Twist Collective
Knitting News Flash!!
A new online knitting magazine called the Twist Collective goes live tomorrow. With an stunning array of talented designers, it promises to be an amazing resource.
(null) Archive July 2008
Get Smooshed
Dream in Color Smooshy arrived today!
I'm just gonna let this incredibly beautiful sock yarn speak for itself.
As if that wasn't enough, the new Classic Elite fall pattern book is here. 
A sampling of the patterns:
New Malabrigo!
We've waited and waited. After the horrible fire at the Malabrigo mill in Uruguay a few months ago, it was a bit uncertain as to when they would be able to resume supply. I am very happy - for them, and us - to say that the fiber is back! The mill was pretty much destroyed, but they are using another facility to dye the fiber.
Now, what did we get?
Malabrigo Worsted Merino:
Silky Merino - a 51% silk, 49% merino blend of lusciousness:
We had a burgundy color in the Silky Merino, but the entire stock went right out the door.
Malabrigo Lace: 100% baby merino
What? Only two colors? There were others, but happy lace knitters bought them straight from the box.
While we're talking amazing yarn, we also have some gorgeous skeins of Schaefer's Anne: Think socks, lace, anything beautiful.
Not even tornadoes
Knitters are seriously hardcore. Very little can get between a knitter and his/her Knit at Night - not even a tornado watch. I know, for those of you from the Midwest, a watch is nothing. But for those of us from New England, it is exciting and scary stuff. We're not used to it, and not entirely sure how to handle it.
Clearly the solution must be to knit. And we did. Lots of us.
Including Wendy, who has been visiting us this week from TN (yay Wendy!):
And my dear friend Sophie who came all the way from The Netherlands to join us for Knit at Night. (Ok, she is also in the States on vacation with her family, but KAN was an important stop.)
Sophie and I went to Dartmouth (college) with Lizzie (hi Lizzie!), and William and Mary (grad school) together, but it has been years since we've seen each other.
Last night I got to meet the wonderful Bart and their lovely daughter Leila.
Notice Leila's sweater?? It's a Sprout!
They brought us some traditional Dutch treats that we enjoyed thoroughly. Thank you!!
Of course there was much knitting around the room. I didn't catch many project pics, but Cheryl snapped a shot of her boob.
(Hee, hee - couldn't resist - thanks Cheryl!)
And I HAD to take a picture of Adrienne's Seascape Shawl. She is using Spunky Eclectic Summer and it is incredible.
Next to it is a picture of the hoodie Becka was wearing last night. Seems that this pattern is everywhere! Jen saw it on her window shades. Very cool.
Oh, and I absolutely can't forget to show you Mindy's fabulous top. Check out the ribbon she found for the finishing touch - perfect!
Summer SALE
Summer has been a busy season at the shop, with the Seascape Shawl Knit Along, the Boob-a-Thon, and, as always, lots of knitting. In between everything else, we have been working on selecting our fall yarns. Starting in August, those wonderful new fibers will arrive.
This means, of course, that we need to make room - and that means a SALE!
Starting today and ending July 31st, some truly amazing yarns will be between 20 and 40% OFF. In the sale baskets spread around the shop, you will find yarns from Lorna's Laces, Classic Elite, Reynolds, Cascade, Debbie Bliss, and many more. The sale applies to in-stock yarns only, and since some of these yarns are close-outs, supply is limited.
Don't forget that you can also shop online and find the same great deals at: theknittingexperience.com/store
New Patterns!
Check out the great new patterns that we just got in from Fiber Trends, Oat Couture, and Knitting Pure and Simple.
All for the cause
The Boob-a-Thon is going strong. As of Thursday night, we had 40 completed boobies. Many thanks to Betsey for serving as our official stuffer.
Many more are on the way.
Remember, any knitted boobs that you drop off at the shop before the end of the month automatically get you entered into a drawing for very cool prizes.
Some of our knitters are going the extra mile to see that one day we won't need to knit breasts, that breast cancer can be managed and cured! Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Cindy are all participating in "Tri for a Cure." Not being one for serious exercise myself, I am completely in awe of their ability and dedication. This world is filled with amazing people, and I always feel tremendously honored when I get to know some of them.
The whole point of the Tri for a Cure, is, of course, to raise money to end breast cancer. Here are the details - I know they would greatly appreciate your support. We'll be cheering them on as we knit more boobies.
