A really popular scarf

Here's Peggy, surrounded by lots of sock yarn, wearing the ever popular basket weave scarf from Nomis' booklet "Hats, Scarves, and Mittens." This big scarf is knitted in Noro Kochoran, a lovely blend of 50% wool, 30% angora, and 20% silk. Would make a wonderful Christmas gift! At the store, we've got samples of many scarves knit in the same pattern. It looks just as lovely (but quite different) in solid white - Plymouth's Buckingham is a great choice - another super soft yarn made of luxurious 80% baby alpaca and 20% silk.

Speaking of sock yarn and old favorites, here's a link to two free sock patterns from a 1940 booklet entitled "Essentials for the Forces" from England. There's a pattern for over-the-knee socks, and one for bed socks with pom-poms! Both of them, these days, are more suitable for women. Check it out here.

Hats!

These hats are great for gifts (and great for you). They're so warm and cozy in Cascade's 70% baby alpaca and 30% merino Eco Duo yarn. The yarn comes in various shades of natural colors.

You'll need one skein of yarn, a 16" size six circular needle, and size 6 circular needles. This pattern fits most:

With circular needle, cast on 100 sts.
Work 8 rounds in K1, P1 rib.

Switch to stockinette stitch (knit all rounds) until hat measures 6 inches.

Option: If you wish to work a contrast color into the hat, decrease 1 stitch in the 9th row. Knit 1 stitch in main color, 1 st in contrasting color around for 5 rounds. Then switch back to working in main color, increasing 1 stitch when you do.

Decrease rounds (switch to double pointed needles when needed):

1 - K3, K2tog around
2 - Knit around
3 - Knit around
4 - K2, K2tog around
5 - Knit around
6 - Knit around
7 - K1, K2tog around
8 - Knit around
9 - Knit around
10 Knit 2tog around
11 Knit around

Cut yarn, leaving a 12" length. Using a yarn needle, thread yarn through remain stitches, pull together, and weave loose ends in.

Easy!

November stamping classes

There's still leaves on the trees, but they're going fast! That lets us know that the holidays will soon be here. It's time to get stamping! Here's what we've got in store for November:

Christmas Concertina
We'll learn to make little books. Cards, too!
Wednesday November 3rd from 1-3
Saturday November 4th from 10-Noon

Stamping on Tiles
We'll be making hot plates and wall hangings. Stamping is not just for cards!
Wednesday November 10th from 1-3

Northwoods Christmas Cards
We'll be making cards with new design from the ever popular Northwoods collection.
Wednesday November 17th from 1-3
Saturday November 20th from 10-Noon

Call 872-2118 or stop by the store to sign up for classes. As always, bring a glue stick, double sided tape, scissors, and stamping supplies to class. Participants receive 10% off all stamping supplies in the store, and if you buy $50 worth, you'll be entered in our drawing for a $25 gift certificate. The next drawing in on December 4th.

Wrist warmers

Call them what you will - wrist warmers, fingerless gloves, pulse warmers, wristers, or gauntlets - they're quick to knit and make great gifts. Berrocco's Ultra Alpaca is a super soft yarn that comes in many colors. Click here to get the free pattern.

October stamping classes

Besides the usual birthdays, thank you, and get well cards, Autumn is a time to get cracking making cards. Before you know it, it'll be Christmas!

Awesome Autumn Cards
Northwoods makes such gorgeous scenery stamps, especially for this time of year!
Saturday, October 2nd from 10:00-Noon

Sympathy and Get Well Cards
It's always good to have these on hand.
Wednesday, October 6th from 1:00-3:00
Saturday, October 9th from 10:00-Noon

Alcohol Inks and Watercolor Techniques Workshop
We'll learn to make cool backgrounds and shading.
Wednesday, October 13th from 1:00-3:00

Tea Bag Folding
Tea bag folding is a paper folding technique that originated in Europe. It's similar to origami. Come learn the basic folds to make something new!
Wednesday, October 20th from 1:00-3:00
Saturday, October 23rd from 10:00-Noon

All Occasions Cards Workshop
You name it - we'll make it!
Wednesday, October 27th from 1:00-3:00
Saturday, October 30th from 10:00-Noon

Please call 872-2118 to sign up or drop by the store.

Bring scissors, a glue stick, double sided tape, and stamping supplies to all workshops. If you buy $50 or more of stamping supplies, you'll be entered in our drawing to win a $25 gift certificate. The next drawing is on November 20th. As always, class participants get 10% off all supplies purchased.

The days are getting cooler. . .

. . .so it's time to get those needles out and start knitting, if you haven't already!

Joyce is modeling the beautiful one size fits most Jojoland Halo kimono. It uses Jojoland's beautiful variegated Rhythm yarn against their solid Baritone yarn. Sorry, this is not a free pattern. It's just that it's so beautiful we wanted you to see it!

A reminder - we'd love to see pictures of your knitting. Please email if you have any digital pictures you'd like to see displayed on this blog!

September stamping classes

It's time to get busy and start making cards! Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will be here before you know it (and winter, too, but we don't want to think about that, do we?) Here's our stamping classes for the duration of the month:

Wednesday September 15th from 1-3
The "Cat's Pajamas" Christmas Cards
What are they? Come find out!

Saturday September 18th from 10-noon
Fall Northwoods Cards
Northwoods cards are gorgeous. The card at the top of this post is a Northwoods stamp. Check out their detailed coloring instructions here. Come to the class to play with some new stamps!

Wednesday, September 22nd from 1-3 and Saturday September 25th from 10-Noon
Too Cute to Spook Workshop
This will be great fun!