Boutique Knits, and Teamwork Gets the Job Done!

I couldn't resist taking a picture the other day when both Jen and Stacy were wearing their Ruffled Neck Kercheifs from Boutique Knits. Both knit out of Lorna's Laces Shepard Sport, the construction on these is definitely non-traditional but the end result is really great to wear! You first knit the lace square, with contrasting color stripes. Then you pick up--not all the way around--but just around one corner and knit the ruffled edge. The result is when you wear it you don't have a lot of extra ruffle-y bulk around your neck, making it impossible to look down! It's an innovative, and very cute, pattern. Looks great, ladies!

Exotic Blend of the Day

From Louet, here's Paco Vicunas:

It's a blend of Paco Vicunas (which is a type of alpaca bred to resemble Vicuna, the extremely rare Andean camellid known for its extremely soft, extremely warm fiber), seacell (a cellulose fiber containing seaweed derivative), and optim (merino fiber that has been stretched, making it even finer than "regular" merino).

Most merino has quite a lot of crimp, which gives merino yarns great memory or "bounce." The process that turns it into optim, however, removes the fiber's waviness -- and also, therefore, its tendency to sproing back a bit even after assertive blocking.

Alpaca, of course, is known for its excellent drape (rather than its resilience). Combined with the soft hand of the seacell, we've now got three fibers that say "drape and softness." So you should already be thinking "lace" . . .

. . . even before you hear that there are 350 yards per 50-gram skein. Yes, it's $60, but one skein would certainly make a scarf, and there's a lot of luxury in that 50 grams. It's going to hold pattern stitches beautifully and just float around you.

Here's a close-up that shows the color more accurately:

We'll be getting more colors soon, but wanted everyone to know this has arrived, particularly since Knitter's Review discussed it here. (We haven't swatched yet, but you can go look at theirs.)

Cashmere Sale!

When was the last time you heard the words 'cashmere' and 'sale' in the same sentence?




Well, upon executing some early spring cleaning, we came across Classic Elite Forbidden. It is a bulky weight yarn with 65 yards per skein. For $30 (that's 40% off the suggested retail price!), you get 100% cashmere at 11 stitches to 4" on a US 13 needle for a luxurious knit at a fraction of the cost. Cowl? Hat? Anklewarmers? Fingerless mitts? Whatever you decide, it'll be a treasure!

Tried and True

Every now and again we look up and think, "Wow. We've carried that yarn a LONG TIME." So what is it that makes some yarns a one hit wonder and others tried and true? For one, a trustworthy brand with consistently excellent yarns, a yarn that stands up to the test of time without wearing out or pilling and a yarn that keeps it's look fresh by always having great colors. Kid Classic definitely fit the bill. Allison, long time Rosie's customer, sent me some pictures recently of her very first sweater, knit eight and a half years ago in a sweater class at Rosie's. She says:

Attached are photos (including the telltale armpit area!) of my very
first sweater, Onza by Kim Hargreaves from Rowan #28. So it's 8.5
years old, and it really hasn't pilled. It has been a fantastic
sweater, and I would absolutely make another something for heavy
wearing from Kid Classic.

And the tell-tale armpit area is not felted after eight and a half years! Amazing. Allison also admitted to me in her email that she sometimes even falls asleep in this sweater, and it's no worse for the wear!
It's stories like this that keep us ordering Kid Classic year after year. Allison says it was a great first sweater, well written of course, and with just enough new techniques to make it interesting--a little shaping, set in sleeves, button holes, but all garter stitch. Just a little fancy stuff with short rows at the collar. It still looks great Allison!
And, Kid Classic is Rosie's featured Yarn of the Week-- on sale for $8.00 including shipping. Enjoy!

Addi Turbo Click! Woot!

We received our order of the Addi Turbo Click needles yesterday!

The set comes in a sleek, well organized case with 10 needle tips in Sizes 4-15 and 3 cords in 24", 32" and 40". That is more than 500 possible needle combinations for only $150!

