New and Knittable on Ravelry

Just browsing the first ten pages of recent uploads, here are the ones that screamed “Notice Me!”:
HOWEVER the ebook for $42 screamed notice me because that is utterly ridiculous…five patterns for forty two dollars…REALLY?

 

EWETOPIA — New Yarn from Frog Tree Yarns

The yarn has been on special all week here at Summit Yarn Studio, regularly $8.50 a ball, it has been $6.50 a ball and will remain so through end of business day tomorrow at 2pm.  Ewetopia has received Cat Bordhi’s recommendations and after having worked with it in every color, I love this wonderful, lofty, sproingy yarn.  Another good name for this yarn would have been — Bounce — because it has so much life, bloom and drape.  The yarn is composed of two plies, one of extrafine merino (at the finest micrometer) and one of superwash extrafine merino — for the purpose that the two plies would take the dye color differently and create a marled yarn.  Some of the marls are more obvious than others and some of the colors have a resplendent mutable quality to them — they are different colors in different light — like the stone Alexandrite.

This is a simple afghan I am knitting using one block in every color (there are 18 colors in all) of this soft and pleasing yarn. As I knit the second strip, I am attaching it directly to the first by a sort of SSK through the back loop involving the new square and the Garter bump on the edge of the old square. I also cast on the second square connected to the first by drawing up my first stitch at the corner of the first old block and then doing a long tail cast on. Come to class if you are interested in learning sew-free techniques!

 

Everyone who has “met” this yarn has immediately wanted to do at least one sweater with it.  Robin has completed two out of three sweaters, Chris is nearly done with her first, Suzy purchased by Pink for a Pullover (ala Simple Summer Tweed by Heidi Kirrmaier — free on Ravelry), Barbara and Charlotte are both waiting for “The Angel”, my newest design and have their yarn tucked away.  Here are some photos:

Swatch by Chris for a sweater with eyelets in the Green Ewetopia.

 

Vee-Neck knit in the round by Robin using Ewetopia — a 43″ chest circumference took 12 balls.

 

Robin used the Simple Summer Tweed pattern without joining at the front to create a Cardigan in the Claret colored Ewetopia.

 

This is a close up of Red Ewetopia for a sweater called: “Shadow” ( also available on Ravelry ) being made by Chris.

 

This is “Warm Me UP”, a vest which can be worn three ways — as above, crossed at the front like a ballet sweater, or with one side (the cable — which runs up the back, over the shoulder and down the front) thrown over the opposite shoulder, like a shawl or Ruana. This pattern is available from Frog Tree Yarns and was designed by yours truly.

 

The sleeve of this sweater is knit in the DARKEST GREY of EWETOPIA and still the texture shows, even in not so great lighting. What appears to be a one stitch rib is much more, but all sucked in because this was obviously taken prior to blocking. The rest of this sweater can be seen in the Frog Tree Booth in Columbus at TNNA, or request the pattern called: “The Admiral”.

 

There are many other new designs available for EWETOPIA, all of which will be available at this June’s Columbus TNNA at the booth for Frog Tree Yarns.  The is the most popular new yarn here at Summit Yarn Studio.  If your LYS does not yet carry Frog Tree Yarns, a minimum order is just one bag of any of their wonderful yarns.  Bear in mind, this is a not-for-profit company, so purchasing their yarns does good on both your needles and in this world.

over and out for today, Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn

 

SNAGGED

Okay, the weather is warm.  Everyone is dressing for the weather, especially guys who work outside.  My son and I were at lunch and just getting ready to go back to the studio.  He goes to refill our drinks and I get rid of the trash and trays.  As I am walking to the door, two nice looking young men — much to young for me to do anything but admire (and I do silently), are also making their way to the door.  One is in a blue tee shirt with short sleeves, nice but…would be so much nicer if like the other young man in blue tee shirt but NO sleeves — who happens to be ripped with biceps…well, you get the picture.  Then the nice young man without sleeves on his tee shirt greets me, pulling me out of my sanctuary of reverie.  I look up and ask, “Where do I know you from?” and smile.  He answers and I immediately realize who he is.  I am now purple.  He looks at me questioningly.  Honest person that I am, I confess to admiring his biceps and PLEASE don’t go back to work and tell. He says, “Great, you weren’t even looking at my face!”.  Nope, I was not.  ;-D

 

Studio Knits: The Angel

Yesterday I finished typing “The Angel”, a new pattern and new concept for how to knit a sweater.  Suzy has been kind enough to test knit and Frog Tree has accepted the pattern.  There is a second version in process with Elena test knitting that one.  Chris has also inspired yet a third version.  Basically, the concept of this sweater allows you to knit any shape sweater with PROPER ARMHOLES and with proper fit through the body.  I am nervous and hopeful about how this sweater will be received at yarn market, TNNA.

