Finally, after a long wait, we have more Knit Kits in stock, this time around in blue. It contains everything a knitter-on-the-go could use: TSA compliant folding scissors, stitch markers, point protectors, a tapestry needle, stitch counter, thread cutter, crochet hook and tape measure, all in a handy, compact package. If you're like me, constantly losing everything to the black hole bottom of your everything-and-the-kitchen-sink-containing-bag, this might be just what you need to keep all your essentials at your fingertips. The last batch we had sold out lickety-split, so if you want one of your very own, come in soon to get one!
The folded 8.5"h by 12"w triangle will fit into most knitting bags and when it's fully open, it measures 17" in diameter. They're $58 per case meaning you'll know exactly what to splurge on when you use your frequent buyer card 20% discount! The good folks at Lantern Moon also gave us a new 3-ring shawl pin.
It's made of the same carved horn that its popular Owl & Cat predecessors are made of. Each shawl pin set is $18 making it a stylish accent for your shawl without breaking the bank.
the first booklet, Norah Gaughan "Men" has sixteen patterns, nine of them sweaters, all designed with -- you guessed it! -- men in mind. They are all very "classic" in inspiration and really hit the mark as projects that are both interesting to knit and desirable to wear.
Geoffroy, shown above, is knit in a knit and purl stitch pattern that has a lot of texture. (the sizes go down to 36" -- many of us here are also considering knitting one for ourselves!) If you're looking for a little more action, Wilson, shown below, has really beautiful cabled patterning that is guaranteed to entertain you throughout and we are sure the finished product will be a classic sweater to last generations.
The other two booklets, Arts + Crafts and #291 Comfort Book for Girls are filled with knitting patterns that are designed to appeal to both parents and young women. (Which, as you all know, is almost impossible to do!)
The patterns in Arts + Crafts are young without being baby-ish, modern without being...well, inappropriate, and appeal to a wide variety of ages and styles. Reves, shown below, is a perfect henley pullover with super cute picot and stripe details, but isn't ver-the-top-girly.
Miroux is a cardigan coat that easily spans all ages -- this is a must knit for both young and old that is really versatile and customizable to your needs/preferences.
And finally, Comfort #291, Book for Girls, is a great accompaniment to the Comfort line of yarn that has quickly become a great basic for us here at the shop. Ferris, shown, below, is a classic Norah Gaughan design that perfectly combines shape and aesthetic interest in a classic way. 
and lastly, Candy, a cute jumper with a little bit of slipped stitch patterning for color and texture. 
as soon as I saw it, which completely baffled Courtney and Kate. When all the Rowan yarns arrived, before it even came out of the box, I think I heard Jenna say "Alpaca and cotton? Isn't that the most ridiculous fiber combination ever?"Yes, it's 72% alpaca and 28% cotton. Yes, it's fuzzy/shaggy. It does shed while you knit it (ask me how I know). And I still say: it's fantastic. Here's why:
It's light and lofty; it knits at a pretty quick gauge (4 sts per inch, US #8), but it isn't bulky at all. It looks fuzzy like a brushed mohair, but it's much lower pile (so it doesn't add visual bulk to your silhouette), and it doesn't itch (because the fuzz is from alpaca, not mohair). It's nowhere near as warm as 100% alpaca would be (because of the cotton).
To look at it another way, this skein has 148 yds and weighs 50g. Let's compare it to some other yarns that knit at 4 sts per inch: Manos Wool Clasica (and you sure won't catch me dissin' Manos) comes in a 100g skein, but if it were 50g, it would have 69 yds -- less than half. Reynolds' Andean Alpaca Regal would have 55. Even a brushed mohair like Classic Elite's La Gran has only 90. And an all-cotton yarn like Schaefer Laurel would be 88.
Compared to all of those yarns, a ball of Alpaca Cotton will go much farther. This has the potential to make it quite cost-effective, but what I want to point out now is that your finished garment will weigh about half what it would if you made it in any of those other yarns.
What particular applications do I imagine for this yarn? I imagine it for ME. I am (for any of you who haven't seen me recently) significantly overweight. I'm too warm more often than I'm too cold, I don't need any yarn that makes me look any bigger than I am, and my current responsibilities preclude knitting myself a sweater in a small gauge. If this description fits you as well, you might want to consider one of these:
All are sized up to 50" finished bust circumference, by the way -- that's a lot of knitters who won't need to rewrite the patterns.
But don't think this yarn is only for those who wear larger sizes. If you like a warm, cuddly sweater without the itch, check this:
And if you want something a little dramatic for fall-into-winter, try this:
In short, not only do I like the yarn, I think this collection does an unparalleled job of matching the designs to the yarn's inherent qualities.
Venlaw Castle
Slain Castle
Culzean Castle
Ardvreck Castle
Previously only available in Danish and Norwegian, it was recently re-published by Interweave Press, complete with yarn substitution recommendations for yarns available in the US. 
Lace Tiered Skirt
Plisse Jacket
and this beautiful vintage and Icelandic inspired cardigan -- we're already scheming a grown-up version of this one for ourselves!
Candy Crochet by Candi Jensen has stylish outfits and blankets for babies and toddlers:
and Organic Baby Knit by the Let's Knit Series
has beautiful and inspirational photographs and projects paired with the best charts around.
Come on in and check them out!
