January 2012
Blue Heron Knittery
Newsletter
Phone: 563-517-1059
The past three months have been incredibly busy at the shop. We are just finishing up inventory which was another large undertaking. This week I have a couple of yarn reps coming in to show the new lines coming out for summer, so I must tell you about some of the new yarns that are already here.
Excitement ran high the day a box came from Malabrigo. This yarn had been ordered in August and arrived mid December. Arroyo is a new line for Malabrigo. We have 8 colors and look forward to getting in more. The name Arroyo refers to a brook or a stream in Spanish and is a super soft washable merino wool. The gauge is about 20-22 stitches per 4 inches using a US 4-6 needle with 335 yds per skein. The box also contained some Malabrigo worsted and a nice collection of sock yarn. Malabrigo’s colors are truly amazing and must be seen and touched to be appreciated.
From Blue Heron yarns we have Rayon Metallic, 550 yards of dreamy colors with a metallic sparkle. Uses a 5-6 US needle.
Tara Tweed is a new tweed 80% wool and 20% nylon with a fun tweed. This yarn knits nicely and shows cables well. This yarn will be a nice choice for sweaters and other garments. Gauge is 18 stitches for 4 inches and retails for $7.50 per ball.
Tweeds are so much fun we brought in Cascade’s 128 tweed in a chunky weight, 14 stitches per 4 inches retailing for $9.95 per skein.
Classes
Remember, you get 10% off all yarns and supplies purchased during or for classes
Laura will be teaching the Brioche technique in a series of three classes beginning with a scarf in one color. Learn the basic technique while knitting a cozy scarf. Eco Duo from Cascade is recommended for the incredible softness which makes the Brioche stitch even more wonderful. This class will meet Monday January 16 from 6-8 pm. Cost is $5 for instruction and pattern plus supplies (Eco Duo is $12.50 each for 197 yards and uses a 7 or 8 needle). You should be comfortable with the knit stitch.
The second class will continue to explore Brioche by knitting a hat in two colors. This class will meet Monday January 23 and 30, 6-8 pm. Cost is $15 plus supplies. The model in the shop is knit using Frogtree’s meriboo.
The third class will be a scarf in two colors. Class will meet February 6 and 13, 6-8 pm. Cost is $15 for instructor plus supplies. The two color hat and scarf classes may need one more meeting which will be decided on during class time.
Bev will be teaching another Norwegian sweater class starting Saturday Feb 18, starting at 10 am. This class is scheduled to meet 3 times with 2nd and 3rd class dates to be determined by students and instructor. Under Bev’s guidance you will learn to knit a sweater the Norwegian way. And, yes, you will have to do a gauge swatch. Cost is $40 for the instructor plus materials.
Bev has had a couple of people talk to her about doing a Knit Swirl jacket. Let us know if you might be interested in this amazing sweater which is flattering on so many different body types. Bev is looking at either Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons.
Bev would also like to continue teaching from the Seamless or Nearly Seamless Sweater book or a Cabin Fever pattern, Button Up Your Top Down, The Ridgeway or Braided Cardigan. She will teach any sweater you want from this selection. This class will be scheduled when there are 4-6 students. Please let us know if you are interested in knitting a sweater with Bev.
Looking way ahead to June or July, Bev would like to do a 4 hour workshop on knitted Christmas balls. These are addictive little balls of fun. Check out the book in the shop. Bet you cannot just knit one. Cost to be determined plus book and supplies (the book is highly recommended by Bev as she found it has an incredible amount of insight, patterns and information).
Anna would like to continue Solely Sock night on Wednesday evenings, 7-9. Cost is $15 for new sock knitters (please be comfortable with knit and purl) for instruction through all steps of sock construction. There is a $5 fee if you need Anna’s help with your socks, but no charge if you just want to knit socks with other sock knitters. Lots of fun and laughter. We decided to continue the 10% discount on any sock yarn and materials purchased during Solely Sock night.