Dr. Who -- lots of folks have been coming in lately looking for their Dr. Who scarf colors.  I was really surprised when my daughter, Emma  who was in the shop a few weeks ago, announced that she just had to make a Dr. Who scarf and could I help.  You have to understand that she is 17.  Even though she has known how to knit since she was 10, she doesn't.  And I didn't push it, because I know that the more I push the more she will push back and would never ever knit.  So I waited and lo and behold -- it took a TV show to get her interested once again.  Last week a gal came in with a list of colors of Cascade 220 that she needed.   I immediately recognized what she wanted to do, so I ran off the list of colors that Emma is using and she bought them all happily.  So, in case you are looking for Dr. Who scarf colors, this is what Emma and I picked out (in no special order):
Cascade 220 8622 - Caramel Brown
Cascade 220 8885 - Dark Plum
Cascade 220 2453 - Pumpkin Spice
Cascade 220 2415 - Sunflower
Cascade 220 9459 - Yakima Heather
Cascade 220 9473 - Gris
Cascade 220 9488 - Christmas Red Heather

We are following the pattern from this website.  As it happens, Rachel came in the shop yesterday with her completed Dr. Who scarf, sans fringe, which she proceeded to put on while we were all knitting.  Rachel happens to be Emma's age and they are friends.  I immediately called Emma on the phone and told her.   Well, she is knitting as I am writing this blog post.  But, I am not saying another word.

Here is Rachel's finished scarf -- she says that it's over 15 feet long.

I have a Tuesday afternoon beginning knitting class, using the Barbara Walker Learn to Knit afghan book.  After 6 months, folks wanted to knit something more than squares.   So, I got out Sally Melville's "The Knit Stitch" and of course, some of the gals wanted to knit Einstein Jacket. 

Here's Janet's first knitted item that she made for herself.  When she started the jacket, she wanted to make a size large, but I remebered some folks complaining their jackets were too big, so I talked her into a medium size.  When she completed the bottom portion, we measured it on her and it looked like the medium size would fit.  So, she did the fronts and backs and as we tried them on, I wasn't so sure --  Janet thought, well, if it doesn't fit, I'll give it to my sister.  But I was a little worried.  All that work.  But as you can see, the finished result is absolutely perfect.  And Janet gets the prize for finishing the coat in record time -- just about 2 weeks.  I may have to hire her to knit for the shop!  Oh yeah, she used Cascade Eco Wool and size 10.75 needles!

Sherry lives in Georgia and works in Staten Island.  On her trips home, she always stops at Woolbearers for my hand dyed sock yarn.  I am so thrilled that she would take the time to do that.  Here is a sock she made out of Woolbearers' Merino and Bamboo sock yarn in the color Cranberry Bog.  Something to remember New Jersey by.

 

Another gal from my Tuesday class, Sharon,  knit the poncho from "The Knit Stitch" out of Cascade Lana Grande.  This is her very first garment and she did a beautiful job.  The gal who is modeling it, Liz,  is also in the middle of making an Einstein jacket.

New Noni patterns --  this is the Bettie Boop bag and it was alot of fun to make.  I just have to find the right handles.

 Sydney's son got interested in knitting from the "Big Book of Knitted Monsters" by Rebecca Danger. Love that Dinosaur.

New Ab Fab afghan kits from Colinette.

And -- it's that time of year.  LOTS of new yarn coming in.  More about that later ....

WW KIP Day June 2011.  We had a blast!  Over 30 gals and guy knitted in public across the street from Woolbearers.  We knitted Chemo Caps that were donated to the Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital.  If there are any more caps out there -- you can still donate them.  Thanks to everyone who came and made it such a successful day.

Another finished Learn-to-Knit Afghan.  Bonnie did finish all the squares, just didn't put them all in the afghan.  She used really great colors -- all done in Brown Sheep Lamb Pride superwash worsted.   Beautiful job!

 Bonnie has been knitting up a storm -- she also finished the Owls Sweater by Kate Davies out of Berocco Vintage Chunky and designed an owl hat to match. 

 Well, I never thought I'd be bringing in these yarns, but they are so pretty, so I just had to try it and they have been flying off the shelf.  This is Flounce, a ribbon yarn by Knitting Fever.  Janet knit up two skeins and made a great scarf for a friend who is having surgery.

I couldn't resist this pattern.  It's called Felted Slippers by French Press Knits and makes the cutest pair of felted slippers in no time.  Honest -- I did these in less than a day from start to finish.

More felting --- Laurie used my Delaware Valley Ringspun  to knit an Oregon Tote with great effect.

 Barbara has only been knitting for 6 weeks.  She decided to take our Baby Surprise class and did a fantastic job!  She's so excited about this that she is making another one.  This one is out of Plymouth Kudo.

 Sabra knit this beautiful shawl for her daughter-in-law which she can wear while nursing Sabra's new grandchild.

 If you are looking for a quick, gratifying summer project here are a few.  The first one is called "Vita Ladies Cropped Vest".  It's a Plymouth pattern and the yarn used is Vita -- a recycled cotton/cashmere blend.  I have to say, it was a pleasure to knit with -- and I am not a big cotton fan.  It took only 4 balls of yarn and was a really fast knit.

