We’re into the first week of our Summer Sorrel KAL….how are you doing, friends? Getting the hang of those dips?
Like all good knit-a-longs, this sweater is a delicious challenge. Absolutely doable, but it does take a bit more…gumption…than some of the sweaters in our queue. Michele kept a notepad at her side while she was knitting‑‑a list of helpful hints for fellow stitchers‑‑and we wanted to share it with you, especially during this first week. We wrote this blog post to detail these tips. We think it’ll help.
Need a little more motivation? In addition to the qualifying prizes we’re offering, the Wool & Pine design team is offering one free pattern from their library to three participants, along with a copy of their ‘Minis Collection’ paperback book to another.
Keep knitting, you busy bees‑‑the KAL ends at 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, August 13th‑‑you’ve got pleeeeenty of time.
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In Michele’s words….
Definitely do the cast on as directed–but allow a bit of time. (Michele is a highly skilled knitter and it took her 1.5 hours to cast on.)
Watch the videos! I watched them while I was swatching and then watched the relevant video again when I got to that section.
Weight each skein before starting the top. These are 115 g skeins–if you’re doing a fade, it will help you judge the changes.
I started the first fade at the beginning of Chart 2; after starting the body, I knit at 1″, then switched to doing the sleeves (all in Color 2) so I didn’t go too far and run out of Color 2 on the body before completing the sleeves.
Body: I did numerous calculations to determine how much yarn it took to do a row so I could use pretty much all of Color 2 and ensure I had enough to complete the fade.
Bind off: You have to adjust the 2×2 rib to a 1×1 rib to enable you to do the Kitchener Bind Off. I followed Andrea Mowry’s YouTube for 2×2 Tubular Bind Off for the sleeves. Ran into issues for the body bind off and ran out of time, so I just completed a normal bind off in pattern.
L to R: LBA Felix + Mohair Silk in ‘Yellow Brick Road’, Felix in ‘Kool’, ‘AS IF’ + ‘Kokko’ and Merino DK in ‘Confetti Cake’.
Still riding high after our long weekend with Aimée Gille of La Bien Aimée–there’s just never enough time with our knitting friends. We’ve still got a few skeins of yarn left, plus copies of Worsted AND Neons & Neutrals–some with signed bookplates.
LBA Felix in ‘Sophie’, ‘Aqua’, ‘Kokko’, ‘Bone’ + ‘Hegelia’. The original painting of the Empire Bluffs was a gift from our dear friend Ashlea Walter–who served us shaved ice at the beach last weekend!Gwen + Jenni + Aimée with their knitting on Saturday night. Photo courtesy of Aimée.A bit chilly, but we made a statement for World Wide Stitch in Public Day.
Congratulations to our lucky winners from the weekend festivities‑‑we’re so happy for you. We’ll be sending your gifts this week and if you’re local, you’ll be receiving a call tomorrow that your yarn is ready for pickup.
Sitting and creating with you on Saturday mornings…it’s what we DO.
Join us every Saturday morning as we sit and drink caffeinated beverages and knit (or crochet/spin/stitch/weave!) together.
After almost three full years of in-person stitching on hiatus, we’re so happy to say we are back to hosting our Open Stitch IN PERSON. Come sit and stitch with us‑‑the more, the merrier.
We have our online stitch circle, too‑‑we have no intention of EVER disbanding!‑‑and we’re in the process of figuring out how to combine the two so we can all stitch together.
Thank you all for your the warm reception you’ve given the Summer Sorrel KAL—we had an amazing response over the weekend. The biggest question by far was: can you show us a few fade options? Can we ever.
We know it’s not always easy to imagine how colors will play with each other, so we put together a few favorites for you. From frothy pinks to verdant greens and romantic blues, we think there are some stunning options for everyone. Not really into fading? Let one spectacular color take center stage and knit your entire sweater with one unforgettable gem.
L to R: ‘Rainy Days’, ‘Weekend’ + ‘Antoinette’L to R: ‘Blushing Bride’, ‘Vintage’ + ‘Sunrise Impressions’L to R: ‘Green Room’, ‘Tiffany Blue’ + ‘Deep Dive’L to R: ‘Deep Dive’, ‘Sunrise Impressions’ + ‘Rainy Days’A show-stopping Sorrel in one speckled color, photo courtesy of Wool & Pine
Now through June 4th, there’s plenty of time to join us in our Summer Sorrel KAL, win prizes at the end and get 15% off the supplies to do it. Choose your favorite single color of Posh Sock or create a gorgeous summery fade with three colors. Grab your needles, pick out your favorite yarns and let’s knit up something special together.
