09.03.07
Bigger space, More Yarn!
No I have not dropped off the face of the earth…We’ve just been busy moving to a new location!
The Local Needle yarn shop located in the lil ’ol town of Macclenny Florida (just west of Jacksonville) has outgrown it’s previous location, and we are pleased to announce that we are in the process of moving to a bigger and better place.
Bigger means More!
We have more Louet Gems (and we are introducing Riverstone) , Mango Moon, Alpaca With A Twist, Lorna’s Laces and Schaefer Yarns - all on their way here.
We are located just off I-10 between Jacksonville and Lake City on U.S. 90 (Macclenny Ave.). AND…we are fortunate enough to have found a place adjacent to the local coffee shop.
Mark your calendars for our ribbon cutting and open house on September 15, 2007. We will have hourly drawings, 15% in-store/storewide sale and more.
So if you live anywhere in the vacinity, or you are travelling on I-10 in the near future, take a moment to take a drive in the country, enjoy a small town atmosphere and come pay us visit!
05.09.07
Cast on for Loden Mist
I cast on for Knitter’s Spring 07 Loden Mist on Saturday (5/5/07).
I’m using Louet Kidlin (in Woodland) which consists of one strand of kid mohair and one strand of linen.
At first I hesitated using this yarn because the linen is much lighter in shade than the mohair, (which is not always the case with this yarn). I have found that from a distance the garment has the color of the darker mohair and yet up close, the lighter shade of linen brings notice to the stitch pattern.
This yarn knits to a bit different guage than what the pattern calls for, so I went down a needle size to a US 6 and I cast on for a small, to make a med/large. According to calculations, it should be right on the money.
It will not be as light and ‘frothy’ as the description reads, due to the linen content, but I’m hoping will still be very pretty. Like most lace projects, the beauty is in the blocking.
05.04.07
Louet Yarns, Euroflax and Kidlin
Just a quick note for a shop update…The Local Needle has just received in shipments of Louet Euroflax Linen and Kidlin.
Euroflax Linen Sport weight is a great yarn for summer garments, like the Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt in Interweave Knits Summer 2007.
Or take a peek at these Louet patterns.
Kidlin laceweight gives the softness of kid mohair with the strength of linen.
Perfect for lace projects like these.
04.11.07
Clementine Shawlette, Final
Clementine Shawlette (Interweave Knits Spring 07) started March 21 and finished April 9, 07, modeled by my daughter Leslie.
I used 2 skeins Louet Gems Pearl (fingering weight) in Cloud Grey and size 5 INOX straights.
I had approximately a yard of yarn left and the shawl blocked to the exact measurements indicated in the pattern.
The 4 row repeat was easy to memorize and became a good movie watching knit. This pattern is perfect for a beginner’s lace project since there are no stitch repeats within the rows. It’s a fairly quick knit, is made in 2 pieces then seamed together.
I COULD have finished it in time to wear to church on Easter, but the below normal temperatures…even in NE FLorida….of 38 degrees….. did not motivate me enough.
Needless to say, I finished it the day after and it will keep many a church chill away this summer.
03.27.07
Clementine Shawlette update
It’s coming along. The 21st was my cast on and I finished the 1st half on Sunday evening. I was eager to block it because I wasn’t sure it would block to the size in the pattern. It came out perfect and blocked to the exact size called for. I used Louet Gems Fingering (Pearl) and a US 5 needle (I’m a tight knitter) and had about a yard and half left.
The Cloud Grey looks like a very light shade of lavender when placed with navy or another blue.
03.24.07
Bees and Bloom and Clementine Shawlette
Ever wonder what the world looks like to a bumble bee?
This time of year reminds me of why I truly love N.Florida. The azaleas have surprised me this year. I just knew the last freeze killed the blooms, but again nature shows it’s colors.
This Coral Honeysuckle attracts the Ruby-throated hummingbird, so much so that sometimes it’s necessary to duck.
I cast on for this the other evening, I’d like to wear it Easter Sunday. The pattern is the Clementine shawlette from Interweave Knits Spring 07, and I’m using Louet Gems Fingering weight in Cloud Grey. It’s a very faint shade of grey, which I thought went well with navy and white. The pattern is perfect for a first-time lace knitter. It’s a simple pattern knitted in 2 pieces then joined. I’m looking forward to seeing it after it’s blocked, when I’m hoping it too will bloom.
Speaking of Easter, I found this little guy at Walgreens.
A few notes on the storefront….I received in a huge restock order of Alpaca With A Twist, we now have plenty of Fino in all of the colors found at the shop, in addition to the lace shawl patterns. I’m quite sure I’ll see my Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock order this week. I’m looking forward to seeing their new Flamingo colorway, proceeds from the sale of Flamingo are donated to breast cancer research.
03.05.07
Louet Yarns at The Local Needle!
