Sharing the love...

Our dear friends at Angelfire have been more than generous in helping me knit these amazing hand knit thank yous for Ted's nurses and therapists at the hospital.  As fast as they're coming in, I'm tying them up in a bow and handing them out to the angels that dote over him each and everyday.  I'm so grateful to my friends here and to the staff at the hospital for genuinely sharing the love....  It truly warms my heart. 

 

If you were wondering just how simple it is to whip up one of these incredibly soft and cozy cowls, here it goes:
1 Skein of Blue Sky brushed suri
US 13 16" circ
c/o 60 sts, join in the round and knit until you have just enough to bind off.  Bind off loosely.  And that's it!
COZY COZY!!

Cristallo Beaded Cowl...

Before I introduce my latest pattern, I need to thank all of my friends, family, and my amazing customers for supporting me through this tremendously difficult time.  I wouldn't have the strength to get up and do what I do every morning without the undying love and support from everyone around me.  I'll be forever grateful from the bottom of my heart, truly.  My husband is improving everyday, and with love and prayer, and a little time to heal, he'll get there.  He's starting to verbalize and make strong connections, GO TEDDY! 

 

The night before Teddy's accident, I blocked my latest design called the Cristallo Beaded Cowl.  I couldn't get it out there, for obvious reasons, and I'm really excited that it's finally up!  It's knit with my favorite yarn in the world, Blue Sky Worsted Hand Dyes and Tilli Tomas Angel, which is a beautiful beaded mohair.  I hope you like it!  Here are the details:

Skill level: Easy
Finished Measurements: Approximately 44” around by 22” wide
Gauge: 12sts = 4” in wrapped cable pattern
Yarn: Blue Sky Worsted Hand Dyes- 3 skeins,
Tilli Tomas Angel 2 skeins
Needles: US 13/5.5mm needles to obtain gauge

The bins are bursting!

The cubbies are bursting with all the new shipments we've received this past week. Come in and see all the beautiful new colorways of Madeline Tosh Merino Light and Madeline Tosh Sock before they're all swept out the door.

We've also received plenty of Blue Sky Bulky for quick holiday gifts; gorgeous Blue Sky Suri Merino, and loads of Spud & Chloe fine, sweater and outer in all of their gorgeous, bright colors. And if you've never knit with Malabrigo Worsted or Twist, you're missing out! It's so beautiful and soft - great for hats and scarves and mittens or a really special sweater for someone on your list.

Happy knitting!

new goodies...

Hey there everybody, just a little FYI... all of that gorgeous new yarn that we received last week is all up on the website now.  So, near and far can all ogle at the amazing new colors of Malabrigo Sock & Worsted, as well as Manos del Uruguay's latest addition to their collection of yarns, Lace & Maxima...

Here's the Manos lace in Orla...

Manos Maxima in Chrysanthemum....   

These yarns are soooooooo soft!!!  I don't know which one to try first...  Ok, off to my knitting!  I need to catch up, so I can start on one of these new yarns.  Happy knitting!!!

maxima and lace...

I'm here with 7 very large boxes of yarn, thinking about rearranging the shop a little to accommodate it all.  Then I'll get busy taking pictures and adding it all to the website.  Here's a little peak at the Manos del Ururguay Lace that is sitting on my desk waiting for me to decide on a pattern for it.  It's so soft and these colors are stunning.  We also received Maxima from Manos as well, a single ply superfine merino that I will be balling today for a shrug for Scarlett.  As soon as we get back from school pick up, she can choose a color.  Maybe she'll have an easier time that I am, jees they're all too nice.  On that note, I will need to close the doors of the shop daily from 2:40 -3:10 to pick her up from school, sorry for any inconveniences, but I gottts to get my baby! 

 Oh wait, before I forget, today's delievery also restocked our Malabrio sock, worsted, and twist.  I'll get it all up on the site as soon as I can.  Happy knitting!!!

spotlight on canopy...

