Show #114 Notes - 1/24/09

Guest: Kristeen Griffin Grimes, author of French Girl Knits, a brand new book that has just been released.
Kristeen discusses her background, how French Girl came to be, and her unique design perspective (seamless designs).

New Yarns

• Araucania Itata & Itata Multi
• Araucania Ruca Multi - 100% sugar cane!
• Debbie Bliss Eco Fair Trade Collection
• Sublime Baby Cotton Kapok DK
• Classic Elite Allegoro
• Classic Elite Solstice

Knitalong with Pixie: Part 3

Show #113 Notes - 01/17/09

Yarns - New Stock

• Noro Silk Garden Chunky
• Noro Cash Island
• Araucania Ranco
• Araucania Ranco Multi
• Ironstone Fun
• Plymouth Yukon
• Plymouth Yukon Print
• Louisa Harding Kimono Angora Pure
• Madil Eden

New Closeouts

• Plymouth Shire Silk
• Plymouth Wildflower DK
• Classic Elite Desert Overstock
• Classic Elite Inca Marl
• Online Linnie Clip Discontinued Colors

Guest: Andra Asars, our Berroco Sales Rep. joins us to discuss the new Berroco Spring line.
We generally get Berroco spring in first, and we have them in stock now!
Mica has a very subtle sheen to it, especially when knit. The shine does go dull when you look at a knitted piece.
Latitude is a wrapped cord yarn, like Seduce, but much more casual. It's constructed the same way, but it's a smoother cord with no shine. It's extremely versitile!
Pure Pima is a half mercerized, half unmercerized cotton blend. The different treatments create a fantastic depth of color.
Bonsai Colors and Seduce Colors are very subtle palettes without a high-contrast.
Berroco Sox Metallic is a collection of bright colors splashed with glitz.
Comfort Chunky is a 3.5 stitch version of the ever-popular Comfort.

Knitalong with Pixie: Part 2 - Knitting with Beads and Starting the Scarf

Show #112 Notes - 1/10/09

Guest: Carol Sulcoski, author of Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarns
Carol was able to work with some incredible, well-known designers, and also talented designers who have not been featured in books before.
The beginning of the book tells you about how yarns are hand dyed, the different ways they are dyed, and what they look like when knit up. It contains really valuable information to consider when selecting hand dyed yarns.
Check out Black Bunny Fibers, Carol's own hand dyed yarns.

Knitalong with Pixie: We begin our next knitalong!
Quiviuk Webs Scarf - It is available for $4.50 from Interweave.
Part 1 of the Knitalong

Show #111 Notes - 1/3/09

Happy New Year!

New Yarns

• Touch 2 Ply Merino
• Touch Mohair/Merino 2 Ply
• Berroco Comfort Baby
• Louet Riverstone Bulky Restock
• Fiesta Pearl Drops Closeout
• Fiesta Kokopelli DK Closeout (coming soon!)
• Fiesta Meteor Closeout
• Dream in Color Classy

New Spring yarns start rolling in now, so be sure to listen to find out what's new in the store.

Knitalong with Pixie: 2008 in Review
We got through many of the skills on our list. Pixie thought that 2008 was a fantastic year for sweaters. Her favorites include:

• Yin Yang Sweater in Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot
• Valour Vest from Rowan Colourscape Chunky Collection
• Eastlake Sweater from Norah Gaughan Vol. 3
• Flow from Norah Gaughan Vol. 2
• Reversible Vest from Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot
• Mystery Sweater from Mason Dixon Knitting: Outside the Lines

You can check out different vesions of these patterns on Ravelry.com.

As we focus on ourselves, take a look at patterns with a different eye. You are the boss of your knitting, so you can change patterns any way you see fit; to suit your taste, your style, and your shape. The pattern is just a guide. If you don't like something - change it!

Kathy and Pixie are both fans of the Staghorn Tunic that was done as a knitalong in 2008.

Pixie's Favorite Books from 2008

• Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot
• Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques by Margaret Radcliff
• Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush
• Mason Dixon Knitting: Outside the Lines by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne
• Knit So Fine by Lisa R. Myers, Laura Grutzeck, and Carol J. Sulcoski
• It Itches! by Franklin Habit