Madelinetosh Vintage, Malabrigo and Shibui

Madelinetosh-Vintage-JasperBusy day today, with lots of shelves re-stocked and orders sent out. We have yarnyarnyarn up on the website tonight! Just up, we added in:

Madelinetosh Vintage – over 85 colors of this beautiful Worsted Weight yarn, including new colors. I am using it to make the Amery shawl/scarf, that I found on Ravelry last week. I have 4 skeins set aside and it’s knitting up so wonderfully. Also, this pattern has an i-cord bind off, which I always think looks cool. If you do this pattern, note that it calls for a 32″ circular needle, but my 40″ cord is stuffed. I can’t imagine doing it on a 32″ cord. Another worsted weight shawl I have long had on my “to make” list is the Ashby. And someday I’ll do the Guernsey Wrap. Also? Vintage is great for sweaters. Someone brought in a Dark and Stormy in progress the other day, and that went on my must make list. Although we all know that I don’t have a good track record with sweaters. And I just found this Infinitude Scarf pattern – might need that one, too. So many fun choices. I did have a hard time picking a color, and I bet you will, too. (Shown here in Jasper.)

Malabrigo-Rastita-PiedrasMalabrigo – we added in more Sock (a fingering weight), Silky Merino (a DK weight), Rasta (a bulky weight), Rastita (a single ply DK weight) and Finito (that super-soft fingering weight that is only available once a year). One of the things I really appreciate about Malabrigo are the colors. You really can’t go wrong with any of them. (Shown here in Rastita Piedras. Isn’t this a great yarn base? How about using it for Of the Moon, or the Piccoloa Dolce Hat, or 22 Little Clouds, because I always love Martina Behm’s patterns.)

Shibui-Silk-Cloud-RaspberryShibui – we added in more Staccato (merino/silk fingering weight), Silk Cloud (lace weight Kid Mohair/silk), and Cima (lace weight baby alpaca/merino). Staccato is great for socks, shawls, fine sweaters, cowls, mitts, gloves and cowls. The extra bit of silk in there adds a little shine. Both the Silk Cloud and Cima can be knit on their own into wonderful, whispy creations. (Like the Mohair Bias Loop or the En Pointe Pullover). However, they are also both great carry-along yarns to knit in with something else, adding warmth and texture. I’m using the Silk Cloud with Shibui’s Baby Alpaca DK on a wrap that will be done soon. (In the meantime, here’s Silk Cloud in the Raspberry colorway. Isn’t it beautiful?)

To round out tonight’s Monday Update, we’ve also re-stocked the ChiaoGoo needles, Darning Eggs, Stork Scissors, Chibi’s, and Offhand Bags in the Marcella and Scottie designs. (Because of course you need a new bag and some notions to go along with your new yarn, right?)

Have fun shopping and do share pattern ideas in the comments below, if you have some that you must make. I’m always looking for new ideas!

Sheri tryinghardnottorantaboutdaylightsavingstime
andhowdarkitisformorningwalksagain. 🙁

Old Collectibles

I have a thing for old collectibles. The warm woods, the weathered look, the knowledge that these things have been around for a long time. I like poking around in antique stores and flea markets, seeing what treasures I might find. One thing I look for is old darning eggs. I like that people used to fix their socks, instead of tossing them and picking up another 5-pack at Target. Of course as sock knitters, we all know the value of handknit socks and I would reckon that most of us darn any holes that might show up, right? These old darners work great. Once in awhile I’ll see a darner with a silver handle. Very pretty, but too expensive. And a friend gave me an old glass darner, which is cool. Not really the kind of thing you’d throw into your sewing basket, I don’t think. But mostly I just collect old wooden ones.

Another thing I like is antique sock blockers. I’m always looking for unusual shapes and sizes. I like this single one a lot because it has a 10 at the top, which I assume means that it’s a size 10. That was one long sock, as this measures 34″ from top to toe.

I like them in pairs, too. I think that pair without the holes probably took a lot longer to dry socks than the ones with holes down the middle to help the air circulate better. Maybe they just hung them by the fireplace, like Christmas stockings. Anyway, now they’re fun to put up around the shop.

Do you collect anything old related to knitting/sewing/crocheting/quilting?

Sheri wholikesoldsewingneedlebooks,too