Save The Date: 3rd Annual Stash Sale

It's that time of year again! Time to empty your closets, dig under your bed, and search everywhere you may have some yarn hidden away in case of emergency. Time to get rid of some things you're never going to use, and get some new goodies instead.

This year's Stash Sale will be held on June 22 & 23. You can begin dropping off your items at the shop on Sunday, June 16, and we'll be having a Preview Party Friday night, June 21, for those of you who are selling stash to get first dibs on everyone's treasures.

To learn how to participate, read our Google doc for all the details. Be sure to print out and sign the document and bring it with you when you drop off your stuff.

We hope you'll join us for the Stash Sale--it's always a lot of fun. If you like, you can RSVP on the event's Facebook page (RSVP not required, we just like to see who's coming!)

On The Needles: Folded Triangle Cowl in Liberty Wool

Sometimes, simplicity can be the best option. When a yarn has a lot going on, colorwise, some easy garter stitch and a bit of clever construction are all you need to create a project that looks fantastic. Rocio is working on the Folded Triangle Cowl in Liberty Wool colorway 7806, Reflecting Pond.

It's so much fun to watch the colors of Liberty Wool change as you knit.

The cowl is worked in good old garter stitch, increasing at each edge to form triangles. The sides of the triangles will then be folded in and joined in the center, and the cowl will be finished in a loop by sewing the CO and BO edges together.

Ta-da! A simple project that makes a great impact.

This is Rocio's first time knitting with Liberty Wool, and she says, "I love it. It's so pretty!"

We currently have 14 colorways of Liberty Wool prints ($9.50/ball) in stock. The Folded Triangle Cowl pattern ($3.00) takes two balls of Liberty Wool and is available from the shop as a PDF that will be sent straight to your email or Ravelry pattern library!

Patterns, patterns, patterns!

Feeling creatively blocked? Need some inspiration? All of these patterns arrived today--maybe one of them is your next project! Click the collages to enlarge.

These are the eight patterns featured in Westknits Book One. Top, L-R: Flagstone, Meadowbrook, Pogona, Chadwick. Bottom, L-R: Urbana, Skinny Skid, Piece Out, Westward.

We also have Westknits Book 4: Made for Movement, featuring these ten designs. Top, L-R: Barndom, Diamondback Mitts, Stringband, Dustland Legwarmers, Featheron. Bottom, L-R: Ithaca, Mudmilk, Shrowl, Vetritwist, Bolting.

For you Stephen West fans who aren't inclined to buy a whole pattern book, these four designs are available individually. Clockwise from top left: Botanic Hat, Rockefeller, Herbivore, Daybreak.

These three fun patterns from leethalknits are also available individually. L-R: Maurice, Barry, and Robin.

More individual patterns! Clockwise from top left: Ecuador (J O J I), Knotted Slippers (cocoknits), Weekend Wrap (cocoknits), and Aranami Shawl (olgajazzy).

See anything you just can't live without?

Welcome, Rocio!

Please join us in welcoming Rocio to our staff. She's a high school senior who'll be helping us on Saturdays until she heads off to college in the fall.

We're very glad to have you here, Rocio!

Felted soap scrubbers

Too bad the internet isn't scratch and sniff for this post. These little goodies smell fabulous!

Felted wool body soap/scrubbers

Locally made by artisan Regina DeMita, these soaps are made from pure glycerine and goat's milk, scented with essential oils, and encased in felted wool. Here's what Regina tells us about her scrubbers:

The soap is wrapped in a felted wool cover that is meant to remain on the soap as you shower or bathe. Soak the bar in water, and lather up--it's that simple! You get the benefits of a body scrubber AND the natural anti-microbial properties of the wool allow you to safely leave the bar in the shower to dry between uses. Eventually the interior soap will completely dissolve, leaving you with the wool felting that can be scented with essential oils and placed in a drawer to scent your clothing.

No two felted scrubbers look exactly alike, as you can see above. We have four wonderful fragrances in stock: lavender, apple, blackberry jam, and pinot grigio. 4 oz. bar/$8.00.

These would make a great gift for Mother's Day, which is this Sunday, May 12, by the way. :)

On The Needles: Madison in Seedling Handpaint

It's no secret that we're big fans of c2knits designs around here. But did you know that in addition to their easy-to-knit garments and accessories for women, they also offer a design for an adorable baby dress?

Madison is a cute jumper, sized for girls from 6-24 months old. Its A-line shape extends its wearing life--as your little one grows, she can wear Madison as a tunic or tank! There are three hem design options--ruffle, lace, or colorwork--so you could knit several Madisons and never make the same one twice.

This design calls for a worsted weight yarn and a size US 7 needle, so we thought it would be the perfect way to showcase one of our lovely new organic cottons. This is Seedling Handpaint in colorway 4526, Lava.

Stacy says, "This is my first time knitting with Seedling, and it's really nice. Soft and comfortable, and not at all limp or stringy like some cottons. Madison is a very simple, fast knit. It would be a great option for a quick baby shower gift, or a first garment project for a beginning knitter who's ready to move beyond scarves."

By the way, could we just take a moment to marvel at how perfectly the stripes on those little straps match?

The kicker is, this wasn't even intentional. That just happened to be how the handpainted colors landed.

Hard copies of Madison are in stock now, as are many wonderful colors (both handpaints and solids) of Seedling.