lovely ladies in Liesls!

Today we had not one, not two, but THREE lovely customers come into the store wearing their Liesl sweaters! I love how each lady has put her own personal spin on the pattern.

This is a great project for spring that knits up fast on big needles in a worsted to chunky weight yarn – we have lots of beautiful cottons and blends in right now that would be perfect for this as well as wool.

The pattern has variations for neckline, sleeves, and length so you can create your own personalized version too!

Your cocktail for the day!

2 oz. Cognac
1 oz. Cointreau or Grand Marnier
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Sidecar is a true classic cocktail, the earliest printed recipe for which dates to 1922. While there are many stories about the origin of this drink, all of them refer to a regular bar patron who frequently arrived at his local watering hole in a motorcycle sidecar. Don’t skimp on quality and you’ll have a truly delicious, delicately scented, citrusy cocktail that is the perfect way to cap off a long evening of knitting.

We got our newest shipment of Madeline Tosh Sock today and it was filled with four brand new colors of Madelinetosh: Composition book grey, glazed pecan, stovepipe and moorland.

During our Mad Hatter Tea Party tonight, Beth and Michelle had their hilariously hatted heads in the box.

I can always find inspiration in my book collection – there’s something very satisfying about curling up with a cup of tea and leafing through a stack of knitting and crochet books.

We have some new books in the shop this week and I’m already getting ideas…

photo by STC Books

Comfort Knitting & Crochet Afghans from Norah Gaughan, Margery Winter, and the Berroco Design Team makes even me want to make an afghan! 50 patterns range from stylishly traditional to excitingly modern. We recommend Berroco Vintage and Weekend for the patterns in this book.

photo Sydwillow Press

Toe-up is my favorite way to do socks, so I’m excited to try the patterns in Toe-Up!: Patterns and Worksheets to Whip Your Sock Knitting Into Shape by Chrissy Gardiner. The book includes blank worksheets so that you can use your favorite toe and heel shaping methods to create your own personalized pattern.

Have you ever wondered how lace designers come up with their amazing patterns? Learn how with Crazy Lace: an artistic approach to Creative Lace Knitting. Using “Lace Logic”,  you can adapt existing patterns, create your own lace charts, or just freestyle!

photo by Myra Wood/Woodworks Editions

Maggie’s Beret

This simple hat was inspired by Maggie’s quest to replicate one of her favorite hats, purchased from a shop at the mall. We deconstructed the beret (which was originally worked flat) and came up with this quick and easy design! The pattern has an option for a more slouchy version. It is worked in Cascade 128, a superwash chunky weight wool and would work well in 105 yards of any chunky weight yarn.

This is a free pattern available here or in the shop with the purchase of yarn.

It will also be a class this Spring! If you want to learn to work in the round, increase and decrease, this is a great project for you. Stay tuned for our Spring class schedule, which is coming soon!