Time to switch ‘em up (by Debbie Purcell)

October 29, 2011 by  
Filed under Gypsy Knitterz

It’s that time of year again.  It is for those of us in the northern hemisphere.  It is not yet November and I’m sorry to say I had to turn the heat on in my house.

I’m somewhat frugal and try not to turn the heat on until at least November.  Yesterday I broke down and turned on the furnace because it was cold in the house.  In Boston we had our first brush with snow this past Thursday, burr!

I’m almost finished with my second market bag from the Naughty Knitterz fall knit-a-long event created by Gypsy for our Facebook group.  It was a wicked fun project for me.

The market bag pattern created by Gypsy is super easy to follow.   I made my two market bags using this red cotton yarn I found.  What a deal it was.  I paid $4 for a giant spool of yarn at my local Walmart.

It’s perfect for the bags I’ve made so far.  What else does a person do with that much red cotton yarn?  Look for a picture of my bag posted to the Facebook knit-a-long event.  I use my bag to carry the other canvas grocery bags I use.  It is perfect to then use to carry home the bread I buy.

My market bag has drawn some attention where I shop for my groceries.  One woman asked where I got the idea.

Now is the time of year I want some warm wool around my fingers so I’m knitting these Cabled Fingerless Mitts.  I found this cool pattern which I downloaded from the Pattern Share page.  I will be knitting up these gloves using the American Gothic yarn you can find on the Misfit Knitterz page.

I was apprehensive about using a yarn blend using pistachio, purple, mauve, and olive brown colors.   From the description I thought the yarn would be pretty but wasn’t sure.  I love it.

I don’t know what I was so concerned about.  All I can say is that the American Gothic yarn is absolutely beautiful.  How does Michele come up with these color blends?

I should know by now to trust any yarn she creates for Misfit Knitterz will be pretty.  This is a lady who taught us to dye yarn using Kool-Aid.

Look for an email coming soon announcing an end of the year deal on the new Misfit Yarnz page.  You should visit the page to see this funky picture slide Mike added which shows all the yarn available in an automated way.

Yarn Review: Bamboo Ewe (by Michele Grim)

February 8, 2010 by  
Filed under Yarnz

Yarn Review: Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller “Bamboo Ewe”   

  • 55% viscose from Bamboo, 45% Wool
  • 177 yds, 100g
  • Gauge: 18sts/22rows=4 in on size 8 needles/K crochet hook
  • Hand wash, lay flat to dry

I’m a sucker for all things Stitch n Bitch.   When I came across Debbie Stoller’s own yarn line, Stitch Nation sold exclusively at Joann Fabrics, I had to try it out.  Unfortunately, it was not available at my local Joann Fabrics.  I could only find it on-line.  The website for the yarn, www.stitchnationyarn.com, features patterns for all her yarn lines: Bamboo Ewe, Alpaca Love and Full o’ Sheep.  

I decided to try Bamboo Ewe for its All Day Beret pattern.     When I took it out of the box I was surprised how soft it was.  The bamboo and wool together make a very nice blend .  Bamboo Ewe has very nice stitch definition and knits up really well.  The end result (inset) is a very soft beret with beautiful stitch definition and a wonderful drape.  I will buy this yarn again and cannot wait to use it to knit up a new project!  

Pros: Inexpensive at 4.99/ball; available in a wide variety of colors; yarn widely available; can be an easy substitute for other yarns  

Cons: Not available at all Joann Fabrics stores       

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