Brown Sheep Trunk Show

What fun! Another trunk show. I like them as I can see a pattern come to life. I don't like them because I cannot knit fast enough to make everything.

Here are some of the items we have - modeled by my daughter (remember that slave labor I use?) Mary.

This is the Garter Stitch Cardigan knitted with Serendipity Tweed and Nature Spun Sport.



The Summer Breeze Pullover knitted with Serendipity Tweed. Betsy had also knitted this using two different colors of the Serendipity Tweed. Isn't it great that we can play around with the same yarn and pattern and come out with something different?



Here is the Saturday Morning Sweats knitted with Serendipity Tweed. It has a cute triangular detail up front, just like a sweatshirt. Make me want to put it on and just hang out.

And then how about the Serendipity Tweed Chanel Jacket? It is knitted with the Serendipity Tweed and Cotton Fleece. Great with jeans or dress it up. We did not have this pattern on hand, but it is on order and will be in within the next week. This is the Dropped Stitch Pullover knitted out of Serendipity Tweed.
The dropped stitch is used on the sleeves, raglan sleeves and for front definition. Cute design.


And here is the Seed Stitch Vest made out of some more Serendipity Tweed. The pattern is on order.


We also have some baby sweaters and socks. Stop by and look at the trunk show. Much better to see and feel in person, than by picture.

Knit in Public Day

The Thistledown Shoppe is celebrating World Wide Knit in Public Day on Saturday, June 14, 2008 from noon until 6 pm. In addition to spinners, we will be hosting Fourth Coast Fibers, the powerful duo that creates hand dyed sock yarn for our shoppe. They will be demonstrating natural dying; allowing participants to hand paint a skein.

Come, sit, and knit or crochet a small blanket for the kitties and puppies at the Cherry Land Humane Society. Bring acrylic or other machine wash and dry yarn to knit/crochet and/or drop off yarn to be used by others. Patterns will be available. Suggested patterns to use are washcloth, favorite stitch, or just plain garter stitch. Please, nothing too holey for those claws. See below for pattern ideas.

World Wide Knit in Public Day was started in 2005 by Danielle Landes. It began as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each other’s company. Knitting is such a solitary act that it is easy to knit alone somewhere and sink into your work without thinking about all the other knitters out there. Neighbors could spend all their lives never knowing that the other knits. This a specific day to get out of your house and go to a local event (with your knitting in tow) just for you and people like you. WWKiP Day is really about showing the general public that knitting can be a community activity in a very distinct way.(taken from http://www.wwkipday.com/history.htm)

If you are not able to attend, you may drop off your finished blankets or other items from the Cherryland Humane Society wish list at our shoppe or at So Many Books So Little Time.

Cat Litter (gravel type)
Washable Cat Toys
Kitten Chow
Name Brand Cat Food

Washable and Sturdy Dog Toys
Puppy Chow (regular formula)
Name Brand Dog Food

Paper Towels
Blankets
Towels
Rugs

Laundry Detergent
Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets
Bleach

Tall Kitchen Trash Bags
Garbage Bags

Copy Paper (white or colored, letter size)
Scotch-Tape (office dispenser type)
Ink Pens (medium point)

Cherryland Humane Society blanket pattern

Cast on 4 sts

Next row - k2, yo - knit to end

Repeat row until 100 sts on needles

Next row - k1, k2tog, yo, k2tog - knit to end

Repeat row until 4 sts remain

Bind Off

Compliments of Gloria and Cindy of So Many Books So Little Time, located at 140 E Front, Traverse City at the Front Street Commons (formerly known as the Arcade), on the main floor, 231-922-5916.

Links for patterns for blanket:

http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/knit/blankaran.shtml

http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/knit/blankcushy.shtml

http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/knit/blankcushy.shtml

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/petblanket.html

http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/knitting/knitted_dog_bone_blanket.php

Spring is Here

Well, there is no question now. The leaves are showing up on the trees, our daffodils and tulips are out and the birds are telling us how happy they are.

In the shoppe, we have knitted samples to show you garments for warmer weather. Susan has been busy, so we will start with what she has knitted.

A Ripple and Lace Leaf Linen Basket Liner out of Euroflx 100% Wet Spun Linen. The pattern is in Clara Parkes' The Knitter’s Book of Yarn. You can make two of these out of one skein.

Then she is still churning out more Elizabeth Zimmerman goodies. Here is the Badger from Spun Out #19 made with Mission Falls Tricolor wool.

Check out the short rows. Aren't they a great detail?

This is the ribwarmer in Mission Falls Cotton with strands of the cotton woven around the edges.

Kate is modeling it for us. Susan also knitted the Summer Cardigan from Knitting Pure and Simple out of Cotton Fleece. Perfect for air-conditioned rooms.

And check out this lacy top made with Cotton Fleece using the Ginger pattern from Louet.
Betsy has been knitting away. This is the Twizzle Cardigan using Mission Falls Cotton and Cottonlicious. And then we have the Summer Breeze Pullover made with Serendity Tweed. And here are my finished felted boots using Lamb's Pride worsted.