what is inspiring?

Finally things have cooled down here in Northern California and we actually have some rain today. Very needed. Definitely one of those days, kind of drizzly and gray, that is good for knitting and daydreaming about knitting. You know the kind of daydreams where you have unlimited time, your hands never get tired and you can knit just as fast as your imagination can vision new projects!

I have such an itch to start something new, even though I have so much all ready started. Inspiration just has no respect for works in progress!

Here is picture of just some the places my attention is being pulled.

There are new books. Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines, by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne, Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin and Alterknits Felt by Leigh Radford. All great day dreaming material, but maybe not so good for getting things off of the needles. But then again, if knitting were only about practicality, efficiency and determination where would the fun be?

The yarn. Yummm. Alchemy Monarch in the color Fig. Cashmere and silk, fingering weight, soft, luscious, mysterious, begging to be gloves? Hat? Cowl?

Jade Sapphire Cashmere in Tea Leaves. Soft, soft, soft, comforting, sophisticated cozy, the color almost translucent. (Really, you have see in person. The camera just can not capture this, at least not my camera). Is this destined to be a scarf, cowl, mittens? I think I’m noticing a trend here.

Tanglewood Fiber Creations Yak and Merino in Marble. Well, words just fail me with Trish’s yarn. It may be too special for a project since I can not decide what to do with it. But that is ok, because the pleasure from just petting it in the skein is quite something all on its own.

Nashua Creative Focus Worsted. Ok, so not luxury and not exotic and definitely not melt your heart soft, but my favorite felting wool. This will be a pair of felted clogs that I must make before my husband threatens divorce. I made him a pair a couple of years ago and they are his favorite things EVER! Who knew they would be his all time favorite gift from me? He says I must make some for myself before it gets too cold, they will “change your life.” And, he wont have to hear my complain about my cold feet all winter.

Classic Elite Lush. Angora and wool and it is soft and cozy, the color rich and solid. This turning into a great beret. Just exactly how I wanted. I love knitting success!

What is inspiring you in your knitting?

Romi returns

Hey all, this Saturday Rosemary Hill comes back to Knitterly to teach her Ice Queen and Delta Queen lace patterns. We still have a few places left in what is an amazing class that teaches lace tips and tricks as well as how to add beads to your knitting.

What I love about both lace and adding beads to knitting is that the basics are not really hard but the impact is huge! Rosemary is not only an amazing designer but a truly wonderful teacher so please come join us, ok?

Just to temp you…

Oct. 16 sale- all felting wool

Just in time for the chilly mornings we have been having is our Third Thursday sale for October.  All felting wool is 30% off. I know felting is a year round thing, but something about fall makes me want to pull out the big needles and make a warm felted something.I think it’s time for a new pair of snugly  felted slippers, or maybe a felted hat. Of course a felted bag is always fun. We will be open till 8pm for a Knit Night pot luck. Bring a little something to eat, bring some knitting (or start the project you just bought wool for!) and share some fun.

We have a couple of great felting classes coming up just to get you thinking about felting opportunities. (Click on the link to get class times and other info)

Felted Harlequin slippers

Felted Market bag

Hope to see you on Thursday!

The Yarn Harlot comes to town

Well, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka The Yarn Halot, didn’t actual come to Petaluma again, but Santa Rosa is close enough. Out talking about her new book Free-Range Knitter, The Yarn Harlot Writes Again, The Harlot once again charmed, amused and touched a large crowd of us knitters with her insightful observations about knitting and life.

Any of you who have seen Stephanie talk, know the energy and fun of the whole event. There is the long line of knitters waiting until it is time to go in a grab a seat.

Of course there is meeting of new friends and admiring of knitting, as well as hooking up with old friends and admiring knitting,

Here is the ever talented and lovely Rosemary Hill, aka Romi. See her amazing jewelry?  It is from her new book coming out next month! Check out the earrings. Gorgeous eh? (Yeah, that is my inner Canadian coming out in honor of Stephanie).

It is always great fun to see amused (or confused) looks on passers by when they learn we are all here to hear an knitting author! I don’t have a picture because the uninitiated tend to retreat rather quickly when they realize they are outnumbered. Too bad, because us knitters really are a fun and friendly bunch!

We were even covered by the media. Ok, not national TV or anything, but mother and daughter podcasting team Jasmin and Gigi of The Knitmore Girls were making the rounds getting lots of good stuff for an upcoming show.

Then of course there is Stephine herself.

Yep, that was the most I saw of her while she was talking and I had to strain for this shot. There are not many people I would so happily stand in the hot humid sun for in order to get this limited a view.

The thing that makes Stephanie so special and why we will drive for hours, stand in line for hours, over and over again to hear her speak to the complete wonderment of the non knitters around us, is of course because she is funny. Hysterically funny actually. But there is so much more to her and her work than a cute phrase or humorous story. It is her razor sharp observations about life, knitting and the human journey we all share that touches us so deeply. As we wipe away tears of laughter, our heart is opened more to ourselves and our world, our mind is opened more the truth about ourselves and the world around us, and we connect to the soul level importance of making time for the humble, yet transforming powers of knitting.

There were so many wonderful moments of the day, but one of the best was getting my picture taken with the Harlot herself!

