BIG IS BIG!

BIG IS BIG again this fall/winter season 2013. Whether you are following the Pinterest boards, fall/winter runway shows or the latest fashion magazines, there is no mistake that big and bulky scarves and cowls will be back in fashion again once the cold north winds bite and the snow flies.

So grab the bulky, size 15′s to 35′s, single strand, double strand, even triple strand and cast away. Need inspiration? Type in cowls or scarves on Ravelry, check off the super bulky filter and let the latest runway fashions be your muse.

But before you begin, I ask you one question. When is big too big? Maybe it’s just my age but who can forget this image of poor Randy being wrapped like a mummy in the iconic holiday movie A Christmas Story.

A Christmas Story

The Greenway Crochet Workshop with Helen Bingham

Helen Bingham will be joining us for several workshops this summer and fall. Her first  is a 2.5 hour crochet workshop on Monday, June 10th, from 6:00 – 8:30 for Donna Yacino’s Greenway.

If you know the basics of crochet; chain, single and double crochet ,we will have you learning the Harlequin Stitch in no time. Use this pattern to create a baby blanket, lap throw or full size afghan.

Greenway by Donna Yacino

For all the details click The Greenway Crochet Workshop with Helen Bingham

**Class size is limited to 10 students

The Priorities Workshop with Helen Bingham

This is a two session (2 hours each) workshop with Helen Bingham. Some of you will recognize Helen from Fresh Purls in Rhode Island which will be closing at the end of this week. We are so happy that Helen will be joining us for a series of exciting workshops she is putting together for the summer and fall 2013 schedule.

Priorities, originally called “The Healing Shawl” is created with a series of triangles. How many triangles will determine whether you knit a shawl, full size wrap or baby blanket.

For details please click The Priorities Workshop with Helen Bingham

** Class size is limited to 10 students.

Sundry on Sunday KAL

Customers always ask us what is hot right now. Our answer, “Sundry by Jennifer Dassau.”  We know that some of you have already cast on more than one in standard two color combos but have you seen the latest versions of the Sundry using three colors? If you would like to give this a try, join us beginning Sunday, June 2nd, as we cast on for Sundry.

Join us Sunday: June 2nd from 1-2:30 as we cast on.
           Sunday: June 23rd from 1-2:30 Slip Stitch Houndstooth pattern portion.
           Monday: July 8th from 6:30 to 8:00 for the picot edging.

You must purchase your pattern on-line prior to the June 2nd start date, along with approximately 375 yards* of (1) Main Color and 375 yards of (1) Contrasting Color in either fingering or sport weight and #7 40″ needles. We are asking that your materials be purchased at In The Loop, for a 10% discount, and you register no later than May 28th. Space is limited and this project is suggested for an advanced beginner knitter.

*Note if you are choosing a (3) color version please remember your yardage totals will change.

The Wait Is Over

Spring is finally at our doorstep, daffodils are blooming, trees are budding, our friends at Good Karma Farm are welcoming new baby lambs and Quince has finally perched itself quietly amongst our shelves.

Friday evening we launched our Q Club Membership with a private trunk show and preview party. Thirty three shelves nested Quince’s Sparrow, Finch, Owl, Lark, Osprey, Puffin, and Chickadee.  You fondled, caressed, ohhhed and awed, helped others choose colors, shared project ideas and we think a few of you even coveted thy neighbor’s  basket, but each and everyone one of you went home with goodie-filled bags and a spring in your step.

Quince has remained right on target with it’s goal to “create a demand for quality American fiber”, artistic creativity and good ol’  “Yankee ingenuity”. We look forward to growing with them, exploring and reveling in every new pattern, fiber and inspiration. As they grow, so do we as a community, hopefully lessening the decline of our mills, our LYS’s and the diminished interest in our younger generation who have abandoned “our grandmother’s hobbies” for the latest electronics and designer “off the rack” creations.

We just wanted to express our gratitude for your overwhelming support and thank Pam, Jerusha, Hannah, Ryan and the rest of the Quince team for giving us this opportunity.

**For those of you who asked about socks for Quince, they will be releasing four new patterns in May, all  knit with Finch, in their first sock book.

A New England Spring with Silky Wool

These are the tween months, not quite winter, not quite spring and right now, definitely not summer. Since our move a few weeks ago, each day brings us a visit from either UPS or Fed Ex and although we have all anxiously awaited the arrival of Quince and Company yarns, some really great yarns are making their way to our shelves.

One such yarn that easily needs to be showcased is Elsbeth Lavold’s Silky Wool, a silk, wool and  nylon 8-ply blend. I have been singing the praises of my perennial favorite EL Hempathy but I regret, up until this past fall, I would have never given Silky Wool a second look. That is, until a dear friend came in wearing her Siv by Elsbeth Lavold. At first glance, this”wormy” looking skein does not hold any appeal to me and several projects I have seen this knit with using larger gauges, looses something in my opinion but knit at a smaller gauge, this yarn is truly magic!

So, if I am going to sing Silky Wool’s praises, your are going to need some project ideas.

Clockwork by Stephen West (2) skeins MC (1) skein CC

Henry by Mareike Sattler (3) skeins

Belmondo by Tori Curbisz (2) skeins

Something Silver by Veera Valimaki, 980 – 1640 yards one piece raglan sleeve cardigan

Peasy by Heidi Kirrmaier 744 – 1312 yards top-down cardigan

Friday Again  by Ankestrick  920 – 1560 yards one piece top-down pullover

Over a dozen new colors in stock to choose from!