You can tell the holidays are right around the corner. The phones are ringing off the hook in the office, the fax machine is practically smoking and email boxes are bursting at the seams. I am more excited this year then ever before. Why, do you ask? Well, it’s the new Joy collection of yarns we have been shipping to our shops. I finally was able to get a ball of each and I whipped the scarves up in no time this weekend. I wanted to share the yarns and patterns with you. Call your favorite local yarn shop TODAY because everyone is telling me it’s flying off the shelves.
First we have Joy Metallic. It’s a super quick knit full of ruffles and sparkly goodness. It’s perfect for New Year’s Eve out on the town or with a pair of blue jeans.
Materials: 1 hank.
Approx. Finished Size: 4” x 48”
Needles: Size US 10.
Knitting Instructions: Spread open the mesh. Turn sideways so that the glitter effect is at the bottom. Cast on 8 sts across the top edge using a size US 10 needle. Knit through the top edge openings – one opening per stitch. Knit every row.
Next up we haveJoy Prism with it’s sweet ruffles and delicate loops of sparkle. The color palette will go with everything in your wardrobe.
Materials: 1 hank.
Approx. Finished Size: 4” x 55”
Needles: Size US 9.
Knitting Instructions: Spread open the mesh. Turn sideways so that the prism effect is at the bottom. Cast on 7 sts across the top edge using a size US 9 needle. Knit through the top edge openings – one opening for the first stitch of every row, then skip a track hole each time for the other stitches of the row. Knit every row.
2011 Plymouth Yarn Company. 092711jbt
Last but not least, we have Joy Rainbow. Lots of beautiful ruffles in feminine color combinations without the sparkle.
Materials: 1 hank.
Approx. Finished Size: 3” x 48”
Needles: Size US 10.
Knitting Instructions: Spread open the mesh. Turn sideways so that the rainbow effect is at the bottom. Cast on 6 sts across the top edge using a size US 10 needle. Knit through the top edge openings – one opening for the first stitch of every row, then skip a track hole each time for the other stitches of the row. Knit every row.
2011 Plymouth Yarn Company. 092711jbt
If you would like a little guidance on how to knit with ruffle yarn, you can check out Plymouth Yarn‘s YouTube page and view the “How to knit with Joie de Vie” video as the instructions are similar. Always knit through the top edge with the effect at the bottom.
I hope you have as much fun as I am with our Joy collection of yarns, keep your eyes peeled for new additions to the line. Have you made scarf already with one of these yarns? Come visit our facebook page, post a picture and tell us all about it.
Thank you so much to all of you who serve, served and offer support to those in the armed forces. In honor of Veteran’s Day, we would like to share this free helmet liner pattern. There are many fine organizations that take donations of these liners and send them to the troops. Ask at your local yarn shop or church to find one in your area.
The ideal liner would be made from a soft 100% wool as synthetic fibers can not be warn by Marines in combat zones. The perfect yarn for this is Galway and the preferred colors are 9 (Black), 152, (Brown), 155 (Dark Tan), 751 (Grey), or 704 (Charcoal).
Size: Hat is sized to fit an adult head.
Finished Measurements: 22” around
Materials: (1) 100g ball Galway Worsted for Hat or Cowl.
One ball will make 2 hats. 1 ball will make 1 cowl
Only cowls & helmet liners made from 100% wool will be accepted. Acrylic yarn melts at high temperature and is unacceptable for this project.
Color must be appropriate to the military: tan, brown, gray, olive, or black.
Size US 8 -16” circular needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
Size US 8 double pointed needles for top of hat.
1 stitch marker
Gauge: 18 sts = 4” in St st
HAT:
With circular needle, loosely cast on 90 sts. Being careful not to twist, place marker and join.
Rnd 1-5: K1, P1 rib around.
Continue St st until piece measures 5” above ribbing.
Shape Top
Change to double pointed needles when necessary.
Rnd 1: *(Knit 8, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Photo by Penelope Taylor
All even Rnds 2-8: Knit.
Rnd 3: *(Knit 7, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 5: *(Knit 6, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 7: *(Knit 5, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 9: *(Knit 4, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 10: *(Knit 3, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 11: *(Knit 2, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 12: *(Knit 1, K2tog); repeat from * around.
Rnd 13: *(K2tog); repeat from * around.
FINISHING
Cut yarn leaving an 8” tail. Using a yarn needle, thread tail through remaining sts.
Pull tight and fasten off. Weave in ends.
Cowl: (NOT SHOWN) With the same circular needle loosely cast on 108 sts. Work in K2/p2 ribbing for 9”. Bind off loosely in ribbing. Weave in all ends.
I subscribe to just about every knitting magazine or at least get a chance to peek at them here in the office(don’t tell the boss). This week, I found a real gem and wanted to share it with you.
