The Knitting Experience Café

Did you notice the beautiful summer weather yesterday? I actually got to spend the day on the beach knitting with a friend. My first such trip of this crazy season.

Luckily, even though the weather hasn't been what we would like, the knitting has kept us very busy this summer. If you've been by the shop recently or following the blog, you know that we've been getting many new yarns, patterns, and accessories.  Now that fall is around the corner, even more fabulous fibers and books are arriving. We have exciting plans for it all, but first we could use your help.

With all the new yarns arriving, we need to make some room on the shelves. Of course, that means a sale! Announcing the Summer SALE this Saturday, August 1st. Both online and in the shop, select yarns will be up to 20% off. What might you find on sale? Here's a small sample of the yarns that will be 20% off on Saturday:

Knit One Crochet Too Ty Dy Cotton

Cascade Venezia

Spunky Eclectic Summer

Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy

Noro Taiyo

Euroflax Linen

Classic Elite Bamboo

Classic Elite Soft Linen

Plus a number of others that you will find scattered throughout the shop.

While you are planning your strategy for Saturday and what you might do with all that wonderful yarn, consider joining us for our next knit along. During August we will be hosting the Getting Ready for Fall KAL and knitting The Concetta Cardigan. This wonderful pattern was designed by a talented local artist - Elizabeth Smith of The Brown Stitch. The cardigan itself is a stylish piece that looks great on everyone. As a top down pattern, it is a quick and relatively easy knit - perfect for ensuring that the sweater will be done in time to complement your fall wardrobe. Visit the blog for details on joining us.

Another option for all that wonderful yarn? Crochet! Surely you have noticed all the great patterns appearing for crochet. Well, if you are like me - who can only do the very basics in crochet - you can only look wistfully at those new designs. Luckily we have an amazing new instructor who will be offering an Introduction to  Crochet class on Wednesday August 19 at 6:30pm. Visit the Classes page of our website or call the shop,  207-319-7634, for details.

Today is supposed to be another beautiful sunny day. I hope you are able to enjoy it and that we will see you on Saturday!

I mentioned new yarns and things in the last post.  Since I don't particularly feel like walking downstairs to get the next stack of paperwork that demands my attention, I shall tell you about the newness - a much happier activity, don't you think?

First up is another gorgeous sock yarn.  Can you tell I was smitten with socks at TNNA? Asland Trends sent us their beautiful hand dyed sock yarn. 2 skeins make a pair - quite a deal for only $5.95 a skein!

Check out the colors:

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Becka and I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this next goody: Debbie Bliss Rialto. I have been in search of a good, washable DK and the sales rep wowed us with the sample sweater knit in Rialto. It was so soft and squishy with amazing stitch definition.  We were in love. But, before ordering, we checked the feedback on Ravelry.com. The knitters gave Rialto rave reviews. That was enough for us. (Oh, did I mention that it is superwash?)

The first half of our shipment brought these colors:

And this pattern book devoted to Rialto.

Don't you love the cover vest? It is called Catriona. David has promised to make us one as a store sample. The pattern is included in the Rialto book, but I'll give ya a helpful hint: it is also free here. 

Some other fabulous projects from the book:

Two more Debbie Bliss books arrived:

Design it, Knit it - a collection of great patterns, as well as fascinating insight on the design process including basic guides to getting you started designing your own knits!

How could we pass up a book called Booties, Blankets & Bears? 

Our favorite Noro designer, Jenny Watson, has a new Mini Knits collection. The patterns are both stylish and classic. 

We also received copies of Knitting in the Sun. Here are pics of my favorites from the book:

That's the newness update for now. Stay tuned for announcement of the next KAL!

Has the life of a hooker remained an elusive mystery for you? 

Have you looked with longing at gorgeous patterns such as these:

and wished you knew what the heck the directions were talking about?

Here's your chance! The incredible Bridget, who not only has mean crochet skills, but also a talent for teaching, will be offering an introduction to crochet on Wed. August 19th from 6:30-8pm.

