As the proverbial saying goes, all good things must come to an end. That’s why we are sad to say we will no longer be stocking [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] . (So scoop up a great deal on what’s left!) It’s been a good run (many years, in fact), and although we’re bummed to see it go we are equally excited to welcome a new baby-geared yarn line in its place: Baby Blatt by Anny Blatt Yarn.

Baby Blatt by Anny Blatt Yarn is similar to Baby Ull in many ways, and slightly different in others. While both of these yarns are 100% superwash wool, Baby Blatt is noticeably softer than its predecessor. Baby Ull has most recently been sold as 180 yard/ 50 g ball, whereas Baby Blatt by Anny Blatt Yarn clocks in at 195 yards/ 50 g ball. Both yarns boast a color palette intended for (but not limited to) little ones, with plenty of shades to choose from. I don’t want to sound unappreciative of the wonderful pastels and soft tones of Baby Ull, but Baby Blatt by Anny Blatt Yarn introduces some newer, modern brights into the mix as well as offering the more predictable, tried and true baby shades. Another plus about this beautiful yarn is that it is made in the same mill that’s been producing it for decades. Named for legendary French knitwear designer Anny Blatt, Baby Blatt is spun in Provence, France, and the quality and care are evident in it’s luxurious feel. The fun colors, easy care, and extra-soft hand make it possible to knit awesome wee sweaters like the one shown below:

The sweater above is just one of many adorable projects found in [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] that can be made using Baby Blatt by Anny Blatt Yarn. Some of you might be familiar with Bouton d’Or Baby Superwash from France – these two yarns can be used interchangeably. Here are a few other charmers from the same book:

That textured yellow pullover above reminds me of a popular grown-up pattern we carry here at the shop, the [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] .  That’s a neat coincidence of course, but the Bouton d’Or books are just full of other projects that I wish I could make in my size. These pieces below (especially the striped one on the bottom) are a perfect example, and they can be found in [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] .

Now since I’ve mentioned the other two books, I can’t leave the last one out! [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] contains the onesie pattern that started it all. When our lovely Anny Blatt representative came by to show us this yarn, she pulled out her own hand knit version of the onesie shown below. One touch convinced us that this soft yarn sure does make for comfortable, wearable baby clothes!

Looking through the collections in these books, I’m amazed at how many different results you can achieve with this versatile yarn. Baby Blatt by Anny Blatt Yarn doesn’t just have to be used for babies, either! This yarn is a great choice for just about any fingering weight project, from socks to shawls and everything in between. As we head into the holidays, there are so many great little garments to make for your favorite munchkins. These wee pieces knit up fast so there’s plenty of time if you start your stitching now!

Grab your cable needle! The Filament No. 4 Fall 2017 issue is here, and its new collection of patterns is as finely detailed as ever. Designer/editors Kathleen Dames and Anne Podlesak took a slightly different approach to this issue: each of them came up with designs using the same yarn in the same colors, with the one rule that they couldn’t talk about these designs whilst in progress. The result is an amazingly cohesive collection that really shows how well these two designers’ styles fit together.

Lace lightens up this cabled poncho, which is knit in two pieces and sewn together at the end. Made out of a woolly yarn like [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , it’s sure to keep you warm even in open lace.

Variegated sock yarn like Malabrigo Sock Yarn or [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] lends a nice subtlety to the textured triangle motif of these Fomhar socks.

No cable needle required for this intricate stitch pattern! Knit out of the same yarn as the Fomhar socks above, you could easily use Malabrigo Sock Yarn for some very impressive mitts. These mitts are worked in the round, with an easy to read chart for the Hedge Maze stitch pattern.

Looking through the Filament No. 4 Fall 2017 issue, it is a pleasure to see these two designers’ different takes on the same yarns. Their flattering shapes and attention to detail add a feminine touch to traditional woolly garments, and that attention to detail is what makes these designs truly unique. Enjoy – and check out the other issues of Filament as well!

The Filament No. 2 Spring 2017 is a veritable frolic through lush springtime blossoms and fabulous yarns.  This issue’s collection features projects suitable for cooler and warmer weather – and although Spring is the theme, you’re likely to find a piece here that you’ll want to wear all year long.  From delicate cardigans to lacey accessories, designer/editors Kathleen Dames and Anne Podlesak have created a wearable collection that really showcases their trademark feminine style and careful attention to detail.

