Drive-by blogging

Wow, what a week we've had!  Including (but not limited to) yarn crawlers (in crazy Classical hats, no less)...

E tu, Medusā?
(I tried to fit "Spartacus" in there, but it just doesn't decline right.)

Workshops like Kitchen-Safe Dyeing (lots of fun)...

Really. Honest.

Yarn Chop Suey, anyone?

And an amazing Sock Club kit that is getting rave reviews on ravelry.  (Say that three times fast)

Plus, we have a (small) Handknits for Tika progress report:

Yes, Penelope is looking a bit poorly right now (sans ears and arms and, uh, legs), but she should be finished by next week.  I'm making her out of Rowan All Seasons Cotton in colors #239 ("Jacuzzi" - I wouldn't make this up!) and #229 ("Wisteria").  And, yes, for those of you paying attention, Penelope is not Sammie, as previously discussed.  I lost my copy of the pattern and we're sold out.  Darn it. 

Also, Penelope is wearing Tika's "The Republic" chemo cap, knit with ShibuiKnits Merino Worsted in "Peony".  The (completely awesome) buttons were found down the street at the Button Emporium.

Hopefully, by next Tuesday, we'll have a finished stuffie (plus ears and arms and, uh, legs), blankie square, hospital bed socks and hat to give Tika.  If you're interested in contributing (even a 6" x 6" square will help!), please let us know and we'll put you on the list.  There might even be prizes involved.

Next, we have an exciting stock update.  Remember those lovely and exotic shawl pins that literally sprinted out the door in November?  Well, they're BACK IN STOCK!

We're down to three of the Black Pearl Shawl Sticks, so I suggest that (should you have been coveting one of these beauties... like moi), run (don't walk) to the Accessories section of our web site and get yours before we have to wait another two months for the next shipment.

Last, but definitely not least, be sure to tune in tomorrow for another fantastic edition of FashionknitstaThursday (trust me, I get to proof each article in advance) and check your inbox on Friday for a jam-packed Newsletter with new yarns, new books and the winner of our Cable Limerick Contest!

The things we do for yarn.

To most knitters there's nothing more glamorous than working at a knitting store (except, perhaps, owning a knitting store) and, most of the time, LYS employees will agree.

Most of the time. Last Friday, however, all I heard from my coworkers were complaints as we did a quick photoshoot for the weekend's eCard.

You may remember it?

And, really, what a bunch of whiners. It couldn't have been more than five minutes (ten on the outside) that we were, ah, posing...

(From left to right: Me, Jaia, Marjorie, Lindsay, and Sandy Kay)

... against a brick wall, and they started kvetching about how cold it was or that their fingers were going numb or how their shoulders had frozen in place. Sheesh. Consider the importance of the project, my coworkers! If we don't stop to illuminate the world about exciting new mitten and wristlet patterns, who will? It is our duty, nay, privilege, to model shop samples in strange and interesting ways!

Let this be a lesson to current/ future/ hopeful LYS employees - working at a knitting shop isn't all knitting cashmere.

Anyway. Thought I'd share the latest behind-the-scenes look at Knit Purl.

Moving on. We have some fantastic new accessories in. My favorite are the Classic Shawl Pins, distributed by Lantern Moon. Sleek and simple, these polished metal pretties are just what I want in a shawl pin:



Well made, beautiful and modest enough not to detract from the shawl it's pinning closed. Since I mostly wear handknit shawls (or would like to), I'd rather the shawl be the focus and not the pin. But, if you're into the bling (and there's nothing wrong with that!), Lantern Moon has also released these Textured Metal Shawl Pins:




Which, I have to say, are quite lovely. They make me think of Moroccan jewelry - with all the granulation in different sizes and concentric circles. It's very pretty and quite attractive and would probably work really well with a sweeping shawl or cloak. Can't you just imagine it?

Both shawl pins were designed by Jim Knopf, who seems to have an awesome collection of buttons and other accents across the pond, in Germany. Interestingly enough, knopf means "button" in German. Isn't that a fun fact?

We're still waiting on some of his newest button collections and some more shawl pins - all distributed by Lantern Moon. Be sure to watch the website for updates.

And, last but certainly not least, we just received several copies of the eagerly anticipated book, Itty-Bitty Toys:

Written by Susan B. Anderson, the same author of Itty-Bitty Nursery and Itty-Bitty Hats, this collection is so much more than you'd expect. With toys that range from traditional Sock Monkeys and Teddy Bears, there are also Koalas and a Giraffe and a ducky family!

I grabbed some sample photos from Susan's ravelry journal, just so you can see how unbelievably cute this book is:

Koala Mama & Baby	Mama Duck & Ducklings
Giraffe	Christmas Set

Sweet, right? We just love it. I think my favorite is the Mama Duck & Ducklings, followed closely by the Giraffe. Check out the book on ravelry, it's too cute to resist! Be sure to look at least one of the reversibles - toys that can change from one animal into another! Like the Lion & Elephant. If you saw them in a toy box, you'd never guess they were handknit, would you?

And I think that's quite enough awesomeness to share this week. Check back next week for a book full of wool, the joys of shipping out a Sock Club installment (don't worry, I'll get photos!), and proof of my incurable Start-itis (you may want to read this from a distance, it may just be contagious).

Until then, enjoy the liquid sunshine out there!

Projects!

Have we got a parade of handknits for you today (some are finished, some are still OTN, but they're all looking good!). First off, we have Sue's children's bolero:

Knit with ShibuiKnits Merino Worsted in Spectrum.

