Palette of Color

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New Yarn

New shipments of yarn are coming in!  Plymouth, Noro, Debbie Bliss, Cascade...lots of other companies are arriving soon.  It's that time of year when we have the latest new yarns and restocking of favorites arriving at the shop.  We also are getting in new patterns and booklets as well as some free patterns with purchase of yarn.  We are busy getting everything onto the shelves and organizing our "yarn paint" in a beautiful canvas for you to some and browse.  We will be featuring different yarn here as well as some new patterns that you can create with.

Wolle's Yarn Creations

We are carrying some lovely new Color Changing Cotton by Wolle's Yarn Creations.  This yarn is hand-dyed in an inspiring rainbow palette of colors.  It is 4-ply & 6-ply fingering weight yarn that gradually changes color, creating a stunning effect.  The yarns are available in differing weights that include 30, 50 and 100gram skeins.  If you'd like to see some finished projects with Color Changing Yarns check out Wolle's Yarn Creations.

Wolle's Citron Shawlette

(colorway Aquafrog)

Wolle's Dragon Melody Shawl

(colorway Mandelbaum)

HiyaHiya Stitch Markers

HiyaHiya Dumpling Cases come in beautiful assorted brocades.  Each Dumpling comes with 6 stitch markers.  Just squeeze the Dumpling Case and it opens and release it and it closes effortlessly.  We have several colors to choose from

Marvelous Manos and Mending & Finishing Available

So...we have been waist high in new arrivals of yarn!  A recent delivery is shown here stacked up on the table after each hank was twisted into a skein.  The photo is blurry because we were running around and this is all that could be captured...we  hope it entices you to come in and have a look...

Here is some lovely Manos del Uruguay silk and wool (kettle dyed).  Manos Del Uruguay was founded in 1968 by a group of women aiming to promote social and economic development in rural areas of Uruguay.  The aim was to produce handicrafts using traditional methods to commercialize them for sophisticated markets.  The craftswomen are the owners of Manos Del Uruguay and have set up a not-for-profit organization for rural women, they help them develop their communities without a need to leave their homes. They are grouped into 17 cooperatives, which spin, dye, knit and produce finished garments for sale throughout the world.

Sale

We are having a sale on Sheep Shop Yarn!  We will not be carrying Sheep Shop Yarn as it will not be available any longer.  We have a variety of colors in stock and it is all 35% off.

                                                          

Mini Mochi New Arrival

We just received a shipment of Mini Mochi and Mochi Plus in.  The colors are so rich and vibrant it is hard to decide which one to pick!  Alot of folks in the shop are making scarves and socks out of this yarn.

Customer Projects

Beth knit this beautiful Mariposa Shawl from Bamboo yarn.

Beloved Blue Layette

Mary knit this sweet layette set out of Plymouth DK Dream Baby.  She used a pattern called Beloved Blue Layette by Carole Prior.

Frog Heaven Knitting

(expert mending & finishing)

(photo from cafepress.com)

We have exciting news!  Darcy of Frog Heaven Knitting is available to do mending on hand-knits and finishing on your Unfinished Objects.  Darcy is a beautiful knitter and designer that has recently started coming to the shop.   Pricing for this service depends on complexity and materials needed.  You can contact Darcy at frog.heaven@yahoo.com.  Please leave your name and phone number so she can contact you directly.  You can also leave a message for her at the shop.  Darcy's work and mending skills are beautiful...(she recently mended a christmas stocking for a customer in the shop and the repair is invisible).  We are thrilled to be able to offer this service to you.

Nicky Epstien Felted Bag Kits 

We have Nicky Epstein Felted Bags available for 45% off.  These bags use Jamieson Shetland Wool.  We have a few of these left.  These are very creative and colorful bags.

Your Knitting Journey

Here are some ideas and resources that might help you on Your Knitting Journey....

~Some of you may be be involved in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life programs and events.  Cascade has put out a new free download for a scarf pattern called Ribbon of Hope.  The pattern calls for Cascade Dolce yarn.

~Jacquie has created a Knitting Chart Maker and is available as a free download.  This is a great resource for helping you sort out your charts and designing.

~Knitting Pattern Generator is another free resource available online for creating charts for your knitting.  As far as we know this is the only opensource free software available for charting knitting patterns out of pictures.

~Did you know that Youtube is a great resource for knitting?  After we have helped you with a technique at the shop or if you are feeling stuck in your project you can check out Youtube for all sorts of knitting help.  Here is a great youtube video on continental knitting with Karen Ackerman-Haywood.

