Wrapping up a wonderful year

How time has flown! We see it especially in the changes in our Knitch baby, Sully, from newborn to robust, happy, full-of-personality almost 10-month-old. We see it in our new digs on a charming little stretch of Virginia Avenue (North East!), very close to the bustling center of Virginia-Highland and just far enough away. We see it in bare trees and patches of snow on the ground (highly unusual in these parts!)

We're celebrating it all with a perfect project to welcome the new year: our Artyarns Silk Rhapsody Hug. Some are making it with Silk Rhapsody, some with Silk Rhapsody Glitter and some with Silk Rhapsody with Beads and Sequins. It's truly gorgeous, such fun to make and a great treat to wear as the chilly weather sets in for awhile. Do let us see your creation!

Sully and the Quince

yarn is great, but very hungry caterpillars
are more interesting for some people . . .

Sully was in the house for our Quince & Co. trunk show on Wednesday, so happy under his new Kelpie Cap, knit from Quince & Co. Osprey by his mama the night before.

yes? you wanted something? . . .

okay. back to work . . .

Come by and see the yummy samples and revel in the yarn from Quince & Co. If you're lucky, you might even get to meet Mr. Sully.

Over the River Mitts: Comfort & Joy, with a Video!

Oh comfort and joy! We just got in a new shipment of Jade Sapphire Cashmere. It's the perfect thing for making these super warm and cozy fingerless one-skein mitts. The only hard part is choosing just one color! Tough decision, made easier if you decide to make several! We'll leave that to you and, once you've decided, we'll send you the complimentary pattern with your purchase of the yarn.

In the meantime, we've put together a 3.5 minute video that unravels the mystery of increasing with Make 1 Right and Make 1 Left (M1R and M1L) -- something you'll need to know to make the thumb gussets in these mitts. Here Nell shows you exactly how it's done, using a nice bulky yarn so it's very easy to see all the detail. Watch it through a time or two and you'll have this clever (and easy!) technique down!

All you need to make these delicious mitts is one skein of Jade Sapphire 6-ply plus US size 7 needles and a darning needle. Then you're good to go!

Beautiful detailing!

A Video How-To for our Sweet Ruffled Scarf

Our Sweet Ruffled Scarf is a satisfying quick knit, especially when you understand the ins and outs of picking up stitches for the ruffle. Nell shows you how simple it is to do in our video.

To make this soft, feminine scarf, you'll need two skeins of Malabrigo Worsted, a pair of US 7 needles and a pair of 47" - 60" US 8 circular needles. The pattern is free with your purchase of the yarn at Knitch.

A Quick Knit for Holiday Gift-Giving - The Lightning Cowl!

We call it Lightning Cowl because it's so quick to knit. And the results are astonishing. You'll just need one skein of Malabrigo Rasta, a 24" US 17 circular needle and some stitch markers. Oh, and the pattern, of course, which we will throw in with your purchase of the yarn! Make one for each of your best buddies and one for yourself. You've got the time -- we've got the yarn!

Overwhelmed (in a really good way) and VERY grateful!

There are so many of you to thank for your big response to our 100 Hats in 100 Days Project! You brought them in on your bikes; you brought them in on your walks. You sent them from far away; you knit them at our farm table. We just received at box of ten from Texas! And not long ago hats arrived from Portland, Oregon. There are several en route from Sweden. You are fabulous and you are spreading caring to many people this winter, who will be warmer for your loving efforts. In this season of thanksgiving, we thank you so very much -- every one!

Curly Girly Kasumi

One thing we love about our Knitch pattern, Curly Girly Boa, is the way it can be made in all sorts of clever combinations, limited only by your imagination. But this was the first time we ever saw it done in Shepherds Wool and Habu Kasumi.

Susan Crawley has a distinct eye for things creative and artistic it's true, being the curator for Folk Art at Atlanta's High Museum of Art. And she also has a lot of patience. That comes in handy when binding off 2400 stitches of Kasumi!

Are there any more interesting approaches to Curly Girly Boa out there? We would love to see what you are doing!

A Lovely Homeless Hat Project Story

Yesterday, a lady wandered into the shop, attracted by our window display for 100 Hats in 100 Days for the Homeless (see column to the left). She insisted that it would be impossible for anyone to teach her to knit. She was quite certain about that. But she wanted to participate in our project. She asked if she might purchase some yarn to give to a knitter to make a hat . . . or two. As luck would have it, a busy, happy group of knitters was gathered around the table. Jane was the first to speak up and say she'd be happy to do it. The lady thanked her and disappeared, only to return moments later with a gift -- a lovely porcelain platter full of crackers and artichoke spread from our neighbors, Bella Cucina. Now we had a table of busy and even happier knitters! The lady left, having never revealed her name, with a contented smile on her face, knowing she had contributed to a worthy cause -- on a couple of levels!

