Governor Wolf has given Luzerne County the green light to “go yellow” on May 29th and lift many of the restrictions placed on non-essential businesses back in March. When we’re satisfied that the shop can re-open in the most responsible manner for the safety of all our customers and staff, we will be announcing a date!

I am so grateful to customers who have sent pictures of their finished projects for me to share with you over these last two months. Let’s start this post with a pair of summery Derecho* sweaters from Ann W., who knows Alison Green’s pattern, paired with Berroco Remix, is so nice, it’s worth making twice! Ann gave the teal one, shown freshly blocked, to a friend. She is keeping the pale green one, pictured fresh off the needles, for herself.

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If there were a prize for “Most Pandemic Projects Shared” it would have to go to Joanne. Her beautiful handiwork has been featured in previous posts. Here are five more, beginning with her OOAK Colorwork Socks in Blues in Manos del Uruguay Alegria. She followed the toe-up sock with reverse French Heel directions from The Sock Knitter’s Handbook by Schurch and Parrot and added a portion of the colorwork pattern from Caoua Coffee’s Invitation to the Dance socks on Ravelry, using the “slip stranding” technique.

Another Joanne “original,” a cozy hat with fold up brim and crown worked in bee stitch. Yarn is HiKoo SimpliCria.

This light and lacy cowl was knit in Berroco Folio. Take a tip from Joanne’s creation – cowls are a great way to feature a favorite stitch pattern!

Joanne chose Malabrigo Rasta in Archangel for this Makena* hat designed by Alexandra Alfonso.

And finally, Joanne adapted a free pattern called Nurmilintu by Heidi Alander for this casual shawl. She used Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in the color Worn Denim. She wrote, “I had trouble with the lace chart, and after I ripped it out for the third time, I went with simple eyelets.” She added that this time around, she won the Yarn Chicken game with less than a gram of yarn left.

Crocheter Annmarie sent this shot of her beautiful shell stitch scarf made in our newest Knittinbro Sock in the colorway It’s 5 PM Somewhere.

I can end with a true labor of love: Gina custom knit this adorable pullover for a friend’s grandchild using the Strange Brew “recipe” for colorwork sweaters from Tin Can Knits. The yarn is Ewe Ewe Yarns Ewe So Sporty. Lucky little one!

Note: Patterns marked with an asterisk (*) will be available at GYI through the Ravelry In-Store Download Program once the shop re-opens.

What’s new: KNITTINBRO YARNS
We just couldn’t wait to bring you this collection of bold, bright yarns from local indie dyer Doug Lopez of Frackville!

Introducing KnittinBro Socks, 463 yard (100g) skeins of tightly twisted fingering weight 4-ply 75% superwash Merino wool/25% nylon, $28. 3 skeins of each color available.

Top: Grapefruit, Red Velvet, Chill Out, All of the Lights 
Middle: Fly Away, Lehigh, Secret Code, Mesmerized
Bottom: Split Cedar, Emerald Dreams, Golden Hour, It’s 5pm Somewhere

Call 570-287-9999 or email jill@goshyarnitshop.com and be sure to include your phone number. We will call to confirm your order. Free domestic shipping on 2 or more skeins. Front porch drop-off delivery to Wilkes-Barre/West Side and Back Mountain is also available.

LYS Day 2020 was to have been April 25 but has been officially postponed until September 12. Designer Casapinka, bless her heart, decided that closed LYSes could use some help right now and is offering her annual LYS Day free-pattern-with-LYS-purchase as a Ravelry download from Friday, April 24 through midnight (Pacific Time) Sunday, April 26. Casapinka’s project page explains it all here.

Since we can all use a pretty knitting project to remind us to be calm, breathe, and hope for better times, we present Breathe and Hope:

Wait? What kit? GYI is closed! How can you buy yarn and get Casapinka’s pattern? Well…

DETAILS: Because Gosh Yarn It! cannot open and doesn’t have an e-commerce site, you cannot literally buy 2 skeins of yarn from us this weekend to qualify for your free copy of Casapinka’s Breathe and Hope pattern. But that won’t stop us!