    

 After being stuck in a knitting freeze for way too long, I've been warmed back on board with a little help from our dear and most talented friend, Kirsten of Through the Loops.  I know I know, I just bogged about one of her latest designs, Roma, but now that I've knit another beautiful pattern of hers called Andrea's shawl, I must share again.  This pattern has to be one of my favorites so far... EVER!  I love that the lace work is done first, and then it's a smooth sailing of simple decreases until the end, bravo!  I've been dying to knit with Fibre Company's Canopy fingering forever too, and having the chance to use these two colors together was perfect.  I could not believe how this yarn changed after I blocked it, I thought it was soft before?  It is amazingly soft now, I can't wait to wear this shawl (and knit another one)!  My project details are on my ravelry page and can be found here.  Happy knitting!! 

ps.. Congratulations to my little girl on her first day of 1st grade, where does the time go?  I'm so proud and so unbelievably grateful to have such an angel in my life...  

the winners!!!

the winners of the Friday night's raffle are:

763088- A Spud & Chloe Tote bag!!!
763100- Blue Sky Alpacas Button Up Cowl Kit
763090- Spud & Chloe Two for One Sock Kit
763085- Through the Loops Wesley Mittens Kit
763096- 25% off of one package of pottery lessons at Angelfire Studios


Thank you all so much for participating in our fundraiser, for all of those who couldn't make it to the fundraiser, but would still like to help out, please feel free to visit Bella's website anytime...  If you're a winner, please come by with your ticket to claim your prize, if you can't make it in, give the shop a call at 908-604-4294.

Thank you!!

Just a quick thank you to everyone who came out to last night's stitch n' pitch, it was a blast, and a great big thanks to Carolyn who always adds a ton of enthusiasm and encouragement to knitters and especially to those who are curious to try it someday.  I'm so grateful to all of those who donated to Bella's fund, that was a success too!  I mustered the guts to throw out a pitch, and it was actually a lot of fun!  Now it's time to ball some yarn and get knitting, fall is around the corner.  The shawl I'm wearing in the picture above is a new pattern from Through the Loops, called Roma.  We have the pattern in the shop now, along with some of her other recent designs.  I loved knitting it and it kept me nice and warm last night, I used Jade Sapphire 2-ply for my shawl and it's just amazing... Here's a closeup of Roma...

Happy knitting, and oh! we are expecting our next shipment of Tosh Merino Light this Wednesday, so if you haven't had the pleasure of gazing through the beautiful world of Madelinetosh in person, here's your chance!!

new fall schedule

We're just about done wrapping it up for stitch n' pitch tomorrow night, ohhhh my nerves.  It was brought to my attention this morning that I was throwing out the opening pitch to the game.  WHAT!?!  Are they sure about this?  Oh well, I'll just close my eyes and pray for the best.  We've got some really nice door prizes for the raffle, and I truly hope that our fund raiser for Bella is a success!

I wanted to let everyone know that the new fall knitting and crochet schedule is up, so go ahead and check it out.  If you have any questions regarding the classes, please feel free to call the shop!!  See you all tomorrow night, and there are a few tickets left so if you'd like to join us last minute, just give us a call!!

angel...

We're having a little boost this week on Angel from Tilli Tomas! A heavenly soft beaded mohair in a beautiful array of colors.  I may need to knit another Wisp for the fall...  Angel will be 30% off for the next 2 weeks, treat yourself to a little luxury!

A quick reminder about Stitch n' Pitch, there are a few spots left for next Friday night's game.  August 27th, the game starts at 7:05 pm at the TDBank Ballpark in Somerset.  Tickets are $10, and you can call and reserve your ticket over the phone 908-604-4294.  We're raffling amazing knitting kits and other goodies in order to raise funds for our friend Bella Tucker!!  Read her story, it will touch your heart, she's incredible.

TML maddness!

It has been a bit of a madhouse since we received our first installment of Madelinetosh merino light.  Knitters were calling from all over the country to purchase this marvelous single ply and there is just a smidgen of it left.  Our next shipment is due to arrive in 2 weeks, so keep a look out for it.  However, we do have some left, and I'm planning on putting the remaining colors online tomorrow.  Here are just a few of my favorites, look how pretty...

