The Yarn Lounge: it's hip to knit

FO Friday!!!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

So far, we're all in-house for this week's FO Friday with one small-world exception!

Karen recently finished up her Cassis by Thea Coleman out of Imperial Stock Ranch Columbia yarn. It's the perfect layering piece and because it's knit from the top-down you can do all kinds of customization (think shorter or longer, full or short sleeves). This great transitional pattern is available through Ravelry's in-store pattern sales. Karen's necklace is the perfect accoutrement, too!

I've been busy knitting but not so busy taking pictures of said knitting. This is the Easy Folded Poncho from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas knit out of new-this-year Rowan Tweed. I made mine a bit wider and longer but it's like a nice, warm, wooly hug on a cold day.

Also fresh off the needles is this Saroyan knit out of Cestari's Traditional Collection 100% wool yarn. The pattern is available free here. The yarn is a worsted weight usually getting between 4 and 4.5 stitches per inch on a US8 but for the Saroyan I used a US10. For grins I machine washed the finished piece in cold water on a gentle cycle and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. The yarn bloomed up beautifully and filled in any space made by the larger needle. I don't know that I'd recommend this treatment for something where fit is an issue but whew, it's just gorgeous all washed up.

Cate finished up this sweet self-designed scarf out of the extraordinarily luscious Moonlight yarn from Jade Sapphire. The yarn is a cashmere and combed mink combo, whoa. It's the perfect yarn to have next to one's skin. Lovely!

Another Cate FO! This is the Shoemaker's Hat designed by Clara Parkes knit out of Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky. Warm and stylish and destined to make someone's head very toasty!

Lastly but not leastly we have Karen modeling the scarf knit for her by her daughter's mother-in-law, Anne, out of Fleece Artist Tiffendel. Funny story - these two met by happenstance for the first time here at The Yarn Lounge a few days before Karen's daughter married Anne's son. Anne lives in Florida but was scoping out Richmond yarns shops. Very. Small. World.

Enjoy the gorgeous weather this weekend and keep those needles and hooks flying!

New Kim Hargreaves' books!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:13:00 +0000

Not one but three new Kim Hargreaves books arrived recently. She has such a way with tailored garments. Where to start?!?!

Shadows by Kim Hargreaves

Scarlet by Kim Hargreaves

Kim Hargreaves' Vintage Designs to Knit: 25 Timeless Patterns for Women and Men from the Rowan Collection includes favorite patterns originally published in Rowan Magazines. Kim's aesthetic is so classic even the oldest of these patterns looks fresh and modern for today.

FO Friday!!!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Just a few but all high-quality FOs to share this week.

Who is that masked, er cowled woman? It's Mimi! With an FO! The pattern is the Man (or Anyone) Cowl by This Boy Knits and is available free here. Mimi used stash yarn - it's fantastic! I just wish I could see the smile under the cowl.

Doesn't Lisa look lovely in her Fiber Trends Easy Lace Wrap knit out of Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Lace? Don't you love how she paired it with a burgundy turtleneck and white sweater? It show's off the pattern and colors beautifully!

This is Ginger in her Three Sisters from Cheryl Oberle's Knitted Jackets. Ginger used Stonehedge Fiber Mills Shepherd's Wool in color Denim. It's gorgeous!

When I was sick last week my knitting mojo had all but disappeared. When I emerged from my sinus-induced fog the urge to knit and purl returned (thankfully). First up was this simple hat knit out of Cestari Cozy Collection Bulky in color Dahlia Red. Knit up on size 10 and 10.5 I had an almost instant sense of accomplishment. You can, too, because I wrote down the pattern and have it available at the shop if you're so inclined to make one for yourself. If you buy the yarn, I'll give you the pattern. My toasty gift to you.
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If you're in the neighborhood this weekend, swing by and say hello. We've got some new goodies that have yet to make it to the blog. You can be one of the first to see the new Kim Hargeaves' books and knitscene..... More on those on the blog next week.

Shabby-styley canvas buckets for your stash needs.

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

How cool are these? They're brand new but have the lovely patina of a well-loved piece of furniture. What better place to keep your latest project of the lovely skeins you've collected?

