Join our Knitch Winter Games 2010

We're all excited about the coming of the winter games (what dyed-in-the-wool knitter wouldn't be?) and we love the idea of Stephanie Pearl McPhee's Knitting Olympics as well as Ravelry's Ravelympics 2010. (See Stephanie's blog for hilarious explanation.) We are too late to enter our Knitch selves as a team, so let's do our own version right here on N. Highland Avenue, aka "Whistler Mountain of the South".

Choose a project that's a challenge to you to begin at the time of the Opening Ceremonies (Friday, February 12, 9 pm Atlanta time) and complete by Closing Ceremonies (Sunday, February 28, 8:30 pm Atlanta time). Sign up at the shop and, with your commitment, we'll give you an hour of help (no charge) on any Thursday night during the Olympics, on your Olympic project, if you need it. We'll take pictures of our Knitch Olympians with their Personal Best projects to post on our blog. (You'll be famous.) Everyone who finishes is golden!

Adapting a Grownup Pattern for a Wee One

Amy Mattingly joined Nell's Project Class (three Thursday mornings each month) for support, conviviality -- and that yummy coffee -- while she makes her way through the Grownup Bonnet from Knit 2 Together (by Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark), adapting it to fit her 5-year-old daughter. She's working with Rowan Little Big Wool in pink, of course. (Debbie Bliss Como would work well too.) As for that extraordinary sweater/coat Amy is wearing, and the inevitable question, no she didn't . . . but she could have!

Bitten by the Knitting Bug

Janet Hinerfeld just took up knitting in November. She made this lovely scarf from Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn and Rowan Lima. It perfectly complements her Bakelite flower brooch -- just one in her collection. Janet likes to take the remnants of her yarn projects and wind them into little balls as reminders of her work. Arranged in a basket, they are there for her grandchildren, the better to know the sensibilities and tastes of their creative grandmother. Long after her scarves, hats and sweaters have been worn out, these little balls will stand as reminders of and tributes to long-ago lovingly made things. What a sweet idea!

She Learned to Knit Six Days Ago!

Vickie Hunter was in Nell's Projects Class this morning, wearing the 11th Hour Cowl that she made and getting to work on the Big Wool Shrug, both made with Rowan Big Wool. She learned to knit last week! A mere six days ago!! Let her be an inspiration to anyone who has had any hesitation about learning to knit. And, for those of you who think you'll never get beyond scarves -- nothing against scarves, mind you! -- well, Vickie is here to prove there's a big, bold world out there knitting-wise, even for fresh-out-of-the-oven beginners!

A Winter's Day, a Warm Knitch

Atlanta is cold. Really cold. And we got some snow last night that makes it awfully pretty. Most everything around here is closed, but we're not! There's a fresh pot of hot coffee awaiting. Come on in and let's keep warm together. We will probably close around 5 today since the streets promise to get icier as they thaw a little and refreeze. Be safe. Stay Warm. Knit!