My other "quick" summer project was made out of Lana Grossa's Alta Moda Estate -- a cotton/silk blend that was equally pleasurable to knit with and feels so yummy, you would never know it was cotton.  I designed the vest using my Sweater Wizard software and it fits perfectly.  I've worn it a few times and have it hanging in the shop when I'm not wearing it.  I used 6 skeins of yarn and it was done in no time.  If anyone is interested, I can use the software to change it to any size. 

Coming soon --- Namaste's new Mini Messenger bag. I'll post when they arrive.



Happy Summer -- here's a pattern for a summer scarf -- easy to knit-great to take with you on vacation

Simple Summer Scarf

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Amalfi - 2 skeins

Needles – Size 9

Cast on 26

On the right side row, always slip the first stitch of row as if to purl with yarn in back. On the wrong side row, always slip the first stitch of row as if to purl with yarn in front.

Knit 4 rows

(RS) Row 1: slip 1, k1, *(yo, ssk, yo, ssk, k2,) repeat from * 3 more times

(WS) Row 2: slip 1, p1, *(yo, ssk, yo, ssk p2,) repeat from *3 more times.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for 56 inches or desired length.

Knit 4 rows.

Bind off.

Add fringe if you like.

Knitting is good for the brain and the soul. Good news, knitters -- knitting is supposed to delay dementia.  See the full article here.  I knit so much that I should never be forgetful.  Now, if I can only remember where I put those Addis.

Finished my shawl on the left -- it is the Unwind Wrap by Kaffe Fassett from the Rowan Magazine 49.  Made out of Rowan Summer Tweed and Rowan Kidsilk Haze -- an easy knit, just knit one or two rows of one color and then change to the next.  Made with self-fringing yarn, I never purled on the wrong side.  Easy and elegant!

Lots of finished projects.  Judy came in with her Gwendolyn from Twist Collective Fall 2010.  She hasn't earned the nickname Cable Judy for nothing!  The sweater is made out of Cascade 220.

Rachel finished here Sackets Harbor Pullover from Knitscene Summer 2011 The Hannah Fettig pattern uses laceweight yarn.  Rachel chose Malabrigo Laceweight and knit it on Size 0 needles.  She modified the pattern with great results -- put in her own lace edging.  It's really beautiful!

 If you are looking for inspiration, look no further.  I think I could knit every pattern in this book.

Diane wove this gorgeous scarf from Blue Heron Yarns' Rayon Metallic.

Laurie finished her Midnight Sun Tam made out of Jamieson's Spindrift.  Great colors!

Pam knit this cute felted bag -- it's a pattern from Ravelry

Pam also knit this shawl --- the Friendship Shawl from Ravelry

Pam also made The Swan Shawl from Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders, knit out of Lana Grossa Chiara (although I'm sure it was more than one skein!)

Jane finished her Picot Edge Baby Blanket, a Churchmouse Yarns and Tea pattern, made out of Malabrigo Rios. Love that pattern -- so easy and it looks so elegant in this beautiful, machine-washable yarn.

The gals (and guy) are moving along in the Gansey KAL.  Everyone has made a different sweater.  The possiblities are endless.

 The Green Sweater Redux.  You may recall our Green Sweater KAL.  Gary made the most beautiful Green Sweater out of Woolbearers' Ringspun.  The pattern called for steeking, which everyone did do.  Gary used the crocheted steeking method after a few experiments with other steeking methods and really liked the results.  However,  he wasn't satisfied with just that.  He decided to redo the pattern and reknit the sweater without any steeks.  Here is his version knit in Cascade 220.  His mom liked it so much that she wants one now.  So, he is in the process of knitting a third Green Sweater and we'll show you the results as soon as he's finished.

Here are some other projects that have been completed!  Marinel's Harlequin Vest (pattern from Knit One, Crochet Too)  knit in Crystal Palace's Mochi Plus.  Just love how the colors glow.

 Speaking of color -- Marcia finsihed her Celebrate Tunic from Knitters Magazine Fall 2010.  It is made out of Cascade 220.

 Katie finished her Meandering Vines Shawl out of Woolbearers' Merino/Bamboo Sock yarn.

 

 Lydia made this pari of socks, but can't remember the pattern, and wants to make them again. She thinks it may be an Interweave pattern. If anyone can help, please let us know.  Thanks!

I have been busy dyeing.  Here is a new selection of Mohair Glitz and a new yarn called "Cotton Shine".  It's a Cotton/Rayon mix and really does shine.  I knit up a "Saroyan" scarf and love the results.

Deb crocheted a cute sweater for her granddaughter's Easter outfit out of Amy Butler's Belle Organic yarn.

 New Interweave Knits for Summer.  See my Facebook page for more inspiration from this issue

 Also, from Interweave is special issue called "Knit & Spin". Lots of great ideas in this issue.

The new Piecework issue is all about Lace

Speaking of lace --- Fran completed the shawl she knit for her daughter's upcoming nuptials.  It is made out of Tilli Tomas' beaded lace and is absolutely gorgeous.   You would never believe that Fran has only been knitting for 2 years.

If you need a little sparkle in your life -- here is "Little Stars" from Southwest Trading.   A sockweight blend of Merino and nylon and  a little bit of glitz.   What fun.