So my mom’s shawl is made as well as the socks for my brother but here I am, December 7th,  just remembering all the folks I forgot.  It’s easy to overlook when our days are so hectic.  I have so many people in my life who’s small actions make things run smoothly.  Of course I remember my son’s teacher, but there’s the really sweet, part-time aide who always saves him a chocolate milk at lunch.  If you’re a mom, you know it’s important to have people be good to your kids.  The holidays are the perfect time to let them know how special they are.

This is where I thank my lucky starts for our line of ruffle yarns! One night, one skein in most cases, one aide remembered!  I wanted to share some links for the patterns I’ll be using from Ravelry.  Call your yarn shop and get a ball today!

Joy Prism Scarf

Scandalicious Scarf

Joy Metallic Scarf

Passion Fur Scarf

and for the men in your life, a neck warmer published by Knitty Keen…

Encore Worsted Neck Warmer

Click F443_Passion_Nette_Scarf for the PDF download

The passion doesn’t stop there either, there have been some great ideas coming out of the woodwork.  Tell us, what can you do with Passion Nette?

Passion Nette Hotpad

Courtesy of Tranqwool Knitting Provisions

Christmas Countdown

Joy Ruffle

Today we will cover Joy Ruffle.  With this great ruffle yarn, available in 4 solid colors and 6 multicolored shades,  you can have a scarf made in a night.  It will make the perfect teacher, coworker, hairdresser, or babysitter gift.  I made tons of ruffle scarves for the last Holiday season and tied them around the gifts for the gals in my family.

Check out some free patterns you can use with this gorgeous yarn on Ravelry!

Kelp Forest Shawlette by karinknits designs

Joy Ruffle Scarf by Plymouth Yarn Design Studio

Call your shop today to get your hands on Joy Ruffle!
 

Christmas Countdown

Photographs by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com; Rose Callahan; Jack Deutsch and Marcus Tullis

Cropped Turtleneck
Designer: Mari Lynn Patrick
For sizes: X-Small (Small, Medium, Large)
Yarn Information: Plymouth Yarn Company Worsted Merino Superwash
Amounts: 3 (4, 4, 4) hanks in #43 teal green

Hot Water Bottle Cozy
Designer: Annabelle Speer
For sizes: One size
Yarn Information: Plymouth Yarn Company Encore Worsted Tweed
Amounts: 2 skeins in #1237 Oatmeal

Afghan
Designer: Mary Beth Temple
For sizes: 43 x 43″
Yarn Information: Plymouth Yarn Company Galway Worsted
Amounts: 5 skeins in #722 oatmeal, 3 skeins in #750 green heather, 1 skein in #756 gold heather

Sparkle Wristers
Designer: Vanessa Putt
For sizes: One size
Yarn Information: Plymouth Yarn Company Gold Rush
Amounts: 1 cone each in #36 blue and #5 silver

Courtesy of Zingerbug

It is officially the unofficial end of summer.  Labor day is one of my favorite holidays as it celebrates the American worker, which is me! A big thank you to Matthew Maguire and Peter J. McGuire,  labor union officials who first proposed the holiday back in 1882 as a day of rest and celebration for workers and their families. I’ll gladly take a 3 day weekend,  I have one UFO that needs tending to, a grill that is begging for some steaks and a blender just waiting to make some margaritas.  We always stay close to home, trying to visit our swim club as much as possible before they lock the gate for the final time on Monday 8pm.

For the first time, my son is dreading this weekend, or at least the end of it.  Now he’s a second grader, aware that back to school means homework, early bedtimes and tucked in uniform shirts.  No more weeknight outings to the movies or miniature golf.   I’m excited to meet his teacher and wondering if she’s a knitter.

Early bedtimes for the kid means uninterrupted knitting time for mommy.  My goal over the next few weeks is to master crochet.  I am a novice and I am ready to change that.  There is way too much fantastic crochet out there that I am missing out on.  I would like to replace my holiday knitting with crochet this year.  Click here for one of the many videos I will be using as guide this weekend.

Make sure you call your local yarn store this weekend too.  Many of them have received their fall orders and are having some amazing sales.  If you get to your shop, check out some of our new yarns like Gina, Sakkie and Pasea, the hottest sellers right now.

Sakkie Crochet Pattern 2364, call your yarn shop for details

The Plymouth Gang

Dick Jr, Butch and Betty

Some of those new Plymouth yarns you might see in your favorite local yarn shop include

Bazinga

You can find the Bazinga color card here

Stiletto

You can find the Stiletto color card here

DeAire

You can find the DeAire color card here

Holiday Lights

You can find the Holiday Lights color card here

I love this time of year also because I get to chat about Christmas knitting projects with everyone.  Usually, there is a lot of Encore colors 1386 and 54 heading out the door and I’m excited to use Holiday Lights in some of my projects this year.  It has the same gauge and about the same yardage as Encore Worsted.  Log into Ravelry today and download this free Encore Christmas Stocking pattern (hint- you can also use Holiday Lights).

Encore Worsted Christmas Stocking Pattern F167

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, Happy knitting & crocheting!