Has the prom dress been chosen yet? Have the shoes been ordered and dyed to match the color of the dress? Does your daughter spend hours in front of the mirror thinking about hairstyles and make-up for the big night?

If there is a prom in your future then think about a little prom shawl to chase the chill away and finish off the prom look with just the right amount of glitz. There are three quick and easy designs now on display in the window and we are happy to be offering the pattern for all three of them free! Just ask for the pattern on your next visit.

Each shawl is done in a different yarn. The first is knit with a yarn called Gossamer. This is a lightweight mohair blend with little bits of shiny stuff mixed in every once in a while. It makes a beautiful cover up and adds dramatic sexiness to those bare shoulders!!

A cute little ruffle sets off the color and glitz of the second shawl done in Gioiello. This yarn has gorgeous colors and the ruffle along one edge makes a statement without being overpowering.

I chose Rowan’s Calmer for the last little shawl. This tiny top will actually be put into service all year, not just on Prom night. It is a little plainer than the other two, but fits the body closely. Sneak a little knitting in before the garden takes over every waking moment.

See you with knitting needles, Linda

How many times have you tried to make a sock? How many pairs of hand knit socks do you have finished? How many sks of sock yarn do you have in your stash? Don’t we all have yarn that shouted at us when we walked by, yarn that made our feet shiver with glee at the thought of being cuddled by it, yarn that pleaded to be taken home and stroked, stared at and eventually knit with?  Spring is definetly the time to start knitting with these little hanks from heaven. In the hopes of getting you started on your new or next sock project, Northampton Wools is offering classes in the latest sock knitting technique. Join Decker as she shows you how to wind your way around sock knitting with one circular needle. Your sock knitting will never be the same once you learn the secrets of this technique.  Just imagine the ease of transporting your sock knitting to the beach, or the mountains, taking it on the train or in a plane. No more worries about dropping a double pointed needle and watching in horror as it rolls away under the seat in front of you.  No more jabbing yourself ( or the person next to you) with those nasty little points. Sock knitting will become the most transportable, most comfortable and most amazing type of knitting that you will carry around this summer. Sign up soon because this workshop will fill in anticipation of summer hours filled with knitting socks. Mon  April 21(6-7); April 28(6-8) and May 5 (6-7).

When you stroll by Northampton Wools take a look at all the socks in the window. Knitter’s magazine and several yarn companies have joined together with Local Yarn Stores to celebrate knitters love of socks by sponsoring a sock design contest. If you have ever created a sock then you should think about entering the contest, you could win $6000! That’a a lot of moola for a little pair of socks. Northampton Wools is the official site for Colinette Yarns sock entries. We carry every color of  JITTERBUG, the Colinette sock yarn. The type of socks that you can enter using the Jitterbug are children’s socks and adult fair isle patterns. Think of the fun you can have working with different colors of one of the most colorful sock yarns our there. You can pick up contest details at the shop or find them online at www.knittinguniverse.com. Some of the Thursday night Knotty Knitters gang are already planning their entries, don’ t let them be the only ones from the Northampton area to do so.
Okay, so the reality is that very few of you will actually design and knit a pair of socks to enter in the Knitter’s contest. In  recognition of that Northampton Wools is sponsoring our own sock contest. ONE-OF-A-SOCK is the name of this little happy stab at getting you to knit socks. All you have to do is knit one sock, don’t worry about making the dreaded OTHER SOCK, just have fun making one. We will collect and display the entries in September and the winners will be chosen by popular vote. So come on and join in the fun of sock knitting and you just might be a big winner is our little contest.

Just a quick reminder- this year’s fashion show will be on September 21st. Mark your calendars and check the events page for more info starting next week. Here is a baby sock done in Jelly Beenz. Surely you can knit socks more exciting than this!

Happy Valentine’s Day. Hope your sweetie remembered you in a special way, and I’m sure that some of those sweeties were lucky enough to receive some kind of knitted goody as an I Love You gift. I’m thinking of how lucky the gift getter would feel to get a pair of hand knitted socks. This past week as Adrienne and I trudged into the shop to shovel the sidewalk I was reminded of how much I love a pair of wool socks, especially ones that I have knitted myself.

There is plenty of time to get some done before the end of this cold, wet winter. Check out the classes page for a listing of the sock workshops that are scheduled for the next 2 months.

Once you have decided on a class, be sure to run to the store before the end of Feb. Right now we are having our annual 20% off yarn end of winter sale. That’s right, all the yarn in the store is on sale for 10% off the original price. Some of the yarns we have even marked down 30- 40% off. The new cottons are starting to arrive and we need room of the shelves. This sale runs through the end of Feb, but don’t wait too long or that yarn you have been eyeing won’t be left in the bin.

