Fourth Coast Fibers

A long, long time ago, I met a very nice woman named Kathy. (Of course she is nice, look at her name!) Kathy and I became friends. Then I met another nice woman named Kathy (are you getting the gist that all Kathy's are nice?) The second nice Kathy works at City Knitting in Grand Rapids and we found out that we both knew the first nice Kathy. Then I received an email from the first Kathy and she said that she and the second Kathy now dye yarn and would I be interested. Of course. See what happens when Kathy's get together?

More yarn and new samples

We received a box from Mission Falls this morning. It had yarn to fill in the spots, plus their new book The Illustrator and their new cotton yarn in the colorway Vintage. Mmmmm. I love the Mission Falls cotton, it has great texture.


Then you have to see what Susan knitted with the unspun Icelandic. It is the Butterfly Wrap from Schoolhouse Press.
































And then look at what Melody knitted for the shoppe - the
Hexacomb Cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 2008. It is made with Pima Tencel, the softest yarn ever. This sweater makes me think of something from the 1920's.







Jill knitted up this baby cap and hat from Opal, using the Black Purl pattern Sock It to Me Baby.

It just keeps coming

As spring approaches, we are bringing in new yarns, patterns, and other goodies.

Amy Detjen told us about a pattern designer named Amy Armstrong. Amy has family here in Suttons Bay and lives in Wisconsin.

Her patterns have a classic style and get me thinking of the yarns we could use to knit them. I see Cotton Fleece, Lamb's Pride, Heavenly, Mission Falls, Jewel, Pastaza, and Harlequin.

A needle gauge pendant made by Bent Metal. This covers US 0 to US 11. I love wearing it. No longer do I have to worry about trying to figure out what size my needle is.

We also have added Stella and Dawn to our yarn inventory. That includes lace kits. Dawn is 50% silk and 50% wool and it is so soft. Stella is 100% bamboo. Interweave Knits features one of its
patterns this spring with Dawn.

And then, don't forget some more patterns from Fiber Trends. Bev has done a wonderful job with her company and we just keep adding her patterns and yarns to our inventory.

Don't you love our passion?

Thistle and Fox Socks

Lisa Lloyd, who is featured in the Wild Fibers magazine has a new sock book out called Thistle and Fox Socks. It has 8 comfy sock patterns in it, two for each season.






The semisolid ShiBui sock yarn would show off the patterning in Budding Branches. I can see our Louet Gems, Trekking, or Opal solids for the Backbay, Bluegrass, and Snowstar patterns.









And what about combining two of the Tofutsies for the Fencerow?









Corduroy,








Deerpath,







and Vanilla are some more of her wonderful patterns. As usual, I want one of everything.

We hated to say good-bye

What more can I say? This retreat was wonderful.

Food, good company, lots of knitting, laughter, and a puppy. What more could you want?

See you next year.

And Amy, thanks.

This is what we're knitting

We had show and tell. What great fun to see what folks have been knitting. And the stories that went with them......

This is Jennifer. She is wearing a sweater that she made and showing off a Baby Surprise Jacket. She was worried that she had knit her shaping incorrectly, but she was wrong. How cute.









Nancy made the Mystery Shawl. She received a lot of oohs and aahs.


I am wearing the Shawl Collared Vest that Susan made.















And Amy is showing Susan's Pi are Square Shawl.











This is Mary's Ganomy hat. She had knitted 2 1/2 scarves and then tackled this hat.

Knitting by the Bay 2008

It's a group project.









First, it starts with Amy. She is our leader. Amy came over from Wisconsin to help us. I met her last May and thought she was wonderful. Amy is teaching us about the Rib Warmer, knitting a sweater in the round, and tips and tricks.