Thank you to our dearest Michele Greenan, for always always always indulging our wild ideas and knitting this sample with lightning fast needles.
The sample colors: ‘Blushing Bride’, ‘Sunrise Impressions’ + ‘Deep Dive’
Memorial Day marks not only summer's official start in Northern Michigan, but it's also our anniversary celebration. 23 years ago, on a quiet little street in a sleepy little town, a happy little storefront opened its doors to the wool-loving public for the first time.
We're saving our major in-person celebrating for our weekend with Aimée of La Bien Aimée June 9th-11th (so you can all join us!), but we can't let Memorial Day weekend itself go by without at least a little fanfare. We're hosting an online giveaway throughout the weekend (from now through Monday!), a Red Stag Fibre trunk show begins today and we're so happy to introduce to you our Summer Sorrel KAL. (Keep reading for more details about everything below.)
Memorial Day Weekend is a celebration of the work that so many do and have done to make this life what it is today‑‑and it is an honor to share it with you in every way. Pick up your needles, hop onto our Saturday Zoom, stop into the store, browse the website while you're sipping your morning coffee. Summer is here and we are so grateful for you, for knitting, for Everything.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
Friday‑‑9 am to 5 pm Saturday‑‑9 am to 4 pm Sunday‑‑11 am to 4 pm Monday‑‑11 am to 4 pm
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Red Stag Fibre: Croft DK, Cottage Sock + Estate Aran
With hues that are deep and soulful and fibers that are lush and timeless, hosting a Red Stag Fibre trunk show in our shop feels just right. An indie dyer based in Montgomery, Texas, Joshua Graff's colorways are intensely saturated, nuanced and inspired by European travel. He was our featured dyer for April 2020's Sleeping Bear Yarn Club (First Morel) and when he asked us if he could send yarn for all of our other customers for the holiday weekend, we couldn't say yes fast enough.
Tonal shades, a smooth hand, crisp stitch definition–are there any more specific criteria for a Desert Island Yarn?!? The Red Stag Fibre Croft DK is a sturdy yet superwash breed–specific yarn with depth and nuance. This yarn is perfect for mittens, hats, heavyweight house socks and of course, sweaters. Liz is wearing A Gentle Wind shawl by Lisa Hannes in ‘Isle of Harris’ underneath Justin’s Flannel by Alicia Plummer in ‘Welsh Slate’ on Red Stag Fibre Estate Aran.
Cottage Sock, L to R: 'Great Hall', 'Brick Tavern', 'Antique Leather', 'Dun Eideann', 'Moray Firth' + 'Ayre'.
Cottage Sock is a smooth sock yarn with crisp stitch definition and nylon for durability. This yarn is lovely for colorwork shawls, lightweight sweaters and of course, socks. It makes a gorgeous base yarn for mohair-infused garments, too.
Estate Aran, L to R: 'Loch', 'Purpaidh', 'Postcard', 'Dun Eideann', 'Aberdeenshire ' + 'Antique Linen'.
Red Stag Estate Aran is a buttery soft yarn with a jewel-like sheen. Strong yet soft, this handpainted yarn will knit a quick hat, cozy mittens and of course, a beautiful sweater. Below, Liz is wearing Single Malt by Maxim Cyr in 'Stone Path'.
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Summer Sorrel KAL: July 15th-August 13th
Introducing Summer Sorrel, the charming short-sleeved tee that’s perfect for effortless everyday wear. A few changes from the original Sorrel design, including a flattering wide-neck with a beautiful I-cord collar, deeper dips, and short rows at the back of the neckline for a comfortable fit. Plus, the tee features a loose, casual drape using just one strand of fingering weight yarn.
Summer Sorrel is knit seamlessly top-down in the round, with the body worked inside out for ease of working in knitted stockinette stitch rather than purling. And with the pattern including both written and charted instructions, as well as video tutorials and written explanations for special stitches, you’ll be able to tackle this project with confidence. And the best part? You can get creative with your color choices. Choose your favorite color of Posh Sock or create a gorgeous summery fade with three colors. So grab your needles, pick out your favorite yarns and let’s knit up something special together.