"The inaugural "Tri for a Cure" is happening on Saturday, August 9th at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland. This is Maine's first-ever all-women's triathlon, with all proceeds going to benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation. All the money raised stays in Maine to benefit cancer research and education programs happening right here!
The event sold out within weeks---500 women will be swimming (1/3 mile), biking (12 miles) and running (3 miles), including a number of cancer survivors.
While all the athlete spots are filled, they are still looking for volunteers to help with many aspects of the event--and of course, sponsors to support the triathletes! People can go to the Tri for a Cure web site at http://mainetriforacure.org/ and follow the pink links on the left to make a donation or volunteer. To support a specific athlete, search by name from that page."
The TKE participants are Jennifer Dimond, Elizabeth Fisher, and Cynthia Fisher.
A week in the life of TKE
Bad blogger. It has actually been an entire week since my last post!!! Many apologies. It is not for want of things to tell you about - much has been happening - just for want of indoor hours at the computer.
What does a week bring?
Our first finished Seascape Shawl! Patti, despite starting her PhD career, managed to complete her shawl in record time. And it is beautiful!
Christy is doing her first ever lace and look how far she has gotten! I am so proud of her!
The mystery knitter is still at work:
Check out the beaded detail on Scott's shawl: (The picture is kinda fuzzy, and he has made a lot more progress since it was taken.)
And more shawls were growing this week:
The TKE Christmas in July party took place at the fabulous Sandy's house.
There was a yankee swap with lots of different gifts, but the absolutely best one was brought by the brilliant Sarah and snatched up by Sandy:
Marcia has been on a finishing spree: 2 lace scarves and 5 pairs of socks!
Knitted Knockers are appearing everywhere. Diana made one in each size from A to DD.
Betsey and Pam kept me company yesterday and worked on more boobies.
Perhaps best of all, we have a new knitter. Welcome Erika!
The new Knitscene is here!
Knitscene arrived in the shop yesterday and it is better than ever. They have changed the format a bit, extended the pages and the photography and added many more patterns - including a cool cardi by Spunky Amy. Congrats Amy!
Also arriving yesterday is some outrageous adorableness. Are you ready? Check out the baby sock puppets!
Pictures
I remembered to bring home the camera!! And I have bunches of pictures to share.
The first repeat on Chart B of my Seascape Stole is done! The heat was making me very restless this afternoon, and I didn't think I could knit, but the lace just entranced me and soon I forgot about the horrible air, and had this:
Here's where I was on Thursday:
While very beautiful and graceful looking, the knitting itself isn't terribly complicated. The long repeats make you want to keep knitting to see how they develop.
Thursday's Knit at Night, and Saturday were filled with lace (and non-lace) knitters:
Peggy finished her Sprout. It is PERFECT! And looks wonderful on her. She humored my plea for a photo shoot.
Bridget and Mary Ellen had socks to show:
Bridget had also made this cool crochet sun hat. (I REALLY need to get back to the crochet resolution!)
Amanda was working on her very first sock, and this beautiful scarf from Oceans. She is using Spunky Eclectic Summer.
Anna stunned us all when she walked in wearing this:
Again, it is knit in Spunky Eclectic Summer and the pattern is from the Summer Interweave Knits. Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.
(And, yes, more Spunky Summer is coming! Amy is working on it now.)
Jennifer stopped in to drop off lots of knitted knockers (thank you!!!) and show this lovely lace scarf in Hempathy
.
The pattern is from knitty.com, but I forgot to ask how many balls of Hempathy she used or what needle, or any of that important stuff. She is joining us in the Seascape KAL, and is back on track with her Sprout.
A few other really cool projects came through the door.
A pinwheel jacket out of Cascade Superwash:
A eco-friendly bag, made entirely from recycled bags!! I kid you not. The pictures don't do it justice. One of our younger knitters whipped this up and was sporting it over the weekend. I practically grabbed it off her arm to get some pics.
Diana brought me a special treat -
This is the shawl that she made in honor of a friend's wedding. It is a surprise. Lucky, lucky bride.
Since I had the camera, and it was unbearably hot in the house, I grabbed all my WIPS and took them outside for a project update. I figure it's been awhile since I've shown you all the active knits in my rotation.