This weekend is definitely a big one for NewEnglanders. What a match between the Patriots and the Giants. You know by now that I am a diehard Patriots fan; I hope to be curled up on the couch knitting some simple stst while I watch and cheer the Patriots onto their 4th Super Bowl win. Check out the Patriots sweater in the window. I am hopeful that I will have to suplicate stitch the year 08 onto the sleeve of that sweater on Mon morning.

In celebration of this truly American annual event we are looking forward to the excitement of our 6th Super Bowl Sale. From 1pm-5pm on Sunday, Feb. 3rd all the in stock yarn will be 30% off. Yes, I said 30% off. This sale applies to all the yarn in the store, no special orders or layaways. This is the day to buy that beautiful cashmere or silk yarn that you have been eying for several months. Be sure to get here early so that you will have first pick. See you in the yarn bins, Linda

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.

Nothing makes me happier than the first bite of frosty air. It has finally arrived! We have had our first fire in the fireplace and I am ready to settle back into the sofa, watch football (even though the sox did so well) and knit the cold air away! Sounds like an oxymoron, but it is the truth. Everything I knit is intended to keep the cold air at bay; mittens for cold hands, socks for purple toes, and sweaters to give extra hugs of warmth on chilly afternoons. If you are ready to take on fall and winter knitting come on in to the shop and get inspired.

One of the very newest things that we have to offer is a limited, but ever changing supply of hand spun, hand dyed yarn from Brooksong Fibers; Roberta Evans’ very own sheep and farm. The undyed handspun yarn even has the name of the sheep that so thoughtfully donated its fleece. Annabelle, Tapio and Grace are lovingly cared for by Roberta and they love to see their fleece used by valley knitters. Roberta washed and carded and spun this fleece into the softest, warmest, most knittable yarn in the valley. She even designed a simple hat pattern that uses only one skein of this sensuous stuff so that you can treat yourself and any number of your loved ones. We give the pattern to you free when you purchase the yarn, the choice of 3 natural colors is all yours.

Brooksong Fibers are all processed without any chemicals or bleaches. The dyes that are used are all petro chemically free. This makes the colors very clear and the natural yarns very soft. Adrienne is using the multi colored yarn to make a pair of socks on a size 6 needle. We will have these on display as soon as one of them is done.  We are proud to support on of our favorite local growers of yarn by making this product available to you.

Now that fall is officially under way I want to remind you that we are open on Sundays from 1pm -5pm. We will continue to open on Sundays all the way through February. I want to be sure that you are able to get your “knitting on” whenever you need it. I think you will need knitting this winter if you are a Patriots fan like me. Go Patriots!! I am just about ready to start my Super Bowl sweater so watch for updates about that.

Happy Knitting! Linda

The rumor is that once you learn to make a pair of socks you will become a sock addict. First there comes the tactile pleasure of the sock yarn itself. Soft, squishy, warm and colorful, the yarns that are now being made just for sock knitting are as varied as the feet they are meant to cuddle.

We have many new sock yarns in stock. One of the new favorites is Alpaca Socks from Classic Elite. Made of 60% alpaca, 20% merino wool, and 20% nylon (for heel and toe strength) the feel of this yarn is amazing. Your feet will never stop thanking you when you treat them to socks in this yarn. The colors are saturated and luscious and won’t settle for being stuffed into shoes. You’ll have to show them off!

Then comes the wonder and awe of actually making a shaped piece of knitting that can perfectly surround any foot with warmth and love. Turning a heel is one of the most miraculous moments in any knitters experience. Don’t deny yourself this experience!

Once the socks are knit the joy of giving or the joy of wearing these precious creations gives happiness to the sock knitters fingers as well as her heart; and the next pair of socks is ready to be cast on.

Come explore the different methods of sock knitting at Northampton Wools this fall.

The traditional method of using double pointed needles to make a sock from the leg down is where I suggest you start. All you need to do is to make one, a good and complete understanding of the whats, whys and hows of a sock can make the best foundation for future learning. This one day workshop is usually taught by Linda, and will start your sock knitting adventure on very solid ground.

Knitting socks with two circular needles came along a couple of years ago and shook the sock knitting world to its very toes. No more dropped needles, poked fingers or loose joining sts, knitting on two circs became a “why didn’t I think of that?” moment for most of the sock world. Slightly different in construction from the double pointed needle sock, this workshop will make your sock knitting fun and quick.