Thank you to our dearest Michele Greenan, for always always always indulging our wild ideas and knitting this sample with lightning fast needles.
May 26th-June 4th: Order the yarn and needles now through June 4th. Everything will arrive in the store (or straight to your doorstep!) with plenty of time for you to cast on by July 15th. When you’re done, we’ll expect to see finished shots of you and your sweater! Email us at thebuzz@woolandhoney.com with your finished piece, and while you’re knitting, use the #WoolAndHoney hashtag on Instagram or post on our Facebook page.
L to R: 'Green Room' , 'Tangy', 'Bubbly', 'Vintage', 'Blushing Bride' + 'Sunrise Impressions'.L to R: 'Rainy Day', 'Weekend', 'Antoinette', 'Deep Dive', 'Tiffany Blue', 'Green Room' + 'Tangy'.
Prizes: Every single participant who completes their sweater during the time frame will receive a Painted Bee Port Pouch–a $30 value–AND every single participant who completes their sweater will be entered in a drawing to win Aimée’s Striped Bag, plus two skeins of La Bien Aimée yarn (one each in Merino Sport and Mohair Silk) in a limited edition colorway, ‘Automne à Rhinebeck’–a $70 value.
Clockwise from top left: 'The Homestead', 'Faust Cabin View' + 'Crystal River Salmon Run'; 'North Beach Breakers', 'Wild Winter Waves' + 'North Bar'; 'Michigan Moonrise', 'The Frozen Bay' + 'Market Day'; 'Aurora Frost', 'Bee-Loud Glade' + 'Peninsula Lake Smoke'.
Because you know we love a good giveaway...
For every $10 you spend this weekend, you earn another entry to win one (1) of these four (4) Leelanau-inspired fade sets, three skeins each of fingering weight in former Sleeping Bear Yarn Club colorways‑‑a $100 value. Every purchase from now through Monday at 11:59 pm is eligible–we can’t wait to see who will end up with these beauties after the long holiday weekend. Thank you, dears, for helping us become the shop you've come to know and love. Without you, we simply wouldn't be here
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Saturday Open Stitch
Planning, planning, planning. (Always.) McMullin Fiber Co. in Posh Sockin 'Green Room', 'Tangy' + 'Bubbly' + 'Blushing Bride' with our bee stitch markers and a 'Merrivale Sweater Enamel Pin' from Along Avec Anna. A refreshing sipper we've had on repeat lately: Bubly 'Coconut + Pineapple' with a squeeze of lime over ice. (Our kids love this one, too!)
Open Stitch Saturdays 10 am to 12 pm ET
Sitting and creating with you on Saturday mornings...it's what we DO.
Join us every Saturday morning as we sit and drink caffeinated beverages and knit (or crochet/spin/stitch/weave!) together.
After almost three full years of in-person stitching on hiatus, we're so happy to say we are back to hosting our Open Stitch IN PERSON. Come sit and stitch with us‑‑the more, the merrier.
We have our online stitch circle, too‑‑we have no intention of EVER disbanding!‑‑and we're in the process of figuring out how to combine the two so we can all stitch together.
(In the event that the link itself isn't working, head to Zoom's home page, enter meeting ID: 835 6727 2501 and you should be able to get right in.)
This weekend is LYS Day 2023, an online and in-person weekend-long event that celebrates community, yarn…and includes a surprise box with TWO free gifts inside.
While LYS Day began as a way for customers to support their neighborhood bricks-and-mortar store, there are so many of you who consider us your local shop, even though you might be hundreds of miles away‑‑and we can’t thank you enough. We are here because you are here.
Small, independent companies‑‑often owned and operated by just one brave soul‑‑are the chapters that give every yarn shop’s story its Life, and LYS Day is meant to honor them, too.
–a cozy box that includes yarn, a pattern, wool wash and TWO free gifts (plus multiple add-on options)
AND
double punches all weekend long (both in-store and online)
The shop will be open from 10 am to 5 pm on Friday, April 28th, 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, April 29th and from 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday, April 30th for local yarn lovers‑‑we hope you’ll stop in to celebrate this community together.