You saw the Seascape. My love for it has in no way diminished my happiness when knitting the Phyllo Yoke. I'm almost at the lace portion of the body and will need to stop and make some arms before going further.
But check out this turned hem. I am very proud.
Many have asked about the sweater I mentioned for my newest niece, Madelyn. It's almost done! The body (knit in the round, from bottom-up) is complete, and the arms just need the cap shaping. Laziness has stopped progress since I need to do the math for the caps.
Sorry, no detailed pics until Madelyn gets it. Not that I think she is reading the blog already, but you never know, she is a very advanced little girl.
Because it is just one of those things that I had to at least say I knit, I cast on for a pair of Monkey socks.
I must admit that I am really enjoying the pattern. I could see myself knitting multiple pairs.
For completely mindless knitting, I pick up Connor's Harry Potter scarf.
The boy must be properly outfitted when the next movie is released.
And I have been spinning!
I told you about Pretty in Pink (Suri Alpaca, Merino, and Bamboo). It is now approx. 500yds of fingering weight yarn.
Now on the wheel... sparkles!!
Guess that's enough pictures for now. Tomorrow night is Amy's July design class, and I will be teaching someone to knit for the first time. I love that. Helping a knitter emerge, where there wasn't one before.
Seascape Knitters
The KAL has begun, and I have what I hope are awesome pictures of the knitting. But, alas, the camera with the pictures is still at the shop.
So, pictures of fabulous knitting tomorrow. For today, we have the updated roll call. If I missed you or your yarn, let me know!!
And, if we're really lucky, I will remember to take a picture of the Bridget brilliance that is the perfect way to organize your Seascape charts.
Adrienne - Spunky Eclectic Summer in Clouds
Alva - Dream in Color Baby in Beach Fog
Amy
Anna
Becka - Dream in Color Baby in Punky Fushia
Bridget - Spunky Lace in Cherry
Cheryl - Ornaghi Filati Merino Oro
Cheryl Y. - Kid Seta in Red
Chesley - Spunky Lace in Juniper
Christy - Spunky Lace in Wind
Diana - Dream in Color Baby in Beach Fog
Emily - Alpaca Cloud in green
Jen - Friends Folly 50/50
Jennifer B. - Spunky Lace in Cherry
Lesley
Liz - Spunky Lace in Cranberry
Lizzie - Dream in Color Baby in ??
Madeline - Blue Sky Alpaca and Silk in Papaya
Mindy - Spunky Lace in Nova Scotia
Mystery Knitter - Spunky Lace in Thunderstorm
Patti - Spunky Lace in green
Peggy - Spunky Lace in Wind
Pam E.- Hempathy in purple
Pam T. - Dream in Color Baby in Blue Lagoon
Sandy - Spunky Summer in ???
Sara - Spunky Lace in Shark
Scott - a cobweb lace in cash/silk blend (with beads!!)
Teresa - Kid Seta? or Dream in Color Baby in Wisterious
Wendy
Welcome Dream in Color Baby
Our first shipment of Dream in Color yarn arrived today!!
Introducing Baby, a lace weight, superwash Australian merino, that is spun and hand-dyed in the US. Dream in Color uses a unique dye process called veil dyeing.
"Inspired by the play of light in nature, our veil dyeing process brings depth and life to color, giving garments a subtle, dramatic shimmer and shine. While veil dyed yarn has all the unique character of other hand-dyed yarns, it will not “landscape” or “pool.” The result? A magnificent, flattering garment every time!"
While Classy (the worsted weight yarn) and Smooshy (the sock yarn) will arrive in a few weeks, Baby couldn't have come at a better time!
Once you announce a Knit-Along, you just can't hold those needles back! Our summer lace KAL, the Seascape Shawl, is scheduled to start over the next two weeks. Honestly, did you really think we were capable of waiting? Many have been in the shop searching for just the right yarn.
Pam and Becka both grabbed skeins of Baby. Can you blame them?
This must have been my lucky day, because soon after Dream in Color arrived, Amy came through the door with these gorgeous colors in Spunky Lace:
The top left color (Juniper) was absolutely perfect for the shawl I want to make. A few of us got talking about holiday knitting on Ravelry and we came up with the idea for a holiday gift knitting support group to help keep us on track. I've decided to make the shawl my first gift project. Can't tell you who it is for - that would ruin the surprise. But, it is for someone very special.
