Summer is for Sock Knitting

Socks are such a delight for travel knitting, for hot weather knitting and for gift knitting. I love to knit socks. They are interesting enough to keep your attention but small enough to finish, even if the pattern is a bit tricky. Now you do have to knit the second sock and that is sometimes more difficult than it sounds.

Right now we have an excellent array of sock yarns for you to choose from in self striping or faux Fair Isle, solids or semi-solids or just about anything in between. Here are just a couple...

Plymouth's Happy Feet is a great yarn in 90% superwash merino and 10% nylon for added strength. It comes in semi-solids and multicolors and knits up quickly, even in a tiny gauge. The yarn itself is nicely spun, so you can knit by touch alone - great for socks in a simple pattern. The socks shown here were knit by one of our customers.

Berroco makes wonderful sock yarns too and we have a very wide selection. Both Berroco Sox and Metallic Sox come in just about any color combination that you feel like knitting. These are also a washable wool/nylon blend that is as easy on the eyes as it is on the pocketbook.

For even more color and fiber choices, we carry a number of Schoeller & Stahl yarns in their Fortissima and Mexico lines, cotton blend sock yarns and lots more. The sock yarn wall seems to get bigger and bigger and the color and fiber choices just keep expanding. These few are only the tip of the iceberg!

Last, but certainly not least, we have a selection of hand-dyed sock yarns from an indie dyer right here in Asheville. Bright colors or subtle shades, AnneMarie (aka Smoky Mountain Fibers) has fun tending the dyepots. Look for some new green and blue yarns coming your way!

So if the heat makes sweaters seem superfluous and cozy baby blankets just too, well...cozy, it may just be the summer of socks! Small, lightweight, a little bit challenging and so appreciated when the cooler weather comes back!

What's New?

As we go into our summer season, quilts take center stage. With wall quilts, table runners and crib quilts, the quilters of Western North Carolina run the range from very traditional to well... kind of wild.

Frances Owl Smith lives in Waynesville, North Carolina. She is the embodiment of modern quilting in our area. Her piecing is superb; her freeform quilting fits the space beautifully. But what makes Frances's quilts really stand out is her sense of color. The greens, the teals, the purples, the blues - they all work together to make a magical quilt that would be at home in your home.

Quilted table runners are a great way to dress up your table. Change your runner to fit the season, to match your dishes, or just to fit your mood. Affordable works of art, our selection changes all the time. Stop by and see what's new.

Many of our quilters will be happy to custom make a bed-size quilt for you. Stop in and see Judy or Marie; they will be happy to help you.

We always welcome visitors to our store. Friday evening Sit and Knit will find any number of knitters and crocheters making socks and hats and scarves. Judy and Marie, as well as experienced knitters assist newer knitters as they cast-on for the very first time, turn the heel of a sock or make baby booties. Bring your current project or start a new one from the always-changing yarns you'll find in our store.