I enjoy speaking to Steven every time he calls.  So much so that when I saw this ad in a magazine a couple years back, I had to put it on the wall next to my desk.  It reminds me of the rock band pictures I had on my walls as a teenager.

Our Design Director Cia stopped by the shop over the weekend and snapped a couple photos during her visit…..

Plymouth’s Alpaca Puffs, a great addition to any hat or scarf.

Yarn heaven!

Minnesota Necessity

So the next time you are in Minneapolis be sure to visit SteveBe and if you happen to be in Rosemount, MN you can visit Steven’s other location, The Yarn Garage and say hi to his mother Christa while you are there!

Susan has won 10 balls of Encore Worsted color 389!

Thanks so much for all of your responses.  Here is a nice, quick little project for you to try. You can make one in every shade!

Pattern F142

GALWAY- CHUNKY or WORSTED
Felted Bracelet

F142 PDF Download
MATERIALS: 1 -100g ball of Galway Chunky or Worsted, set of double pointed needles size US 13, beads, needle & strong thread for sewing on beads.
GAUGE: 3 sts = 1 inch.
I-cord:  Cast on 5 sts.  Knit 1 row.  Without turning, slide sts to other end of needle, wrap yarn around back and knit the 5 sts again.  Slide sts to other end, and repeat wrapping of yarn, knitting, and sliding.

With either a single strand of Chunky, or a double strand of Worsted, cast on 5 sts.
Knit an I-Cord 11½” – 12” long (this will fit and average sized wrist of  7” to 7½”). Work to 12½” for an 8” wrist.

Cut yarn and thread end through a blunt point needle. Run needle through  the five sts on knitting needle. Slide the 5 sts off the needle but do not pull them together yet.

I-Cord produces a hollow tube much like fingers in a glove.  Place the beginning end of the I-Cord into the finishing end and gently tighten by pulling on the yarn threaded on blunt point needle.  Sew together trying not to make the join  too bulky as excessive bulk will cause a bump after felting.

Felt by hand as follows:
Wet bracelet thoroughly with hot water and dish detergent.  Gently roll around in palms like a ball for several minutes adding hot water as needed.  Unfold and refold bracelet to felt evenly several times during this process. Begin to felt more firmly rearranging the bracelet often and  adding hot water and soap as needed.  Turn on cold water and rinse bracelet for a minute.
Open bracelet and place over fingers with your palm facing you (like you are beginning to put in on to wear)  Using hot water and detergent.  Roll the bracelet back and forth on your fingers to felt in a different direction.  Felt around the whole bracelet.

Continue this process until the desired firmness and size is achieved.  Bracelet can be stretched while still wet to make larger.  Felt is very strong and you will not hurt it.
Squeeze out excess water with a towel and allow to air dry.  Sew on beads or whatever you wish. DO NOT sew beads on the inside of the bracelet (the part that touches you wrist) it will make the bracelet smaller.

Designed by Diana Shannon  ©2005 102105jbt

We have a fantastic crew who gets to pick these fabulous yarns.  It takes a village you know.  They travel to Italy, Turkey, and Peru, just to name a few, to find the highest quality fibers so Plymouth Yarn can offer these to your favorite yarn shops.  We have a team of designers who get to play, I mean work, with all of the contenders.  They are always hard at work visiting trade and fashion shows to see the latest styles.  I consider myself a pretty good knitter but they never cease to amaze me when they demonstrate to us just what these yarns are capable of.

Without further ado…..fall yarns!

Soft and cuddly

Adore Color Card

Adore Pattern 2462

The beauty of Angora with a hint of sparkle

Angora Glitz Color Card

Angora Glitz Pattern 2383

Soft and lightweight Alpaca goodness

Baby Alpaca Aire Color Card

Baby Alpaca Aire Pattern 2353

Check out the video on youtube that features Bi-Use from Adriafil

Bi-Use Color Card
F437 Bi-Use Free Scarf Pattern PDF

Bi-Use Pattern 2354

Light and soft with a hint of glitz

De Aire Glow Color Card
F424 De Aire Glow Free Scarf Pattern PDF

De Aire Glow Pattern 2451

Fun, wild and unique.

Dakota Color Card
F423 Free Dakota Scarf Pattern

Dakota Pattern 2356

You can dye this with Kool Aid!

Great Hand Dying basics here

Roving style tweed, perfect for her or him!

Europa Tweed Color Card

Europa Tweed Pattern 2412

Europa Tweed Pattern 2407

Deep, saturated color. Let the yarn do the work! Customer favorite!

Gina Color Card
F430 Gina Free Cowl Pattern PDF

Gina Pattern 2415

Bulky and fabulous. Rich colors.

Grandiosa Color Card

F431 Grandiosa Free Hat Pattern PDF

Grandiosa Pattern 2421

A long time favorite in a new put up-in all of the best colors!