Available in two sizes (the larger one has a 13" diameter, the smaller 8") there's one that's perfect for you.

Please welcome, Shibui Sock!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Have you seen this stuff? It's gorgeous! There are 191 yards of machine washable wooliness perfect for a pair of Turkish Bed Socks (1 skein) or regular socks (2 skeins) or even Hannah Fettig's Featherweight Cardigan...

Malabrigo is back with a new friend, Arroyo!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

We've restocked the shelves after holiday elves bought just about out of all things Malabrigo! There are some new colors in Worsted, Rasta, and Rios plus these new colors in sock:

Malabrigo Sock

And introducing the latest to the Malabrigo line, Arroyo!

Malabrigo Arroyo

Arroyo is the smaller cousin to Rios. It's a machine-washable pure merino wool knitting up at 20-22sts/4inches though we suspect it's happier knit up a bit tighter. There are 335 soft and squishy yards with which to knit or crochet. It's Malabrigo so it has to be good, right? Right.

Welcome to the shelves, Cestari!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Cestari, LTD is a mill located just down the road a bit west of Staunton. They produce some lovely US-sourced yarns wool yarns such as the Cozy Collection Bulky:


100% fine merino wool 80 yards approximately 3sts/in on US 11

the Traditional Collection:

100% wool
some skeins 210 yards, some skeins 183 yards
approximately 4sts/in on US8

the Island Collection:

67% cotton (sourced from SC), 25% wool, 8% silk (from China)
250 yards
approximately 5sts/in on US7

They do mill tours at Cestari in Churchville, VA and if you get a chance to go, make sure Cestari's proprietor Francis is there. He's an amazing story-teller!

FO Friday!!!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:44:00 +0000

We have one lovely finished object to show you today. The lovely Carrie models her "Austin Hoodie" (pattern by Connie Chang Chinchio) that her husband, Nathan, knit for her out of the Louet GemsSport. This is his first full-on sweater attempt (he's done a couple of vests before) and he assures us it isn't his last. Fabulous work Nathan! It's lovely and fits perfectly!

First FO Friday of 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

There was some knitting going on last week!

If you're not Kelly's friend and you're about to have a baby, look her up and be her friend. She's knit so many cute baby hats for the babies of friends! This is the Cabled Teddy Hat pattern available for purchase from raverly here. Kelly used Shepherd's Wool for this sweet hat.

And this is Kelly (the one with whom you want to be friends) wearing her Francis Revisited (available free on ravelry). She used Malabrigo Worsted and it's even more gorgeous in person!

Neither the yarn nor the pattern are from here but this Peerie Flooer hat designed by Kate Davies and knit by Leslie was just too pretty not to share. She used Rowan Fine Tweed (we carry the dk weight but you can find the Fine at the lovely Knitting Sisters in Williamsburg). The pattern is available through ravelry here and Kate Davies is set up for us to sell the pattern through ravelry here at the shop, too. Beautiful!

Miss Sally finished up her screaming-sale-Mission-Falls baby blanket just in time for her new grandchild! She used the Churchmouse Yarns and Teas' Garter Blocks Baby Blanket pattern. Her new grandchild lives in Colorado so this will be nice and snuggly!

Jaime's back! This time she knit up Herbivore designed by Stephen West. The Malabrigo Sock yarn she used is the richest deep red! Just lovely!

Last FO Friday of 2011!!!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:49:00 +0000

Kathleen headlines our post today. She's made a few of these scarves using various yarns and the pattern "Misty Garden" from Scarf Style but this one was made with the extra soft and squishy Acadia from The Fibre Company. Lovely!

Kay has two finished objects to show off which became gifts shortly after she brought them in to show us. These "flourite" gloves from the Norah Gaughan Collection, Vol. 7 are made with Ultra Alpaca Light. Aren't they beautiful and stylish?

Next, she shows off her "Corduroy," a pattern from A Fine Fleece, which she made out of some stash yarn. What lucky people to receive these gifts!

With these last FOs of the year, we would like to thank you for showing off your beautiful projects this year and we look forward to seeing all of the things you create in the year to come. Happy New Year to everyone!
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Please note: We'll be open from 11am-2pm on Saturday, December 31 so we can get an early start on our new year's celebrating!

