Each week we look around the store and decide on a yarn that we would like to highlight for the blog. We could blog for decades before we ran out of different yarns discuss! This week’s yarn we love is Lana D’Oro from Cascade Yarns.
This Peruvian made yarn is 50% Wool and 50% Superfine Alpaca. A wool and alpaca blend is ideal because the alpaca makes the yarn feel very soft while the wool keeps the alpaca from stretching out with wear. This is truly one of those yarns that you must feel to understand how soft it is.
Lana D’Oro is a light worsted weight yarn with 110 yards* and comes in 80 beautiful colors. This yarn would be great for a garment, scarf, or hat
Lana D’Oro Free Pattern Alert! As seen in Knitter’s Fall 2008!
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/patternsFree/W204_LanaDoro.pdf
*NOTE: Cultured Purls purchased this yarn when it was packaged with 110 yards, however as you will notice from the website, it is now packaged at 219 yards.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Question of the Week 9-18-09
Why are there so many different lengths of circular needles, and when do I use each one?
Circular needles are wonderful tools for knitting. Many people use only circular needles to knit all of their projects, even those projects that aren’t knit in a circle! Circular needles come in lengths from 9 inches long to over 60 inches long.
Usually your knitting pattern will tell you which length of needle to use with each project, but sometimes you are left to figure it out on your own. It is also hard to know which length to use if you are knitting a flat object on your circular needles. The length is based on how many stitches you are going to cast on for a particular project. Different manufactures of needles use different lengths, but if you give and inch or two using the guidelines spelled out below, you will be right on track.
Nine inch needles, such as the Hiya Hiya needles (which only come in US 0-3 in the 9” length), are a new way to knit garments such as socks and gloves. The next length is usually 12 inches which is a good length for a baby or child garment. Following 12 inches is a 16 inch which is usable for a hat, neckline, sleeve, or just for knitting a flat garment that has 30 or less stitches such as a scarf.
The next sizes such at 24 inch, 32 inch, and 47 inch are often used for knitting garments, afghans and other larger projects either flat or in the round. Circular needles with a cable that is more than 60 inches are especially great for an afghan project.
As was discussed last week, there are so many different knitting needles out there and if you haven’t tried knitting either circularly maybe start with an easy hat project or if you have never knit a flat project with circular needles, pick up a pair and cast on! You will be amazed at your results.
Happy Knitting!
Circular needles are wonderful tools for knitting. Many people use only circular needles to knit all of their projects, even those projects that aren’t knit in a circle! Circular needles come in lengths from 9 inches long to over 60 inches long.
Usually your knitting pattern will tell you which length of needle to use with each project, but sometimes you are left to figure it out on your own. It is also hard to know which length to use if you are knitting a flat object on your circular needles. The length is based on how many stitches you are going to cast on for a particular project. Different manufactures of needles use different lengths, but if you give and inch or two using the guidelines spelled out below, you will be right on track.
Nine inch needles, such as the Hiya Hiya needles (which only come in US 0-3 in the 9” length), are a new way to knit garments such as socks and gloves. The next length is usually 12 inches which is a good length for a baby or child garment. Following 12 inches is a 16 inch which is usable for a hat, neckline, sleeve, or just for knitting a flat garment that has 30 or less stitches such as a scarf.
The next sizes such at 24 inch, 32 inch, and 47 inch are often used for knitting garments, afghans and other larger projects either flat or in the round. Circular needles with a cable that is more than 60 inches are especially great for an afghan project.
As was discussed last week, there are so many different knitting needles out there and if you haven’t tried knitting either circularly maybe start with an easy hat project or if you have never knit a flat project with circular needles, pick up a pair and cast on! You will be amazed at your results.
Happy Knitting!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Yarn of the Week 9-16-08
This week’s yarn of the week is Aurora 8 by Karabella Yarns. Aurora 8 is a worsted weight yarn that knits up at 4.5 stitches per inch. It is made of 100% extrafine merino wool and has excellent stitch definition. This yarn comes in over 100 colors, more than any other extrafine merino on the market; you would be hard pressed to find a color that you or Aurora 8 didn’t look good in. Here are some of the colors that we carry here at the store:
Worsted weight yarns work so well for sweaters, hats, and just about any other garment. We have a beautiful sweater sample worked up at the store in Aurora 8 in one of Karabella’s beautiful fashion forward designs.
