Knitters Mercantile Blog

There are some great pictures that I have accumulated. I’m posting them here for no other reason that I want to share them with you. Shall we?

 Jennifer took the Go Team! Hat class. Here is her son Mason wearing her finished project. Adorable! And the hat ain’t bad either. No really, great job on the hat Jennifer!

Jan teaching an Great American Aran Afghan class.

Andrea modeling her brand new and gorgeous Francisca Hat! Pattern is out of the Winter 2011 Knitscene.

Mary is having a silly moment. Scarf is looking good!

During the Yarn Tasting, I tried to get a picture of me and each of The Merc peoples. We got busy and I didn’t get everybody but I did get (counterclockwise from top right): Ruth, Amy, Janet, and…….well, that is supposed to be Andrea and I but it appears that I moved the camera before the picture took. D’oh! 

For those of you who have been by the shop in the past few months and have seen Jan knitting will know that she has been working on an EPIC PROJECT. I say epic because the project has two beautiful, long self striping colors. It is an interesting and universally flattering shape. I also say epic because it is done with fingering weight yarn and you can imagine how long that takes that knit for an adult garment.

 Well, I am proud to inform all of you that the Cascade Vest is now finished! I will now present you with the pictures to prove it.

Here is Jan looking slightly embarassed that I am taking her picture.

Here is Jan looking proud of her vest and how beautiful and flattering it is but also ready for me to stop taking her picture already.

Isn’t it stunning?  And doesn’t it look fabulous on Jan? I say yes and yes.

The pattern is the Cascade Vest (free on Ravelry) and the yarn is Kauni Wool 8/2 Effektgarn.

Every once in awhile I think to myself “You know what? I wonder what other knitters out there are working on.” Its a relaxed day here at The Merc so its a perfect day to check in with people hanging out here right now and see what they’re knitting.

Olivia is working on an earflap hat out of Brown Sheep Burly Spun.

Andrea has just finished a new design of hers. It’s a large rectangular scarf in Baby Alpaca Grande that can be styled in a multitude of ways. It is a free pattern that will be offered in the shop very soon! Here is the lovely Andrea modeling.

Here is the scarf flat. Note the fabulous and functional Jul Button.

Arnon is working on the back of a sweater. The front will have a leaf design. Unfortunately I didn’t catch the name of the pattern or the yarn.

Maria is looking very sleepy.

Jan is working on the Cascade Vest in Kauni.

I am still plugging away on my Cria Sweater in Vintage DK.

What are you working on? Come into the shop and show us!

Back in June some of us got together for a knit along. The pattern of choice was the Bermuda scarf/shawl. 

 Then back in July I promised to take and post pictures of all the lovely finished Bermudas that we finished. Well, I say “we” loosely. I, sigh, confess mine isn’t done yet. But take a  look at these beautiful examples that ARE finished!

 The lovely Carol’s Bermuda in Noro Taiyo Sock.

The delightful Regina’s Bermuda, also in Noro Taiyo Sock.

The engaging Susan and her Bermuda made out of Ruca.

 The effervescent Andrea’s Bermuda in Kudo.

And last but most certainly not least here is the ineffable Kay’s Bermuda, also in Noro Taiyo sock.

Today we have an office mascot. His name is Sammie the Sock Monster.

He was originally conceived by Rebecca Danger. He is a casual sort of guy. He delivers copies, keeps a watchful eye over the m&ms, you know, that sort of thing.

 I wouldn’t try to take his socks off though. He has nasty, big, pointy teeth.

Jan has asked me, and I have happily agreed, to make a new model for the shop. It is the lovely “Herringbone Mesh Crocheted Jacket” from O-Wool (Vermont Organic Fiber Company). I will be using O-Wool Balance color 2026, a pale blue. It is a 50/50 blend of certified organic merino and certified organic cotton - perfect for summer weather.  My first step was to learn a new crochet stitch: the foundation single crochet. As usual, I did a little Googling, and found several entries. I am a visual learner - the more pictures, the better - so the most help was found in someone’s blog. “Snuffykin” had some very nice photos of this would-be confusing stitch.  The foundation single crochet actually replaces the foundation chain and the first row of stitches. This row is stretchier and mored sized like regular rows.  

More details, and pictures, will come.

Have you checked out the new “Gedifra Moments 2008” book? Jan has - and has just started sweater 1320. Made with the new yarn Diandra in “Aubergine“, it promises to be another masterpiece! This shade will look great on her.

How does she do it?? Megan somehow finds the time to knit great projects. She, too, is making up her own sweater pattern (based on one from Knitting Pure and Simple) using Plymouth Tweed in “Plum“. It is beautiful - we can’t wait to see the finished garment!

The ever-energetic Barb has started the “Flutter Sleeve Cardigan” found in the Spring 2008 Interweave Knits Magazine. She has chosen a gorgeous deep red in Silky Wool.  She has wanted to do a project in this yarn forever, and is loving it so far. Her fingers have been flying - she has already completed the back, and is doing both sides of the front simultaneously! You go girl!!

Our ultra-creative Stephanie is working on a sweater of her own design! Using Barbara Walker’s book “Knitting from the Top Down“, she is knitting a raglan sleeve sweater using Ultra Alpaca in “Fig“. She reports that she LOVES working with Ultra Alpaca - the alpaca makes it soft while the wool gives it structure. It also comes in amazing colorways, and is good value. It knits 5 stitches to the inch, which means you can wear the sweater indoors without sweating to death! Check back to see her progress.