Rosie's Featured Yarn of The Week!

Starting today and continuing throughout the summer, Rosie's will be featuring a different yarn each week, highlighting its properties, uses and special features. As an added bonus to you, we will also offer the yarn at 10% off* for the week that it is featured!

This week we are proud to kick-off with Rowan Pure Life Cotton.

Pure Life Cotton, an organic naturally dyed 2-ply cotton, is part of a new line of yarns from Rowan that are certified by BioRe, (part of the Swiss group Remei), an organization that supports social and environmental practices worldwide. It is the perfect way to incorporate environmental and social consciousness into your summer knitting! Rowan Pure Life Cotton comes in 8 colors, each naturally dyed in very subtle beautiful shades.

Rowan has also put out a pattern booklet, the aptly named organic cotton collection, featuring 18 designs by Marie Wallin. I am particularly enamored with Busy Lizzie (at left):

Knit in 9-11 skeins of Quebracho Bark, it is a perfect sweater for seasonal transitions, breezy summer evenings or to wear in over-airconditioned buildings -- a particular point of annoyance for me!

Yarn Specs:
22 sts and 30 rows = 4"
131 yards per 50g ball
Yarn of the week price: $9.00/skein!

*Both in-store and on-line! Woot!

Koigu Mill End Ankle Socks

Koigu Mill Ends...ummmmm...they’re like candy; small,
addictive and so sweet to knit with.
There are so many things you can make with the ends
we’re selling here at Rosie’s:
hats, mittens, scarves, socks... the list goes on.

The other day while savagely rummaging through the mill
ends, I found a lovely little vintage pink end along
with a bigger one that has a cotton candy dreamscape-like
colorway. Inspired, I quickly cast on for these very
cute ankle socks.

I wanted a particularly “ankle-sock-looking” heel and
to try something different. I finally found the Welsh
heel in Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. The heel flap is
worked on 31 stitches to include a “seam stitch,”
which streams down, giving the heel more character
than your average slip stitch heel flap. Turning the
heel is by far the most exciting part for me. The Welsh
heel includes yarn overs, decreases on either side of
the “seam stitch,”and short row shaping, creating a
very accommodating heel.

The 2x2 rib pattern I use for the instep makes up for it though.
Often ankle socks have a bad reputation for slipping off while en route.
Although the ribbing may seem run of the mill(ha! ha!)
it provides for a nice, snug fit, making it less likely
to slip down your ankle and bunch up in your shoe.
Don’t you just hate that?

I had a good time knitting these footies; it was quick
and only used 50 grams of Koigu, which is how much is
in a regular skein. Come by Rosie's, summer sock knitting awaits you...




Koigu Mill End Ankle Socks
SIZE: Women’s medium

MATERIALS:
50 grams (175 yards) of Koigu Mill Ends:
MC: dreamscape
CC: vintage pink

Needles:
Size US 2 (3.0mm) double pointed needles (or size to obtain gauge)
Size US 0 (2.0mm) double pointed needles

GAUGE: 7 sts and 11 rows = 1 inch over st st on larger needles. It is imperative you knit a gauge swatch.

ABBREVIATIONS:
SS= seam stitch
SSK= Slip next two sts, one at a time, as if to purl,
then knit together through back loop.
MC= main color
CC= contrast color

Cuff:
With CC and size 2 needle, CO 60 sts.
Divide onto 3 dpns, 20 sts on each needle.
Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist sts.
Switch to size 0 needles.

Work 6 rows of K1,P1 rib.
Switch to US 2 needles.
Divide for heel flap:
(Heel flap is worked back and forth on 31 stitches)
Row 1: Sl 1, k14, p1(ss), k15, turn,
Row 2: Sl 1, p14, k1(ss), p15, turn,
Rep these 2 rows fourteen more times. (30 heel flap rows worked)

Turn heel:
Row 1: (RS) Sl 1, k4, yo, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1, p1(ss), k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, turn.
Row 2: (WS) yo, p to ss, k1(ss), p to 10 sts beyond ss, turn.
Row 3: (RS) yo, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1, p1(ss), k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, turn.

