Newsletter
Winter 2009-10

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As the daffodils start to peak through the soil in the milder climates, other areas of the US are still experiencing deep winter storms. This is the time to be layering your sweaters! The sun peaks out and you shed a layer. It hides behind a cloud, the temperature drops 10 degrees, and you wish you had an extra thermal layer on. I for one, am looking forward to an end to this bone chilling cold, despite loving to wear my sweaters. Look at light weight yarns for perfect layering such as Cascade's Heritage Sock or Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock or Shepherd Sport for vests and cardigans.

If you wish to unsubscribe, there is a link at the bottom of this newsletter. I'll miss you, but come see me again sometime at http://www.yarn-store.com

Since we last visited, I have busy. In January I attended a trade show and saw the latest and greatest. As product arrived, I posted announcements to my blog. But not everyone is a blog reader, and even I have trouble keeping up with all those awesome knitting blogs. I've selected the most exciting products and listed them below.

If you get issues of Knit 'n Style magazine you may have noticed the new knitting machine articles by Kathy Perry. These articles have been very well received and machine knitters are excited to see how-to articles and patterns in print. In one of the upcoming issues, a pattern on the standard gauge knitting machine will be included. Designed and written by yours truly. I'm pretty excited. Look for the pattern and I hope you find that it is just perfect for your needs!

At the end of this newsletter is a technique to create a crisp edge to a doubled band. Instructions are written for machine and hand knitting both, separately. Machine knitters may find it somewhat familiar, as a turning row is fairly common in machine knitting, although not quite like this one. Hand knitters may be surprised at the idea. Try it out on a swatch. It may not fit all your needs, but sometime down the road, it might be "just the perfect technique" on one of your projects.

There will be a big change in the future of Angelika's Yarn Store. I am looking at larger, retail locations and by the end of this month should have the announcement and details up on my blog. So stay tuned!! This means space to expand my yarn lines, and a location more accessible to you.

Lorna's Laces New Spring 2010 Colors

These yarn bloom photographs are of the Helen's Lace line.

Avondale: Tonal shades of acid rinsed denim, aqua and dolphin blue. Humboldt: a dusty mauve, dusty moss and green gray. (This is looking darker on my monitor than it really is. A very difficult color to reproduce digitally!) Pullman: Sober shades of charcoal and grey.

Catalpa: soft sage, whipped butter, yellow and wheat. Calumet: Chocolate, dark plum, dark eggplant, dark denim and charcoal. Zombie BBQ: deep red, moss green, soft lime, dusty lavender.

These 6 new shades are available in all Lorna's Laces lines by special order, but I currently have stock in Shepherd Sock, Shepherd Sport, Shepherd Worsted, Shepherd Bulky, Lion & Lamb and Helen's Lace. You let me know if you would like it in any other of Lorna's Laces Lines.

Custom Color: Ashland Sky Project Pouch and Gadget Sack.

Aqua or Turquoise is Pantone's 2010 color of the year. To me this shade represents vacations on a warm tropical beach. It is reminiscent of the beautiful blue-green of the Caribbean Ocean.

I'm very partial to this color, and the aquamarine is my birthstone. I could not resist bringing in the 2 most popular Ashland Sky Bags in my favorite color!

Order these bags and see all the other styles and colors on my Ashland Sky page.

Ashland Sky NEW 15"x15" Flat Sack.

Large project bags perfect for full size sweaters and afghans. Orginally designed for needle pointers, these bags meet a multitude of art project storage needs. I took the large one to my daugher who attends AIP (Art Institute of Portland).

Long straps make it easy to loop over your shoulder.
NOW 3 sizes available, in 7 colors!
#15 Large 24"x18", #14 Medium 20"x20", and NEW #17 Small 15"x15"

Order these bags and see all the other styles and colors on my Ashland Sky page.

**NEW** 60 Quick Knits using Cascade 220

Wonderfully soft, beautifully textured, and remarkably affordable, Cascade 220 is one of the most popular yarns on the market, and 60 Quick Knits in Cascade 220 is the first trade book devoted to this wonderful yarn. In this stunning volume of all-new projects, many of today’s top knitwear designers come together to create an irresistible collection of hats, scarves, and mittens—all in Cascade 220. There’s something for everyone, from an adorable monkey-face hat and a dazzling mosaic pattern scarf to a classic muffler and Fair Isle flower mittens. Knitters will find plenty of inspiration and beauty here!

You can order this book here.

This would be the perfect "gift" book. Time to think ahead and lay out those summer projects so you are ready for the 2010 gift giving season. Cascade 220 is a very affordable quality wool and is one of the most popular yarns in the market. Cascade 220 is currently available in over 388 colors in solid, heather, tweeds, twists, quatros and hand dyed multicolors.

