The holiday gift preparation doesn’t really begin for me until my copy of the WEBS Holiday catalog arrives, and this year’s edition is spectacular!

Not only is there an adorable Holiday Bears duo on the cover, with perfect little sweaters and hats to knit and personalize them with (keep an eye on the blog for an upcoming KAL), but the pages are full of so many new knit and crochet patterns that are inspiring me to get yarn on my hooks and needles. New patterns from Doris Chan and Fiona Ellis from the WEBS Designer in Residence series, the new Got You Covered eBook from Emerging Designer Marcy Vandale, and over a dozen New Valley Yarns patterns. Gorgeous gradient yarns sets from Wonderland Yarns, kits from the CREATE YOUR STYLE collection (a collaboration between Rowan Yarns and Swaraovski!), holiday ornament kits from Laura Nelkin, and the Royal Petites from Blue Sky Alpacas. New yarns from Amano, Classic Elite and more!

I’ve started a list of what I’d like to make and I’m gathering supplies so I can get started. What will be the first project you cast on for from this year’s Holiday catalog? And don’t worry! If you’re waiting for the paper catalog to arrive in your mailboxes they’re just starting to ship and should be there within the next 2 weeks. If you don’t yet receive our catalogs but would like to you can sign up right here!

This week’s knitting tip comes from knitwear designer Laura Nelkin.

Ever wonder how to add beads to your knitting? In this video I teach you a trick for adding beads easily with either a crochet hook OR a piece of Super Floss!

Adding beads to your knitting gives it weight, flare and a bit of bling. You can take a simple design and really help it shine! I’ll be coming to WEBS to teach for my first time later this month and look forward to sharing more of my beading techniques with you all…can’t wait!

If you’re interested in learning more about how to knit with beads, Laura will be teaching two classes in a couple weeks at our store. Follow the links below to find out more.

 Advanced Lace with Beads April 21st

 Butin: A Beaded Necklace April 20th

Registration opened today for our Winter/Spring 2012 classes. We have a nice mix of longtime favorites with some classes that we’re offering for the first time. Look for the new tag highlighting these first timers. Below are a few classes that the staff at WEBS is buzzing about.

Knitting Classes

Advanced Lace with Beads & Butin: A Beaded Necklace with guest teacher Laura Nelkin – I am super excited to host Laura here at WEBS!  She is an absolutely fabulous person and her beaded designs are absolutely stunning.  Her classes aren’t until April but you will want to sign up early to ensure you get a spot! > Kathy E.

Sock Basics – I wish I had access to a class like this when I was learning how to knit socks. It was really hard to try to teach myself and this would have made the learning process so much more fun. In this class, Lindsey walks you through each step of making a sock from cuff to toe. Socks are great projects and they’re one of my favorite things to knit. There’s nothing better than putting on a pair of hand knit socks that fit your feet perfectly! > Grace H.

Crochet Classes

Design Your Own Crocheted Cowl – WEBS offered this class for the first time earlier this year but the time didn’t work out with my schedule. Two of my office mates did take the class and it was so exciting to hear about it and see the progression of their designs. Sara Delaney is a great crochet teacher. Her classes are always so much fun. This class would be a great way to spend my Friday evenings in February. > Dena C.

Weaving Classes

Weaving for the Advanced Beginner with Scott Norris  – I’m really excited for this class with Scott. He’s a great teacher and this is a wonderful way to learn more about different weave structures. The class is geared for those who have taking beginning weaving and want to move on from that. > Leslie Ann B.

Other Classes

Pattern Photography and Styling for the Indie (and Budding) Designer with guest teacher Caro Sheridan – I’ve long been a fan of the photos featured on Caro Sheridan’s site and of the photos she has taken for other knitwear designers. So I can’t wait to discover all of her tips and tricks for styling items in a way that makes knitters want to run off and grab their needles and yarn to get started! > Tina M.

Play Now:

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Guest: Laura Nelkin of Nelkin Designs. For 5 years she was the design director at Schaefer Yarns, so you may recognize her name. She decided to venture out on her own and has busy designing since then!

Check out the newest Laura Nelkin designs in Valley Yarns. The Selata Shawl and the Gears Wrap.

We also have many of Laura’s patterns available for PDF download.

Find Laura at nelkindesigns.com, twitter.com/lnelkin, nelkindesigns.blogspot.com, and on Ravelry and Facebook under Nelkin Designs.

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Grignasco Champagne
• Grignasco Loden
• Grignasco Merinosilk 25
• Rowan Kidsilk Haze Stripe by Kaffe Fassett
• Twinkle Cruise Closeout
• Twinkle Kid Mohair Closeout
• Jojoland Rhythm Closeout

If you’re within driving distance to Hartford, CT, make sure you come to Stitches East this weekend and say hi to us! It’s at the Connecticut Connvention Center. The market is open Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-4. You don’t want to miss your chance to check out a bunch of great vendors. We’re in booths 701-707 and 800-806 and our friends from Blue Moon Fiber Arts are nearby in booths 807 and 809.

October 27th – Book Signing and Trunk Show with Juniper Moon Farm!