The Grace Lace Beret has all of the right details. The cast on is a modified and simplified tubular cast on, and the simple lace pattern flows evenly from ribbing to crown decreases. The yarn, Louisa Harding Grace, is one of my favorites. The 50/50 wool/silk blend has a beautiful halo and just the right amount of drape. It feels delicate, but wears incredibly well, and is–of course–soft as silk. This season Harding introduced Grace in beautiful hand-dyed colors, too. The Grace Lace Beret works up super-fast, which makes it perfect for last-minute holiday gifts.

If you’re new to lace, or just want to connect with new knitters, we’re offering a Grace Lace Beret class on Mondays, October 20 and 27 from 6 to 8 PM. Space is limited, so be sure to give us a call to reserve your place.

GRACE LACE BERET

SIZE
One size fits most women

MATERIALS
2 balls of Louisa Harding Grace or Hand Dyed Grace yarn
16” circular and DPN in US 9 or size needed to achieve gauge
set of 5 dpn US 4
crochet hook, waste yarn, stitch markers, darning needle

GAUGE
4 stitches per inch in lace pattern

ABBREVIATIONS

K knit
P purl
DD double decrease, slip two stitches together as if to knit 2 together, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over.

PATTERN

With crochet hook and waste yarn, chain 65 stitches. With working yarn, and US4 needles, pick up 60 stitches from back of crochet chains. Distribute stitches evenly over dpn’s and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Round 1: (increase round) With working yarn, *k1, yo; rep from * across all stitches (120 stitches)

Round 2: *slip 1 with yarn in front, k1; rep from * across all stitches

Round 3: *p1, slip 1 with yarn in back; rep from * across all stitches

Continue in p1, k1 rib for 1 1/4″ from cast on. Remove waste yarn from cast on.

Change to US9 circular needles and work rows 1-10 of chart 3 times, then work rows 1-6 once. (see below for chart.)

Crown Decreases:

Round 1: *k5, DD, k4; rep from * across all stitches. (100 sts)

Round 2: k 1 round

Round 3: *k4, dd, k3; rep from * across all stitches (80 sts)

Round 4: k1 round

Round 5: *k3, dd, k2; rep from * across all stitches (60 sts)

Round 6: *k2, dd, k1; rep from * across all stitches (40 sts)

Round 7: *k1, dd; rep from * across all stitches (20 sts)

Round 8: k1, *dd, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, dd, k1 (15 sts)

Cut yarn leaving 8 inch tail. Draw through rem sts and pull tightly. Weave in end on inside.

Lace Chart

Enjoy your beret! And don’t forget to send us a picture!

Made from Tahki Montana yarn, a beautiful bulky 100% unprocessed wool roving, the Montana Scarf is a whopping 7 inches wide by 84 inches long. In the event of extreme cold, you could wrap it around your nose and mouth - even over your head, if you wanted. And while it’s large and warm, it’s light and comfortable.

Here’s the pattern for the Montana Scarf.

MONTANA SCARF

SIZE
approximately 7” by 84”

MATERIALS
3 hanks of Tahki Montana yarn in bark
12″ US 13 straight needle

GAUGE
4.25 sts = 1 inch in stitch pattern, but gauge is not critical for this project

STITCH PATTERN
Row 1 (right side) – *K3, p3; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 – *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2.

SCARF PATTERN
CO 30 stitches. Begin stitch pattern with Row 1. Repeat until work reaches 84 inches.

Bind off loosely and weave in ends.

For now, the scarf is on display in the shop. I hope it’s a while before I need it!

Melody Superwash yarn, color 28

Each ball has 220 yards and costs $6. It’s ideal for socks and a pair will cost $12.

The Swirl Shawl

If you’re looking for a little challenge, you could also cast on for a Swirl Shawl. The Swirl Shawl was designed with Melody’s slow color changes in mind. The pattern is made of hexagons that decrease into their centers. Each hexagon is different from the one before it, creating a subtle patchwork look.

We’re offering a second session of the Swirl Shawl class, if you missed the first one. The class begins Monday, October 13.

We’re just beginning to experiment with Melody’s subtle colorations. Let us know what you discover!

You may remember that Martha had her sock design - Lucky 7 - published last year in the book Just Socks. Now we’re pleased and proud to tell you of Martha’s latest design - Corrugated Magic. Once again, Martha’s employed clever techniques to create a challenging and beautiful sock. And this time, punched up with bold color choices.

Corrugated Magic was designed at the request of, and exclusively for, the Six Sox Knitalong group. This group knits 6 intermediate to advanced original designs a year. Membership is open, but you will need to enroll.

If you still haven’t joined the world of sock knitting, there’s no time like the present. Our next sock class begins on Monday.

Congratulations, Martha! Corrugated Magic is a beautiful sock!

