Staying Warm

As the weather turns chilly, here in Asheville or wherever you may live, it's time to stay warm in a cozy hat or scarf.  With a number of talented knitters and crocheters in our region, we can offer you some terrific choices.  Wild and crazy?  We've got that.  Playful?  We've got that too.  Subtle and sophisticated?  Well, I could go on and on, but I'll spare you.

I will say that the array of hand made hats and scarves grows everyday as the talented artisans deliver their most recent creations ready for you to select a gift for yourself or the people you love.  And we can just about guarantee that you won't see a dozen others just like it next time you are out and about.

If you're rather make your own accessories, we can help you select a pattern and yarns to make something uniquely yours.  We carry a number of new books as well as patterns from our own designers.  Some yarns include a free pattern with purchase. 

A new yarn in the shop, that will make a lovely hat, scarf or even mittens is Viking Balder.  All wool, it's soft and gently variegated and it comes in a big hank - 137 yards.  Two skeins would make a hat and very generous scarf.  The brown or gray colors would work nicely for men or women and the bulky weight makes it a quick knit.

Drop by on any Friday night to sit and knit. We'll be happy to get you started on a new project or bring whatever you're knitting right now.

Mmmmm...Mohair

OK, I admit it.. I love mohair.  The way the halo surrounds the knitted piece - hat, sweater, scarf - it doesn't matter what.  Could be a throwback to my childhood when my teenage babysitter wore a pink mohair sweater that I truly coveted.  Sadly (or not), they were out of style when I reached adolescence, so I never had my chance. 

Luckily for knitters, mohair is back and it's not quite the same.  Asheville Homecrafts was some sweet mohair in stock right now.  New to the shop is Karabella Verona.  It's a big loopy boucle - it will knit up as a bulky yarn.  Available in a couple of muted variegated colors (I love the autumn medley!), I can see this as a long skinny scarf.  Cast on say 9 stitches on about a size 13 needle, knit every row, then cast off when you have about a yard left.  You're done! Buy one in every shade and your holiday gift knitting will be done and the recipients will look fabulous!

That's not the only mohair selection on the shelf.   Also new in the shop is Mohair Royal from Plymouth Yarns in lots of pretty colors.  Eighty percent kid mohair with a nylon binder, I like this on it's own or as a carry-along yarn.  Cleckeaton Studio is a mohair/acrylic blend that is soft and lovely and comes in a number of colors. 

For pure luxury, pick Kid Seta.  Mohair and silk, this soft, luscious yarn is a delight to wear next to the skin! It is light and airy, yet surprisingly warm and it comes in a ball with great yardage.  I bought a solid color to combine with a tweedy yarn for a tone-on-tone, texture-on-texture look.  I'll try to post a picture once the hat makes its way out of my imagination and onto the needles.  I've got plans for Kid Seta.

These are just a few of the mohair yarns - there are lots more.  Look in the mohair section - opposite the sock yarn in the sections arranged by color.  Then sit down and knit (or crochet) with us on any Friday night.  Mohair is optional; fun and good company are always in good supply.