Blog-jack!

Well, not really.  Maybe just a little bit.  I have the camera with all your beautiful projects on it but, well, the camera cord has gone wandering.  And since I am not really mobile (recent visitors might have seen me limping around in a walking cast), I'm not going to be able to hunt it down.  Trees are moving faster than me right now.

So, in lieu of our normal posting, we have some really fabulous new arrivals that I want to share (and possibly infect others with my unhealthy obsessions).

First, have you seen some of the new Knitting Pure & Simple patterns on our website?  I say 'some', because not all are up (see first paragraph, re: walking cast) yet.  We're working on getting the entire line up as more new patterns come in.  It seems to me (and please feel free to disagree) that this line is often underrated (or ignored) by knitters, because many of the patterns are simple, bare-bones designs that a beginning knitter could follow. 

Except, of course, we tend to forget how hard it is to up-size patterns, even the simple ones.  The best feature of this line is the fact that the designer, Diane Soucy, has clearly made an effort to make the patterns usable to vast majority of the knitting public.  Take my new favorite, the Neckdown V-Neck Cardigan (#241):

It's a sleek and simple cardigan that could be worn with jeans, khakis, or a dress.  It, quite honestly, looks a little like something off of the rack.  Now, what really impresses me about this pattern is that has instructions for six sizes, ranging from 32" - 52" bust circumferences.  Do you know how many petite and Reubenesque knitters come in to the store and leave frustrated because 'X' pattern doesn't come in their size? 

Moreover, it's knit from the top-down, so a short or tall knitter could adjust the length of the body and sleeves so it fits.  Which, I know, is a bit of a crazy concept in fashion these days.  In fact, the Yarn Harlot has sung her praises of this pattern line, too.  That's one heck of an endorsement.

Maybe we should have a Knitting Pure & Simple KAL or KnitFest or something this Fall.  As soon as the Madelinetosh Vintage comes back in stock.  'Cause that's what I want to make my Neckdown V-Neck Cardi with.  It matches the gauge of 20 sts = 4" perfectly, it's machine washable, and it's Madelinetosh (yumm).  Talk about a match made in heaven.  (I call dibs on eight skeins of Cove)

Any takers?

Of course, you haven't seen my next obsession, which might throw the above pattern completely out of your queue.  It's certainly threatening to do so to me. 

Another recent addition to our pattern library is the super-sexy Briar Rose bolero (just ask Dave, our IT guy):

I have to admit that I've been obsessing over this pattern for years, ever since it came out in 2007.  It has all the grace and sophistication of the 1940s, minus pomade and a World War.  Even better, this is another great pattern that comes in a wide range of sizes (28" - 48" bust circumference), making it knittable and wearable for many ladies with different body types. 

The one hold-up I've been having is determining what yarn to use.  The pattern calls for an Aran weight yarn with a gauge of 16 sts = 4".  Maybe Malabrigo Twist or Shibui Merino Alpaca?  Hmm.  Peony or Azul Profundo?  Just a thought.  Especially since this little jacket would make a great transitional garment this summer and Fall, over sundresses and strappy tanks.  Or over a turtleneck, too, when the temperature drops.

And while I'm on the subject of Ysolda, I feel the need to mention Lindsay/ the Fashionknitsta's upcoming Ishbel KAL...

I'm already in and trying to pick my yarn.  I have one or two quite a few skeins of Madelinetosh Glazed Sock in the stash that would suit this pattern perfectly.  Lindsay and Eva have already vowed to use Madelinetosh Pashmina, which would be great for the rest of us if we had more than one color in stock now.

On the other hand, a former coworker, Liz (remember Liz?), has made several Ishbel scarves using a variety of sock yarns, like Koigu KPM and Malabrigo Sock.  So, please, don't be limited by our current Madelinetosh obsession.

Lastly, before I run off (ha), have you heard about the upcoming Tour de Fleece?

The concept is simple, They spin, we spin. A real spinning themed spin-along.

If you want to give it a try, or just follow our progress, or are a fan of the Tour de France, JOIN!

This year the Tour de Fleece starts Saturday July 3rd and runs until Sunday July 25th, 2010.

