We left Sunday about noon from Jackson, and wouldn’t you know it? We had a spectacular animal encounter almost immediately.  This is what we saw about 25 miles south of home:

Mountain Goats

These mountain goats are always a welcome sight.  They’re very impressive animals, very calm and very big.

They’re also cute– see the face on the juvenile in the photo on the right?

Anyway, we had off and on snow until we got to Salt Lake, but managed to make it across the salt flats to Wendover before stopping for the night.  The entire trip has been filled with gorgeous scenery.

Yesterday, we drove to  Sparks NV, where we picked up some new display for our booths.  On a whim, I checked the customer list and found we have one customer in Sparks!  So we decided to do our best imitation of Publisher’s Clearinghouse, and we showed up on the doorstep of Mary F., and presented her with a little gift!  You should have seen the look on her face.  It was fun.

So we have made it here to Santa Clara a little while ago, and checked into the hotel, and are anticipating getting a good start on the set-up tomorrow.  It was an easy drive broken into 3 days.  Stay tuned for more updates from Stitches West!

Fassett’s Patchwork Designs

It’s easier than ever before with Regia’s Design Line by Kaffe Fassett

Rowan’s Master Colorist, Kaffe Fassett, has created beautiful combinations for Regia Yarns.  Those of us familiar with his work can spot a Fassett design a mile away, and love them all.  But of course the knitting patterns were so daunting–combinations of fair isle and intarsia, with complex color changes using often dozens of colors and yarns in one project!

Now Fassett revisits some of his favorite shapes and patterns using combinations of these variegated yarns with each other and solids.   Get fabulous results with simplified technique!

The great color combinations
of Regia Design Line

Kaffe Fassett’s colorways

Lang Donegal     

Tweed is a trend, and this yarn is much more than a rehashed version of other tweeds.  Donegal has a DK gauge, but it is thick and thin (sometimes very thin).  If you are an intermediate knitter who hasn’t worked with thick and thin yarns, you will have to pay attention.  Donegal fulls on blocking, meaning that what looks like holes as you knit will fill in more solidly after blocking.  This quality makes Donegal an interesting choice for crochet, too!  A big plus–This is a yarn that is a man magnet!  I have a pullover OTN for John, and when our two sons were home for Christmas they both immediately snatched it up saying “this is nice!” (and they live in CA & AZ–not sweater country)  Just be sure to stick to the darker, neutral colors.  After showing off the patterns in the Lang Vintage book, they were all judged to be winners by my houseful of men.  The 50g skein has over 200 yards, so it goes a long way.

The World’s Favorite Stainless Steel Circular Needle

All Addi Turbo Needles
15% OFF

price good through Jan 31, 2012

Vogue Knitting’s Cover Sweater featuring Cortina Nuvole

   BIG,
Astrakan by Lang

& even

BIGGER yarn
    Berroco’s Link

Yes, all the fashion magazines, the knitting and the crochet magazines, and the TV/internet style shows  are showing big, Big, BIGGER knits! And they’re so gorgeous, and they’re fast to knit, but… but…. but….

“Super-bulky knits look great on a 5′ 10″, 90 lb model, but not me! They’re so pricey with so little yardage! And they’re so heavy–who could wear all that?! Even if you’re skinny, it weighs a ton!”

The answer is Yes, you can wear these yarns, if you choose wisely.   Here are some tips:

• Accessories–scarves, hats, muffs–give the fashion look without being overwhelming
• Look at the cost of the garment, not the price of the skein.  Most of these yarns are cost-effective.
• Remember to keep the fabric and the fit loose–unless it’s an outerwear coat or jacket, these yarns shouldn’t be firmly knit.  They also not meant to be knit into sweaters that are close-fitting; instead choose patterns for layering garments.
• Natural fibers are heavier than synthetics.  In these super big yarns, a synthetic portion or blend is a big plus in keeping them light enough to wear.
• “Cable knit” yarns, where the strand is really a knitted tube, are much lighter to wear, and warm too.

A Quick Link to all our Big Yarns!

Have an outdoorsman or outdoor worker on your gift list?  Buffalo Gold Bison accessories are incredibly thoughtful gifts for fishermen, hunters, gardeners, construction & landscape workers, winter sports fans–anyone who needs extra warmth and protection from the elements.  Bison down is one of the most durable and warm fibers out there.  It has to be experienced to be appreciated!

There are gloves, hats, scarves, and more!  These wonderful items are knit right here in the USA, but they sell out fast so if you want to have these for the holidays,  please order now.

not knit a single skein ChaCha scarf to spice up your black, grey, brown, red, or olive winter coat and keep your neckline warm at the same time?  Now through Saturday December 10, buy Curry only at 25% off!

This design in "Winter Warmers"

 Alpaca Chunky
This super-soft and snuggly yarn is a natural extension of Rowan’s Lima.  Since super-bulky yarns are so in fashion, it makes perfect sense to create a bigger, chunkier alpaca yarn.  This yarn is put up in 100g skeins, with about 76 yards, so as to minimize the number of ends you have to deal with.  And there’s a Rowan book Winter Warmers, with patterns for Alpaca Chunky, too.

Here’s a gift from me to you to get you started:

Knit in alpaca chunky

Simply Snuggly Luxury Scarf

This reversible scarf will make you want to go out in the cold just so you can wear it.  Or make it for someone else — Sometimes the recipe for a fabulous gift is deceptively easy!

2 100g balls Rowan Alpaca Chunky
US size 15 needles

Cast on 18 st, and work in this pattern

Row 1:  K3, P3 repeat across
Row 2:  K1,P1 repeat across

Continue in pattern until just enough of 2^nd ball remains to bind off.  Weave in loose ends.  Block lightly to stabilize the stitches.  Finished size about 6” by 66”.

Tip:  When working with circular chain constructed yarns like Alpaca Chunky or Lima try joining balls this way.  Using a tapestry needle, thread the new end up through the center of the yarn tube of the old end for about 4-5 inches, then out the side.  Remove the needle and gently pull back on the yarn to bury the ends.  Then just continue knitting.