Fragrant...

Amber Trinkett...

and Filigree...  

Don't hesitate to give us a call, we may still have the color you're looking for.  Reminder:  Stitch n' Pitch is August 27th, tickets are limited.  We'll be knitting, laughing, and raising funds for a little girl named Bella.  Please join us, we'd love to have you!

Lonicera from Through the Loops!

This week , our friend Kirsten stopped by with her latest design, Lonicera.  I love this simple vest/wrap and the bamboo lends the most amazing drape.  However, there are so many fabulous yarns that would work up just as lovely, I can see it in Blue Sky Suri Merino which would be amazing for fall and winter.  Check it out, it can worn in so many ways!!!

I'm not sure if I mentioned on the blog yet, that we're now offering international shipping, but we are and are so pleased with the response so far!  Why not, everybody needs to knit!  On Tuesday, we'll be receiving the much anticipated Madelinetosh Merino Light, we've also stocked up on the new colors of Sweater and Outer from Spud & Chloe as well as those adorable limited edition totes!!

They're reversible!!

stitch n' pitch 2010

This year we will be participating in the stitch n’ pitch event on August 27th at the TDBank Ballpark in Bridgewater. The tickets are $10 each and the game starts at 7:05. We'll be there to answer any of your questions regarding  upcoming fall classes and we'll be offering free knitting and crochet techniques as well.  Reserve your tickets by emailing or calling the shop.

We’ll also be having raffles for amazing door prizes to raise funds for a beautiful little girl named Bella. She’s the daughter of a old friend of mine who has undergone a tumultuous quadruple amputation due to a serious infection called Streptococcus Pneumoniae. Read her story, it will take hold of your heart!

We hope you’ll join us, it will be a blast!!
Once again, the game will be at:
TDBank Ballpark 
Somerset Patriots
1 Patriots Park
Bridgewater, NJ 08807

There are limited seats, so act now! 
Call the shop- 908-604-4294, or email us angelfirestudios@verizon.net

Spud Says!!!

Check us out on Spud & Chloe's blog, Spud Says!!!  A giant great thanks to Susan B. Anderson of Spud & Chloe and the Itty Bitty Books for such a sweet writeup.  If you have yet to visit her blog, do so now, it's truly wonderful and full of inspiration!

Our oh so lovely friend Lindsay, just released her very first sweater pattern this week called Fairly, it's looks too cozy to resist knitting, here are the details!

 

This is a great sweater for beginners, with simple increases and decreases for shaping, and for more advanced knitters that want to keep their hands occupied without having to pay a lot of attention to a pattern.

It's a fairly simple construction with the sleeves worked in one long rectangular piece and seamed to create the sleeves. The body of the sweater is then picked up from the sleeves and knit from the top down.

Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner

Sizing: S (32-34"), M (36"-38"), L (40-42"), XL (44-46"), XXL (48" - 50")

Gauge: Sleeves- 16 sts and 26.5 rows = 4" in Garter Stitch on US 10 ½
            Body- 16 sts and 22 rows = 4" in Stockinette on US9

Yarn Main Color: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran - 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) balls

900 (1,000. 1,100, 1,200, 1,300) yards
Secondary Color: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran - 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) balls
100 (200, 200, 200, 200) yards
Needles : One 32" Circular, US9   Straight or Circular, US 10 ½

A great sweater that's fairly simple, fairly different, fairly flared, fairly fast to knit, and fairly fabulous!

spumoni....

This week, I've been trying to get through some of the baby gifts that I really need to finish.  Our neighbor's baby Stella, who I knit that adorable pink Koigu dress for last year just turned one and I love knitting these little girlie girl sweaters.  While ogling over the Manos silk blend in Spumoni, I stumbled across Stefanie Japel's Whirligig Shrug in Interweave Knits, Weekend 2009 and had to make this for her.  It only took one skein for the 12-18 month size and no time at all.  I trimmed it with Tilli Tomas Disco Lights for a little girlie glitz, it's too cute.  I might need to alter this for Scarlett and then maybe for me!  I love the seed stitch peplum and the flairy sleeves, I can't wait to try it on her!

