Noro Rikka
Happy Knit with Noro Day!Okay, I completely made that up, but knitting with cozy color changing yarn in February – yes please! The store is fully stocked with several different Noro yarns. If you need pattern inspiration, read on…
One of our newest yarns from Noro is Tasogare a worsted/Aran blend of Corriedale, Merino, silk, and mohair. The word “tasogare” is Japanese for “twilight” referring to that time of day when colors grow dim as light fades. This yarn features undyed dark brown wool which interplays with the dyed fibers in a typical Noro multicolor way. Each color has a muted and deep feeling like the one you feel at the end of the day when the brightness of the sun fades.Tasogare comes in a dragon egg ball which contains over 400 yards of yarn, enough for a small shawl or accessory.
One pattern idea for Tasogare is Sakurasau by Eisaku Noro Design Team. This pattern is featured on the cover of Noro Knitting & Crochet Magazine #23 Fall/Winter 2023. Sakurasau is worked-flat from the bottom up and seamed. The color in the photo is #11.
A much quicker project using Tasogare is Rond de Jambe by Audrey Drysdale. This pattern also appears in Noro Knitting & Crochet Magazine #23 Fall/Winter 2023. These gorgeous leg warmers are ribbed and knit- in-the-round.
The next yarn from Noro is Rikka. In this bulky-weight yarn, Noro blends Corriedale and Merino wool with Peruvian alpaca and mulberry silk. The yarn and the finished knitted fabric appear to be covered with a touch of white. It seems as if you are looking at a landscape that has been surprised by a frosty night or a sudden snowfall (which is the meaning of Rikka in Japanese "snow crystal".)
Our most popular store project using Rikka is Peoria by Rosemary Drysdale. This is another pattern that appeared in Noro Knitting & Crochet Magazine #23 Fall/Winter 2023. The vest is worked flat in pieces from the bottom-up in stockinette stitch with a wide V-neck and 1x1 ribbed edgings. The color in the photo is #8.
Are you feeling a bit chilly? Maybe you need a Happy Winter Hug! Diane L. Augustin designed this pattern to use only 1 skein of Rikka. Knit in the round on size US #10 needles, you will quickly finish this “hug”.
Though designed to use Isager yarn, Cardigan No. 8 by My Favourite Things is a great project choice for Rikka. Cardigan No. 8 is an oversize V-neck with pockets. The boxy silhouette and extra-long sleeves create the right boyfriend fit while the deep V-neck adds a feminine touch.This sweater can also be knit with a strand of Haunui Silk and a strand of silk mohair.
Haunui Silk, (pronounced Hoo-noo-ee and translated as “place of the winds”), is a natural blend of raw mulberry silk and unique mixed-breed Haunui merino wool from the Taranui farm in New Zealand. This yarn has a slight thick and thin quality to the single ply. True wool lovers will cherish this limited-quality, slightly rustic, un-dyed yarn. No two sheep are the same color, but their fleece fall into color categories. These categorized fleeces are blended to create rich shades of oatmeal, brown, gray, and black.Haunui Silk knits to a heavy worsted-weight gauge and is great for hard wearing (outerwear) garments with a touch of luxury.
One of my favorite designers, Alicia Plummer, designed Aperture using Haunui Silk and dedicated it to her father, his love of photography, and the way he taught her to see the world through the lens. Aperture is a slow intentional approach to knitwear. “It feels like a memory, a hug, a moment when focusing on the simple things softens the world around you.” It is worked from the top-down, flat to start and then joined in the round when the neckline shaping is completed.
Two other projects that can be knit using just one skein of Haunui Silk are Back on Track and Back on Track Mittens by Katie Pomper. The hat and mittens use twisted stitches that create a pattern that ebbs and flows. The hat and mittens are knit in Haunui Silk color #107.
A beautiful poncho that can be knit in Haunui Silk is Comfort Zone by Espace Tricot. Knit in the round from the top down featuring twisted rib at the neck, sides, and hem, this is a quick and satisfying project that will keep you toasty all winter long and into chilly spring days.
We just unpacked Haunui Cotton. Kompeito, one of Noro’s brand-new Spring /Summer 2024 yarns will be in the store early April. More on those and a Noro yarn-tasting in an upcoming newsletter.********
Learn to Knit ClassWednesdays, March 13th, 20th, and 27th from 5-7pm. The first class on the 13th ends at 8pm.$70 plus supplies*In this class students will knit the Learn to Knit Mitts by Katherine Lynn. Students will learn to cast-on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, slip stitches, ribbing, binding off and weaving in ends.Supplies needed for the class are US #6 (4mm) knitting needles, 100grams of DK-weight yarn (which needs to be purchased from Wasatch and Wool), lockable stitch markers, and a tapestry needle.
Beginner Hat ClassMondays, March 11th, 18th, and 25th from 9-11am.$60 plus supplies*.Supplies needed for the class are Barley by TinCanKnits pattern, US #6 (4mm) 16inch needles and US #8 (5mm) 16inch and double pointed knitting needles, 100grams of worsted weight yarn, stitch markers, and a tapestry needle.This is the class for knitters who are comfortable with knitting and purling. We’ll review casting on and binding-off. While knitting Barley by Tin Can Knits, students will review casting-on and binding-off and learn how to read a pattern, knit textured stitches and determine which size of pattern to knit. If you are trying to choose between Barley and Dustland, Barley is more beginner-knitter friendly. **The fine print on classes:*Yarn needs to be purchased from Wasatch and Wool or there will be an additional $35 class fee. Class participants will receive a 10% discount on non-sale supplies. They will also receive the 10% discount on the final day of class for future knitting projects. We recommend that needles are purchased from Wasatch and Wool as there are significant differences between needle brands.*Classes, if canceled 10 days before the first day of class, can be exchanged for a future class with the same instructor only. We enforce this policy on behalf of our teachers who have committed their time and expertise. There are no exchanges or refunds for classes canceled less than 10 days from the first day of class.********
PeaceTree Fiber Adventures will be hosting a Knit Utah retreat from May 30th to June 2nd here in Park City. It will be held at the Park City Peaks Hotel (though you are not required to stay there.) Designer and colorwork expert Kyle Kunnecke is the guest teacher. The classes he is offering that weekend are "Creating Colorwork Cowls", "Stranded Knitting: Unlocking the Secret of Locked Floats", and "You want me to do WHAT to my Knitting?! - an Introduction to Steeks". The weekend also includes an evening of shopping and Champagne at Wasatch and Wool. More information on this event can be found at PeaceTree Fiber Adventures.
Please join us Wednesday mornings for our Sit and Stitch at 10am.And our new Prosecco and Purls, the first Tuesday of the month from 5-7pm.
There is no charge to join us, but we request that you use yarn purchased from Wasatch and Wool Yarns.We love when visitors drop by for our knitting get-togethers. If you are working on a project from home. let us help you find a souvenir that you can bring back from your trip to Park City.
Happy Knitting and Crocheting,Margaux