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 four more times– 18 sts

Next Row: (WS) sl 1, p to ss, k1, p7, p2tog– 17 sts; 8 sts on either side of ss.

Gusset:
With RS facing and MC, k8, pick up and k 15 sts along right side of heel flap, k3, *p2, k2* across instep, pick up and k 15 sts along left side of heel flap, k remaining 9 sole sts. (76 sts)

Note: Row will now begin and end at center of sole of foot. Place markers if knitting magic loop or using 2 circular needles-- 29 instep sts, pm, 23 right side, pm, 24 left side.

Next Row: k to last 2 sts of gusset, k2tog, k3 *p2, k2* across instep, ssk, k to end of row.
Row 2: work even as established
Rep these 2 rows until you have 59 sts total.

Foot:
Work even until foot measures 6 3/4" (or 2" less than total desired foot length)

Toe:
Row 1: With CC, k to last 3 st, k2tog, k1, pm, k1, ssk, k to last 3
sts on instep, k2tog, k1,pm, k1, ssk, k to end.
Row 2: work even as established

Repeat these two rows until there 3 stitches on each needle. K1, k2tog--8 stitches.

Arrange 8 sts so that are 4 sts on two needles, graft using Kitchener Stitch. Weave in ends.

Make second sock to match.

Knit in Public Day

We had a great sidewalk sale yesterday in honor of Knit in Public Day. It was time for Spring cleaning, and lots of yarn went to good homes, making room for all the great stuff we got at TNNA last weekend.

There is still some sale yarn at the shop, so if you didn't make it this weekend no worries. We've got plenty of great yarn at great sale prices all summer long.Clyde and I came down and did a little shopping (there is still some Jaeger Trinity floating around the sale bins...) and then headed over to the park and met up with the 3rd St. Ravelers and Rosie's crew to do a little knitting, snacking (delicious cookies!) and socializing.Stacy and Lisa S. set up a nice spot for us and Clyde showed his appreciation by eating Stacy's Cookie A. pattern.We had a great turnout, and it was good to get out in the warm weather after with everyone to just knit and have fun.We had a few onlookers who were definitely curious about why so many of us were knitting in the park, which was fine, and we also got to see someone's wedding party get their photos done (with hot pink bridesmaid dresses!) and we saw Andrea's wedding photos. It was also great to see everyone's projects. Sometimes I only get to see your projects when something is going horribly wrong! (This is where I would insert a photo of Lisa J's Noro blanket that Meg designed but instead I am kicking myself for not taking a picture!)And at the end of the day, when we headed back to Rosie's to escape the heat, Clyde made a new friend! (Insert "Awwww..." track here).

World Wide Knit in Public Day Sidewalk Sale!

In honor of World Wide Knit in Public day, Rosie's is holding a Sidewalk Sale on Saturday June 14th from 10am-6pm.

We are conveniently located just 1 block off of Rittenhouse Square, a hop, skip and a jump from the 3rd Street Raveler's KIP Day event. Stop by for amazing deals on some of your favorite yarns or to grab the spare crochet hook, dpn or notion you may have left behind.

Check out our website for more info! We look forward to seeing you there!

Knit So Fine Blog Tour, Day 2

Welcome to day 2 of the Knit So Fine blog tour! Carol and Andrea Lyn had a great time talking yesterday on the Fiber Forum.
It's Courtney here and today I am interviewing Lisa Myers, who is also incidentally the owner of Rosie's (ie, my boss!).
So today's yarn is Rowan Yarn Classic Cashsoft 4-Ply, but first: Congratulations on the book!

Lisa: Thanks! It's great to see it in print finally.

C: You guys did a really great job making accessible what have before been considered "niche" yarns. I know a lot of knitters were afraid of smaller gauges, but more specifically I think manufacturers and publishers thought there was no market for it when in fact we knitters knew it was the next trend. There is no other way to get that tailored look than a fine gauge knit.

