We don't want to alarm you, but CHRISTMAS IS ONLY 4 DAYS AWAY!! Have you gotten everything for the special people in your life? Or . . .  do you need some inspiration? Check out some of these fun and easy stash-busters that'll surely make you look like you've got your stitch together! 



Thirty Minute Cowl by Haley Waxberg
33 yards of Super Bulky yarn and US size 50 needles


Stjarna by Karolina Eckerdal
35-50 yards of DK yarn and US size  2.5 needles


Simple Little Something by Wendy Chapman
15-20 yards of Worsted yarn US size 8 [5.00 mm] straight needles or 2 double pointed needles of the same size, some buttons


Christmas Dog Sweater by Louise Bollanos
Super Bulky yarn and US Size 17 needles







But we understand how busy the holiday season is; you might not have any time to make anything at all! So did you know there are other, easier ways to give people the gift of crafting?!


Have you seen the 2019 lineup of Jimmy's Clubs and KALs?? These subscriptions are so much fun and have something to offer to any crafter who loves yarn! From knit to crochet and big brands to small indie-dyers Jimmy's Clubs and KALs are the gift that keeps on giving all year long!

But sometimes, it's best to play it safe and just let the gift getter get the gift they want to get! Jimmy Beans gift certificates are perfect for just such occasions, with a digital code emailed to you immediately! 

Wool and handcrafted items are such an integral part of of Uruguayan culture and Manos strives to celebrate their nation’s artisans by facilitating a sort of union between 12 women-owned co-ops in rural Uruguay. They are certified by the World Fair Trade Organization!
We first started carrying their yarns 7 years ago, and we can't imagine being without them! Each skein is hand-dyed, one-of-a-kind, and its tag is even signed by the artisan whom created it!
Manos del Uruguay has also created this video that dives more into the background of the company and the impact it has made in the lives of so many people. Yarn companies like Manos del Uruguay are few and far between and we are so happy that they exist to bring vibrant color and happiness into the world. Here’s to your first 50 years!




Let's also take a look at five of our favorite yarns from Manos del Uruguay! And be sure to check out their special edition color, Cincuenta (which means 50 in Spanish), that was released in honor of this milestone!

Silk Blend Yarn

Maxima Multis Yarn

Fino Yarn

Alegria Yarn

Alegria Solid Yarn

Anyway, when the sh** hit the fan and she had to shutter the business, she called me & asked if I could take over. At the time, I just couldn’t make it happen… (remember the launch of beanie bags? the flood? We were busy beans!), but now - with Kelly’s guidance - we’re officially re-launching (reincarnating?) Namaste!

We’re bringing back some old favorites like the Oh Snap Pouches and Buddy Cases (Kelly and i compared notes and made improvements based on years of feedback from you). We’ve created some new goodies like the Knitter’s Train Case & Knitter’s Dot Journal. Handbags? We’ve updated the vegan leather & added some pretty awesome features to make them ever MORE knitter specific than before (a key leash that doubles as a tape measure? A decorative emergency stitch marker? A patent-pending lotus yarn feeder?! Yep. Stay tuned for a big reveal on the handbag line really soon!!)   

Anyway, it’s been a super fun, super crazy 6 months: traveling to china (twice), designing new products, getting to know the people who make them (Linli, Mr Chen, and Mr Qiu!), learning about manufacturing, materials & sustainability, and even getting to know more about ourselves - and WHY we are doing this.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be filming videos, taking lots of photos, and receiving our first shipment of knitting handbags. And don’t worry - our plan is to share everything with you as it happens, including some of the stuff that we’ve learned (and some of the people that we’ve met) along the way.  To be quite honest, this has been a life changing experience for both of us - and we’re so grateful to have you as part of it.

For now, Namaste… and Welcome to Knitting Nirvana.

- Laura (aka Jimmy) & Kelly.

Have we mentioned how much we love Andrea Mowry? There's something so perfect about her designs!! Always artistic, whimsical, wearable, and cute, classic knits. Here are 5 of our most favorite Andrea Mowry designs (kitted up for your knitting pleasure!).

It's no secret that we are one big heart eye emoji for Joji Locatelli! Her designs are simply to dye for (pun intended), and she seems like the kind of gal that we'd want to be BKFFs with. That stands for Best Knitting Friends Forever... we totally just made that up, so we don't blame you if you didn't yet know what it meant, hehe!

Joji lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but love for her design work spreads far across the globe! With over 200 designs available in her Ravelry Store, there's something for everyone! Joji's style: draped fabrics, simple lines, and lots of little details here and there. Our style: anything Joji!

With over 25,000 projects, Joji's design that's led to the most projects on Ravelry is the 3 Color Cashmere Cowl. We'd pair this cozy cowl with Malabrigo Mechita!



With over 30,000 favorites, Joji's most favorited design on Ravelry is the Boxy pullover. We'd pair this adorable pullover with Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light!






What's your favorite Joji Locatelli design?! We'd love to know!

 

What’s not to love about a great shawl? They’re versatile, comfortable, and wearable with just about anything, in any season! Here are our top 10 shawls we’re swooning after!