Sarah came to pick up hats about 2 weeks ago.  She counted them and put them in size order.  Woolbearers collected 68 hats!!  Thank you everyone. We're still collecting hats if you have any more. She is delivering these hats to folks in Union Beach. This area was hit pretty hard by the hurricane.

 Rosa finished her Learn-to-Knit Afghan and put it together.  She used Cascade 220.   Rosa - take a bow!

We've been working on a few Kate Davies patterns for our latest Knit-Along.  Meg is cutting the steeks for her Blaithin Cardigan.  She did finish it -- I haven't seen the final product, but will post pix when I get to see it.  Meg knit hers out of Stonehedge's Shepherds Wool and it really worked up beautifully.

I made mine out of Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester.  I am almost finished and can't wait to make the first cut.

We are also working on Kate Davies' Tir Chonaill Blanket.  Mary's is done out of Berroco Ultra Alpaca.  She finished hers as well.  Just waiting for the pix.

Cindy has done hers out of Tahki Tara Tweed.  It has the look of chenille.  It's amazing how the colors choices make it look so different.

Stacy is using Tahki Donegal Tweed  and the one below is mine out of Tara Tweed.  I really want to finish the sweater first and then I will get the blanket done!

We love Kate Davies designs so much, we are going to do another KAL from her book "Colours of Shetland".  I will be getting copies of the book in a few weeks -- hope you all will join us.  The KAL starts on  Feb 10.

Looking for a quick and easy project -- Churchouse has done it again with their Cozy Boot Cuffs!

Here are some great tried and true patterns for quick gift ideas. 

I had to knit another Gap-tastic cowl.  This time I made it out of a new yarn from Plymouth.  It is called Gabriela from the hand dyer Maria Diaz.  One skein of this yummy alpaca/merino blend did a shorter cowl than the pattern called for, but it will definitely be warm and cozy for those cold winter months.

I brought in Trendsetter's Dune this season and wanted to pair it with another yarn.  I chose Araucania's Coliumo Multy, a pair of size 19 needles -- Cast on 19 stitches, knit a simple seed stitch pattern and you are good to go!  I'll probably put fringe on the ends -- just a liittle bling!

If you have always wanted to knit up that cute Tulips Baby Sweater, but couldn't figure out all the colors, Dream in Color has done it for you.  They put in all the different colorways of Classy together with the pattern. In no time you will have this great baby sweater done!














These Turkish Bed Socks take no time at all to knit -- great pattern from  Churchmouse Yarns and Tea and one skein of Koigu, for everyone on your Christmas list!

One skein of Cascade Casablanca is all is takes to make this Feather and Fan Scarf -- free pattern on the Cascade website.

How about another simple Churchmouse pattern -- The Picot Edge Baby Blanket and Washcloth.  I made this washcloth out of Knit One, Crochet Too's Dungarease.  We have lots of great smelling soaps from Storybook Farms.  These make great gifts.

These projects might take a little bit longer to knit.  Here is Susan's Urania shawl.  She used two different colorways of  Kauni Effektgarn.  It really looks fabulous.

Fran just became a grandmother times 2!   Here is blankie number one -- the Pop Blanket.  She used one colorway of Knitcol for the centers yet each circle looks like a different color!

Rosa finished all of her squares for the Learn to Knit afghan.  Can't wait to see them all put together.  This inspires me to finish mine!

Karen bought a bunch of Dream Big yarn and decided to make an Einstein coat.   Almost finished, she is trying to figure out which button will go where.

Elisa decided that her first lace project should be one from Meg Swansen's book, A Gathering of Lace. Can you believe it? She did an absolutely unbelievable job, using Grignasco Merino/Silk for -- done in time for her daughter's wedding.  

Marian saw the sweaters from the book Knit/Swirl and decided she must have one.   It's all finished and looks fantastic, made out of Cascade 220  Of course, she is going to knit another. These should be nicknamed potato chip sweaters -- can't make just one!

