Knitters Mercantile Blog

Hopefully by now you know that Knitters Mercantile has a wide assortment of classes that changes periodically to keep things moving. Two classes we always have are Beginning Knitting and Advanced Beginner Knitting.

Why, then, are we having a “Learn to Knit” Day??

Although our classes are fun, they are a commitment - in time, and a bit of money. Each class has 4 - 2 hours classes, spanning 4 weeks, with work to be done at home.  This is fine if you (A) already know you want to learn, and (B) have a schedule that allows for those four classes. We have decided to have a “Learn to Knit” day for people who are not sure about knitting - it looks like fun, they’ve admired another person’s handknitted garment, etc. - so they want to try it out. It’s also ideal for someone who just doesn’t have time for a four-week class, but who wants to learn enough to get them going. It is an opportunity for you to try this fabulous craft.

Learn to Knit Day

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

10am - 4pm (anytime, stay as long as you need)

$25.00 for instruction & supplies!

We are pleased to announce that the Knitters Mercantile Sock Club will be back in 2010! We are teaming up again with the fantastic folks at Tuscan Grove, so you KNOW the colors will be gorgeous. You have a choice of two weights: fingering, which is Tuscan Grove’s “Venice”, and sport, which is done in “Bellagio”.  Your choice will be hand-dyed in an exclusive, never-before-offered colorway. The only way to get these colors is to join the club!!

 As if that were not enough, you also get a brand new custom-designed sock pattern, written by your friends here at Knitters Mercantile just for that month’s yarn. We top it all off by throwing in a few “thematic” surprises, too.  Fun!

But wait - there’s more!!! We will meet once a month, the first Friday of each month, starting in February. Every other month we will unveil the new colorway and pattern, and be on-hand to help you with your knitting. On the months when there is no yarn, we will still get together to knit and have fun. So Sock Club is a guaranteed party each and every month!!!

Live outta state? Can’t come to the shop? Don’t despair! For a nominal fee we will gladly mail you the yarn, pattern, and goodies. We want to share the joy that is “Knitters Mercantile Sock Club!!”

To tempt you, here are some of the colors offered in 2009:

Why is it I don’t get inspired to knit Christmas gifts until December?? You would think in my 40-some years of life I would learn to start earlier. Even though I saw a gorgeous cashmere scarf in “Knitted Gifts” that suited my brother “to a T”, did I start it yet?? And the sweater I just KNEW my sister would love is still no more than a thought. Why do I wait? Let me count the reasons . . .

1) I am a procratinator. Why start something today that won’t be used for 6 months (even though it may take me 6 months to make)??

2) I am scared. What if they don’t like it?? What if it doesn’t fit?? What if it turns out ugly?? What if they politely ask if there is a gift receipt?? If I wait long enough, I can dismiss the idea as “oh well, not enough time”.

3) I can’t always make up my mind. Would my brother like a soft grey scarf, or a tan one? Does my sister still love pink, or could I convince her she looks better in red??

4) Will I upset others by not knitting for them? Will my husband be upset that he got a simple wool scarf instead of the cashmere scarf?

5) Do the gift recipients even like hand-knitted gifts? My sister still breaks out in a rash when she remembers the ponchos and slipper socks from our youth. I kinda thought they were cool. Perhaps that is why she never took up knitting . . .

For now, I just knit for my husband and kids. And no, it usually isn’t a suprise. I let them pick out the yarn and patterns, and they see me knitting every evening. That way they can see that I knit love into every stitch - which makes the most simple of projects ones that are special.

I still think my brother would like the scarf. Maybe next year.

This year’s winter sale is HUGE! Rather than tell you “Selected wools, wool blends, etc” are on sale, I thought I would list SOME (I don’t have time for all!!) of the yarns that we have discounted.

Two new yarns on sale include Berroco Blackstone Tweed and Nashua Shenandoah. They are 25% off - it’s a great time to try one of these beauties.

If you like alpaca, you’re also in luck. We have put all Misti Alpaca — chunky , worsted, and handpaint — also at 25% off.

Debbie Bliss fans will be happy to know that Eco Cotton, Alpaca Silk Aran, Donegal Luxury Tweed, and Rialto DK are on sale.

In all there are over 340 items that have been put on sale! There are more items in the store than on the web, so come in if you can. If not click here to be taken directly to our sale page!

