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Guest: Kathy talks with Valley Yarns Design Manager, Kirsten Hipsky about the new Valley Yarns patterns featured in our Spring 2013 Catalog.

Best sellers at Stitches West were:

 

Blue Mist Cardigan in Southwick

looks more complicated than it

is and it’s a great standard wardrobe

piece.

 

 

 

Burning Branch Shawl in BFL Fingering

Has an easy repeat, looks much more

complicated than it is and works with a

range of yardages.

 

 

Hidden Hills Pullover in Northampton Sport has a great neckline with classic, simple colorwork and the Pelagic Shawl, using 6 color of Northampton Sport, is a wonderful update to our Jambalaya Shawl.

There’s also lots of crochet love in this catalog with the Molly Socks, The Michel Vest in Longmeadow and the  Meyer T-shirt in Goshen.

If you haven’t gotten a catalog yet, you can request one on the website, here.

Steve’s Yarn Picks 

• Juniper Moon Farms Moonshine
• Mirasol Illaris
• Mirasol Hachito
• Mondial Trilly
• Circulo Tecido Rendado Trico
• Queensland Collection Leche Closeout
• Queensland Collection Dream Closeout
• Mirasol Sawya Closeout
• Mirasol Asikita Closeout

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Guest: Kathy and Kate talk about the history of Twist Collective; they’ll be celebrating 5 years next summer!

Kate explains the process of choosing patterns, yarns and colors as well as the clothing to be worn with the new designs, and styling the models for the photo shoots.

They also discuss the painstaking tech-editing process each pattern goes through to provide the highest quality patterns.

The Winter 2012 Issue is live now and features 2 designs using Valley Yarns. North Wind knit in Valley Yarns Northampton and Esme knit in Valley Yarns Northfield.

Horatio and Oren mittens knit in Valley Yarns Huntington or Northfield, from the Fall 2012 issue of Twist Collective. 

 

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Lotus Yarns Sunset
• Lotus Yarns Mimi
• Prism Yarns Layers Stuff
• Blue Ridge Yarns Footlights
• UKI 20/2 Mercerized Cotton cones – Closeout

Tomorrow team WEBS will once again be walking(while knitting!) and running in the Annual Hot Chocolate Run to benefit Safe Passage. Last year we raised $6000 dollars and we’d love to raise even more this year. If you’d like to help out, please visit our donation page. Kathy and Steve will be matching all donations made through till the start of the Race tomorrow morning!

WEBS is open Sundays through 12/23, from 12 to 5PM EST, for your holiday shopping convenience.

Upcoming Events:
Thursday Dec 20th, Event with Bruce Weinstein and his new book, Boyfriend Sweaters.

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We are excited to kick off our Fall 2012 events season with a celebration of all that is new for Valley Yarns on September 20th at 6pm!

Join us as we hear from some of the people who knit the garment samples you see in the catalog,

as well as from some of the designers of this year’s line!

We’ll have all of the fall garments to try on (and maybe even a little sneak peek at the garments from the upcoming holiday catalog.)

We’ll also be debuting our newest yarns, with a chance to try them out for yourself!

Join us for an informal evening of fun, snacks and yarn while finding out more about what goes into putting together a line of fun things to knit, crochet and wear.  The event is free, but we do ask that you register here.

 

 

This week, the staff at WEBS is buzzing about…

I  just made the new Noni Anouk felted bag for the store. I used 3 skeins of Valley Yarns Northampton. The kit comes with the pattern and all of the hardware you need to make the bag. It does not include the yarn, so you get to pick what you want! The hardware is quite nice, and the fact that it comes with all the components including feet, handle that also has a chain, a lovely magnetic closure, Noni Designs decal and a nice sturdy canvas to cut out for the inside of the bottom of the bag make it so you don’t have to hunt down each part for this bag. One stop shopping, that’s what I like! The pattern was easy to follow and fun to make. I will definitely be making one of these adorable bags for myself. > Karen M.

Kerry is knitting the Nemi Lace Cowl in Valley Yarns Charlemont Hand Dyed in color Oak Grove – This is the first project where I’ve had the opportunity to knit with yarn dyed by the Kangaroo Dyer, and I couldn’t be happier. Not only is Charlemont a pleasure to work with, but the colors are just gorgeous! > Kerry T.

I’ve been wanting to make some crochet rag rugs and was a little put off at the thought of spending my time cutting up old sheets into strips when I remembered that we carry Poppana which is essentially the same thing! I swatched on a couple larger hooks, K and N, and I’m really happy with the results. This may turn into some pretty terrific holiday gifts. > Sara D.

I absolutely love the new crochet book, Unexpected Afghans by Robyn Chacula. Her premise of using veteran crochet designers to use their specialty in crochet to design something that they would use as a piece in their homes has worked beautifully! I have begun two for wedding presents and am thrilled to be able to have so many to chose from in one book!! > Lise G.

When the “Gleener: The Ultimate Fuzz Remover” came across my desk, I was pretty skeptical. One pilly old sweater later, I’m a convert. The ergonomic handle is comfortable to hold, which counts for a lot because de-pilling a sweater can take a while. What I really like is the Gleener’s three different blades: one is coarse, for heavier gauges and aggressive de-fuzzing; one is in the middle; and one is really fine, for cashmeres and fine knits. The blades are easy to take on and off.  And after I get rid of the pills, I turn the Gleener around and brush my sweater down with the “velvet lint brush.” The lint brush gets all the little bits left over, and the sweater looks great. I plan to try the Gleener on other fabrics–fleece, boiled wool blazers, whatever needs a little sprucing up. Watch the video below to see the Gleener in action! > Kendra C.

