Hi Everyone!

Did you catch Ready, Set, Knit this past weekend? Kathy talked to Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre about their new book Weekend Hats. If features 25 knitted hats in styles to make everyone happy, including caps, berets, cloches, and more.

Hats are great because they usually take only one or two balls of yarn and they’re small projects that are super portable. Since they’re smaller than sweaters, hats are also a fun way to try out new techniques.

Melissa and Cecily have some of their own great designs in the book, but you’ll also find chapeaus from many wonderful designers, including WEBS-alums Elisabeth Parker and Cirilia Rose (as well as Melissa herself). Elisabeth’s hat is even knit in Valley Yarns Semi-Solid Hand Dyed.

If you’re looking to use up some of your stash, perhaps for holiday gifts (can you tell what my plan is?), Weekend Hats is a great book to have on your shelf.

Mary

P.S. If you love Melissa and Cecily’s hats, check out their patterns – Knitting School Dropout PDFs and Winged Knits Patterns.

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Guests: Melissa LaBarre and Cecily Glowik MacDonald talk about their new book Weekend Hats. Hats are great small projects and this book is full of wonderful patterns! Make sure you check this one out, and check back to the blog on Monday for a peek at the book.

Find Melissa: knittingschooldropout.com

Find Cecily: cecilyam.wordpress.com, cecilyam on Twitter and Ravelry

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Wisdom Yarns Poems Puzzle
• Berroco Lacey
• Misti Alpaca Qolla Worsted
• Classic Elite Princess Closeout
• Rowan Calmer Closeout
• Rowan Lenpur Linen Closeout

Gwen Steege will be here November 10th for her book The Knitter’s Life List

Bag Day is November 19th at WEBS – grab a bag and save locally.

 

Look at some of the great finished projects people have been posting on Ravlery using some of our Valley Yarns.

1. Ocean Heather Lavalette Shawl knit by Oshelle in Valley Yarns Northampton – Great free pattern from Kirsten Kapur found on her blog Through the Loops. Though she does offer the pattern for free, she suggests that you make a voluntary donation to Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Details on her blog.

2. Cotuit Sands Scarf knit by knittinggolfer in Valley Yarns 2/10 Merino Tencel – Designer Marcy Vandale offers the pattern for this light and airy scarf as a Ravelry download for $6.00.

3. Easter Stripey Rugby Sweater knit by shutterhoney in Valley Yarns Southwick – Love Stacy’s stripe color combination in this sweater from Barefoot Knits.

4. Something Blushy knit by fanciepants in Valley Yarns Southwick – Wendy Bernard‘s Something Red pattern has great drape in Southwick. Available for purchase on Wendy’s blog Knit & Tonic.

5. Tiny Tea Leaves Cardi knit by bestitched in Valley Yarns Goshen – How cute is Lily in this fun pattern from Melissa LaBarre.

6. Joseph’s Blankie of Many Colors knit by JessicaP in Valley Yarns Valley Cotton 10/2 – Normally Valley Cotton 10/2 is used by weavers, but here Jessica doubles it in this log cabin blanket from Mason Dixon Knitting.

7. Sally Cardigan knit by cupcake in Valley Yarns Sheffield – So many interesting details in Nikol Lohr’s pattern available for free on the Craftzine blog.