Knit, Blog & Be Happy!

Spotlight on Events: A Visit from Julie Asselin

Spotlight on Events: A Visit from Julie Asselin

We are all so excited to welcome Julie and Jean-Francois Asselin to the shop next week.  As you know, we feature many independent dyers at the shop, and I can say, hands down, that their yarns are in my top two we carry. I do not know what it is about the way they create color but in my eye; I see an incredible amount of skill and depth in their work. These are colors that I want to be part of my wardrobe and are! We received three huge boxes in the shop yesterday afternoon brimming with yarn. A new...

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Spotlight on: Knitalong with Julie Hoover

Spotlight on: Knitalong with Julie Hoover

Do you love Julie Hoover patterns and mYak yarn? If so, pick up your needles and knit with me! Monarch Knitting has joined Julie Hoover, mYak, and the Knitting Posse for a spring Knitalong filled community and fun.  This KAL is the perfect time to start knitting a timeless, elegant modern garment, Julie’s signature. Her designs are the epitome of casual elegance and always include the most thoughtful details along with shaping and construction—the pieces you will want to keep in your closet forever. The typical difficulty of a Julie Hoover pattern is a 3 out of 5, and there are over...

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Spotlight on Process: Hand Washing Sweaters

Spotlight on Process: Hand Washing Sweaters

We chatted about how simple it is to hand wash small items in a previous blog post, so I thought I would continue and show you how I wash and care for my sweaters, hand knit and store-bought, at home. It is an extremely rare occasion for me to dry clean my sweaters. My closet is filled with mostly wool and cashmere sweaters, so careful laundering at home is preferable. If you have a sweater that says dry clean only, please assess whether you should wash it at home. Most natural fibers can be hand washed, but if there is extensive beading and embellishments or if it is made of...

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Spotlight on: Knitting Chair Accoutrement

Spotlight on: Knitting Chair Accoutrement

While I keep a notions bag in each project bag and in my grab-and-go handy dandy tin, the bulk of my notions lives next to my knitting chair. I keep them all in a Waxed Canvas Work Bag that is always filled to the brim with just what I need.  Three little knickknack bags live in the work bag and are organized with all sorts of goodies.  My yellow notion bag is filled with all sorts of markers and tapestry needles.  I purchased a Cocoknits flight of stitch markers and noted the type of marker on the top of the tube. I also have a small...

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Five Patterns to Transition Into Spring

Five Patterns to Transition Into Spring

It's nearing that time of year again when folks are itching to swap out puffer coats for cardigans.  While we don't tend to have progressive weather changes here on our coast, I enjoy the freshness spring evokes. (I do love a spring cleaning!) We've rounded up five great in-between-season patterns that may welcome spring right into your queues. When there's still a nip in the air or a cool breeze, cowls are the perfect antidote to the temperament of the season. One of our shop favorites has become Andrea Mowry's The Shift Cowl. Engaging from cast-on to bind-off, simple knit, and slip stitches make up the pattern, while the shifting of...

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