This week the staff is buzzing about…

1. Recently I was at Sock Summit. As crazy as it sounds, surrounded by an entire marketplace of gorgeous sock yarn, one skein kept calling out to me – and it was in our booth!  Madelinetosh Tosh Sock, in the colorway Kale, was too pretty to pass up that weekend, so I cast on for a hat to help keep my hands busy while we waited for dinner and on the trip home. Knit on size US 5 needles, I am so happy with the drape of the fabric and the crisp stitch definition in the cables.  I’m glad this yarn finally caught my eye. > Tina M.

2. A lot of the older issues of Interweave Crochet Magazine are now out-of-print. But The Best of Interweave Crochet includes some of my favorite patterns such as Northern Dream Pullover, Babette, and Luna Sweater. What a great collection! > Dena C.

3. Swans Island Worsted – This gorgeous certified organic merino yarn features all natural dyes. It is an exquisite merino that is worth considering for your next special project. > Kathy E. (Note: Patterns for this yarn coming soon.)

4. The Fibre Company’s completely awesome new yarn, Acadia, felt like knitting with a fluffier, bouncier version of my former favorite yarn of theirs, Terra! I love the rustic texture, gorgeously saturated color, and the sheen from the silk; the complexity of the yarn worked really well with the pattern, Kate Gagnon Osborn’s Avery Cowl, which is a free Ravelry download. I was so sad to give this up, I think I’ll probably be buying enough of this for a sweater sometime in the near future! > Elisabeth P.

5. I have been scoping out my next weaving project for several months. And every time I walk by the weaving samples the Blue & White Striped Dishtowels catch my eye! I just love the feel of the Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton Linen and the absorbancy it has is incredible. It has been a while since I have woven some towels for myself, I think it is high time for a fresh new set! > Karen M.

Hi Everyone

This time of year the store is changing almost on a daily basis.  The arrival of new yarns means things get moved around and reposition, sample garments are coming in from our suppliers and the staff is delirious from the new patterns to knit and crochet both for themselves as well as for the store.  It can be a little frustrating at times because I can go to look for a yarn or sample garment that was one place yesterday and not there today.  That is truly how fast things can change.

I was in the store gathering some yarn yesterday when I stopped dead in my tracks.  This sample may have been in the store for a bit but it was new to me.  I *heart* it:

It’s the Austin Hoodie from Connie Chang Chinchio.  Our model was knit using 3 skeins of  Tosh Merino Light.  The sample is a size 32 and is shown in the color Jade.

Look at the lovely stitch detail on the front:

The woven slip stitched band is created using the yarn doubled – very nice detail.

Here’s the back:

The main body is worked in a larger than called for gauge which results in a lighter weight fabric.  It’s knit in one piece up to the armholes and features set in sleeves.  What’s even better is that the pattern offers six sizes from 32″-51 1/2″ bust circumference.

Hmm.  Maybe this should be on our short list for a KAL on Ready, Set, Knit?  What do you all think?

Kathy