Hope everyone has survived the hurricane intact. Sarah Hughes, a new knitter who lives in Cherry Hill came up with the idea of "Spreading the Warmth -- One Hat at at Time" to help families displaced by Hurricane Sandy.  On Thursday, November 29th at 7pm, Woolbearers will be having a knit/crochet night for all those who want to help.  I will give a 20% discount on any yarn used for this project. 

Hope to see many of you here on November 29th.  If you can't make it that evening, we will be collecting hats here at Woolbearers -- bring them anytime.  Sarah will be delivering the first batch of handmade hats on December 16th.

Here's a hat pattern I wrote right after the storm, aptly entitled: Hurricane Hat Materials: 1 skein of Blue Sky Alpaca Brushed Suri, 16" size 7 circular needles, Size 7 dpns Gauge: 4 stitches = 1 inch Hat measurements - approx  21" circumference Cast on 83 stitches. Place stitch marker.  Join to work in round. Round 1:* K2, P2,  repeat from *  until 3 stitches remain -- end with K2,  P1 Round 2: P1, *K2, P2, repeat from * all the way around -- end with a K2 Repeat Rounds 1 and 2  for pattern Knit for  6" or desired length .  End with Round 2. Crown  decreases: Round 1: *K2, P2 tog -  repeat from * all the way around (last stitch will be purled) Round 2: *P1, SSK tog -  repeat from * all the way around Round 3,4 and 5 : K2 tog -- repeat this all around Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail Slip remaining stitches through tapestry needle threaded through the tail  and pull tight. Weave in all ends.

 We had a steeking party last week at Woolbearers.  Some of the gals in the KAL finished the fair isle part of the Rams and Yowes Blanket and were ready to steek and cut.

As a reward to myself for finishing (well, almost), I knit the Sheep Heid to go along with the blanket.

Here is my blanket completely steeked and ready for cutting.

 I began to cut between the steek stitches on the lower end of the blanket

 Here you can see the beginning of the cutting process

 And here is the blanket completely cut apart and waiting to pick up 780 stitches all around the border.

 A few of the gals discussing the steeking process -- various blankets in different stages.

 Donna bravely cutting her steeks.

And here is her finished product (minus the border)

A very rewarding project -- and not as scary as it seemed.

Another blanket project we are working on at Woolbearers is the Great North American Afghan.

Lots of knitters are working on this.  Some, like myself, are following the color scheme in the book, others are choosing colors they are more fond of, but Shirley is doing her own thing with color - I think this is fabulous.

All three squares are the same.   Shirley used different colors in the top 2 squares and I did mine in one solid color.  Isn't the difference amazing?

We had a great time at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Show.  It was great to see old friends and meet some new ones!  I was so busy at the booth I didn't have much time to see the other booths, but this was the  first time I remember seeing the entire barn filled with vendors.  The show has certainly grown over the last few years.    Here's a few pictures of our booth after we set up.     

Madelyn stopped by to show off her finished Rockefeller -- she made this out of Madeline Tosh Merino Light

Lots of blankets are getting done!

Here's Lois's Learn to Knit Afghan.  All 63 squares done and edges are crocheted together. Isn't it gorgeous?  This was is out of Berroco Vintage.

Remember when Kay Gardiner came to Woolbearers and showed everyone how to knit the Mitered Crosses Blanket?  Well, Mary finished hers in only a few short months.   She also used  Berroco Vintage and Vintage Colors for the crosses.

Cindy is the first one done with the Rams and Yowes blanket.  She steeked, cut and picked up stitches to do the  binding -- Yes, eventually you have about 900 stitches on the needle!  She still needs to block it, but wanted to show it off!

Now, I have finally completed the fair isle section of my Rams and Yowes and am starting to crochet around the steek stitches.  You do this to reinforce the blanket, because the next step is cutting!

There are 5 columns of steek stitches. You pick up the left leg of the 2nd column stitch and the right leg of the 3rd column stitch and do a single crochet.  After that row is done, I will go in the opposite direction and pick up the left leg of the 4th column and the right leg of the 3rd column and single crochet each pair of stitches down the blanket. After that comes the glass of wine and a pair of scissors  -- not necessarily in that order.  Anyway, we are having a steeking party on September 23rd @ 1 pm for all those who are ready to steek and cut.  More pix next week.