The Knitting Experience Café

I have so much to tell you!

First up , we are hosting an informal book signing tomorrow night, Wednesday, July 1st at 6pm.  Amy King, of Spunky Eclectic, will be here to sign copies of her fabulous new book, Spin Control, from Interweave Press.

Amy will be teaching her extremely popular Learn to Spindle Class at 6:30pm. As luck would have it, she is able to come a bit earlier for an informal book signing at 6pm. Please stop by to meet Amy, see her wonderful new book, and perhaps peek at the latest batch of Spunky Eclectic yarns I hear she will be delivering.

Speaking of yarn, the shop has been full of activity these past few weeks.  New yarn and pattern lines are arriving. There are so many gorgeous new projects to knit, we hardly know where to begin.

I think Becka, Amanda, and I all snagged a skein of Spud and Chloe, the new line from Blue Sky Alpacas.  

Outer: Made of superwash 65% wool/35% organic cotton, this super bulky weight is just the thing for a quick knit (try it on a 13!).

Sweater: Made of superwash 55% wool/45% organic cotton, it’s a worsted-weight yarn for everybody.

Fine: Made of superwash 80% wool/20% silk, this sock-weight yarn is ideal for Fair Isle and detailed work—and of course, some pretty fancy footwork.

And a sampling of patterns. 

Each yarn is luxuriously soft, and - get this - washable!!  As the brilliant people at Spud and Chloe say on their website, the yarns are "family friendly and easy going, made for real life." The Sweater yarn, a worsted weight blend of superwash wool and organic cotton, felt so incredibly good and has such fantastic stitch definition, that it inspired me to draw up a new design specifically for that yarn.  Its a bit of an experiment, and I'll keep you posted.

Outer is made from the same yummy superwash wool and organic cotton as Sweater, but in chunky form.  Perfect for the earflap hats in the new pattern line. Amanda is working up shop samples of the hats now.

Fine is a blend of superwash wool and silk, and is a fingering weight.  Think elegant socks, beautiful lace, and heirloom baby clothes.

In addition to Spud and Chloe, we've welcomed CherryTree Hill to the shop and our website. You'll find their 

Supersock Merino sock yarn,

and Charmed, a chunky baby alpaca yarn with a hint of shimmer thanks to the addition to a silver thread.

Schaefer Yarn has sent us some gorgeous skeins of their most popular sock yarns: Anne, Heather, and Nicole.

I spoke with the people at Shibui Knits yesterday and found out that our shipment of their sock yarn and patterns should be arriving in a couple days.

Wow! And to think that isn't all. We have yarn from Jojoland, pins from Annie Adams, as well as the amazing Fibersphere yarn balls!

Be sure to stop by or check out our website to see all the new additions

Many of you have been asking when the next knit along will begin. Well, get those needles ready.  Announcing our 2009 Summer KAL.  We'll be knitting Kiri by Polly Outhwaite. Summertime often means a lace project. They are incredibly beautiful accessories that just happen to be very entertaining knits. For some, this will be your first lace project. What better way to tackle lace, than with a bunch of other knitters who can advise you, cheer you on, and share their tips and tricks?

While the original design was done in a mohair/silk blend, this shawl would look fabulous in anything from a lace weight yarn, to a light dk. Personally, I am debating between the mohair and a sock yarn. The advantage to using sock yarn is that your shawl is machine washable! Of course, Amy is bring some of her Merino Lace tomorrow night...

The KAL will official begin next Thursday night at Knit at Night.  To join, just let me know you'll be knitting along with us. If you want to get started early, feel free to cast on now. Watch the blog and our Ravelry group - The Knitting Experience Cafe Knitters, for updates and great tips.

Ready???

That would be a whole lotta of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Yarn. Specifically, one skein of each of their fabulous variegated colors. 

"One skein?" you say, (and we all note that slight waver in your voice as though panic is about to set in.)

 Yes, we got their starter pack to see what colors we (and you) like best. While this is a great way for us to get a taste of their yarn, it does mean that the early knitter gets the yarn for these lovelies. For now, these will only be available in the shop - or by phone if you can talk us through the pictures above to pick out the ones you want.

Same goes for these beautiful examples of Schaefer Heather, Anne, and Nicole (their newest sock yarn). 

But, we treated ourselves to full bags of Cherry Tree Hill's newest yarn:

That would be Charmed. Baby Alpaca and sparkles. Yes, sparkles. 200 yds per skein. We can't keep our hands off it.  Mmmmm... . I'll get pictures for the online store soon, but you can see, feel, and dream about it in the shop now. 

While you are trying not to drool on your keyboard, let's look at some recent knits that have stopped by the store.

Deb and her granddaughter had a beautiful pair of socks to share knit from Spunky Eclectic Sea Glass.

Peggy finished her Pioneer!!!!!! Yayyyyyyy Peggy!!!!!

Lookin' fabulous in Spunky Eclectic Summer. 

Donna whipped off the last stitch on her Show Your Colors Shawl - A Spunky Eclectic design (methinks there is a trend here.)

She used Ty Dy Sock yarn. Have you noticed how popular sock yarn has become for knitting lace? When you think about the washability factor, it makes sense.

Jen, our TKE adoptee, started and finished an adorable baby sweater out of Jo Sharp DK Wool while she has been visiting here in Maine.

Don't you love the red inset panel? Keeps baby warm, while flashing a bit of stylish attitude.

Much more is expected from UPS soon. Today brought our order of KnowKnits bags. Make sure you stop by soon to check out all the pretty colors!

The summer is getting off to a fantastic start. In addition to all the fabulous new yarns that will be arriving, we also have some great events planned. Two are right around the corner and you REALLY don't want to miss them.