If you're a handspinner and want to challenge yourself this summer, please consider participating.  I'm going to take part, even though I can't treadle anything for another 5 weeks (and counting).  So, I've joined Team Spindlers.  I'd just love to see some of our Knit Purl blogfans involved this year!

And with that, I must say adieu.  Maybe next week we'll manage to get the camera and the camera cord in the same room at the same time.  Wish us luck!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 6/17/10

Hello, everyone! Another gloomy Thursday unfortunately, here in Portland. I hope it's sunny wherever you are!

If you missed my last couple of posts, we've been doing a Fashionknitsta Knit-a-long with the assemblage pattern sev[en] circles. I'm really enjoying this project as it requires minimal attention, and while I've stretched it out a bit, its very reasonably an instant gratification kind of project. So, to begin today let's check in with the sev[en] circles progress. Here is mine knit with Mirasol Nuna, color Emerald, on circle 6:


I would like to be a bit further along than this, but camping at the coast with 40 mph winds wasn't really ideal knitting conditions this last weekend. It took me about a day just to shake all the sand out of it.

Sara has already finished (and is wearing) hers:


Absolutely gorgeous! The roll is just perfect in the yarn she chose, Canopy by the Fibre Company, color Macaw. From what I can tell on the Ravelry thread there are a couple more FO's out there and I can't wait to see them! I'm hoping to be completely done by this weekend though and I'm so excited to wear this!

We did spring this KAL on you a little quick last time, so I've decided I'd really like to continue the Fashionknitsta KALs and we've chosen a project for July that I'm very excited about. Eva and I have been talking about knitting Ysolda Teague's Ishbel for quite sometime, when I realized that it was almost July (which is our Month of Lace!) I knew it was meant to be.

So, we are now officially announcing the July 2010 Fashionknitsta Ishbel KAL, and hopefully everyone will have enough time to think about yarn choices and investigate the pattern a bit before we get started. There is a small and large version of this pattern, Eva and I are both doing the small version which requires 330 yards of a fingering yarn.

We have also decided to use the same yarn, Madelinetosh Pashmina, though she chose colorway Terrarium and I'm going to use Moorland. The larger version is 610 yards of a lace weight, both sizes are more than welcome! I put together some ideas for yarns I think this would be great in, though it's hard to go wrong I think.

Fingering weight options:

• Abstract Fiber Matisse
• Madelinetosh Glazed Sock (I think this is what Sara is going to choose)
• Malabrigo Sock
• The Fibre Co. Road to China Light
• Shibui Staccato
• Fleece Artist Sea Wool

Lace weight options:

• Malabrigo Lace Baby
• Habu Bamboo Lace
• Handmaiden Camelspin
• Isager Alpaca 1
• Handmaiden Silk Cashmere
• Noro Sekku

When it gets closer to the time I'll start a thread on Ravelry, so we can discuss yarns and share progress and all that. I hope you'll join us!

Today we received our first copy of Kim Hargreaves latest book Misty. Unfortunately it's already gone, but I did have a chance to skim through it and was reminded of a pattern I fell in love with just a few weeks ago, Jess:



Now, I could have sworn I blogged about this book/pattern weeks ago, but when I looked through the archives it appears I did not. I love this little vest, the drape is absolutely gorgeous and just a hint of a shawl collar dresses it up just enough. You could easily wear this with shorts or jeans on the weekend, or with something a little nicer for work during the week.

Something I didn't realize until flipping through the book today is the yarn called for is Rowan Lenpur Linen; which makes this a perfect spring or summer layering piece. Now I love the look of this, and I love Lenpur Linen, but I'd also really like to see this done with just a little bit more structure in the Rowan Revive or even a more fall-appropriate version in Felted Tweed.

Jess isn't the only great pattern in this book, it was hard to choose favorites, but I also fell in love with Haze:


A gorgeous open-neck pullover with a really interesting edge, knit with Rowan Pima cotton.

Lucy:


A jacket-style cardi (with covered buttons!) done in Rowan Denim.

and Bud:

A beautiful, relaxed boyfriend style cardigan done in Rowan Summer Tweed.

I can't wait until we get more copies of this book in, and can really realistically dream about all these pieces.