My sister loves the UPS guy. She’s happily married, mind you, but seeing that familiar brown truck pull into her drive lets her know she’s about to receive something she’s been waiting on. This time of year, when the UPS guy walks into Knitters Mercantile, you may hear a collective groan from the staff. We know he’ll have a dolly full of boxes that need unpacked, checked in, received, and ticketed. We also know we’ll have to find space for all this new stuff - sometimes at the expense of old stuff. There will be boxes to walk around and paperwork to sort and yarn - lots of yarn! - to display. Unlike my sister, we are not happy to see the man in brown .

But then the magic happens. Once we start touching the new yarns (like Rowan Lima - so soft!) and seeing the beautiful colors (Mountain Colors, Lorna’s Laces, Noro) we remember why we really love the UPS guy - he has just brought us a new round of inspiration to tempt and treat us. So we put up with the unpacking and stickering and shelving, so that we might share this inspiration with you.

What if you need more ? What if you think you love a new yarn but are not sure, or can’t decide which of the  new yarns to try first?? Come spend an evening with us at our Second “Yarn Tasting” event. We will be featuring six gorgeous new fall yarns - showing samples & swatches, telling a bit about each, and (best of all!) putting 25 - 50 yards of each yarn in your hands to do with what you like! As you “taste” each one you can see how it handles on the needles, feels on your hands, and looks once it is knitted up. It’s a chance to “try before you buy”! Plus there will be h’ordeourves to munch on, friends to catch up with, and door prizes to be given away. The evening is set for Friday November 13, from 6:30 - 9:00pm at the shop. Cost is $30.00, and space is limited. Reserve your spot soon - and maybe even wear brown, to honor the man that made this evening possible.

I am afflicted with Knitting ADD (attention deficit disorder). I have a hundred projects started that just never seem to get finished. On a few occasions, it is due to the difficulty of the project. Sometimes I just get busy with life. But more often than not, my affliction rares its ugly head . . .

 This bout of K/ADD is usually brought on by something new I’ve seen at Knitters Mercantile. Right now is a particularly tough time - all the new fall yarns and patterns are coming in. That sweater I started last year has “lost its luster” when compared to the new samples I see hanging in the store. So what’s a girl to do?? I head right back to the source: I take that “old” project with me, curl up on the Knitters Mercantile couch (or sit back at the table), and start knitting again. If I’m at a loss as to my place in the pattern, I know there is someone there that can help me. If I am bored with the project itself, there is someone there to encourage me. And, if I’m frustrated by my lack of progress, I know there is a friend there to pick me up, dust me off, and get my needles clicking again. While web pages, FaceBook accounts, and on-line stores are nice, there is just no substitute for the friends I have for real at Knitters Mercantile.

Just like our kids starting back to school, now is a great time for us to learn something new. Jan will be going to Wisconsin the first part of October for a Color workshop with Meg Swansen. She is really looking forward to learning more about color knitting and steeking. Join us at Knitters Mercantile and take a class. Below are the classes that will be starting in September.

Beginning Knitting: In this four week class you will learn all the basics of knitting: the knit stitch, the purl stitch, cast on and bind off, and increasing and decreasing. The finished project is a beautiful sampler scarf. October classes are from 6–8 PM and begin on Thursday, October 15th. They continue on October 22nd, 29th, and November 5th. Cost: $50.00 plus supplies. Instructor: Barb

Beginning Crochet: This three session class will teach you the basics of the art of crochet. You will learn essential stitches and tips to help you create three wash cloths, perfect for that holiday hostess gift. The history of the art and more advanced techniques will be discussed. This class begins Tuesday, October 13th and continues on the 20th, and 27th. Class is from 6-8 PM. Cost: $40.00 plus supplies. Instructor: Renee

Advanced Beginners: Ready to make a sweater? In this class you will learn the next steps in knitting - reading patterns, checking gauge, knitting with double point needles (dpn), circular needles, and much more. The project is a top-down sweater!! This four week class begins Monday, October 19th and continues October 26th, November 2nd, and 9th from 6-8 PM. Cost: $50.00 plus supplies. Instructor: Barb

Color Wave Scarf: Create a beautiful scarf just in time for a Christmas gift. Class meets Saturday October 3rd 10:30 AM-3:30 PM. Cost $30.00 plus supplies. Instructor: Gerald

Finishing: How many time have you have said, “I can’t finish that!” ? Have you ever avoided doing a garment because it has too many seams? Learn the basic techniques of finishing a sweater. This one session class is Wednesday, October 28th from 6–8 PM. Cost: $20.00. Instructor: Beth

Great American Aran Afghan: This once a month class continues on Wednesday, October 14th, November 11th and December 9th from 6-8 PM. Join us for one class or all of them. Cost: $15.00 per class plus supplies. Instructors: All of us!