We want to honor the spirit of Casapinka’s creativity and generosity: Request your pattern NOW and purchase yarn LATER (see Note below). Email me at ann@goshyarnitshop.com so that I can send you your download code for Casapinka’s pattern before 9:00 p.m. EST Sunday evening (sorry, I’m not staying up until 3 a.m.). Include the following “Casapinka Pledge” by copying and pasting it into your email:

I will do my best to purchase 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn from GYI in the future, enjoy my LYS Day gift from Casapinka now, and keep calm and knit on!!

As a tease about what “later” yarns await you, Jill just re-ordered armloads of our beloved Smooshy from Dream in Color; our first collection of KnittinBro Sock Weight from local Pennsylvania dyer Douglas Lopez, a.k.a. KnittinBro, is about to make its debut; and there’s even wistful talk about bringing back Alegria from Manos del Uruguay.

Note: Once you’ve downloaded your Breathe and Hope pattern from Ravelry, you may not be able to wait to cast on. We get it! If you already have the perfect 800 yards of fingering weight in your stash, go for it. Your future 2-skein purchase can be for any project.

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More wonderful support for shuttered LYSes comes from Berroco. They’ve created their 123 DropShip Program to allow you to order any amount of any Berroco yarn from us – even brands we don’t normally stock, including from their partners Lopi, Amano, WOOLADDICTS, and Lang. Check out their FAQ flyer here. Links are included to “virtual yarn catalogs.” Getting your yarn with the DropShip Program is easy:

1. Select yarns
2. Place your order with Gosh Yarn It!
3. Berroco ships from their warehouse in Rhode Island directly to your doorstep via USPS for flat-rate $7 shipping

To order, call 570-287-9999 and leave a message or email jill@goshyarnitshop.com – be sure to include your phone number. We will call you to confirm your Berroco order and accept payment.

Berroco is also curating a kitted “Project of the Week,” as part of the 123 DropShip Program. The next kit will make Broderie by Alison Green. It includes 3 skeins of Berroco Millefiori Light and a copy of the pattern, regularly $8. There are 5 colorways to choose from. This is the same shawl worn by Laura Dern in the movie Little Women. These kits can be ordered only from GYI with a phone or email order, as above. For information on this and future Project of the Week kits, subscribe to Berroco’s KnitBits email newsletter from berroco.com.

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And right here in Wilkes-Barre, Tyler Rice and his screen printing business AxelRad started The Shirt Off Our Backs program. It’s a great way to support your local yarn shop and other locally-owned small businesses through the purchase of limited edition t-shirts. Doesn’t the Gosh Yarn It! shirt look fantastic?

GYI receives a portion of the $15 cost of each of our shirts. All proceeds will help put new yarn on our shelves once the shop re-opens. Shirts are mailed directly to customers for flat-rate $5 shipping. But don’t wait. Order directly from AxelRad: Stores.inksoft.com/The_Shirt_Off_Our_Backs

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I think there’s still room to squeeze in a few FOs:

Above, Jill models her completed Cosette from Amy Christoffers in Berroco Pima 100. Knit side-to-side, this is a cotton sweater that will keep its shape while keeping you cool and comfortable. Below, Pima 100’s great stitch definition in Cosette.

(I took a skein of the same shade of Pima 100 and made…

…dishcloths!)

Our customer Krista made this delightful Pippin* hat in Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok, color Cranberry Compote. Designer Melinda Measor’s pattern of twisted stockinette stitches looks so fun to knit.

Krista also sent in photos of her Orange Love Poncho by Gaye Glasspie. She used Berroco Vintage in Black Cherry. I hope Krista is getting plenty of chances to wear her cozy Orange Love.

Joanne’s been knitting socks while “sheltering at home.” Her output is amazing! First, a pair she calls “At Mom’s Request.” The yarn is Wonderland Cheshire Cat. Her original pattern uses the Reverse Gored Toe and Short Row Heel for toe-up socks from The Sock Knitter’s Handbook by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott. 

Next, her “I’ve Got the Lockdown Blues” socks feature Opal yarn, color Ingenier #9645. This time the toe-up toe is the Linen Stitch Toe from Karen Alfke’s Turbo Toes pattern in The Knitter’s Book of Socks by Clara Parkes, paired with the Reverse French Heel from The Sock Knitter’s Handbook by Schurch and Parrot.

