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Guest: Beth Casey of Lorna’s Laces chats with Kathy about the newest yarn from Lorna’s Laces – Solemate. This is a sockweight yarn that’s a blend of superwash merino, nylon, and Outlast. Outlast is a technological fiber that helps regulate your temperature – cools when it’s too hot and warms when it’s too cool. The yarn has a very high twist, similar to the Shepherd Sock because it’s such a well-wearing, popular yarn. There is some springiness in the new yarn, but it is a little bit smoother because of the content. Beth also talks about the newest colors named after iconic Chicago landmarks.

Check out the Lorna’s Laces blog.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Noro Kureyon New Colors
• Noro Silk Garden New Colors
• Rowan Colourspun
• Rowan Magazine 50
• Rowan Nordic Tweed Pattern Book
• Rowan Dalesman Pattern Book
• Rowan Evolution Pattern Book
• Rowan Fine Lace
• Rowan Tweed
• Classic Elite Cresstone
• Classic Elite Vail
• Classic Elite Vista
• Classic Elite Avenue
• Classic Elite Pattern Books

 

Our next Crochet-a-long is Valley Yarns #414 Valley Cowl. This cowl was designed by Doris Chan and is written to be crocheted in nearly any of the Valley Yarns!

This week the staff is buzzing about…

1. Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann – A powerful book packed with tips and tools for independent knitters. It’s got everything from winding a skein of yarn to designing seamless sweaters. If a knitter were to have just one book, it should probably be this one. > Kirsten H.

2. Westknits Mystery Shawl KAL 2011 – I’ve never done a mystery knitalong before. But I’ve been itching to knit a shawl lately, particularly a westknits pattern. So I’m super excited to join this KAL on August 1st. Now the hard decision…what yarn? Suggested yarns like Fibre Company Road to China Light, Fibre Company Canopy Fingering, Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine, Madelinetosh Pashmina, or Tosh Merino Light would all be wonderful to work with. But I do have plenty of Charlemont from the crochet scarf leftover that would make a shawl with great drape. Hmm, decisions, decisions. > Dena C.

3. Valley Cowl crochet pattern by Doris Chan – I love this cowl designed by Doris Chan. The sample is done in Valley Yarns Deerfield, but there are directions for any gauge yarn, so you can use your favorite Valley Yarns yarn. I’m thinking of making one for myself in Charlemont. It’s also our next crochet-a-long on Ready, Set, Knit, so you can crochet along with Kirsten. > Mary K.-H.

4. Blue Sky Alpacas Five Inch Double Points – I love the feel of these in my hands. They have such a smooth finish that it makes the needles glide easily through the stitches. The tin they come in makes for great storage for these little lovelies! > Karen M.

5. Both of my girls spent a week at our Fiber Camp this year and my youngest daughter fell in love with weaving. While I’m not quite ready to buy her a Baby Wolf, I do want to encourage her weaving. So, as an early present for her birthday she got a Schacht Cricket Loom this past Tuesday. She’s already woven 26 inches and has been flipping pages in my copy of the Weaver’s Idea Book to find her next project! > Sara D.

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Guest: Doris Chan talks with Kathy about crochet designs and more! Doris tells us how she started crocheting and designing in crochet. She also shares a little bit of her background – what she did before she became a crochet designer. You’ll find a new book from Doris in late 2012. You can find Doris at the Crochet Guild of America Conference in September.

Find Doris -

• Doris’s self-published pattern line, DJC Designs, is available exclusively at DesigningVashti.com.
• Her blog, dorischancrochet.com, has links and info to all her designs and patterns.
• Find Doris lurking at Ravelry (user dorisjchan), where she has design pages; also Doris Chan:Everyday Crochet, which is the forum dedicated to her designs, and some free patterns.

 

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Classic Elite Marly Closeout
• Classic Elite Lavish Closeout
• Classic Elite Forbidden Closeout
• Juniper Moon Farm Chadwick
• Juniper Moon Farm Findley
• Juniper Moon Farm Willa
• Artyarns Rhapsody Light
• Luxury Patterns on Classic Elite

 

Sock Summit preview – we’ll be in booths 502, 504, 506, 508. It opens Thursday, July 28th for students and for everyone else Friday, July 29th. We’ll have sock yarns, tools, accessories, and exclusive products just at WEBS. We’ll also have a new setup at this show. We’d love to hear what you think about it. There will be Sock Summit Plinko in our booth too! Make sure you wear your handknit socks and show them to us!