We just received some gorgeous hand dyed knit kits from Handspun Hope. Each kit (Odette cabled headband & hand warmers and the Chantal hat & cowl) comes with the yarn needed to complete your project, adorable cow horn stitch markers, and a wax print drawstring bag to keep everything together.
The yarn is a lovely Merino/Angora blend in worsted and bulky weight. Making these projects quick knits ~ giving you plenty of time for wearing before the Iowa cold is gone.
I know we don’t have many crochet samples in the shop. However, we do have several crocheters that come into the shop. Michele, is a talented lady and has recently started crocheting socks. The pair she brought to Yarn Social this week was a pattern by Marly Bird.
The Marly Bird, Toe Up Socks is for both a crochet or knit version. There is also a wonderful video tutorial for the free patterns.
Yarn is Regia by Schachenmayr.
Stop in the shop, grab a ball of yarn, a hook and get a jump on your winter crocheting.
It’s not uncommon for someone to come into the shop, pick up a one of these pretty little Woolstok Bundles and say, “What do you make with this?”.
How about felted bowls! The Fairmont Felted Bowls by Blue Sky Fibers is a free pattern. And you will get two bowls out of just one bundle. Use your favorite colorway (Cool, Warm, or Neutral) and end up with the cutest felted bowls ever!
These bowls are perfect for knitting notions, candy, car keys – you name it these little bowls will jazz up your home and make you smile whenever you see them. Super fun and easy to knit.
The bowls will felt beautifully. Throw them into the wash, then into the dryer for a few minutes. I think I dried them on medium heat for about 10 minutes. When you take them out of the dryer place a can or jar in them and shape the bowl around it and turn it upside down. Let the bowls dry over night. I washed mine twice but I think a third time would give you a firmer bowl.
This pattern is great for a beginner. A nice alternative to learning to knit in the round if making a hat this time of year doesn’t to appeal to you. We are happy to help you get started!
* Blue Sky FIbers, Woolstok Bundle :: 21 mini hanks (100% Highland Peruvian Wool; 5g/12yds each) Each bundle contains 3 each of 7 colors for a total of 105g/252yds per bundle.
When I started this project, it was meant to be the Mohair Bias Loop ~ with the yarn suggested in the pattern ~ Rowan Kidsilk.
My choice changed when our Yarn and Soul order arrived. This orange! It is not a color you will find much of in my closet but I love it. And the color they created in their Superfine 400 is beautiful. If you closed your eyes and think of the color orange // they’ve nailed it. Then, a dear friend suggested I put the Stitch Together, Stitch Cloud with it. Great idea! This loop was going to be soft and cozy! 
I kept with the same needle size. Lacey, open stitches are no more. Yarn and Soul, Superfine 400 is a light fingering weight and it’s held together with the mohair. The pattern above is the Kidsilk held single. This changed the look and feel of the original pattern but one I was loving.
We were looking at the length and deciding how much more to knit. If I kept going to the pattern’s recommended length it would be too warm. Wrapped around my neck double would be more of a winter wear and I wanted a more versatile piece. It’s a bright happy color and should be worn in the spring. 
It’s the perfect size. When I’m out walking I can pull it up and it makes for a great wind breaker over my head. Spring is so windy here.
I still plan on making what I had originally set out to knit. Sometimes our knitting takes on a life of it’s and we have to just let that unfold. It’s only yarn after all. And like my mom ALWAYS said, ‘It won’t be the last thing you make.’
When you take these multicolored mohair yarns, and hold them with another fine yarn, the texture and blend of color is limitless. Here are just a few of several ideas from the shop…
