
• Ken is getting his grandmother a skein of Valley Yarns Franklin Hand Dyed because it’s dyed by one of our staff members.
• Ashley picks Anzula Squishy.
• Angela would be excited to work with Manos del Uruguay Maxima.
• Leslie Ann says the Schacht Cricket Loom is a great gift for kids or somebody interested in trying out weaving.
• Gail thinks a Leclerc Fringe Twister would be a great gift for a knitter or weaver.
• Kane says Knitter’s Pride Cubics Needles are all the rage in the knitting world right now.
• Jeff wants more hats knit out of Madeleintosh Tosh Vintage.
• Dena loves making monsters for her nieces and nephews from Rebecca Danger’s The Big Book of Knitted Monsters.

This week, the staff at WEBS is buzzing about…

1. These Weaving Journals are blank graph paper pages with a marbled cover in a hardbound format. The marbling and the book binding are done by a local company with one of our reeds! On the inside back cover is a description of how the marbling is done with credit to WEBS for the reed! These would be a great gift. We now also have a Knitting Journal and Blank Journal too. > Barbara E.

2. Great Adirondack Mulberry Silk Roving – This wonderful fiber comes in eight deeply saturated colorways that are a pleasure to spin. The roving drafts beautifully and works into soft, lustrous yarns. Add some to your fiber stash today! > Ashley F.

3. Katia Ondas and Ondas Lux – So last night I took home a ball of Ondas to try out and I’d have to say it is kind of fun! I think that it’s a great yarn for a beginner, like me, who can only knit and purl, and doesn’t care about luxury fibers but wants something that looks fancy. [Don't miss our video tutorial on how to knit with mesh ruffle yarns.] > KA

4. The Knitter’s Book of Socks – With my ever-expanding sock knitting addiction, this book caught my eye as soon as it came into the store. Clara Parkes has done it again with this book, following the nearly indispensable The Knitter’s Book of Yarn. With thoroughness and engaging writing, this book is a compendium of sock knowledge, orienting one to all the techniques, fibers and tricks to making socks that will not only fit perfectly, but last through a lifetime of wear. > Ashley F.

5. I treated myself to a spinning wheel and a loom last year and both interests have converged in my favorite (so far) holiday gift. I spun the Abstract Fibers Targhee in the Bandon colorway into a worsted 2-ply. I warped my Schact Flip Loom with Valley Yarns Stockbridge in the dark grey and the Bandon became my weft. I used a simple pattern that I learned in Leslie Ann’s Weaving with Pick-up sticks workshop last winter. I LOVE how this turned out! > Sara D.

At WEBS, we’ve ramped up our knitting and crochet and are now in prime gift making mode. Here’s a peek at a few of the projects we’ve been busy with or buzzing about making this holiday season.

Great for Any Guy
There’s something extra special about giving someone a hand knit sweater. Sweaters take more time to make than a scarf, mittens or a hat, and they get worn pretty often. Making a sweater for a man can be a tricky task. It can be tough to figure out just what they would actually wear. I got around trying to figure out what he would like by just asking him! I gave my recipient three patterns to chose from, and then let him pick the color for the yarn.

I ended up with a pretty simple project, Knitting Pure and Simple Neckdown Pullover for Men in Valley Yarns Northampton in Dark Grey. It might not be the most exciting project to knit, but I like having a simple project on hand to knit at the movies and for some relaxation. It’ll be completely worth it when he unwraps it and I see it get plenty of wear. > Grace H.

Cashmere for Someone Special

I needed a special gift but one that was quick and easy. I found it in Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere yarn Rain Drops Beaded Socks (free pattern on Ravelry!). I chose color 505 Dark Current and matching beads. With the softness of cashmere, the strength of merino wool and nylon, and colors that blend beautifully these socks are beautiful, luxurious and durable. I planned on making only 1 pair, but I love the easy pattern and yarn so much I can’t wait to begin another pair! > Linda B.

A Whimsical Knitted Hat

The Gnomey Earflap Hat makes a great holiday project. Since it only takes 2 balls of Valley Yarns Cold Spring, it’s an affordable way to pamper yourself or a loved one this season. If you’ve never done stranded colorwork before, don’t fear! This hat features a large and easy motif that flies off your needles, and the earflaps are perfect for cold weather. Warm ears, warm heart–isn’t that how the saying goes? > Emma W.

Feminine Lace Shawlette

Shibui Draper is a sweet little shawlette that knits up quickly with just two skeins of the lovely Shibui Staccato. I really enjoyed knitting our store sample. > Greta S.

