Clara Parkes knows more about yarn than anyone I know. As the founder and publisher of Knitter’s Review, a weekly online magazine for fiber fans, Clara brings us in-depth reviews of yarn, books, and all things yarn-related. (If you haven’t already, sign up for Clara’s free weekly newsletter right now! It’s the best thing you’ll find in your inbox each week.)

In 2007, Clara published her first book, The Knitter’s Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn, which explains the origins and properties of various fibers, how yarn is made, and how to select the right yarn for your project.

Clara’s new book, The Knitter’s Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Using, and Loving this Most Fabulous Fiber, was released last fall. In it, Clara goes into more detail about her favorite fiber, wool.

We’re happy to welcome Clara back to Philadelphia this month. Please join us on Friday, February 26 from 5 to 7 pm for a book signing to celebrate The Knitter’s Book of Wool. Bring your copy or purchase one here for Clara to sign.

Then on Saturday, February 27 from 10 am to 1 pm, join Clara for a workshop based on her book.

The Wonders of Wool
workshop fee: $45

Join Clara Parkes for a hands-on journey into the world of wool. We’ll follow this magic material as its makes its way from sheep to skein, learning all about the qualities that make wool so wonderful and varied. We’ll talk about things like lanolin and luster, staple and crimp, what microns are and why they matter, why wool yarns can pill and what to do about it, and how machine-washable wool is made—and why you should always swatch your superwash yarn before embarking upon a full-sized garment. We’ll pass around garments and swatches, and you’ll even have a chance to swatch some of the most noteworthy breeds and blends for yourself.

Skill level: All
Skills required: If you wish to participate in the swatching exercises, a basic knowledge of casting on, knitting, and purling is required.
Materials: Please bring a few sets of your favorite needles for swatching, ideally in sizes US 6-8. They can be DPNs, circulars, straights, whatever you enjoy working the most.
Homework: None

There are a limited number of seats for the workshop, so call (215-893-9939) or stop in to reserve your space today!

Last month Katie sent me several projects she’d knit with yarn purchased at Loop. The first are Soft Cotton Knit Dishtowels made with Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton yarn in drift and ladybug. These are a great gift for new homeowners!

These Cabled Baby Hats, designed by Julie Hentz, are knit with Spud & Chloe Sweater yarn in popsicle. Katie made them for two of her girlfriends who were both expecting baby girls.

And lastly, Katie knit the His and Hers Hats, which she calls her Texas Tech Hats because she made them in Tech colors for her brother-in-law (a Tech alum) and sister for Christmas. She used the Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton yarn in ladybug and ink.

Thanks for sending us photographs of your beautiful projects, Katie. I hope you’re knitting something for yourself, too!

Veronik Avery and Carol Sulcoski

Philadelphia knitters were out in force yesterday to meet and greet Veronik Avery! We had a great time talking with Veronik St-Denis Magazine, Nordique yarn, and about knitting in general. Veronik surprised us with a preview of her new yarn and a few garments from the next issue of the magazine. Very cool!

Me and Veronik Avery

Thanks to everyone who came out yesterday! Those of you who bought Nordique, please come back and show us what you’ve made!

Veronik Avery will be at Loop this Saturday from 12 noon to 3 pm. All of the garments from the premier edition of St-Denis Magazine are here, and we have a good selection of Nordique yarn, the first in Veronik’s collection.

Veronik will be happy to sign your copy of the magazine and to discuss the garments and knitting techniques with you.

When you see the trunk show, you really appreciate the versatility of Nordique yarn. It’s a sport weight 100% wool yarn with a recommended gauge of 6 stitches per inch on a size US 6 needle.

Nordique looks good, however, knit on a wide range of needle sizes and also performs well when doubled and knit at a worsted gauge. In the first edition of St-Denis Magazine, Nordique is used for stranded color knitting, lace, sweaters for men, women, and children, and even a toy pattern.

I hope you’ll join us in welcoming Veronik to Philadelphia and celebrating her beautiful collection!

The Baby Surprise Jacket is Elizabeth Zimmerman’s classic baby knit. It can be confusing at first, because it’s knit flat with lots of increasing and decreasing, and doesn’t really look like a jacket. But bind off and fold and you have an adorable unisex jacket.

Jerilynn sent us us this photo of the Baby Surprise Jacket she knit with Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn. The yarn’s beautiful self-striping colors work perfectly with the shaping of the jacket to create this one-of-a-kind sweater. This one is a gift for her son’s co-worker.

Thanks for sharing your project with us, Jerilynn! It’s wonderful!

Julie sent us this photo of herself wearing a Daria Cowl that she’d knit. She used Imperial Stock Ranch’s Columbia and Bulky 2-Strand yarns, like we did. Looks so warm and cozy!

Julie knit a Daria Cowl for her daughter, too. This time with leftover yarn from another project.

When it’s cold and windy, you can pull it up over your face for protection!

Thanks for sharing your projects with us, Julie! They look great!

We’ll be closed today and tomorrow in celebration of Christmas, and will re-open this weekend.

Have a merry Christmas!

Stephen West’s Botanic Hat has been this season’s biggest hit. West took the traditional watch cap, used two colors of yarn, added a slip stitch to ribbing and created a handsome, unisex, reversible hat. And it’s not just reversible, it’s two different looks.

West used Malabrigo Worsted Merino yarn, so we followed suit for our shop samples. With two hanks of Malabrigo, each in a different color, we were able to make two hats. We had to reverse the main and contrast colors, so the hats are similar but different. Malabrigo is known for being ultra-soft, so it’s wonderful to knit and not at all itchy to wear.

When a new shipment of Malabrigo arrived last week, I couldn’t help but start putting together combinations for the Botanic Hat. Here are my favorites:

shocking pink and geranio

burgundy and glazed carrot

apple green and sapphire green

blue surf and paris night

There are plenty of color combinations you can make with the 25 colors we have in stock today. Take a look and see which one’s right for you!

Jen knit this pullover for her son Harry. It’s Blue Sky Alpacas’ Baby Hoodie pattern knit with Blue Sky Dyed Cotton yarn. I love the colors Jen chose – handsome and bold – perfect for a little boy.

After she’d finished the seaming, Jen discovered that the sweater was too short. She undid the ribbing, knit 3 more stripes and the ribbing again, and re-seamed it. The finished result is wonderful. Jen has a beautiful finished knit and Harry has a handsome new sweater!

Thanks for sharing your pictures and experience with us, Jen!

Heather brought her cousin Ellen into the shop to select yarn for a shawl. It’s always best, if possible, to have the recipient choose their yarn, so neither of you are disappointed later. Ellen chose Blue Sky Alpaca Silk and Schulana Kid Seta yarns.

The pattern is Classic Elite’s Soft Linen Shawl. It was Heather’s first time knitting lace from a chart, and she recommends it for other novices. Here’s a detail of the lace pattern:

The shawl came out beautifully, Heather! Thanks for sharing it with us!