Newsletter 950

New Classes with Leah!

Heads up: our Leah's got a new crop of classes on offer!

First up: The perennially popular Beginning Socks!  In addition to learning how to knit a sock, Leah will introduce you to working with two circular knitting needles, a technique that allows you to work smaller-circumference projects with ease...and you'll be able to apply that knowledge to future projects like sweater sleeves, two socks at a time, and hat crown decreases. This is a three-session course held on Sundays: November 15, 29 and December 6. More details HERE. Check those dates against your calendar and give us a call at the shop (615-354-1007) to reserve a spot....while they last.

Second: Ravelry 101! We love Ravelry...but it can be overwhelming. Let Leah help you sort it all out! You'll learn how to create a library of your stash, locate patterns and see suggested yarns (including what's in your stash). Pondering an unfamiliar yarn? With a little investigation, you'll be able to dig a little deeper and see what kind of projects have been made using it. Bring your own tablet that's capable of accessing the internet via wi-fi or your own mobile provider! $20 instructor fee. This is a single-session Sunday class, and Leah is offering it twice: Nov 15 and Dec 6. More details on the Classes page. Call the shop (615-354-1007) to grab a seat!

New: Uni Cotton...Perfect for Cloths!

We recently added a new worsted-weight option to our extensive cotton lineup: Uni Cotton. This 100% cotton comes in convenient 75-gram/131-yard balls in a wide swath of colors...29 of them! It's the perfect yarn for washcloths...or any other item that might need to take a beating care-wise! It gets softer with every wash, just like a favorite t-shirt (pssst: it's also great for baby items).

We took it for a spin with these adorable mosaic-knit dishcloths from designer Amy Marie. We love every single one of her mosaic dishcloth and potholder patterns and we're impressed by the way all of them work together, regardless of which ones you pick. We kept our choices related both subject- and color-wise (IT'S FALL, Y'ALL!) and worked up the pumpkin ("Autumn Favorite") and the squirrel ("Squirrel Away the Dishes") in Root Beer and Driftwood.

Grab one  (or more) of Amy Marie's (many, many) patterns HERE. You can fine Uni Cotton RIGHT HERE. You'll need one each of two colors for any of the two-color cloths.

The Mohair Bias Loop (with Patty-Approved Improvisations!)

As you know, we're always on the hunt for a portable project that's also practical - and as we head into a cooler season, this half-size Mohair Bias Loop from Churchmouse checks both boxes. By "half-size," we mean that this one is knit to only half the length the pattern specifies (look, if you wanna loop it around again, make it full-size as written!). It's a little deceptive; it looks like a simple swath of stockinette - but on closer inspection, you'll note that it's cleverly knit on the bias, which lends some dynamism and motion to the stitches and adds some extra style to a simple basic. 

Originally written for two strands of laceweight mohair, ever-the-rebel Patty went her own way and made hers by holding two yarns from Urth: 16 Fingering and Bonmoher (one of each covers it). 16 Fingering is a superwash ultrafine Merino, Bonmoher is a laceweight blend of super kid Mohair and silk (and with a 40% silk content, it's the softest mohair we've come across - and we've come across a lot of mohair!). Patty used 16 Fingering in color R70 and Bonmoher in Sunset, but this one's a beauty in any color. It's a great way to experiment with adding a pop of new-for-you color to your winter wardrobe without committing to a whole sweater in a risky-for-you shade!

The pattern is HERE. 16 Fingering is HERE. Bonmoher is HERE. You'll need one skein of each for the half-size loop as shown here; double up if you intend to make the full-length one.

Just Look at This Bam Bam Bow!

Hey, you gotta come see this gorgeous Bam Bam Bow worked up by friend-of-Haus Mary Bit. It's a knockout! The original pattern is written for 245 yards of a single color of light fingering; Mary Bit freestyled a little and changed the color at the exact halfway point, which created a gorgeous two-color-block effect where one end tucks into and contrasts with the other. It's an ingenious little bit of "winging it" and we're furiously making as many as we can on our own time!

You can grab the Bam Bam Bow pattern RIGHT HERE (remember: you'll switch colors at the halfway point - the pattern does not specify this!). Mary Bit used two colors of Tynd from Woolfolk; you can grab those RIGHT HERE - you'll only need one of each color, of course. To mimic Mary Bits's sample, go with colors 46 and 33 - or wing it on your own. We just love this thing in any combination!

Our Favorite Gauge Ruler... Now in White 

Look, we know we talk about this thing a lot. But now the Twice Sheared Sheep swatch gauge is available in white, which allows you to easily check the gauge on darker fabric as reliably as the original was for lighter ones! You can grab both variations RIGHT HERE and we promise we'll shut up about these sooner or later. 

Patty Lyons is Back!

Legendary knitting expert Patty Lyons returns to our bookshelves with Knitting ER, a one-of-a-kind reference packed with step-by-step repair tutorials, clever solutions, and insider tips for rescuing knits at any stage — from dropped stitches to post-bind-off regrets. With a playful medical theme and clear illustrations throughout, this book is your emergency room for all yarn-related accidents.

• Covers both in-progress and finished knit repairs, from beginner to advanced
• Includes fixes for specialty stitches rarely addressed in other books
• The clear, easy-to-follow structure makes even complex techniques accessible
• Featuring charming illustrations by Franklin Habit, in addition to detailed technical drawings
• Includes QR codes for access to video tutorials to bring the step-by-step instructions to life

Note: This is a pre-order and will ship on the official book launch day; Tuesday, October 20. Any other merchandise ordered at the same time will ship with the book on Oct 20.

Pre-order your copy RIGHT HERE.