I don't have the Spumoni colorway up on the website yet, so if you're looking for it just send me an email, we have plenty!

If you're thinking of what to knit with on these terribly hot days, The Fibre Company's Canopy fingering is a beautiful choice.  It's lightweight and cool, and the bamboo lends a little shine not to mention it comes in the most amazing colors.  Today, one of our favorite knitters came by to purchase a handful of it to knit the Olive Blouse, it's going to be gorgeous!  Ok, off to weave in ends, cast on for something, bind off for something else, and take pictures.  Happy knitting and stay cool!

summer begins...

Last week, we celebrated Scarlett's kindergarten graduation!  I have to share this with you, because just 5 years ago (already), she was this beautiful little baby everyone fought over to hold in the shop.  Now, in just a few of months, she'll be boarding a school bus for the first time.  Look at my baby now, where does the time go?  I'm so so so so proud of my little girl, she did an amazing job in kindergarten this year, she's so respectful and sweet to everyone around her, I'm so grateful. 

Between end of school pool parties every other weekend and our new online store, I've been having a really hard time focusing on one project at a time, which is not like me at all.  I've been known to advocate finishing what you start before you begin something new.  However, at this moment, I have 3 projects going all at once.  I think the patterns are really great, so I figured I'd share them with you in case you were looking for something fun for the summer...

I've been looking for a project to feed my crochet bug for a while, so after scrolling through what ravelry had to offer, I finally found this great shawlette pattern by Kristy Ashmore.  It's called Simple Scallops.  It's easy and mindless, it's exactly what I was looking for!  I'm using Madelinetosh sock in Kale, on a K hook.  It's flying by, but like I mentioned earlier? Not really focusing! 

Sooooo, on to the next unfinished project which should have been gift wrapped, opened, oooohed & ahhhh over by now, is Oh, Handsome Winter Sweater.  Get it together Justine!!!  So easy, it's all done, I just have to sew on the sleeves and pick up stitches for the neck.  Sheesh!  I striped it with Dream in Color Classy's Midnight Derby and Cocoa Kiss.  Cute, I know, or I should say it will be.  I'd like to knit one for Wesley out of Lima for the fall, it looks really cozy.  This weekend, I will finish 2 of these 3 projects, I'm on it!

Last but not least, the saddest of the bunch, drum roll please.... My Drops Lace top.  I love this pattern!  I love love love the yarn, so what's the problem?  Manos Serena is the softest, loveliest yarn I've knit with in a really long time.  I'm selling it online like crazy and the Serena Collection is flying out the door.  I loved Roko's version of this top, and if your looking inspiration, you need to check out her project page on ravelry.  Impressive?  I'd say! I haven't gotten far at all on this one, and I cast on for this project months ago, so sad I know.  However, now it's out there, I've exposed my bad knitting habits as of lately and I have no choice but to finish my projects.  So you know what I'll be doing this weekend for sure! 

I can't sign off without showing you how fabulous the new Brushed Suri colors are from Blue Sky Alpacas!!!!  May I introduce: Agave, Aqua, and Acai?  See you soon, and happy knitting!

    

Sassy Stockings giving!

This week, we're offering our very first giveaway!  Our online shop has been live for just 3 weeks, and so far so GREAT!  Filling orders and visiting the post office has now become part of our daily routine, and we're loving it!  Now, it's time to have some fun, so- if you're the 40th person to place an order with us online (and we're almost there), you're going to receive a complimentary kit from Spud & Chloe!  The kit will include the Sassy Stockings pattern and 5 skeins of fine (2 snorkel, 2 sassafras, and 1 tutu)!  Now, that's a deal!  Remember our introductory discount code is still valid through May 26th.  Just enter the code ANG1 during checkout, and you'll receive 10% off of your entire purchase...

The Bali Shopper...

