Showing posts with label Interweave Knits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interweave Knits. Show all posts

Featured Products Friday!

by : MarinadeDesigns

Shibui Sock in "Peony"
Hi everyone!  So, due to the huge Koigu shipment that UPS dropped off last Thursday (check out the amazing grab bags now available in the sale section), we were unable to film as usual.  Sadly, that means I don’t have a Vlog for you today.  On the other hand, I get to share with you some sweet new products that we have in the shop minus my bumbling and rambling!  Win-win, right? :)


First up we have Shibui Sock yarn!  We just started carrying this recently, and it’s awesome.  It’s super hardwearing yet squishy soft and can be used for a variety of knits including socks, hats, scarves, baby knits, gloves, and much more. This splendidly superb yarn is spun from ultra fine super wash merino wool. You’ll also want to check out Shubui’s generous array of patterns and books to accompany their yarn -you’ll never cease to find knitspiration!

Cardiff Coat




Next we have the new Interweave Knits-- Fall 2011!  This edition features a slew of lovely cold weather knits.  From the stunning cabled Cardiff Coat on the cover, to the draped Dahlia Cardigan, there is something for every knitter.  One of my personal favorites is the tweedy Honeycomb Coat that is both stylish and cozy for those cold winter days.  I love the asymmetrical button detail on the front as well as the cowl neck collar.  Prepare to be inspired with this newest edition of Interweave! 



True Art-yarns






Artyarns has taken their lovely beaded silk and sequined yarn to a whole new level by lightening it up just a bit.  The result is an exquisitely beautiful and unique yarn!  Artyarns has been pushing the borders of unique and luxury yarns for years, and this season they have completely outdone themselves. With 110 yards of luxury to play with, you’re sure to find something to create with Artyarns’ Beaded Silk and Sequins Light.  And if the yarn itself isn’t enough to inspire, check out Artyarns’ website for tons of free patterns using their yarns.  So many stunning designs!



Filagree




Lastly, the Madelinetosh Tosh Chunky yarn has finally arrived!  This squishy and slightly heavier version of Madelinetosh’s Vintage yarn is perfect for making sumptuously warm wintertime accessories.  Available now in a full selection of Tosh’s gorgeous hand-dyed colors (with more arriving every week), this yarn knits up at 3.5-4 stitches per inch on US size 9 or 10 needles.  In fact, I took home a skein of Filigree the day we received it, and have been working on a new slouch hat for this fall.  With 165 yards per hank, you too are sure to be inspired by this delectably soft yarn! 








So that is it for this week's Featured Products.  I’ll be back next week with another Vlog, since we were able to film new videos today.  Just a fun side note, we filmed our 1,000th video for the Jimmy Beans Wool website and Youtube channel today!  We are so excited to have that many product reviews and instructional videos to share with you all!  If there’s ever a product you’d like to see reviewed or a technique you’d like to learn, let us know and we’ll try to provide it for you!  

Thanks again for tuning in this week.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy knitting and crocheting!
Kristen

P.S.  Are you receiving our bi-monthly newsletter yet?  It's the best way to find out about new products and sales!  Check it out here.


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Sitting down with Interweave

by : Bethany


Working at a LYS, we meet a lot of people who are aspiring designers, bloggers, and creative geniuses who hope to one day make a living from their craft. We were lucky enough to chat with Eunny Jang, Editor of Interweave Knits, who has made that dream a reality. We asked her about the summer trends, the wide range of Interweave's media and what kind of shenanigans the gals over at Interweave like to get into....




JBW: The new Summer 2011 issue was a great success! What did you love about it?

Eunny: I am completely in love with Nancy Eiseman's Coral Cardigan, which ended up being our cover garment. Nancy uses a really intriguing random lace technique to create an allover fabric—she gives a few rules to follow, and then you make decreases and yarnovers as you like to make a loose, supple lace fabric with a fascinating organic texture. I love knitting that pushes conventions!

JBW: What is the biggest trend that you were surprised to see this summer?

Eunny: I love all the new blends of unexpected animal and plant fibers—linen and alpaca, linen and wool - they have a great hand, show stitches beautifully, and have a great modern feel that fits right in with layering and trans-seasonal dressing. I love the focus on fabric and drape that they bring out in handknitting designers - they move and drape unexpectedly, and you can do so much great stuff, pleats, swingy shapes, etc. - that really take advantage of that.

JBW: Other than the print magazines, what else does Interweave offer?