This Floralia fingerless mitts and cowl set is a wonderfully approachable way to try out a luxurious yarn like Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed Yarn.  3 balls of this squishy wool, silk and cashmere blend is enough to make both the mitts and cowl.  All are worked in the round; detailed notes, a well written pattern and charts for the lace give you everything you need to make this set.

Look at that beautiful neckline!  The fun, bright Rosarium pullover is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down.  This eye catching sweater features 2-color stranded knitting patterns around the neckline and waist, with a little extra color detail in the garter edges.  It’d be a blast to choose some favorite colors of Harrisville Shetland Yarn - Unwashed Cones for this project, or take advantage of our mini cones and use JaggerSpun Maine Line 2/8 Yarn.

Charmingly embellished, Whistler Pink is a short sleeved sweater with flattering waist shaping.  This piece is knit out of Jo Sharp Mulberry Silk Georgette Yarn, which is well known and much loved here at the shop.  Mulberry Silk Georgette is so comfortably soft, you won’t think twice about wearing it against your skin.  This sweater is sure to drape well and wear well in such a lovely yarn.

Wearable pieces that showcase your knitting skills are the name of the game in this Filament No. 2 Spring 2017 issue.  Anne and Kathleen invite you to “think English cottage gardens and hothouse blooms” as you join them in their celebration of this light, cheerful and colorful season.

The debut issue of this beautiful quarterly, [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] is full of modern takes on 1930’s style.  From the cuff-down Milkweed socks to the wooly yet feminine Lombard pullover, each project in this collectable booklet is finely detailed.

The Beaton pullover above is knit in the round from the bottom up and features a seamless shawl collar.  Knit out of [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , this is sure to be warm and sturdy.  Highland comes in so many great colors, and I can picture this sweater as just about any of them.  With helpful notes and a clearly well-written pattern, designer Kathleen Dames makes this complex looking design approachable.

This lovely Copperfield shawl is another wooly, warm project for chilly fall days.  Worked from the top down, this triangle shawl shows just how well a textured stitch pattern can pair with open lace.  The double moss stitch and lace wheat sheaf instructions are both charted, thus making it a little easier to keep track of your pattern repeats as you increase.  This shawl can be knit from just one cone of Harrisville Shetland Yarn - Unwashed Cones – and speaking of lots of great colors, this line sure has ’em.  As a matter of fact, this is a yarn I often stop to gawk at in the shop because of its eye catching hues.

Malabrigo Rios Superwash Merino Wool Yarn often inspires unique designs, and this Rumble Seat set is a testament to that.  Taking a cue from the polka-dots and fur collars that were so popular during the 1930’s, this set utilizes clustered stitches and the richly variegated shades of Rios to create deep, interesting texture.  The cowl measures 44″ around, so you can wear it doubled up for extra insulation.

Every project in [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] has its own story, beginning with the first spark of inspiration all the way down to the yarn used to make it.  Designer/editors Kathleen Dames and Anne Podlesak said it best themselves: “Each design spins a tale of style, fiber and technique that we hope you will enjoy.”

Throw out everything you thought you knew about weaving! Well, maybe not everything, but definitely get ready to have your mind blown. Norma Smayda, with help from Gretchen White, just released a new book called Ondule Textiles - Weaving Contours with a Fan Reed, and it is a gorgeous and fascinating look into weave structures I had never even dreamed of.

Ondule Textiles - Weaving Contours with a Fan Reed is thoroughly researched and it seems that she has scoured the world for each and every mention of fan reeds or ondule textiles. It’s a rather obscure topic! Despite the scarcity of resources, Smayda has produced probably the most comprehensive study of ondule textiles to date. Presented with over 180 color photographs, you’ll be delighted to discover what is possible. If you are at all interested in learning about or trying out these techniques yourself, this book is not to be missed!

Master weaver, Norma Smayda, has been teaching weavers at her Saunderstown Weaving School in Rhode Island since 1974 as well as at seminars throughout the country. She is a past president of the Handweavers Guild of America, and this summer she was honored in the New England Weavers Seminar Special Exhibit: A Passion For Weaving, Three Rhode Island Weavers. Smayda is the author of numerous articles and pattern drafts as well as co-author of the book Weaving Designs Miniature Overshot Patterns.