Do you remember Sue and her 110 Pullover? I certainly do have to wonder when does she find the time to knit all these sweaters? I mean, really. Last I talked to her, she was planning on making an adult bolero to match.

Then, after Sue dropped by to show off, Nancy came in for some advice on her Skif Heart:

Which I think is just lovely. She's been making it with Handmaiden Sea Silk, Habu Textiles Tsumugi Silk (one of my personal favorites!) and Isager Wool 1. The hand of the three together is just luscious. I can't wait to see this finished (keep going, Nancy! you're sooo close). And, ha!, I found it in Nancy's ravelry journal.

Next, we had a visit from baby Mils, whom you might recognize from our April Staff Pick eCard:

She is so darned cute I want to squeee! whenever I see her photo. I managed to convince Mommy and Grandma to let me get a photo of her in her handknit booties with her (clearly) favorite teddy bear. The booties are from heaven knows where (maybe these?), since I couldn't get any info on them. But the bear pattern is from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby and is easily the cutest bear pattern any of us have seen.

And, last but not least, on the handknitting front, we have Sandy B's Easter chicken for her granddaughter:

Who I've named Henrietta, which has stuck (it fits, doesn't it?). Made with Rowan Handknit Cotton in "Slick" and "Nectar". Cute, huh? I decided she needed to be introduced to our Jamie, Gordon and Hugh chickens. Last I checked, they were getting on spendily.

And, truly finally, we have Mona's handspun "dewdrop" yarn:

It was made by beading the yarn as it was spun. Very fun. Mona has just over 9 oz here, which is decidedly enough for a variety of projects (which maybe she'll bring back for Show and Tell...). And, just so's we don't get annoyed questions later, Mona learned to spin the yarn during our Intermediate Handspinning Techniques class. Aren't you jealous? I know I am, it's so pretty!

And that just might be everything (for now) that I have photos of. Check back on Thursday for a knitnotwar update, new patterns, new books and more stashing updates!

True Plies: Needle-lessly Cool

Our Very Special Yarn column is on hiatus until the project I'm knitting with it is done. Sorry, I'm a slower knitter than expected...

True Plies: MY Top 5 (Coolest & Most) Essential Tools of the Trade

Aside from yarn and needles, there are a few items any knitter will need to keep on stitching away blissfully. Ignoring the standards, like tape measurers and needle gauges, let's look at some other less known but extremely useful bits and bobs created to save our collective sanity. Some may argue with the products I chose, but this is my column and we all know I'm right anyway.

1. The KA Mini Cro-Hook

I love this thing with a deep and abiding devotion. Only 2" long and perfectly useful for a million tasks (picking up stitches, crocheting edges, seaming, etc), this is THE SPIFFIEST new knitting tool I've found. It also comes with it's own plastic pouch, to protect it from nicks and suchlike. Since it's so teeny-tiny, it can fit in any project bag and won't take up room better used to store yarn.

2. Clover lock-ring stitch markers

O', little plastic locking stitch markers, how I love thee. Let me count the ways. For thou art:

1. fantastic stitch markers for any project.


2. perfect to identify other important project details - pattern repeats, rows, shaping, you name it.


3. invaluable in placing buttons.


4. also be useful in lieu of buttons (just guess how I figured that one out).


5. wonderfully contained in a sturdy pouch.

Truly, thou art the epitome of stitch-markerdom.

3. Boxy Project Bags

I used to be one of Those knitters. Unhappy with my traveling projects because I was constantly losing DPNs, pulling out tangled birds' nests from my backpack, and just having a Bad Time of it. Then I discovered project bags. Put your knitting and toys in a bag within your purse/ messenger bag/ backpack and voila! No more snares, missing needles or puncture marks in your Physics homework. After a couple of years worth of experimenting I have found:

• Boxy is better - more space and it's trendy to boot.


• Closed is essential, an open bag (without zipper or snaps) will end in the same trauma as having no bag at all.


• Snaps or buttons are less hassle than zippers, but all are better than none (see above).


• A wrist-strap is priceless. Aside from giving you the option of knitting while walking/ jogging/ chasing sheep, it also offers something to grab.


• Less is more. Honestly, are you really going to want a project bag big enough for a sweater? Remember, your project bag has to be able to fit inside your purse/ messenger bag/ backpack.

My own preferences are to the Lantern Moon Diamon-Drop bags and the Misocrafty wrist bags - both are large enough to carry a small to medium sized project (socks, hat, scarf) and fulfil all my realistic* project bag needs.

4. SnipIt Scissors

Many knitters (and knitting-product reviewers) prefer the Clover Yarn Cutter Pendant, but I'm an old-fashioned stickler to scissors. Aside from appreciating such a purely human feat of engineering, they're more adaptable to different jobs - good luck steeking with that pendant. And these scissors fold up to prevent snaring or poking holes in anything nearby.

5. The Clover Chibi

Chibi means "little one" in Japanese. Just like the KA mini cro-hook, this is a small, affordable and completely indispensable tool. Or toy, depending on how you look at it. I store all types of needles in mine - sewing needles for buttons, various embroidery needles, and the standard tapestry needles for knitting. Once you get one of these, you'll get attached to how functional and, well, cute it is!

So those are my Top 5 toys to keep any knitter sane. Try 'em out and prove me wrong, I have a hard time imagining anyone not loving one of these products!

*Yes, I do have a secret wish for Hermione Granger's magical ability to store anything and everything in a handbag.