This Thursday, February 28 is the second meeting of our 2008 Knit-the-Almanac Knit-Along. We’re knitting our way through Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitter’s Almanac - though not necessarily in order!

Like a few others, I started with July’s Pi Shawl. It’s a clever, of course, and fairly simple shawl that can be knit in almost anything. I’m using Sheep Shop Yarn’s Sheep 3, which I think is one of the best yarns on the market. It’s a blend of silk and wool so it has great shine, it’s plied which gives it depth and makes it wear well, and it works up at a very knittable and wearable 5-6 stitches per inch. Oh - and the colors are gorgeous and don’t pool.

If, however, you want to knit the almanac in order - which Kathy H. is doing - then February is Some Babies’ Things. This chapter includes the very beautiful Baby Jacket.

The Knit-Along is not a class, just a time to knit together. There’s no fee and no need to reserve a spot. Just come on down. Hope to see you!

Beth Brown Reinsel patiently led us into new knitting territory last weekend.

We learned to knit English and to knit Continental, we knit with 2 colors, we purled with the yarn in back, we twisted and twined!

Beth guided us and encouraged us.

She demonstrated and explained. And explained again!

These are the in-progress hats from the Fair Isle Tams class. Look at those colors!

It was fun and challenging and frustrating and rewarding. And in the end, Beth was congratulating us on our accomplishments and we were thanking her for her guidance. It was good to stretch our knitting muscles, even if we were a little sore.

To all who asked - yes, Beth will return next year. Until then, keep knitting!

“…I can knit. I knit all year, day in, day out. It is my passion, and I rarely knit the same thing twice the same way. Here, then, is a knitter’s almanac; a monthly record of the changing year in the light of my amiable craft.”
- Elizabeth Zimmerman, Knitter’s Almanac

And so begins Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitter’s Almanac. The Almanac contains patterns for pullovers, cardigans, blankets, mittens, hats, socks, shawls and more. At the beginning of every year there’s talk of knitting the almanac, but this is the first year that someone - in this case Elizabeth - stepped forward and decided to do it. Kathy H. joined in, so we’ve made it an official event.

Join us on the 4th Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. and knit the almanac. Start with any month you like and knit whichever projects you want. This is not a class, just a fun way to share and to encourage one another.

We hope you’ll join us!

After weeks of knitting and crocheting, the time is approaching to deliver our hand made gifts. We hope you enjoy this special time with your family and friends.

Loop will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 24 and 25. We’ll re-open on Wednesday, December 26.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Sheep Shop Yarn Company has sent us one of the best trunk shows we’ve ever seen. There are hats, scarves, mittens, pullovers, cardigans, vests, shawls, felted wallets and purses, blankets, and a gorgeous afghan. There are items for babies, kids, women and men. We rarely receive so many items, let alone so many this beautiful!

We carry two of Sheep Shop’s yarns. Sheep Shop One Yarn is a worsted weight kettle-dyed single wool ply. There are nearly solids and multi-colors. Unlike other wool singles, Sheep Shop One doesn’t vary in thickness, so you don’t have random sections of very thick or very thin yarn. And the bright, clear colors come in a broad spectrum.

We also have Sheep Shop Three Yarn, one of 2007’s most exciting new yarns. A fabulous blend of silk and wool, Sheep Shop Three is a two-ply that knits well at anywhere from 5 to 6.5 stitches per inch. The trunk show includes several pieces for babies that would make gorgeous, modern heirloom gifts.

This week we’ll receive a shipment of Sheep Shop Two a super soft chunky two-ply. Wait until you see the cool vests and sweaters in this fun, thick yarn.

The Sheep Shop trunk show will only be here until the end of the year, so stop in soon to take a look!

Thank you for shopping at Loop, for telling your friends about us, for coming to our events, and for sharing your knitting and crocheting with us. You inspire us to create an oasis of color, texture and creativity where you can escape the demands of everyday life and enjoy your craft. We hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!

Loop will be open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Friday, November 23 through Sunday, December 23. Come see all the wonderful winter possibilities!

We had a blast with Susan B. Anderson when she came to the shop earlier this month. She’s funny, energetic, and possesses a seemingly limitless excitement for knitting for kids. Everyone loved the sweaters, pillows, blankets, and toys from her book Itty Bitty Nursery.

Lots of folks brought their kids, which made this event especially fun. Nicole drove 2 hours to meet Susan. She had her daughter Maeve with her, whose the youngest of her 8 kids (there’s a picture of the whole family on her blog)! Just imagine the holiday knitting list! Maeve is wearing a hat that Nicole knit from Susan’s first book, Itty Bitty Hats.

I need to thank Susan’s sister Dawn for the great photographs. She and Susan are like two peas in a pod and great fun. I wish we’d had more time to spend together. You can see more of the pictures she took and read about Dawn’s celebrity sightings in New York on Susan’s blog.

Susan and I discussed her returning to Loop after her next book is published to teach some classes. Until then, there are still a few autographed copies of Itty Bitty Nursery in the shop for those of you who missed her and want to knit some of her designs.

We’re happy to tell you that Beth Brown-Reinsel will be here January 26 and 27, 2008 to teach 3 classes. Beth is a master of traditional knitting techniques as well as an author and designer. She calls teaching her true love, and if you’ve taken a class with her, then you know her gentle, patient nature and her good sense of humor make her one of the best.

On this visit, Beth will teach Fair Isle Tams, a 6-hour class, along with Norwegian Purl and Introduction to Twined Knitting, which are both 3-hour classes. You can find the details on our Classes & Events page.

We had a wonderful time the last time Beth was here; I’m sure we will again. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn with one of the greats. (Maybe put this at the top of your holiday wishlist!) Call to register today!

Susan B. Anderson will be at Loop this Sunday, November 11 at 11 a.m. with a trunk show from her latest book - Itty Bitty Nursery.

Itty Bitty Nursery is an adorable collection of hats, sweaters, blankets, toys and more with something for everyone from the absolute beginner to the experienced knitter. With the holidays approaching, you’re sure to find something to make for your family’s newest members!

Susan will be happy to discuss and answer questions about her work, and to sign copies. Bring your copy if you already own the book, or we’ll have copies here. Itty Bitty Nursery is a great gift for any moms-, grandmoms-, aunts- or uncles-to-be on your holiday list!

To learn more about Susan before she arrives, check out her blog. She’s giving away a free pattern from the book that you can get started on right away!

Doris Chan will be here at 11 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, October 27 to sign copies of her new book Everyday Crochet and to demonstrate her base chain/single crochet cast on.

Everyday Crochet contains 25 fun and fashionable designs that will have you running for your crochet hook! Here’s a few of our favorite designs -

The patterns in Everyday Crochet range in difficulty from beginner to advanced, so even if you haven’t crocheted much, there’s something you can make. This is also a great opportunity to get crochet tips and advice from one of today’s most talented and prolific designers. See you then!