Mobius Scarf: Learn the mobius cast on and make a beautiful scarf. Class is Saturday, October 31st and November 7th from 10:30 AM-3:30 PM with an break for lunch. Cost: $40.00 plus supplies. Instructor: Beth

Wet Felting: This felting is different from the technique you are using now. This is done without knitting a stitch. This one time class will meet Wednesday, October 21st from 6-8 PM. Cost: $30.00 plus supplies. (Cost does include cost of the felt needed for class). Instructor: Peggy

School has begun, and the new fall yarns have (mostly) made their way in to the store. It is very hard for me to stay focused on the projects I am working on, when I see so many new things that I want to do! I made myself a deal: don’t start any new BIG projects (sweaters, afghans) and I can “sneak in” new small ones as desired.

I am stil crocheting the Herringbone Mesh Jacket from Vermont Fibers using O-Wool Balance. It is going along pretty well - I have mastered the foundation single crochet stitch (which was new to me) and the double crochet mesh pattern. I have made the right sleeve, the back and right front, and started the left front as a separate piece. The part that has me stumped is joining it to the first part. Good thing I know a great place to go to get help!! Once finished, this will be on display at Knitters Mercantile (no pressure!).

I have also started this cool scarf found in the book “Knitted Gifts” from Interweave. It is a “Felted Mohair Scarf”, and it is made using one skein of Rowan Kidsilk Haze. It is worked at a loose gauge and then hand-felted in a sink. After it is shaped and dried, it will be embellished with embroidery floss in some sort of design (I haven’t decided what just yet.) Although it may seem like a crime to felt this gorgeous yarn, the end product looks really neat. It, too, will be at the shop when finished.

I also still have a sweater out of Savoy on the needles, but it has been put in time out for awhile. There’s a crocheted squares afghan I’ve started using scrap yarn I inherited - haven’t touched it for awhile either! Good thing yarn doesn’t go bad . . .

           Stop by the store and let us know what you’re working on -                   we‘d love to see you!

I had the chance to stop by the store yesterday - the first day of the big (gigantic!) End of Summer Sale. The store was packed! There was so much yarn on sale - it was hard to decide what to buy (or, more accurately, what not to buy !) The Araucania Nature Wool was 40% off! There were 4 shelves full of this yarn in great colors. The new Lenpur Linen was 50% off — it was flying off the shelves. I can’t decide if my next project will be a short sleeve sweater out of the Hempathy at 25% off, or a big cozy cardigan out of Gedifra’s Diandra at 30% off. Of course I grabbed some more Fantasy Naturale for wash cloths - it was only $3.00 a skein, and there were lots of colors to match my kitchen, my sister’s kitchen, my aunt’s kitchen . . .  for Christmas gifts. There were several other yarns at $3.00 too. I thought I was done shopping when I found the AMAZING $1.00 a skein bin  - WOW! These are yarns that the label may have fallen off, or there may be only one left - I was lucky enough to find a ball of Rowan Calmer for $1.00! I also checked out the basket of needles that were 50% off - looking for sizes I needed. There was so much stuff on sale that I can’t list it all here. Check out the Specials page, or better yet, hurry in to Knitters Mercantile!!

It must be April in Ohio, as it has been raining all morning.  While it may seem dreary now, at least it brings us a green spring. Along those lines, Knitters Mercantile has added a few “green” yarns to our inventory . . .

Allegoro is a part of Classic Elite’s new “Verde” collection. This DK weight yarn is a blend of organic cotton and linen and is super soft. The colors are mostly soft and subtle with the exception of the berry, which rocks!

 Allegoro: 70% Organic Cotton, 30% Linen, 152 yds., 50g., 24 stitches / 4 inches, US#3

Wood you like to try something new?? And no, that isn’t a typo. The people at Rowan have come up with a way to use wood pulp to make their gorgeous new yarn, Lenpur Linen. A blend of 75% VI Lenpur and 25% Linen, it has a smooth, soft, self-mercerized finish. The linen also gives it beautiful drape. There are 12 vibrant colors to choose from.

  Lenpur Linen: 75% VI Lenpur, 25% Linen, 126 yds., 50g., 22 stitches / 4 inches, US#6

British Sheep Breeds Undyed is part of Rowan’s purelife line. It is made from 4 classic British Sheep breeds and is then blended into five gorgeous shades. If you’re in the store just ask Stephanie about this super fiber - she loves it!

British Sheep Breeds: 100% British Wool, 120 yds., 100g., 13 stitches / 4 inches, US#10.5 - 11

Others to check out: O’Wool Balance, Purelife Cotton, Ecologie Cotton