We've got a busy weekend in store for us here at Knit Purl with Jared Flood visiting us, so I'll have to leave you for today. Check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta and, until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Getting busy

Wow, I was all set to blog about the fantabulous customer and staff projects we have saved up... until I realised that we haven't reminded all y'all of all the fantastic goings on in Portland and Oregon this week(end)! How could we miss that?  Well, never fear, we've got you covered.

First, do you remember the knitnotwar 1,0o0 kal we held?  Back in 2009?  Well, all 1000 cranes have been collected and strung by organizer Seann and are now on display in Portland!  

 (borrowed from the Oregonian)

Locals (and visitors, too) can see all of the many, many handknit cranes at the Ace Hotel through the end of June.  If you're one of our many participants who helped make this installation possible, we hope you will either visit the installation or see the knitnotwar website and add your name to the list of contributors.  We at Knit Purl thank you for making this project possible.  (Also, for the non-locals, I shall try and endeavor to convince Jenny to head over there with the Nikon and take some beautiful art shots to share with you.)

Second, there are two spots left in LeBrie's Happy Hour class tomorrow: Felted Necklaces.

The class was inspired by all those cool art necklaces we've been seeing on the runways.  If you'd like to learn to make your own, sign up online or call us (866-656-5648) to reserve a spot.

Third, Jared arrives on Friday!  Don't miss his book signing on Friday evening (6 - 8 pm), during which we will serve champagne, and Jared will be available to chat with and hound for autographs.  Then, starting on Saturday, he'll be teaching several really awesome classes.  Two are full - the laces ones, interestingly enough, but there are a couple of spots left for latecomers.  I think.  You might want to check the Classes page to confirm that. 

Personally, I think his Seamless Sweater workshop on Saturday sounds amazing, but I can't go (there are two spots left, though) because I've promised to go to the Black Sheep Gathering on that day!  If you haven't heard of Black Sheep Gathering, and don't feel like taking a class this weekend, you might want to saunter down to Eugene because the BSG is a major event in these parts.  Especially if you're a spinner... or felter... or knitter.  It's just generally big on the wool.

I'll also be there as a square in the annual game of Black Sheep Bingo (it's true) and not just shopping (honest); so, if you're playing, you might want to look for me on Saturday. 

And with that, we have four events this week(and end).  I expect all y'all will be too busy knitting and spinning and felting to really care if we wait until next week to post a HUGE update with two weeks' worth of customer and staff projects.  So, until then, have fun seeing/ learning/ doing something new!

- Sara M.

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 6/10/10

Hello and happy Thursday, everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying what is yet another rainy day here in Portland. I shouldn't complain though, perhaps we're lucky that it's great knitting weather! Anyway, this is unfortunately going to be sort of a short post today, if you get our Newsletter and saw the E-Card yesterday we're a bit inundated with new orders that need tending to. I'll have a lot saved up for next week though, so please check then!

First, let's check in with the sev[en] circles KAL that we launched last week:

Here is mine, I'm using the Mirasol Nuna yarn in color Emerald. Sorry for the quality of this picture, it wasn't taken in perfect lighting conditions. This is while I was casting on for my third circle, I forgot it at home today or I would have taken another photo as I'm now onto my fourth circle. I'm really enjoying this project and think it would be great (and quick!) for gifts.

My fellow blogger Sara has joined in and this is hers after casting on. She tells me she's now on her second circle and loving it. Her choice for yarn was the Fibre Co.'s Canopy in color Macaw.

So far I'm a little sad about the participation for this, but I know we sprung it on last minute. If you'd like to join us or follow along we started a Ravelry thread in the Knit Purl forum feel free to check it out! I'd really like to try to make these a regular thing, so keep an eye out later this month for more info about a Fashionknitsta Knit-a-long for July.

So, I do have a couple things I just can't wait to share until next week. Actually both patterns I have to share today are from the same designer, Rachel Bishop. I wasn't familiar with her before, but she is from Portland, and Sara brought her designs to my attention and I really fell in love with a couple of them. The first one is Glee:

This super-cute polo-esque pattern is done in a DK or heavy sport weight yarn, I'd really love to see it in Rowan Felted Tweed. Just sporty enough and perfect for the spring and summer, this pattern is available through Ravelry or her website.