L: Which we should have seen coming, since ready-to-wear has been showing us really fitted stuff for years. And if you want to make things with shape -- not just boxy cardigans, but blazers or boleros or bedjackets -- you're going to need yarns that allow you to shape the fabric.

C: Exactly. I know that large gauges are great for a quick scarf but anyone who's ever tried to knit a sweater at 2 sts per inch knows that unless you are a size 0 you are going to look like a linebacker.

L: But those size-0 people need finer yarns too, because at 2 sts per inch, every stitch makes such a big difference that you can't get precise fit.

C: The finer the yarn, the more you can DO to your sweater too. Your cables can get more intricate, your colorwork more defined.

L: Even though fit is the most important thing, I admit that all the patterning possibilities -- like cables and such -- were what excited me about the book. As you can maybe sort of tell from some of the stuff I did.

C:

Yeah, I got that.


C: The cables were really amazing on the legwarmers and the gloves. I've always loved that traveling stitch Bauerliches Stricken look. And the keyhole shaping detail on the back of the calf is incredible. I admire your attention to detail when it comes to making design and fit/function come together. I've always thought that it isn't enough to just make the thing fit but that the form has to have...whatever the design equivalent to "conceptual purpose" would be.

L: That's one of the things I love about knitting -- it's an observation Charlene Schurch makes in Mostly Mittens, that it's cool to be making the fabric and shaping it at the same time -- I love to be able to turn the functional parts into design elements, and vice versa.

What's really hard about something like a book, though, is that space is limited, so you're always trying to give people good value -- which usually means the most designs in a given number of pages -- which means writing the legwarmer directions for one leg, and then adding only the vaguest suggestions about how to customize and adjust. But everybody really needs to adjust, because there's no point doing this kind of work and not making it fit, and it's not that difficult to make it fit at your ankle, your calf, your knee, etc.

C: I think most knitters have really taken on fit as the next technical challenge. So many of our customers now say things like 'oh, i never follow the pattern exactly. My arms are so short or my waist is really high,' etc. People are becoming their own designers more and more, which is really impressive.

On integrated shaping, one of the garments that also really struck me is the Dolman Top that Laura did. Maybe it's not shaping but the construction here that is so fascinating.


L: I love Laura's dolman. There's a case where the shaping is the major part of the design story, and where the whole style is kind of dependent on gauge -- a dolman at a bulky gauge won't drape well, won't be comfortable with all that fabric at the underarm.

C: Yeah, but here the drape is perfect. The design is really dependent on the gauge here, but also the fiber itself. The same design in another fiber--a shetland or a rayon/cotton--and you've got a whole other sweater.

L: For some reason, fiber content seemed to matter more in this book than most. Maybe because narrowing the range of weights made us really aware of the huge variety of fiber blends and yarn structures available right now. And maybe because thin yarns have been, as you said, sort of a niche product for a few years -- manufacturers have targeted specific types of knitting, like socks, or lace, or shetland jumper-weight. You can get all-wool yarns for any of those, but they'll be so different: tightly-spun and multi-plied yarns for socks, supersoft/superfine for lace, the traditional lofty, heathery Shetland look. Cashsoft 4-ply is really different from all of those, though: it's merino/microfiber/cashmere, so it's very very soft but also washable.


C: It's true. Aside from baby yarns, smaller gauges are niche-y. Cashsoft 4-Ply is just *yarn*, but smaller. Though it's also great for heirloom baby items. But washable ones.

L: And durable ones. All the RYC Cashsoft yarns are fairly durable (for what they are -- I'm not pretending merino or cashmere aren't fragile), but the physics of yarn means that the lightest weight is going to be the most durable, just because it's the finest.

C: Huh? Are all the Cashsofts technically 4-plies?

L: Here we come up against the yarn-name problem: as you know, Cashsoft 4-Ply has 4-Ply in the name because there's a traditional yarn weight in England that they call "4-ply" (it's what we in the U.S. tend to call "fingering" or "baby" weight). But any yarn made of 4 strands twisted together is a 4-ply, including Cashsoft Aran (more or less our "worsted" weight), and Cashsoft DK ("sport"). It's just that the component strands, the 4 plies, are thinner in the DK than the aran, and thinnest of all in the 4-Ply.