Finally, the magic loop came along. Sock knitting with one circular needle transformed the way knitters thought about circular needles entirely. The double pointed needles in the world quaked when even Decker (aka-I don’t do socks) became addicted to sock making with one circular needle. She loves it so much that she teaches the entire method in a three session workshop that is guaranteed change the way you think about sock knitting for the rest of your life. Check out the classes page on the website to see when the next workshop is scheduled and then call to reserve your seat. Your feet will never be cold again.

Finally Fall is just around the corner. We can tell by all the new yarns that arrive on our doorstep almost everyday. It means that everything in the store gets moved around and shuffled to new places to make room for the new stuff. One of the favorites is a yarn called Taos from Tahki Stacy Charles. This is a multi-colored yarn that is soft and warm with a good amount of loft.

Of course the sweater that Tahki designed for it is really fun to knit and great to wear. It is flattering on every body type; we know since everyone is trying it on and looking great in it.

This is always a very busy time of year. Not only are we putting yarn on the shelves, filing new patterns and books and cleaning as much as possible, we are also knitting new models as fast as we possibly can. Sometimes these new models are small: look for the ski helmet knit in Bel Air (very chic), the modular mittens in Wooly Stripes (mind boggling), and our original Rapunzel Hat (scarf and hat in one).

Shawls in every fiber are this seasons must have accessory. Check out the window at Eileen Fisher and then come choose your favorite color in your favorite yarn and create the perfect shawl for your new coat. Have you seen the 3 button shawls out there? We have lots of patterns for them and several already made in the store. This is your chance to try one on and experiment with all its different possibilities.

There are some new faces at Northampton Wools this year. We have sadly had to say goodbye to Robin Gunn. She has moved on to a teaching job in the Easthampton public schools and we wish her all the best. All I can say is that she better keep knitting!

Catherine Harper is working in NohoToo on Tues and Wed morning. Harper has years of knitting experience and is ready to help with any knitting problem you may have. She will also be able to help you decide which of the cutest baby projects to do next. Check out the changes that we have made a t Noho Too and plan the baby knitting that needs to be done now.

Maryann Clark has been working in the store all summer. Now she will be here on Tuesdays. Maryann must have the world’s most organised knitting stash, ask her about it when you visit the store.

Natalie Bell returns to work on Mon and Wed afternoons. She spent her junior summer in France and has one year left at Smith. When she graduates she may open a yarn store with her mother in their home state of Indiana.

I’m happy to welcome these knitters into the Northampton Wools family and I hope you find them as helpful and friendly as the staff at NoHo Wools has always been.

Don’t forget to check out the class and workshop schedule and to sign up soon for the class you want.

See you in the yarn bins, Linda

The other day one of the Northampton Woolettes* was in the store preparing for the next project. She loves to knit baby and children’s things. They give her a chance to try lots of new techniques and stitches, while at the same time the knitting is finished and wrapped up in a fairly short amount of time. This Woolette loves both the process and the product of knitting. The funny thing is that all these little knit things go into her “Grandmother Hope Chest”. Her children are getting married so we think the babies will start soon, and she has knit items ready for any and all variations!

Another one of my favorite Woolettes came in with a baby sweater and booties nearly done. Everyone in her family knows about her knitting addiction (oops, I mean therapy) and she had knit this little piece at the request of an aunt whose son was soon to become a father. As we talked I thought how great it would be to have a little stash of completed baby projects just for occasions like this. That upcoming shower, the friend of a friend who is having a baby; I am sure there are many times when a knitted gift would be so appreciated but there just isn’t enough time to get something done. Sounds like good summer knitting to me, but not many of us are that organized or prepared.

This next week will find me in the cellar quite a bit as we try to get ready for sidewalk sales. I will be digging in boxes and bins and making decisions about what yarns to keep and what yarns need to find new homes. There will be plenty of surprises and plenty of yarn opportunities for the savvy yarn shopper. The whole of downtown will be on the street offering bargains and blowouts. I will have baskets and tables full of yarn and books and things that need to be gone so that we can have room for all the new fall items. This is a great time to add to the stash because there will be some real deals. If you are in the mood for socks and mittens you might even take advantage of some cashmere that I will have on sale. Make some room in the yarn barn! Sidewalk sales start on Thursday July 26 through Saturday July 28. See you on the Sidewalk.

*Northampton Woolette- Any knitter who has taken a class, wants to take a class or is thinking about taking a class at Northampton Wools and buys her yarn at Northampton Wools.