Connie Chang Chinchio's new book Textured Stitches is here!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:10:00 +0000

Connie Chang Chinchio is a PhD holder in physics who moonlights as a detail-rich knitwear designer with quite the following. Her first book, Textured Stitches was just released from Interweave and contains 20 designs showcasing her design skills.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Tulip Henley

Gauge

23sts/4inches in stst

Yarn Suggestions - cooler weather

Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light

Milla Mia

Rowan Felted Tweed

Rowan Tweed

Rowan Cashsoft DK

Blue Sky Alpaca Alpaca & Silk

Fibre Company Acadia

Yarn Suggestions - warmer weather

Berroco Pure Pima

Rowan Lenpur Linen

Treccia wrap

Gauge

24sts/4inches in k2, p2 rib

Yarn Suggestions - cooler weather

Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light

Milla Mia

Rowan Felted Tweed

Rowan Tweed

Rowan Cashsoft DK

Blue Sky Alpaca Alpaca & Silk

Fibre Company Acadia

Yarn Suggestions - warmer weather

Berroco Pure Pima

Rowan Lenpur Linen

Cecily Pullover

Gauge

19sts/4inches in stst

Yarn Suggestions - cooler weather

Berroco Blackstone Tweed

Malabrigo Worsted

Malabrigo Rios

Classic Elite Crestone

Classic Elite Vail

Stonehedge Fiber Mills Shepherd's Wool Worsted

Rowan Lima

Yarn Suggestions - warmer weather

Classic Elite Seedling

Classic Elite Chesapeake

Rowan All Seasons Cotton

Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton

Albero Cowl Jacket

Gauge

17sts/4inches in sts

Yarn Suggestions - cooler weather

Malabrigo Worsted

Malabrigo Rios

Rowan Alpaca Cotton

Rowan Felted Tweed Aran

Rowan Cocoon

Yarn Suggestions - warmer weather

Rowan All Seasons Cotton

Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton

There aren't only sweaters but scarves, mittens, gloves, and hats, too!

Festive FO Friday!!!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:25:00 +0000

Lots of FOs! Thanks for not keeping these lovely FOs under wraps! Nice job, everyone!

Cate has to be one of the most photogenic women I've ever met. She doesn't take a bad picture! And she has the perfect hat head, too. Here she's sporting Escargot from knitty. She used Ultra Alpaca to lovely effect.

Laurel's been busy, too, finishing up this lovely feather-and-fan scarf out of sock yarn and Ultra Alpaca Light. Gorgeous!

Who is that masked knitter? It's Faith! She's having some fun with her fairisle Malabrigo hat. Love those colors!

How gorgeous are these? These are Faith's take on the Endpaper Mitts from Eunny Jang. She used O-Wool's 2-Ply organicv wool in a lovely seafoam and cream.

There are two poses for mitts pictures, Faith's dramatic take and here, Kelly's hot cup of tea/hot chocolate/coffee favored by pattern picture takers the world over. There's just something soothing about warm hands around a warm mug. Kelly just finished sewing the buttons on her Welted Fingerless Gloves from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas using Ultra Alpaca Light. Those buttons are absolutely perfect!

Also from Kelly's needles this week is the Growing Leaves Cowl. She knit this one out of Malabrigo Twist in a lovely dusty pink.

Mimi! I'm so sorry I neglected to add this to FO Friday several weeks ago. I'm so glad she said something! This is a spectacular afghan (the picture does not do it justice) she crocheted using a Designer Square pattern from Interweave Crochet. The yarn is the now-discountinued Mission Falls 136. Fantastic! And my apologies for the delay!

These are the spoils of Cate's last Fun & Frilly Scarf class! Don't they look festive! Nice job, ladies! And we still have a few colors left of this fun 'yarn' so if you have any last minute gifts to complete, this might be your answer!

Winnie looks so great in her dress! It's a heavily-modified version of the Gym Slip Dress from Knit 2 Together. Winnie used Rowan's Felted Tweed. Love it!