Eunny: Oh, wow. In the knitting market, Interweave's got tons of stuff - we've been releasing all-new e-mags over the last year, which are fantastic digital magazines with really fun and functional interactive pieces and some great patterns. We've got books. And an ever-growing collection of PDF downloads, both of full magazine issues and of single patterns from past issues. So you can get your knit fix anywhere - you can still stash the magazine in your knitting bag, or carry it or another digital product on your iPad or smartphone.

JBW: How do you decide what gets filmed for Knitting Daily TV?

Eunny: That's such a fun thing! We poll the audience from time to time on the knitting daily TV blog and on the KDTV facebook page, asking what techniques people would like to see explained. We talk amongst ourselves to see what we haven't covered or what we think we could cover better. And then, sometimes, it's just me planning segments that I think will be fun to prepare and demonstrate - techniques that I myself really love to do and teach.

JBW: In 2007, you left your fans at your blog See Eunny Knit! and joined the Interweave Knits family, becoming the Editor of Interweave Knits. Do you have any advice for hopeful crafty bloggers with the same ambitions?

Eunny: Stay fresh. Make sure you have other hobbies outside of your chosen subject, so you can keep your passion for it alive - as fantastic as it sounds to talk, think, and work knitting all day long, it's actually very easy to get burned out if that's what you're really doing. It's a hard thing to keep enjoying your sport once you've gone pro - whether pro means working in the knitting industry or answering to a big online readership. Make sure to knit something just for fun once in a while!

JBW: What's the culture around the office of Interweave? Are you all heads down - get straight to business types or are shenanigans a part of your everyday mix? (I'm guessing the latter...)

Eunny: Heh. We're a pretty earnest group, mostly because we're cranking so many issues out. But we do find time for some silliness now and then - and baked goods. Lots and lots of baked goods.


Thanks so much to Eunny and the other Interweave Knits gals for sharing some fun with us! Be sure to check out the most recent magazine, Weekend 2011! It's got page after page of inspiration! 


Can't wait until August 9th for your Fall issue? Check out a preview of the new knits here! 


If you want to know more about Interweave Knits, here's where you can catch them:


Website: http://www.interweaveknits.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/InterweaveNews
Knitting Daily: http://www.knittingdaily.com/

PS We think you would love to get our twice monthly newsletters and you can read past newsletters here and sign up here too! Remember we never share, sell, trade or barter your information, so rest assured you are safe with us. The newsletters are the BEST way to stay up to date with what's happening around the shop!! 

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Technical Difficulties!

by : Leanne
Technology can be a fickle friend, as Shevawn and I have learned (yet again) today while attempting to post the featured products vlog. Due to a mysterious malfunction during filming earlier this week, my most excellent vlog of awesome will not be premiering today, but I should be back next week! :) I'll do my best to recount those epic 6 minutes and 4 seconds of featured product amazingness!

(Leanne dances into the foreground singing her new theme song... bow bow, lalala!)

You know you want one!
First and most importantly, the Summer 2011 issue of Interweave Knits has arrived! "Why is this so important?" you ask. Well, there are so many super duper fantastic projects, you could very well be set for the summer with just one copy of this fabulous magazine! Also, this blog (formally vlog) shines the spotlight on those delightful summertime fibers used for many of these amazing projects!

"Leanne! Knit meeeee!"
The sweater I can't seem to stop thinking about is the Dockside Cardigan. Knit in Cascade's Heritage sock yarn, this lightweight sweater takes between four to six skeins of this sumptuous superwash wool. My biggest concern when knitting with the finer weight yarns is that it will take me for-ev-er to finish a project. Thankfully, the bulk of Dockside knits up on US 6 circs, while the ribbed edging uses US 4s, meaning this sweater can be worked up in weeks or months (as opposed to years or decades). Perfect for evening walks at sunset or warding off the chill of A/C during summer months, I'm torn between Plum or Lilac... or maybe I'll mix up my wardrobe with some Flaming Pink!

Unstoppably Awesome!
One of the favorite patterns here at the store is Talitha Kuomi's Cobblestone Vest. *Cool fact: Talitha was one of the finalists in our Landscape Design Contest! She designed the stylishly sturdy Woven Bag (available on our Free Patterns Page).* The Cobblestone Vest is knit on US 9 circulars, using Louet Euroflax Sport, which unfortunately we don't carry. I ran madly around the shop trying to find comparable substitutes and came up with Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy, Rowan Lenpur Linen or Debbie Bliss Amalfi. Linen, cotton, linen/cotton blends and other planty fibers like hemp provide the ideal drape and lightweight breathability for this asymmetrical wrap-around vest. The best feature of this trendy vest (in my humble opinion) is the front panel pocket perfect for stashing a cell phone, candy, or your emergency crochet hook!


