The Loopy Ewe Blog

Keeping up With the Loopy Life…

Tag: Knitifacts

Madelinetosh, Socktopus, String Theory and More!

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We just added our last official Monday Update of 2012 for you on the website. Since next Monday is Christmas Eve and the Monday after that is New Year’s Eve, this is our final one of the year. (However, we might pop one or two things up sometime between now and the end of the year, just to keep our stock room from exploding before the first Monday Update in 2013.) Just up, you’ll find:

Madelinetosh – Prairie. If you love Madelinetosh Merino Light (and so many of you do), then you will love the laceweight version of it. I am not a big lace knitter and even I am nabbing a few skeins of this gorgeous yarn! Single-ply 100% superwash merino, with a generous 840 yards per skein. Have you tried a Nuvem yet? I think everyone needs one, and it would be gorgeous in this Prairie. (You will need 2 skeins.) Lightweight but warm. Nice as a shawl or scrunched up as a scarf. Great for travel (and you can even use it as a pillow on the plane or in the car.) Other options for Prairie: Assante, Radiance Shawl, Juno Regina Shawl and Wrap, Winter Twilight Mitts, Simple Lines, and Bayfield. (Shown above in Envy.)

Socktopus – Sokkusu. Fingering weight, 100% superwash with a nice springy twist. This yarn is great for socks and shawls with texture going on in the pattern. (Of course you can knit it plain as well. But the springy twist will really make your cables and twists pop.) Some patterns you might try for socks: Angler’s Loop Socks, Flecha Socks, Tidepool Socks, Gansey Girl, and Atticus. (Shown here in Pout.)

String Theory – DK. This 100% superwash merino has 280 yards in the skein and is wonderful for sweaters and vests, hats and scarves, mittens and gloves. You’ll love the beautiful color choices. Do you need some pattern ideas? Effortless Cardigan, Acer, Poema, Cloud Chaser, Spring Garden Tee, and Lente.

Dragonfly Fibers – Merino Silk Roving. Are you ready for some spinning over the holidays? This base is 65% superwash merino and 35% silk and comes 4 oz. to the braid. It will spin up into gorgeous yarn. (Shown here in Admiral Benbow.)

Della Q – Project Bags and Needle organizers. Della comes up with some of the most practical (and beautiful) organizers out there. If you have a jumble of needles that need organizing, invest in one of these so that you’ll be able to quickly find the right needles when you’re ready to start a new project.

Stonehedge Fiber Mill – Shepherd’s Wool Worsted. This line continues to be very popular with our sweater knitters. The wool is soft and knits up beautifully, and there are many colors to choose from. Here are some ideas: Woodburne Cardigan, Vodka Gimlet,  and Wrapped Pullover. Of course it’s great for things other than sweaters, too. Try these: One Skein Boot Toppers, Turn a Square Hat, Idalia Shawl, and Jo March Mitts.

Knitifacts – Stitchmarkers. I always like these stitchmarkers, because there is nothing dangling to get in the way of my yarn as I’m knitting. They’re lightweight (made from aluminum) and sealed closed with a seed bead so there are no rough edges to catch on the yarn. Plus, they come in all kinds of fun color sets! (Shown here in Big Top.)

Lantern Moon – Owl and Sock Monkey tape measures. These are too cute. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Thank you again for your wonderful RAK reporting on last Friday’s blog. I know all of us were glad to have some positives to focus on. (If you haven’t read the RAK reports from the first day, check this blog post for more reports of people helping people.) We randomly drew two names to receive their choice of our Loopy Ewe Seasoning Series yarn and those will be going to Debbie in CO and Jennie in PA. Congratulations, you two! Our last RAK blog contest will be this Friday, 12/21 and we’d love to have you participate.

I have been picking up my knitting more than ever over the last few days. When there are things going on in the world over which I have no control (but I worry about any way), the simple act of making loops with yarn seems to help me. One of my favorite quotes on the wall here at Loopy is, “In the rhythm of the needles there is music for the soul.” The Elves and I wish you peace and calm music for your soul this week and throughout the season.

Sheri (and The Loopy Elves)

Hand Maiden, Fleece Artist, Madelinetosh and More

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I’m thinking about cooler weather. Not because it’s cool here (it’s not), but because I find myself feeling ready for Fall. My first post-Camp Loopy project is going to be a Charleston Tea and I know I will love wearing it when it is done. If you’re feeling the same way – thinking about Fall and sweaters, then you might want to snatch some of the Madelinetosh Sport that just went up. It would be beautiful for a Charleston Tea! Or several other things. We’ve just added in:

Madelinetosh – Sport. More than 70 colors, just in time for fall sweater and vest knitting. Here are a few patterns to check out: Marly (a cute short-sleeved sweater for warm fall days), and Eisen (loving the texture in that one). And someone was knitting Cavallo Point last week at Knit Night and I immediately wrote down the pattern name. It looks like a winner and would be beautiful with Madtosh Sport. (Shown above in Fathom.)

Hand Maiden – Casbah. This is one of the first Merino/Cashmere/Nylon bases that we carried, and it continues to be a favorite. The colors, the feel – all gorgeous. I like this yarn for socks and shawls. Did you see the Estuary pattern in Knitty? Or the Summerside Shawl? For socks, try Copper Penny Socks, or Brigid.

Fleece Artist – BFL Sock.A great base for socks, but you’ll see pretty shawls made with it, too. Need pattern ideas? Try Chamfer or Inlay. I love Hunter’s sock patterns. (Shown here in Blomidon.)

Swan’s Island – Organic Merino Fingering. Great yardage and pretty, soft colors makes this a wonderful yarn to work with. We have also added in their pattern line tonight. I think this would make a great Beautiful Cobweb shawl, or a cute short-sleeved sweater like Urban.

Knitifacts – This is a new line of stitchmarkers that we picked up at market. I love their snag-free pretty colors. I also like that there is nothing dangling to get caught up in my knitting. We also have their Bumpers and Bitty Bumpers – little rubber rings to put on the ends of your needles when your knitting is at rest. (Stitchmarkers shown here in the Purple Rain color.)

We have a winner for the Reader’s Choice Award from the Second Quarter Challenge, and a winner from the random drawing as well. Both winners have received a $25 Loopy Credit in their accounts! The Reader’s Choice Award goes to Allen in GA for her Simple Shellseeker, which looks really comfy and was made with Spud and Chloe Sweater. And the other award goes to Julie in OH for her cute Spring Garden Tee made with Cascade Ultra Pima. Congratulations to both of you!

Sheri someoneturnedonthe”peppyuppy”musicstationtoday.
I’vebeentappingmyfoottothebeatalldaylong.