6 New Patterns from Knitting Pure and Simple

Knitting Pure and Simple is known for its very simple, very fun and VERY wearable patterns. Of all the patterns I sell, at the end of a long day working, I can easily follow these directions. And still have a garment that takes a reasonable amount of time to knit! Knit from the neck down, these patterns have minimal finishing.

New Hand Dyed Shades in Cascade Heritage Sock

I've been waiting a long time for these shades to be available. These were first shown to store owners last summer. I was ready to buy then!

Order these shades and see all the colors in Cascade's Heritage Sock yarn here.

PS to standard gauge knitting machines: Cascade Heritage Sock is PERFECT for the standard gauge machine! I use it on my Silver Reed SK280. The resulting fabric is absolutely high end!

3 New patterns from Figheadh Yarnworks

Coralee Sock pattern knit from the toe up for a feminine, lightweight anklet.

Ailsa bodice is worked in three pieces and seamed together before picking up stitches along its lower border and working the skirt from there down...as far as you want to go! The cables & lace lower body of the garment increases as it goes. Rib cage measurement (just below the bust) is the main reference point, allowing this top to flatter any woman's shape. Sizes XS to 6X.

Lo Shu is a generous cable and lace wrap measuring 25" x 60" and the pattern gives the option of working it as a scarf. The name comes from the nine-square shaping provided by the lace pattern, which looks like the 3 x 3 Lo Shu Magic Square of Chinese Legend, which inspired Feng Shui and so much more. This lovely wrap will inspire you too! FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 25" x 60" (8.5" x 50" for scarf)

Technique: Crisp Turn Row for garment bands

A doubled band helps support the weight of a garment, but can also be bulky. A crisp turn row helps to reduce that bulk, as well as give the band a professional appearance. My turn row is a row that is either knit or purled, throwing purl stitches to the outside, to make the band fold sharply. If not used, the fold can be pressed or steamed, but that sometimes changes the appearance of surrounding stitches undesirably. A turn row is something many machine knitters have done. There are a few different methods to achieve a turn row. Because of the nature of a purl stitch, it tends to curl toward its knit side. Turn rows can be done on any band, even if it is stockinet or any ribbed combination.

Knitting Machine Instructions (photo: Sample in Cascade Heritage Sock, in color Camel): The photo shows 1x1 rib, with a crisp purl turn row. Be sure to do the measurements and math to know how many stitches and rows your band needs. After garment has been knit and blocked to size, rehang edge requiring band on main bed of your machine with wrong side facing you. Using the transfer tools, rehang using one complete stitch in the selvage. Using 1 complete stitch rather than 1/2 st guarantees a clean even transition between garment edge and band. If your garment is particularly bulky, you may want to consider designing original piece with an extra st that gets used in selvage. But knits have a lot of stretch, so I usually do not add a st for this situation. I do add an additional st on the main bed at each end, though. This stitch is used up when the ends of the bands are seamed. At the tension you decided for your band, knit 1 row. Transfer stitches to ribber for 1x1 rib (as in photo) or rib arrangement you desire. Knit number of rows you have already determined for one side of the band. Transfer all stitches to ribber, except the selvage stitch on each end. You must push all ribber needles up, at this point, allowing stitches to fall behind latches. This is to insure that all stitches knit off cleanly. Knit 1 row (both carriages still attached). Transfer back to your rib arrangement. Knit the back of the band. Pick up and hang everyother purl bumb formed when first row of knits were done. This might be a bit hard to see, but if you can it makes for a more tailored band. Latch tool bind off, somewhat loosely. When removed from the machine, the band should pull up. This is good as this means your band will do its job of holding the garment in position. Pin and block band to desired length. I like to slightly finger press the purl edge of the band when it is steamy hot.

Hand Knitting Instruction (photo: Sample in Cascade Ultra Pima, in color Periwinkle): The photo shows 1x1 rib, with a crisp purl turn row. Be sure to do the measurements and math to know how many stitches and rows your band needs. After garment has been knit and blocked to size, with garment right (public) side facing you, pull up stitches between first and second stitch. This creates a clean row of knit stitches, and looks very tailored. If using a knitting needle is frustrating, use a small crochet, then transfer to knitting needle. Add a stitch to each end in any method that works for you. This stitch gets used up when the ends of the band are sewn closed. Knit in 1x1 (as in photo) or any rib you have planned, for the depth of the band. Sample shows about 7 rows in 1x1 rib. After turning, if the right side of the fabric is facing you, purl the next row. If the wrong side is facing you, knit this row. This kicks the purl pumps to the right side of the fabric. Rib the same number of rows for the inside of the band. At this point, you can bind off, or on every other stitch, pick up part of the selvage and knit (or purl) that together with the next stitch on the needle. AT THE SAME TIME, bind off.

Download the free pdf technique here.

Hope you enjoyed this issue of Yarn Store News!!    Angelika