Congratulations, Ariel, Declan, Marley & Family!

Just a few days before, Ariel and her daughter, Marley, were in the shop to show me what would be the baby’s coming-home-from-the-hospital outfit: Baby Surprise Jacket and booties.

Here’s Marley proudly showing off the welcome gifts … and being a little silly:

This classic Elizabeth Zimmermann piece should be on every knitter’s vitae.  Knitted with Blue Sky Alpacas sportweight in natural brown, this shawl was a pleasure to knit.

I maintained a bit of Elizabeth in the shawl by working the original design for the first lace portion and continuing to incorporate it in the second.

I must say, I had been wanting a beautiful bedspread but didn’t exactly expect the pi shawl to be it. Rounding out (pun unintended) at a little over 6ft in diameter, it was perfect for our queen bed. All I can say is that I am lucky to be a yarn shop owner as it took me not the 7 skeins (12 oz of sportweight) Elizabeth recommended but 17!!!! skeins.  Why must I be such a loose knitter?

As James, a knitter friend, stated, Elizabeth would roll over in her grave if she knew how expensive her pi shawl ended up costing me. Definitely not economical.

BUT I LOVE IT!

Join us on Wednesday, May 28th, as knitters, crocheters, and other needle artists (and families) gather to cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals as they play the Houston Astros.

Just a reminder that Cardinal baseball tickets are still available. Tickets are $27 and should be purchased before or on Tuesday, May 13th. You’ll get the chance to enter your name into drawings for prizes and for a chance to go down to the field during batting practice. Also, a wonderful goody bag will be given out at the game.

In addition to Knitty Couture (University City/314.727.6500), tickets can also be purchased at the following shops:

Artistic Needles (St. Charles) - 636.946.0046
Chris’s Needle Craft (Chesterfield) - 314.205.8766
Hearthstone (South County) - 314.849.9276
Kirkwood Knittery (Kirkwood) - 314.822.7222
Knit & Caboodle (St. Charles) - 636.916.0060
Knit Escape (St. Peters) - 636.447.0064
Knitorious (St. Louis City) - 314.646.8276
Sign of the Arrow (Ladue) - 314.994.0606
Weaving Dept./ Myers House (North County) - 314.921.7800

In addition, I’ve begun collecting canvas bags and sturdy, pretty nylon bags and bags of all other sorts to store near the front door and in the car should I need one.

Even recently, I received a wonderful, large shoulder bag from my mother-in-law, embroidered with my initials, TTM. Its incredibly large size makes it ideal for picnic-packing. I actually wouldn’t have to try too hard to fit inside it.

Despite having this massive tote and many others, I’ve decided that I would also knit one.

The impetus for this luggage bag was two-fold. I was inspired by a knitter friend, Alicia (see post on Show & Tell) who, a few months earlier, was seen knitting a small cable bag with size 17 needles. It looked as though she was knitting with logs! Her purpose for using such large needles was to, obviously, finish the project quick, but it was a bit inspiring seeing those large cables come to form. I decided to follow suit and knit a bag of my own. A large luggage bag.

As the idea began to take shape, I realized that the bag would be a great example of how one would learn about knit design. It’s not as daunting as a garment, yet incorporates enough design features to allow one to be creative and to think “outside the pattern”.

Hence, the offered class, which will be the first of many upcoming classes, will encourage the knitter to think about design and explore their own skills and creativity.

I had also been browsing various vintage magazines for Spring weather inspiration. I came across a ’60s sleeveless top with a gorgeous pattern (think Jackie O) , and decided to use the pattern, rather than cables, as the primary aesthetic feature of the bag.

Other features I’d like to incorporate include fabric lining, large shoulder handles (still in the works as to how these will actually look), (zipped) pockets and inserts, and a dividing interior panel. The unexpected large size (I was expecting more width than height) may force me to play around with semi-felting.

As with any design piece, I’m a bit nervous about the outcome (since I generally plan as I go) and simply hope for the best.

Lorna’s Laces Green Line, an organic worsted weight merino. Lorna’s Laces is my favorite worsted - machine-washable, incredibly soft, and absolutely divine to work with.

Other organic and sustainable lines we have in the shop include Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cottons, Pakucho Organic Cottons, Farmhouse kettle-dyed bamboo, bamboo needles and circulars, and of course, our gorgeous bamboo floors (the latter not for sale).

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

A knitter friend stopped by the other week to show me her progress on one of several baby surprise jackets she is making for the little ones (not her little ones, but someone else’s).

The cutest, magical thing I’ve ever seen!

This little jacket was knitted with Lorna’s Laces shepherd sock yarn in happy colors. Because of the weight of the yarn, the jacket is tiny. Just the right size for a newborn (another reason why it’s so adorable). For a larger size (e.g., toddler), consider working with worsted weight.

The jacket is a simple rectangle and creatively uses decreases to shape the garment in a way so as to minimize seaming (which is only needed at the top of the sleeves). A collar or hoodie can be added later (optional) by picking up stitches along the neckline. Such a genius, that Elizabeth.

A pattern for an adult surprise jacket is also provided in several of her books.

I think this knit along will only take a week or two… for some people, maybe even a day.

Let’s get together on Thursday, May 22nd, 5-8pm to cast on. See you then!

The vegetables are coming up in the garden beds — I’m particularly excited about the radishes. The perennials (e.g., asters, coneflowers, hostas, canna lilies) are peeking out of the ground. The birds are chirping. We have outdoor seating for the shop, soon to be joined by large potted plants.

It must the lovely weather.

In conjunction (and with good timing), because of Book Club, I’ve also begun setting aside time for reading…something I’ve not done for months and dreadfully missed.

Our first book, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, was an interesting read. We had a quite a turn-out which was pleasing. Lots of voices to give new perspective on the issues Sinclair attempted to address.

For the month of May, we’ll read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. This book was recommended by my staff, Eileen, and heartily supported by several knitters. The New York Public Library lists this as one of the Books of the Century. Well…. I guess we should give it a go.

Join us on Tuesday, May 20th, 5:30-7:30pm, for discussion and knitting.