When Hemp for Knitting’s AllHemp6Lux yarn arrived I immediately fell in love, but couldn’t decide what to do with it. After almost a whole summer of searching, I realized that the perfect pattern was right under my nose!

The Cool Hemp Ponchette is a pattern written specifically with the drape and feel of a hemp yarn in mind. It feels light, even in this 90 degree heat! It’s perfect for throwing over a tank top for a weekend brunch, or as an easy cover-up in the evening. I’d even wear it over a long-sleeved t-shirt in the winter!

AllHemp6Lux is unlike any 100% hemp yarn I’ve seen. Most hemp yarns that need a few washings to soften up, but AllHemp6Lux is soft in the hank and soft on your hands. The colors are surprisingly luminous, which is great for summer. It’s definitely a luxurious yarn, but with the amazing durability of hemp. AllHemp6Lux will never pill, shrink, or fade.

In addition to the Cool Hemp Ponchette, we have patterns for tanks, skirts, t-shirts, and bags, all from Hemp For Knitting.

The Clapotis is a versatile wrap that looks great in almost any yarn. Our customers have made versions in cashmere and angora, which are perfect for cooler days. For summer, we decided to lighten things up by using Alchemy’s Silken Straw.

Silken Straw is one of the most unique yarns we carry. It’s composed of five strands of silk that have been pressed together in a tape, to create a ribbon-like texture. Once knit, the fabric has a light drape and an unbelievable softness.

We used three hanks of Silken Straw in a variegated colorway to make our Clapotis, but it would also be beautiful in one of the nearly solid colors.

With Cookie A’s visit quickly approaching, we’ve got socks on the brain. Lace socks! Cabled socks! Knee socks! Cookie’s sock patterns are geared toward the experienced, or adventurous, sock knitter, but what if you have yet to turn a heel?

We have plenty of support for the new, and soon-to-be sock knitters out there. Our First Socks and Toe Up Socks classes walk you through every step of sock knitting. Your first sock is made with worsted weight yarn so you can see your stitches more easily. You’ll learn everything you need to know to knit socks with fingering or sock weight yarn.

If you’re ready to try a sock on your own, this Knitting Pure & Simple pattern is a great place to start. We love it in Noro’s Kureyon Sock yarn.

If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, the Silk Garden Sock yarn is perfect–just as enticing as the Kureyon Sock, but with the added softness of silk and mohair. Craig just started knitting a sock with this yarn and he loves it! If socks aren’t your thing, Silk Garden Sock yarn is great for mittens, scarves, even kid’s clothes!

Artistic talent - or any talent, for that matter - doesn’t necessarily pass down from one generation to the next. But in the Landra family, it certainly has.

Young Kersti, for whom our favorite merino crepe yarn is named, is now dyeing silk scarves. Her grandmother, Maie Landra, is the founder of Koigu Wool Designs and her mother Taiu not only dyes yarn, she runs the family business. Kersti has an intuitive eye for color. Her palette ranges from bright, hot reds and pinks to deep, moody greens and blues. Her scarves are a new and different way to enjoy color!

And, lest you worry that Kersti does not receive the fruits of her labor, she hand wrote the invoice herself, requesting checks be made payable to “Kersti Landra”!

It’s no secret that I adore knitting socks and I’m prone to bouts of ridiculous excitement when new shipments of Koigu or Kureyon Sock yarn arrive. However, when we unpacked the new Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Sock Yarn, I wasn’t thinking socks at all.

I love to use bright, vibrant colors for my winter accessories and the reds, pinks, yellows, and greens would be the perfect pick-me-up on a gray December day. I’d love to try a small version of the Leaf Lace Shawl from Fiber Trends or a pair of Mac & Me Opera Gloves. You could also use it in the Lace Ribbon Scarf class!

Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Sock Yarn is a luxuriously soft blend of Alpaca, Wool, Silk, and Nylon. It comes in generous 437 yard hanks and is, of course, perfect for socks as well as scarves, mittens, and hats.

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!

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.