POSTED: October 28, 2011 by Lizz
Working Within the Community
We've mentioned in the past that we're going to be doing some charity projects in the coming months to help give back during the holidays. We'd like to announce an on-going collection for Project Linus!
Project Linus is an amazing nation-wide organizaiton that has a mission we knitters can stand by: "to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans." That is why MSK will be collecting any donated items for Project Linus. If you would like to donate blankets, keep reading for their blanket-making guidelines. (Please note: what's listed here is what they are specifically in need of, as requested by Project Linus.) You can also go here for some free patterns. Additional needed items: stamps (for thank you letters and post cards); yarn in children and baby colors (acrylic, please no wool); cotton fabric for making quilts; batting for quilts; gift cards to craft stores such as JoAnn's, Michaels or Hobby Lobby. If you would like more information on this organization or would like to volunteer, please visit the Project Linus website.
Blanket Making Guidelines
Child size: 36"x40", up to 40"x60". These sizes are appropriate for grade school age children. Bright, kid-friendly colors are great! They always need boy-themed blankets in this size.
Older youth and teen size: 48"x60" up to 60"x72". These sizes will work well for mose Junior and Senior High School kids. If you are making a blanket this size, think in terms of what fabrics, yarns and fleece would appeal to a teen. A two yard long piece of fleece would make a blanket appropriate in size for an older teen. Again, they are always in need of boy blankets in this size.
Please remember to wash your blanket with unscented detergent and fabric softener before donating it to Project Linus. This simple action is very important to the hospitalized babies and children who may be receiving your blanket.
New in the Shop
Cascade Eco Duo is an awesome yarn, made up of 70% Merino and 30% Alpaca. It's a single-ply yarn, which makes it super soft and warm. It comes in five shades of un-dyed delight, and MSK is pleased to announce that we now have all five shades!
- Cascade Eco Duo
Each skein has subtle color-changes to it, so it will fade and darken with whatever project you choose. A 100 gram skein yields 197 yards (or 180 meters), so it's perfect for hats, mittens, gloves, slipper-socks, and anything else you have planned for keeping yourself and your loved ones warm this winter. Stop by the shop to see the samples, and to pick up some of your own (before it's gone)!
Staff Favorites
We here at MSK are fickle knitters ... we have a lot of favorites, and we always have a lot of NEW favorites! That's why we're going to start mentioning them to you here, so that you can take advantage of our latest and greatest finds. This week, some of Julie's faves:
Pickles Patterns (website and blog) -- these cute patterns are written by a woman in Norway, who has also translater her patterns into English. We love her kids' patterns and her chunky, warm and cozy sweaters.
Photo courtesy Pickles
Marie Mayhew (designer) -- we are so thrilled to have Marie coming here on November 8 that she is a sure-fire favorite! Her holiday decorations are creative, clever, and easy to knit up. Please join us for a meet-and-greet from 6:00 - 9:00pm, and hear Marie talk about her designs, and additional ideas for embellishments to them! Space is limited, so please call the shop to RSVP. (Cost is $5, and we'll have refreshments!)
Photo courtesy Marie Mayhew, That's Woolly Something!
Imagine your job isn't just to design knitwear, but also to design the actual yarn that goes into your knits! That is exactly the life that Kate Gagnon Osborn and Courtney Kelley of Kelbourne Woolens live. The authors of Vintage Modern Knits are the creative brainpower behind The Fibre Company. Here is the story behind the story: Founded in Portland, Maine, The Fibre Company had humble beginnings as an alpaca fiber processor.
began working with The Fibre Company to develop pattern support and manage the day-to-day aspects of the business. The production of all the yarns (with the exception of Savannah, which is still US made) was moved to Peru where yarn and fiber production have a long tradition dating back centuries. Stop by the shop to see (and feel) our favorite yarns from their line, 
While we are on the subject of designing yarn, we are thrilled to host a joint special event with The Loopy Ewe and 
One of the first knitting reference books many new knitters purchase is Knitter’s Companion, written by Fort Collins’ own Vicki Square. Coveting the Barbie clothes her maternal grandmother was making, Vicki was taught to knit at the age of 6 so she might make her own. While she is most known for her knitting, she has a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking and also takes pleasure in mixed media drawings utilising as diverse materials as paper, paint, oil or charcoal pastels, and fiber.