Cookie A. is a California knitwear designer who delights knitters with her lace and cabled sock patterns. Her designs have appeared in Knitty and Vogue Magazine; her single patterns are available here at Loop. You can see them all on her website, CookieA.com.

We’re thrilled to have Cookie coming Saturday and Sunday, August 2 + 3 to teach 3 classes: Top Down Sock Design, Toe Up Socks with Gusset and Traveling Stitches. Visit our Classes + Events page to read more about these classes.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of today’s hottest designers and a technical master!

I have a lot of friends who put away their knitting for the summer. Most of them just can’t stand to touch wool when the temperatures begin to climb into the 80s and 90s, but I think they’re missing out on some great summer knitting. Katie’s Lotus Blossom Tank is proof that your needles don’t have to go into storage.

Katie knit her tank with 5 skeins of Hempton, a cotton, hemp, and modal blend. Many people shy away from hemp yarns because they can be a little rough on the hands, but Hempton is like no other hemp yarn. The cotton and modal keep the yarn soft and easy to knit, with the added durability of hemp.

The pattern is from the Spring 2006 issue of Interweave Knits. Katie modified the patterns slightly to fit her shape by adding an extra repeat of the lace pattern and working in bust darts.

Thanks for showing off your tunic, Katie!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to knit socks. I always have a few socks on my needles and I’m constantly trying to bring new knitters over to the Sock Side.

Socks are great summer knitting, and a perfect project year-round. I love that a sock is small enough to toss in my purse and isn’t going to make me overheat while I’m knitting in the park or while waiting for the bus. There are so many options—different heels and toes, and new patterns to try—that I never get tired of socks.

The socks you see here were knit out of the beautiful Kureyon Sock yarn, by our good friend Martha. In addition to new colors of Kureyon Sock, we have a huge selection of sock yarn in every color imaginable.

We offer sock classes regularly. The next class starts on July 7. I hope to see you there!

Michelle sent us these photos of the bag she knit out of two colors of Clip.

Isn’t it great?! She told us that she made up the pattern, and you could easily create a pattern of your own! All you need to make your own bag is a few rectangles and a little seed stitch for detail. And, of course, a fabulous handle to bring it all together!

Clip is a beautiful mercerized Egyptian Cotton yarn. We love it for summer scarves, baby clothes as well as bags. We have Clip in thirteen colors–which ones will you use?

Scarves are the accessory to have this summer, but the perfect scarf is hard to find. When I saw the Lace Ribbon Scarf knit up in Koigu Mori I immediately reached for my needles. This is the Perfect Scarf.

We knit this scarf in just two skeins of Mori, which has quickly become the new favorite yarn around the shop. The wool/silk blend keeps the scarf light and has just the right amount of shine. The lace pattern is simple yet striking, making it a great on-the-go project that produces fabulous results.

If you want to make you’re own Lace Ribbon Scarf, we’re offering a class that starts on July 9. Give us a call to reserve your place!

We’re celebrating World Wide Knit in Public Day in two ways this year - with a sale and with a party!

World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIP Day) began in 2005 as a way to bring knitters and crocheters away from what is often a solitary craft and into contact with one another. For some, it has also become a way to show the world the many faces of knitting and crocheting and to promote awareness of the crafts. This year WWKIP Day is Saturday, June 14. Knitters and crocheters around the world will gather to celebrate.

At our WWKIP Day Sale you’ll save from 15% to 30% on selected cotton, linen and silk yarns.

Here’s just some of what you’ll find -

15% off Lorna’s Laces Helen’s Lace - reg. $56, now $47.60

25% off Sublime’s Organic Cotton - reg. $8, now $6

30% off Alchemy Silken Straw Solids - reg. $26, now $18.20

The sale ends Sunday, June 15.

On Saturday, we’re taking our chairs to the sidewalk and inviting you to join us! Use one of our chairs or bring your own and sit, knit, stitch and have fun! (If it’s too hot or if it rains, we’ll gather inside!)

We hope to see you!

The small print: This sale is for merchandise purchased in our Philadelphia store only. No price adjustments or rainchecks. Items purchased on sale may not be returned or exchanged.

Katie just finished the Skinny Cardigan — look how beautiful! The pattern is a design from Blue Sky Alpacas and it uses their new DK weight cotton, Skinny Cotton yarn.

This cardigan is a wonderful transition garment. It’s a classic shape knit in a light cotton, which makes it great for spring, summer, and fall. The stripes are also classic, I think a blue and cream version would be –very- Ralph Lauren. We’ve got Skinny Cotton in 10 great colors, so there are many possibilities!

What I like most about this pattern is the 5×1 rib that runs down the body of the cardigan. Not only does it break up the horizontal stripes, but it allows the garment to follow the shape of your body.

If you’re already looking ahead to next winter, the you could also knit this in Blue Sky Alpacas’ Sport Weight or Melange yarns.

Rebecca just sent us a picture of her finished Gretel Beret. She used one hank of Malabrigo’s Worsted Merino yarn and it looks beautiful! If you’re looking to get your feet wet with cables then Gretel might be the perfect project for you. Rebecca told us she had a great time making this one and she’s looking forward to casting on for other hats with Malabrigo.

The pattern for the beret is available from the designer’s website. We often forget about hats in the summer, but Gretel looks like a great project to have on hand during summer travel. Why not get a jump on your Holiday knitting while you’re sipping lemonade on the beach?

I squealed when we opened the boxes this morning and saw new! Noro! Kureyon! Sock yarn! The new colors just gorgeous! If you haven’t experienced Kureyon, you’re definitely missing out. Kureyon Sock Yarn is a fingering weight version of the very popular Noro Kureyon. Noro yarns are known for their beautiful, subtle color transitions. When knit, each color flows seamlessly into the next creating a sophisticated stripe. Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn is 70% wool and 30% nylon, so your socks will be beautiful and durable.

I’m going to cast on for a pair of socks, but what if socks aren’t your thing? Noro Kureyon Sock yarn is machine washable and would make a beautiful Baby Surprise Jacket. Or why not try a Feather and Fan scarf or a beret?

We have eight new colors that are sure to inspire. You can drop by the shop or check them out on our website.

Emily sent us pictures of her latest creation: a striped kids sweater knit with Blue Sky Alpaca’s Dyed Cotton yarn. She knit it for her friend Tara’s soon-to-arrive niece.

I love that she chose to put her own twist on a simple pattern by using uneven stripes.

We don’t have the pattern Emily used, but you could make your own by using Lillie’s Little Sweater from Cottage Creations or the Baby Hoodie from Blue Sky Alpacas. Knitting Pure and Simple also has some great top-down, one-piece sweaters for children.

Thanks for sharing your sweater, Emily!