Melanie B. finished up this Owl Sweater in trade for her friend's artwork. Nice barter! Melanie used Lamb's Pride Bulky in a gorgeous green!

Alice knit up these gorgeous Spruce Mittens from Robin Hansen's book Favorite Mittens. She used Tuckahoe Plantation's yarn in two natural colors for these warm and lanolin-y mittens!

Most excellent work, everyone! Please have a safe and happy holiday!

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Please note: We'll be open Saturday, December 24 from 11am-2pm and closed Sunday and Monday.

Still stumped?

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:25:00 +0000

We have gift cards! And they fit all skill levels!

Send your loved ones a gentle reminder of your love of fiber and send them here! We'll hook them (and you) up!

The fun stitch markers in their own clamshell case are back!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Yep, they're back in stock! These are the runaway hits of the holiday!

A sweet addition to your knitting tool kit

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

How fun would it be to check your gauge using this cute rabbit measuring tape? And he comes with his own carrot so you don't have to feed him. We've also received some turtle and sheep tape measure friends, too.

FO Friday!!!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:12:00 +0000

All of the FOs this week are in-house! We know, you're most recent FOs are gifts and you don't want to spoil any surprises.

Mr. Colby is most handsome in the shawl collar snowflake sweater made for him by his grandma Leslie! The details of this creation are not within site of my sofa so I can't give you the 411 but suffice it to say it's precious!

Karen! The temperatures were just cold enough for this lovely Issara (available for purchase through Twist Collective here). Karen used Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky in color Bing Cherry. Very stylish and warm!

When I opened the box containing Scrumptious Chunky, I had to drop everything else and figure out what to make. I settled on the Bandana Cowl from the Purl Bee. Quick and easy and I got my Scrumptious Chunky fix.

Enjoy the weekend before the weekend before Christmas and keep those needles and hooks flying! Hope to see you soon!

Scrumptious Chunky

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Sounds mouth-watering, no? If one could consume yarn, this would be the yarn to consume. It's Scrumptious Chunky (really) from Fyberspates and is a most delicious blend of silk (45%) and merino (55%). The colors are so deep with a bit of sheen thanks to the silk.

The 131 yards knit up at a not-especially-chunky 4st/in on a US10 will net you the most gorgeous cowl or a lovely hat. A shawl would require a few more skeins but can you imagine?!

They're baa-aaa-aaak!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Sheep bowls are back!

And they don't hang out very long before being adopted so if you'd like one to keep or give, stop by soon!

Please help us welcome...

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Berroco's Ultra Alpaca!

We'd been debating not if but when to bring in Ultra Alpaca Light's slightly heftier sister and decided we'd waited long enough. With so many colors from which to choose it was hard to narrow it down to the 36 or so we did select!

Ultra Alpaca is a 50% alpaca/50% wool blend knitting up at 5st/in on a US8 with 215 yards per skein.

We're so glad you're here, Ultra Alpaca!

FO Friday!!!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

More Fun & Frilly Scarves have made it to FO Friday! You can join the club - Cate's having one more Fun & Frilly One-Hour Scarf on Saturday, December 17. Additionally, Little Red Riding Hood's making an appearance and a Cate Fitt Original as knit by Susan. Enjoy!

Marita looks just lovely in her Trance-colored (Rowan's description, not mine) Kidsilk Creation Scarf. And it looks perfect with her dark gray vest!

Stephanie cranked out a Fun & Frilly scarf in Cate's class this past Saturday, too! She chose the lovely Slate color for hers.

Lindsay, too, finished her scarf in the one-hour class! She chose the Dewberry color. It looks fantastic!

This is cute Libby. Her dad Carlton knit up this this adapted Little Red Riding Hood cape from Fairy Tale Knits. He used Stonehedge Fiber Mills' Shepherd's Wool. She is just precious!

Susan was a test knitter for a Cate Fitt original design. Using Plain & Fancy Sheep & Wool and a bottom-up continuous yoke constriction, the colors play perfectly! Susan drove all the way to the Outer Banks to get this shot. That's dedication!

