New Yarn! Louisa Harding Cinnabar

Every once and a while here at Rosie's we like to change things up a bit and try out a new and different yarn. This is especially true in the summer when there are a plethora of unique yarn blends available. (Araucania Ruca anyone?)

Even though it was the depths of winter and we were wrapped in woolies when we first saw Louisa Harding Cinnabar, we new it would be a perfect yarn for spring and summer.Cinnabar is a funky blend of 30% Viscose, 25% Cotton, 15% Acrylic, 10% Silk, 10% Linen, 5% Polyamide and 5% Acetate. Each colorway is 6 unique plies: 2 single plies of a natural color, 2 of a bright and 2 wrapped plies that contain a slub linen bound with a hint of sparkle. There is just enough texture, sheen and color to suit all tastes. We currently carry 6 colors in the shop, and they can be found online here.

Our immediate reaction was to use it in summer accessories -- a drapey scarf as a funky addition to a plain Tshirt, jeans and cute flats, or a shawl or shrugworn over a simple flowy dress for a evening wedding. At 20 sts/4" on US Size 7 needles, it would also be the perfect yarn for a summer cardigan or shell for an outdoor dinner or cocktail party.

If a smaller item is more your style, Cinnabar is featured in a beautiful purse on the cover of Knitting Little Luxuries by Louisa Harding.

Come in, check it out and try something new!

Saving What Date?

Jen just pointed out to me that I had all the information about Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival listed below, except the date. D'oh! We will be going down Saturday May 2nd. Sorry I left that part out!

How to Block A Project

Most patterns end simply with a one-line instruction to block garment to measurements, but perhaps you're wondering just what that means - and why you would take the time to do it.

Does blocking really make that much of a difference in the end result of your knitting? Yes.

Blocking is a way of using water or steam to set the fibers of your knitting and to perfect its shape and symmetry. It expands the fibers -- especially good for ones that bloom like merino or drape, like bamboo. Blocking is handy if you're making a bulky hat, but it's absolutely crucial if you're making a lace shawl or knitting a sweater. Have a look at what this shawl (Frost Flowers Stole, Interweave Knits, Holiday 2008 by Charlene Schurch knit by Lisa out of a laceweight Silk and Cashmere blend from Skaska for those interested) looked like right off the needles:

And a close up for full effect:

Mercy! We know there is a beautiful piece of knitting hidden in there. After blocking, it looks like this:


You can see the stitches are much more clearly defined, the knitting is flat, has grown in size and the lace pattern is much easier to see. A huge difference!

There are multiple ways to block.

Steam Blocking:
If you're in a hurry, lay your knitting out on top of a towel on a flat surface, pin it to your desired measurements and using either a steamer or your iron set to super-steamy mode, pass the iron over the whole piece. (You're not actually ironing here, so hold the iron about 6 inches above the knitting.)

Wet Blocking:

Method A (for things like heavy wool sweaters): Lay your knitting between two damp towels, positioning it so that the arms are even, the hem isn't stretched, and the entire piece is lying flat. Allow the towels to dry.

Method B (the most precise method, especially for lace and shaped items, and the method used for the stole pictured above):
1. Fill a sink with warmish water and a dab of your favorite woolwash and place your knitting into it. Instead of squeezing or agitating in any way, just let it soak. Go watch an episode of yor favorite prime time t.v. show, then come back and drain the water.
2. Carefully squeeze the water out of the knitting very gently without wringing. It would be best to begin squeezing at one end and working your way to the other without wringing.
3. Next, grab a thick towel and lay your garment onto it. Roll the towel up, with the knitting inside of it, like a sushi roll. Press firmly to allow the towel to absorb the excess water. You could even step on the roll if you'd like!
4. Place another towel onto a flat surface with the knitting on top. This is the time when you measure & pin the item out to the specifications given in the knitting pattern schematic. If it's finely worked, has lace, or has a shaped edging, use rustproof pins to pin it in shape. If you are trying to change the length or width a bit (like if your sweater arms came out a little bit too short and you're trying to stretch them), stretch the piece gently until it's the size and shape you want. Pin the piece and allow to dry.

