Monday, December 31, 2007

Get Your Mummer On!

Best wishes to everyone for a Happy New Year!

Love - the Rosie's Staff

Coming in 2008 - Krazy Kolors - A Kaffe Fassett 4-6 Month Workshop - starting the last Thursday in January. Details to come!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Looking Ahead: Lace!

Hopefully, everyone's holiday knitting is winding down - if it's not, well, I hate to be negative, but if you still have something dangling on your needles that's supposed to end up wrapped with a nice bow, or stuck in a stocking, well, you may have to run to Macy's before it closes for a replacement gift. Or, the other option, of course, is to wrap said hat, scarf, sweater, sock, on the needles, and after its opened, and the appropriate ooing and ahing is done, take it back and finish it at your leisure.

Regardless of the state of your holiday knitting, it's time to fastforward to January - gift knitting is indeed done, and it's time to pick a project to make you happy. A cozy sweater? Nah. Winter is a contemplative, thoughtful time. It's time to take out the needles, sit in front of the fire, listen to music and take out - that CHART!! Can't you picture that perfect Sunday afternoon - curled up with your stitch markers, tiny needles, perhaps a podcast on the old iPod, yarnovering, ssking, ah - ok, well you're now picturing my perfect Sunday - and I want you all to join me.

This winter, I'm signed up for 2 lace mystery knit-a-longs - Spring Secret Surprise and Secret of the Stole II. Between the 2 projects, I need at least 3000 yards of yarn - miles and miles! So, I did a little survey of the store this weekend - and let me tell you, there's no shortage of laceweight at Rosie's -

First up, Conjoined Creations Soy Silk - our website says, "Pastimes is one of our favorite yarns. It comes in hundreds of colors and the lovely ladies who dye it will custom dye any number of skeins in any number of color combos. It's no wonder we spend well over an hour in their booth at TNNA twice a year! And, at $11 a pop for 550 yards it's good for you too! Stop in to see what we have available." And, here it is knit up: I knit Swallowtail, from Interweave Knits, in this yummy laceweight. While I did the number of repeats called for in the pattern, I had plenty of yarn left over, I easily could have knit a few more repeats, and still had yarn to spare. Need neon purple, electric blue? This is your yarn. The stitch definition is spectacular, even before blocking. Affordable, one of a kind colors, great yarddage, who could ask for anything more?

If you say more - we have more! Here's Helen's Laces, from Lorna's Laces. Helen's Lace, a 50 wool/50 silk blend, is 1250 yards, and comes in many lovely, variegated colors. If you don't have a pattern in mind, that's ok, because there's a free pattern for a half circle shawl, knit in short-row wedges, on the back of the label. I'm using it doubled, for the Bird's Nest Shawl from Folk Shawls. The varigation is very subtle, not stripey, so for a handpainted, multi yarn, the lace pattern isn't swallowed by the color, and it's still an excellent choice for many a project.

What else? How about Jade Sapphire's Lacey Lamb? Lacey Lamb is 100% lambswool, and comes in lovely little squishy balls of 825 yards. I have yet to knit with Lacey Lamb, but I love walking around the store, squeezing a ball like it's Charmin. I have 2 skeins of the Teal set aside for Secret of the Stole ii. For anyone who has walked by the shop, and stared in awe at the red, circular shawl from Victorian Lace hanging in the window, that's Lacey Lamb. Here's a swatch knit up:

Is a size 3 needle too big for you? We have a yarn for you! Grignasco Merino Silk - basically a cobweb weight yarn. "Merino Silk is miraculous stuff--even thinner than Zephyr, with a more even, polished twist. And like so many ultra-thin yarns, the value is almost ridiculous: 1533 yards per 100 grams for $16."
Too skinny, you say? Double it! It's still a bargain.
Not looking for a bargain? Looking for decadence? Cashmere, of course! Jade Sapphire's 2ply Cashmere. Do I need to blog about the wonders of cashmere? I think not, onward!

I've saved the tried and true for last (although,not really last - next time I'm in the shop with my camera, I'll put together a post of nontraditional yarns to use for lace, like Alpaca Sox . . .), Jaggerspun Zephyr. I love Zephyr because I've used it so many times, I don't have to swatch - I know I love it on a 4. Of course, there are more reasons to love Zephyr. How many yards you do you need? 3000 you say, not a problem! Color? Oh, we have a few - or 20. I think I'm doing Spring Shawl Surprise in Pewter, or Mushroom - or . . . I don't know, so many choices!

Not enough choices? Well, there's more at the shop, and I'll be talking about them in the coming weeks. And, come in - there's nothing like fondling the yarn to help you make a decision. Thanks to Sheri for knitting all of the above swatches in a lovely sampler scarf.

Happy Holidays everyone!!!!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Hot Baby Potato!

We had cookies! Aren't you impressed with my workmanship? I originally thought I was going to be the Rembrandt of Christmas cookies - I mixed colors, I had a whole painter's palette of colored icing - but, um, they were pastels - I had pink stockings, and neon trees, and they were gloppy, and runny . . . and enough of the horror story - thank goodness for Duncan Hines!

