Friday, June 1, 2012

Free Pattern Friday: Boneyard Shawl

Happy June 1st everyone! This post is going to be the first in a long line of posts that will be going out every Friday! We're calling it, Free Pattern Friday! What does that mean for you? Every Friday, we'll be posting a wonderful free pattern for you to get inspired by! Patterns will range from knit, crochet, simple and complex. We're trying to keep everyone involved in the fun.

Stephen West with his Boneyard Shawl

This week's pattern is called Boneyard. It's a shawl designed by Stephen West of the one and only Westknits, and is just as simple as it is elegant. The pattern is your standard stockinette stitch shawl, with ridges every 12th row which provides the shawl with a clean and interesting look.

The beautiful thing about this pattern is that it can be made in any weight yarn you can think of, all you need to do is adjust the needle size, and viola! Want to use that lovely skein of Cascade 220 you just bought at Knit Picky? Go for it! Is a skein of Malabrigo Sock calling your name, but you have no idea what to make with it? Here's the perfect project! The shawl's simple look plays perfectly with solid, tonal and verigated yarns!People have even knit the shawl in one color, and used a contrasting color for the ridges! How cool is that?

If you want a nice, airy feel, go up a needle size or two. If you want it to be tight and warm, go with a needle size down! You can't go wrong with this pattern! It's great for not only beginning knitters who want to explore shawl making, but also for the experienced knitter looking for a great, relaxing knit!

If you can't seem to think of any yarn you'd like to use for this, here are some suggestions! These are yarns used by other knitters and each provide a great look.

A Picture of Mike's very own Boneyard. Made from Cascade 220 Heathers

Cascade 220: This yarn is great for almost any project, and it's no different for Boneyard! You can choose between solid, heathers, superwash, sport weight, superwash sport and many more! You can create any look you dream of with this yarn!

Madelinetosh Tosh DK: Working up at a versatile dk to light worsted gauge Tosh DK is perfect for accessory projects like shawls. Each squishy soft skein is hand-dyed in small dye lots and machine washable.


Galler Yarns Peruvian Tweed: This lofty and luxurious 100% alpaca yarn is beautiful to work with. Mike is making a store sample of this shawl in this yarn and should be in the store sometime soon! Keep an eye out!

Berroco Ultra Alpaca: Made with 50% Wool and 50% Alpaca, this yarn is sure to please!

Malabrigo Rios: Another great yarn! This superwash yarn is dyed is rich, vibrant colors with are sure to please!

Malabrigo Sock: This yarn is a bit hit in the shop, and is superwash as well! Don't let the name of the yarn fool you, Malabrigo Sock is great for shawls too! The colors are just as vibrant as the Malabrigo Rios and you won't be disappointed if you choose this for your Boneyard shawl.

A close up of the shawl's boarder

If you'd like to make this your very next project, you can download the pattern for free on Ravlery (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boneyard-shawl) or on Stephen West's website (http://westknits.com/index.php/pattern/shawls/boneyard-shawl/). And as always, you can always stop by the shop and one of the staff members can print it out for you as you pick out a great yarn!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Cascade Cottons in Full Bloom!

Stop in this week to see new summer yarns!  Take a look at this beautiful color...


New & Improved Website!

Thanks to Whitefish Web Designs, we have a new website!  The team did a great job capturing our colors and keeping the same feel at the same time refreshing the look and ease of navigation.  Check it out...let us know what you think.

www.KnitPickyYarns.com


Friday, February 17, 2012

Miss Babs Yowza ~ Back in Full Bloom at Knit Picky

Just to let you know, we received another big box of Yowza in some beautiful colors.  This mega skein yields over 500 yards of hand-dyed super-wash wool for only $35.  A perfect choice for a spring sweater or date night shawl.  But don't wait too long....this yarn won't last long!! Thanks for shopping at KPY.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

The Big Chip! Class Starting Next Week....cables anyone?

Our favorite designer and good friend, Champagne Maker, created a masterpiece of a bag!  Now you can create one, too! Kimberly is teaching and this is a great introduction to cables.  Warning:  you'll end up with a bag everyone wants.

(must be very comfortable with knitting/purling)

We would love to have you join us!  Here's the link to see full class details and dates AND you may register online...Knit Picky's Class Link. 

Or call the shop to register by phone...even better come by the shop to see us!  336-768-5599

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Glint Colors Shine!

Kim's Girls are Rockin' Glint

Our early winter Berroco shipment arrived last week and Kim whipped up two adorable bling bracelets for her girls. They were happy to model them for me!! We think Glint will make fun accessories and we can't wait to see what you will create with this yarn!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Thursday, December 22, 2011

3 New Batts!

Just in...

Miss Margie's New Adventure

I have some news...and I'm really trying to be positive but it's hard. Margie is leaving us the end of December. Waaaaaa!!!! She and her husband have a new opportunity so they are moving to Texas. I'm grateful to her and already missing her but I'm trying to be okay and wish her the very best. :)

Visit Knit Picky and tell Margie how much you're going to miss her, too!
Think we could start a petition to get her to change her mind!?!

Love & hugs Margie girl!! Wishing you success and happiness among the Texas cowboys.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Zana's Gift

A few months ago, Zana and I just happened to cross paths in the shop. She found a small, hand spun ball of yarn and said it was beautiful. I asked if she wanted it, said there wasn't enough to make anything, then confessed it was my practice yarn that I spun during the Raleigh show back in May. She took it, smiled and said thanks.

Yesterday, I received these mitts as a Christmas gift. What a special gift! And Zana's amazing talent (and goodness) shines through again. These are fabulous and I can't wait to wear them...in fact, shopping today is a perfect time!

Thank you, Zana!!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Grandmother's Christmas Wreath Cookies, Aussie Style!


My grandmother, from Taylorsville, Mississippi,  made an amazing variety of cookies every year at Christmas that included Date Nut Roll, Pecan Sandies, the best Fudge I've ever had, Peanut Brittle, and the all time standard....Fresh Apple Tarts.  But for some reason, these simple, cute Christmas Wreath Cookies were my favorite. And they even made your teeth green if you smiled really big just after the first bite!  Always fun to do when we had visitors over to see the grandchildren.

Here's a photo of my sweet nieces, now living in Australia, showing off their version.  It seems they don't have "Red Hots" in Australia so they used Red M&M's. Sometimes, in the past we've substituted the red squirt icing and that works well, too.

Grandmother's Christmas Wreath Cookies

1 Stick of Butter
35 Large Marshmallows 
4 C Corn Flakes
2 tsp Green Food coloring
1/2 tsp Vanilla Flavoring
Melt butter, then marshmallows.  Constantly stir, add food coloring and vanilla, then Corn Flakes.  Once mixed well, spoon onto wax paper.  Top each "wreath" with Red Hots (or M&Ms, or Squirt Icing).  Enjoy.  And SMILE. 


Saturday, December 3, 2011

Hey Ya'll, Happy December!!

What could be better than an easy, adorable pair of holiday mitts?  Today, while playing on my Pinterest site, these holiday fingerless mitts caught my eye right away.... and they're a free pattern on the Not So Knotty Knits blog.  Fun blog, visit and get the pattern for yourself.  Don't we all have 3 random yarns in our stash we can use?  I know I do!   Visit her blog here....

Have you been to the picture wonderland known as Pinterest?? Check out my Knit Picky Boards....

Happy December Knitting!