I almost missed Shelley Gerber's Nantucket Vest the first seven times I flipped through this magazine. Thankfully, I caught it round number 8! Using as little as 6 skeins of Ripple by Tahki Stacy Charles, this slouchy vest is an excellent way to stylishly protect your shoulders from sunburns and zig-zag tan lines while you are out gallivanting about in your sundresses and halter tops this summer (still, don't forget that sunscreen!). Ripple is an awesome (and wildly popular) mercerized cotton with a singular thick/thin quality that knits into an uneven and loosely textured fabric. A little stiff to the touch at first, Ripple is one of those fibers that is easily broken in and just gets softer the more you wear it!


I could go on and on (as you well know), but I'll stop before I end up writing Interweave Knits: The Novel. :)

Have a wonderful day and happy knitting and crocheting!
Leanne




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New, New And More New!

by : Leanne
Oh, where to begin? There is so much new yarn, patterns, books, buttons, and accessories flying through the doors each day that sometimes it can be a tad bit overwhelming! :) Since I just managed to stop stroking a hank of the Tosh Lace, let's start there!

Prairie in Thunderstorm
Yes, we have even MORE Madelinetosh yarns! Both Prairie and Tosh Lace have made it onto our shelves and we are simply overjoyed to be carrying these gorgeous lace-weight fibers in over 40 of Madelinetosh's sensational hand dyed colorways! With a sumptuous single ply (Prairie) and squishy soft 2 ply (Tosh Lace) to choose from, prepare yourself for some seriously spectacular lace creation. Even if you're not the biggest fan of lace, how can you resist the deliciously soft feel of Tosh between your fingers? Our latest obsession here at the shop is the Knitbot Featherweight Cardigan. The small size for this breezy cardi requires only 800 yards of lace-weight yarn, which is easily covered by one hank of Prairie (840 yards) or Tosh Lace (950 yards).

Featherweight Cardigan
Speaking of Knitbot, I believe I left you with a teaser for these fabulous brand-new patterns last week. They are absolutely amazing! Kristen snapped up the Yoke Cardigan - which includes sizing for babies, kids and adults - while the Effortless Cardigan has been calling my name ever since these patterns arrived in the shop. In fact, I finally caved in last night and bought the pattern with some Lorna's Green Line DK in Baltic (one of my favorite Lorna's colors) and cast on last night! Designed by Hannah Fettig, author of Closely Knit, Knitbot Patterns are stylish and versatile sweaters you'll love working up and wearing or giving as gifts.

Child-friendly Monster Button
Being that I'm something of a button-nut, I am over-the-moon thrilled to announce that we now have a zillion new buttons in stock! Okay... maybe "zillion" is exaggerating just a bit, but we have expanded our button selection quite extensively to include a wide range of Shell, Wood, Horn and Plastic buttons by Jim Knopf.
Two-Tone Button
It never ceases to amaze me how something as small as a button can add personality, flair, and/or style to a finished sweater, bag or accessory. Dress up a one-button shrug with one of the Scalloped Horn Buttons or show off your goofy side with the wooden Monster Buttons. Need something simple and sophisticated? Try the earthy Coconut and Enamel Buttons or elegant Two-Tone Shell Buttons. Whatever your button needs might be, we've got you covered!

If you're not gleaning enough creative inspiration from new Tosh yarn, awesome buttons, or fantastic Knitbot Patterns, you should definitely check out the new Interweave Knits Spring/Summer 2011 Issue! I'm quite smitten with this issue since it's overflowing with relaxed tanks, tunics, and short sleeved sweaters -my favorite tops right now as I have spring weather on the brain.
Garden Plot Dress
No joke, I actually had a dream about the Garden Plot Dress... hopefully because I'm wishing this adorable summer dress came in my size and not because my biological clock is sending me hints. ;) Of course, this issue showcases a wide range of projects for the full spectrum of skill levels including a gorgeous throw, an elegant stole, and several stylish sweaters!

Oh! And don't forget to take our poll in the top right hand corner of this blog! Let us know what Jimmy Beans Programs you have used and/or been a part of! Aren't familiar with some of the programs listed? Click on the following links to our website for a detailed explanation :)

5% Back Rewards (aka Jimmy Beans Bucks)
15% Off Customer Referral
Broken Needle Exchange
Jimmy Beans Wishlist

Happy Crocheting and Knitting!!
Leanne :)




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New Products For The Holidays!

by : Leanne
Another week, another roomful of new yarn, accessories and more! Of course Sandy Clause, December's Limited Edition Color is here! On top of offering this color in the traditional spectrum of Lorna's yarns, we also have a small quantity of the luxurious Baby Me Boo from Misiti Alpaca dyed in this vibrant colorway. Just one hank is great for a pair of festive fingerless mits or plush cowl. Also here for the holidays are Limited Edition tubs of Heel featuring Sandy Clause! This all-natural foot cream smooths and moisturizes feet, which is a definite plus during these cold, dry winter months. And with a name like Sandy Clause it seems almost wrong not to gift a tub along with a pair of hand knit socks or as a clever stocking stuffer!