5. Once completely dry, remove all the pins and marvel at your knitting!

Next time you finish your knitting and it looks a little wonky, don't worry. Take the time to block and you too will find a beautiful end result!

It's Time for The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival!

Here's the scoop:

Every year we hire buses to schlep us all down to the wonderful fiber filled Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. It's fun for the whole family, with lots of yarn, sheep, alpacas, delicious fair food and more! There are the typical county fair blue ribbon awards, but instead of pies they're judging handknits from knitters in the great state of Maryland (sorry, I'm biased. It's my home turf!).And don't miss the handspun skein competition.


favorite? The sheep to shawl competition!! Those women are amazing. There are alpacas and llamas and sheep being shown by 4-H-ers and, as always, delicious fair food to eat! Funnel cakes anyone?

The buses leave SATURDAY MAY 2ND at 7:30am - sharp! -- from Rosie's at 2017 Locust St., Philadelphia
We leave the fairgrounds at 4pm (usually back by 6:15).
Two ways to go:

Bargain Ride: coffee at the shop, comfy seat, raffle ticket for good
stuff from Rosie's, time to nap on the way home, $40 if booked by March 15th, $45 after that.

High Flyer: Boxed breakfast (muffin or scone and fresh fruit salad), fresh squeezed oj and coffee at the shop, raffle ticket, NEW! Rosie Tote, comfy seat, naptime, etc., $55 if booked by March 15th, $60 after that.

Join us! Call/email Rosie's to reserve - your payment confirms your seat. 215 977 YARN, or email rosie@rosiesyarncellar.com. The bus always fills, so call to secure yourself a spot today!

Crochet Books!!

We just got a bunch of amazing babies' and kids' crochet books, every one of them guaranteed to make you (and everyone at the playground/baby shower/birthday party) shriek with joy. Here are some of our favorites:

Crochet Designs For Kids by Lucinda Guy

features simple designs with adorable details, like the Dolores Dress:

Baby Crochet by Lois Daykin

where you can find sweet bibs and accessories, like the String of Hearts:

Adorable Crochet for Babies and Toddlers by Lesley Stanfield has hats, blankets, jackets. We're smitten with the cover dress shown below:

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!

March Project of the Month

The March Project of the Month is Jacky's Hat:

This is Clyde.

Designed with earflaps, soft ties (to keep those adorable baby ears cozy, and -- maybe more importantly -- so the hat stays on!) and a cute little elf point, it is knit from the top down for a customizable fit and length.

It's a great use for a skein of Koigu Kersti (so soft, and such wonderful colors). Use Kersti for the optional contrast color as well, or double KPM (if you should happen, by some chance, to have any remnants or mill ends in your stash). Instructions for 0-9 months and 12-18 months.

Click the image below to be taken to the Free pattern page!

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!

Spring Class Schedule

We've got a great variety of classes for every level and interest area this spring. Come on in to sign up, or give us a call at (215) 977-YARN (9276).

Classes:

Beginning Knitting
Thursdays, February 26 - April 2
This is the basic introductory class for those who've never held needles, or for anyone who has but needs a refresher and wants a more thorough grounding. This isn't just a "learn to cast on and knit" class, it's an intensive 6 week class which teaches you to not just knit and purl, but how to read a pattern, measure for size, make buttonholes, knit in the round and on double pointed needles, and how to increase and decrease. By the end of the six weeks students should be able to jump into any of our more advanced classes like Fair Isle Colorwork, Cables and even the sweater class! $125; materials included.

Intermediate Knitting
Mondays, March 2 - April 6

Now that you have taken the beginner's class it's time to step up to the technique plate. This project based class teaches you the foundations of more advanced techniques; cables, lace and color work. We will learn all of these techniques in 6 weeks, divided into 2 week sections. 3 projects-- a bulky cabled hat, fair isle handwarmers and a simple lace stitch scarf-- will have you well on your way to conquering any knitting project in your queue. $125; materials included.