Our goal of 100 Hats in 100 Days needs a burst of activity from everyone to make the November 1 deadline. So keep those hats coming -- whether you knit them yourself or not! And thank you, mysterious lady, and Jane. You are both inspirations.

And speaking of hats, our Knitch bird sported an Atlanta Braves cap for a couple of weeks as excitement grew about our home team going into the MLB post-season. Alas, it's all over now, but not due to any lack of spirit on behalf of our bird!

Oh Happy Day...Brooklyn Tweed SHELTER has arrived at Knitch!

It's been really hard to keep this secret....we knew you'd love this yarn and we've been itching to tell all the Knitch Knitters about SHELTER from Brooklyn Tweed for months. This secret was worth keeping though, because the yarn is even better than we had imagined and we're thrilled to be able to unveil it!

Available in 17 over the top beautiful colors - each one sweater worthy for sure - this yarn begs to jump on your needles and fly!

From Brooklyn Tweed himself:

In September 2009 , Jared began researching answers to very specific questions he had been asking myself for some time: With such a rich textile history and an abundance of fiber and resources, why is there such a tangible absence of commercial American yarns available to the broader hand knitting community? Is it possible to develop 100% American sourced, spun & designed yarns and present them in a competitive & compelling way in the current market? What would a yarn look like that was designed from the ground up by a single designer? The desire to answer these questions sparked the beginning of a year-long journey that has allowed me to pursue a personal dream of developing my own line of wool yarn. The result of this process is SHELTER, an artisanal American Wool with a wonderful story and unique identity.

Before making steps towards the realization of SHELTER, Jared made a list of the qualities that he desired in his own ideal yarn for hand knitting. The list below served as a road map to making the search a reality.
• A woolen-spun 2-ply wool with extremely light and lofty hand
• A light worsted weight gauge that is fluid enough to create a variety of fabrics
• A yarn that allowed easy visualization of stitch architecture without creating heavy or dense fabrics.
• A rich palette of deep autumnal hues and natural greys and browns
• Fleece-dyed fiber for sophisticated heathers and tweeds
• All wools sourced and grown on American soil
• Locating American sheep breeds whose inherent qualities include both softness and structure.
• All labor and milling completed on American soil
• A high-quality and aesthetically beautiful finished product that brings with it a rich and meaningful story
• Give consumers the opportunity to support the once-great American Textile Industry through the purchase of high-quality, artisanal wool.

SHELTER is constructed from 100% wool from the Targhee-Columbia cross breed. Both Targhee and Columbia were developed as American sheep breeds in the early 20th century and have rich farming histories in the West. Both breeds have specific qualities that create wonderful wool for handknitting. Targhee is considered a Fine Wool (21-25 microns), bringing softness, while Columbia is a Medium Wool (24-31 microns) that brings an element of structure and strength.

A cross between these breeds brings together the sometimes disparate qualities of both wearability and durability, creating a yarn that is uniquely suited for the needs of handknitters and wool-wearers alike.

This yarn is inspiring!

We just have to add that the colors remind us of all that is wonderful about Autumn . . . with evocative names like Long Johns, Wool Socks, Faded Quilt, Woodsmoke, Embers, Almanac, Nest, Hayloft, Homemade Jam, Sweatshirt, Pumpernickel, Fossil, Tent, Sap, Thistle . . . even Button Jar and Soot.

SHELTER comes in a beautiful 50 gram hank with a clean, center-wrap ball band in recyclable natural brown paper.

Because of its light, woolen preparation, SHELTER sports very generous yardage for a worsted weight yarn. Each 50g hank packs approximately 140 yards. An average adult sweater (1100 yards) requires only 6 skeins and the price per skein is only 12.50 -- approximately 8.3 cents per yard, a price that is directly comparable to many commercial wools of the same weight.

There are 8 wonderful patterns available . . . all drool worthy . . . and here are four of them: Guernsey Wrap, Terra Shawl, Habitat Cabled Beanie, and Woodruff Mittens.

We hope you've enjoyed drooling over the photos..and now you really must come and visit this special yarn! We hope to see you soon! In the meantime, we're all rolling around in wooly wonderfulness!

Knitting as a Two-Person Job!

We caught Carol and Christian knitting together with the biggest needles we've ever seen -- (what d'ya think . . . size 10,000? U.S., that is). They worked out a good rhythm together and were heard to say they were just glad no cables or bobbles were involved.