BUT the thinner the strand, the more tightly it has to be spun to hold together. And the more tightly a yarn is spun, the less vulnerable to abrasion it is.

C: So, the thinner the ply the more durable, as in less pill-y. Right?

L: Yes, thinner plies + more twist per inch = less vulnerable yarn.

C: The Cashsoft 4-Ply seems to have a lot of twist per inch for something as lofty as it is, it's certainly not overspun but it has great stitch definition. I mean, you can practically count the rows per inch on the photo of Laura's Dolman! I wonder how much of the definition is attributable to the microfiber giving it strength and a "sheen" and how much of it is the cashmere giving it a soft hand and fluffiness. What's the exact content again?

L: 57% merino, 33% acrylic microfibre, 10% cashmere.

C: The long staple of the merino must be helped by the 4 plies making up the yarn. Long staple fiber gives it strength, as does the acrylic microfiber. The merino is also what gives it that soft hand, but the plies make it a practical choice for the main fiber in the blend. We all know how disappointing a merino can be when it isn't structurally sound, it is great to touch, but don't touch too much or you'll end up with a pill-y smashed nightmare of a sweater.

L: Agreed.

C: Well, I want to thank you for chatting with us all about these great technical aspects. There really is so much that goes into good design. You guys all did such a great job, again, congratulations!

One Approach to Beads

Beads knitted into stuff look so cool, but the process can be such a pain -- the traditional method, which is to string all the beads onto the yarn before the knitting begins, and then slide them up to the needles as needed, is slow and frustrating and puts an awful lot of stress on the yarn. Recently, we've seen some techniques for adding beads "as you go" (that is, putting the bead onto the yarn as you knit the stitch that needs it). This is a big improvement.

Most of the instructions I've seen for this, however, call for special tools: a "beadle" (which is like a teeny tiny latch-hook, for those of you old enough to remember latch-hooked rugs), or a minute crochet hook. And to make them work, you need a bead with a hole large enough for the tool to pass through. Because beads are quite heavy (for their size), I find that I usually want to use a bead too small for my tools.

In fact, let me say up front that the spot where I most often want a bead is at the edge of a lace shawl. With the ultrafine yarns in some shawls, I like to add just a little weight, to improve the drape of the finished product. The old-fashioned method of stringing the beads first is out of the question, because the yarn is fragile (and because laceweight skeins are typically hundreds of meters long -- I don't want to be sliding 200 beads down 800 meters of yarn from the moment I cast on 7 sts at the back of the neck).

Here's an alternative. You'll need a 6-inch length of heavy-duty sewing thread in a color that contrasts with your beads and your knitting yarn.

My demonstration project is Evelyn Clark's Swallowtail shawl from Interweave Knits Fall '06. The yarn is merino laceweight from Cinnamon's Dyepot. The pattern called for nupps in the last pattern section, but it only took a few p3togs to send me to the bead shop. These are #6 beads, I think.

Step 1: Work the bead row, making each stitch that's going to get a bead a plain knit stitch. The beads get added on the following row.

Step 2: Work in pattern to the stitch that needs a bead. Then take your length of sewing thread and pass one end of it through the stitch.


Step 3: Bring the two ends of the thread together and hold them as if you were going to thread a needle. (You can't see the knit stitch in this picture; it's behind my thumb.)

Step 4: Push the ends of the thread through a bead.

Step 5: Slide the bead down the thread loop until it reaches the knit stitch.


Step 6: By pulling on the thread loop, lift the knit stitch off the left needle. Then push the bead further down the loop until it transfers onto the stitch.
Step 7: Put the knit stitch back onto the left needle. Have a little care not to twist the stitch (though it probably won't show if you miss, since the twist will be in the bead).

Step 8: Work the stitch. (This one is purled, because it's a wrong-side row.) The bead is almost invisible here; it's just below the right-hand needle and looks like it's between the first two stitches.