The next one I just loved was Wicked:


I'll say it again, I absolutely love this pattern, with the boat neck and kangaroo pocket it combines two of my favorite things into one great sweater. Done in an Aran weight yarn I really feel like the obvious choice for this (for me at least!) is Rowan Lima, though it would be gorgeous in the Malabrigo Twist. This pattern is also available via Ravelry or her website, both of which I recommend checking out because she has some great things!

Unfortunately I have to leave you for shipping responsibilities; but please, as always, check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Until then, stay chic, blogfans!

-Lindsay

Kitten!

You should have seen the mass cooing this little guy incited this afternoon. Wow. Coworkers were practically fighting for a chance to hold/ cuddle/ play with him.

I swear, we were going to post this huge update and then the Rose Festival Extravaganza (and the kitten) distracted us and now it's 5:15pm and we have no tutorial, no color corrected photos, and a lot of empty space in this here post. 

But, to distract you from that fact (aside from the adorable kitty above), we do have a Portland-centric special going on through the end of the Rose Festival that offers up to 25% OFF Portland-based brands like Abstract Fiber, Happiest Girl! Dyeworks, Shibui Knits, Plover Designs... the list goes on, actually.  Check out today's eCard or our Special Offers page(s) for a full list of everything Portland-y that is (shh) on sale.

Check back tomorrow for another edition of Fashionknitsta (there won't be a kitty around to distract us then), and maybe another tutorial!

~Sara M.

Resurrection

We've had several concerned emails and questions upstairs.  The simple truth is that I've been out sick with the weirdest virus I've ever had and Lindsay has been overrun trying to keep up.   Sorry, guys.  Sandy Kay and I are working on our next tutorial: Duplicate Stitch; but she's been busy catching up this week, as she was out of town for a week and half.  We'll get there, honest!

In the meantime, we have some fantastic customer and staff projects to share.  First, we have Kristen's absolutely beautiful Girasole shawl, which we caught her wearing:

Knit with Mirasol Nuna in "Metallic Gold". Alas, she has not added it to her ravelry notebook (yet), but maybe she will soon...

Then we have Eric's astounding Mosaic tie:

Knit with the laceweight bamboo XS-45, from Habu Textiles. On size 000/ 1.5mm needles! He made up the pattern and is just going for it.  There's no way you can not be impressed by this.  It, quite honestly, looks (and feels) like something you'd buy in a high-end boutique.  The man is brilliant (and a little crazy).  We're trying to convince him to sell the pattern to Twist Collective or Knitty.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Also impressive, Eva has been knitting up a storm lately!  She started a Side Slip Cloche (from Boutique Knits), using Madelinetosh Vintage in "Maize", on May 26th...

And finished it on June 4th (while working on, like, 5 other projects):

(I feel like such a slacker.)

Not to mention the super cute little girls' shrugs she finished last month:

Aaaawwww, so sweet! The little one was knit with two colors of  Malabrigo Sock held together, using the Knitting Pure & Simple pattern "Little Girl's Shrug" (coming to the website soon!). The larger was knit with Cascade Sierra, following the pattern "Children's Neck-Down Bolero". You can get more information about the sizing, colors used, and her notes on her ravelry notebook. And, you can also check out the very cool Aran Necklace camisole she's making (from Interweave Knits), using Habu Textiles Tsumugi Silk and Louet Euroflax Sport held together (yummm).

Now, in my defense, I have been knitting. I've just had to rip some of it out, like this:

Jared Flood's Ptarmigan. Gone horribly wrong, don't ask.

And then, of course, there's the enormous Liesl I'm trucking away on (dress, anyone?), and can't bear to haul in anymore. I'll wear it in when it's done, honest. Lindsay and I, your faithful (if sometimes tardy) bloggers have been knitting... just nothing we can blog about yet (unless you really do want to see 140 cast on stitches and not much else...).

In lieu of other staff projects, how about a cute baby bird photo?