Shetland Lace Shawls

Tuesdays, March 24 & 31, April 14 & 21, May 5
The tiny North Sea islands of Shetland began to produce these intricate square shawls in the mid-eighteen-hundreds. Treasured as heirlooms and for their ethereal beauty, they became popular as wedding shawls; the finely worked lace can be drawn through a wedding ring. You'll complete your own Shetland shawl in this five-session class, which takes place over eight weeks. $100; materials not included. If you're new to lace knitting, we recommend taking our Introduction to Lace class on March 1.

Sunday Workshops:

February 8: Basic Hats/Knitting on Circular and Double Pointed Needles

Learn new skills and end up with a hat at the end of the day! Perfect for those of you who are sick of knitting scarves and are ready to move on to new things. $50, materials included.

No Class February 15th!

February 22: Knitting Socks Toe Up on Circular Needles
Knitting socks from the toe up makes a lot of sense-- you never have to worry about running out of yarn before you get to the toe! Learn to knit them using the magic loop method, Kate's favorite. She firmly believes one should not knit them any other way! $30; pattern included, materials not included.

March 1: Introduction to Lace
If you've always wanted to try your hand at lace knitting but been intimidated, this is the class for you. You'll learn a variety of techniques for basic lace making, including chart-reading, common abbreviations, and how to read a lace pattern. $20. Yarn is included; please bring one set of straight or circular size 7 or 8 needles.

March 8: Continental Knitting

Learn how to carry the yarn with your left hand. Continental knitters consider themselves to be superior knitters, and of course, they are (just kidding!). If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! But, seriously, Continental Knitting tends to be a bit faster and more efficient, once you get the hang of it. A perfect class for those of you interested in the Two-Handed Fair Isle class on March 22!

$20, bring a pair of #6, 7 or 8 needles.

March 15: Spinning With A Drop Spindle
Learn to spin your own yarn using a drop spindle. You'll find out what to do with the gorgeous roving you've seen at craft conventions and fairs. Get creative! $35; materials included.

March 22: Two Handed Fair Isle
Learn to knit with two color of yarn, holding one in the right hand and one in the left. We will be working in the round, so no Continental purling required! $25, bring a pair of double pointed needles in a size you work comfortably on. We'll be providing scrap yarns for you to use.

March 29: Cables and Arans

Learn this simple and complex-looking technique! If you've always wondered how people make those amazing Aran sweaters wonder no more. We'll be learning the basic techniques including how to follow a cable pattern and how to read cable charts. $35, materials included.

April 9: No Class

April 12: No Class

April 19, April 26 & May 3: Trellis Lace Capelet Knit this super cute pattern written by Rosie's Staffer D.C. Boyd! Knit using Rowan 4-Ply Cotton, the perfect summer yarn, this pattern will gear you up for warm weather!

$30, pattern included, materials not included

May 10: Helen's Lace Mother's Day Shawl

A great way to spend Mother's Day. Knit her a shawl, bring your mom and knit shawls together, or get your kids/partner to pony up for you to attend this one day workshop. Using Lorna's Laces "Helen's Lace" you will work with an instructor to tackle the short row shaping of this simple yet elegant shawl. $60, includes materials.

Crochet:

Fourth Monday of each month: This open ended crochet class is more project oriented, perfect for those who have basic skills and want to learn a bit more. Get help reading patterns, learning new techniques, you name it and Courtney's got you covered. $20/session, please RSVP to courtney@rosiesyarncellar.com or 215-977-9276.

Give the shop a call to sign up for any of the classes, or email courtney@rosiesyarncellar.com. And remember, we are continually adding new classes to the schedule. If you don't see what you need give us a call. As always, we also offer private lessons to help you along your way. Call for details.
Think Spring!

New Debbie Bliss Magazine!

The new issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine just arrived! Included are, as usual, great designs from Debbie Bliss! How appropriate.

Great designs for women, in three stories. There's a lot of great summer sweaters in this one, but remember, many of them are designed for chilly British summer evenings so expect a lot of designs that translate well into great year round office wear, perfect for the chilly summer air conditioning or for if you're always too hot to knit yourself a wool sweater.

Great designs for the wee babes as well! Debbie Bliss does it best.

And a wonderful and innovative home dec section. Great summery afghans for your shore knitting and some great ideas for sprucing up your home on your Spring cleaning binge (yeah, right!).

Enjoy!