Step 9: Turn the work around and admire it. (This step is essential.) The bead in question here is on the fourth stitch on the left needle, right near my forefinger.

Repeat steps 2 through 9 as necessary.

Depending on how big your project is, you may need more than 6" of sewing thread -- the ends get limp after awhile and need to be trimmed (or the whole thread replaced). Buttonhole twist is more durable than plain sewing thread, but it's also thicker, which may be a problem with the smallest beads.

What I like about this technique is that it doesn't just make a really fidgety technique a little less fidgety, it makes it totally reasonable. From "gorgeous, but who's going to do THAT?" to "sure, I can handle a few slow rows" with one piece of sewing thread. You should try it!

Springtime in Philadelphia

Going on a car trip in the next few days (or just happily contemplating all the possibilities of one more day off)? Looking for something beautiful to knit and a super cute project to try out the new Koigu Mori? Wondering what the heck happened to spring?


Why not check out "Springtime in Philadelphia", Kate's new free beret pattern?!

Harlot in the Hood

If you haven't already heard the very LOUD buzz, the Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee will be in town tomorrow as part of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Book Festival

From the Library's website:

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee | Things I Learned from Knitting (Whether I Wanted To or Not)
Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 12:00PM
Citibank Main Stage

The irreverent spokeswoman for today’s knitting revival, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee—a.k.a. the Yarn Harlot—is the author of several books on knitting, as well as keeper of the popular blog, www.yarnharlot.com. In Things I Learned from Knitting, she examines age-old aphorisms—e.g., “hope springs eternal”—with respect to knitting, casting them in a punchy, upbeat light.

Stop by the shop, we're open from 12-5 - we have copies of her book, and I wouldn't be shocked at all if she stoked your yarn addiction just a teensy bit - and of course, we got yarn!

Sea Silk Has Arrived

Sea Silk from Handmaiden arrived today in eight great new colors.
In my (not so humble) opinion our camera has washed them out a bit, they are lovely and vibrant. Really rich colors that shine! If you didn't make the Montego Bay Scarf from Interweave, now is your chance. It's a great summer knitting project, particularly with the yarn it is intended to be knit in. Seacell, which is a seaweed derived fiber, is cool and lightweight and it is thematically appropriate for beach knitting.

We also got in Mini Maiden, which is a single ply fineweight silk blend in these lovely colors
Stop on in and check it out!

Sheep and Wool

Maryland Sheep and Wool was a success.  Everyone came, they bought Koigu, they got on the buses, we didn't forget anyone, we shopped, we ate, we came home, again not forgetting anyone, I got a horrible sinus infection and have been in bed ever since.

But I got some great yarn, so it's all worth it. 

I hope you all had a great time.  Rosie's Knitting Circle is hosting a Wine and Wind (as in winding yarn, not as in the wind blowing) party tomorrow night for you all to show off your goods.  I hope everyone can come out, mostly because I'm noosey (pron. news-ie, a philly-ism not a misspelling) and want to see what you all got!  Clyde and I will be there with our purchases and some snacks.  Wendy, can you bring a corkscrew?

We have some spaces left!

Guess what folks?

WE'VE GOT SPACES FOR SHEEP & WOOL!

We've had about 10 spaces open up. Call us at the shop to reserve a seat. It's also worthwhile stopping by if you're in the neighborhood in the morning. Buses pull of at 7:30am & seats are first come, first serve, so hurry!

Interweave Summer Is Here

The new issue of Interweave Knits arrived yesterday. Everyone knows that summer is a slow knitting season. It's funny, I think we are busy all year round, it just changes in the summer. We still get the folks who stop in to get their cotton yarn for their summer shell or tank, but those customers are few and far between these days. More often, the scarf knitters stop coming in until it gets chilly again and we are left with the real die-hards. And, in my experience, the die-hards don't stop knitting their fair isle cardigans or Manos afghans just because of a little thing like 85 degree weather! Probably they will pick up another little project, like a lace shawl or some socks for beach knitting.
The summer issue of Interweave Knits really reflects our customers projects. There is lots of lace, and we had what we call around here "The Summer of Lace" last year when everyone knit shawls, and this winter we were selling sweater projects left and right as our customer base expanded their knitting horizons and now this summer we are seeing lots of lace sweaters!

