Ishbel Kits!

Ysolda Teague is a bright and upcoming designer that creates a wonderful spectrum of projects for every level of knitter.  Ishbel is no exception: this beautifully simple neck scarf-shawl can be knit with less than a full skein of sock yarn.  My Sister Knits is pleased to announce that we now carry Ishbel Kits!

Ysolda's Ishbel

We’re offering up these kits using Rowan Panama in seven great colors.  Each scarf-shawl takes two skeins of this yarn, a lovely light mix of 55% Viscose, 33% Cotton and 12% Linen.  Perfect for Spring!

Rowan Panama

The kits are $22 each and offer free shipping for our out-of-towners.  Please call the shop for more details or to order!

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Springtime Knitting

It’s that time of year again … that time when the weather starts to warm up and you’re still wishing for good projects to knit, but maybe something in a lighter fabric.  Wool is going into hibernation for the spring and summer, but that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty of wonderful yarns to play with!

Alchemy Silken Straw

Alchemy Silken Straw is a 100% silk yarn that knits up into a soft ripple of yumminess.  This yarn is great for a simple triangle kerchief that will take the edge of the still-cool mornings and evenings that we’re facing.  Colors from left to right are India, Aubergine, Waterlily, Desert Song and Cowpoke.

From left to right: Tahki Yarns Coast and Filatura di Crosa Lovely Jeans

On the left, Tahki Stacy Charles yarn created Coast, a toasty 55% wool and 45% cotton.  The wool makes the cotton a little easier to knit with, and increases the warmth (one skein has about 126 yards, or 117 meters).  On the right is Filatura di Crosa’s Lovely Jeans yarn, a 100% cotton that gets its name because as the yarn is washed it fades and wears like your favorite pair of jeans (one skein is about 93 yards or 85 meters).  Both of these yarns are great for a Baktus Scarf (Ravelry link) or a small scarf to help keep you warm.

Why stop there?  Knitted tee’s never go out of style, and making one yourself lets you have complete creative control.  Skirts, beach cover-ups, tanks and baby clothes are all excellent warm-weather knits, and small enough that you can take your knitting outside and enjoy the sunshine!

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Vicki Square

My Sister Knits is excited to welcome Vicki Square back to our store to teach her “Adventures in Color” class!

Vicki Square

Vicki earned her MFA in Printmaking, and has taught painting and drawing at Colorado State University here in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she lives with her family.  She regularly designs knitted pieces ranging from basic and elegant to artistic.  Her use of color and aesthetic are boldly significant in her engineering of unusually shaped garments and accessories.

Vicki is the author of Folk Hats and the best selling Knitter’s Companion (if you don’t have a copy of this book, you should).  She has also written Knit Kimono and Knit Kimono Too, which feature simple shapes that layer like a dream and fit every shape. She has taught knitting workshops for more than 20 years, locally, regionally, and throughout the country.

She has been featured in Interweave Knits and Spin-Off, and has won several awards for her innovative designs including 1st place National Fashion Knitting and Most Innovative Design Award in Artwear, at the Lincoln Center here in Fort Collins.

“Adventures in Color” is scheduled for Saturday, June 18 from 1:00 – 4:00pm, and costs $65.  An introduction to practical approaches for making color a personal pleasure as it relates to knitting and all things fiber.  You’ll get to create an amazing pillow during the class!  Please call the shop for more details or to sign up!

Go here to see more of Vicki’s designs, featured on Ravelry.

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Tour de Coop and Ann Budd coming up

This Saturday (May 14) is an exciting one at My Sister Knits!  The Tour de Coop will be stopping by around 10:00am to take a look at the chicken coop.  A 6 to 8 mile bike ride from coop to coop in and around Fort Collins, riders will get to see a variety of urban backyard chicken coops and learn about chickens from beak to butt from experienced backyard chicken owners. Cost $15 per person; tour limited to 40 people. Go here for more information, including registry, on the Tour de Coop (part of the Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Association).

Ann Budd will also be joining us to teach her workshop on Toe-Up Socks.  We still have two spaces available, so please call the shop to sign up.  The class is from 9:30am – 4:30pm, so please bring your lunch.  You’ll learn to knit socks from the toe up using an Eastern cast-on, a short row heel, and a flexible sewn bind-off.  This technique eliminates the need to pick up heel stitches or graft toe stitches together!  Intermediate knitting skills and experience using double pointed needles is necessary.

We still have room in the Toothbrush Rug class on Tuesday, May 17th (special discount coupon available if you purchase your materials from Mama Said Sew!) and Cat Bordhi’s Sweet Tomato Heel workshop at the Edward’s House Bed and Breakfast on September 11, 2011.  Call the shop for more details on these (and more!) classes, and to sign up.  As always, you receive 20% off any class materials when you purchase them at My Sister Knits.

Happy Knitting!

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