I am test knitting two sample of a vest by Lisa Ellis, called: Royal Cables in another yarn by Frog Tree, called: Meriboo.  This is a machine washable yarn that can function as either a DK weight yarn or (because of its wonderful loft) a light weight worsted yarn.  It is merino wool and bamboo and wonderful all over.  This is a fun pattern, and yes, I would tweak it if I were knitting it for myself — why not avoid sewing whenever possible?  However, the pattern is clear and well-written and without errors – so it gets a five needles UP review from me.

I will be open this Saturday from 10:15 to 2 pm and closed Sunday and Monday to spend some time with my family.  I look forward to seeing you Saturday, remember that is the last day for this week’s EWETOPIA special.  HAVE A relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

hugs and sunshine, Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn

 

This Week’s Specials

Just a Reminder:

Blue Bin $1 Sale Days:  There are two blue bins in the new front room filled with wonderful scarf making yarns.  We are trying to reduce inventory and this is one of the ongoing ways we will be accomplishing this goal.  Odds and ends of yarns we are now done with, will be in among these other yarn…pearls as it were.  You will want to come in and keep an eye on these bins for awesome bargains.

The Weekly Special:  This week’s special is EWETOPIA and it is moving fast.  This a Frog Tree Yarn made from two plies of extrafine merino wool — one ply is superwash and one ply is just the extrafine merino.  The result?  The two plies take the dye colors differently.  Some of the colors have very different plies while most of the colors are more subtle with the color of the yarn varying with the light it is in.  The yarn is regularly $8.50 and marked down through Saturday to $6.50.  I love this company because it is a not for profit company and they do good in this world.  I am looking to work with more companies like this in the future and inventory reduction will help me shift the studio in this direction.

Next Week’s Special is:  Ella Rae Merino Lace, regularly $25 a skein, next week $18 a skein — available in six beauteous hand dyed shades.

loads of love and Happy Memorial Day Weekend,

Mary Ellen and Summit Yarn Studio

 

The Questions We Ask

I am as guilty as the next person of this first one:  I spend money on a knitting book or magazine, find a pattern I want to knit and then there are errors.  After this past weekend of checking, double-checking, and triple-checking myself, I stand humbled and silent.  A company commissioned a man’s sweater — something knittable but noticeable — not too hard but with interest — the ever-elusive grey zone.  I did research, talked to men about their preferences (my husband was astonished at this as SOP in our house is when I want his opinion I will tell him what it is), looked at hundreds of men in sweaters on Flickr and elsewhere on the internet.  I went through all the Barbara Walker books contemplating stitch patterns.  I swatched.  I thought.  I rolled the idea of this sweater around in my head like I would roll a hard candy around in my mouth.  Then I knit the sweater.  Knitting the sweater was the easy part and took about ten days.

Typing the pattern took three days and twelve very intense hours of solitude.  The pattern is written for seven sizes, from a finished measurement of 34″ to one of 56″.  There are four different stitch patterns, three flowing one to the next on the torso up to the neck and a fourth from the cuff of the sleeve up to the neck (this is a saddle shoulder sweater).  Of course, I had insights along the way as I knit this sweater and unvented a new way to shape the neck — keeping all stitches live for the end to knit the collar.  I have a stack of papers filled with math, measurements, sketches and scribbles an inch high — all so the pattern could be precise.

The pattern is called: “The Admiral” and will be published by Frog Tree Yarns, my ever-beloved patron.  It is based on traditional men’s fishing Ganseys.  The whole point of the stitch patterning is to draw the eye of the beholder away from the wearer’s abdomen, up to the shoulders and face, while providing a simple easy masculine look — or slimming look for a women.  My husband modeled it unblocked for me and even said: “If you were to ever knit this for me, just two inches longer.”  Shocking.  The pattern will debut at the Columbus TNNA trade show along with the sweater, knit in EWETOPIA, Frog Tree’s newest scrumptious yarn.

I continue training for my Camino in September.  The lesson which has become most apparent to me is this:  our World only seems mundane.  We choose whether to make our days mundane or sacred…and every moment can be transformed with a deep breath and an attitude adjustment.