Knitting Goals 2010

So...some knitting bloggers are writing about creating goals for their knitting in 2010.  I was thinking about this and thought that maybe this was a good idea.  The idea isn't to get too serious about it but, perhaps a more organized approach to knitting would help me/one progress in directions new and challenging.   You could make a list that just states specific goals:

1. Learn to knit a sweater
2. Organize my needles/stash
3. Take a Class
4. List of projects to make as gifts
Or...perhaps some thinking about what you'd like to accomplish in your knitting and maybe the knitting challenges that are holding you back. We'd love to help you with any goals you are making in your knitting this year.  If you have a technique or skill you'd like to learn, we'd like to know about it and perhaps we can offer a class in this.  Is there a project you'd love to make?  We can help you with your knitting challenges. We have our helpful staff here to help you.  We have Tues. morning help available at 9:30-11:30 am with Christiane, Wed. nights 7-9pm are also helping nights if there isn't a class taking place.  Izzy is our resident sock maven and she is usually available on Wednesdays all day for help with your sock challenges or if you'd just like to take the plunge and learn how to make socks...she has taught many sock knitters over the years. You can stop by when the shop is open for help anytime.  If you have a bigger challenge and need more attention, talk to us to figure out a time that would work for the help that you might need.  Our goal is to help you feel satisfied with your knitting projects.

We love to have comments on our blog....let us know what you think!

Saturday Knitting...

Linda Breault knit this beautiful shawl called Storm Cloud Shawlette...available on Ravelry as a free download by Hanna Breetz.  She changed the bottom edge using a picot edging instead of a ruffle.  Linda said it's a fast and easy knit.

Linda Breault also knit this lovely little cardigan called Mock Cable & Basket Weave.  This is a Yankee Knitter Pattern #23.  She used Cascade's DK Cotton Rich yarn for this sweet little gift.

Margaret Welch and her husband Ron are displaying this beautiful afghan that Margaret knit.  This was knit from Tahki's Cotton Classic.  The pattern she used is Lacy Afghan by Bernat's Design Studio.

Linda, Izzy, Nancy, Edith and Maggy are all enjoying the class by Christiane Burkhard.  They are all learning to make the Basil hat that she designed.  This fun hat was inspired by the colorful onion domes of the St. Basil Cathedral in Moscow.

Isabel knit this Girlfriend Market Bag that is available as a free pattern.  She knit this out of a novelty yarn that we have on sale in the shop.

Linda knit this Adult Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman.  She used Katmandu yarn.  The hat is also an Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern called Snail Hat.  This was knit with Lamb's Pride... double stranded for a very thick and heavy hat that can stand up on its own!  We have these patterns in the shop as well as lots of colors of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride and Katmandu.  The buttons in this sweater are handmade handfused art glass by Bonnie Maresh...we have some of her buttons in the shop for sale.

Snowed In Podcast

I'm sure some of you have heard of podcasts.  If you have not...you may ask, "what's a podcast?"  A podcast is a multimedia file broadcast over the internet for you to either view or listen to at your computer.   They can include movies, lectures, music, talks or even radioshows.  What do podcasts have to do with knitting?  Well, if you can't get enough of knitting, while you knit...you can listen to podcasts while you knit.  This way you're entertained, engaged and your hands are still free to knit away on your needles while you listen to knitting stories, tips and ideas about the knitting life. There are all sorts of podcasts on the internet about every subject.  Just look up knitting podcasts  to begin searching around for one that suits you.  A yarn rep was in the shop yesterday and mentioned that she is in the car all the time and listens to podcasts to entertain her.  Here's one she highly recommends.  Cast On...You knit. I'll talk.  Episode 19 is called Snowed In.  If you're not sure where to go...just scroll down a little in the post and it will say Download Episode 19.   This one is about knitting in Wales.

Customer Projects

Fits Like A...Glove by Nancy Lindberg.  These gloves/mitts were knit by Barbara Porter.  She incorporated several elements to come up with a design she liked.  It shows off the Mochi Plus yarn very well.  She incorporated the cuff on this free pattern to match the ridge around the mitt cover. Nice job Barbara!

Mobius Cowl

Mary Alexander knit this project with Ellyn Cooper's Yarn Sonnets Indigo Girls/Let's Twist.

Thanks for modeling this for us Ellyn!  We carry Ellyn Cooper's Yarn Sonnets in the shop.

Sideways Lace Shawl

Ellyn Cooper designed and knit this Sideways Lace Shawl with 1skein of Saphire & 1skein of Luna.  The pattern is available in the shop.