We had some sweet new arrivals this week in the shop!  Lantern Moon sent us their new Bali Shoppers!   These colorful floral designs are needle punched, leaving us with beautiful texture.  The shopper has plenty of room for your new spring projects and has a zipper to protect your knitting! 

Lantern Moon has recently partnered with the artisans, a group of single mothers in Bali, who have hand crafted these bags in effort to bring economic opportunity to their community.  Read more on Lantern Moon and their vision, and be inspired!  

tosh dk...

It was my pleasure to sift through a huge box of madelinetosh dk today....  Take a look at some of the colors we got in.

ms.taylor...

 

cove...  

 

stovepipe...

A few of girls in the shop have been knitting the Tea Leaves Cardigan,  I may have to cast on with one of the many beautiful colorways we got in today!!!  The Madelinetosh dk flies out the door, so get it while it's hot!

serena collection #1...

Serena Collection Book #1 just arrived this morning.  Six simple but sweet designs for Manos del Uruguay's newest yarn, serena, an amazingly soft and light alpaca/pima cotton blend.  Take a look.... 

It seems like everyday someone walks through the door looking for "that perfect sweater" they could just throw on.  I think any of the patterns in this collection could qualify, however, I'm loving Ceglid and Ana.  Both sweaters are designed with side to side construction, which I happen to love...  We have plenty of these booklets in stock, so come and browse, remember you can shop online now too!  Happy knitting...

It's official!

Check out our new online shop!  Enjoy it, and pass it on....  woo-hoo!!!!
ps- we're running an opening sale on tilli tomas disco lights and salt & pepper beaded silk- 20% off!!!

where I've been for sooooooo long...

Well, I haven't been knitting or crocheting, I've been building this.....

our new online shop and website! We're almost there, a few more twists and turns, and she'll be ready to roll...  So keep checking in with us, I hope you all enjoy it! Here's a little sneak peek...

6 Years!!!!

Come and join us as we celebrate 6 amazing years of business this weekend and save 20% off of all yarn and bags! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by! Our store hours for this weekend will be Saturday 11-6, and Sunday 12-4, see you then!!!


ps - thank you!

Iceland....

I think it's safe to say, that sometimes we all suffer from a bit of knitter's block. I had that moment a few weeks ago. My mind went blank and I felt totally uninspired, yes it even happens to me. When there are so many fabulous patterns out there that you want to knit, but you can't quite commit to one, it gets a little overwhelming. However, sitting in the shop a couple of Saturdays ago, I remembered this incredible pattern from Rowan, and decided that this was the one! This was the sweater that I had to have right away, and I'm sooooo happy I thought of it. Knit on 10.5's, it's pretty quick and it definitely looks a bit more complicated than it actually is. It's knit out of Cocoon, I picked the color "Frost". The only modification I made, was knitting the ribbing on a 9, instead of a 10.5 for a tighter fit on the bottom. I loved how organic it looked, and I knew if it was knit out of Cocoon, it would have an incredible drape. So, needless to say, it has been a real hit in and out of the shop. You can find it in Rowan Magazine 42...

It's been a while since I've put a picture of my little man up on the blog. Here he is in front of his favorite yarn, Blue Sky Alpacas, helping me rearrange (sort of speak)... He's 14 months now, and moving up in the world rather quickly, running around the shop, greeting customers, and being sweet...

In a week or so, I'll be posting information on Carol Cypher's next workshop which will be held on Sunday, April 18th. So stay tuned for that....

Some Like it Slouch....

I would like to share with you, Lindsay's new pattern, Some Like It Slouch!!!

The pattern includes both charts and written out instructions in case you're the kind of knitter that likes to keep your options open. You can find the pattern here...

Skill Level ~ Advanced Beginner
One Size ~ 19" around (unstretched)
Gauge ~ 16 sts and 20 rows = 4" in Stockinette on larger needles
Yarn ~ Fibre Company Terra - 2 hanks (196 yards)

Needles ~ One 16" Circular: US 8, One 16" Circular: US 10, Set of DPN's: US10