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Warm Weather Knitting

POSTED: April 24, 2012 by Katie

Spring is here! A lot of people put down their knitting in the warm weather, but our needles are still hard at work here at MSK. Linen is our new favorite fiber and lacy shawls and cowls are great for a chilly Colorado evening. Check out what we are knitting in the sunshine.

Pei is a light lacy cowl from the LOFT Collection. We knitted it up in Isager Alpaca 2 fingering weight.

Linen is a great fiber for the warm weather. We used Louet Euroflax Sport, a 100% wet spun linen yarn, to make a sweet little vest. The pattern is called “Patricia” and it is perfect for this time of year.

When the wind picks up or you are eating dinner outside in Old Town, a shawl to cover your shoulders is the perfect accessory. Stephen West is the king of unique shawls and we have his Earth and Sky made up in MadelineTosh’s Pashmina.

Lastly, if you need a little more warmth, try SkintsB’s Triangle Pose shrug. It calls for a fingering weight yarn and is made from a series of triangles.  

So, don't stop knitting because winter is over! We certainly aren't.

Garden Knits

POSTED: April 4, 2012 by Liz

The weather here in Colorado has us reaching for our woolies one moment and our summer lace the next.  What to knit during these confusing times? Our thoughts may be turning to the garden, but that doesn't mean we walk away from our knitting basket.  Check out this clever pattern for holding potted plants from Rowan's Wool Week pattern collection.  Pop into the shop; we would be happy to print the pattern for you.

Reaching for your crochet hooks lately? Thumb through Rowan's Purelife Home. We have a number of copies in the shop. This book is filled with clever crochet and knitting patterns for the home and garden, such as this whimsical crochet felted placemat. (Julie made a new crocheted rug for the upstairs. It is perfect for the breezeway.)

These garden-inspired patterns show off Rowan's British Breeds Collection, made from classic British sheep breeds, such as Bluefaced Leiceter, Black Welsh, Jacob, and Shetland. These yarns have a natural, irresistible charm. If you are curious to learn what the yarn's breed looks like, check out the label! We have a nice selection of the DK Undyed line.

What could be a better harbinger of spring than a bunny?  Rowan brings us yet another garden-inspired pattern with this clever stash-busting rabbit, perfect for your Easter basket.  Made from pom poms, this pattern is a great way to use up odd balls of yarn that you aren't sure what to do with. (Who says the Easter Bunny can't be a little psychedelic?)

Our needles can always think spring, even if we know that winter isn't done with us yet!

Not your Grandmother's Lace...

POSTED: February 18, 2012 by Katie

Hello MSK community,

It seems that the big thing around the shop nowadays is lace! We have lots of new and beautiful lace weight yarns, as well as some old favorites, and some great patterns to go with them.

First, I want to tell you about Scrumptious Lace by Fiberspates Luxury Yarn.  It is 45% Silk and 55% Superwash Merino. The silk in it gives it just the right amount of shine, while the merino keeps it soft.  Even more amazing is the yardage you get from just one skein- over 1,000 yards! Recently, knitwear designer Ysolda Teague has released a new pattern book called Saturday Treat. It includes 6 accessory patterns, made to show off Scrumptious. She commented, “The colors practically glow with a rich depth so it was a delightful treat for me to put together an exclusive palette and accompanying designs.” If you love Ysolda, you have to come to the shop and check out this cute little book and the yarn to go with it.

http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/mall/Fyberspates/

http://ysolda.com/patterns/collections/saturday-treat/

MadelineTosh’s Prairie is another of our new favorites. It is hard to dislike anything that Madeline Tosh makes, though. Prairie is a single ply, 100% superwash merino wool yarn that is hand-dyed and machine washable. MadelineTosh’s colors are unlike anyone else’s, so if you are looking for some lace yarn for a special project, you need to check out the beautiful and different colorways that we have in Prairie.

http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/prairie.html

Lastly, an old favorite of ours has enjoyed some recent recognition around the shop. It seems that everyone is making Churchmouse’s Bias 'Before & After' Scarf out of Sweet Georgia’s Merino Silk Lace. It is a 50% fine merino wool/ 50% cultivated silk blend with 765 yards per skein. In combination with Churchmouse’s classic and elegant scarf pattern (with or without beads!), you will get a truly stunning finished product. We also carry Sweet Georgia’s CashSilk Lace, a 45% cashmere/ 55% silk blend that comes in 400 yard skeins. My favorite project to make out of the CashSilk is Purl Soho’s Simple Pleasures Hat. One skein is the perfect amount to make one very luxurious hat. If you love bright colors, you must try Sweet Georgia. We have more new colors on order as well.

http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/collections/churchmouse-classics-patterns/products/bias-before-after-scarf

http://www.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/

Happy Knitting,

Katie

Swans Island Yarn, Blankets, and Patterns

POSTED: January 31, 2012 by Katie

Hi MSK Community!