Each dollar is worth two on our frequent customer punch card, both in-store and online: our way of saying thank you for your devoted, loyal support.
Can’t make it to see us in person? We have plenty of love to share with our not-so-local locals‑‑keep reading for more.
While Life swirls in a maelstrom around us, we are looking‑‑always looking‑‑for a steady patch of ground. Finding center is a daily (hourly!) goal. Oftentimes tiny moments of reprieve are all we can manage, but we collect those times like precious jewels. The smallest things‑‑done with intention‑‑can infuse an otherwise mundane task with joy. The ritual of striking a match to light a small votive candle. Taking ten minutes to truly breathe. Filling a kettle with fresh water and listening to the water boil. Picking up smooth needles to stitch a few silent rounds before the rest of the world wakes up. We heard recently that ‘happiness is not the absence of problems, it is the ability to deal with them’. How wise. How true. May we learn to take better care of our selves, even in small ways (perhaps especially those!), so that we are better prepared for the waves that eventually tumble over us.
For LYS Day, we wanted to create a box to send you some of the same little comforts we aim to incorporate into our daily lives. One of the shop’s long-standing patterns, the Bee Cozy, is an old fashioned household tool that we reach for more often than we ever imagined. Portable, practical and incredibly low-tech, slip on a little Aran sweater, fill this vessel with hot water and it becomes the grown-up version of a child’s blankie‑‑you might just want to take it everywhere. Tuck it in between the sheets on cold winter nights, wedge it behind your back after a day of heavy lifting, cradle it to your abdomen to ease your cramps. The mini pods of Eucalan‑‑one each in Jasmine, Eucalyptus, Pink Grapefruit and Unscented‑‑are fortified with lanolin for no fuss, no-rinse fiber washing. Light this honey-scented beeswax candle‑‑a gift from us‑‑as you knit, spin, read or navigate a tough time; please know that you are never, ever alone. The little pink book, a handwritten and illustrated guide to finding happiness‑‑or at least trying to, is another gift. Of course we understand there is no simple path or real treatise to Happiness, but adding tiny moments of Joy into daily ritual is a very good first step.
What’s inside the box? This package includes one skein of Kelbourne Woolens Lucky Tweed, a Bee Cozy pattern, a set of four mini Eucalan wool washes and TWO free gifts‑‑a Midwest-made beeswax votive candle and a ‘zine about Happiness from Michigan artist Kristen Drozdowski. Even better? Shipping is included.
And. You know how we looooove options, yes? The pattern can be knit on its own with just one strand of Lucky Tweed, but you can add a strand of mohair for next-level softness without changing the pattern or gauge. Need the actual hot water bottle rubber insert? You can add either a skein of silk mohair OR the hot water bottle‑‑or BOTH!‑‑to your box.
Just a few examples of potential surprise color pairings….the possibilities are endless!
The colors–for the main yarn and the optional mohair–will be a surprise and almost every single box will be different, but we think that’s a huge part of the fun. Not just for you when your box arrives, but as you start knitting; a few rounds in and the magic begins!
Coates & Co. Cottage Sock in ‘Strawberry’, ‘Coral’, ‘Light Sage’, ‘Electric Yellow’ + ‘Dark Teal’. Look for this notebook and pencil to arrive in the shop soon!
Emma from Coates & Co. was one of our featured makers during Small Business Saturday in 2022‑‑we loved her mini skein bundles in bright, fun colors. This Spring, we wanted to bring in full skeins of her smooth, tonal sock yarn for larger projects.
L to R:’Dusty Lavender’, ‘Fuchsia’ ‘Strawberry’, ‘Coral’, ‘Bright Peach’ + ‘Light Peach’.
Cottage Sock is a 4-ply sock yarn made from superwash merino wool blended with recycled nylon. Each color is dyed by hand in small batches. The colors are layered during the dyeing process to create bright, saturated colorways.
L to R: ‘Electric Yellow’, ‘Sprout’, ‘Pistachio’, ‘Light Sage’, ‘Sea Foam’ + ‘Dark Teal’.
Question: Is there any project better suited for Spring than socks? Answer: Hardly! These darling socks are knit from the top down, featuring a simple steely gray base which highlights kicky heels and toes, a picot cuff and a gorgeous vertical motif at the ankles‑‑reminiscent of the great columns of the Colosseum.