Somehow we missed the part where they wound that huge ball of yarn on the swift/ball winder. (okay, maybe that didn't happen . . . )

Their efforts are for our October window display. Be sure to come by and see it. You can tell anyone who asks, "Yes! That really was hand knit on giant needles!"

. . . or maybe they are normal needles and the knitters were teeny tiny Lilliputians . . .

Kim (Norman) and Carol admire the finished product,

thinking about easy, quick possible curtain ideas.

Hats Across the Nation

Haley, Nell and Olivia sport our newest hats
-- all the way from Oregon!

Our friend Tracie in Oregon, 3,000 miles from here, sent us three soft, warm hats for our hat drive this week. It's exciting to see a response from such a distance, making us feel connected in a very special way. Now we're wondering if there may be more hats coming from even further afield?! Europe anyone? Antarctica?

Shop Hop Dates for 2010 Announced!

Rev up those needles and get your hoppin' shoes on! Atlanta Shop Hop dates for 2010 are Saturday, Sept 25th through Sunday, Oct 3rd. This year promises to be the best yet! The Grand Prize is $1,000 in yarn shop gift certificates and there are 30 other fantastic prizes as well! Passports go on sale ($1.00) September 2nd and we hope you'll get yours at Knitch!

Here's how it works: you get your Passport and visit as many of the ten participating area knit shops as possible in 9 days, make a $10.00 minimum purchase at each shop, and have your passport stamped. If you fill your passport you are eligible for the grand prize of a $100.00 gift certificate from each shop. Yes, that is $1,000.00 to the Grand Prize winner and it could be you! (ooooh the cashmere! . . . just imagine!)

You can visit as many shops as you wish and still be eligible for prizes. And your purchase entitles you to a free original pattern from each shop you visit. Click here for the Shop Hop blog where you'll find all the details including participating shops and prior years' results.

Here's Nell wearing last year's free
Knitch Shop Hop Pattern. It was a huge hit!

Off the Needles at Knitch

Today Regan brought in her blocked-and-ready-to-ship 6-feet-long Myrtle Leaf Shawl -- a gift for her mother's big birthday. The pattern comes from Victorian Lace Today and she made it from Rowan Kidsilk Haze. Lots of it! It's impressive indeed, and everyone wants to know how long it took her. She figures it was about 16 months, with a long break in the middle. We love how, finished and blocked, the pattern reminds us of so many lipstick kisses. An abundance of kisses for a very much loved (and lucky) mom.

Keith also has a much loved and lucky mom! He made this February Lady's Sweater in Nell's class and it is a beauty. He used Shepherd’s Wool on US size 8 needles. Word has it that he was the cause of many a dropped stitch in that class with his hilarious comments and stories. He also "forced" everyone in the class to try the sweater on for him as he went along. That's what they tell us. And they didn't mind at all! Group knitting certainly has its pluses! Keith went straight from this masterpiece to working on a doggie sweater for his sister's pooch. Who's going to model that?

Jane's Ulmus Shawl (a Ravelry pattern) looks lovely draped around her shoulders. She wasn't so sure as she was working it, whether it would really work for her. But it does! And how!!

Blue Moon Has Arrived!

We're always happy to see Terrance, our UPS man, come in the door with his electric smile and sunny disposition. But when he's wheeling in big boxes from Blue Moon and we know there's Socks That Rock as well as Icelandic Chunky inside, well, we're just dancin' a jig. It won't be here long, folks, so come in or give us a call and we'll help you step into Blue Moon heaven!

Happy Birthday Elizabeth Zimmerman!

As Hubble is to the deep-space telescope, so is Elizabeth Zimmerman to our favorite craft. Born August 9, 1910, today would have been the 100th birthday of the innovator, mathematician, engineer, sage, philosopher and teacher. So let's light a candle, have some yummy cake, cast on something fabulous and share our love for all things E.Z.

Send us photos of your zimmerinspired projects. We'll start with one of our own faves:

Nell's Baby Surprise of the Cute Collar

Follow this thread!

We find these adorable little buns of colorful, silky thread from Valdani completely irresistible. And from the reactions of folks strolling into the shop, we are not alone!

The pearl cotton, hand-dyed and colorfast jewels, as well as the beautiful assortment of Sullivan (naturally!) embroidery floss skeins, are meant for embroidering your what-have-yous: pillows, maybe (we have some pillow cases just for that), or dish towels and napkins (yep, we've got those too!), aprons, children's hats and clothing. Endless possibilities.

