Knots is for sale!

So, have you ever dreamed of owning a yarn shop? Here's your chance! After many months of decision making, and a few more months of preparations, I am ready to announce that Knots is for sale. The past five years in the shop have been wonderful, and I really enjoy my time there, but I have decided to make more time for my family, teaching, and designing again as well. There are no plans to close the shop, I'm just looking for the next person to continue the Knitting on the Square legacy. It started with Amy in 2005, I took over a couple of years later, and it seems that now is the time to pass the torch again. If you are interested, please contact me at the shop.

In other exciting news, Pete and I are happy to announce that we have a third little Jackson on the way! Audrey and Liv will be big sisters again in August!

to me from me

Sometimes, having a lot of projects that NEED to be knitted can be a drag. The lineup means you're not entitled to the thrill of a new project. Every year about this time, I set aside my current WIP's to charge into gift knitting, powering though to the Christmas deadline. I know exactly what awaits me in my knitting bag for the next 2 months. I'll be looking forward to my holiday of handknits, but it's nice to have a little incentive to make me finish those gifts on time - a light at the end of the tunnel.

So here it is - the project that I get to make for myself as soon as the list is complete!

Glows by Julia Mueller ,
knit with Dream in Color Everlasting Sock
(it's arriving at Knots sometime in the next week!)

To match my new coat, of course!

Einstein Coat!

Don't worry, I have plenty of my own knitting projects to share, I just haven't photographed any lately!  Instead, I would love to show off the new Einstein Coat that Shelly knit for the shop.  Isn't it lovely?

We have an Einstein Coat class coming up in a couple of weeks if you are interested.  This garter stitch coat from Sally Melville's book, The Knit Stitch, is a wonderful beginner's first sweater project or a relaxing knit for more advanced knitter.  

The yarn she used is Arucania Nature Wool Chunky.  Check out all of the gorgeous colors in this chunky wool yarn!  Some are kettle-dyed, and the others are handpainted, so any you choose would have a great color variation in the coat.  This yarn is wonderful for any chunky sweater, as well as cozy winter accessories and home accents. 

Einstein Coat class:

Wednesday, January 28, 4:30 to 6:30

OR Thursday, January 29, 1 to 3

OR Saturday, January 24, 1 to 3

$15 plus supplies

Call or email Knitting on the Square to sign up!

440 285 5648 info@knittingonthesquare.com

Sock yarn, anyone?

We've gotten a bunch of new stuff in the shop recently, mostly since Shelly and I went to our trade show in January.  The New Year often inspires diets of many kinds, and some people even entertain the idea of a "yarn diet" to slim down their stash.  Just a friendly reminder to say: "SOCK YARN DOES NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR STASH!"

So enjoy, guilt free!  

Plymouth Happy Feet

(ravelry)

OnLine Supersocke

SWTC Tofutsies

all new colors!

(ravelry)

Noro Kureyon Sock

(ravelry)

And, last but not least, Dream in Color Smooshy Sock!

(ravelry)

Yippee!!!!!

awesome Aussie

We got two new yarns from Oasis Yarns at the shop! This is Aussie Wool:



It is a chunky super-soft Australian wool. I have already knit a swatch with it for my Fall 2008 Knitscene submissions. I love working with it. It is also great for chunky ribbed scarves, like the ones I have made held with two strands of mohair. So soft and cuddly!

This is Aussie Sock:



I haven't knit with this yet, but I am really looking forward to it. There are solid and handpainted variegated colors, and one hank should make a pair of socks. Audrey especially likes the purple/pink combination. The pictures really don't do the colors justice. You'll just have to come check them out for yourself!

The post I SHOULD have done three weeks ago!

Yes, I'm alive. AND I got a new computer, so I can get back to blogging again. Yippee! Did you miss me?

First things first- I'm on Ravelry! My name there is Kate Jackson Knits. If you go check it out, don't be too dissapointed in the total lack of projects. I'll have a photo shoot soon and get more things up there.

I got new furniture at the shop: two new couches and a coffee table, and I brought a hutch from my in-laws too. You can see them in these pictures from the alpaca yarn tasting.





We had a blast sampling different alpaca yarns - I can't wait to do another one! I've already done bamboo and alpaca - any suggestions for the next "featured fiber"?



This is a progress photo of my Acidic Seed Stitch purse. I designed this pattern for the Fall Knitscene, where I used a yellow Blue Sky Alpaca yarn. This one is Cascade Tuscany, a super-chunky wool. I am going to add a leather handle (new at the shop!) and line it with something pretty.




This is my Fair Isle Pillow, which I did a class on this past month. It is knit with only two yarns: Lamb's Pride worsted in light grey, and Noro Kureyon, a self-striper that makes it look like I did more work than I did!

I'm kind of on a Kureyon kick with this and the Lizard Ridge. Sooo . . . .




The man in brown brought us a present!




Ten new colors of Kureyon! Yippeeeee!

Now I just need to find more knitting time! I can blog with Audrey on my lap, but knitting doesn't really work that way.

Speaking of Audrey . . .



She wanted to model this darling knitting basket for you. She wants you to know that the lining is very soft and yarn-friendly. Hey, you didn't expect this long of a post WITHOUT her, did you?

New yarns!

Yes, it really is like Christmas every time the UPS man comes to visit. What can be in that big box?

Fun colors, even through the plastic bags.

Ooh . . . . Adrifil KnitCol

washable merino self-patterning dk

Aah . . . . Plymouth Suri Merino

alpaca/merino worsted blend

solids, heathers, and handpaints

yippee!!!

And now for some knitting: This is the swatch in-the-round for a fair isle pillow. The pillow will be the subject for a class coming up in October. I swatched the fair isle in the round, since that is the way I will be knitting the project. A regular stockinette swatch would not do the trick, since stranded colorwork pulls the stitch gauge in significantly, and I am also not purling at all. I will use my "swatch" as a very schnazzy travel-mug sleeve.

The swatch, I knit in 40 minutes. Then it took me 5 days to knit this? Two inches? This is just an example of how LITTLE knitting time I have. I'm going crazy! The pillow is looking lovely, regardless of how long it's taking. I am using Lamb's Pride worsted and Noro Kureyon for a much more complicated effect than I'd get with two solid colors. What do you think?

My birthday is this Friday. I'll be 25, and my sister Eileen will be 22. Are we feeling old yet? Come celebrate at the shop with me! All my favorite yarns will be 25% off. And let me tell you- I really like a lot of yarns!

Zimmermann books

Three Elizabeth Zimmermann books came in to Knitting on the Square last week, along with her Baby Surprise Jacket as a single pattern. Her genius approach to knitting is both inspired and inspirational. If you're late in finding EZ, like I was, be sure to check her out as soon as possible!