Real men prefer knitters....
because it means they may get a great sweater to wear. This dapper gentleman is Stanley, husband of Harriet, an expert knitter with an eye for color and design. She choose Rowan Aran Cashsoft in Charcoal and a handpaint from Schaffer to strand together for this sweater. Doesn't he look handsome? The two of them are a beautiful couple

We love it when husbands, boyfriends, men friends and the rare, man knitter come into the store. We get to hear their opinions and see what choices they make. They love beautiful yarn as much as we do. One couple who come in regularly from the shore spend time finding just the right color for his socks. They love Mission Falls 1824 Superwash Merino. When we order more yarn, I always think of them and their next visit! Men also love the tools we use. They spend time looking at the looms, wheels and handmade needles we carry, examining them and trying to figure out how they are made or work. It's fun.

Color&Abundance .... abound in Woolbearers. I am in the midst of four major knitting projects and as many smaller ones. It is directly related to the amount of color I see every time I walk into the store! Not too long ago, I only had one thing on needles, and then the store sort of exploded with yarn, and I could no longer contain myself and had to start several things at once. The projects are...
1. Sakiori I from Folk Vests of Woolbearers Hand dyed wool boucle in the colorway Amber Lace.
2. Simply Garter from Folk Vests in Woolbearers Ringspun in colorway Women's Intuition. This started out as a gauge swatch for another project, but I liked the colorway so much, I decided to do this piece as well.
3. Kimono Cardigan by Dovetail Designs also in ringspun, colorway Softfall. Just has to be seen, words don't do it justice. I CANNOT wait to finish this sweater!
4. Garter Lace Shawl from Shawls and Scarves, in my handspun yarn. This piece is supposed to be an example of what students will accomplish in our Sheep to Shawl class, if I ever get it done. It's fast and easy, but not as fun as the last project to knit.

I like knitting simple things that showcase our yarn's beautiful colors. Sometimes simple doesn't necessarily mean easy, however. The Sunrise Circle Sweater is a good example of something that is beautiful in it's simplicity, but took extra concentration as each row was different. Hence the eight pages of instructions. I am hoping to find the time to knit it in hand dyed yarn.
Another example of a good technique to use with hand dyed yarn is the slipped stitch. Our customer Gwen, has been knitting with hand dyed yarns using the slipped stitch and the effect is amazing. The color shift behind the slipped stitch gives the effect of stained glass.

more later.....

Noni Bags keep inspiring us to knit! This one, knitted by Myra, is a special favorite because of it's gigantic flowers. I'll have to get a picture of the back with it's equally huge flower.

Our lovely customer Joanna.... and her lovely camisole of Woolbearers Lanamira. Surprising that just a hint of cashmere can make a yarn so soft. I love the waves of color.

I did feel just like a genius.... just as Sally Mellville says you will when you knit her Einstein Coat. This was a very easy, fun piece to do. A couple of weeks of knitting and four skeins of Woolpak 14 ply, and there you are! It's hanging against a background of Lopi to the right and Woolbearers Delaware Valley to the left. Isn't it colorful? I just love our yarn. It's so difficult to limit myself to one or two projects. Each and every time I go into our store, I am surprised by the abundance of yarn!

Felted Tapestry Capelet.... knitted by our customer Joanna, of Jamieson DK Shetland. Isn't it beautiful? The collar is taken off of a sale sweater she found. Perfect.