Another excellent stocking stuffer or gift for your favorite knitting pals are the new Ewe Cuties Beaded Stitch Markers from Victoria S! These ultra-adorable glass bead sheep stitch markers come in sets of three and are sure to bring a smile to any knitter's face :) If you love the Cuties, be sure to check out the Holiday Snowmen and Holiday Chicks for Christmas-themed cuteness!

I harbor a (not so) secret addiction to knitting magazines, so I would be remiss not to to highlight the latest Winter Issue of Interweave Knits! Full of knitting articles and fabulous patterns, I've flipped through this magazine over a dozen times and still pick it up every time I walk by. This particular issue has several knee-high sock designs I am just dying to try! Of course there are also a ton of spectacular hat, scarf and glove patterns, as well as some fantastic pullovers and cardigans! If you're searching for some stylish winter knitting inspiration, the Winter Interweave Knits has you covered!

As you know, Koigu's KPPPM is finally here in 120 one-of-a-kind colorways! If you're just waiting for your killer design to be picked for the giveaway (see post below!) but jonesing to work with this gorgeous yarn in the mean time -or you just need an excuse to work with a couple hanks- consider Barb's Koigu Ruffle! One of our most popular patterns from Churchmouse, this exotic ruffle scarf uses just two hanks of KPPPM. While it makes a great gift, you may have a hard time parting with such a striking scarf :)

Have a wonderful week and happy knitting!
Leanne



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A Few Of My New Favorite Things!

by : Jimmy Beans Wool
We've got quite a bit of new items here at the shop (don't we always?), and while I can't help but love everything, I've picked a few of my favorites to share with you :)


The Holiday Gifts issue from Interweave Knits is something I look forward to every year because it always has such spectacular gift ideas that are quick and easy -a requirement for anything I knit after Thanksgiving. This year's issue has something for everyone and definitely keeps the tradition of gift-tasticness going! There are so many wonderful projects including scarf, hat and mitten patterns, not to mention lace shawls, home decor and baby items. With this magazine you'll be set for next holiday season too!

Another longtime favorite of mine is the Knit Kit, and the color for 2011 just makes me love it more! A bright bold shade of cherry red, the Knit Kit is a small compact case that includes all the handy necessities you might need while knitting: stitch markers, crochet hook, row counter, scissors that meet TSA regulations (so you can fly with them!) and so much more!

For those who have recently transitioned from knitting as a pastime to knitting as an obsession, the Addi Lace Click is one of the newest must-haves. These interchangeable circular needles come with tips sizes US 4 through 11 and cables lengths 16, 20, 24, 32, and 40 inches. The lace tips have a fine tapered point (good for working on intricate projects) and are slightly shorter in overall length so they can be used comfortably with the shorter cables. Perfect for lace artist and sock knitters alike!

I saved the best for last, as my latest obsession has been the very subject of this book: Cowl Girls. New from Cathy Carron -also the author of Hattitude and truly a master of hip, funky fashion- Cowl Girl features 35 spectacular cowl patterns. With so many styles from glamorous to gaudy and everything in between, you could potentially knit a cowl for every day of the week... or month! I know I'm working on it ;)

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Leanne

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So much inspiration

by : Jimmy Beans Wool
We have so much inspiration around the shop I am having a hard time focusing, of course that is what it is like around here most of the time. We just got Interweave Accessories magazine in and dang there are some really cool things to knit! This is just in time for that holiday knitting crunch we all seem to get into and I would love to knit all the projects in this magazine, but alas, I MUST focus, so I am thinking of doing the hat on the cover for starters.


Of course we have also gotten in Prism Yarns Saki and boy is it super luscious. At 430 yards it is perfect for a pair of socks (yep I am back in sock mode again :) but would make a fabulous scarf, or small shawl for that special someone, hmmmm that's me right? The colors are so rich and yummy and I have fallen in love with Alpine, no Harvest, no Tumbleweed, accckkkk I can't decide, help me I am falling!!!

Of course I am twitching to knit up my own super soft Lana Grossa Gnocchi scarf. We have added some mew colors to that line and I would like to work mine up in one of the variegated colors. Yuuummmmmyyyy! It only takes four balls to do this fabulous scarf and it will workup really quickly. Victoria knit a scarf for Alice and she did it with only 2 balls.