Her tee shirt says “I”m kind of a knitting superhero.” Really Stephanie. We all know you ARE a superstar. In knitting and in life.

third thursday 30% off cotton yarn sale 9-18

Come in this Thursday, September 18, and stock up on cotton yarn! All cotton yarn will be 30% off. Sure, fall is coming and you are starting to think of all things woolly and warm, but this is Northern California and you just know we have another heat wave or two coming. I just made cute bath mat (pattern courtesy of the Purl Bee) out of Blue Sky’s Skinny Dyed Cotton, 5 skeins total. It was quick, and the Blue Sky cotton was  joy to work with! Here it is with some other color options.

We also have a super cute blanket out of Aracania cotton, very snugly and quick to knit on size 9 needles.

Hope to see you this Thursday!

new shibori book out

Gina Wilde, the creative force behind Alchemy Yarns of Transformation has a new book out, Shibori Knits The Art of Exquisite Felted Knits. Shibori is a Japanese felting technique that plays with textural effects and allows a range of results from whimsical to sophisticated. With Gina’s imaginative creativity and sensitivity to detail and originality, partnered with Alchemy’s vibrant and exquisite fibers, this book is sure to inspire an interested in taking felting to a whole new place.

The book is not just for felters though. Straight up knitters who would never think of subjecting their creations to a hot bath and a vigorous washing machine roller coaster ride will see new possibilities for the craft.

I am in love with the delicate and ethereal Poet’s Shawl which mixes the feltable mohair/silk Haiku with the nonfeltable silk boucle Pagoda.

Then there is the fun bouquet wrap that uses just the Haiku.

So pretty! There is so much more, a cute little doggie caplet, a baby sling, hats, belts… so much more. You have to get your hands a copy and take in the many possibilities.

The book is divided into three chapters. One, Surrender to Shibori, elegant explorations in knitting and felting possibility. Two, Shibori Creativity, experiments in unlikely combination of fiber. Three, Subtle Shibori, adventures in color, composition and construction. Also included is an appendix that covers technical concepts, tips and advice and a glossary as well as a yarn substitution guide and Alchemy retailers list.

This book is a fantastic inspirational muse for those ready to invite a bit of mystery into their knitting. Any felting process requires a certain letting go of control and a willingness to be surprised by an outcome that is never fully guaranteed. What you get in return for your courage is so often unexpected beauty and surprising texture that just can’t be achieved any other way. Though this book Gina has created a tempting pull to lure the timid into trying something new, and the already bold to push the boundaries of felting even further.

last monday 8-25

Today is the last Monday Knitterly will be open. Stating September 1st our hours will be Tuesday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday noon-4. A whole day off every week! Ahh, we can feel the relaxation settling in already!

Debbie Abrahams September 6 and 7

We are so excited to welcome Debbie Abrahams to Knitterly on September 6 and 7. Well known author and teacher, she will be teaching 3 different workshops, all of which will increase your range and skill as a knitter. September 6 from 10:30-1:30 the subject is intarsia and 2:30-5:30 will be all about beads. September 7 from 12-3 is about learning how to bring professional looking finishing skills to your work. Click on the links for more specifics.

There is something about beads and knitting that make an enchanting pairing. Nothing creates a bit of drama or sparkle like well placed beads. I know for myself, intarsia is the one knitting technique that I have been scared to try. Well, scared may be a bit dramatic, let’s say nervous. I pass by things I would love to knit because blocks of color seem too much to handle. And then there are the hours of knitting sitting in bags because I’m just not quite sure how to put the pieces together, or once together just don’t look quite right. Having an expert like Debbie for the whole weekend to demystify the challenges and impart knitting wisdom is an opportunity to grab!

Please come and learn from a wonderful, accomplished and fun teacher!

need a bag? come and shop thursday

Third Thursday is this Thursday, August 21 and all bags, ALL bags are 30% OFF! Who doesn’t need a bag or another bag for your knitting? Check these out as just some of what will be on sale:

supper cute Pretty Cheep Bags from Blue Sky Alpaca

namaste loveliness

Go Knit Bags so you can go and knit all at once

And so much more. Come in Thursday. Both project bags and larger bags on salesale. Give all your yarn a nice home to live in the perfect bag!

delta queen glory

Well, it’s bit late of a wrap up of the wonderful lace class Romi we had here last week. I, know, bad blogger! Even worse, I have no pictures of the event. Really bad blogger. Romi however, being the professional and the artist she is, has some great pictures of the day here on her blog. The day was great and we had a super fun and adventurous group of knitters eagerly jumping into fun that is lace knitting.

What I do have are pictures of the glory the Delta Queen scarf is.

Look at this detail of the edge!

And here is another close up, it is just so pretty!

Made from one skein of Habu bamboo lace and  beads, it is the same pattern at the Ice Queen, but a bit more summer friendly. It looks so luxurious and I can tell you it feels even more so! The bamboo is silky and cool on the skin, and the beads add a weight and drape that is simply heavenly. If you have not experienced bamboo before you are in for a treat. There is something extra special I think about the lace weight, something to be experienced.

We still have Romi’s sample in the store so check it out when you are in.

By the way, the class was a great hit and I have heard some whispers of her returning to teach again! If you have a chance, absolutely take one of Romi’s classes.She is so knowledgeable and patient, truly one of those inspiring teachers we students love. I was working so only overhead bits and pieces, but even though I have done a fair amount of lace, I picked up a thing or two and wanted more. Makes me want to be an official participant next time around!