The Knitting Experience Café

At this week's Knit at Night, the temptation of the gorgeous bag became too much for Rogue and they -yes, they!- revealed themselves and claimed their prize.

Many had suspected Patti of Rogueish activity. After all, who but Patti has the sock skills and speed to accomplish the daring feats of the Rogue knitter?

We were right - but only partially so. Even Patti could not take down me, Peter, AND Amy in that short amount of time. She required an accomplice and Sara was just a little too happy to help.  (You may think she looks innocent, but watch out for that one!)

Thank you Patti and Sara for adding that extra thrill to the game . The concept was a stroke of genius, and if I had to be killed, I'm glad it was by the Rogue. (That, and I have a beautiful pair of socks. A sweet deal.)

While we waited for the Rogue knitters to admit to their crimes, we've been Sprouting.  To be honest, we have so many people joining this incredibly fun KAL, I fear I may have lost track of a few knitters and/or yarn choices.  The updated list is included at the end of this post. Please let me know if I missed you.

First, pictures from the Sprout kick-off night:

And Sprouting fingers:

Yarn waiting to Sprout:

The last picture is Beth's cast-on for Sprout in Cascade's Venezia Worsted. She challenged my camera's ability to get a decent close-up. Ha! It's a tad fuzzy, but still looks pretty good.  Fabulous color choice Beth!

The Sprouting continued this week. I believe we have an even division between those knitting the sweater from the bottom-up and those working top-down. We've had a few impromptu sessions on how to work the wrap and turns. It's a tricky move if you've never seen it done, but we've walked a number of knitters through it in just a few minutes and all are now sailing on the rest of the sweater. 

Did you notice the knitter in the middle of this pic? That's Cheryl and we were thrilled that her scheduled finally allowed her to join us for KAN (and Sprout).  Welcome Cheryl!

And Lisa has sold her soul to the carpool to make it to KAN. She's willing to drive a carload of teenagers to a sporting event every Thursday night, just so she can make it to Brunswick in time for KAN. Thanks Lisa! We are so happy to have you join us - and greatly appreciate the sacrifice in the name of knitting.

More wonderful knitters:

And CAKE!!!! Karen has spoiled me once again with a mouth-watering cake for my birthday. I don't think there were even crumbs left on the plate by the end of the night. Thank you!!

Then Mara, the talented massage therapist, who makes the world ok when it just isn't, gave me a hand massage. 

(I have her card at the shop should you want to be kind to yourself.)

Before I end with the Sprout list, I want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and support for Becka, myself, and our family, after the passing of our grandmother earlier this week at the age of 95. She was a very special woman who will be dearly missed.

Sprout Knitters to-date 

Chesley - Cascade Venezia in Lavender

Becka - Cascade Venezia in Olive

Spunky Amy - Noro Kureyon

Adrienne - Berroco Ultra Alpaca in light green heather

Alva - Cascade 220 Superwash

Amanda - undecided

Amy T.- Spunky yarn in Passion

Amy from MA - not sure on yarn

Beth -Cascade Venezia in Bubble Bath

Bridget - Cascade Sierra in Sage

Cheryl -Cotton Ease in Berry?

Christy - Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran 

Chris aka Weaver- Cascade 220 - green heather

Danielle - undecided

Diana - Cascade Sierra Quatro

Diane - Cotton Ease

Emily - Spunky Eclectic 220 Classic

Faith - a gorgeous handspun

Hayley -Cotton Ease in Taupe

Jen - Elsebeth Lavold Cotton AL

Jennifer - Cascade pima tencel in Teal

Joyce - Cotton Ease in Berry?

Lesley - Cascade Venezia

Lisa - Farmhouse Yarn Summer Spun in Lemon Lime

Lisa-Marie - (decided, but I don't remember - help!!)

Lizzie - undecided?

Maggie - possibly a handdyed

Mara - Cotton Ease in Lime

Mary Ellen - Cascade Venezia (possibly)

Melissa - undecided

Mindy - possibly a stash yarn (Help on this one too!)

Pam - Cascade Sierra

Patti - Cascade Venezia in Quiet Lake

Peggy - Cascade 220 superwash

Terri -  Encore DK in Denim

Sandy - Cascade Sierra in Bermuda Blue

Sara - Cascade pima tencel 

Sophie - Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton in red

Susan - undecided

T0ri - Cascade Venezia in Lavendar

Wendy - Cascade Venezia in Quiet Lake

Wow! It has really been almost a week since my last post.  Time has been flying.  Becka and I are working on the new class schedule, rearranging yarn to make room for the new season, and working on our Sprouts. 