Well I have to go lay down with a cold cloth on my head to stop this dizziness, ha ha!!

As always happy knitting!

Jeanne :)










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Confession

by : Jimmy Beans Wool


I have to confess that I wasn't all that into the Lorna's Laces Swirl yarns at first. Then the boxes were opened and the intensity of the colors started attracting my attention. Each time I walked by, a different color would come to my attention. These colors are really vibrant and I've fallen in love with several colors. I'm now making and planning several projects I will be giving as birthday and Christmas gifts. In the last post, Jeanne showed a picture of the slouchy beret I'm knitting in Swirl DK in Gold Hill . I've now finished it and as soon as I get it blocked I'll get a picture posted. I'll have the final pattern written up soon. It is the pattern I've developed for the beginning knitting series I'm teaching.


In fact, I have become so enthralled with the Swirl DK that I bought enough in this month's color of the month, My Favorite Fellas, to knit a sweater for myself. I'm still deciding which pattern I'll make but I'm really liking the Farmer's Market Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio in the Fall 2009 Interweave Knits. I'll have to make some adjustments to use DK weight instead of Green Line Worsted but I think the color variation in Fellas will work very well in this design.





Speaking of classes, we do have a lot of exciting classes planned this month. If you are local or will be in the area do check out our class list and sign up.

Wishing you all fleet fingers and your projects are flying off the needles.
Terry








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Travelling

by : Jimmy Beans Wool
I will be away from the shop for the next week on a short trip so I've been packing and cleaning the car today. As I wait for the last load of laundry to finish drying I'm contemplating what knitting projects to take with me. As tempted as I am to take something new to work on I've decided to only take wips (works in progress) because I have so many projects that I need to finish.

Let see... I have 3 ravelry KAL projects... a Gail Shawl (which is a free ravelry download pattern) in a dk weight rayon from my stash that I just have the border chart left to do. Then there is an Apres Surf Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio from Interweave Knits Summer 2008 in a fingering weight in an old gold, colored wool. I'm working it in the round instead of flat and I'm up to the separation for the neck opening. And my newest KAL cast on, a Henley Perfected also by Connie Chang Chinchio (she is one of my favorite designers, can you tell?) from Interweave Knits Winter 2007 that I'm working in Blue Sky Alpacas Silk #131 Kiwi. I am also still working on the Ann Norling Short row Multi-directional scarf I talked about in my post last Wednesday. Do you think these will be enough to work on? Hmmmm, maybe I should take my lace book and start that shawl design with the Helen's Lace in Purple Mojito I've been contemplating... as usual hopelessly over committed!!! At least I'm not over packing clothes this time... I hope. By next Wednesday I hope to have some progress pictures to share with you.

So, some of you are probably wondering what Ravelry is and what KALs are. Ravelry is a great free networking site for knitters and crocheters. You can do all sorts of things like keep a project log, an inventory of your stash, lists of favorite patterns, a queue of projects to do and you can chat with other fiber enthusiasts from all over the world! I just checked and I see that there are now over 450,000 members! I would have to say it is the single greatest resource for finding patterns from almost any source and it has a great search engine to help sort through them all. If you aren't already a member I highly recommend joining. When you do join you can join our JBW chat group called The Beaners. If you can't tell I just love Ravelry and have made friends in Europe, Australia, Central and South America in addition to ones I've made in the US and Canada. There are chat groups for many languages too, not just English.

One of the things you can do on Ravelry as well as with any other group of knitters or crocheters is to form a KAL (Knit Alongs) or CAL (Crochet Alongs). These are projects that a group of people are all interested in working on and then they arrange a time frame when everyone who can, works on them at the same time. I really like KALs because they help to keep me on track to get things finished, maybe not always in the allotted time but much sooner than I might otherwise. A great benefit of an Along is that you get lots of moral support by having other people to talk to about the project and help you sort out problems or make modifications. People share their frustrations at working on something they find difficult and their joy of triumph when they accomplish a goal. All this helps keep enthusiasm for the project fresh.

I would love to do some KAL and CAL both in person and online. What kind of projects are you interested in working on? Let us know in the comments or when you stop by the store and we'll see what we can put together.

Also, do check out our October class list, just out this week. You can find the schedule by following the link or finding Classes near the bottom of any page on the website under the How To section. We've added new classes and times. Please let us know if there is a class you would like to take but don't see listed.


I'll leave you with a bit of fall color from last year.

The best of success in your projects this week!
(The handsome fellow in the top picture is my dog whose been staying with a family member and I'm going to get to see him again!)

Terry


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