Taking time to knit for yourself (plus class updates and Dragon Hoard Yarns trunk show!)

If you are like me or most people I know, January, which is known as "knit for yourself" month, is usually spent finishing those holiday gifts that just didn't make it under the tree. February, however, is the time that you can finally cast-on the project you have been anticipating for months. If you have not decided specifically on that project, below are some ideas to make you feel renewed and enliven your knitting.

You may remember FORSTEN from my Knitting Horoscope newsletter. Woolfolk Design Team's warm and cozy FORSTEN vest is knit in FLETTE BULKY which is a textured wool ideal for constructing simple, modern silhouettes. The yarn is bulky weight making it quick to knit up and is created with 17.5-micron Ultimate Merino (unique to Woolfolk) which means it is scrumptiously soft.

 

If you are looking to make a more traditional vest, Elizabeth Smith's Brookdale Vest is an A-line, open-style vest perfect for layering. It features a textured stitch pattern and a unique neckline construction. Elizabeth Smith hosted a knit-along of the Brookdale Vest in 2022 so there are Zooms and tutorials available to download.

One store customer (Andy) has already cast-on. She is knitting it in Erika Knight's Wild Wool which is a sustainable blend of soft wool and natural nettle (processed as a rayon fiber). Spun from the fiber found inside the stem of the plant, nettle has been used for 2000 years for its strength and durability as a textile. Nettle is grown abundantly and perennially in rainy areas worldwide without the need for harmful pollutants or pesticides, making it eco-friendly and sustainable. Blended with luxurious wool, the nettle enhances the character of this yarn, adding insulation and texture, which contrary to its prickly persona, creates a sumptuously soft Aran weight yarn in a palette of irresistible colors inspired by the wild.

 

If you need some bold color (after the past couple of months I think we all need some bold color), Stephen West's patterns are the ones that you will want to knit. Ribbing Please features a constant dark main color (Woolfolk Tov is one idea) with contrasting stripes that can be made from left-over skeins, yarns you have always wanted to try, or a combination of both. DK and worsted weight yarns both will work with this pattern. Ribbing Please is knit top-down so you can continue the ribbed pattern repeat until the shawl reaches your desired size.

 

So you may be asking, "Margaux, which project are you going to knit?" 

I had just stared Isabell Kraemer's Mariechen when I opened the store. Mariechen is a seamless top-down cardigan with raglan increases. I love the elegance of this sweater, and I am knitting it in Quince & Co. Phoebe which is an unbelievable soft and luxurious American extra-fine merino wool. It also gives my stockinette beautiful stitch definition. I'm feeling this sweater pull me back so that it will be done for springtime when I can wear it layered with a light cotton shirt.

However, I can't stop thinking about cozy, soft, and colorful Bergen from Lang Yarns Switzerland. PTO-043_10 Lang Yarns  was just here in the store for a trunk show and it was something to see! Many customers have enjoyed Snowflake from Lang Yarns, Bergen is a bolder version of that yarn great for accessories and garments.

The solution may be to quickly knit a pullover in Bergen, it is bulky weight so it will go quickly and then leave time for Mariechen. 

A quick update on upcoming classes:

We still have room in Learn to Knit, February Hat Class and Templetop Revisited Cowl Class, but Woven Cable Headband Class is almost sold out.
 

Learn to Knit
Mondays from 11am to 12:30pm February 13th, 20th, and 27th.
$60 plus materials.

Woven Cable Headband Class
Thursdays from 5:15 to 7:15pm February 2nd and 16th.
$40 plus materials.

February Hat Class
Saturdays from 3:30 to 5pm February 11th, 18th and 25th.
$60 plus materials.

Templetop Revisited Cowl Class
Thursdays from 3:30 to 5pm. (The first class is 3:30-5:30pm.
February 9th, 16th and March 2nd
$60 plus materials.

Our first class this February is a Learn-to-Knit Class. It will take place on Mondays February 13th, 20th, and 27th from 11am to 3:30pm. Class participants will learn to knit by making the Snowflake Cowl which was designed by Tori.

*Yarn needed for the class is 2 skeins of Snowflake from Lang Yarns and US #7 16inch circular needles. Skills covered in the class are the knit stitch, the purl stitch, long-tail cast-on, ribbing, knitting in the round, reading a pattern, reading your knitting, binding-off, weaving in ends, finishing, and a general understanding of yarn and gauge.

Have you ever seen a beautiful cabled sweater or hat and wondered how those stitches are made? Our second class is the Woven Cable Headband Class will answer that question. It will take place on Thursdays February 2nd and 16th.  Class participants will knit the Woven Cable Headband by Priscillia Uloho. As they do this they will learn the cable cast-on, knitting left and right cables, seaming a project with a mattress stitch, and finishing techniques. Students should feel comfortable knitting, purling, and reading a simple written pattern before taking this advanced beginner class. 

*Supplies needed for the class are 0ne skein (100grams) of worsted weight yarn, size US #8 straight needles, cable needle, and a tapestry needle. We recommend Berroco Ultra Wool, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Erika Knight Wild Wool, Malabrigo Rios, or Three Irish Girls Springvale Worsted.

Our third class is perfectly timed for this month, the February Hat class will take place on Saturdays February 11th, 18th, and 25th. Class participants will knit the February Hat by Kate Gagnon Osborne. Students will learn the provisional cast-on, reading charts, creating a folded brim, and slipped stitches. If time permits, the final class will go over how to make a pom-pom. Students should feel comfortable knitting, purling, and reading a simple written pattern before taking this advanced beginner class. 

Supplies needed for the class are one skein (100grams) of worsted weight yarn. We recommend Kelbourne Woolens Germantown or Malabrigo Rios. Needles used are size US #5 and #6 16inch circular needles, and size US #6 double pointed needles. A tapestry needle and stitch markers will also be useful.

The Templetop Revisited cowl is a wonderful project for knitters looking to explore two-handed stranded colorwork knitting. The elegant motif is quick to knit up, and the final project can be customized by color and length. In our fourth class, Tori will teach students stranded colorwork, the theory of color dominance, reading a colorwork chart, and finishing techniques. If time permits, students can start on the matching hat. Students should feel comfortable casting-on, working in-the-round, and reading a pattern before taking this class.

*Yarn needed for the class are two or three skeins (depending on how many colors you prefer) of worsted weight yarn. We recommend Primrose Yarn Co. Homestead Worsted, Spincycle Yarns Dreamstate or The Fibre Co. Cumbria. The pattern calls for size US #5 and #7 24inch circular needles. Stitch markers and a tapestry needle will also be useful. 

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* Please note that supplies need to be purchased from Wasatch and Wool Yarns, but as a thank you for attending our classes, students will receive a 10% discount on all non-sale supplies. They will also receive a 10% discount on the final day of class for all non-sale purchases. Participants not using yarn from Wasatch and Wool will be charged an additional $20. We recommend that needles are purchased from Wasatch and Wool as there are significant differences between needle brands. 

*Classes, if cancelled 10 days before the first day of class, can be exchanged for a future class 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 cancelled less than 10 days from the first day of class.

 

Save the date:

Trunk show with Dragon Hoard Yarn
February 23-25

Trysten is bringing skeins and more skeins of her exquisite hand dyed yarn to the store later this month. Please mark your calendar and join us!