let’s make them in May

Hello, all of you out there. Hello, all you wonderful people.

Is there really anybody there? Are you not all outside, basking in the glory of a winter struck down?

I write to you today from a desk, where I sit wearing neither socks, nor tights, nor slippers. Shoes alone adorn my feet, and I am not even wearing pants!!!!! Ok, I’m wearing a skirt. I got you there, little minxes.

But forgive my silliness. I am a bit affected, you see. This beautiful weather is making me a little silly, a little amorous; I am quite plainly swooning. Spring is my new boyfriend.

Am I mistaken, or do I see a look of worry in your eye? Are you wondering, now it is warm and we all want to be outside, if the Knitting Must Stop?

Look, don’t worry – just because you can’t wear your knitted goods right now doesn’t mean you can’t make said knitted goods. In fact, I would argue that, when the weather is warm, knitting or crocheting becomes infinitely more pleasurable. There is no pressure to get things done quickly. You can linger over a project, adding detail, ensuring quality. So, to quote Elizabeth Zimmerman: “Let’s make them in May; let’s take our time over them; let’s venture into new approaches and designs; let’s enjoy them.” Preach, Liz.

If you were wondering what you might make, let me offer a few humble suggestions.

Crochet 101 Dish Cloths – May 10, 17, and 24. 10-12pm.

This is an easy and quick beginning crochet project, and practical to boot. Work on your dishcloths around the fire, and then immediately use them to wipe the marshmallow goo from your lips.

Knitting 101 – May 7, 13, and 21. 6-8pm.

Learn to knit and make yourself a cute hat in the process. Why might one take such a class in May, you ask? I’ll tell you why – insurance! If you don’t like this hat now, you won’t even feel compelled to wear it, and by the time it’s cold you’ll have made one you do like. Wait, wait, don’t let me talk this way! Of course you’ll love this hat! Take this class!!! Learn to knit!!!! Do it because it’s fun!!!!!

Toe Up Socks (Crochet) – May 6, 13, and 20. 2-4:30pm.

Socks are a wonderful warm weather project. They are small, can be stashed away easily, and will not cover your lap, heating it to uncomfortable levels. Toe-up socks are fun and practical – simply split your ball of yarn in half (or purchase two smaller balls) and never again worry about cuff length. It’s foolproof. It’s fun. It’s a great party trick. Well, it should be.

Knitting in the Round – May 7, 14, and 21. 5:30-7:30am . Just kidding! 5:30-7:30pm!

Learn to knit in the round, learn to make a hat, and learn some brim edging options. Learning a technique like this is a good thing to do in the summer. You won’t rush through it. You’ll do a good job. A flock of seagulls will steal it from you on the beach. No, they won’t. But! This is also a good, small, portable project that you could – and should! – bring to the beach with you. Or the park. Or the pond. Or the cabin. What I’m trying to say is, you can bring this anywhere you go. Literally anywhere. Hmmm, maybe not onto your floaty raft. Let’s just get real.

Those Darn Socks! – May 10. 5-8pm.

Do you love your socks dearly? Do you wish to lay them permanently to rest? No, of course not. You slaved away on those little devils last Summer, and after wearing them allllll of Fall and Winter, those holes in the heel will submit. They Shall All Submit! Now is the perfect time to fix those holes, without stressing yourself to death by rushing through it in a mad desire to wear them again.

For pictures, prices, and a full list of classes (because there are more, I tell you – there are ALWAYS MORE) please click this here linky dink -> http://www.yarnharborduluth.com/classes/classes.MAY.13.html

I cannot yet reveal next month’s Felt It project, but it’s a good one. Let me give you a hint, in the form of a riddle:

“April showers bring May _ _ _ _ _ _ _.”

The word in the blank will be the Felt It project. If you can’t piece that together, then I can only surmise that you have run off and eloped with Spring and are currently guzzling rum cocktails on a beach in Jamaica. To you I say congratulations, and once the honeymoon is over, I’ll see you in the shop for a class or two.

HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April Felt It – Puppies and Ruby Slippers

For this month’s Felt It project we are making teeny tiny shoes for baby feet! These booties are extra cute and such a snap to make. They are knitted flat and sewn up the back.

 

Little pearl buttons for little toes.

The ears, tongue, and tail are knitted separately and sewn onto the body of the shoe – nothing tricky about it!

If you have completed last month’s Felt It project (Easter basket and bunny) bring it into the shop to show it off and receive fifteen percent off your purchase of materials for this month’s Felt It!

Knit, Swirl trunk show

Like a gust of fresh Lake Superior air, the Knit, Swirl trunk show has come a-blowin’ in!

 

For those of you unfamiliar with the book, you really should check it out.  Basically, these are garments knitted into a circle or an oval – a swirl! – which creates a flattering silhouette on virtually every body type. The book offers four basic shapes to choose from, which range from least- to most-fitted, so everyone can find just the right shape – neither too clingy, nor too flowing. There are eighteen total patterns in this book, with at least four variations for every shape. The sizing is clever, as well – rather than basing measurements on waist and bust circumference, the only measurement required is your yoke; that is, the length from one armpit to the other, going around the neck. This really simplifies the sizing process with only three sizes to choose from. Especially for those of us with bodies that don’t fit neatly into the standard sizing scheme (which is everyone – let’s be real here), this type of freedom is so….relaxing! Let’s say, for example, you have a short torso, a large chest, and tiny hips. When you’re making a fitted sweater, you’re going to have to wrestle with a lot of variations from the pattern – chest darts, shortened torso and therefore alternate shaping from the pattern, not to mention the change in shaping for your hips. This is not so with Knit, Swirl garments – you pick the size that fits your torso, chose the shape that is most flattering, and pick the pattern with the best overall length.

Easy. Peasy. It’s knitting in the Church of Elizabeth Zimmerman (no tears, no stress, all love).

What could get better than that? I’ll tell you what – a trunk show! With samples! Samples you can try on!

We have a sample in each size, and in each shape. We don’t have a sample in every size with every shape, but this is basically enough – once you find your size, it’s not too hard to go from there. We’ve been having a lot of fun around the shop trying these bad boys on.

 

Copper Collage – Size 1

Tangerine Rose – Size 2

Strata Sphere – Size 3

Coat of Many Colors – Size 2

Going Green – Size 1

Please remember when trying on samples – these are only visitors in our lives, travelers who still have places to be. We ask that you are gentle with them, and remove any jewelry that may snag the fabric.

We hope you stop by to check everything out!

Knit Flowers in April!

Knitted Flowers
Friday April 12th
5p.m. – 8 p.m. (3 hours)

Knitted flowers are a great, quick embellishment for headbands, baby garments, sweaters, purses, you name it. Just how do you make one though? We will work on 3 to 5 different styles of flowers in this 3 hour class, and talk about how to incorporate them into your knitted projects. The patterns we will use are free downloads from Ravelry: Flower Scarf by Robyn Diliberto, Pacifier Clips: Flower by Susan Banderson, Little Knitted Flowers by Laura Doty, Knit Flower by Sue W. Thompson, and Dianthus Headband by Zena Dobson. Requirements: Comfortable with basic knitting and able to read a pattern.

Materials: Patterns downloaded from Ravelry, Scrap yarn, double pointed needles to match yarn size, tapestry needle.

Cost: $15 + materials
Instructor, Katie Viren