Well, actually, I'm working on Sprout. Bec finished hers and it is beautiful. I was supposed to block it for her days ago, but still haven't quite gotten around to it.  I really need to get my act together because she promised I could use it as a store sample for a little while in exchange for the yet to happen blocking.

Knit at Night last week was absolutely fantastic. The gang surprised me and the other April birthday knitters with a little party. I had a blast. Thank you!!!!!

Sandy discovered the new sock yarn-

Austermann Step. 75% Superwash wool, 25% nylon, with Aloe and Jojoba Oil to help keep your feet soft and smooth.

You may have noticed a lot of Sprout knitting happening in those pictures.  A few are almost done. Emily sewed on her buttons on Saturday, and promised me pictures once it's blocked. Diana is close to finishing - just in time for her vacation getaway. And Terri has joined her sleeves to the body -she's more than halfway there!

In the non-Sprout world, Marcia whipped up an heirloom quality baby blanket, and finished another beautiful gansey. I don't know how she does it!

Joannie finished her Twilley's scarf.  Love the colors!

And when not Sprouting, I've been spinning. I have another skein ready to be added to the afghan, and my first merino/silk (a score from Spunky Eclectic at SPA) - that won't be in the blanket. And I have about 2 ounces of alpaca on the wheel now.  I'm experimenting with spinning it thinner and thinner. I'm not at laceweight yet, but I think I've got a good sportweight when plied. 

What did you do with this beautiful day?

I did NOT clean the house, fold the laundry, or rake leaves. All things that desperately need doing. Which is why I packed up the boys, left all the things-to-do behind and went to visit Amy at Spunky Eclectic.

I left with some gorgeous alpaca. A semi-solid in Merlot, and a variegated in Popsicle. 

The Merlot is a present to myself, ( 2 ounces on the wheel already)

and the Popsicle is to add to the 4ounces the boys got me for my birthday. I just finished spinning it:

That's when I decided that I didn't have enough. This skein has about 200 yds. I figure I will need another 200 yds for the project that is cooking in my head.

I also got an extra bobbin so I can practice plying with 3 strands. The fiber? A gorgeous oatmeal BFL. It wasn't on the shopping list, but you know how these things happen.

My Sprout has made it past the waist shaping.

I put about 2 inches between the decreases and the increases. Another inch or so and I'll be ready for the rib.

Hope your day was filled with non-to-do things too!

The Spring/Summer class schedule is now available! Check it out on our Classes page.

In addition to the ever popular sock, felting, and lace classes, I am thrilled to announce that we will be offering a sweater design course taught by Amy King of Spunky Eclectic! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from an extremely talented artist. As many of you know, her work has been featured in MagKnits, Knitty, Knitscene, Knit Simple, Interweave Knits, and most recently, The Knitter's Book of Yarn. To allow more people the chance to take Amy's class, there will be two sessions, one in May and the second in July.

Hello Everyone, 

May is just a couple of days away, and it promises to be a wonderful month! 

Many (including me) are still working on their Sprout sweaters for our Spring knit-along.  It is not too late to join! This pattern, designed by Amy King, has limitless possibilities for personalization, and the final result is the perfect top for that warm weather outfit.

Our Spring/Summer class schedule is now available. In addition to the ever popular sock, felting, and lace classes, I am thrilled to announce that we will be offering a sweater design course taught by Amy King of Spunky Eclectic! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from an extremely talented artist. As many of you know, her work has been featured in MagKnits, Knitty, Knitscene, Knit Simple, Interweave Knits, and most recently, The Knitter's Book of Yarn. To allow more people the chance to take Amy's class, there will be two sessions, one in May and the second in July.

Now that the seasons have truly changed and winter really is behind us, I know many of you are planning your next round of projects.  Perhaps a lace scarf to go with your Sprout, socks to knit at all the upcoming baseball games, a felted bag to take to the farmer's market, or maybe you are ahead of the game and have begun your holiday knitting!

We want to help, and I can't think of a better way than with a SALE! Introducing the MAY DAYS SALE! 

Each week in the month of May, we will be putting a different yarn (or yarns!) on SALE for 20% OFF (available in the store and online). The yarn of the week will be announced Sunday morning on my blog, and available at the discounted price through Saturday of that week. 

Our first May Days special begins this Thursday, May 1st and ends Saturday, May 10th.  All in-stock Jo Sharp yarns will be 20% OFF. This includes, Silkroad Aran, Alpaca Kid Lustre, Kid Mohair, Infusion Kid Mohair, Soho Summer DK Cotton, and DK Wool. 

Enjoy the beautiful days ahead and happy knitting!

Chesley