Sophie Sparling is a local high school senior, dipping her toes into knitwear design in her spare time, and it is an honor to feature her first published design on LYS Day. She knit this sample with one skein of Kelbourne Woolens Perennial in ‘Lead’ + two skeins of Kelbourne Woolens Perennial Minis.
Sitting and creating with you on Saturday mornings…it’s what we DO.
Join us every Saturday morning as we sit and drink caffeinated beverages and knit (or crochet/spin/stitch/weave!) together.
After almost three full years of in-person stitching on hiatus, we’re so happy to say we are back to hosting our Open Stitch IN PERSON. Come sit and stitch with us‑‑the more, the merrier.
We have our online stitch circle, too‑‑we have no intention of EVER disbanding!‑‑and we’re in the process of figuring out how to combine the two so we can all stitch together.
Almost ten years ago, we launched our Sleeping Bear Yarn Club and there is simply no way we ever could have conceived what it is today. The dyers we’ve met, the colors they’ve created, the relationships that have grown‑‑the impact of this club in our lives‑‑personally and professionally‑‑is beyond our wildest dreams. (And just wait until we tell you about Year Ten! Next month.)
Because our club continues to add new members every month, there are many, many customers who’ve only just joined us‑‑and have missed out on some of the previous months. And almost everyone has said that they’d love to get their hands on at least one more skein of one colorway or another.
So. We’re opening up the opportunity for everyone who has been hoping to get another go at one‑‑or more!‑‑of our exclusive yarns. We reached out to the brilliant dyers who’ve produced colorways for our Sleeping Bear Yarn Club and asked them to dye a limited edition run for the spectacular colors from the first nine years: The Colors of Leelanau.
As always,these yarns are available to you at 10% off retail prices. But this year? We’ve got something even better. For a limited time, they’re all discounted juuuuuust a little bit more‑‑an extra special gift to you, a thank you for making our lives so much more colorful.
We’ve said from Day One that these colors are exclusive to our members and we still stand by that. Before you can order any of the colorways pictured here, you first have to join the club.
After that, you can order any of the colors between now and March 27th.
Into small projects with two colors or more? There are SO many high contrast options within our palette‑‑think about Stephen West’s Woven Checks Socks, Stephanie Lotven’s Morning Sunshine Cowl, or Midori Rose’s Paul Klee Sweater.
Love some of the colors so much you want a full sweater’s quantity? Try this Ravelry search HERE for fingering weight sweaters. Some of our favorites include Isabell Kraemer’s Dingley Dell, Rachel Illsley’s The Waves or Dārta by Inese Sang (from the new Neons & Neutrals by Aimée Gille).
Not sure how to choose your coordinating mohair, or how it will look with the yarn? This blog post from Tin Can Knits is so very helpful‑‑thank you, Michele, for sending this one along! Read the post HERE.
Our Colors of Leelanau display in the background. You’ll notice that not every month from the original lineup is included. That’s because some of the dyers were unavailable to recreate their original colorway. If you have one of those original skeins, hang on to it like your life depends on it.*
*Um. We mean knit with it. Who hoards yarn anyway?
As in art, so in Life. A good cuppa, a good book, a very good yarn‑‑Climber’s Cloudscape, July 2021.
An extremely precious yarn, The Woods is a secret project that’s been in the works for more than 3 years. From the flock of Merino-Rambouillet sheep of Fleece Flower Farm in Frankenmuth, this yarn holds the promise and wonder of new life. Spun from the entire flock of Bob & Liz Stearns’ Michigan fleeces, it’s combed together in a small-batch, ring-spun yarn that’s plump, soft and farm-fresh. This is a very limited edition yarn; there is a finite number of skeins available, and once they’re gone, that’s it. Forever.
Zeilinger Wool Company is a fourth-generation wool mill in Frankenmuth, Michigan. We have worked closely with Jon and April for years, and when they got wind that this wool needed a plan, they immediately thought of us. It’s an honor to work with this historic mill to create another custom yarn for our hive.
Handpainted in Colorado by Rachel Lundstrom of Six and Seven Fiber, this gorgeous color palette is something right out of a dream. Soft, muted colors ranging from subtle variegation to gently speckled, this yarn inspires a fresh start.
