From YARNS WITH A TWIST

Countdown to the Holidays – Part 4

One week from today, that’s it. All the knits and purls and single crochets must be completed. Is there still someone on your list that you absolutely must knit a hat, scarf or a pair of mittens? If you are quick, you could still do at least one before the end of the week. YWAT will be open regular hours this week. December 24th the store will be open from 11am to 3pm.
 

If you don’t already have a enough on your mind, let’s begin thinking about after the holidays. The last few months you have been knitting for others, now it is time to think about YOU! The first of the year is when you can finally relax and begin that sweater you always wanted to make. What about a nice cozy afghan?  Want to start with something small, what about a pair of socks?

Yarns With A Twist has a wonderful selection of Sock Yarns ranging from th very basic colors to hand dyes that are too die for. Whatever you chose the end result will be a pair of socks that you will love wearing.

For beginners, Carol, our sock lady, is at YWAT on Wednesday from 1:30 to 5:00 pm.  Carol can either teach you how to knit socks or assist you with any sock knitting questions or problems you are experiencing. She will guide you through the cast on, down the ankle, past the dreaded turning of the heel, on to the foot and finally to the equally dreaded kitchener stitch when binding off the toe. If you want to learn sock knitting and are unable to join Carol on Wednesday afternoons, let us know. Sandee, Barbara, Margaret and Christiane are also here to assist you.  

YWAT has a large stock of sock books to choose from too. The photo above only shows a few of the many sock books that are in the store. (Don't forget that until Saturday, December 24th all books - hard and soft cover - and leaflet patterns are on sale buy one get the second at 1/2 price.
 

 A favorite sock book is the new Sock Knitting Master Class by Ann Budd. The patterns are user friendly and there are not only top down socks, but many that are knit toe up. The Slip n' Slide socks (upper right corner) are being knit with Fiesta Baby Boom sock yarn, color RainForest. If you have never used this yarn don't wait. The fiber content is 90% Super Wash Merino and 10% Nylon.
Have you always wanted to use the hand dyed yarns but don’t want to make just a plain pair of socks? Would you prefer to include a design, but don’t want it lost in the color?  Cables, twists, lace designs can come to life even with a yarn that has a lot of color. Baby Boom is a perfect example of a yarn with a lot of color that deserves to have the perfect pattern. For your next sock projects, let us help you pick the right pattern for the yarn. 

 

This hat was knitted from the pattern Thoreau Hat from the new issue of  Interweave Knits Accessories 2011. This issue has many hat patterns just for men. This hat was knitted with Berroco Ultra Alpaca and size 7 needles and is a quick, easy project.

Easy first pair of gloves knitted with Berroco Nanuk and Berroco Voyage yarns.

The pattern is free from Berroco and is available at YWAT.

Kathy knitted this vest using a Lisa Knits pattern called Cabled V Vests. All she needs to add are the buttons, wrap and put under the tree. A special person in her family is going to have a nice surprise come Christmas morning.

OUR CUSTOMERS MAKE THE PRETTIEST THINGS

  This is Kai Ce B's creation…how beautiful…pattern by Cheryl Obeyle Folk Vest.  Made out of Mountain Colors Mountain Goat in color Lady Slipper.  The background is handspun by Kai Ce  out of a Sheltand Ewe named Lumina from the Abby Regina Laudis in Bethleham, CT. 

Here is Jenette K modeling her beautiful fair isle hat that she knit out of Cascade 220 Sport.  The pattern is Oslo Cairo that she found on Ravelry.  You look so cute in your hat Jenette.
You did a great job.

Maralen L modeling her nice and cozy Nomad Hat that she knit out of Mirasol Silk. 

You did a wonderful job knitting this Maralen.

Countdown to the Holidays - Part 3

Getting close to the end and a
few names left on your list?

If they are knitters, or crocheters,

why not give them a gift from
Yarns With A Twist?

Beginning on Tuesday, December 13th and continuing through Saturday, December 24th, all books and patterns will be on sale for buy one at full price, get the second for 50% off.  YWAT has a large selection of hard cover books, a shelf of soft covers and binders full of leaflet patterns available on their shelves.

 Do you need help choosing yarns and accessories for that special gift? Bring in your bag, box, basket, whatever and we will help you select the items to fill it. Choose from our large selection of yarns, books, needles and other gift giving ideas. If you want to keep with the knitting theme of your gift, choose a knitting bag from one of the many YWAT has to offer.

Yarn holders (a new shipment has arrived), Lights, Yarn Cozies are only a few of the stocking stuffers that YWAT has available. A knitter never has enough needles. YWAT carries a variety of interchangeable needle sets. Two of the more popular - KnitPicks and Addi. YWAT also has gift certificates. What knitter wouldn't enjoy finding any, or all, of these under the tree.

Mittens (Hats and Scarves) Workshop on Tuesday, December 13th, from 5pm to 8pm.. This will be our last workshop this year. We will resume after the holidays. 

Einstein Jacket or Not As Warm Jacket class will meet Saturday, December 13^th from 2 to 4. This will be the last class. If you still need help to complete your jacket please let us know.

OUR CUSTOMERS MAKE THE PRETTIEST THINGS

Leslie K. knitted these Tufted Mittens. Don't you want to be the one wearing these warm mittens when it's so cold this winter?? 

Sharon F. was busy knitting and felting these adorable Bugga Bags. Love them.

These wonderful Christmas Stockings were made by Barb P for her new grandchildren.

Countdown to the Holidays - Part 2

Three weeks to go and still plenty of time to get those needles clacking. Last week I posted a photo of the new Kraemer Sterling Silk and Silver yarn. Yesterday I saw the what Sandee ordered. She had told me that the devil made her place this order. Well, for once, the devil wasn't wrong. The colors that are now available at YWAT are not only fun but full of bling. 
Unfortunately, my camera was misbehaving and I was unable to get a photo. Let's just say this is a must have for your holiday giving and beyond. The Kraemer website has a number of free patterns available for this lovely yarn. Who wouldn't want a pair of "sparkle" socks or a shining scarf? The other patterns available on this site include a hat, another scarf with matching fingerless gloves and a shawl just to name a few, most patterns only use one skein. http://www.kraemeryarns.com/patterns/foryarn.asp?yarnIdnt=13 

Another simple/quick project you might like for holiday giving is a scarf knitted with Fiesta Baby Boom. It only used one skein, a pair of size 5 needles and a basic knowledge of knitting. The pattern creates a nice lacey edging and this scarf is light enough to wear indoors. One skein of Fiesta Baby Boom will also make a colorful pair of socks. The shop has a bin full of beautiful colors.  

The yarn for the next Skacel Knit-A-Long has arrived. After taking the month of December off, the KAL will resume in January with a pair of "Mitten/Fingerless Mitts:. This KAL will require two skeins of Simpliworsted by HiKoo. Simpliworsted is a superwash blend of merino, acrylic and nylon. So soft.

Don't forget Christiane's new pattern SAMEDAN, an earflap trapper hat. So many yarns to chose from to create this cute, and practical, hat. Patten is available at Yarns With A Twist or at Christiane's ETSY shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/LismiKnits?ref=top_trail

The new Interweave Knits Accessories is in the shop and already Sandee needs to order more. This magazine is chock full of hats, scarves, socks, shawls and mittens. The cost might be a little higher then the normal Interweave Knits, but this is one magazine you will keep in your pattern collection, and use, for years to come.