If you’re looking for feminine, elegant knitting projects, look no further. Filament No. 3 Summer 2017 is third in a series of collectable pattern booklets put together by designers Kathleen Dames and Anne Podlesak. These delicate pieces are designed with a nod to luxury and timeless fashion. This issue features 8 projects, ranging from socks and shawls to a dainty summer tank.

The Breakers (above) is the name of the lovely shawl featured on the cover of this issue, and we’re proud to say this piece was knit out of our own Newport 16/2 Linen Yarn. The linen highlights rows of Antique Diamond lace and an Antique Lace edging; pairing these open stitch patterns with a textured garter stitch body creates a unique, old-fashioned (in a good way) finish.

Cabana, the shawl pictured above, was inspired by the classic colorful changing tents found along beaches in the early 1900’s. A large retro blanket shawl that you can really wrap yourself in, this piece is worked from the center out, with each striped wing knit back and forth separately. Knit out of Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton Yarn, this shawl is easy to wash and great in any season.

The last piece I’ll give you a sneak peek of is the French Line skirt. This kick-pleated skirt would be beautiful knit up in Block Island Blend Yarn. Or, consider a warmer fiber like [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] to bring this skirt with you into the colder months.

With five more timeless patterns in Filament No. 3 Summer 2017 you’ll enjoy a showcase of delicate, detailed pieces that are not only beautiful, but wearable as well. We very much look forward to the next issue, Fall 2017, which will be available in print next month – we’ll keep you posted!

Did you know that you can use onion skins for dyeing? Have you ever seen the different shades of pink you can get from avocado pits? Author Sasha Duerr describes the nuances of color you get from these and other common plants in Natural Color, the latest addition to our dye library.

Not only does Natural Color include a wealth of information – Duerr also provides quite a few projects that will almost certainly inspire you to give dyeing a try.

Following the excitement of all these projects (there are way more than I have mentioned, mind you!), Natural Color has a chapter on different mordants and modifiers. All of this scientific process is explained, with special attention to conservation of water and resources. Everywhere in this book, you will pick up advice and tips for making every step of this process as natural and gentle on the environment as possible.

This is a large book, and no space is wasted. Each turn of the page reveals a beautiful color, plant, or project that will make you itch to give natural dyeing a try. Natural Color is a wonderful tome of knowledge, and it’s lovely enough to leave out on the coffee table. Great for beginners and experts alike, this book will make a welcome addition to any dyer’s library.

A few more favorites for your collection of colorful tomes…

[item= 57290400,book] Wild Color [item= 57040300,book][item= 57040200,book][item= 57161000,book][item= 57290300,book][item= 57260000,book][item= 57210000,book][item= 57340100,book]

For those of you who haven’t come across her work yet, Andrea Rangel is an awesome knitwear designer – I’m a big fan of her work, and her latest book, AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary - 200 Modern Motifs has officially blown me away. This book contains 200 completely original, unique motifs – from floral print and chevron stripes to sheep, bicycles, and even zombies. I’m not even kidding! These motifs are so incredible, it is truly hard to believe that some of them are possible. The cutest part? Every motif in this book was created by Andrea’s husband Sean. This collaboration produced a book that I, for one, can’t get enough of.

From simple to intricate, these motifs have this lazy knitter wanting to get out the skinny needles. I may be distracted by the overwhelming amount of super awesome motifs, but AlterKnit also has a handful of adorable patterns with which to use these motifs. Not only that, but Rangel tells you everything you need to know about stranded colorwork – from choosing colors and how to hold your yarn to a clear and helpful explanation of why steeks are quite useful and not as scary as you think.

Wondering what kind of yarn to use for this kind of thing? According to Rangel, the woolier the better.  Harrisville Shetland Yarn - Unwashed Cones couldn’t be better – that and the heavier Harrisville Highland - Cones Yarn. I’d love to see [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] used too; I love how it softens and blooms after blocking. Our Victorian 2-Ply Wool Yarn is also perfect for intricate colorwork; this sturdy yarn offers great stitch definition as well.

As you can probably tell, I’m really excited about this book. With such a broad range of motifs and so much useful information, AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary - 200 Modern Motifs will be a go-to resource for years to come. Thank you, Andrea and Sean!