You know how you can walk by the same thing time after time without really noticing it? Or you get so focused on looking for the new that the regular scenery just fades? I love those moments when I rediscover something wonderful that’s been there all along. Here are some of the hidden treasures I fell in love with again as a weaver:

Weaver’s Craft magazines are a gold mine of information and drafts. Jean Scorgie, a former editor of Handwoven magazine, publishes these little gems and we carry nearly 20 different issues. Each issue features a topic (laces, overshoot, baby blankets, etc.) with information, illustrations, ideas and projects. I recommend these all the time to newer weavers because she really explains the concepts and then provides easy drafts to put the techniques into practice. I am steadily building my collection of these as part of my weaving reference library.

Two of my favorite issues illustrate just how much is packed into a small space. April/May 2000 focuses on twills and includes a discussion of twills, plus sections on floating selvedges, smiling selvedges and how to fix them, gamps, and threading heddles. And it has drafts for 5 different dish towels! The Spring 2001 edition is all about weaving overshot and has articles about drawdowns, tromp as writ, designing name drafts and more, plus drafts for placemats, table runners and a drawstring bag. And all of these can be woven on a 4-shaft loom!

Another overlooked booklet on the magazine rack is Kismet, published by Hill Country Weavers. This is gorgeous, glossy eye candy for weavers loaded with inspiration for thinking (and weaving) outside the box. The projects are woven on rigid heddle looms with knitting yarns and incorporate knit and crochet details. I find the designs to be refreshing and creative and more about new ways of envisioning woven wearables than the specific type of loom used to weave the cloth. Fifteen designs are presented in full detail, ranging from scarves and shawls to blankets, skirts, and fingerless mitts. There is also a wealth of technical information including hemstitching, fringes, seaming, picking up for knit or crochet, reading a draft and a step by step pictorial guide to direct warping a rigid heddle loom.

And, speaking of hidden treasures, did you know we have our own series of weaving drafts designed specifically for the Valley Yarns line of yarns? This year we are showcasing designs created especially for our 40^th anniversary in addition to dozens more that have been drafted by WEBS founder Barbara Elkins and other talented weavers over the years. Visitors to the store have the good fortune of not only being able to see them, but also to touch and investigate the drape and details of the pattern Online shoppers can find drafts on our website in a few ways. If you are looking for something to weave with a specific yarn, you will find a tab on that yarn page called “Related Patterns”. Click on it and you will be shown all the drafts/patterns we have created for that yarn. You can also find drafts on the drop down menu for Weaving and Spinning on the home page. You can narrow your search by number of shafts or just ogle the many possibilities while suffering from loom envy.

Available drafts span the full spectrum of projects, from wearables, like scarves and shawls, to blankets, bags, table runners, placemats and the ever-popular dishtowels. And, yes, dish towels are the number one drafts we sell, with the hands down favorite being Carol Birtwistle’s 40^th Anniversary Ribbon Towels. There’s something for everyone from rigid heddle weavers – Draft #55 Charlemont Lace Scarf – to 4-, 8- and 16-shaft designs.

Have you discovered any hidden treasures in your wanderings? Let us know!

The Spring/ Summer 2014 issue of Knit Simple is out and features 2 great designs with Valley Yarns Amherst and Longmeadow.

The feather-and-fan lace gently scallops the bottom edge of this charming capelet, while dotted ribbing adds flattering vertical lines. Knit with just 4 balls of Amherst this is a quick and inexpensive project to brighten your spring wardrobe. Which color will you choose?

The Winter 2014 issue of Interweave Crochet is out and we are loving the Marlo Cardigan designed by Vera Sanon. Tunisian honeycomb stitch, worked in Valley Yarns Charlemont Hand Dyed produces a textured fabric with drape, that resists curling and has minimal finishing.

Which Color of Charlemont Hand-Dyed will you be using?

The new, Winter 2013, issue of Knit Simple has hit the newsstands and it features 2 great projects knit with our very own Valley Yarns!

First is the Striped and Solid Cowl by Loren Cherensky knit in Northampton Bulky. Deceptively simple stitches combined with a bulky yarn make for a quick and easy project and with over 30 colors to choose from there’s a perfect color combination for almost everyone.

Second is the Dog Pillow designed by Amy Bahrt and knit in Valley Superwash. This whimsical little pillow, with adorable dachsunds, is worked in colorblocks with some easy garter stripes.

What will you be knitting from this issue?

The new Winter 2014 issue of Interweave Knits features a gorgeous sweater designed by our friend Amy Herzog.

The Telluride Aran sweater features a central cable panel with deeply ribbed cuffs and hem and is knit with Valley Yarns Northampton in the Pacific Teal colorway.

Which color of Northampton would you choose?

Coned yarns aren’t just for weavers! Yarn presented on cones tends to be finer in gauge and comes with a ton of yardage which makes it great for crochet projects.  Interweave Crochet Accessories 2014 issue is out and features 3 designs using Valley Yarns that are available on cones.

The Network Shawl is made using our 8/2 Tencel in the Greyed Mauve colorway.

The Chevron Wrap uses our Valley Yarns 8/2 Unmercerized Cotton in 5 colors:   shale,  peaches ‘n cream,  greyed lavender,  willow green, and heather.

The Tinker’s Tool Belt uses our Valley Yarns 3/2 Cotton in 3 colors:  madder brown,  sponge, and amber gold.

Which projects are you excited about getting your hooks into?

Knit Simple Holiday 2013 issue has a great section on dual-purpose patterns, you can have a vest or sweater a pullover or a cardigan! One of the designs, the Cowl Vest/Cowl Pullover by Cheryl Murray, uses our very own Valley Yarns Northfield.

What combination of colors from our line of Northfield would you choose?

The Fall/Winter 2013 issue of knit.wear is on the shelves now and features over 20 thoughtful patterns as well as tips and tutorials for biasing cables and color blocking. We’re thrilled to see our Valley Yarns Sheffield used in the Swaying Cable Scarf pattern by Talitha Kuomi.

What color of Sheffield would you use?

The Winter 2013 issue of Knitscene magazine is out and in it’s pages you will find the Purpureus Shawl designed by Maria Leigh and knit in Valley Yarns Charlemont Kettle Dye.

What color of Charlemont Kettle Dye would you use?

The 2013 issue of Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts is out and we couldn’t be happier. Our own Valley Yarns are featured in two projects!

First up are the Sailor’s Mittens designed by Michele Moskaluk, and knit in Valley Yarns Huntington. Worked from the cuffs up with increases to form the thumb gussets, these women’s mittens boast lively three color patterns on the palms and backs of the hands.

Second is the Southern Cross Afghan designed by Ann McDonald Kelly and knit in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash. This afghan is made of mitered triangles made into squares. The squares are then sewn together with borders, making an interesting and cozy blanket.

Which projects are you excited to make as gifts this year?