We have embroidery hoops (very modern, really cool plastic and metal ones), embroidery kits and patterns from Sublime Stitching. The proverbial icing on our proverbial embroidery-offerings-cake is DMC metallic thread in shimmering gold and silver.

Can't wait to see what all you creative souls do with these treasures!

Gisela's in the House

We just received this beautifully rendered sample of the Gisela jacket by CocoKnits and now, having seen it and tried it on, we're even more excited about it. Because we can't all have Michelle Obama's fabulous arms, we love having found something to knit that will, shall we say, camouflage our upper arms while not making us swelter. Knit out of Habu Cotton Gima, the breezes (anybody felt any breezes lately??) flow through, unimpeded by too much fabric, making us cool -- well, that could be a stretch in these dog days! let's say, not as hot! -- calm and just a tad elegant. Come in and see for yourself. It's a quick knit too, so there'll be plenty of time yet this season to enjoy it. We also have the CocoKnits pattern for the Gretel tank with the flattering cowl neckline, which by itself is lovely, and when paired with the Gisela jacket makes a splendid "sweater set".

Graham and the growing sweater

It's been a big day for fabulous projects walking in the shop! We have a nice backlog of delightful things to show you over the next few weeks. But we had to begin with this work in progress. Moving progress! Graham, 15 month old son of Carey Huffman, has been in the shop for hours with nary a squeak or objection about anything. Mom Carey, who designs whimsical knitted things, followed him around, holding onto her ball of Rowan Calmer, attached to the sweater-in-the-making on her fun-loving boy.

mmmm . . . yummy addi's

the rear view!

We're excited that we'll soon be selling Carey's patterns. Check out her blog at fulloffluff.com

Joy Written All Over Her Face!

Amanda Thwaits is feeling pretty darned pleased with herself, as well she should! This Daphne and Delilah Momma and Baby Monster from a pattern by Danger Crafts is her first-ever project from a pattern. And we're all so proud of her -- Megan, Kim, Christian, Olivia, Brad, to name a few, all helped her out with navigating the mysterious world of pattern-speak. Amanda's five-year-old son picked out the colors. It really does take a village and we're awfully happy that we have our own lovely, fun, little hamlet right here on N. Highland Ave. Bringing joy to the world -- one happy knitter at a time!

Be Sweet, while you can!

We just got some neat Be Sweet Special Knobby balls in. Each is unique, made as it is from recycled mohair bits and knobs. We've got just a few and are envisioning fall sweaters, edged in this beautiful stuff. We predict these won't be here for long!

World Wide Knit in Public Day Saturday June 12

They'll be casting on in Copenhagen and all across Canada, Finland, Hungary and France. Needles will be flying in Killarney and Dublin, Ireland too. They'll be stitching and schmoozing at the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, New Zealand and South Africa. Binding off in Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and all over Britain.

And here in the ATL, Knitch is thrilled to be sponsoring the gathering of all you knitters at Park Tavern at Piedmont Park from noon on . . .

Come experience the synergy of it all with us, rain or shine (we can move inside if it's wet). But if you can't join our WWKIP, tell us where you'll be knitting this weekend!

Summer's here! Can Fall be far behind?

We think summer's a great time to get going on those fall projects. Brad, here, is ready for the first sound of crunchy leaves -- and has time to make a few more for his friends! He combined Kureyon Sock Yarn with Shepherd's Wool in the One-Row Scarf, made famous by Stephanie Pearl McPhee.

Stephanie suggests donning this scarf and wandering around your favorite neighborhood veggie market, pretending to buy veggies, while waiting for someone(s) to ask you, "Where did you get that gorgeous scarf?"

The hat Brad just made up, mathematical whiz that he is.

Julie's All About Color!

Julie O'Neal is excited about her latest WIP (Work In Progress). It's a scarf of colorful stripes, designed by Nell Ziroli, made from Cornelia Hamilton's Heaven's Hand Wool Classic yarns. Now that the heat and humidity have come to town, you're going to have to wait a few months to wear it, Julie. But what a fun thing to look forward to!

Becky Knits Up Luxurious

We got to watch Becky Douville slip on her luxurious Jade Sapphire Handspun Cashmere pullover for the first time. She knitted every stitch and then brought it in to Nell for finishing. Check out that smile! She's hoping for a long, cool spring. It's that or crank up the air conditioning. This sweater must be worn. And often! Becky followed a pattern by Ann Budd.

Back in the House!

Kim and Sully stopped in the shop recently on their first neighborhood stroll. So good to see Kim back among the yarn! And wonderful too to have Sully here, getting used to what will fast become a very familiar place for him. We're wondering when he'll start knitting?!