Is It Spring Yet?

In my world, springtime is decided not by the equinox, nor the first day the sun appears, but when the cast-on happens for the first tank top of the year. This happened for me a couple weeks ago, and I'm totally loving the mental transition from long sleeves and heavy blankets (not to mention the portability of a project that weighs less than half a pound!).

This tank is knitted up in the sportweight Breitenbush blend, one of our more popular springy colorways here at the shop!

This pattern (which looks complicated, but is actually quite simple, executed over 16" of only 2-row repeats) only requires about 6 oz. of this soft and drapey yarn, making it a super economical spring project.

We've also got a bunch of new hemp and bamboo on the way, obvious favorites for lightweight spring and summer projects (the spring Knitty also has some great patterns if you're searching for ideas), so stay tuned to our newsletter for the new arrivals!

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Spring Cleaning

Even though I've got at least three new projects that are dying to be cast on to some empty needles, this past week was spent finishing up a few different projects that were all on the verge of coming to a close (if you're one of those knitters who likes to have six or seven projects going at once, you know how those last few rows and finishing work can turn a one-month project into a five-month project...) but in the spirit of spring cleaning, some serious end-weaving happened this weekend...and on Tuesday, two of these projects got blocked! (Well, three, but the third one is still top-secret for another couple months.)

Owls Sweater

This sweater is super fun and is a variation on the ever-lauded top-down sweater style. It is technically knitted from the bottom up (and joined with the arms just in time to begin the yoke with the owls) but shares the benefit of having virtually no seaming work at the end. Interested in learning how to make one of these yourself? Our top-down sweater class is nearly full and on the verge of being scheduled so make sure to get your name on the list if you're interested!

Pinwheel Baby Blanket

More info to come about these projects the next time we get a sunny day off to get some good pictures!

Field Trip!

A couple of weeks ago, the morning at Yarnia began with a visit from the Emerson School's kindergarten and first grade classes!

After having watched the video in class about how Yarnia works, they were already well-versed in the ins and outs of the shop. They've also been learning about fiber and spinning at school, and the process by which the fluffy coat of an animal becomes what we all love and recognize as...yarn! We got to explore all the different types of fibers that we have here in the shop and describe how the different textures felt. A couple of the classes even got to pick out their own ingredients and make a class cone of yarn!

Many of these guys are already avid knitters themselves (both finger knitting and needle knitting, and some even had projects of their own with them to share!) and had some excellent questions about how the yarn we know and recognize gets from sheep to shelf.

They were totally delightful, and all I have to say is, watch out, Portland! You've got a blooming generation of fiber artists on your hands...

Mmm...Bamboo

A customer recently came into the shop to start on a new project, and generously brought in a recently finished piece to share!

While bamboo can work great when mixed with other fibers such as wool, cotton, silk...the possibilities are truly endless...it also can be amazingly luscious just on its own. While probably too heavy for big garments such as tunics and sweaters, a single strand of this variegated bamboo was the perfect choice for a lacy blanket like this one. Soft and drapey and cozy!

And...we just got a brand new big order in, with lots of old favorites, and new colorways as well!!