Jelli Beenz Color Card

Jelli Beenz Pattern 2452

Unbelievable colors, great Alpaca and Wool blend

Pasea Color Card

Pasea Pattern 2455

Your feet will thank you for making socks with this beauty. So many possibilities!

Sakkie Color Card

F447 Sakkie Socks Free Pattern PDF

Sakkie Pattern 2426

Soft and super bulky, I need a cowl!

Wilde Color Card

F429 Wilde Triangular Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Wilde Pattern 2429

Gorgeous colors and endless possibilities! Use with all your Worsted Merino Superwash patterns!

Worsted Merino Superwash Hand Dyed Color Card

Worsted Merino Superwash Hand Dyed Pattern 2432

Ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles! Make a one ball scarf in no time!

Joy Ruffle Color Card
F448 Joy Ruffle Scarf Pattern PDF

Big, bold and makes a statement

Joy Supreme Color Card

F444 Joy Supreme Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Ruffles and sparkles, you can't go wrong! One ball makes a scarf

Passion Ice Color Card
F445 Passion Ice Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Passion Nette Color Card
F443 Passion Nette Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Customers are having a blast with this one

Scandalicious Color Card

F415 Scandalicious Free Scarf Pattern PDF

Now that you have seen them all, get to your favorite yarn shop and get some! Color cards are available at plymouthyarn.com. Share your projects with us on Facebook and Twitter. Pin them on Pinterest! Have fun!

1. Knit for yourself! Now that you have the feeling back in your fingers from the last-minute-holiday-crunch knits, sit down and find a pattern that you want for you.  Even if it’s as simple as a new scarf.  Think of the time you will have to fit in knitting for yourself.  If you only have an hour or two a week, think of a spring or summer shawl so when you are done your project, it will be the right season to use it.  Here are a few to consider….

2.  Make a gauge swatch.  I am notorious for not following my own advice on this one.  I often go blindly into a project.  I learned my lesson just a few weeks ago while making a Christmas gift for my niece.  I switched a yarn in a pattern for a slouchy hat.  There were very few differences between the two yarns, fiber content and put-up were the only things that jumped out at me.  My slouchy hat ended not fitting my niece but fitting my husband and I can’t talk him into wearing a purple hat with a touch of glitz.   Check out this article from knitty.com on the importance of and how to knit a gauge swatch.

3. Use your stash! I tried to use my stash this year for all of my holiday knitting and will try to continue to do so.  I ran out of masculine colors and only had to purchase a few balls! I am left with mostly baby yarns so I am hoping for a very long, cold winter so I will get news in the spring that I have some babies to knit for.  I am going to use some for charity but I will get to that later in this post.  There are some wonderful things you can do with those one or two skeins you picked up.  If you have 100% wool, felt, felt, felt! Small coin purses, small bags, small bowls and headbands.  Have a baby or wedding shower to attend?  If you have cotton, consider washcloths.  I have one that a friend made me almost 10 years ago.  It was in my wishing well at my bridal shower and it may be the only linen that hasn’t needed to be replaced! Hats are a great way to use up the stash too.  Here are some pattern ideas you can try.

4.  Finish the projects you start.  I’ll admit it, I have 3 wips in my inventory for about a year now BUT I also started and finished at least 20 others this year.  Will I ever finish those other 3? Hopefully, maybe, well, I can’t answer that question.  There are some great reasons why this should be a resolution you keep.  First is if you get to the end and realize you need just 20 more yards, it may be impossible to track down the dye lot.  Second is while I always try to have a couple pairs of needles in each size, they do me no good if they are tied up in a project I’ve been procrastinating on, then I am off to buy another set or borrow from one of my many knitting buddies.  Which isn’t so bad I guess as I get to see all the new arrivals at my LYS.  Third is the most obvious, that baby will grow right out of that sweater you started.  I am going to choose my projects more carefully and think ahead to make sure I have the time and supplies I need to complete them.  Try looking up your patterns on Ravelry and get real world tips, advice, materials lists and pictures of finished products.

5. Knit for Charity.  I know so many of you are already doing this and it’s such a wonderful opportunity to use your talents.  I send scarves to a local homeless shelter.  I can get them done in one or two nights while I’m watching t.v. and it’s a great way to use your stash.  Check with your local yarn shop, they will likely have a program set up for donations of all sorts.  Here is a list of just a few organizations we have had contact with….

Chemoclothes.org

Bob’s Blankie Brigade

Project Linus

Hair Flair for Hope

Stitching for America

6. Use your technology! Did you know there’s an app for that?  Use your smartphone for more than Angry Birds!  I use my iPhone for everything. There is a free app (called Needles) for cataloging your needles so you know what you’ve got on hand.  It can also direct you to the nearest yarn shop when you are on the go!  Vogue Knitting and Knitting Daily are available too.  YouTube is a great resource for how to videos on just about everything.  I’ve used it to learn a new stitch and how to knit with the new ruffle yarns.  You can also find yarn reviews there.  I can’t talk about technology without mentioning Ravelry.  If you haven’t joined yet, get on it! It’s a fantastic resource for everything yarn, patterns and the people who love them.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday and the gang here at Plymouth Yarn wish you a very Happy New Year.