Simple and Fun to Knit

I love the twist and the silk slubs of The Fibre Copany Acadia and the slighter than dk-gauge this yarn has to offer. The color choices and combinations are intriguing. Knitting the Katahdin Hat was a treat: not only is it a free download pattern, but it offers an interesting technique for striping in the round, one that I had never used. The stripe sequences were seamless, and no “jog” in the stripe when you change colors.  The slight slouch to the design is so current and looks adorable. This hat was simple, but fun to make – you will want to make more than one, guaranteed! > N. P.

Wrapped in Love

Anzula Cloud is lofty and squishy in a lovely semi-solid variegation. The Aecor shawl is worked from the center top down with a knitted on border. The drop-in ladies were ooh-ing and aah-ing over this, so I know it’s not just me! > Cara S.

A Touch of Silk and Angora

Simple stranded knitting and fuzzy, luxurious Valley Yarns Sheffield make this Snow Day Hat and Mittens set a really special winter time treat. Since color work is so visually impressive, I think these would make a great gift for knitters and non-knitters alike. > Kirsten H.

Cute as Can Be

Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitters Almanac is always a go to pattern book for me when the holidays roll around. The Ganomy Hat and Mitered Mittens make such a great set and have been gifted to almost ever child in my family. Noro Silk Garden does magical things when worked up in those two patterns. > Sara D.

This week the staff at WEBS is buzzing about…

1. I love Day Beret pattern from Knitbot’s Snack Size Series. I knit it to go in our holiday catalog and it was so fast. I think I started it on Wednesday and finished it by Friday morning. It’s great to knit over a weekend and add to your box of stashed gifts. I loved working with The Fibre Co. Acadia yarn too. I normally am not a fan of yarn with slubs, but for some reason, paired with the simple hat, I really liked it. I can see knitting another one (or three) in other colors, and maybe even playing with stripes! > Mary K.-H.

2. This knitting technique video I shot with Tina teaches you how to knit cables!  I’m about halfway through my first pair of Kelbourne Woolens Give a Hoot Mittens using Valley Yarns Northampton and I’m just about ready to knit my first cable ever!  This will be a great resource for me as a new knitter. > Lindsey P.

3. I’m excited to try the SMC Tweed Deluxe. It has and interesting crochet chain construction around a separate fiber core. As a crocheter the idea of crocheting a chain with a crochet chain yarn is so meta! > Sara D.

4. Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted – Every time my sister comes up to visit she gushes about this yarn. Color #630 Bittersweet is her favorite and it’s definitely mine too. It’s super soft, holds up well and it’s great to work with, so it’ll be fun to whip up a Christmas present for her out of this yarn. It’s so soft against the skin, I think a cowl would be perfect. > Grace H.

5. Right now, what’s on my mind is the 8th Annual Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage! We’ve got a lot of WEBS staffers signed up for it and Cara and I are trying to gather a contingent of staffers to knit while walking it. > Kirstin H.

This week the staff at WEBS is buzzing about…

1. Knit Local by Tanis Gray – There’s a lot to love about this book – gorgeous photography, over 30 patterns, and all of the yarns used in the book are grown, spun, and dyed in the U.S. It is broken into Northeast, South, Midwest, and West and includes 28 profiles of U.S. yarn companies. There’s also a handy list of fiber-y events and festivals across the country, so you’re sure to find one nearby. Not only will you find great pictures of the garments (fantastic mittens, hats, sweaters, and more), you’ll also spot pictures of farms and, of course, adorable sheep, including one that’s sporting a handknit cowl! > Mary K.-H.

2. Rowan Kidsilk Haze Stripe Colours by Kaffe Fassett – If you love Kidsilk Haze you may enjoy playing with the color repeats in the new Kaffe Fassett colorways. I’d love to see what this yarn would look like knit up into a Modern Quilt Wrap (free download) with its modular squares. Or what kind of effect would you get combining this yarn and solid Kidsilk Haze colors knit in the Earth Stripe Wrap (now available in Rowan’s Greatest Knits book). Or you could try a simple project like the Cocoknits Everyday Wrap (free pattern) which would use just one ball! > Dena C.

3. Coastal Knits by Alana Dakos and Hannah Fettig – I’ve been a big fan of Never Not Knitting and Knitbot patterns. So I was very excited for the release of their new book which includes 10 designs inspired by the California and Maine coasts. Now that it has arrived, I’m even more thrilled. I can’t wait for their trunk show and book signing in December, to meet both of the designers and to see their wonderful designs up close. > Dena C.

4. The Anna Cowl – This cowl is knit with Swans Island Worsted yarn. The Swans Island pattern is well written and easy to follow. The cowl is so soft! > Marion H.