Netflix fans:  just finished watching the four episodes of “Grand Tour” — great documentary about architecture and history and more.  There is also an intense talk by Adam Savage on something called: TED talks, ancient facts…worth the 15 minute investment of time.

My prayers, Italy (and World) are with you.  May you find peace and safety — sooner.

Ramble Complete.

 

Memorial Day Special This Week

Blue Bin Special: Clearance Yarns for $1 a ball.

Featured Yarn Special: EWETOPIA, regularly $8.50 a ball, for this week only $6.50 a ball.

Debbie Bliss Aran $4.50 a ball

Come take advantage of the great prices while supplies last!

love and hugs, Mary Ellen and
Summit Yarn

 

My Balls Hurt

The balls of my feet, people. The Camino training continues, somedays in my boots and somedays in sneakers. Yesterday I put in 12+ miles and, yes, I was able to get up this morning. Getting to bed up the stairs last night was a different story which I will leave to your imaginations. One pearl: take pee breaks. I pushed through with a backlog of 100+ ounces because I had to pick up my son at a specific time–I have a newfound appreciation for continence and the ligaments down below. If I didn’t have to get the son I could have slept in the bathroom the whole night from the sheer relief of it all.

I have my reservations made and a small case of the jitters but even just the training has been richly rewarding. I can not begin to imagine the impact walking the Camino will have in the long run.

TNNA, yarn market for yarn stores is rapidly approaching. Last year I was busy knitting sheep, which are still a great success…especially when sold in kits. This year, Frog Tree will debut not one but two of my new sweater designs–a no-sew cardigan and a traditional man’s sweater (huz actually put in an order for one! shocking!). That’s all I can own up to for now…will post photos from TNNA.

Just finished a great murder mystery: “Hide”…see photo below for author. Great writing style and no loose ends. I read it in two days.

Everyone is finishing up sweaters they began this past winter. Martha sends a cautionary message: when doing a Rosemary Hill pattern buy more yarn than it says by 100-200 yards. Martha has knit almost all of these fabulous shawls IN GAUGE but seems to come up short…and this has been confirmed by several other knitters on Ravelry.

New yarn arrived: BAA hand-dyed sock yarn. Superwash 100% Merino and beautiful colors.

News Flash: There are two blue bins in the front room with assorted yarns for sale at $1 a ball while supplies last. This first batch is geared toward scarf knitters. ;-D

Photos next. love and hugs, M.E.

 

SALE

All JUNIPER MOON YARN is 40% off and all SOCK YARN is 20% off in honor of Mother’s Day–today through Monday!!!

 

in no particular order

In no particular order:
-Yes, the KAL and CAL will continue in July when I am done prepping for the Columbus TNNA. I have commissions from TWO companies this year and once the knitting is done will be typing for hours. There are three new sweater designs coming out and a Shawlette. All are completely new concepts in knitting, fun and easy knits, and I feel hopeful they will be well-received.

-went with the family to see the Avengers…fabulous action movie although at times felt like I was in Big Bang Hell with Brian and Gary arguing over the finer points of comic book history. BTW Stan Lee has a cameo in the film.

-have been watching Battlestar Galactica on Netflix as I get my copious knitting done. It is a heart pounding, adrenaline pumping series episode after episode and I love it. Check it out.

I am still open seven days a week. If you are coming on a Friday night please let me know in advance. There are lots of sale items in the studio and classes are everyday except Sunday, which is group knit and visit.

-THE MOON has been spectacular, photo at end of log post. And Brian is planning his garden. He sends out his thanks to Aunt Lourdes, as the plant she gave him last year came back beautifully.

-My Camino trip is booked and confirmed. I continue training everyday and love my time in my boots.

-Please put the following names on your prayer list: Dave, Heidi, Mark, Carmen…and let me know if you have additions. We are making more chemo caps and Frog Tree Yarns was generous enough to donate three bags of Pima Cotton to the cause. If you are willing to donate some knitting time I have both yarn and patterns for you. It is so wonderful when these family members come in, to be able to send them out with at least one complete chemo cap as they face down stressful times.

-We are also collecting items for Afghans for Afghans. We need hats, mittens, and socks (5-8″ foot length) for children. All items must be wool and should not be in “army” colors. I will ship all donated items which must arrive in San Francisco by July. Thank you in advance for your donations to these children in need.

love and hugs, Mary Ellen