And of course, a special yarn needs a special plan. We asked Tina Tse, a Michigan-based knitwear designer, to create A Fresh Start Toque, a modern classic and a highly wearable hat. We’re thrilled with this hat pattern–a combination of deep ribbing, clever stitchwork and in multiple sizes for all genders, moods and seasons.
What if you could begin your knitting new year a little differently this year? Gentler, kinder, with more grace? Rather than hard corners and tight deadlines, how about soft edges and loose commitments? Why not make your first project of 2023 something small, pleasantly engaging and quick-to-knit, something to boost your sense of accomplishment? We call that an ‘atta boy’ project–and after a long year, we’re more than ready for one. Come–knit with us. We could all use a fresh start.
January 1st-January 8th 2022‑‑come knit a hat with us.
December 9th-21st: Order the yarn and needles now through December 21st. Everything will arrive in the store (or straight to your doorstep!) with plenty of time for you to cast on by January 1. When you’re done, we’ll expect to see finished shots of you and your hat! Email us at thebuzz@woolandhoney.com with your finished piece, and while you’re knitting, use the #WoolAndHoney hashtag on Instagram or post on our Facebook page.
15% Discount: the needles AND the yarn. This hat is knit with The Woods, a light worsted weight in a dreamy palette of eight magical colors. Need to order needles? Find them HERE.
Prizes: Every single participant who completes their hat during the week will receive a Forest on the Moon Enamel pin by Jess Weymouth –a $13 value–AND every single participant who completes their hat will be entered in a drawing to win an ‘Ivory + Tan’ Dopp kit from Paisley & Gold–a $50 value.
Fruitcake szn (always, tbh) and lots of decisions to make‑‑as in, which color of The Woods will we knit into our January 1st Fresh Start Toque?
Open Stitch Saturdays 10 am to 12 pm EDT
Sitting and creating with you on Saturday mornings…it’s what we DO.
Join us every Saturday morning as we sit and drink caffeinated beverages and knit (or crochet/spin/stitch/weave!) together. It won’t be exactly the same as being together in person, but it’ll be so very good to see you.
And. If you live locally and you’re ready to sit and knit together, join us in person. We’ve missed you so.
‘If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.’
-Mary Oliver, ‘Don’t Hesitate’
* * * * *
We are learning‑‑slowly learning‑‑that Joy does not exist in a vacuum. We cannot separate nor isolate Joy from daily happenings, that we are allowed to look for, experience, create beauty‑‑despite chaos. That we can be deeply sad and exquisitely joyful at the same time. Operating from the both/and mindset is how we survive‑‑and, when the stars are aligned, it’s how we thrive. You are allowed to wade in the depths and to shore yourself up with small, beautiful things that illuminate the horizon.
We’d like to introduce to you a gentle collection of sweet delights that sparkle and pop‑‑and feel like Joy. We took these photos during a dark week, and cradling these gorgeous gifts in our hands‑‑and thinking both about the hands that created them and the hands that will hold them after they leave ours‑‑felt like stringing our halls with tiny, blinking twinkle lights. You’ll sense a carryover of the weekend’s sock theme, accoutrement for all your sock knitting adventures (including a cooling foot balm!) that are good for giving and for getting. It’s a shadowy season ahead, but it can also be filled with patches of light when we look.
‘Pip & Pop’‑‑the yarnandthe nail polish!‑‑was created exclusively for Wool & Honey for the Holiday Season 2022, based on the brilliant, joy-filled Meow Wolf Santa Fe exhibit by Australian artist Tanya Shultz of Pip & Pop. This polish is a clear base with multi-color sparkles, so you can wear it on its own, or over a base layer of Northern Nail for extra color pop.
These Wool & Honey Sock Blockers, etched with iconic Leelanau motifs, are the knitterly accessories we never knew we needed. Sock blockers help with quickly and correctly calculating the size of socks, following a pattern without mistakes, controlling the knitting density and knitting without play-by-play fitting. Made of lightweight plywood, the removable toe allows for sizing socks in American sizes from 5 to 14. The hand-drawn motifs on the blockers were designed for us by our longtime friend, artist Emilie Eklund of Lief Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the blockers were made by Vicky in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
How many times have you seen Kitchener stitch used in a pattern and thought, “Wait, how do I do that again?” We’ve all been there. This enamel pin features a unique hinged, two-layer design. Lift the cover to reveal easy step-by-step directions for the Kitchener Stitch engraved on the interior. With the Kitchener Stitch Pin, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a beautiful piece of art to add to your favorite knitting bag, as well as a handy reference tool for the Kitchener stitch.
