Needlecraft Cottage
August 20, 2009: New Yarns, New Books
Even though temperatures have been higher, it's probably not too soon to start thinking about getting started on Christmas presents! This is a great time to look through magazines, new books and patterns, and to begin planning out specific items for your list. We have a whole slew of new books at Needlecraft Cottage, as well as some new yarns that should pique your interest.
-Gabriel
New Yarns and Some Old Yarns Revisited
The Brown Sheep Company is known for quality yarns at reasonable prices. They have introduced a new yarn in very beautiful colorways: Handpaint Lanaloft Bulky. This yarn is 100% wool. It is approximately the same gauge as Lamb's Pride, but oh, so much softer! At a gauge of 3 1/2 stitches per inch on US #10 1/2s, this handpainted yarn not only feels but looks soft. The gentle colors blend beautifully for a really polished feel. 160 yards, $21.99.
Mochi Plus, from Crystal Palace Yarns, is an aran weight (4-4 1/2 st/in on US 9 to 10 1/2) version of their Mini Mochi. This yarn is so skillfully dyed it reminds me of the very subtle color changes of Noro yarns (but so much softer!). If you look closely, you'll see why: like Noro, the transitions are extremely gradual, resulting in impressionist-like softness to each change of hue. 95 yards, $9.22.
For you green-conscious knitters out there, please take another look at the Vermont Organic Trading Company's O-Wool Balance. This beautiful, tweedy yarn comes in tasty colors, and is composed of 50% certified organic wool and 50% certified organic cotton. It's a light worsted yarn that is versatile because it's so easily worked at numerous different gauges. It's perfect for a San Diego winter, with cotton and wool balancing nicely. 130 yards, $9.11.
Nashua Handknits's Cilantro is one of my all-time favorites. It's got all the wonderful qualities of cotton and yet still has the springy, easy-to-knit quality of wool. Adding 30% polyester to the 70% cotton fiber content is the key. We have some great, new-to-our-shop colors that you must check out. 4 - 4 1/2 st/in on US 8 or 9. 136 yards, $8.84.
New Book Reviews
Knitted Gifts, by Ann Budd, is loaded with great gift ideas from very easy do-it-in-less-than-an-hour projects (coffee mitt, wine bottle dribbly catcher) to interesting toys (Hobby Horse, alphabet blocks, mice) and some fun socks, hats, scarves, "texter gloves," fancy slippers and more. $21.95
If you're addicted to cute, you'll love Nicki Trench's Super-Cute Crochet
. It's loaded with all sorts of cute little creatures in the amigurumi tradition. A great value for $19.95. I counted 38 little creatures in the book. You'll certainly find some you like.On the trendier side, if you are a fan of Vickie Howell and pop culture, you'll love her new crochet book, Pop Goes Crochet. In the Stitch 'n Bitch tradition of wacky trendiness, Vickie Howell takes it a step farther. Very hip patterns for those who march to the beat of a different drummer. $19.95.
Jan Messent, of Knit a Fantasy Story fame, has a new one out, Knit the Christmas Story. If you've ever wanted to knit your own Nativity Set, this is the book to get! Hardcover, only $8.95.
Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies is well-named. The crochet patterns are not crazy difficult, but really cute. My favorite is the Puppy-Footed Onesie. There are great little hats, sweaters, blankets, and other garments. $12.95
If you have been looking for dressy, polished, elegant, refined knits that don't have even a smidgin of "rustic" about them, look no farther. Lene Holme Samsøe has the book for you: Feminine Knits: 22 Timeless Designs. These patterns were painstakingly designed, and will require the same attention to detail if you knit them. Not for beginning knitters, this is a book full of beautiful patterns, mostly for finer gauge yarns. The author specifies some European yarns that may have been discontinued, but, in an extremely helpful section, recommends specific substitutes for these. (The substitutes are still produced; I checked.) Very helpful. Take a look at this book; it will inspire you! $22.95
Miscellaneous News
For now, the Thursday evening knitting group has been temporarily suspended due to academic duties. Hopefully, we will be able to take that up again soon.
All the Classic Elite Provence yarn and Cascade's Pima Tencel are in the 1/3 off bin. Just FYI.