The Knitting Experience Café

'Tis the season for all the cool gift ideas (for you or other knitters in your life). I've got some great things to show you.

But, before we get to that.  Here is a little adorableness to make you smile.  Sandy sent in pics of her little guy modeling the hat and scarf set she made for him out of Twilley's Freedom Spirit.

   

The coolest tote bags made in Cambodia out of recycled fish feed bags.

More ladybug tape measures - because I can't seem to keep these little ones from flying out the door.  This time, Lantern Moon included a surprise. One of the tape measures is a leaf with 3 tiny ladybugs on it.  There is only ONE.  First come. First serve.

For baskets, we have the new Vui tote.

Isn't it beautiful?

Spunky Amy came up with a brilliant idea for all of us knitters - the emergency knitting bag!

Evidently, Amy found herself stuck in a LONG line at the DMV without any knitting. And she thought, if only she had a small project stashed away in her car for just such occasions.  We never have to be without our knitting again! Thank you, Amy!

Not to be left out of the cool gift idea fun, Lorna's Laces came up with the Little Can of Paint. Each cute little can comes with 2 skeins of their Shepherd Sock yarn (enough for a pair of socks) and one of their sock patterns. 

Ok, knitters, time to fill out those wish lists! 

Can't. Stop. Knitting. 

The Citrus Yoke Pullover has me completely entranced. I am fascinated by its growth and development. You see, it is basically just a pretty tube.

And she had some spectacular socks to show off.  I believe these were from the sock class she took with Terri.

Connie stopped by wearing her Jo Sharp shawl cardigan.

Gorgeous isn't it? I've been dying to make it myself.  The yarn is Alpaca Kid Lustre.

Anna also made a Jo Sharp cardi using the same yarn.  I love the way it holds it shape and shows the stitches. I particularly like the 3/4 sleeves on this design.

Marcia showed me a neat winter twist on my Fun Drop Stitch Scarf pattern. I originally designed the scarf as a summer accessory.  She picked out a mohair ribbon, added a few stitches, and here is the result

The fabric is incredibly light and airy.  One skein of Impression makes a scarf. 

Teresa finished her Baby Pea Pod set out of Cascade's Pima Tencel.

Announcing the launch of The Knitting Experience Café Online Store! When you can't join us on the Big Red Couch, but are in a desperate need of a fiber fix, we're now just a click away.  Or if it is the middle of the night and you are planning your next project, you can check out the yarns, patterns, needles, etc... that we have in-stock.  You can even request that we hold your order for in-store pick up! Or, for those shopping from further away, all orders over $50.oo ship for FREE! And the first 50 orders include a special free gift as a thank you.

The online store has been a dream of mine since we opened shop over two years ago.  For the past 6 months, it has been a constant effort of data entry, photography, and programming.  

Lots and lots of programming. Peter has devoted most of his weekends and far more all-nighters than anyone should have to endure to get us up and running. Through it all, he has learned A LOT about fiber content, gauge, yarn weight, etc... . I, in turn, have learned just how little I know about computers. Luckily, even though I think he has wanted to curse me to the high heavens for my lack of database skills, Peter has restrained himself and only mumbles about my computer-illiteracy.  Then he VERY patiently shows me how it should be done.  I'm learning.  Really.  Progress is being made.

With all the work to get the online store up and running, many other areas of my life have been on hold.  Such as housecleaning.  God.  You do not want to see my house.  Or the mountains of laundry.  Cooking?  Domino's delivers.  

But knitting?  Knitting has preserved my sanity.  

And, let's be honest, it's about time Peter got his sweater.  The man deserves a sweater.  While pictures have been downloading and files copying, I have been knitting away on the sleeves.  The caps are within sight:

We all know that my ability to resist casting on for a new project is, well, non-existent. So, last night, I started the Citrus Yoke Pullover from the Winter '07 Interweave Knits.  It starts with the neck and works down.  I am in love.  With the yarn.  With the stitch pattern.  And hopefully with the sweater.

Now, I ask for your indulgence while I try a neat trick that Peter showed me.  Evidently I can link directly from the blog to the online store so you can see exactly what yarn, pattern, whatever, I'm talking about.  Too cool.  

First, the yarn for the Citrus Yoke sweater. Oh, and the needles too.  The pattern for my grandmother's socks? Hee hee.  That was fun!

I can hardly believe it.  They are here.  The books are actually here! Our first shipment of Heidi's beautiful book arrived today.

Becka and I got to spend the weekend with our mom, visiting family.  In the process, we learned more about ourselves.

First, let me introduce our great-great uncle, Daniel Chesley: