Winter 2010

Blue Heron Knittery

Newsletter

 

Phone:  563-517-1059

 

Christmas and New Year Schedule:

Dec. 24, closing at 3:00 pm
Dec. 25, closed
Dec. 27, closed – No drop-in-and-knit night
Dec. 31, closing at 4:00 pm
Jan. 1, closed
Jan. 3, drop-in-and-knit night resumes, 6-8 pm

 

                As 2010 comes to a close, we at the Blue Heron Knittery wish you all a very Happy Holiday season.  Thank you for all of your support, ideas, creativity and laughter throughout the past year.  It is your enthusiasm that keeps the yarn shop fresh and fun.

                To start your new project year, we have some New Products, and a few products we got at Great Prices so we can pass on that savings to you.

Eco Duo, is a fantastic blend of two of the softest animal fibers, baby alpaca and merino wool.  It comes in natural colors ranging from a creamy white to a black and white stripe.  All of the colorways in this line have a nice subtle stripe due to the natural quality of the wool.  Eco Duo is a worsted weight yarn with a gauge of 18 stitches over 4 inches.  It comes in skeins of 190 yards and is reasonably priced at $12.50 per skein.  A very nice, and highly touchable scarf can be knit using just 2 skeins.

Usheya is an amazing free trade yarn from the Mirasol project.  This super bulky yarn has a great color palette.  3 skeins made a fun little beanie hat and scarf.  Using a size US 15 needle makes this yarn a fast and fun knit.  Already Ravelry has many projects using Ushya.  The list price is $14.95, but in December, it will be on sale at $13.00 per skein.  Check out the new pattern book featuring this yarn.

Loft Color has been discontinued.  This means that we have a great price that we are passing on to you.  It has Great colors, long color runs and variegations that makes even simple projects look fantastic.  Hats and scarves are knit fast on size US10 needles.  Three skeins worked up a fantastic “not a celebrity scarf but should be” (multidirectional scarf).  Originally listed at $8.95, now $7.00 until gone.

Naturally 10 ply  from Fiber Trends is a wonderful felter.  Originally $16.00 each, now $11.00 until gone.  Felted clogs, felted mittens, felted hats, and handbags… the only limitation is your own imagination.

Interchangeable Needle Sets have changed over the years.  I have an older set that I was given as a gift.  I still use them but I really don’t care for this older set and is not one that I carry. 

Denise Interchangeables are a nice basic set.  The cost is $50.00 or $55.00 for the pink breast cancer set.  These needles are a durable plastic with a nice join.

Addi Turbo and Addi Lace Interchangeable are $169.00.  This very nice set has a great join between needle and cable.  The case is small and easy to transport.

Hiya hiya comes in two different sets.  One has needle sizes US2 through US8, and the other has needle sizes US9 through US15.  They have a beautiful brocade case and extra cable lengths are available.

KA is a Bamboo Interchangeable set.  It comes with needle sizes US5 to US15 in a beautiful cloth case.

The advantages of an interchangeable set are a large number of needle sizes and cable lengths, and the ability to change needle sizes within a project.  For people who are knitting flat stockinette and have a problem with their purl stitches being a different gauge than their knit stitches, the interchangeable set allows you to use two different needle sizes to compensate. 

As the New Year begins, Classes are in the planning stages.  We are always interested to know what projects and techniques people would like to learn.  Don’t be shy to suggest a class.  Also, if you have a group of friends that would like to have a class in a particular project, let us know.  We are always happy to accommodate.  As an extra bonus, we offer a 10% discount on all materials you buy on the day(s) of classes whether they are for your class or for another project.

Laura is offering a progressive class on Twined Knitting.  Twined knitting is an old technique that is mostly found in Sweden and in smaller areas of Norway.  The technique involves twisting the strands of yarn in the back of the work which creates a double thickness of fabric. This class will require the purchase of the book New Twists on Twined Knitting by Laura Farson.  Students will get a 25% discount on the book.  Laura’s three projects will come from this book.  Class One is a 2 hour class learning the twined technique and will make a beautiful neck warmer.  The sample for this class was knit using 2 skeins of cascade’s Baby Alpaca Chunky.  The second class will be knitting a hat, expanding the students’ skill level.  Class three will work on a pair of mittens.  Students can take one, two, or three of these classes or even start at any point in the series.  The neck warmer class will begin on January 13th.  The hat will begin on January 20th and the Mitten class will begin on January 27th.  All classes will be on Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 7:30

Bev has been talked into teaching the Braids Cardigan again.  It is a great pattern from Cabin Fever.  Never be afraid of knitting a sweater when Bev is the instructor.  She will walk you through your fears.  Cost: $35.  First class is January 14th.

Expect more great sweater classes from Bev as she is working out another great pattern.

Have you ever wondered how to fix that dropped stitch or how people are knitting in the round with more than one circular needle?  Beginning in February we will be offering technique classes once a month.  Several techniques that will be covered are Magic Loop, Soaring on 2 needles, and Simple Fixes.  Watch the website for dates.

Anna is always willing to offer repeat classes.  Get a group together and we’ll find a time that works for you.  Top down socks, Toe up socks, the Brambles hat featured on www.knitty.com , and felted mittens are just a few favorites.

Knit-a-long.  What’s that???  A Knit-a-long is a group of people who are committed to knit the same project together, help each other, and give each other support and good times.  This year there are several Knit-a-longs that are being offered.

Felted Clogs are a winner for every member of your family or circle of friends.  This knit-a-long will offer a chance to learn how to read a multiple sized pattern, learn how to count stitches, and learn how some hot water, a little soap, and a lot of agitation can make something huge turn into something wonderfully wearable.

Afghans are in!  The Great American Afghan is a sampler of different blocks and techniques.  Knit one block multiple times for a great afghan, or venture into all 25 individual squares for something spectacular.

Skacel knitting has a year-long Trekking Sock knit-a-long and contest to enter.  This Knit-a-long will start January 1st, 2011.  Each month will feature a one- skein project using Zittron Trekking yarn.  Choose to join in one month or all twelve.  Information can be found at www.skacelknitting.com and click on the Knit-a-long button.

 

Extras:

There is an extra feature for those coming into the Knittery this holiday season.  When coming in you will see a display of beautifully hand dyed t-shirts.  These shirts are dyed by local artist Karen Fitton and are on sale for $35.00.  Perfect for presents, there is a shirt for everyone.

Kris Henderson of Delights would like us all to know that she will be out of state through March.  Her next jewelry class will be on April 30th.

From all of us at the Blue Heron Knittery, Happy Holidays and Happy Knitting!

Sarah.