Here are Joanne’s “Garden Rows” socks. She used her go-to pattern this time, Churchmouse’s Simple Toe-Up Sock, with Cascade Heritage Sock in Green #5659 and Alegria in Kohl and Ghostbusters.

And for a colorful finish, this latest pair is called “Paris in April,” knit toe-up in Lang Super Soxx City Runner in Color #220. She used the Reverse French Heel from The Sock Knitter’s Handbook. 

Please keep your photos of your FOs coming. Inspire your fellow knitters and crocheters. Email them to ann@goshyarnitshop.com and include both pattern and designer names and yarn(s) used. It’s a fun way to be close even while we are far apart. Stay healthy!

We hope you’re very well, and beautiful yarn is within easy reach. We send virtual hugs to everyone who has contacted us with requests for yarn and notions. If it’s on our shelves, we can get it to you, either by mail, parking lot pick-up at the shop, or even local delivery (West Side or Back Mountain). For fastest service, please email jill@goshyarnitshop.com directly.

And yes, if you need pattern support or technical help, feel free to email questions to me, ann@goshyarnitshop.com. I make no promises about my ability to correctly diagnose and successfully treat “oopses” long distance, but I’ll do my best to keep you in stitches.

Also, we’d love to see what you’re working on now. Use the same ann@ email address to send me your photos, be they FO or UFO. Over the last 10 years, we have showcased hundreds of our customers’ finished projects on our blog, and we don’t want to stop now. (Did you know all our older posts can still be viewed on our website? Scroll down to the bottom of the current News page to click back through pages 2-26.)

Alas, not many FOs this time around – the first two are the last two that visited the shop before “non-essential” (harrumph) small businesses like ours had to close. What we lack in quantity, however, is more than compensated for in quality:

Above, Joanne’s high-contrast socks in her favorite sock pattern, Simple Toe-Up Sock* from Churchmouse in Frolicking Feet from Done Roving Yarns and Frog Tree’s Pediboo.

Below, Joan’s spectacular Speckles* sweater by Casapinka. Joan kindly sent me her own picture of the entire sweater. The close-up photos, showing the reverse stockinette fabric of Madelinetosh DK Twist in the colorway Tiny House, were taken at GYI.

Love the design but don’t love purling? No problem. Casapinka has you knit Speckles inside-out so there is no purling.

I’ll toss in two FOs of my own because what better to make you smile than kids in handknits? Several years ago, I test knit a sweater for Lori Versaci called Baby Sequences using Wonderland Cheshire Cat. Lori continued to re-work the design, eventually publishing it as Playtime. I gave the 12-month size I’d made to my granddaughter this Christmas, and recently received this photo:

Yes, I got gauge, but clearly that 12-month size still has plenty of growing room for 18-month old Harriet. Then there’s my Apple Cheeks Hat* from a pattern by Milja Uimonen. It’s now my go-to baby hat. The yarn is stashed Liberty Wool from Classic Elite Yarns, one of many small yarn companies, including Frog Tree, which, sadly, have gone out of business since GYI opened.

(Doesn’t everyone block their baby hats over an ostrich egg in a pitcher?)

Above, the hat after blocking and before sending to my great-niece Sylvie; below, the happy and healthy new owner. Stay the same yourselves, folks! Hope to see you soon.

Note: Patterns marked with an asterisk (*) are available on Ravelry now and will be available at GYI once we are open again!

Technical difficulties prevented this announcement from appearing here until we discovered the problem today, April 3. Our apologies for any confusion this may have caused. Our shop remains closed until further notice during the current health crisis.

IN THIS POST:

• two new classes
• a club for sweater lovers
• finished projects gallery
• trunk show wrap-up

DAYBREAK SHAWL CLASS: After making Stephen West’s Daybreak* you’ll be a master of the “make one” increase. This semicircular shawl gets its shape from 4 different kinds of these easy increases. Graphic stripes echo a rising sun and offer a fun way to play with color. You’ll also learn a foolproof garter tab cast-on technique and a neat trick to stop stressing over tension. Registration is open for this 2-session Saturday class meeting March 14 & April 4, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Cost: $50 (Daybreak pattern additional, available at GYI); Yarn: 1 skein each of 2 colors fingering weight yarn; Instructor: Ann.