Lovely handmade gift ideas... already made!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:24:00 +0000

These locally-made wrist warmers don't take any time at all to make because Shannon's made them for you. She takes Goodwill sweaters, felts them down just a bit, and creates these sweet and functional wrist warmers. Recycling and supporting a local artist - what could be finer?

Not quite as local but also hand-made are these lovely hand-turned shawl sticks from Ron in Massachusetts. They're a delicate-looking yet sturdy closure for your newly-blocked shawl or buttonless cardigan.

The classes are posted! The classes are posted!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:30:00 +0000

After much calendar wrangling, we've got the January-April 2012 class schedule posted and ready for registration!

You can check out the schedule here.

Here's a list of what's being offered the go-around:

Beginner Knitting with Laura
Beginner/Advanced Beginner Knitting with Susan
Beginner Crochet with Erin H.
All Skills Church with Cate
Skill Builder Thursdays with Cate
Circular Knitting with Laura
Continental Knitting with Tracy
Getting Gauge with Pam
Gauging and Correcting Mistakes with Tracy
Cast On/Bind Off with Pam
Plain & Fancy Socks with Tracy
Reversible Cable Scarf with Tracy
Simple Winter Toppers (hats) with Tracy
My First Sweater with Laura
Cozy Mittens with Tracy
Turkish Bed Socks with Pam
Mini-Crocheted Throw with Erin H.
Introduction to Spinning on a Drop Spindle with Melanie

If you see something you'd like to take, simply give us a call with a credit card and we'll reserve your spot!

FO Friday Night!!!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:59:00 +0000

Lisa! She knit this Barb's Koigu Ruffle by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas with the worsted weight Madeline Tosh Vintage and bigger needles and now has the most luscious, squishy, cuddly ruffled scarf to keep her warm.

Leslie spent a good while working on these Twin Rib socks from the book Sensational Knitted Socks but they were well worth the time. She used the Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 to lovely effect!

Meet the human periscope, Roz. Okay, okay, she prefers to call it her head sock. She knit up this lovely Plain and Fancy Sheep and Wool into the periscope, er, head sock in the dark in various movie theaters around town--the perfect mindless stockinette movie theater project!

Ayn saw it, duplicated it and did it in the span of a couple of days. Yes, this Anthropology-inspired cowl was whipped up in no time using the Malabrigo Rios doubled and a sizeable crochet hook. Fabulous!

Watch out for this Bandita! Stewart made up the pattern for this little cowl using the Blue Sky Alpacas Techno and tossing in a staggered cable pattern.

Nuriel models this adorable little dress that her mom, Claudia, made for her. She used the Swan's Island Fingering and the pattern is "Elvira" by Rasmilla, available from Ravelry here.

Kelly, besides taking a really good picture, also recently knit this modified Annabella's Cowl from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas. She knit the cowl using a strand of Freia Fine Handpaints Worsted Ombre and a strand of Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

Kelly also finished her "Damson" by Ysolda Teague. We forget which yarn she used at the moment but, whatever it is, it's gorgeous. This little shawlette is sure to keep the shoulders warm this winter.

We apologize for the delay - we've been working like crazy to get the January-April 2012 (!) class schedule posted. We'll be ready to take registration tomorrow!

Results of Cate's First Fun & Frilly Scarf Class!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Look at those happy faces and warm necks! You, too, can learn to make this fun scarf with Cate. There are two sessions left:

Saturday, December 3 from 11am-noon, and
Saturday, December 17 from 11am-noon

When you sign up, tell us what color you'd like to use and we'll hold it for you!

Stocking stuffers!

noreply@blogger.com (TheYarnLounge) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0000

The knitter in your life would be so psyched to find any of these goodies in their stocking this holiday!

sheep, turtle, and flower tape measure from Lantern Moon

a Hiyahiya clam shell case full of colorful stitch markers

needle cases from Lantern Moon and ditty bags from Apple & Bee

a case for your straight needles, circular needles, or both from Della Q

a beautiful set of Harmony Wood Straight Needles (US4-US11) from knitpicks in their own case

So many choices! Don't forget to fill out a Holiday Wish List. We have a card file ready to go. Come in, make that list, and we'll take it from there. Send in your loved ones and we'll make sure they find just the right fibery gift for you this holiday. Easy peasy.