If you haven’t yet knit a sweater from 100% wool yarn because you remember the itchy sweaters of your childhood – this yarn will blow you away!
Come on down to the store to check it out!
Happy Knitting!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Purl of the Week 9-13-08
This week's Purl of the Week are Monkey Socks!
We are putting together our Fall/Winter classes here at Cultured Purls, and one of our ideas is to step up your sock knitting with a new sock class! If you have taken our basic sock class or are already knitting socks on your own as we know many of you are, why not learn to make the most popular sock on the web -- the Monkey sock! With 6,663 projects and counting on Ravelry, this sock is the talk of the knitting world. If you haven’t yet checked out Ravelry, don’t wait, go now.
You can use any fingering weight sock yarn for this project, and you will learn several techniques in one project. You will learn how to follow a pattern chart as well as knitting lace techniques. If you have never done lace or followed a chart and are nervous, this is the project for you. Socks are portable and the Monkey stitch pattern is easy to memorize. You can use double pointed needles, two circular needles, or magic loop for this sock class, whichever style you prefer. The instructor will help you through the cast on, stitch pattern, heel turn and toe. This is an intermediate sock class, and we do recommend that you have knit at least one pair of socks before taking this class.
With a little help from one of our experienced teachers, we will have you knitting lace socks in no time at all!
Keep an eye out for our Fall/Winter Class Schedule coming soon, as well as our sample Monkey sock being knitted right now!
We are putting together our Fall/Winter classes here at Cultured Purls, and one of our ideas is to step up your sock knitting with a new sock class! If you have taken our basic sock class or are already knitting socks on your own as we know many of you are, why not learn to make the most popular sock on the web -- the Monkey sock! With 6,663 projects and counting on Ravelry, this sock is the talk of the knitting world. If you haven’t yet checked out Ravelry, don’t wait, go now.
You can use any fingering weight sock yarn for this project, and you will learn several techniques in one project. You will learn how to follow a pattern chart as well as knitting lace techniques. If you have never done lace or followed a chart and are nervous, this is the project for you. Socks are portable and the Monkey stitch pattern is easy to memorize. You can use double pointed needles, two circular needles, or magic loop for this sock class, whichever style you prefer. The instructor will help you through the cast on, stitch pattern, heel turn and toe. This is an intermediate sock class, and we do recommend that you have knit at least one pair of socks before taking this class.
With a little help from one of our experienced teachers, we will have you knitting lace socks in no time at all!
Keep an eye out for our Fall/Winter Class Schedule coming soon, as well as our sample Monkey sock being knitted right now!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Yarn of the Week 9-11-08
Yarn of the Week
This week’s yarn of the week is Cascade’s sock yarn Heritage and Heritage Paints. This is one of the most popular sock yarns we stock here at the store, and our customers knit a lot of socks! The Heritage yarn is springy without splitting as you knit it. It has a smooth feel and comes in over 30 gorgeous colors, both solid and variegated.
Heritage is made up of 75% Superwash Merino Wool and 25% Nylon. Superwash Wool is perfect for socks and is amazingly soft. The Nylon is added to the wool to keep the integrity of the garment. Many people used to knit a strand of Nylon along with their wool for socks so that the sock wouldn’t wear out with continued use. Now many sock yarns are a wool and nylon mix so you don’t have to knit with two strands of yarn.
The gauge for this yarn is fingering 7-8 stitches per inch on a US 2-3, though they also knit up quite well on a US 1. Remember to swatch for your gauge when knitting socks so they don’t turn out way too big or too small.
The yardage for this yarn is an amazing 437 yards, and you will not believe the low price for this yarn; come into the store to check it out!
Look for upcoming articles about knitting socks, one of our favorite projects!
Also as a bonus for today’s article, be sure to take a look at the fiber and gauge search on Cascade Yarn’s website. It’s very helpful when looking to make a particular project with Cascade’s amazing product range!