Leaf Kimono Top by Sarah Barbour
Louet Euroflax Sport Weight (avail. in the shop)

Apres Surf Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio
RYC Cashcotton 4-Ply
This one is already in my Ravelry queue!

This issue also has a great article celebrating the 50th anniversary of Schoolhouse Press! Learn the history of the conception of the great Press that was the brainchild of knitter Elizabeth Zimmerman. No one would publish her books after the publication of Knitting Without Tears and Knitter's Almanac so she, very successfully, took matters into her own hands and Schoolhouse Press was born. Also included is the pattern for her popular Maltese Hats, reprinted with additional notes and color chart by Meg Swansen. I think I know what Clyde is getting for his 6 month birthday!

Maltese Hats--Reconsidered
14 sts/10 cm for baby size (try it in Rapture!)
11 sts/10 cm for others (try it in Rowan Country! avail. in the shop)

And to round out your summer knitting experience there's a great pair of socks in a simple colorwork pattern. A good colorwork project if you are hoping to one day make a fair isle sweater as it includes some charted shaping for the gusset. This is a nice manageable beach project and would be a good use for some Koigu mill ends mixed with a nice bright solid to balance out the multis.

Windowpane Socks by Chrissy Gardiner
Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock (avail. in the shop)

So that's my Interweave update for summer. You can always view more and score some free patterns from the Interweave website.

Get There Early...

Or it might just be too late.

I hate to do this to you, I know that you'll all be rising early on Saturday to get the bus.

However, we thought it would be worth it. The shop will officially open at 6:30 am on Saturday. I ask that you arrive on time and act in an orderly fashion. You are all also responsible for caffeinating yourselves and getting on the buses in time for the 7:30 departure.

The Koigu people send their regards, and apologize for not being able to attend the MSW Fest this year.

And they've sent us their mill ends.

Come and get 'em Saturday morning.

The fine print:

Mill ends will be on sale starting at 6:30 am until the buses leave. It is your responsibility to get yourself on the bus in time for departure. We will then reopen at 10 am. Mill ends will be on sale during regular business hours, 10-6 so if you aren't going to Maryland don't worry! You can come in and buy them all day (and the next day or the next and so on). If you can't get to Rosie's early you can also purchase mill ends or anything else you need when the buses get back. Don't worry, we have lots of them. Mill ends are $0.15 per gm ($7.50 per 50 gms, regular koigu price $12 per 50 gms). After Saturday the mill ends go up to their regular price of $0.24 per gram.

Questions? Call us at 215-977-YARN (9276)

Crochet Tonight

Just a quick reminder that tonight from 5-7 is our once monthly Crochet Drop-In. Whether you need help on a pattern or need to learn how to crochet from scratch we've got you covered.
$20 per person for the 2 hours.
Hope to see you there!

--If you can, RSVP in comments or call the shop at 215-977-YARN

Galina Khmeleva Scarf in Piecework

The new issue of Piecework arrived today.  

The pattern on the cover is by Galina Khmeleva, Orenberg lace expert and author of Gossamer Webs Design Collection.  It is a relatively easy pattern utilizing the techniques used in Russian Orenberg lace shawls.  Knit this project using 2 skeins of Jade Sapphire 2-Ply Cashmere, available in the shop in these colors:

Silver Fern

Smokey Mountains

Little Girl Pink (yes, it's really called that!)

Mahogany

Stop in to see the pattern and pet the yarn!

Cutest Bags Ever!