The Keeper’s Collective is an all-natural skincare brand from Snoqualmie, Washington that creates nourishing, pure, handmade products with the help of our friend, the mighty honeybee. Boasting raw honey, bee propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly to heal dry skin, lighten dark spots and combat acne, the Secret Salve is a must-have for every medicine cabinet, nightstand and knitting bag. The Peppermint Tea Tree Heel & Foot Balm combines lavender, peppermint, and tea tree essential oils, along with beeswax and bee propolis. Together, these natural ingredients work hard to soften and soothe even the driest patches of skin. The Goat Milk & Honey Bath Soak‑‑in either Lavender or Rose Gold‑‑is the day-end luxury you deserve. Goat milk, with its naturally exfoliating and moisturizing properties, pairs perfectly with humectant honey to help cleanse and deeply nourish your skin.
Paisley & Gold Sewing was founded in Macon, GA in 2016 when Erika Green was a full-time college student. In need of a creative outlet, she put her sewing skills to the test and created her burgeoning craft business. Paisley & Gold bags bring together the finest materials and stunning design to create something very special. She believes in quality, care, and creating unique products that everyone can enjoy. Colorful, creative, and inspired by what she sees everyday, each product represents what she loves about the world she lives in. Her mission is to ensure that every item is made with heart and integrity. She believes in reviving the United States fashion industry by ethically producing all of her items in studio in the Slow Fashion way. Her hope is to educate customers on the importance of handcrafted products and small business. Every item is made by Erika in Columbus, Ohio.
A free gift that comes with all orders today‑‑a grow-your-own lavender plant in a terracotta planter. Read all about our Saturday Sockstravaganza below.
Saturday, November 26th Small Business Saturday 9 am to 4 pm
double punches
+
a FREE gift with every order (both in-store and online)
We look forward to Small Business Saturday all year‑‑it’s a day entirely devoted to our favorite small-scale Makers. Our shop is bursting with all of our favorite gift items: candles, enamel pins, magazines, gifts‑‑and of course, yarn.
Every customer (both in-store + online) will be receiving a grow-your-own lavender plant‑‑a gift that you can bring to the host at your next holiday gathering‑‑or you can absolutely can keep for yourself.
Every online order placed today (from now until 11:59 p.m. EST!) will receive one, too.
Each dollar is worth two on our punch card: our way of saying thank you for your devoted, loyal support. Our shop would be nothing without our customers‑‑we are so very grateful for you.
And. We would like to say that today, after almost three full years on hiatus, we’re hosting our Open Stitch IN PERSON. Sit and stitch with us‑‑the more, the merrier. We’ll have our online stitch circle, too‑‑we have no intention of EVER disbanding!‑‑but we hope you’ll join us today from 10 am to 12 noon for the reunion we’ve been waiting for since March 2020.
Dyed in upstate New York by Jiayi of Wobble Gobble, her bubbly colorways are pure artistry‑‑these skeins will truly take your breath away. ‘Pip & Pop’was created exclusively for us for the Holiday Season 2022, based on the brilliant, joy-filled Meow Wolf Santa Fe exhibit by Australian artist Tanya Shultz of Pip & Pop. This is one of the most joy-filled yarn collaborations we’ve ever been part of.
With a focus on sustainability, Coates & Co. sources yarns and fibers from regional fiber mills before dyeing each unique colorway by hand in small batches. These sweet little sock sets‑‑5 colors each in striking color pairings‑‑are hand-dyed by Emma in Cincinnati, OH.
Each Cashmere and Coconuts Sock Yarn Set is carefully hand dyed by Stacie in small batches, using high quality, super soft yarns, and acid dyes. Because of this, each skein is truly a unique creation, and a one of a kind colorway. These yarns are wonderful for shawls, sweaters, hats, and of course, socks.
