With the weather starting to slightly cool off knitting needles are starting to be dusted off and new projects started or old ones finished. Now is the time to start thinking about holiday knitting and gift giving. At least I need to start thinking about what I need to get knitted. My youngest son could use a new pair of handknitted socks as last winter he tried very hard to wear mine. There was the hint from another family member that a new hat might be nice. A sweater for my husband? No. He is making one for himself. Bev has taught him well and he is doing great.

Fall also means new yarns for us to enjoy and create these perfect gifts. The yarn reps have been here and the new yarns are coming in weekly. Here is a quick rundown of some of the new temptations for you.

Claudia Handpaints - Two new yarns are here. They are fingering weight which is great for socks but think about a shawl, scarf or hat. The colors in her yarns are so amazingly beautiful and soft, a delight for the eyes and hands. I also have a shawl kit in a variety of colors using Claudia’s boucle yarn and lace weight.

Elsebeth Lavold will never disappoint us. Coming is silky wool XL, the same great yarn as silky wool just in a heavier weight along with a new pattern book. This yarn is a heavy worsted weight with Elsebeth’s great colors. Gauge 3.75-4.5 st/ inch on needle sizes 7-10US with 104 yds per ball.

Mirasol has Ushya coming. This is a lofty soft super bulky yarn and is very different from anything else they have currently. Gauge 2-2.5 st / inch needle size 15US with 114 yds per ball. Sad news from Mirasol is that they have discontinued both Hacho and Chirpa. Chirpa was clearanced out earlier so there is only a small amount left, Hacho will be discounted 25% until it is gone.

Here already is more JJ’s Kaleidoscope handpainted New Zealand wool. The company is selling it at a discounted rate so I can pass this on to you. Are you sitting? Good, imagine 430 yds DK weight yarn great for felting, sweater, scarves, hats, mittens, etc., for only $15.00, originally $27.95. I do not know if I will be able to re-order when these skeins are sold out. Also from JJ’s, a fantastic hand painted mohair. I knit a great lacy scarf with one skein, 8 ½” wide and 60” long. This is being sold at $15/skein for you to enjoy. The sample scarf I knit has a strand of a silver thread carried along. I can wind a skein with either a silver or gold thread for $5.00 extra. Really adds a nice spark to the finished product.

Frogtree came out with Pediboo for socks. This is love at first sight or love at first touch. 80% superwash merino and 20% bamboo. This yarn feels amazing and will really show off lace and cables well. The only downside if you can call it that is it has 255 yds, so for larger sizes you will need two skeins. On ravelry there is a pair made with one skein for a size 6 ½. Needle sizes 0-3. I would use a 1 or 2 with this yarn for myself. Don’t forget this is a fair-trade yarn.

All Martingale books will be on sale the entire month of September with a savings of 30%. Let me know if you would like one of their books ordered. Check their website as they have books on crochet, knitting, felting, quilting and more. These books make great gifts.

Classes

Ridgeway Sweater with Bev – This is a great sweater for him or her (yourself) and starting now this sweater can easily be done by Christmas. The Ridgeway can be done in either light worsted weight yarn or bulky and can be done either right side out or inside out (curious yet)? Ridgeway sweater class will be meeting Monday evenings 6-8pm, Sept 13, Oct 4, Nov 1 and if needed, Dec 6.

Cost $35 to instructor plus supplies.

Braids Cardigan – Another Cabin Fever pattern will be offered by Bev starting in November. This will easily become a favorite sweater. Meeting Friday evenings 6-8p, Nov 5, Dec 10 and Jan 7 with one more class in Feb if needed.

Cost $35 to instructor plus supplies

Claire will be offering two Norwegian knitting classes starting with a two color hat in a Norwegian pattern. Learn and practice 2 color knitting, knitting in the round, and using double point needles. You can start the hat on circular needles then go to double points when needed at the top. Meeting Saturday afternoons 2-5pm Oct 23 and Oct 30.

Cost $20 to instructor plus supplies

Claire’s next class is Norwegian mittens which you can make to match the hat or take this class on its own. Saturday afternoons 2-5pm Nov 13,20 and Dec 11

Cost $30 plus supplies

Laura is offering two classes this fall. The first is a repeat of the Entrelac handbag from last spring. She has several clarifications so the pattern is easier to follow but the results are just as dramatic. See samples in the shop. She is offering her classes on Thursday evenings 5:30-7:30pm, Oct 7, 14, 21, & 28^th.

Cost $35 to instructor plus supplies.

Laura is also offering a beginning lace shawl class. Shawls are so beautiful and easy to wear. Learn lace knitting, increasing, decreasing and reading lace graphs. Thursday evenings 5:30-7:30pm, Nov 11, 18 and Dec 2.

Cost $35 to instructor plus supplies

Anna has found a job. We are so happy for her especially as she said she would like to continue teaching classes. Her schedule is a bit up in the air right now but she would like to teach a felted mitten class starting Saturday Sept 25 and Oct 9, 10a-12pm. This might change.

Cost $25 to instructor plus supplies.

Anna would like you to know that if you have a group of 3 or more who would like to learn a technique or take a class not offered please let us know as we will work with you to make it happen.

Kris Henderson of Delights glass designs would like you to know that she will offer classes in fused glass to groups of 4 or more. Each class meets in two parts – the first part is 4-5 hours to design your glass pieces and the second part meets after the firing to put the findings on the pieces. Call for details, 563-382-6027.

Final note, Vesterheim will have a Quilting, sewing, and embroidery “stash sale” Sep. 10 from 1p-5p, and Sept 11 from 8a-2p. Fabric, supplies, notions, books, magazines, DVDs, and patterns from the estate of award-winning quilter Trudy Wasson. Donated by the family to benefit Vesterheim.

Also check out classes offered by Vesterheim at www.vesterheim.org.

Trunk show through September is Sockyarn Balloon Tying Creations, CID Hanscom designs. Come in and enjoy these whimsical creatures. Great way to use up left over sock yarn. Stop in and knit along Saturday, Sept 25, 2-4pm. Bring in your own leftover sock yarn and have fun.

Classes coming after Christmas

Twined knitting – hat

Twined knitting – socks

Twined knitting mittens

Basic socks on two needles

Knit a Norwegian family

Beginner’s Class – Every Monday evening, 6-8 pm, and Saturday, 3-5 pm. Come when you are able. Call ahead for availability.