A few blog posts ago, I briefly got to tell you about one of our newest arrivals - Swans Island yarn. Since then, we have received new products from them and learned more about their company. I think that they deserve a whole post dedicated solely to them in order to give you a glimpse into their beautiful products.

Swans Island takes its name from Swans Island, Maine, where they first opened. These islands were traditionally used to raise sheep, so when the owners moved there in the early 1990’s, opening up a small weaving operation fit the location perfectly. Since their early days, they have expanded from just selling hand woven blankets to wraps, scarves, yarn, and patterns as well.

The people at Swans Island are true fiber artists. They have dedicated themselves to craftsmanship, timeless beauty, and sustainability. They use organic merino fiber that is spun in a certified organic mill, meaning they use less chemicals in the treatment of their fiber than other mills do. All of their dyes are produced from natural dyestuffs such as minerals and plants, so they beautifully represent the colors in the natural world. Swans Island describes their creative philosophy better than I ever could, so I’ll let them speak for themselves: “The Swans Island process is a labor of love and a meditation on the beauty and value of a handmade life. We approach our weaving and dyeing in a way that honors traditions of craft in order to create a more sustainable future. Each piece is created with techniques honed throughout centuries of fiber arts.”

At MSK, you will find Swans Island yarn, patterns, and blankets. We have their organic merino wool in worsted and fingering weights in many gorgeous colors. Since everyone at the shop is so excited about the yarn, we already have some finished articles to show you. The patterns that we have include mittens, scarves, hats, and shrugs. The projects reflect the simple and beautiful aesthetic that Swans Island embodies. We also have some of their hand-woven blankets, in both throw and queen sizes. They would be a perfect gift for someone you care about, even yourself!

Visit Swans Island's website to learn more about this unique company, if for no other reason than to remind yourself that a place like this really exists!

https://www.swansislandblankets.com/

Happy Knitting, Katie

What We're Knitting

POSTED: January 8, 2012 by Katie

Here at My Sister Knits, we try to keep new and fun samples of knitted projects in the shop for our customers. We think that it is the best way to experience a new yarn or the latest patterns, besides, we are all active knitters too! We are constantly inspired by each other and our customers, so I wanted to share what we are making, what we love right now, and hopefully inspire all of you as well.

Dawn has made MadelineTosh’s Honey Cowl. This is a very popular pattern on Ravelry, and I understand why. The pattern is simple, beautiful, and free! It calls for DK weight yarn and, while we do have Tosh DK in the shop, Dawn opted for Alchemy’s Temple. It is 100% superfine Merino wool, has 128 yards per skein, and comes in neutral as well as beautiful bright colors.

Check out http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/patterns/honey-cowl.html or Ravelry for the pattern, www.alchemyyarns.com for the yarn, and the shop for this beautiful sample.

Julie made a simple scarf to show off Rowan’s Kidsilk Haze Stripe yarn. A self-striping version of the traditional Kidsilk Haze (70% Super kid mohair/ 30% silk), one skein is enough to make this scarf. The pattern is even on the underside of the label! We have a few different color ways, all in lively colors- perfect for brightening up your winter and getting ready for spring.

See Rowan’s website to see more of this yarn: www.knitrowan.com

Lastly, I made the Ships and Seaside Cowl by Tiny Owl Knits. This cowl is knit in the round with a provisional cast on and then, instead of binding off, the two ends are grafted together to make a super warm tube with no wrong side. I love it! I used Rowan Kid Classic for this project; it’s a blend of wool with a little bit of mohair and we have lots of colors in the shop.

Tiny Owl Knits has lots of great patterns, so be sure to stop by their website: www.tinyowlknits.com

We always have new finished projects at MSK, so come by and see them for some inspiration!