This week’s yarn of the week is Cascade’s sock yarn Heritage and Heritage Paints. This is one of the most popular sock yarns we stock here at the store, and our customers knit a lot of socks! The Heritage yarn is springy without splitting as you knit it. It has a smooth feel and comes in over 30 gorgeous colors, both solid and variegated.
Heritage is made up of 75% Superwash Merino Wool and 25% Nylon. Superwash Wool is perfect for socks and is amazingly soft. The Nylon is added to the wool to keep the integrity of the garment. Many people used to knit a strand of Nylon along with their wool for socks so that the sock wouldn’t wear out with continued use. Now many sock yarns are a wool and nylon mix so you don’t have to knit with two strands of yarn.
The gauge for this yarn is fingering 7-8 stitches per inch on a US 2-3, though they also knit up quite well on a US 1. Remember to swatch for your gauge when knitting socks so they don’t turn out way too big or too small.
The yardage for this yarn is an amazing 437 yards, and you will not believe the low price for this yarn; come into the store to check it out!
Look for upcoming articles about knitting socks, one of our favorite projects!
Also as a bonus for today’s article, be sure to take a look at the fiber and gauge search on Cascade Yarn’s website. It’s very helpful when looking to make a particular project with Cascade’s amazing product range!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Question of the Week
Question of the Week 9-9-08
What makes one type of knitting needle different from the other and why are there so many sizes?
This is a two part question that we will be answering in the next two weeks. This week we will discuss the different types of needles and what’s best to use with what fiber.
Knitting needles are made from many different kinds of wood, metal, plastic, glass and even resin. Using the right tool can make your knitting experience even better. Many people started knitting using aluminum or plastic knitting needles and graduated to bamboo and nickel plated brass. Aluminum needles are fine and usually inexpensive but can easily be bent and can have tips that erode over time. Plastic needles are also inexpensive but can have seems that are rough on the hands where the plastic was molded into shape.
Many knitters prefer to knit with wooden needles because they warm up in your hands as you knit. Many knitters choose to only knit with wood needles and wood needles are especially good to use if you are knitting with slippery fibers such as bamboo, silk, or chenille. We carry Addi Natura Bamboo circular needles, Brittany Birch straight needles, the aptly named Darn Pretty needles which are made from Vermont Hardwood and Destiny Circular needles beautifully made from Rosewood.
Some knitters prefer to knit with metal needles such as the Addi Turbo which is a brass plated nickel, and the new to Cultured Purls Hiya Hiya steel needles. Knitters like these metal needles because they are faster to knit with than bamboo or wood due to their slick surface. When you are knitting with 100% wool or a tweed yarn, sometimes the yarn fibers can sick together and metal needles help the knitting to move smoothly. If you like knitting with metal needles you should come in a check out the Hiya Hiya needles because they have a great price point and even come in 9” lengths in a US 0-3 for sock knitting.
Next week’s Question of the Week will highlight why different needle lengths are important for different projects.
What makes one type of knitting needle different from the other and why are there so many sizes?
This is a two part question that we will be answering in the next two weeks. This week we will discuss the different types of needles and what’s best to use with what fiber.
Knitting needles are made from many different kinds of wood, metal, plastic, glass and even resin. Using the right tool can make your knitting experience even better. Many people started knitting using aluminum or plastic knitting needles and graduated to bamboo and nickel plated brass. Aluminum needles are fine and usually inexpensive but can easily be bent and can have tips that erode over time. Plastic needles are also inexpensive but can have seems that are rough on the hands where the plastic was molded into shape.
Many knitters prefer to knit with wooden needles because they warm up in your hands as you knit. Many knitters choose to only knit with wood needles and wood needles are especially good to use if you are knitting with slippery fibers such as bamboo, silk, or chenille. We carry Addi Natura Bamboo circular needles, Brittany Birch straight needles, the aptly named Darn Pretty needles which are made from Vermont Hardwood and Destiny Circular needles beautifully made from Rosewood.