Milva's Scarf

Milva crocheted this scarf with Cascade 220 Superwash Wool.  We have many colors available in the shop for both your big and small projects.

We love to see your finished projects.  Stop by to share them with us.  We'd love to hear about the yarns you used, any pointers you have for new patterns you've tried as well as any other comments about the yarns and patterns you're working on.

Don't forget to check the blog for the upcoming classes!

Yankee Knitter Family Sock Pattern & Multi-Directional Scarf

Sam Higgins knit up this beautiful Multi-directional Scarf with Ellyn Cooper's Yarn Sonnets. She has some really pretty photos of this scarf over on her Ravelry page.

Edith Frankal knit these socks from the Yankee Knitter Family Sock pattern.  These were knit from Zauberball yarn.

Sunrise Circle Jacket & Kunterbunt Scarf

Nancy Ames knit this beautiful Sunrise Circle Jacket designed by Kate Gilbert.  She used Cascade wool for this project.  She looks gorgeous in it!

Kunterbunt designed by Christiane Burkhard

Christiane says this about her new design and free pattern...

Teaching at my local yarn shop I'm always looking for easy but fun patterns for novice knitters.  Since I wanted to make a shop sample out of this yarn...I came up with this pattern.  This scarf/cowl is knitted in the round and with a bulky yarn it is a fast and easy knit.  The pattern comes in two sizes.  The longer version looks great folded over and held with a pin.  The shorter version is just a simple cowl to add warmth and color on cold winter days.

PlymouthYarn Expression was used in this project.

Relief Effort in Haiti

Yarns With A Twist would like to help out with the Earthquake Relief Effort in Haiti. We will be donating 10% of all sales, through the end of January to The Presidents Fund.  They are raising funds for immediate relief as well as long term recovery efforts to help those most in need of food, shelter, water and medical help. Thank-you so much!

Customer Project

Dave Fried knit this Fish Hat (Dead or Alive?) from a pattern designed by Thelma Egberts over on Knitty.  Knitty is a great online knitting website with lots of patterns and inspiration.  He used Cascade Ecological Wool for this project.  Lots of different yarns could be used for this project and you can see what other folks have created over on Ravelry.  For those of you not registered on Ravelry... it is a fantastic knit & crochet community.  We highly recommend it however... please be forewarned...once you find your way into this site it becomes difficult to pull yourself away!  It's filled with patterns, groups, projects, ways to organize your projects, forums, pattern erratas...plus lots more.  Yarns With A Twist has it's own group on Ravelry as well.

Here's Ellyn Cooper trying it on for size!  It looks more like the fish is swallowing her up!

Ailbe Mittens by designer Kristi Geraci

It's wintertime and wintertime means mittens in the knitting world.  Checkout these Ailbe gorgeous mittens in this issue of Knitty.  Although the pattern calls for Malabrigo sock yarn, which at this time we do not carry, we do have many beautiful colors of different sock yarns suitable for these mittens.

Latest Classes

Knit One Below
This technique is a miracle of knitting engineering! The results look as though you've worked forever...changing colors every other stitch.  But, the secret is... you didn't!  Instead, you knit (or purl) every other stitch in the row below.  It is so simple, yet the results are astonishing.  Learn to make the "East meets West" sweater while you master this exciting technique.  The sample in the store was created from Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend...a yarn that is spun by women in 400 cooperatives throughout Uruguay.
When: Saturday, January 30th and February 13th & 27th 1:00 to 3:00pm
Teacher: Sheila
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner or Intermediate

Basil Hat
This fun hat was inspired by the colorful onion domes of the St. Basil Cathedral in Moscow.  During the long period of short and gloomy winter days everyone needs to add color to one's life.  For this project you can use from two up to eight colors.  The decorative ridge you will get on the right side adds beautiful texture to the pattern.  The hat is worked top down with six strips knitted together and comes in six sizes from preemie to adult large.  There is no sewing involved. You can see other color combinations and sizes at Lismiknits.
When:Saturday, January 23th & 30th, 9:30-11:30am
Teacher: Christiane
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Celtic Ice Jacket
The braided cable edging at the cuffs and bottom and the applied i-cord finishing makes this an interesting and fun knit.  Moss stitch adds depth and texture without competing with the cable edging.  The jacket's soft A-shape is flattering to all body types.  A quicker-than-usual sumptuous knit...it envelopes you in texture.  The main body is knit in moss stitch and then the cabled hem edging is knitted on afterwards: you make the cabled cuff for the sleeves first, then pick up the sleeve stitches from that and work upwards.  Sleeves have a good cap for an extra-tailored fit.
When: Wednesday, January 27th, February 10th & 24th, 7:00-9:00pm
Teacher: Christiane
Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner

Need A Hat? -the flap hat

You've seen it here before.  Now we're having a class on it!  This is a great hat from Cabin Fever's newest book called Need A Hat?  It's easy to make and there is no sewing.  Learn fair isle if you like or just add some stripes.  Perhaps you'd just like to use one color...it's your choice!  Sizes are from infant to adult.
When: Wednesday, January 20th and February 3rd, 7:00 to 9:00pm
Teacher: Carol
Skill Level: Beginner with ability to knit and purl.

