Friday, January 21, 2011

Super Quick Project Alert!

With one skein of a super soft and fun Malabrigo yarn called "Rasta", some big ol' needles, and about an hour or two, you can make this cool, stylish cowl. I cast on for mine last night, bound off this morning, and I wore it to work today! The pattern is a free Ravelry download. Here's the details so you can make one of your own:
Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta, One skein in color #863 "Zarzamora"
Needles: US Size 17, 24" long circular
Pattern: Marian by Jane Richmond (Ravelry Link)
The only modifications I made was I used a size 17 needle, where the pattern calls for a size 19 (because a 17 was all I could find!), and I cast on 55 instead of 45 to make it a little longer and to accommodate for my smaller needles, and I just knit until I ran out of yarn. The pattern has an option to add a twist to the cowl to make it a fake moebius, which I did too.
I loved making this cowl, and I'm loving wearing it, too! Come on in and pick out a pretty color of Rasta to make one of your own.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Free Pattern: Fishtail Braid Cowl!

This month we have another great free pattern for you, the Fishtail Braid Cowl, by Karin Wilmoth. Karin works and teaches here at the shop, and her new cowl design is really really pretty! With 2 skeins of Misti Alpaca's new naturally dyed "Best of Nature" Chunky, you can whip up this cute and quick cowl to keep you all warm and snuggly!

Fishtail Braid Cowl
download now


Materials
2 skeins (1 each of 2 colors) Misti Alpaca Best of Nature (109 yards, 100 grams per hank), or equivalent
yardage of Chunky wt. Yarn, US 19, 24” circular needle, a stitch marker, & a blunt tapestry needle.

Gauge
16 st. to 4 in. in pattern



Finished Size
11 inches wide and 30 inches around

Terms
k2tog – knit two stitches together
k2tog tbl – knit two stitches together through the back loops

Pattern
With Color A (whichever color you wish to begin with), cast on 120 stitches. On the first round you will join
your knitting in the round, being carfeul not to twist the stitches. Place marker.

Round one – *K2tog and slip the first stitch only off the needle, leaving the second stitch on the left needle.
Repeat from * around to last stitch. Slip last stitch to right needle, remove marker, replace st onto left
needle, k2tog and slip first st only off the needle. Replace marker.

Switch to Color B, but do not cut Color A. You will carry each color up, switching as needed.

Round two - *K2tog tbl and slip the first stitch only off the needle, leaving the second stitch on the left
needle. Repeat from * around to last stitch. Slip last stitch to right needle, remove marker, replace st onto
left needle, k2tog tbl and slip first st only off the needle. Replace marker.

Work Round one with Color B, then switch to Color A and work a Round two, then a Round A again. In this
way you will work two rounds of each color, switching colors for 31 rounds.

Bind off in pattern – K2tog tbl and slip the first stitch off the needle – 2 x, pass the first stitch on right needle
over and off. * K2tog tbl and slip the first stitch off the needle, pass the first stitch on right needle over and
off. Repeat from * until 2 stitches remain. K2tog tbl and bind off last stitch. Cut yarn and pull it through
last stitch.

Weave in the ends, and lightly block.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Crochet Away The New Year

Ready to learn some new stitches? Saturday's crochet class - the first of the new year - features a project that looks great in any weight yarn.
Diagonal Color Scarf

This colorful, textured scarf uses multi-color yarn (such as Mochi Plus) worked on the diagonal to produce a self-striping design. This is a fun, easy stitch pattern that you'll use again and again, for shawls, afghans, baby blankets and more. Class is scheduled for Saturday January 15, 12:30 - 3:30 pm. Reservations for this class can be made by calling the shop at 805-654-9500.

Have you tried Tunisian crochet yet? Open, lacy stitches make this graceful scarf one you'll wear again and again.
Starlight Tunisian Scarf

We'll build on basic Tunisian stitches, and using a simple two-row repeat, create a double-crochet shell pattern that has great drape and character. If you don't already know the Tunisian Simple Stitch, please arrive to class 30 minutes early and we'll get you up to speed before class starts.The Starlight Tunisian Scarf class is Tuesday, January 18, 6 - 9 pm. Class reservations can be made by calling the shop at 805-654-9500. For a listing of all our great classes, please visit the calendar on our website.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Start Your Year with Some Classics

Welcome to the new year! Are your busy fingers rested from the holiday festivities? Ready for something new to be on your needles?
This week we have two classes starting that are wonderful classic designs with unique constructions
For Wednesday evening, we have Elizabeth Zimmerman's Pi Shawl. This flirty circular shawl is worked from the center to the outside edge. It is just the right flutter to throw over your shoulders when the sun dresses reemerge or when the air conditioning gets too chilly.



















Elizabeth Zimmerman's Pi Shawl, Wednesdays, Jan. 12, 19, and Feb. 2 from 6 pm to 8 pm
For Friday evening, we will be meeting to begin another brilliant Elizabeth Zimmerman creation, the Baby Surprise Jacket. This sweet baby sweater is worked as a single piece of fabric and, with a little bit of magic at the end, it folds into a cuddly, warm jacket. The completed blue sweater pictured was my second son's coming home sweater and the pink on will be his incoming little sister's home from the hospital look (I think I'll pack the blue one just in case the ultrasound was hiding something).



















Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket, Fridays, Jan. 14, 28, and Feb. 11 from 6 pm to 8 pm

For more dates of great classes, please check out our calendar on our main site.