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?

If you haven't already seen it, do come in for the Coastal Knits Trunk Show, which will run through Feb 22nd.

Gnarled Oak Cardigan and Waters Edge Cardigan

 Bayside Pullover and Rocky Coast Cardigan

 Branching Out Mitts

Wildflower Cardigan

Rustling Leaves Bert and Sand and Sea Shawl

We've been finishing lots of projects in our classes.  My Tuesday afternoon Beginning Knitting class went "rogue" and they all decided to work on projects other than the afghan.  Here they are with some of their finished projects.

Will we ever get to wear these hats this winter? 

Martha made the Charleston hat out of Frog Tree Alpaca Sport.

 I knit the #25 Cable Brim Hat from Vogue Knitting Winter 2012 out of the Fibre Company's Road to China. The design is by Erica Schlueter who came to visit me in the booth at Vogue Live and loved seeing her hat knit up!

Here are some gals in my Tuesday night Beginning Knitting class.  They are turning into real pros.

Patti finished her afghan from the Barbara Walker Learn to Knit Afghan book. She crocheted a border around each block and then crocheted them together. It's a real stunner!

Janet knit all of these hats for her daughter's pre-school class for Christmas. 

She also knit this beautiful shawl from the book, Wrap Style, modeled by the lovely Lisa.  This was knit out of Nashua Vignette.

We'll be having a class doing this scarf, the Bubble Scarf, pattern by Lucy Neatby in March.  This one was knit by Adriana.

Some of the new "Ruffle Yarn" --

Rowan Kid Silk Creation

and Berocco Lacey

We'll be getting some other ruffle yarns in soon!

Here are mitts and beret knit by Deb, sorry, can't remember which pattern it is ---

Joy wanted to knit a fair isle yoke sweater  and found a childs sweater that she really liked, so she sized it up and did a fantastic job!

Amy's Fiddleheat mittens out of Filatura di Crosa's Sport Wool.  Just love them!

Wow is all I can say about the Vogue Live show this past weekend.  I had been nervously anticipating the show, dyeing yarn day and night, trying to get all of the yarns together for the show. My Three Irish Girls order came in on the Wednesday before we left for NYC and am I glad it did.  It was a huge hit.  So for all of you who missed buying the yarn, don't despair --- I am putting in another order this week. Thank you Three Irish Girls for working so hard to get my order in for the show.

We shared a booth with The Yarnsisters-- distributors of Zealana yarns from New Zealand.  Jimad, a sales manager from Zealana came all the way from New Zealand for the show and Claudia, the US distributor came here from Colorado.  Woolbearers has had their yarn for some time now, but I brought a lot of bags back and some samples too. We were waiting all weekend for the New Zealand ambassador to show, but he never did come.
Lots of our regular customers stopped by, but we also made lots of new friends. Here are a few of them.

Sara bought enough Woolbearers Superwash Chunky to make 3 Purl Soho Bandana Cowls. She bought this skein on Friday and had it finished on Sunday.

Everyone loved the Alfresco yarn and I am sure I will be seeing lots of Alfresco Brioche cowls.

Ran into lots of designers.  One of the first people to stop by the booth was Shiri Mor (sorry -- didn't get a picture).  Lots of you will remember that she came to the shop 3 years ago when we were knitting her Botanica Medallion Cardigan.  Well, she promised she would come again.  I can't wait.  I also spoke with  Carol Sulkoski, whose new book in being published in the fall and Franklin Habit -- they both promised  to  come to Woolbearers.  Anastasia Popova also stopped by.  Her latest design is on the cover of Interweave Crochet  (Winter 2011). She is going to be teaching at Woolbearers.  Her first class will be in April on crocheted socks.
                                                                                                                                   Alasdair Post-Quinn stopped by to show off his latest double knitting design- 52 Pickup.  His latest book is "Extreme Double Knitting" and he promised that he will come and teach here.

Here are some of other booths that were on our floor.  Hill Country Weavers is from Texas and our very own Fran Gooch used to work there.

Stitchuary is an online shop located in Montclair NJ

 And the Village Sheep is from Connecticut.

Woolbearers booth

Here's an interesting felted hat



A big thank you to all the gals who "held down the fort" in Mount Holly, so I could participate and a special thank you to Fran McElgunn, without her, I couldn't have done the show.

But the most special part of the show for me, was working with my son for 3 days.  Thanks, Zach -- you really saved the day!