…tches, until I reach the navy. I then pick up the navy and start the whole cycle again. Some things to be aware of when working with the yarns ending at multiple places in your crochet: the points where you switch colors can become stretched out and loose. Take care to make sure that you snug up any stitches that have become too loose, without yanking on them. The locking stitch markers that hold the other live stitches help. Also, be sure to put…
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House of Wool, Blackheath, NSW, Australia
…ior. Blackheath is about 2 hours outside of Sydney (you might also want to check out my guide to yarn stores in Sydney), and the scenery is worth the drive if you have time. It’s close to the famous ‘three sisters’ rock formation: Pretty, huh? So, if you’re driving by (or scheming for a road-trip from Sydney), check out the House of Wool! Are you looking for some fun yarn stores near you? Then check out my blog post on how…
Continue ReadingMorris and Sons: Sydney, NSW, Australia
…d, as you can see in the photo at left, they have a table! Because they teach classes! It’s wonderful, really. Coming from America, I didn’t think any of this was too exciting, until I went to a large number of yarn stores that just sold yarn. I’ve come to love the community aspect of a yarn store… and this place has it. Okay, enough of my ramblings about the greater functions of yarn stores in society… onto the detai…
Continue ReadingCraft NSW: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
…ork, weaving and hand-knit items, which are all worth a look on their own accord. But, if you wander into the back corner, you’ll find hand-spun and hand-dyed yarn! So exciting! It’s nearly the only shop I’ve found that sells hand-manufactured yarn from Australia. So, please excuse the slight diversion from our usual ‘store spotlight’, but if you’re wandering around stores in Australia looking for hand-dyed yarn…
Continue ReadingLoop: Philadelphia, PA
…p is captured in the photo above… they use skeins of yarn to make art for their walls. Isn’t that how it should be? Because yarn is beautiful, and worth staring at! And, if you’re a sewer (like I am), be sure to check out ‘Spool’ next door. Spool is owned by the same folks as Loop, and displays the same peace, beauty and attention to color in display as Loop. Oh heck, visit even if you don’t sew. It’ll mak…
Continue ReadingPurl Soho: New York, NY
…t selection of fabric (also organized into beautiful rainbows) and sewing accessories. But, alas, I won’t be able to do the fabric section justice. If you like fabrics, go check it out. I’m just here to rave about the yarn. Purl Soho carries loads of awesome brands: Tilli Tomas (amazing beaded and sequined yarn), Blue Sky Alpacas (one of my personal faves), Louet, Habu, Alchemy, Imperial Stock Ranch (a company with its own breed of she…
Continue ReadingWant to make socks w/o knitting? A Review of the Sock Loom!
…ck for your foot. Fear not… this step is easy: you simply follow the calculations provided in the kit, and slide the center bar to the proper position. The remaining steps mirror the steps involved in knitting a sock. You begin by ‘casting on’ the stitches: Even though the actual motion for casting on stitches with the loom is different from knitting, the philosophy is the same, and the procedure is well-explained in the DVD. Aft…
Continue ReadingStore Spotlight: Kraemer Yarns
…en I spotted Nazareth, PA just a few miles off our course on the way to Lancaster County, I knew we had to make a detour! Kraemer Yarns are all made in America and the company was featured in Tanis Gray’s Knit Local. The company offers a wide range of yarns, including a wide variety of undyed skeins (which I find particularly fun! The shop looks like any other LYS, except that there’s only one brand of yarn in stock! It was really love…
Continue ReadingA Yarn Lover’s Guide to Washington, DC
…eing a city full of cultural attractions, DC has a number of yarn stores, accessible by a combination of riding the Metro, Bus, or walking. If you are fortunate to have a car, the access to Yarn Stores improves even more. Recent changes have meant that old yarn stores have closed, and new ones are joining the group this year, so it’s a great time to go and check them out. When I first moved to DC, I didn’t have a car, and was entirely dependent on…
Continue ReadingInterview with Kristy McGowan (author of Modern Top-Down Knitting)
…got a copy of Modern Top-Down Knitting: Sweaters, Dresses, Skirts & Accessories Inspired by the Techniques of Barbara G. Walker by Kristina McGowan, and loved it! There is rarely a book where I feel like I want to make every item inside it… and this is one of those! Kristy blends innovative (but not overly complicated) knitting techniques with crocheted edgings- making her a girl after my own heart. I made the Annie Hat (pictured at le…
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