The year is coming to an end, and we're experiencing a bit of nostalgia over all the knits that passed through our lives in 2011. We've made some new loves and kept classic favorites--it's been a wonderful year for the knitting world!

And now it's time to start the new year off with a bang! To our delight, we just received a long-awaited box of treasures from one of our favorite yarn companies, Malabrigo. We've restocked on all your old favorites, and what's more, we finally have our hands on Malabrigo's latest creation: Arroyo.

Arroyo means "brook" or "stream" in Spanish, cleverly hinting at the family tie to its heftier sibling, worsted Rios (which means "rivers"). The two are made of the same soft superwash merino, but Arroyo is spun up into a sport weight, perfect for lightweight sweaters and accessories.

Like all of Malabrigo's sumptuous yarns, Arroyo is kettle-dyed using imaginative concoctions of colors to make a veritable rainbow of hues. The superfine merino fibers soak up the dye for a vibrant array of variegated colorways. And because it's superwash, Arroyo holds up against felting or fuzzing--these garments will be with you for years to come!

Not to be outdone by the new kid on the block, classic favorite Malabrigo Sock is back on our shelves in some colors we haven't seen for more than a year! Sock's superwash merino fingering weight strikes the perfect balance of touchably soft and delicate, yet sturdy enough to stand up to socks, shawls, and baby garments.

When it comes to knitting, we like to think that you actually can teach an old dog new tricks. We like to keep our brains and needles sharp by taking a class every now and then. Our wide array of classes is sure to teach something new to every level of knitter--they're not just for beginners!

This season, we're thrilled to be joined by Simply Shetland designer Abbott Smith as he shows us the secret to his colorwork magic with three brand new colorwork classes: Ooh, Pretty Colors: Color Theory for the Knitter; Seeing Double: 2 Color Jacquard Rib; and Dancing on the Edge: Multi Color Cast Ons. Smith's colorwork expertise is sure to give you a newfound passion for this traditional art!

Portland's Duchess of Felt, LeBrie Rich, is back with another round of her fabulous felting workshops. Learn to create a stylish Nuno Felted Scarf, a Simple Felted Handbag, or a sweet Needle Felted Dessert! Take a break from your knitting needles for a change: our felting workshops are a great introduction to another aspect of the wonderful world of wool.

And starting on January 18, join expert knitter Vivian Williams for a guided knitalong of Marianne Isager's gorgeously graphic Honey sweater. You'll get tips, tricks, and lots of moral support as you knit a sweater, start to finish, in eight weeks. Our Isager Sweater Knitalong will reward you with a lovely Honey sweater to call your own--and some like-minded friends who can appreciate your efforts!

Quick! There's still time to get in on the best Sock Club Knit Purl has ever seen! We like to think of every knitted creation as a work of art--instead of brushes, we have needles, and instead of brushstrokes, we have stitches, but the sentiment is there! So what better inspiration for our 2012 Sock Club than Masterpieces? Each of the six exclusive kits Sock Club members will receive is inspired by a unique artistic masterwork. We don't want to give away any secrets, but suffice it to say that we've never been more impressed with the talented dyers and designers behind Sock Club. The thought and detail put into each month's kit is enough to make anyone crave these creations!