New Merchandise

Some new items have arrived in time for knitting through the long winter months.

Plymouth's "Happy Choices" is a piece of knit fabric that may be unraveled at one end, worn like a scarf, and reknitted into socks, mittens, hats, whatever. These fabrics have been handpainted in a variety of designs, but who knows what they will look like when reknitted! We also have plain fabrics in a natural color, if you would like to handpaint your own. In total, there is close to 400 yds of superwash wool and nylon in a fingering weight.

"Cotton Kisses" from Plymouth is a cotton blend yarn, dk weight, that comes with three buttons. There's enough yarn to make one of two infant/toddler sweaters from the patterns that are included. One is a cardigan, as shown in the picture, and the other is a pullover.

There's still room in our "Two socks on circular needles" class. Call the shop or e-mail me to register. To celebrate the new year, Noro's Kureyon sock yarn will be on sale at 15% off until January 15th.

We're beginning a new book after the first of the year: "Back on Blossom Street" by Debbie Macomber. Scheduled dates are Thursdays, January 8, 15, 22, and 29. Remember that we've canceled some sessions due to the weather, so let me know if you plan on coming.

As I'm writing this entry, we are having yet another winter storm. My guess is that we've had another 12 inches of snow, and the wind is howling! A good night to sit indoors and knit!

I'd like to wish you all a wonderful Holiday season, and the best in 2009! Thank you for a wonderful 2008!

Fur Trimmed Pillbox Hat

Here's a new pattern--I have this wonderful alpaca/merino/silk blend in a single ply and loads of fur fabric and wanted to come up with a simple project to use them both. When I modeled this hat, I heard comments like "a bad hair day" and "looks like it came from Dr. Zhivago"!

FUR-TRIMMED PILLBOX HAT
Materials: 1 100gm (197.8 yd) skein Araucania’s Azapa (30% alpaca, 45% merino, 15% silk, 10% donegal) color #802, tan
Size 15, 24-inch circular needles
Size 15 double-pointed needles; alternatively you may use a second circular or the magic loop method for finishing the top of the hat
stitch marker
fur fabric, strip approximately 6" wide by 24" long
Gauge: 2.5 st/inch in circular stockinette
Dimensions: Before felting: 10.5" tall, approximately 25 1/4" circumference
After felting: 4" tall; approximately 5 ½" in diameter, measured on the inside of the hat
Directions:Using the circular needle, cast on 72 stitches. Place a stitch marker and join in the round. Knit for 10 ½ inches, approximately 28 rounds. Purl 3 rounds to give the top a more defined edge.
Begin decreasing the top:
Round 1: *Knit 7, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: *Knit 6, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: *Knit 5, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: *Knit 4, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 5: *Knit 3, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 6: *Knit 2, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 7: *Knit 1, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 8: *Knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round.
Draw tail through remaining 7 loops and weave in loose ends.
Felt the hat and dry over a container shaped like a pill-box hat, such as a cookie tin.
When dry, attach the fur fabric:
Fold approximately 1/2-inch of the long edges of the fabric to the inside and hem, using a blanket stitch at 1/4" intervals and a doubled thread. Pin the fabric to the felted hat, using lots of pins. Hand-stitch this fabric to hem of hat, fitting to match the circumference. Trim the short-edges, if necessary. When satisfied with the fit, seam the short edges together, on the wrong side. If desired, take the upper long edge of the fur to the felted fabric to secure.

There's lots of luscious colors in the Azapa, and three colors of fur to match!

Please do not copy this pattern or hat for sale. You may knit the pattern for yourself or family/friends.

It's been doin' nuttin but snowin' here in northern Michigan. We woke up to a foot (at least) of fresh snow this morning. It is beautiful!!!

We've had to cancel the last two book club evenings due to the weather--we'll continue to plan on Thursday evenings, because eventually the weather should settle down. If you plan on coming, please let me know. Give me your phone number so that we can call you if we cancel. We have a couple of regular members that drive from Traverse City.

I've been searching for new patterns that knit up quickly (in time for the holidays) and cheaply (in case you haven't heard, we are in a recession!) I've found two great hats and have been able to knit up one.

It's called the Republic Hat, and you can download the pattern for free at Ravelry or at http://niksknits.blogspot.com/. It's a very easy pattern, and the hat is easily knit up in a couple of hours. I knit it in Esther Bitran's Socos (88 yds/100 gms). It required just a little bit of a second skein, so you might want to consider purchasing 3 skeins to be able to knit a matching scarf or mittens. It sells in the shop here for $12 per skein. Alternatively you could use Encore Chunky, Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande or a number of other yarns that knit at 3 st/inch. You'll also need a giant button for this hat.

The other hat is also bulky, the pattern calls for Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande, one skein. I'll try to get this one knit as soon as possible and post the picture, but you can find the pattern at http://wallisknits.blogspot.com. The name of the pattern is "Marlo".

Hope you are all doing well. I'm wishing wonderful Holidays for each and everyone of you!