So, you are finally finishing up that project and discover as you are binding off that the bind off is too tight.  That is what happened as I was finishing up my new Meandres cowl.  The directions merely said bind off, so I complied and bound off in the usual way (knit 2, slip the very first stitch over and off, knit one, repeat the process).  I bound off about 5 inches and noticed it was just too tight for this light and airy cowl.  The cowl is knit out of Manos Serena on size 7 needles and has a very soft and airy feel to it.  So, I ripped back to the beginning and began hunting for a stretchier bind off.  Now, I could have tried the trick of binding off with a bigger needle size, but I am pretty good about binding off and not pulling too tightly and still getting an even bind off.  I wanted a different kind of bind off.  I looked at Jeny's Suprisingly Stretchy Bind off and tried it out.  I just didn't like the look.  I'm sure it's great for socks.  Cat Bordhi has a nice video about it.  I looked some more and remembered that last night, in my beginner knitting class, I was showing one of my students how to do an i-cord bind-off for her Oregon Tote.  I always like the way the i-cord bind off gives your project such a finsihed look, so that is what I chose. 
I-Cord Bind Off
It's really easy -- cast on an extra 3 stitches (I use a cable cast on).  Knit these 3 stitches.  Put them back on the left needle.  *Knit 2 of those 3 stitches. Knit the 3rd stitch and the next stitch on the needle through the back loop together --- one stitch bound off.  Put the three stitches from your right needle back onto the left needle and repeat the process from *.  Voila -- a nice clean decorative edge.  There is something very relaxing about doing this bind-off too -- an extra bonus.
Love this cowl -- a great addition to your summer wardrobe.

More new yarns-- Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock

From Noro -- Ayatori and Karuta

O-Wool's Balance

Here are the results from our Needlefelted Gnomes class



Woolbearers is so lucky to have Kay Gardiner, co-author of the Mason Dixon Knitting books and blog (www.masondixonknitting.com) present her Mitered Crosses Blanket workshop at Woolbearers on Wednesday evening, April 18th starting at 6:30 pm.  Cost is $30 and you will receive a copy of the pattern for the blanket (all proceeds go to Mercy Corps, a relief organization www.mercycorps.org) and a copy of one of the Mason Dixon knitting books -- just tell us which one you want.  Hope to see you there!

All the new spring yarns are arriving.

Here's a peak -- and there is more to come.

New Hand Dyed Flounce from Knitting Fever -- one skein for a gorgeous ruffled scarf

Ultra Pima Sport and DK weight from Cascade

From Classic Elite --- great pattern books and  new Seedling Paints and Solids

Schulana yarns -- Macaibo and Seda Lux.  Macaibo is a self-striping cotton/viscose blend and Seda Lux is Silk and lurex

I couldn't resist this free pattern on Ravelry called Wingspan.  I knit this one out of Lang Jawoll Magic Degrade sock yarn and am doing the second one out of Macaibo, a DK weight, so it's really knitting up fast.

The Guernsey Wrap (pattern by Jared Flood)  is progressing -- I just wish I had more time to knit!

Mia has been knitting up a storm. She started my beginning knitting class last October and  already has an Einstein coat under her belt and several other projects underway.

As you all know, we don't just knit or crochet at Woolbearers.  Diane has been busy weaving on her Rigid Heddle Loom.  Isn't this scarf beautiful?