5. Jojoland Rhythm Closeout – We just got in some new colors of Jojoland Rhythm on closeout and they’re great! I made the Autumn Shawl with this yarn and while the entrelac pattern was tricky, the yarn was so much fun to work with. Each square revealed a new color and gave the whole shawl a beautiful look. I’m sad to see this one on closeout but I’ll definitely be picking some up at this price. It’s sturdy, washes well, and you can’t beat those colors! > Grace H.

This week the staff at WEBS is buzzing about…

1. Artyarns Shawl for All Seasons Kits – Luxury yarn, sparkle and killer packaging? That’s what you’ll get with the Artyarns Shawl for All Seasons Kit.  Featuring five mini skeins of Rhapsody Light and Beaded Silk Light, this shawl kit is available in three stunning color combinations. The best part after the yarn, sparkle and packaging? The price – $68.00 for a gorgeous, luxurious shawl kit. Love it! > Kathy E.

2. Weekend Hats – The latest book by Melissa LaBarre and Cecily Glowick MacDonald Weekend Hats was on the top of my list for purchasing!  Not only is it a wonderful collection of hats by a start studded cast of designers, there are many hats I would wear personally.  I nabbed a book the minute it came in and purchased some Manos Silk Blend Semi Solid to start my first hat which will be the Greenery Beret.  The book has some very helpful Tips and Techniques throughout, which is a very nice touch. > Karen M.

3. Knitter’s Pride Cubics Interchangeable Circular Needle Tips – I recently got a Dreamz Deluxe Set and noticed all the extra space and roomy pockets in the case. So I’ve been supplementing the set with Cubix interchangeable tips as I need them. It’s really handy to have 2 pairs of frequently used sizes. I love using the Cubix, and I love the easy color-coded sizes of the Dreamz, so it’s the best of both worlds! > Kirsten H.

4. WEBS Gift Cards – Every year it seems like the holidays sneak up on us and leave us scrambling to get all of our shopping done in time. WEBS Gift Cards make a great holiday gift for any knitter, crocheter, weaver, or spinner. As we get closer to the holiday rush, we know that we’ll be making out a ton of these gift cards for our customers to help make the holiday season even better for someone special.  Why not get a jump on the holidays and order yours today or start nudging your friends and family towards a great gift idea? > Mike W.

5. Plymouth Yarn Tweed Closeout – Rustic and simple, with fun little bits of tweedy color, I’ve always liked the look of this yarn, but haven’t gotten around to using it.  I just spotted it in the warehouse on closeout, so I think I’ll grab a few to play with. I’m thinking a warm, simple Fair Isle hat to wear in the snow! > Tina M.

This week the staff at WEBS is buzzing about…

1. Contemporary Irish Knits by Carol Feller – Finally, a traditional knitting book with whimsy, history and garment fitting considerations. Chapter openings give you a peak into the local knitting industry followed with a fresh combo of traditional and modern garments. Filled with versatile knits for the whole family in glorious tweeds (and a couple ones bookmarked for yourself too). > Cara S.

2. Madelinetosh Tosh DK has now made my list of favorite yarns.  I was looking for a yarn with deep, varied shades of purple for a friend’s birthday gift and this yarn, in the color Clematis, jumped right off the shelf at me. The yarn is soft, easy to knit and has a lovely bit of spring to it.  It also blocked beautifully.  (The pattern I used is Springtime Bandit, but I didn’t knit the edging.) > Tina M.

3. I am truly excited about the Exploring Tunisian class! I’m mulling over new color combinations for the work I will do with the class and I can’t wait to see their Ah-ha! moments with this technique. > Sara D.

4. I just finished a last minute gift for my great aunt out of Valley Yarns Northfield Hand Dyed in Denim. I absolutely love hand dyed yarns and how each skein is unique. This particular one had more purple and dark blue tones than the other skeins and I love the way the colors flowed. Northfield is a great yarn to work with and the shawl worked up quickly, but was still soft and warm. I used the basic triangle shawl pattern by Kirsten Hipsky and made my own crocheted edging. > Grace H.

5. Knitting America by Susan M. Strawn – Melanie Falick’s foreword to this book drew me in and I am loving the historical aspect of knitting it presents. I sometimes forget what a historical section of the country we live in and loved reading about the collections from Historic Deerfield. Not only are there wonderful stories like the rallying of wives and mothers to help knit socks  for the bloodied feet of the men under George Washington but there is poetry, prose and some wonderful old patterns. I must admit, I have been knitting long enough that some of the old patterns are in my stash! In the disposable product age we live in today, it is refreshing to read about making things that were necessary to every day life and used to threadbare stages. > Lise G.