We were lucky the day Wendy wandered into a shop in town and found a great knitting bag. How so, you ask? Well, Wendy is persistent and she found out who made the tote bag she got. A few phone calls later I had the pleasure of meeting a woman in town who makes these gorgeous bags. Her company is called Hanna and she makes bags of all sizes from kimono fabrics. She is from Japan and brings fabric back to the States with her every year when she goes home to visit. She made these great notions bags for us and she is bringing more after Maryland Sheep and Wool, along with some new shapes and sizes, and maybe some totes. I was so thrilled to find someone local making such exquisite bags. I love being able to support local craftspeople. Everyone should be able to work doing what they love!

And on another note, Happy Earth Day everyone and don't forget to vote!

Koigu Mori Shawl

I couldn't resist, I took home 3 skeins of the new Koigu Mori last night to play with and I'm hooked. After swatching a few different things I came up with this It's a simple stitch and shows the varigation well. You all know I am a sucker for yarn over patterns, just look at Maude and Geyl. This is truly a pleasure to knit with, the yarn is silky and cool in the hand, which I need today! and the drape is unbelievable.

You can see in the picture below that when blocked, or allowed to stretch out the "ribs" of the k2togs line up nicely and the yarn overs create a nice ladder effect. But when the fabric is allowed to collapse on itself its got an effect that reminds me of the surface of choppy water. The pattern is worked on both sides and the yarn overs are stacked on one another which makes the vertical of the yarn overs have very little structure, which is what causes the pattern to collapse on itself. The yarn overs all slant to the right, which gives the look of a bias stitch pattern when the fabric is allowed to relax.

I think that once this is wrapped around my neck it's really going to look great because of the complexity of the fabric structure, the drape, and the stretch. The pattern is available at Rosie's and is free with the purchase of the yarn. I think (I've worked through one ball of the Mori so far) that 4 skeins is going to be just right, which makes it a nice even $100 project. The finished measurements are working out to be about 12" wide by 50" long, but given the nature of the fabric it is much wider when stretched, and I don't know quite how this yarn is going to block out (I think it isn't going to hold a block due to the drape), and that once it is worn it is going to grow in length due to the collapse of the fabric. I'll keep you posted!

Mori

It's here! I know we made you wait a little longer for it, but it's going to be worth the wait. There are top secret boxes in the back labelled "Do Not Open Until Sheep and Wool!" which is making the staff a bit twitchy. In the meantime, I think we can keep ourselves busy with Mori. New from Koigu, it's a 50% merino and 50% Mulberry silk blend at a slightly finer gauge (you were right Wendy) than the KPPM. It's 185 yds per 50 gms instead of the 175 yds per 50 gms. Here is a sampling of the colors

We're going to be winding up a ball, come on in and take it for a test drive!

Rosie's Band Wagon

And the race begins...to complete Rowan Studio 9, Girly 2 by Sarah Hatton. Three of the Rosie's staff members have embarked on the quest of making this super cute, totally adorable cropped sweater. No doubt Kate will be altering this one. Stacy and D.C. worked on the swatches yesterday (yes, we swatch SERIOUSLY) and have casted on, long-tail, of course. We like those elastic hems. Stacy's using the Pure Wool in some really sumptuous colors, I have to say. D.C. is using the Classic Elite Classic One-Fifty and Kate is definitely using something beautiful. If you want to join us we'll be happy to help you get started. If you would like to stay true to form we carry all four colors of the Rowan Calmer that the pattern calls for. We so look forward to our "girly" photo shoot!

New Silk and Wool Koigu?

One of the amazing things we found at TNNA in January was that Koigu was bringing out a new yarn. It's the same KPPPM we love, but 50% merino and 50% silk. Wow! The silk gives the yarn a sheen that is out of sight, the colors are rich and vibrant, it is silky but the spin of the wool that gives it that characteristic "bounce" keeps the silk from getting too drapey. This one's a keeper. We got the call from them that the yarn is on it's way this week and we are on pins and needles awaiting it's arrival.

And, as we all know, Koigu and their mill ends will sadly not be at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival but the silk will be here before May 3rd, so that's some consolation. They also promised to tuck a little (no, a lot) of something in with the silk/wool to make it up to you all. Can't say anything about it yet, but if you're taking the bus you may want to get here early...