The fledgling sparrow we rescued a couple of weeks ago.  He (or she - it's so hard to tell with babies) got lost in the Big Storm and was freezing to death on our doorstep (literally).  Well, we got him dried off, warmed up, and fed and let him go that afternoon (during a dry intermission) and watched him fly off (a little wobbily).  Well, 'lo and behold, another fledgling sparrow (the same one?) visited the store last week:

He (or she) had no trouble flying in through the door, but couldn't quite figure out how to fly out. So, after an hour of trying to coach him (her?) out the door, we finally caught the poor thing and released it outside. We can't help but wonder if it's the same bird - now affectionately referred to as "Birdie".  After all, it was waiting on the doorstep and flew in as soon as I opened the door, silly thing.

Maybe s/he wanted more crackers.  What do you think - same bird or not?

Did Birdie come back?
	Of course! Sparrows love crackers.
	Don't be silly.
	Who cares? Show us some more knitting!
pollcode.com  free polls

Just because :)  Check back later this week (Wednesday, maybe) for another post (we have a lot of customer and staff projects to catch up on!) and another edition of Fashionknitsta.  Hopefully, I'll be able to corner Sandy Kay before TNNA for that tutorial, too.  'Til then, happy knitting!

Fashionknitsta Thursday: 6/3/10

Hello, and happy Thursday everyone! I heard on the radio this morning that today is Portland's 19th straight day of rain (depressing), but at least it's great knitting weather! Today, I have a few really great things to share and also a super special KAL I'm very excited to announce!

The first pattern I have to share is Hannah Fettig's (designer of my favorites the Featherweight Cardigan, and the Lightweight Pullover) new pattern, the Wispy Cardigan.


The suggested yarn for this beautiful cardigan is Malabrigo Lace Baby, which I think is a beautiful choice, I'd also love to see it in the Isager Alpaca 1 or new Madeline Tosh Prairie laceweight we got in last week and have already sold out of.

The Wispy pattern is similar to her Whisper Cardigan pattern from the Spring 2009 issue of Interweave Knits, but there are some clear differences as she explains on her blog. Both are knit with a lace weight yarn, though Wispy has straight sleeves instead of flared, the shaping is done a bit differently, and Wispy comes in a wider range of sizes (including children's!).

The next thing I have to share is purely inspirational. Nihan Altuntas is a Turkish knitwear designer who released her first two official collections this year, Rebirth and Glamour. After a bit of hunting I was able to locate her Etsy shop, but haven't found a website for her yet. Here are a couple of the pieces I really love:

Cocoon


Cat Burglar Top

Dresses

Beautifully knit (and photographed!) and completely customizable, these are truly special garments. Check out a great article and interview with Nihan along with her catalog here.

If you keep up with our blog and newsletter, you've probably seen the popular patterns Thursday and the Paper Crane by assemblage. Lately we've seen another of designer Kirsten Johnstone's patterns develop a definite following. Sev[en] circle is a free pattern available through her blog, assemblage, and just this week we've had two customers bring in their finished versions:

Margit brought in her finished sev[en] circle, knit for her by her sister as a gift, in Mirasol Project's merino, silk, and bamboo blend Nuna. This is a new yarn for us and I've been just itching to try it. She said it too just one skein and there were only about 6 inches left over. It works up so perfectly in this pattern, and it's really what pushed me over the edge to HAVE to make one of these for myself. The pattern is written in two sizes, one with sport weight yarn and one lace, though experimenting (as seen below!) with both yarn weight and size of loops is encouraged in this lovely pattern.

This next version was brought in by Virginia, she used several different left-over Habu yarns she had in her stash to make this completely gorgeous and one-of-a-kind accessory.

You've probably guessed by now, but I'd like to invite anyone who would like to to join myself (and several coworkers) in a sev[en] circle KAL to go through this month. I've even created a thread in our Knit Purl Ravelry forum so you can share your yarn choices and post pictures of progress! As I said before, I'm going with the Mirasol Nuna in color 17 Emerald Green. I CO yesterday, but I promise I haven't gone any farther than that.

Sara HAD to take this picture and I think it's hilarious, I'm obviously in a pretty specific green stage right now. It's early, but I can tell I'm really going to like knitting with the Nuna, and I'm using the new-to-us Addi Natura needles for the first time. Typically I'm a die hard metal needle fan, but these slick bamboo babies might be swaying me.

Hope you'll join me for the KAL and check back next week for another edition of Fashionknitsta. Let's cross our fingers for a bit of sunshine before then, and as always, stay chic blogfans!

-Lindsay