Mini Mochi Garden Flower Shawl
(granny style motif crochet)
Your  granny squares never looked so good with so little effort.  This is a fun, easy and beautiful crochet shawl for all of you crochet enthusiasts!  You will learn all the basic stitches in crochet.  This includes how to chain, single, half-double, double and triple crochet.  Made using Mini Mochi from Crystal Palace which has a beautiful pallet of color to choose from.
When: Wednesday, January 27th and February 10th, 7:00 to 9:00pm
Teacher: Sandee
Skill Level: Intermediate or Enthusiastic Beginner

Great American Aran Afghan

A number of people have expressed interest in this beautiful afghan.  You can join in this monthly class anytime.  This afghan is definitely for the adventurous but, it's just because you have to follow the pattern rown by row.  I'm making this afghan and really am enjoying the challenge.  Each square teaches knitting techniques that will help you with future patterns that you want to knit.  This is a great time for you to take the plunge and come and join us.  It's really fun and rewarding.  Here is a photo of one of the squares that I have completed...I'd love to help you knit them.  We will also help you sort out the graphing and figuring out a system to help you keep track of your pattern.  Here are some photos of The Great American Afghan for you to admire.

We hope you'll find some time to come and join in a class or two.  We have a great community of knitters at the shop and everyone is most welcome to come and join in and be a part of it!

Christmas Stockings & Upcoming Classes

 

Marjibeth over on Ravelry posted these colorful Christmas stockings. They were made out of Cascade 220 wool which we carry in the shop.  Cascade is offering a free pattern download for the stocking.  Cascade offers so many different colors you could start making several stockings for your christmas list for the upcoming year.  You can never get started too early!

The Newsletter is out!  Hopefully it made its way into your inbox.  There are lots of new classes coming up and each one is unique!  We are even going to begin offering more crochet classes for all of you crochet enthusiasts as well as to new folks wanting to learn how.  We have a number of beautiful crocheters that come to the shop regularly.

I'm working on getting all the classes and photos onto the blog but, there have been some glitches...so, stay tuned for more information hopefully later today.

Addi Click System

The Addi Click System has arrived at the shop!  The Addi's are beautiful to knit on and continue to be a favorite at the shop. This wonderful system continues to uphold Addi's fine craftmanship featuring a fine & smooth join at the needle & cord to make your knitting enjoyable.  Come by and have a look.

The addi Click system provides 10 different sizes of addi Turbo© tips (3.5mm, 3.75mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm, 8.0mm, 9.0mm, and 10.0mm), three different lengths of our new, extremely pliable blue cord (24”, 32” and 40”), and one connector piece which helps to either store stitches or combine your cords. The Click tips require no tools to change; simply insert the cord deep into the tip, twist and release. The tips will remain secure until you change them, thanks to theClick’s revolutionary locking mechanism!

Bears & Gnomes

Sheila has joined the shop as part of the team...and we are thrilled about that!  She will be teaching classes beginning in January, so stay tuned for a class she'll be doing at the end of January.  If you can't wait to hear about it before the newsletter comes out...pop into the shop to find out what it is!  In the meantime here is one of her beautiful sweaters.  This sweater is called Babies & Bears Sweater for Grown-Ups.  This is one of the patterns by Carol Anderson of Cottage Creations.  She offers a unique variety of patterns, which we carry in the shop...that include an afghan, hats, sweaters and toys. The yarn  used for this project was Lambs Pride.  The booklets are fun to read through and have a unique style developed by a dedicated hand-knitter of a small cottage business.  We enjoy supporting small companies when we can.

Look who showed up at the shop....Mr. Gnome!  He doesn't have a name yet....any ideas?  Linda knit this gnome out of an old pattern she had from when her daughter was little.  She enjoys knitting toys of all sorts.   She used Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride to knit the body.  His face is knit out of Shetland Jamieson wool and he's stuffed with wool.  In the waldorf tradition of toymaking dolls and toys don't typically have faces so that the child can imbue the toy with his or her own imagination.