And we had presents! What goodies were in the
grab bag, you ask - fantastic stuff! One of a kind Silk Blend Manos, Lisa Souza sock yarn, Socks that Rock, Anne (and no, I didn't put the Anne in the bag, but I did go home with Anne!), Noro Silk Garden Lite, Tess, and sooo much more. The Rosie's girls were to polite for thievery the first round, by by the second round, everyone wanted to get their hands on that one of kind, pink Manos Silk Blend, and all bets were off. Thanks to everyone who participated in the Great Secret Santa Stash Buster. I hope everyone liked what they scored, and hopefully, this will become a Rosie's tradition.

Cookies,presents, nogg, what else could we possibly need. A baby! MUST HOLD THE BABY! When the music stops, pass the baby!!!

Marissa held the baby!
Suzanne held the baby . . .
Pass the baby!
Magda, Lisa and Allison - smell the baby, touch the baby, oooh ahh the baby!


And to think, there really was yarn at this party!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Secret Santa Stash Buster Party!!!!!

Dear Clyde:

You missed the last Rosie's Yarn Cellar Party - but now that you're here - you can go to our next party - December 19, 2007 during knitting circle, the Great Secret Santa Stash Buster!

Look at all the fun you missed - Aunt Stacy knitted her Knightsbridge Sweater.

Mom ooed and ahed at all the fanastic stuff you got - here's a nice red blanket from Andrea.

And - what are these pretty girls thinking? When's that Flippy going to get here already, darnit!

And a spiffy cardigan from Sheri.


And what are these mischievous girls up to? Thinking about what they're bringing to the Secret Santa Stash Buster party - look at that Marissa - she's thinking, "can I get away with a skein of Red Heart wrapped in a $20 - I really don't want to give up anything in my stash . . ."

And look what Aunt Laura got you - "Made in Philly," isn't she thoughtful that it doesn't say, "Yo, Adrienne,we did it!"




And lookie - a present for Mom - hope you haven't projectile vomited on it yet! Thanks Aunt Lisa!



Oh yeah, there weren't just presents - there was cake! Thanks Karen. I'm not sure about the cake on December 19, 2007 - you don't have any teeth yet. But the grownups will be having eggnog and Christmas cookies - and whatever other treats anyone else wants to bring.


And, since you're only oh, a month or so old, you probably don't have any stash accumulated - but the rest of us do! And, wait til ya see the madness when we have the Secret Santa Stash Buster - everyone is going to wrap up a $15- $25 item/items - throw it in a bag, and then, let me tell you, mayhem and frivolity will ensue. I promise you - there's going to be a skein of Anne in that grab bag - and I'm sure many other luscious goodies too.

So, Clyde, don't forget about the party. Take your nap early - and we hope to see you - and everyone else there!

Love -

Rosie's

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Clyde is here! Look how cute!
And don't you love the 4-Ply Soft sweater? 6 lbs 10 oz and 19 1/4" long. Born on November 29th, and yes, natural childbirth is overrated. Yikes! But, he's absolutely perfect and we couldn't be happier. I miss you all, but happy to be home knitting in bed with Clyde.

Saturday, December 01, 2007

SALE!!!!

We're having a book and bag sale - come on in!!!!! We only have one copy of many of the below books, so first come first serve - I'm sure they're going to FLY off the shelf, so hurry on down!

The following titles are 40% off!!!

In no particular order:

Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads by Carol Huber Cypher
Fabulous Felted Hand-Knits by Jane Davis
Knitstyle by Barbara Larson
Exquisite Little Knits by Iris Schreier & Laurie Kimmelstiel
Celebrity Scarves II by Abra Edelman
Knitting Beautiful Boas and Scarves by Ruth Lee
Crocheted Socks! Janet Rehfeldt and Mary Jane Wood
Classic Crocheted Vests Nancie Wiseman
Family Circle Easy Crochet
Crocheted Lace Pauline Turner
Cool Crochet Melissa Leapman
Crocheted Aran Sweaters and More Crocheted Aran Sweaters Jane Peever
Knit and Crochet with Beads Lily Chin
Cozy Crochet Melissa Leapman
Knit & Crochet Ponchos, Wraps, Capes & Shrugs
Fast Knits Fat Needles
Family Circle Easy Accessories
Creative Machine Knitting Ruth Lee
Tapestry Weaving A Comprehensive Study Guide
Learn to Knit
12 Easy Knitting Projects
Big Fish, Little Fish Jill Eaton
The Pattern Companion Knitting
Adorable Knits for Tots Zoe Mellor
Paintbox Knits
100 Hats to Knit and Crochet
Knitting in Color Brandon Mably
Decorative Knitting
After Dark, Uncommon Knits for Night Time
Brilliant Knits Brandon Mably
Handknit Style Linden Ward and Beryl Hiatt
Hot Knits Melissa Leapman
Simple Chic Jil Eaton
New Directions in Knitting
Perfectly Brilliant Knits Melissa Matthay
Chunky Knits
Knitting Simple Sweaters from Luxurious Yarns Marilyn Saitz Cohen
Big Needle Knitting
At Knits End Stephanie Pearl McPhee
Country Inspiration Sasha Kagan
Pursenalities and Pursenality Plus Eva Wiechman
The Knitting Experience: Book 3 Color
The Ultimate Knitted Tee
Reader's Digest Two-Stitch Knits

All bags (except the awesome Lantern Moon fish bags) are 35% off!

And, while books last, a free copy of Tara Jon Mannings Mindful Knitting or The Gift Knitter with any purchase of $100 or over.