Or is it “Donut”? Well, either way, that’s the good news. The not-so-good news is that the shop’s computers crashed earlier this week. Consequently, we are unable to accept credit cards at the moment—cash and checks only for all purchases.
The problem shouldn’t take long to fix, certainly in plenty of time for pre-orders to be placed for the just-released Emma’s Yarn Theme Packs—sets of 10 “Smalls” (mini-skeins) of the most wonderful hand-dyed Emma’s Yarn colors!
The assortments have been chosen to coordinate perfectly and are meant to be used together for a color “melting” effect, rather than to fade or contrast. There are 6 packs in all, each available in your choice of 3 different scrumptious yarn bases.
Choose your colors, then pick your yarn base:
• Practically Perfect Sock – a beautiful 2-ply 80% superwash merino/20% nylon fingering weight with the perfect balance of stretch and softness against the skin. Perfect for socks, shawls, sweaters and garments. 10 Smalls = 810 yards total.
• Super Silky – 2-ply 80% Superwash Merino/20% Silk luxury fingering weight with gorgeous drape and an elegant sheen. Emma’s most popular choice for wraps and shawls. 10 Smalls = 810 yards total.
• Simply Spectacular DK – a gorgeous 4-ply 75% Superwash Merino/25% Nylon DK yarn that is so soft to the touch and has just the right bit of give, making it perfect for garments, blankets, and accessories. 10 Smalls = 500 yards total.
We will be accepting pre-orders for delivery later in the summer. Prices and complete ordering details coming soon.
And here is the ever-so-fun Tropical Dilemma shawl, designed by Laura Dobratz expressly for the EY Theme Packs. Pattern will launch shortly.
Do you follow the shop on Instagram? (You really should!) On June 15th, our current account, @followtheyarn, will be retired and we will start posting in a new account, @followgoshyarnit. Please follow us (again) at the new address. The old account will remain viewable as an archive.
The email we sent in May that featured ideas for Remix Light by Berroco contained a broken link to Ravelry. Here is the corrected link to the all-time favorite accessory patterns for Remix Light. In that email there were pictures of my Summer Soundtrack* top by designer Elisabeth Smith, modeled by Maude the Mannequin. Here, contrasting with the Maude shot, is a classic “selfie in the bathroom mirror” of yours truly. Yes, I’m getting a lot of wear out of this vest and loving it!
My next vest will be PetiteKnit’s Ingrid Slipover*. I’m a pushover for designs with multiple stitch patterns. I’m thinking about using just Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok, rather than holding a DK + laceweight silk/mohair together, as the pattern suggests. I love the look and feel of that combo, but I know I’ll get a lot more use out of a pure wool sweater. (Now if only I could look as cute as the designer when I’m wearing mine!)
Which look do you prefer? Light or dark?
Or maybe I’ll make my first one in a summer yarn, either all-cotton Berroco Pima 100 or in a yummy shade of slinky cotton/rayon Modern Cotton DK, shown below, that worked so well in my Guernsey Baby Blanket.
Here’s GYI’s top-selling pattern for Pima 100, Cosette* by Amy Christoffers. The crisp stitch definition of the pure cotton might be perfect for the Ingrid Slipover—I’ll report back after a few swatches to let you know which yarn I go with.
Jill finished three big projects recently, and I need to catch up with her here. First, her knockout Gresham Wrap* in Woolstok by Blue Sky Fibers. The pattern is from Michael Vloedman. Here’s another design that uses multiple easy stitch patterns to hold the knitter’s attention—a project like this will never get boring.
Malabrigo Rios in Ravelry Red was the winning choice for her Simple Swoncho, designed by Karida Collins. One word: WOW.
Jill adjusted where she divided for the sleeves to get less of a batwing silhouette. She followed Kay Gardiner’s suggestions that she used with her cable-less version. Here’s the original Simple Swoncho from its Ravelry pattern page:
And behind Door No. 3 is Jill’s sleek, elegant MEHAMA from Shellie Anderson in Shibui Billow.
I adore Billow (knitting the Two Point Cowl* in Billow was a joy), yet I’d love to see this pattern knit again in other yarns—it’s such a classic design. It’s also a great introduction to the intarsia technique and would be spectacular in other colors, too.
I have three customer projects to showcase this time around. Let’s start with Krista’s sweet Cirrus by designer Katie Hanrott, worked in Berroco Ultra Wool DK. I see on Ravelry that some knitters have knit the whole sweater in stockinette, but I think the contrasting front panel is what makes it so adorable.
Janet knit Stephen West’s free pattern Boneyard Shawl in Berroco Vintage for her granddaughter because everyone needs a snuggly shawl now and then. This was West’s first published pattern, and it’s a simple, “vanilla” design that will work with any weight yarn.
The last lesson I gave was with a delightful knitter named Carole, who came in just for a refresher on knitting with double point needles to make some mittens. “I already know how to knit,” she said, “I knit a dress once.” Boy, did she ever!
I asked her to send me a picture of her knit dress—and isn’t this a masterpiece? Knitters are amazing!
On a personal note, as some of you may know, April 30 was my last day working in the shop. As you can see, however, it’s not so easy to be rid of me—I’m still here, albeit working remotely. I’ll be clicking and clacking away on this news column and sending out occasional emails for a while longer.
Jill generously invited me to join her on her adventure of getting Gosh Yarn It! up and running in 2010, which feels like forever ago and yesterday. It has been a wild ride at times, but always a treat because, yes, working in a yarn shop is about the best job any knitter could wish for. It’s been a privilege to stitch alongside you all, even though at times I know it seemed I was just an extension of the computer at the register!
I have learned so much from everyone and have tried to pass on as many knitting tricks, shortcuts, techniques and hacks as I could—the good ones that make our craft so rewarding and worth making in the first place. Thank you for accompanying me on my own Gosh Yarn It! adventure. — Ann Ross
Note: Patterns marked with an asterisk (*) are available at Gosh Yarn It!