Close Knitters

There’s something unexplainable about some yarns. They are soft, in nice colors, and just demand to be knit to really appreciate the colors.

Noro is one of those yarns. Eisaku Noro blends the raw materials- he uses a lot of wool and silk- hand spins and then uses dyes and colors inspired by nature to create one of a kind yarns. They work well with simple shapes in garter and stockinette.

We’ve had it in the store for a while now, and the Suki Scarf has gotten a lot of attention.

It’s knit with one skein of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn, on a size 6 needle.

Jin knit this adorable top for a little girl.

Knit from the top down, in one piece so there is no finishing. A nice way to dress up an outfit.

We now have a Noro that’s mostly cotton, for spring and summer. Kim made this shrug.

Taiyo is a worsted weight blend of cotton, silk, nylon and a touch of wool. Wonderful colors- lots of bright summery combinations.

Phyllis spent a lot time communing with Silk Garden to knit a pinwheel sweater.

It’s a circle with sleeves, making a shawl collar when closed. A real display of Noro color.

Every now and then someone asks about the wedding dress that Maggie Hopkins is knitting. She brought it in today- or, what she’s knit so far.

This is one of two bodice pieces. She said that it took “a couple of weeks” to knit.

One of the six skirt panels- the only one done so far. It took “a couple of months”.

This is what there is so far of panel two. There are gold beads strung on the yarn, but they are hard to see.

So, when will this be done? Maggie says that her fiance may have sold his condo, so the pressure is on! She also says that it’s tough to stick with one really big project, so she’s glad that she’s taking a break to make a felted bag to donate to an auction. Then it’s back to The Dress.

Does this strike fear into your heart?

It’s the Aran that Arlene is knitting for a granddaughter in Georgia. And it’s still in pieces. This is just what the Sweater Support Group is for- moral support and advice to get through the tough or confusing parts.

This Thursday, March 25 is the first session. It’s from 7 to 9 pm, $10 fee. Just drop in, no reservations needed. Chocolate will be provided- if there is any ripping that needs to be done a little chocolate goes a long way.

The spring Vogue Knitting arrived last week. When a new book or magazine arrives here in the store everything stops for a while so we can all check it out. There is a linen top that caught everyone’s eye. Kim took home some green Louet Euroflax to get started.

Just over a week later here it is! The top in the magazine has a separate cowl, so it’s called “top with cowl”. Knit from the top down in one piece, so when the knitting is done the top is ready!

Jin has started one in citrus, and Jen is thinking of brown. We will be ready for spring!

There are several other interesting patterns in this issue, lace sweaters, scarves and wraps as well as other textured tops. And an article that shows you how to Kitchener stitches other than stockinette.

Occasionally knitters ask each other what they are knitting.

Usually the answer is the most current project. If you want to get a knitter really thinking, ask them how many projects they have going on. The knitter may pause, start counting, and tell you one or two. Or she may start to count on her fingers…. And never give you a straight answer.

I seem to be in the midst of a baby boom. Friends are having babies. My husband’s co workers are having babies. Friends of friends are having babies, and they all need to be welcomed with something adorable and handknit.

So there is a baby sweater on the needles, another in the planning stages. Two recently finished- pictures below. And then there is the scarf near the tv, half a sock in my purse, and a linen top that might actually be done by summertime.

True confession here- five, count ‘em, five projects in progress.

Here are the sweaters-

How many projects do you have going on now?

Use the comment button to tell us!

Details for above sweaters- They are both knit in Classic Elite Provence, using a Cabin Fever pattern. Both are top down raglans, minimal finishing required! The pattern’s intended gauge is five and a half stitches per inch. I like the texture of Provence at five stitches to the inch. By using the pattern’s numbers for the smallest size and Provence at five stitches to the inch the sweaters should fit the babies at about six months.