One of my favorite yarns, DeAire, a super bulky, soft, luxurious, fine merino wool is featured in Vogue Knitting‘s Holiday issue on newsstands November 6th. Check out their special Collector’s Issue featuring an A to Z guide of the latest knitting styles. P is for Poncho! Designer Marcia Cleary, sizes small/medium(15 hanks), large/X-large(16 hanks), 2X/3X(17 hanks). Using DeAire white, color 100. You can see the entire collection on VK360°
Vogue Knitting Holiday 2011, photo by Paul Amato
On another note, did you know that Plymouth Yarn is now the exclusive North American distributor for Grignasco yarns? We carry 9 varieties of this gorgeous yarn and 3 of their beautiful books. Ravelry is chocked full of fabulous patterns for these yarns. I couldn’t just pick one to share so click here for the link to all of them! Find a shop in your area to purchase any of the items mentioned.
I started my Christmas knitting but I’m also planning which cookies I am making and starting to piece together some of my holiday cards. I realized there are probably lots of other knitters and crocheters out there just like me. Your craftiness doesn’t end with yarn and you aren’t always using it with hooks or needles. I was first introduced to yarn while making plastic canvas tissue box covers with my grandmother when I was 6. Then, a decade or so later, I used a furry, eyelash type of yarn and wrapped it around a large wreath form. That wreath, which is a bit tattered, still goes on my inside door every Christmas season. It wasn’t until my early days at Plymouth Yarn that I started knitting almost daily. I am always looking for deals on blocks of paper and scrapbook supplies. I’ve tried at least half of Martha Stewart’s recipes. I own hundreds of buttons but rarely use them in clothing. Finally, anytime I go on vacation I try to find a ceramic studio to take my son to, as they are few and far between where I live. My yarn stash lives down in my basement but I have 3 shelves of non-yarn goodies too.
Where am I going with this? Most of us who like to play with yarn, also like to craft, bake and create. We had a rare snow in Bucks County, PA over the weekend and it was a wet, cold, slushy mess. I opted to stay in and found a fun website that caters to all of my crafting needs. If you are looking for a project, of any type, check out Craftfoxes. I found this adorable free pattern for a crochet zombie from the book Crobots: 20 Amigurumi Robots To Make by Nelly Pailloux. Image by Andrew Perris. Encore DK would be perfect for this project.
Plymouth Yarn’s Worsted Merino Superwash yarn is the perfect choice for projects for the entire family. It feels amazingly soft against the skin, washable, versatile and shows wonderful stitch definition. It really is perfect for all knitting and crocheting projects.
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.
I have a tough time knitting garments for myself, some parts are short, some parts are round, well you get what I mean. If you are like me, you’re always busy knitting a gift for this baby and a hat for that charity, but that beautiful yarn in your stash that you know would make the most gorgeous jacket, still sits there, waiting for the perfect pattern to come along. The time has come!
Jean Frost, a recognized master of hand knit jackets, has created a fabulous collection of custom-fit, hand knit jackets. Isn’t it time that you could knit for your body and not the industry standard? With Custom Fit Knit Jackets you can turn your measurements into dimensions. From casual to couture, this is like 3 books in one. The first step takes you through the process of measuring for your custom creation, the second is a collection of jackets in 10 sizes and 4 gauges and lastly, it’s a source that helps with the details and finishing of your custom creation.
On page 108, you will find a woven jacket created with Plymouth’sWorsted Merino Superwash(a machine washable, fine merino wool) in charcoal and off white.
"Let’s pretend! Slip stitches can fool the eye.
Here, 2-row stripes appear to be interwoven bands. We chose black and
white for head-turning, graphic elegance. The Chanel styling and
simple, hidden-snap closure are perfect for office dressing."
It got chilly here in Bristol today. Time to get into some new projects. Check out this great free pattern for a Coffee Beenz Textured Throw. It’s quick and easy. You might even get it done this weekend. Call your local yarn shop today to get started.
F343
COFFEE BEENZ
Textured Throw
Approx. Finished Size: 32” x 32”
Materials: 6 balls Coffee Beenz
Needles: 24” size 13.
Gauge: 10 sts = 4” over st st with yarn held doubled.
With 2 strands of yarn, loosely cast on 84 sts.
Knit 10 rows for bottom border.
Begin pattern:
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K6, p8, *(k8, p8); repeat from * across to last 6 sts, end k6.
Rows 3-12: Repeat rows 1 & 2.
Row 13: Knit.
Row 14: K6, k8, *(p8, k8); repeat from * across to last 6 sts, end k6.
Rows 15-24: Repeat rows 13 & 14.
Repeat rows 1-24– 6 times, then work rows 1-12 once more.
Knit 10 rows for the top border.
Bind off loosely. Weave in all ends.
I wanted to wish a big congratulations to Linda from Kelley’s Quality Sewing Center in Rochester, MN. She entered her Boku Mitered Square Afghan in competitions at the Minnesota State Fair. Linda won both the sweepstakes for Afghan Knitting and the Minnesota Knitter’s Guild. She also won the blue ribbon for Best Wool Article. The pattern she chose is 1063 and Linda used 5 different colors of Boku.
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!