CUFF-DOWN SOCKS CLASS: New to socks? Or new to Magic Loop? This class is for you. You’ll speed through these worsted weight socks. Learn the Magic Loop technique using a 32″ (or longer) circular needle and our favorite Basic Sock* pattern from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas. Registration is open for this 3-session Saturday class meeting April 4, 18 & May 2, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Cost: $40 (Basic Sock pattern additional, available at GYI); Yarn: 1 skein Berroco Ultra Wool or Vintage yarn (a second skein will be needed if using contrast cuff/heel/toe); Instructor: Kathy.

SWEATER CLUB: It’s not a class… it’s not a clinic… it’s a happy place for everyone who makes (or wants to make) sweaters!

In Sweater Club you can get together with other stitchers to “share the love” of making your own clothing and to work on your sweaters-in-progress.

Sweater Club is free and will meet 12:00-1:00 p.m. on 3rd Saturdays starting March 21. Stay for lunch if you can; bring a brown bag or join the regular Saturday Stitchers in placing an order from a local restaurant.

Even if you’ve never made a sweater before, Sweater Club is still for you. A lot goes into a sweater: choosing a flattering style, finding a well-written pattern, deciding on a size, selecting a yarn and getting a fabric you like with it (even if you don’t get exact gauge), altering the fit, assembling and finishing. Since no one likes talking about making sweaters more than sweater makers themselves, Sweater Club can offer plenty of inspiration.

(And if you think Sweater Club members should get sweater-quantity discounts on their yarn, we agree!)

FINISHED PROJECTS: Stephanie is the proud maker of a beautiful Seachange* from designer Jennifer Steingass, whose patterns are published under the name Knit.Love.Wool. Stephanie worked with our DK weight New York from Trendsetter. If you’re a fan of Norwegian inspired, seamless circular-yoke sweaters, the hardest part will be picking which of Steingass’ designs you’ll want to knit first.

This sleek Memories Sweater*, designed by Heidi May, will be a go-to sweater for Bonnie. It also shows why Malabrigo Rios is a go-to yarn here at GYI. This classic cardigan shape perfectly complements the vibrant color variations in Rios, a hand-dyed yarn.

Francie finished her spring green Junegrass Pullover* in Scout from Kelbourne Woolens in plenty of time for spring. She’s now working on a second Junegrass, having already swatched for gauge in summery wool-free Remix Light from Berroco. The designer is Carrie Bostick Hoge.

Here’s one more sweater FO: Jill’s Hyphen* in Malabrigo Rios. The color is called – what else? – Peachy. The pearl buttons only add to the cuteness. The pattern comes from Lisa Chemery.

Wanda made her bright Knotted Openwork Cowl in chunky Cascade 128 Superwash. Shannon Dunbabin’s pattern is free on the Cascade website.

Marcia’s Dimorphous Mitts* from Miriam Felton appeared in the last post as a WiP and are now a fabulous FO. Her yarns are Urth Uneek Fingering (the gloves) and Classic Alpaca from The Alpaca Yarn Company (the mitts).

PERENNIAL TRUNK SHOW: Here’s a last look at the models that were in the shop last month from the Kelbourne Woolens Perennial Collection, featuring their washable wool/alpaca/nylon Perennial yarn. If you weren’t able to see these pretty pieces in person, enjoy them here. The patterns and yarn are still available at the shop.

Roxborough Dolman* by Courtney Kelley:  

Yangtze Cardigan* by Courtney Kelley:

Nana’s Pullover, by Kate Gagnon Osborn, a free pattern:

Baby Fiddlehead Pullover* by Courtney Kelley:

Colette* by Kate Gagnon Osborn:

Lucille* by Courtney Kelley (This vintage-inspired baby set includes cardigan sweater and bonnet.):

Meadowsweet Shawl* by Courtney Kelley:

Parquet* shawl by Kate Gagnon Osborn:

Note: Patterns marked with an asterisk (*) are available at GYI.

