The Knitting Experience Café

The past few days have been filed with happy surprises.

First - because I know you've been waiting for it - the Summer Interweave Knits is here!

There is some gorgeous colorwork and lace patterns in this issue and I have my eye on a few patterns.

Yesterday was filled with happy surprises.

My best friend from grad school, Brad, was in town on business and came over for dinner. 

We treated him to the family chaos, and he humored my blog picture needs. 

Earlier that day, Anna had brought these lovely roses to the shop for Becka and I as a special thank you for the Harlot roadtrip. Thanks Anna!!

In the mail, I discovered this touching gift from Wendy.

A purple boob. Thanks Wendy! How did you know that was exactly what I wanted? It seriously brought tears to my eyes. 

The knitted knockers are incredibly important to me. I can't begin to express the emotion they bring up in me.  You can read the story behind the boobs HERE. 

Lately, our supply at the shop has been running low. I haven't had enough to donate to the local hospitals, and a very small selection for those breast cancer survivors who come in to find a prosthesis. And they do come. They may not knit, but somehow they have heard about our donated knitted knockers, and are hoping we can help them feel a bit more comfortable and self confident. I guess I'm saying, if you have a little knitting time, some double points, and yarn, consider making a knitted knocker. We'll see that they get to someone who really needs it.  (Click HERE for the pattern.)

I am only now recovering from what was an awesome road trip.

Yesterday, Becka, Lesley, Mindy, Anna, Sandy, Bridget, Cheryl, Emily, Patti, and myself, grabbed our knitting, and headed to WEBS and the Yarn Harlot. 

I have always thoroughly enjoyed reading the Harlot's blog and previous books, but had never had the opportunity to hear her speak. She was entertaining, charming, talented, and just plain made you proud to be a knitter. 

Yet, even the thrill of seeing the Harlot in person could not surpass the tremendous fun of roadtripping with your knitting friends. Laughing over what a cop might say if they pulled us over and found everyone in the car (except the driver - we didn't go that far) knitting. 

We shopped.

We ate.

We knit and laughed.

Thanks everyone for a fabulous time!!

And Patti and Scott made it on THE BLOG.  Check it out. 

Yesterday morning De stopped in with 6 new Mainely Totes - her wildly popular knitting bags. In less than an hour knitters had snatched up 3 of them! They have always gone fast before, but I think that was a record.

Maybe it has something to do with Spring. Doesn't the arrival of warm sunny days make you want to add a few new accessories to your wardrobe? Personally, I am in search of the perfect summer shoes. Mara has tempted me with some of her great finds from dansko.  hmmm...

For a summery bag, I'm going to make my own. I've been eyeing a crochet pattern by Jo Sharp for the past year. Now that I have so many volunteers willing to help me learn crochet, it is time to jump right in. 

And I finally found the type of bag handles we've wanted to carry since the shop opened. Perfect for felted, knitted, or crocheted bags!

I blocked Becka's Sprout!!!

Isn't it beautiful?

She used Cascade Venezia, made the bottom-up version, but with a longer body.

I'm a little further behind, but made it past the sleeves last night.

As you can see, I'm making the top-down Sprout.  To make it a bit more summery, I used YOs for the raglan increases. 

Emily and Cheryl both finished their Sprouts and wore them to Knit at Night. I love this picture of them! I can't wait till the Sprout class picture when everyone is done. I'll have to photoshop in those who aren't local.

Take a closer look at Emily's sweater. Notice how she did the buttons:

There has been much discussion about buttons for Sprout - all buttons, no buttons or closure at all, zipper, etc ... . Her approach has been one of the most clever and I may just have to steal the idea.

Other Sprouts were in progress around the room. Bridget finished knitting hers:

Cheryl was making great progress and had already attached some beautiful buttons. She also made a cool little adjustment to the pattern to carry the cables from the sleeves down the body.

And she was wearing a lovely vest out of Debbie Bliss Soho.

Patti was Sprouting as well last night, but I was too dazzled by these incredible sweaters fresh off her needles to take any pictures of the Sprout.

On the left we have a Mr. Greenjeans in the new Noro Taiyo. I am completely jealous. I REALLY WANT to knit myself a sweater out of this. I am resisting until the Sprout is a bit further along. Note, I'm not forcing myself to wait until the Sprout is done. =)

On the right, is a beautiful sweater (can't recall the name right now) from Veronica Avery's Classic Knits. She used the Cascade Pima Tencel. Fabulous! I believe that Emily is planning on making the same one, but using Cascade Venezia.

What is your dream Noro yarn?

Silk from Silk Garden?

Colorways inspired by Kureyon?

The softness of cotton?

Welcome to Taiyo.  A soft, wonderfully squishy, and oh, so lovely, blend of cotton, silk, wool, and nylon, - this latest Noro creation is incredible. 

Becka squealed. Yes, squealed and jumped up and down when she stopped by the shop this afternoon and discovered that the Taiyo had arrived. She went home with a sweater lot. 

Each skein has 220 yards, with a gauge of 4sts per inch on a recommended needle size of 8-10US.  

Along with the new Noro yarn, we received new books!

Noro Joy is full of gorgeous sweaters, shrugs, and other cute tops. Noro Mini Knits is very deceptive. There is nothing mini about the projects packed into this book. Along with hats, mittens, scarves, pillows, and socks, the designer included many sweaters and vests.

The latest Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino book is also here. I think my favorite pattern is the sleep sack. 

New Ella Rae Amity colors are on the shelves.

And the Spunky Eclectic color of the month is now available. For April we have Super Nova, Time of the Month, Rage Chocolate and Tears.  ( That has to be my favorite name for a colorway!)

Remember, the color of the month is 15% OFF for the entire month.

Even more boxes arrived today - including new sizes and lengths in the Addi Turbo Lace Needles. We now have the 40" cords, and needles through US 9!

The box carrying the Addi needles may have also had a new sock yarn...