Welcome Spring Knitting! 🌷

We made it to spring! Branches are beginning to bud, and it shouldn't be too much longer before we start seeing daffodils, irises and crocuses. This means it is also time for spring knitting, (which we will really need this year as it looks to be a long mud season!)

Spring knitting is a great time to try out beautiful yarn blends that our yarn companies have spun for us. One of my favorites is Amalfi from String Yarns NYC. Amalfi is a blend of 14% Cashmere, 25% Lambswool, 22% Silk, and 39% Viscose. This soft and drapey yarn is wonderful in sweaters and shawls.

Shown below is Holly by ANKESTRiCK. Some of you may have seen me wearing my Holly knit in Amalfi this past fall (before the weather got very cold.) Holly was a fun and relatively quick knit. Eyelet detail and curved hems add to this otherwise stockinette sweater. You can decide how much ribbing you want around the middle as shown in the two photos below. I really enjoyed knitting Holly and love wearing the pullover.
If you have a special event coming up, #12 Echo by Lisa Hoffman would be the perfect wrap. The shawl was originally published in Vogue Knitting Winter 2019/2020. Designed for Amalfi, #12 Echo has alternating sections of corresponding lace and cable. Finished measurements are 21" by 79". It is a stunning shawl.
One more pattern suggestion for Amalfi is the Rachel Poncho by Pam Grushkin. This easy to make layering piece is what we all need this time of year. Throw it on and head out to run errands or meet friends while looking great of course. Pam Grushkin designed Rachel Poncho for Amalfi.
One more yarn, that is wonderful for in-between seasons is Luma from The Fibre Co. When making Luma, The Fibre Co. was inspired by "the mood and light found in mid-latitude savannas - those grassland ecosystems with open canopies allowing plenty of sunlight." This makes Luma a very comfortable yarn to wear in spring and fall as well as summer evenings in Park City when the temperature drops after dark.

Luma is a blend of 50% wool, 25% cotton, 15% linen, and 10% silk. Luma has beautiful drape and just a touch of sheen. The Luma palette includes soft neutrals and bright shades of pink, blue and green.

One of the most popular projects to knit with Luma is Stonepoint by Courtney Kelley. This easily customizable piece is knit flat in two identical pieces then joined at the shoulders using a 3-needle bind off. The neckband is then worked in the round. 
If you are looking ahead to even warmer weather, Avana by Annie Rowden may be the perfect knit in Luma. 

Avana is a light, yet warm oversized shrug worked at a very loose gauge. When folded in half it serves as a shawlette or scarf, or it can be worn as a shrug with the use of the armholes. The deep lace trim, which is also found at the sleeves, is a straightforward 8-row pattern that is easily memorized for relaxing knitting.

Avana is a surprisingly fast project, constructed in an interesting and completely seamless way, which makes it a great choice for beginners looking to take an easy step into garment knitting.
If you are looking for a fun scarf to wear under a jean jacket or on top of a sweater, Eyelet Shawl by Sarah Hatton is the pattern to choose. Worked in one piece from the top down this shawl is an excellent introduction to shawl knitting. It works up quickly and easily in Luma, creating a scarf that can be easily worn across the seasons.

The Eyelet Shawl pattern walks you through the garter tab shawl cast on and introduces you to simple eyelets and the joy of blocking to finish your shawl.
*The projects shown above are just ideas. We are always happy to help you find your next project.
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(Last chance to sign up for April classes with Tori.)



Rye Socks Class
Saturdays, April 15th, 22nd, and 29th from 9-10:30am

$60

The Rye Socks pattern by Tin Can Knits is perfect for those wishing to try their hand at socks for the first time! Knit out of a worsted weight yarn, these socks come together quickly and are perfect to wear around the house during chilly spring mornings. During the class, you’ll learn how to use the magic loop technique to knit a project in the round, and how to complete techniques for knitting socks (like turning a heel, and the kitchener stitch). We’ll also discuss how to properly size a sock! Participants in this class should be comfortable knitting, purling, and reading a simple pattern. Prior experience working in the round is a plus, but not required!

*Supplies need to be purchased from Wasatch and Wool Yarns, but class participants will receive a 10% discount on non-sale supplies. They will also receive a 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.

Fix It 101 Workshop
(Only 1 spot left.)
Tuesday, April 18th from 4-6pm

$30

By popular request, we’ve created our Fix It 101 Workshop! During this workshop, we’ll discuss stitch anatomy and how to identify a problem in your work…and then how to fix it! We will learn how to repair dropped or twisted ‘stitches’. During this workshop, we’ll also cover how to make a ‘gauge’ swatch and measure you work to ensure proper sizing. Participants in this workshop should feel comfortable casting on and creating a swatch using knit and purl stitches, and reading a simple pattern. Instructions for creating a swatch will be emailed out prior to class.

*Please note that 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. 

 

I recently returned from a trip to the European yarn market which is held in Cologne, Germany. It was a tremendous experience. The creativity, design, and all the new yarns were spectacular. I want to share a few of the highlights of the market with you through the photos I took at the show.

Some of the yarns you see knit up, will be making their way onto Wasatch and Wool shelves later this year. A couple of yarns will be coming in earlier...

(Notice the great hat shapes and headbands...)

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Local Yarn Store Day 2023

Local Yarn Store Day is on Saturday, April 29th this year. This will be our first since reopening. Local Yarn Store Day is a day to bring awareness to local yarn stores around the world and appreciate the unique products and experiences they offer to their local communities.

We will have a special Local Yarn Store Day kit from Berroco that can be knit or crocheted in Berroco Ultra Alpaca. Shoppers who purchase yarn from Blue Sky Fibers will receive a code to download a Blue Sky Fibers pattern for free as a thank you. We even have a special yarn that we are putting on the shelves in time for Local Yarn Store Day. I'm keeping it a secret until April 29th though here is one hint -  a couple of boxes have arrived from overseas, and it is beautiful!

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Spring Shoulder Season Hours

Beginning Tuesday, April 25th, our hours will be:

Closed Sunday and Monday.
Tuesday - 11am to 5pm.
Closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday - 11am to 5pm.
Saturday - 11am to 5pm.

Knit-Nights will remain on Wednesdays but are now 4:30-6:30pm.

 

 

 

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