We do love our gadgets. And when they’re as good looking as they are useful – bonus! Take the measure of your stitches at a moment’s notice with these clever key fobs and comfortable leather Wrist Ruler bracelets.

Our new shipment of Katrinkles Mini Tools and Needle Gauges has just arrived. These handy wooden tags save so much time: the ins and outs of the Kitchener stitch can be at your fingertips, your needles sized, your yarns identified by weight, and increases and short rows de-mystified.

There’s a new class coming in March: Daybreak* is Stephen West’s shawl that features M1L and M1R increases in both knit and purl. You’ll master these and learn a foolproof garter tab cast-on and a pretty way to carry yarns up the side of the shawl. Below is Brigid’s serene blue and white Daybreak. This will be a two session class, Saturday, March 14 & April 4; 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino had a “soft opening” at GYI before the holidays, and it’s time to make some noise about this wonderful washable sport weight yarn. Kathy’s BABY Tea Leaves* is our newest shop sample. The pattern is the smallest size of Melissa LeBarre’s Tea Leaves* adult cardigan, with the TINY Tea Leaves* for children 2 and up.

I’ve been able to collect photos of some amazing customer finished projects since the last post. First up, Tina’s cozy Weekend Walking Mitts*, designed by Dianna Walla, were knit in rustic 100% wool DK Trendsetter New York.

Steven chose easy-care Berroco Vintage for his reversible double knit cowl. The pattern is Malvolio’s Cowl by Celia Cobodevilla.

A double thick cowl is the perfect accessory for blustery winter days, and seeing Steven, modeling his handsome Malvolio’s Cowl himself, makes me wish I had one, too!

Bonnie knit these color-blocked worsted weight socks in Berroco Ultra Wool for her son. She followed a pattern for a traditional gusset and heel flap sock created by Shelly, another of our customers.

Unfortunately, Bonnie recently found out what happens when bad dogs happen to good yarn:

What would you do with so many short pieces of yarn? (I suggested something with tassels.)

Kristen kindly shared photos of her cute Little Greystone* cardigan made from Sarah Cooke’s pattern and knit with Berroco Ultra Alpaca.

The Clara* dress by Karin Vestergaard Mathiesen is legendary, with 2000+ projects on Ravelry and no small amount of controversy over its sizing. Kathy sailed though her version in Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock, making a few modifications to improve the fit. The printed pattern is not easy to find, but we have it!

Shannon made her version of Jason’s Cashmere Hat from Melissa Thomson in Tosh DK Twist. What a beautiful, classic cabled hat.

I can’t think of anything more challenging than knitting the ten fingers of a pair of gloves. Marcia shows she has what it takes with her Dimorphous Mittens*. She’s making Miriam Felton’s pattern for mitten/gloves with Urth Uneek Fingering.

I took the easy way out by making two pairs of fingerless gloves last month with the Churchmouse Welted Fingerless Gloves* pattern. Both were knit with vintage GYI yarns (as in, ones no longer in stock) from my deep stash.

I am pretty proud of having figured out a way to eliminate the gap at the top of the thumb gusset that the original directions will make.

Finally, I’m knitting a sweater right now. The Creek* pullover from the Berroco Design Team is an incredibly easy and enjoyable knit. Designed to be worn with 4-6″ positive ease, it fits a range of bust measurements from 40 to 68″ and looks great on everyone. I’m using and loving Kelbourne Woolens Scout, a DK weight wool.

Have you ever knit a sweater? If not, what’s holding you back? Finding a wearable pattern? Figuring out what size to make? Worried about getting gauge? I’m starting the (free) GYI Sweater Club to crowd-source the answers to your sweater questions and make sweater knitting simple, make it fun, and make it routine.

Sweater Club kicks off March 21st at noon. The plan is to keep meeting on the third Saturday of each month. Bring your knitting if you’re already working on a sweater project or bring the sweater patterns you’re considering or just bring your questions about how to get started!

Note: Patterns marked with an asterisk (*) are available at Gosh Yarn It!