First up is World Wide Knit in Public Day (the alternate). Why alternate? Well, technically the official day was last weekend, but so many yarnie people were scheduled to be at the TNNA convention, that the brilliant organizers offered a second weekend of knitting in public fun. We'll be celebrating with style this Saturday, June 20.

As with last year, we'll be making our way around Brunswick spreading the knitting love.  Our day starts at the Crystal Springs Farmer's Market at 9am. The fabulous Karen, of Bowdoin Baking Company, is our host again this year, and her booth is sure to have all the yummy goodies we need to start our day.  If you see us at the market, please stop by to say hi. We'll have coupons to the shop to give away (limited quantities, so the earlier you find us, the better your chances.) 

Mid-day will be spent floating between the shop and Downtown Brunswick.  Have you heard what will be happening downtown this Saturday?? The great Taste of Brunswick - an event not to be missed.  We'll be knitting and eating all afternoon!

Saturday, June 20th, 12 - 6pm 

Town Green, Brunswick, Maine 

The Brunswick Downtown Association proudly announces the “Taste of Brunswick” on the Town Green in Brunswick. The “Taste” will feature 20 of the areas finest restaurants and cafes, Maine bands, and a waiters race. A portion of the proceeds from the “Taste” will benefit the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP).

Advance tickets for the “Taste of Brunswick” will be available online or at area restaurants and businesses. Food tickets will be sold in $1.00 increments at the event.

Bring your family and friends and join us for the “Taste of Brunswick” on the Town Green in Brunswick. Rain or shine. No pets or coolers, please.

$5 in advance | $7 at the gate 

12 & under free

Food & Drink 

This years “Taste” will include the following establishments:

111 Maine 

Bacari 

Back Street Bistro 

Bangkok Garden 

Bombay Mahal 

Frontier Cafe 

Gelato Fiasco 

The Great Impasta 

Joshua’s Tavern 

Little Dog Coffee Shop 

MJ’s Grille & Tavern 

Provisions 

Richard’s 

Sea Dog Brewing Company 

Scarlet Begonia’s 

Vegetable Corner 

Wicked Joe’s 

Xeno’s Greek

If we have any room left after sampling foods for hours, it is off to dinner at one of those lovely local establishments. I'll leave the location to popular vote. Please do let me know by commenting here, or via email, if you are planning to join us for dinner so we'll have a head count. 

Now, I promised two incredible events. But, I think I am going to make you wait a bit for the second. A little suspense is good for the soul. 

Where to begin? How do I tell you about the past week? Should I start with the horrendous flight out of Newark? Or perhaps the incredible moment of meeting my niece Madelyn for the first time?

Or teaching my amazing nephew Nate to knit?

Or meeting inspiring people at TNNA like Amy Singer, Julia Farwell-Clay, Cookie A, Norah Gaughan, Clara Parkes and so many more. 

Perhaps you want to hear about the yarns. 

About the new line we'll be carrying:

Spud and Chloe from the brilliant peeps at Blue Sky Alpacas.  I fell in love instantly and I fell hard. We're getting all three yarns and bunches of patterns. The washable wool/cotton combo in Sweater and Outer is just heavenly. And Fine is both elegant and completely wearable.

I actually NEED a something out of Sweater. Not want. NEED. Perhaps it will be one of the Spud and Chloe patterns. Or, I could use it to try a new pattern line - Chic Knits. Got my eye of a few designs to try right away.

Now, you didn't think I could leave TNNA with just one new yarn line, did you? I'm far too easy for that. 

Let's see. UPS and FedEx will be dropping off goodies from:

Shibui Knits

Asland Trends

Schaefer Yarn

Cherry Tree Hill Yarn

While I was out, JojoLand Yarns were kind enough to send us something fabulous. 

Then there are the fun extras like the Fibersphere and The Knit Kit.

The beautiful accessories from Annie Adams.

Of course, I needed more KnowKnits bags and couldn't resist the cool new silver. 

And that's just what will be arriving in the next couple weeks.

For those wanting to hear all the details, see samples I picked up along the way, I'll be hauling out all the goodies at this week's KAN. There will be yummy yarns to touch, new patterns to see, and toys to try.

While we're waiting for Thursday, look at the new online knitting mag for kids' stuff: Petite Purls. 

What you've been waiting for...

Sea Glass is the Color of the Month! Amy used Shine, her merino/tencel blend, for a beautiful effect.  While supplies last, or until the end of June, it will be 15 % off.  Enjoy!

Sometimes it feels as though life is on fast forward. With all the various demands on our time, it becomes challenging to just stop in the moment and appreciate what is happening in the here and now. Yesterday, Connor gave me the gift of a freeze frame. All I had asked for was a quick photo shoot to get some pictures of the sweater I just finished for him to use on the blog and ravelry.  I had steeled myself for what I figured would be the inevitable eye rolls, and do-I-have-tos. Quite to my surprise, I got a willing model, and genuine appreciation. 

At this moment in time, Connor is 10.  He isn't too old to be too cool for sweaters knit by mom. He isn't too young to not realize the time and effort involved in making a sweater just for him. Right now. At this moment. He appreciates it. He is excited to have the sweater. He wore it to school today. Voluntarily. Today, he is wrapped in a big hug that I knit just for him. 

Want to see the photo shoot?

(Notice the action shot of Tessa fetching in the background. We're still working on the retrieval part.)

That final shot? That is Connor's interpretation of The Thinker. He wanted to be sure it went on the blog. 

He may grow out of the sweater over the course of the summer, but that's ok. He gave me the moment I didn't even know I wanted. 

(Note: The sweater is the Jordan pattern from Ella Rae's Book Five:

I knit the 10-12 yr size and used 4 skeins of Cascade Sierra in Olive.)