Leigh was the Art Director of Interweave Knits for many years and often had patterns in the magazine. In 2005, she wrote her first book, Alterknits: Imaginative Projects and Creativity Exercises. Her second book, One Skein: 30 Quick Patterns to Knit or Crochet, was released in 2006.

The Circle and Stripe Bag

Leigh uses knitting, crocheting, felting, embroidery, beading, needle-felting and other techniques in her designs, often employing more than one in the same project. She is tremendously creative and adventurous in her work. I took a class with Leigh in 2007 and left feeling inspired and empowered to be more creative in my own crafting.

The Pleated Collar

I hope you’ll read the class descriptions and sign up for one of her classes. Not only is Leigh a lovely person who will inspire you, the timing is also great because so many of the class projects make wonderful holiday gifts.

Hazel and Maude Pot Holders

The projects shown here are a sampling of what’s in Alterknits Felt. The book is in the shop now and we’ll have copies on hand for her visit.

Needle Felted Pillows

I hope you’ll join us!

You’ll learn to knit a cardigan from the neck down and to knit lace in the February Lady Sweater class. This sweater is an adaptation of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s classic February Baby Sweater. It became an instant sensation when it was released last June; check it out and you’ll see why.

Elizabeth’s in-process February Lady Sweater

The February Lady Sweater class begins Wednesday, October 15 and meets three more times over the next four weeks. You’ll be able to wear your brand new cardigan to Thanksgiving dinner!

If the February Lady Sweater isn’t for you - or if you’re knitting for a man - then our Sweater Class is back just in time! Beginning Monday, October 6 and meeting every other week through December 1, you’ll get help selecting and knitting the sweater of your choice. Make a pullover or a cardigan, from the neck down, the bottom up, or in pieces - the choice is yours! Because everyone selects their own sweater, you’ll learn from watching your classmates in addition to learning from your own project.

Along with these bigger project classes, we have a number of classes with smaller projects that make great gifts!

The Swirl Shawl by Jojoland is knit from their beautiful Melody yarn. Learn how to make and connect these knitted motifs.

There’s also classes on mittens, socks, berets, and more. Take some time for yourself, grab a few friends, and sign up today!

For fall, Teva wanted a yarn that was both super-bulky and ultra-light. Tundra is just that - 100% extrafine merino that knits at 2 stitches per inch and is amazingly light. So light, in fact, that the Tundra Coat with Leaf Motif won’t weigh you down like bulky sweaters often do.

Teva’s signature leaf motif tops off the look of this soft, cozy, and stylish coat.

The Shale Tunic Dress is knit with one of the most unusual yarns at Loop, Shale. Shale’s combination of fuzzy mohair and shiny viscose adds just the right amount metallic to your fall wardrobe. The Shale Tunic Dress would be lovely with leggings for a night out, or over jeans for everyday.

The Mini Cable Pullover is the most classic piece in the collection. Knit with Moss yarn, a lofty wool-nylon blend, it’s a simple and sophisticated pullover.

And of course, no collection would be complete without a great bag! The Geometric Purse uses Fern, a light and lacy woven tape yarn, and an ingenious construction to create a cool checkerboard effect. And it’s just the right size to carry all of the essentials and a knitting project or two.

There are even more samples to see in the shop. Stop by and take a look at these beautiful garments and fabulous yarns.

We’ve just received a trunk show featuring Mac and Me’s Fall 2008 Collection. Here’s a few of the highlights.

The O Jackie Cardigan will knit up quick in Blue Sky Alpaca’s Bulky yarn and would be great for keeping the autumn chill away.

The Skinny Cotton V-Neck is classic - it would look great in every color of Skinny Cotton yarn, and can be worn all year long.

Looking ahead to Christmas, the Guilded Lily is a great gift for your mother or sister and is perfect for keeping warm while running winter errands.

There are two new blanket patterns, the Merino Baby Blanket and the Chevron Blanket, which are sure to please blanket knitters and babies alike! Two versions of each blanket are shown above.

Trunks shows like this one are a great opportunity to see and feel the finished garments. It’s only here a short time, though, so don’t miss it!

Each kit includes 11 colors of Artyarn’s beautifully hand dyed Cashmere 1 yarn, and a wonderfully detailed pattern. Kathy has already started crocheting one and it is absolutely gorgeous. It looks just like a little patch of wildflowers!

The feel of the scarf is perfect, the cashmere yarn keeps it light yet very warm. This scarf will be a great pick-me-up on gray winter days.

The first 2 were made with Koigu’s Kersti yarn using Cottage Creation’s Rambling Rows pattern. The clever thing about this pattern is that each piece is knit from the last, so there’s no sewing when you’re finished.

The blanket in the last photo is from Mason Dixon Knitting. The mitered squares are knit separately and sewn together. It’s a bit more work, but the results are fantastic.

Lara’s already sent us pictures of another finished project that we’ll show you soon. She was in yesterday and is really enjoying her knitting. We’re so glad and appreciate her sharing it with us!