 

This week, the staff at WEBS is buzzing about some old yarn favorites, as well as a brand new addition to the Valley Yarns line. Ashley is buzzing about the Know Your Wheel DVD and has written a fantastic review for all the spinners out there!

I am knitting a Catkin (designed by Carina Spencer) for a friend (shhh don’t tell!) in Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light colorways Wicked and Manor. This pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry, and although the length of the pattern may seem daunting, it is very well written and easy to follow. Carina Spencer has her own site with video tutorials to aid your Catkin creation. It can be worn as a shawl with the buttons down the front or side and as a cozy scarf. I had so much fun picking colors! The Tosh Merino Light is very soft and great to work with, too. > Heidi R.

Reynolds Soft Linen – This yarn caught my eye in our warehouse! This hot coral/tangerine color is very popular this season, and I thought it would be great for accessories. I grabbed three balls of it, two of which I am making a cute clutch purse with. The linen will help make this a durable bag for years to come! > Deb S.

I had a lot of fun joining westknits Earth & Sky Mystery knitalong last summer and was super excited to see there will be another mystery shawl KAL starting soon. The Rockefeller Mystery Shawl knitalong starts July 13th, so you’ll want to purchase the pattern before then. After browsing through many fingering weight yarns, I finally decided to knit my shawl in Swans Island Fingering in Seasmoke and Tide Pool. > Dena C.

Valley Yarns Buckland – I am absolutely smitten with the newest addition to our Valley Yarns line. Buckland features the same fiber content as our Charlemont but rather than being plied, Buckland has a chain construction which creates a light, lofty fabric. It has 109 yards in a 50-gram skein and knits at 4.5 sts on a #7. My head is spinning with ideas for this yarn! > Kathy E.

I always forget how much I love Valley Yarns Amherst. Right now I’m working on a project for Kirsten for our next catalog out of Amherst and it’s incredible. It’s easy to knit with and super soft. I think it’s time to dig the Amherst out that I have in my stash and make something for myself! > Mary K-H.

Know your Wheel DVD with Alden Amos and Cindy Lair with Linda Ligon - This two-disc set is chock-full of amazing spinning wheel knowledge, from master wheel maker Alden Amos, who talks with Interweave’s Linda Ligon on the first disc, which will delight tinkerers, wheel makers and aficionados of antique double drive wheels as well as new spinners wanting to really dive into the mechanics of this fascinating tool. The second disc features Cindy Lair of Schacht Spindle Co., sharing copious wisdom on the best ways to set up your wheel, its lubrication needs, and how that applies to many different types of commonly produced modern wheels. Both discs feature tips, tricks and hints to help better understand your wheel and alleviate any trouble you might be experiencing while offering new and experienced spinners the maintenance know-how to enjoy a lifetime of worry-free spinning! > Ashley F.

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Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Anzula Cloud
• Laines du Nord Prancer
• Artyarns Mohair Blanket Shawl Kit
• Artyarns Shawl for all Seasons Kit
• Lana Gatto Silk Mohair Closeout
• Nashua Summer Garden Closeout
• Reynolds Soft Sea Worsted Closeout
• Plymouth Tweed Closeout

WEBS at Stitches East

701-707, 800-806, Blue Moon Fiber Arts is right across the aisle from us.

We’ll also have Manos del Uruguay, Fibre Co., Malabrigo, and Knitter’s Pride Needles, plus much more! Blocking boards, swifts, ball winders, and Berroco’s new fall yarns.

Guest: Kirsten chats about our Valley Yarns designs in the holiday catalog!

428 Bordeaux Pullover in 2/10 Merino Tencel

437 Loire Cardigan in Northampton Bulky

435 Gears Wrap crocheted in Deerfield by Laura Nelkin

431 Selata Shawl in Charlemont by Laura Nelkin

432 Gnomey Earflap Hat in Cold Spring

438 Snow Day Hat and Mittens in Sheffield

440 Wheatleigh Hat and Mittens crocheted in Stockbridge

433 Provence Coat knit in Cold Spring

434 Aquitaine Coat crocheted in Cold Spring

Check out the blog each week for our Valley Yarns Show & Tell!

Sign up for one (or both) of Laura Nelkin’s classes.

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.

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Kirsten and Kathy chat about the fall photoshoot and how she came up with the collection of projects.

Check out the behind the scenes video!

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Debbie Bliss Paloma
• Debbie Bliss Riva
• Madelinetosh Tosh Chunky
• Classic Elite Pirouette
• Be Sweet Simply Sweet Satisfaction
• Be Sweet Simply Sweet Whipped Cream
• Classic Elite Premiere Closeout
• Classic Elite Waterlily Closeout

CAL – Valley Cowl

Pattern is laid out with the notes and special stitches on the first page, so you have to go to the second page to know exactly how much to chain.

Foundation double crochet! Not as hard as you think it is
- Directions are very clear as to exactly where to put your hook (through the face of the chain and under the nub) Sounds weird, but makes a lot of sense when you’re looking at your chain
- I found an Addi hook to be the most useful, nearly a necessity: the head is pointy and narrow and fits into the chain easier than other hooks.
- Doing the foundation double crochet exactly as directed makes a very clean edge and the resulting chain is really flexible and stretchy

Gauge is given in Foundation Double Crochets, which is very handy. You can check your gauge as you’re starting your project!