We have another Make & Take with Kathy coming! Knit these sweet Little Hearts on Saturday, February 8, 2:00-3:00 pm. Call to reserve a spot; seating is limited. Admission is only $10. Included is a kit with enough yarn and stuffing to take home a finished heart for a Valentine. You only need to bring a US 7/4.5mm needle, straight or circular, and a tapestry needle.

Do not miss the Dizzywig Fibers Pop-Up Shop on Thursday, February 13, 4:00-7:00 pm. Jason Klus, who dyes his beautiful yarn right here in Kingston, will be bringing dozens of his skeins to the shop in several different yarn bases. Come and meet Jason and snap up your favorites. Jason will also be accepting a limited number of custom orders that evening. We are very excited to be hosting Dizzywig Fibers at this exclusive pop-up.

Ready to learn to crochet? Have we got the class for you! Learn to Crochet is coming on Saturday, February 15, 11:00 am-1:00 pm. Let Instructor Rebecca Pinkoski get you off to a great start, mastering the foundation chain and basic stitches. This one’s going to fill fast, so call soon to register. Yarn will be supplied. If needed, hooks can be purchased with your 10% class discount.

Are we your favorite Wyoming Valley yarn shop? Then please vote for us in the Times Leader Best of 2020! Click this link: http://impressions.secondstreetapp.com/TL—Best-of-2020/#/referrals/fd93d827-e9ac-4a4b-bc8f-f800174f9337 Next, choose the Category “Miscellaneous.” Under “Wildcard – Did we miss your favorite Category – Enter it here,” type Gosh Yarn It! – Yarn Shop in the field.

You will be asked to supply a few more details about yourself, such as your postal (zip) code, but you can de-select the checked boxes if you do not wish to receive emails from the Times Leader. Please share the above link with your stitching friends and cast your vote before Thursday, February 13, 12:00 am. Thank you!

And now, it’s finished (or almost finished) project time:

Francie is rocking her in-progress Junegrass Pullover* in Kelbourne Woolens Scout by Carrie Bostick Hogue. (No, dangling circular needles aren’t a new fashion statement.) After a few armhole stitches are picked up and the sleeves knit and a few more inches worked before binding off the back hem, this sweater will be street-legal.

Jill needed only one ball of Cascade 128 Superwash for these too-cute slippers, Claire Slade’s Woodland Loafers*. Make a comfy pair for yourself or start your gift knitting early this year.

Joanne also chose Cascade 128 Superwash for her recent project, an ear-warming buff and brown hat of her own design. Love this!

Stephanie used Knitted Wit Single Fingering for her Grotine from Carolyn Dick. Linen stitch knit on the bias makes the colors of this lovely hand dyed yarn really pop.

I took the first pictures of Stephanie’s Fruitcake*, which was originally a mystery knit-along from designer Laura Aylor, thinking that the narrow garter stitch section at the top of the cowl should be worn as a turtleneck. Then Stephanie set me straight – the garter section is meant to be folded to the inside, making a double thick funnel neck. Her yarn comes from her “deep stash” – Three Irish Girls Springvale Worsted.

Not that the above styling doesn’t work, but this is the “right” way to wear it:

All patterns marked with an asterisk (*) are available at Gosh Yarn It!

Note: If you can’t make the Make & Take on February 8, Ravelry has many pattern listings for knit and crochet hearts. Kathy will be using Tatyana Grigoryan’s Full Hearts. Check out these other free patterns:

• Theresa Fox’s Little Hearts
• Susan B. Anderson’s Little Hearts
• Anna Hrachovec’s Hearts
• Mary Ann Walters’ No-Sew Heart
• Mags Kandis’ Felted Milagros.

Is it too late to wish you a happy new year of stitching? I don’t think so! It’s two weeks into January, and (so far) I’m actually keeping my three New Year’s knitting resolutions:

• spend more time each day knitting
• finish more of my UFO’s
• knit more wearable, well-fitting sweaters

Luckily for my resolution #3, new colors of Malabrigo Rios and Madelinetosh DK Twist just arrived!

Just look at those classic Madtosh colors. Our palette of DK Twist has “sweater” written all over it.