The kit would make a perfect gift (hello Valentine's Day!) so stop in or tell your loved ones to come check it out.

New O Wool and a Special Offer!

We are happy to announce the arrival this week of a new yarn in the O-Wool family: O-Wool Legacy Bulky, perfect for quick funky accessories or sweaters you are sure to finish in time for this winter season.
The yarn, like its much-loved cousin, Classic 2-ply, is minimally processed and gets even softer after knitting and washing. Staying true to their goal of providing low impact sustainable products, O-Wool describes this new yarn as one that "refers to the legacy of needlecraft tradition that has been passed on from generation to generation for thousands of years, but it also refers to the legacy of a sustainable environment that we hope to pass down for generations to come. The landscape-inspired color palette is subdued. Legacy Bulky is big and beautiful. It has a lovely, billowy loft but remains sturdy" We agree!!

weight: approx.3.5 oz / 100 g
length: approx. 106 yds / 97 m
needles: 10 - 11 US / 6.0 - 8.0 mm
gauge: 11 - 13 sts = 4” / 10 cm

We carry the full line of Legacy Bulky in the shop, so come in and check it out!

Whats more, O-Wool also makes (spun, woven, fulled and finished in New England!) gorgeous Organic Wool Blankets in 5 different sizes and 7 colors:
Sizes Available in Natural (Undyed Cream), Camel, Coral, Lemongrass and Robin's Egg:
-Baby 36" x 45" Retail Price: $88
-Throw 45"x 60" Retail Price: $116
-Twin 72" x 90" Retail Price: $236
-Queen 90" x 90" Retail Price: $276
-King 106" x 90" Retail Price: $328

and For a Limited Time, the Throw Blanket (45" x 60") is also available in Charcoal and Evergreen.

For more information, you can read about the O-Wool Blankets here.

From now until Friday, February 13th, we are taking (pre-paid) orders for these gorgeous blankets that are destined to be family heirlooms. We see them as perfect Baby Shower gifts, a unique wedding gift (the season is closer than you think!) or a luxurious way to save money on oil heat this winter. What is better than sitting under an organic wool blanket while knitting? We can't really think of anything!

Once the blankets arrive, we will call you and it will be available for pick up in the shop. So give us a call at 215.977.9276 and place your order today!

The Knit Kit

Hey knitting McGyvers, we've got your all-purpose knitting multitool! Meet the Knit Kit, a 4-oz dynamo containing a tape measure, scissors, thread cutter, point protectors, stitch markers, stitch counter (with lock!), and crochet hook. Take it on the train, on airplanes--they are TSA approved!--or just about anywhere. The dimensions on this puppy are 4 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 5/8", perfect for the inside pocket of your purse or knitting bag.
They'll be in by the beginning of April, and if you want to reserve one, just give us a call and we'll put your name on the list!View the Knit Kit at www.theknitkit.com/seeit!

February Project of the Month: Pebble Lace Crocheted Tam

As we were planning ahead (and looking back at the past year) and thinking of design ideas for Rosie's Projects of The Month, it quickly became very clear that crochet has not received its fair share of face time!

So, this month, Jen designed a totally awesome beret for you to crochet. The project is designed in two sizes (less or more slouch depending on your tastes) and features a classic Rosie's favorite, Nashua Creative Focus Worsted (available in every color in the shop)!

For die-hard crocheters, there is a ribbed crochet brim, or for knitters looking for a crossover project -- or those adept at both needle and hook -- there is also a traditional K1 x P1 brim option (shown above in the Larger size).

Click the link above to be taken to the pattern page. Then, come into Rosie's, pick out your favorite color and whip up this super cute beret. If a project like this appeals to you and you have the basics down but you are a little daunted by the pattern, don't worry! We offer a crochet drop in on the 4th Monday of each month. If you can't wait until then, give us a call at 215.977.9276 and sign up for a private lesson with the designer herself!