Clara Parkes has written a book that every fiber fanatic will love to own. Clara is the force behind KnittersReview.com, an e-newsletter that features articles about yarn and the industry and many articles about knitting. If you aren’t familiar with this site, check it out and sign up. It offers a wealth of information. Clara actually knits with and blocks many of each seasons new yarns and offers a very truthful evaluation of the yarn. She will recommend projects for the yarn and make suggestions about the best way to care for the item once it is completed. There is quite a following on the site and the forums are always full of good, happy yarn talk.  The book is a treasure trove of information about just where that yarn comes from, how it is gathered, treated and eventually turned into the knittable stuff you see on the shelves. If you ever wondered what it took to make that heavenly fiber in your hand, then this is definetly the book for you. On top of all this great information there is an entire section of really inspiring knitting patterns. Some of today’s best known designers have contributed patterns that perfectly show off the yarn used. From cool fingerless mitts to a fabulous felted Lotus bag, there is sure to be several items that you’ll want to make and keep for yourself. Check out the book, it is well worth the money.

Can there ever be enough sock yarn? Not according to the many of you that love to knit socks. In order to keep the sock knitting population happy and knitting, and in order to keep the feet in the valley warm and toasty, I am constantly on the hunt for new sock yarn. Some of the old favorites continue to reinvent themselves. Opal Socks has introduced an entire new pallette of colors for the upcoming season. These colors are already on the shelf so don’t be afraid to look for them.

The box that the mailman carried in today looked like an ordinary cardboard box. How was he to know that what he was carrying could qualify as treasure in the sock knitting world? Decker and I eagerly tore open the top to discover a whole new world of color. I am pleased to introduce Madelinetosh sock yarn to the valley. The colors are bright and fun. One sk, at 430 yds, is plenty to make a pair of socks that every sock wearer will ache to own and priced at $24, every knitter will want more than one. My favorite is rhubarb, Decker is going to knit tonight with bearded iris, but your choices also include fireside, plum tree, jade, kale, lichen and so on. How can you rsist? The colors will make you want to knit socks even if you’ve never knit them before.

Maggie, Adrienne and Bonnie have spent the weekend restocking all the bins. The shop looks so pretty when they are done and it means that the yarn is easy to see, find, and touch. We are all knitting like mad to get the new models up as well. Remeber to tell me that you’ve looked at this blog the next time you come in. And be sure to plan your next project before the snow arrives.

Yours in Yarn,

Linda

I don’t know why that expression has been zinging around in my head for the past few days. Maybe I am really in the mood for some new projects. Every day I get to think and dream about the next project because I am constantly planning new models for the shop or getting new orders for custom knit items or designing new garments for Frog Tree Yarns. This year I have been asked to complete several designs for Plymouth Yarns Bristol Yarn line. That means that over the next 2 months I will be hard at work creating new sweaters just for them. You will be able to see these designs as they are created by waltzing into the shop and asking about them. I’ll be happy to show you what ideas I have and I will be excited to get some feedback from customers.

I hope you have a new project waiting in the knitting basket. Aren’t you itching to cast on? Don’t you want to see the first few rows appear so magically under your fingers? I love starting new projects and I feel the same urgency as you to get that new yarn on the needles. There is even a certain amount of joy in picking (or finding) just the right needle for the yarn. Bamboo or rosewood, circular turbos or regular inox??? There are so many wonderful choices, it’s not just about the knitting.

The end of January brings another exciting adventure for Northampton Woolettes. We are about to embark on the first Northampton Wools Knit Away weekend. It will be held at the Bayside Resort Hotel in West Yarmouth. We will be knitting all day Saturday and some of Sunday on mitered pieces. Most exciting of all is our special invitation to FROG TREE Yarns on Friday night; where we will be wined and hor’douerved while being let loose to explore all of the different alpaca yarns that make up the FROG TREE line. This will be a very special night as Jim P. will be there to tell us all about next year’s trip to Peru. Please call the shop if you are interested in joining us. It is not too late to attend.

Even though the snow is falling and the temperatures are dipping’ I am thinking about summer knitting. In the next few weeks the cottons will be showing up on the shelves. This year is a big year for anything “green” so look for organics, environmentally safe and bio-friendly yarns. We already have an organic cotton wool blend from Vermont Organics and two ecologic yarns from Rowan. As you well know, it is never too soon to start that summer knitting.

If you are like me and love to settle by the fire on a cold Sunday afternoon with a little knitting in your lap and the PATRIOTS on the TV (alright then, how about a good old movie?) then may I recommend a pair of baby booties or a baby sweater? January and February are perfect months to get a little present done for that baby that you know is coming this year. It you are anticipating an invitation to a shower in June; wouldn’t it be wonderful to have that special hand knitted gift started now? The baby store is brimming with ideas and samples to help you choose just the right thing for that soon to arrive dumpling. Don’t worry about that boy or girl thing; today’’s mothers love bright unisex colors, or are more open to every color on every baby. We’ll show you some great alternatives to the standard mint green or yellow, and you’ll be proud as a peacock when your gift is opened at that shower! In the mean time I wish us all a very Happy New Year filled with love and peace and knitting!

Yours in Yarn,

Linda

Linda and staff.