A few sweater patterns have already caught my eye (see below), including Strange Brew*, the Tin Can Knits stranded yoke pullover “recipe.” Then Gina wore her Strange Brew into the shop the other day…

This sweater comes in 3 gauges, can be made bottom-up or top-down, and comes with nearly 100 ready-to-use charts for different Fair Isle yoke motifs. It also has instructions for making your own original designs, as Gina did with her gold stars. That sounds like such fun! I’m giving it a gold star and moving it to the top of the must-make-now list.

More pretty stranded knitting appears in Joanne’s original design in warm, chunky Cascade 128 Superwash.

I loved working with Berroco Ultra Alpaca (plus some of my handspun) for this On Off Shawl* by Larissa Brown. After washing, it’s as soft as cashmere.

Laurie wore her gorgeous Braidsmaid* to Thursday Night Sit & Stitch recently. Her yarn is Malabrigo Rios. Braidsmaid comes from designer Martina Behm. 

I made good on my resolution #2 by finishing an Oaken Shawl* that should have been on my 2019 FO list. It’s another Tin Can Knits pattern. I used Berroco Vintage, and I’m beyond thrilled this shawl can go in the washing machine and dryer.

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Here are some of the other sweaters I’m considering:

Bedrock* from Lori Versaci

Anker’s Cardigan – My Size* from PetiteKnit

BiRTHDAY* from ANKESTRiCK

Sweaters may seem like the Mt. Everest of knitting to some folks, but they’re so worth it. Everyone has a few oopses along the way, and I’ll be combining resolutions #2 and #3 when I un-knit and re-knit my Weekender* from Andrea Mowry. Unfortunately, I chose a size that turned out to be too big for me. Getting gauge doesn’t help when you pick the wrong size in the first place! Here’s the “before” picture, and after some washing and re-skeining, I hope to get my “after” underway soon.

Note: Patterns marked with an asterisk (*) are available at Gosh Yarn It!

Looking for gift ideas for stitching friends (or yourself)? We have more than just the handy Baggu tote bags in stock right now. Check out Baggu’s nifty zippered pouches and dopp kits. They all make great project bags.

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And Chiao Goo’s Yarn Butler should be on every yarn lover’s wish list. It puts an end to yarn balls bouncing across the floor forever!

Wondering what’s been on some folks’ needles recently? I have finished projects to share! Jill finished her Drift* from Tin Can Knits in Malabrigo Rios, the Frank Ochre colorway.

She immediately cast on for Laura Aylor’s Bittersweet* in our spanking new Cascade 128 Superwash chunky weight, and, quick as a wink, she was done.

We have 20 colors in stock. With 2 weeks until the holidays, easy-care 128 Superwash and our other “wool-endowed” bulky yarns (Lyonel, Coco, Topas) are ready to help you finish up the last of your gift stitching.

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One more finished project from Jill: she used Urth Uneek Worsted for this cute Puddleduck* by Melissa Schaschwary.

More cute? Coming up! Bonnie chose Malabrigo Rios for this Winter Sunset* from Gabrielle Danskknit for her granddaughter. Those buttons are a great finishing touch.

Below, Bonnie’s moppet models her Bitty Birchbark*, designed by Alicia Plummer, in Kelbourne Woolens Scout.

A few views of Bitty Birchbark‘s sweet details…

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Rebecca’s crocheted mushroom wreath is spectacular! It was inspired by Kate Eastwood’s free pattern Autumn Wreath, but she created many of the highly detailed fungi all on her own.

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Joanne’s go-to patterns for both her toe-up and top-down socks come from the always-reliable Churchmouse Yarns & Teas. Here is her Simple Toe-up Sock* in some Done Roving Frolicking Feet and Cascade Heritage and her Basic Sock* (top-down) in Austermann Step 6 and Frog Tree Pediboo. Way to rock the sock stash, Joanne!

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Joanne has this stunning Derecho* from designer Alison Green ready and waiting for spring. Her yarn is Berroco Remix Light.

Until the warmer weather arrives, perhaps Gina could loan her the Winter Concept Shawl she made from designer Elizabeth Finn? Joanne’s sweater and this shawl would be beautiful together. Gina’s yarn is a mix of stashed alpaca yarn and Fibre Company Luma.

Note: Patterns marked with an asterisk (*) are available at Gosh Yarn It!