We are excited that this yarn is featured in two magazines this month and wanted to share the stories with you.

Knitscene’s first-ever Winter 2011 issue delights with a collection of 22 must-have knits.  You can see the Wragby Cardigan color 29 by Carol Feller on newsstands October 25th.

Knitscene Winter 2011, Photo by Brad Bartholomew

You can make the outfit complete with this flirty skirt in the Fall 2011 Knitter’s Magazine, K104.  The entrelac and old lace skirt, an intermediate design by Gwen Bortner was made with Worsted Merino Superwash‘s color 6.

Knitter's Magazine Fall 2011 K104

I have always heard such fabulous things about the Minnesota State Fair from many of our yarns shops who have participated over the years.  This year, it ran from August 25th to September 5th, in St Paul.  The fair was first held in 1859 and has been held every year with only five exceptions due to war and a polio epidemic! It hosts dozens of competitions for everything from needle crafts and canning to hogs and dairy products.  Not to mention all of the great exhibits, rides and food.  It is the second largest fair in the United States.  Many of our yarn shops were there. This year’s total attendance was 1, 769,872!  I really think I should be there next year, reporting live.  We’ll see if the boss will go for it!

You can get pattern 1063 at your favorite yarn shop that sells Plymouth products, or give Kelley’s Quality Sewing Center a call at 507-288-9051.  Visit their website here and like them on facebook to keep up to to date with all the latest news.

Congratulations again Linda, what a beautiful afghan!

Just a few of our many Galway felted patterns

Enjoy this free pattern for a small felted bag.  I like to use these as gift card and cash gift holders.  I also have made a couple for my niece for Easter, and a wedding.  It’s very versatile and quick.

Pattern F319, Galway 2 Color Felted Bag

Before Felting

After Felting

Gauge: 10 sts = 4” in stockinette stitch before felting, done on a size US 13 needle; yarn used double stranded.
Materials:  2 skeins Galway—1 MC, 1CC.  Before starting- double strand each color by dividing balls in half.
Needles: 24”-Size 13 needles, double pointed needles- size 11 or 13.
Finished Size:  Approx. &” wide, 4” deep, 6” tall, not including handles.

NOTE:  Make handles first and set aside.  Use remaining yarn for the purse.
NOTE:  Use double strand of yarn throughout.

Handles:  With CC
Using double points- cast on 6 sts, leaving a long tail.  Work in I- cord on the 6 sts.  Work I cord until total length from beginning is 14”.  Bind off leaving a long tail.  Make second handle the same.  Set aside.

Body of Purse:
With the circular needle and CC, loosely cast on 20 sts.  Knit 22 rows.  Bind off loosely.  Change to MC, and pick up 21 sts along each long side and 11 sts along each short side: 64 sts.  Place marker.  Begin working in st st in the round (knit every round) for 8 rounds, ending at the marker.  **Change to CC and knit 4 rounds.  Next round: Change to MC and knit, picking up the back of the sts 4 rows below (first row of CC), and knitting them together with the st on the needle to make a large lump.  Work 8 rounds total in MC, repeat from ** 2 times more (3 CC ridges total).  Continue with the MC working: purl 1 round, knit 1 round, purl 1 round.  Bind off loosely knitwise.  Weave in all ends.

Sew the 2 handles along each long side- centered, with the ends about 5” apart.  FELT THE BAG AND LET DRY.
After felting:  Stretch over a box which is just slightly larger than purse to stretch the purse as it dries.
I-cord:
Work I- cord on the 6 sts as follows: **Knit across the 6 sts, then without turning needle, slide stitches to other end of the double pointed needle, wrap yarn around back of stitches and continue knitting from **.  Repeat this process until desired length is reached.

Felting:
Set the washer to hot wash, cold rinse, and lowest water level.  Add a small bit of laundry soap, not detergent.  Do not put anything else in the machine with the purse- things can get tangled in the handles and can distort them.  Check on the purse every 5 minutes.  Felting could take 20-25 minutes or so.  Keep setting back the timer to make the wash cycle longer.  When desired felting is achieved, rinse and spin lightly.  Spinning can set in creases.  Remove purse, stretch it over a sturdy box slightly larger than the purse.  Straighten handles.  Brush to remove excess lint or shave with a disposable razor.  Let dry, which may take up to 2 days.

©2010 Plymouth Yarn Company.  052510jbt

We would love to see pictures of your Galway felted creations.  You can post them on our Facebook page, contact us or email them to me, allisonp@plymouthyarn.com.

If you can dream it, you can felt it……..

This week I have a photoshoot which will contain about six cowls – most knitted in Baby Alpaca Grande.  I can’t imagine a softer yarn for around your neck.

So keep watch- right here next week -I will have some photos to post showing new, fast & easy knitted cowls.  I promise a free pattern or two  as well.

JoAnne