Wobble Gobble 2-ply Sock Yarn, clockwise from L: ‘Oohlala’, ‘Sunflower’, ‘Lime’, ‘Birdie in a Tree’, ‘Rooster’, ‘Autumn Jewels’ and ‘Wildflower’.
…and because we couldn’t have just one new Wobble Gobble colorway in the shop, we asked Jiayi if she could dye 10 standard colorways on her bouncy, 2-Ply Merino sock yarn to round out the collection. And of course, she said yes.
Can you EVEN with this color?!? Perhaps the happiest sock yarn you ever did see. Thank you, Jiayi‑‑you are an Artist of the highest degree. Come in today and squeeze it in person, yes? YES.
Open Stitch Saturdays 10 am to 12 pm EDT
Sitting and creating with you on Saturday mornings…it’s what we DO.
Join us every Saturday morning as we sit and drink caffeinated beverages and knit (or crochet/spin/stitch/weave!) together. It won’t be exactly the same as being together in person, but it’ll be so very good to see you.
And. If you live locally and you’re ready to sit and knit together, join us in person. We’ve missed you so.
(In the event that the link itself isn’t working, head to Zoom’s home page, enter meeting ID: 835 6727 2501 and you should be able to get right in.)
Hello, dear friends. Hoping this email finds you healthy and cozy, tucked in for a long weekend of creating and resting at home. We’ve been busy bees in the shop and behind the scenes, knitting away, filling the store with our favorite things and planning the sweetest surprises for you.
We’d like to share some of our plans for Thanksgiving weekend, which also include those of you who can’t join us in person. In fact, to keep everyone extra safe, our bricks-and-mortar storefront will be closed to walk-through traffic on Plaid Friday‑‑and extending our annual sale to a full 24 hours so you can pop in online when it’s convenient for you.
Why yes, our holiday weekend does have a bit of a sparkly, pink theme. The inspiration is from the Pip & Pop exhibit at Meow Wolf Santa Fe….an installation we experienced in 2019 and haven’t been able to stop thinking about since.
Friday, November 25th Plaid Friday 20% ALL DAY online only CLOSED to walk-in traffic
Saturday, November 26th Small Business Saturday 9 am to 4 pm -double-punches -a FREE gift with all orders, in-store and online -surprise announcement
Sunday, November 27th 11 am to 4 pm
Monday, November 28th Cyber Monday A HUGE surprise!
Tuesday, November 29th Giving Tuesday
* * * * *
….and a top-secret collaboration in December
More details to come over the next few weeks, friends. Have a safe and restful weekend surrounded by knitting, tea, books, friends and all the other things that fill your souls.
Spun from the finest commercially-available American extra-fine merino wool, Quince & Co. Phoebe is unbelievably soft and luxurious to knit with, creating the most satisfying fabric—silky, bouncy, decadent stuff. Perfect in stockinette stitch, ribbing, twisted stitches, and cables. Phoebe comes in a tonal-dyed palette, each one unique and ranging in variegation from skein to skein. We are completely bonkers for this hot magenta zinger‑‑you have heard that pink is the new black, yes?
Not sure what to knit with this limited edition Aphrodite? One skein will make the Hadfield Hat, a cozy fisherman’s rib hat that’s destined to become a wardrobe staple.
Great knits are like great art because they make us think differently, and the process of making can be even more revelatory! Showing us how we can look to, and beyond, our horizons when it comes to our craft, the 43rd issue of Pom Pom is inspired by the work of women artists Etel Adnan and Hilma af Klint.
This winter collection of 10 patterns features striking colours and innovative techniques, and bold and imaginative knits that play with pattern and perspective. So whether you fancy a colourwork challenge, or just some meditative time as the sun sets in the sky, there’s bound to be something here to expand your crafting horizons!
Featuring designs by Amy Blackwell, Kjerstin Rovetta, Marzena Kołaczek, Avery Erb, Audrey Borrego, Regina Wimmer, Marie Régnier, Mer Steven and Sarah Opie.
Open Stitch Saturdays 10 am to 12 pm EDT
Sitting and creating with you on Saturday mornings…it’s what we DO.
Join us every Saturday morning as we sit and drink caffeinated beverages and knit (or crochet/spin/stitch/weave!) together. It won’t be exactly the same as being together in person, but it’ll be so very good to see you.