In this class, you’ll learn the basic crochet stitches and how to work both flat and in the round. You’ll also discuss how to read a crochet pattern.  For more details, visit our Classes page. 

I recommend registering as soon as possible. There are only 6 spots in the class, and 2 were snapped up before I managed to get this posted!

Lately life hasn't allowed much time for my other fiber obsession - spinning.

Luckily Amy went ahead and wrote a brilliant book, and held a book launch party to celebrate. 

Now, when there is a launch party for a brilliant spinning book, you can't very well not spin, can you?

Here's Amy with the coolest cake. (How did they do that??)

I snapped a shot of the now famous swatches and sample skeins that appear in the book.

In addition to the cake, Amy made delicious carrot cake cupcakes. (Think I can convert these to gluten free?)

My Ladybug accompanied me to the party. We worked on some Spunky Eclectic handpainted alpaca in the Seaglass colorway. 

By Sunday evening it had turned into this lovely skein:

It still needs to be washed and blocked. In honor of Amy's book, I played around with some of the techniques she described. I worked on controlling the color, the thickness of the fiber, and my drawing technique. 

As I played around, I tried to figure out which methods would work best to spin this:

That would be 2 braids of Panda - a wool/bamboo/nylon blend. I snagged it at the party (Amy was having a sale, how could I resist?). I think I want to make these into my first handspun socks. I'm thinking 3 ply, with longish color repeats. Or I may just sit and pet it.  That would make me happy too. 

Last KAN was so much fun.  For the past few weeks, the shop has been packed with knitters enjoying a little summer downtime. It's been hopping!

Terrible pun, I know, but I just couldn't resist! Isn't he adorable?? Luanne made me Ribbit. I absolutely adore him. She was able to get 2 Ribbits from one skein of Spud and Chloe Sweater, and she's pretty sure she can get a third.  We've sold out of the green but will be getting more soon. Let me know if you'd like a skein reserved for your very own Ribbit.  And thanks Luanne!!

Another lovely creature made an appearance at KAN.

Michelle is crafting this beautiful beaded butterfly bag. It is mesmerizing to watch her scoop the beads on the tiniest needles I have ever seen.

We had an impromptu crochet class happening in the back of the shop.  Bridget was so kind as to help out a couple crochet novices. 

Barbara is speeding along on her Kiri - our Summer KAL. 

She is using Melody Superwash.

Barbara is also working on a Featherweight Cardigan out of Spunky Eclectic Summer in Silt.

While I was snapping pictures of her projects, Barbara did a great product review of the new Fiberspheres. These clever yarn ball containers are designed to let your yarn balls roll around freely without tangling or collecting pet hair.  Because you can open the plastic ball at anytime, you never need to cut the yarn to get your yarn ball out!

Barbara discovered that with smaller projects, you can actually get the project and needle cord inside the ball as well. 

Sue is KALongside us with her very first lace project. She is making a summer shawl using Hempathy.

Susan discovered that by making a lacey scarf on much smaller needles, you get the most interesting texture. 

It looks woven, doesn't it?

Lisa is KALongside as well, but with the Show Your Colors Shawl from Spunky Eclectic.  This has been an extremely popular project this summer. Just the right combo of stst and lace. 

Terri is KALing with Debbie Bliss's Baby Cashmerino.  It is heavenly soft and looks fantastic in lace.

Chris started a Sprout Cardi (another Spunky favorite of ours.)

Pam is also making a Featherweight Cardi, but she is using Malabrigo Sock - as is Becka!

Anna was working on a sweater with a fabulous yoke.

I love the cable detail!

Speaking of Anna, if you get the Twist Collective newsletter, you may have noticed that she was featured in their FO Gallery.  Congrats Anna!

If you don't get the newsletter - jump over to their website at Twist.  While you are there check out the latest pattern - Roo, by Kate Gilbert - the perfect children's sweater for fall.