Some knitters prefer to knit with metal needles such as the Addi Turbo which is a brass plated nickel, and the new to Cultured Purls Hiya Hiya steel needles. Knitters like these metal needles because they are faster to knit with than bamboo or wood due to their slick surface. When you are knitting with 100% wool or a tweed yarn, sometimes the yarn fibers can sick together and metal needles help the knitting to move smoothly. If you like knitting with metal needles you should come in a check out the Hiya Hiya needles because they have a great price point and even come in 9” lengths in a US 0-3 for sock knitting.
Next week’s Question of the Week will highlight why different needle lengths are important for different projects.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Purl of the Week
Cultured Purl of the Week
We are so excited for the New Debbie Bliss Magazine that has come to our Store! The Magazine is full of the kind of patterns that Debbie Bliss fans have come to expect with beautiful, classic lines along with cables and lace.
There is also a very helpful question and answer section featuring those questions you always wanted ask such as “Why do you recommend slipping the first stitch when binding off the shoulder?” and several more along with great answers.
What we especially like about this issue of the magazine is that there are patterns for women, men, children and the home with great clear pictures and specific instruction. Come on down to the store to check it out and pre-view on line!
We are so excited for the New Debbie Bliss Magazine that has come to our Store! The Magazine is full of the kind of patterns that Debbie Bliss fans have come to expect with beautiful, classic lines along with cables and lace.
There is also a very helpful question and answer section featuring those questions you always wanted ask such as “Why do you recommend slipping the first stitch when binding off the shoulder?” and several more along with great answers.
What we especially like about this issue of the magazine is that there are patterns for women, men, children and the home with great clear pictures and specific instruction. Come on down to the store to check it out and pre-view on line!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The blog is back!
The Blog is back!
As the summer months are comming to a close, we are gearing up for fall here at Cultured Purls.
Since it is Thursday and is Question of the week day, this week’s question is: “What are the best knitting related websites?”
There are so many knitting and crochet related websites, blogs and videos out there that it can be daunting to even search the web for the word “knitting.” Here at the shop we use http://www.ravelry.com/ most often. If you aren’t yet a member don’t wait, sign up! Ravlery.com can help you find a pattern that suits your yarn, and see other people’s projects for that pattern you want to make. There are also wonderful forums where you can ask questions and find other people that share your knitting and crocheting interests. There is so much going on at this site you will be wondering what you did without it before long.
Another great website is http://www.knitty.com/ where there are great free patterns and well written articles about knitting techniques. Knitty’s patterns are well written and wildly popular in the knitting world so you can search Ravlery or the internet in general to see what yarns and colors people have used for their patterns and get some inspiration for your own!
One of the best websites for help with your knitting technique is the aptly named http://www.knittinghelp.com/. If you are a new knitter there are so many videos that show you how to do those crazy abbreviations for increases and decreases that you find in your patterns. For those of you, who are a little more advanced, check out the advanced knitting techniques section. There’s a lot to learn from this site!
Happy knitting!
As the summer months are comming to a close, we are gearing up for fall here at Cultured Purls.
Since it is Thursday and is Question of the week day, this week’s question is: “What are the best knitting related websites?”
There are so many knitting and crochet related websites, blogs and videos out there that it can be daunting to even search the web for the word “knitting.” Here at the shop we use http://www.ravelry.com/ most often. If you aren’t yet a member don’t wait, sign up! Ravlery.com can help you find a pattern that suits your yarn, and see other people’s projects for that pattern you want to make. There are also wonderful forums where you can ask questions and find other people that share your knitting and crocheting interests. There is so much going on at this site you will be wondering what you did without it before long.
Another great website is http://www.knitty.com/ where there are great free patterns and well written articles about knitting techniques. Knitty’s patterns are well written and wildly popular in the knitting world so you can search Ravlery or the internet in general to see what yarns and colors people have used for their patterns and get some inspiration for your own!
One of the best websites for help with your knitting technique is the aptly named http://www.knittinghelp.com/. If you are a new knitter there are so many videos that show you how to do those crazy abbreviations for increases and decreases that you find in your patterns. For those of you, who are a little more advanced, check out the advanced knitting techniques section. There’s a lot to learn from this site!
Happy knitting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
