Your pretty fabric doesn't have to sit in your stash

When the focus is on the fabric, a table runner is a quick project you'll see day after day.

Ruth used angles to go around the corner, but you can use an even simpler approach

Aly likes to use a seasonal fabric for her center along with coordinating prints as accents.

Kathy Zook teaches a beginning quilting class using table runners

http://www.alwaysinstitches1.com/shop/product/beginning-quilt-project/

Next time you run into the perfect fabric, think beyond adding it to your stash and make a table runner instead.

~Sarah

Rocks in my Yarn???

Mango Moon and other yarn companies make fun yarn with rocks, but what do you do with it? Use it straight. Knitting the little rocks, just pop them to the right side as you go.

Mix it Up

Combine Chakra with a skein of heathered wool for a soft, stripey effect.

If rocks and beads intrigue you, Tiara by HiKoo might be just the thing. Tiny sequins and beads shimmer in a lovely dinner shawl. 

Skipping Stones Shawl kits mix several yarns for a fun adventure with silk ribbon, Chakra and Huasco. 

Ready for a touch of elegance? Reach for a skein and try something new.

~Sarah

Top This

Just about the cutest project, only beat by someone you love wearing these silly pom poms.

  

This is a great project for a beginning knitter. 

Our store currently has all but the puppy, but they don't stick around for long.

~Sarah

Diving into Planned Pooling

A customer came in the other day asking about Planned Pooling. She had been watching  Knitting Daily. I had only heard of pooling as something bad

 and my limited imagination only let me extend to sock yarns and maybe how Noro behaves in entrelac.

  Let me tell you, Planned pooling can do so much more!

With the help of Google, I found a Pooling Planner. I am creating the link using the name of the web-site so as to keep the details clear. 

 www.plannedpooling.com

What opens up is simple (a blank slate until you enter your colors)




To get the best use of the planner, Use a yarn with distinct color changes like the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn, and be aware that the design starts top to bottom.

Our shop is participating in an Indiana yarn crawl, Roving Indiana, and the feature yarn is a specially dyed lot of Lorna's Laces. I thought this would be the perfect time to experiment. 

My biggest help learning about pooling was from Dayana Knits and Twist Collective. They were enough to get me started.

Looks like I have quite bit more practice before a true argyle appears.

What have your heard about or experienced with Planned Pooling?

~Sarah