Project Linus, Cascade Eco Duo and Julie's Favorites!

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!

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!

Marie Mayhew is Woolly Something

POSTED: October 24, 2011 by Lizz

Marie Mayhew has a wonderful imagination.  Her felted friends and decorations add a sense of whimsy to every holiday, and we love the friendly faces that appear on her snowmen, sheepies and gnomes. Her designs make non-knitters go "Ooooooh!!" when they see what you've been able to whip up with the help of your washing machine and some super hot water, and felting can be really fun.

Photos courtesy Marie Mayhew, WoollySomething

That's why we're really excited that Marie is coming to share some of her secrets and embellishment ideas with us at My Sister Knits!  On Tuesday, November 8, Marie will be in the shop from 6:00 - 8:00pm with a trunk show of her wonderful creatures and creations.  She'll talk for a little while about what it takes to create her designs, and share some other ideas for adding decorations as well.  It's only $5 to join in the fun, so be sure not to miss this one!  In the meantime, read up on what Marie is working on by visiting her blog and her Ravelry pages.

Beekeeper's Quilt Project

POSTED: October 20, 2011 by Lizz

In the spirit of the impending Giving Season, My Sister Knits has decided to participate in several charity projects.  More information will be coming on everything we're up to, but we'd like to start by announcing a partnership with Your Daily Fiber to create a Beekeeper's Quilt. (That's a Ravelry link.)

Photo courtesy Tiny Owl Knits

The Beekeeper's Quilt is a pattern by Tiny Owl Knits (another favorite of ours).  It's created from 384 "hexipuffs" -- little hexagonal puffy things knit up using sock yarn remnants -- so no small feat.  Together with Your Daily Fiber, we are asking people to donate these cute little puffs at either shop, and Julie from MSK will stitch them all together at the end.  The end quilt will be auctioned off and donated to Hope Lives, a Fort Collins-based charity that helps support Breast Cancer Research.

A few more details: Julie is collecting sock yarn remnants at the shop for people to use to knit these hexipuffs.  You may either use yarn from your own stash, or stop by the shop to pick some up.  We will be teaching the pattern TONIGHT, Thursday, October 20 from 6:00 to 8:00pm, and again on Tuesday, October 25 from 6:00 - 8:00pm.  The pattern is also available for purchase through us or Tiny Owl Knits.  (We will be holding additional "teaching nights" in the future -- please check our Facebook or Ravelry pages for those dates.)

The puffs are very quick to knit -- about 45 minutes apiece -- and a great way to use up leftovers.  We can't wait to see the finished quilt!

Cascade 220 Superwash Trunk Show Part II

POSTED: October 13, 2011 by Lizz

There are so many cute baby knits as part of the Cascade 220 Superwash Trunk Show that we had to split them into two posts. Julie Conway is a great friend of the shop, and we were really thrilled when she brought in so many cute baby things. Part I showed you some of the unisex and boy items, so Part II will show some of the girl items.



All of these patterns, and then some, are part of the book 60 Quick Baby Knits, available at the shop. Julie will also be teaching her Heels and Gussets class on Tuesday, October 18 ... a great class for sock knitters and sock knitter wannabes! Stop by the shop for more details and to check out these sweet samples.

Cascade 220 Superwash Trunk Show Part I

POSTED: October 5, 2011 by Lizz

Julie Conway has always demonstrated her awesome knitting skills.  Her Learn to Knit I and II classes are staples of our class schedule, and we love seeing her finished objects.  When she brought in finished projects from the sweetest book we've seen in a long time, 60 Quick Baby Knits, we couldn't stop ooh-ing and aah-ing.

60 Quick Baby Knits is a book that has exactly what the title promises: 60 quick and adorable projects for boys and girls, each one knit out of Cascade 220 Superwash.  Julie has knit several items out of this book, and we have them on display at the shop, so be sure to take a look when you're there.

Here are our favorite unisex and boy pieces:

Striped Leg Warmers and Lace Motif Cardigan

Hooded Pullover

And how cute is this sheep hat??  We love the backside ....

Stop by the shop to see these samples, and more!  And don't forget, Julie is teaching her Learn to Knit II class on Tuesday, October 11.  This is a great class for increasing, decreasing, slipping stitches, joining yarns and combining stitches to make rib stitch and seed stitch. Stay tuned for Part II of the Trunk Show as well ....