Abigail

We just got in 6 new c2knits patterns which are all topdown. The advantage of topdown patterns is that they are seamless, avoiding the dreaded task of finishing! I am particularly fond of this pattern which is actually a pullover...so you don't even need to make a button hole!
As soon as we get our Spring yarns in (starting next week), I'll be cranking out a shop sample. Fun, fun, fun!!!

Chubby Chirp

I stumbled across this darling pattern by Rebecca Danger on Ravelry yesterday and immediately cast on Chubby Chirps (despite the fact that I had a gazillion things to do in preparation for last night's Spring Walkabout). I finished the little guy this morning so I could bring him to work to keep me company. I so wish I could have captured the gorgeous yarn he is knit in...it's Chic Sheep by Done Roving and the colors are crisp and deep and luscious! You'll just have to stop by and see him at the shop where he will be living.

We Carry K. Bell Socks!

We were feeling rather sorry for non-knitters who can't whip up their own pair of deliciously soft and warm socks so when we saw the K. Bell line at a recent gift show, we decided to do something about it! Judipatuti nearly cringed when I got all excited over these fish socks. Despite her negative reaction, I bought them anyway and guess what we sold out of week #1? The fish! The reorder arrived just in time for tonight's Spring Walkabout. Aside from this very popular design, we have socks with bicycles, ninjas, owls, martini glasses, kitties, and a whole bunch of others. We have "elimination" problems when it comes to K. Bell's designs...the collection is so extensive and they are all so wonderful that we have trouble narrowing down the choices. This, of course, results in us having a wide selection! While most of them are cotton blends, we do have a pair of remarkably soft bamboo socks with a single elegant crane printed on the side. So if you are a K. Bell groupie (we understand there are such people!), you can score some at the Grove!

P.S. Hope to see you at the Walkabout tonight! For more information, check out South Park Scene.

Knitter's Humor!

By Dave Coverly, www.speedbump.com.

Knitting by the Beach Closing

I was so sad to read that Knitting by the Beach is closing their fine knitting shop in Solana Beach. The owner, Tanya Alpert (pictured), who is also the author of Haiku Knits, is an incredibly talented designer. I visited her shop when it first opened and was so impressed with her selection of yarns and accessories. All I can say is, please support your LYS despite the temptation of purchasing yarns on the internet. Soon there will be no where to go to fondle the yarns in person, get expert advice, and knit in a community of like-minded people. I try not to think that way, but we have lost 3 LYS' in the past few years. With the Grove only a few miles from downtown San Diego, we are the only yarn shop in San Diego proper. I just can't imagine life without yarn and I'm hoping you share the same feeling.

I read on Ravelry that there is still time to get some wonderful deals at Knitting by the Beach before the March 31st closure. While this is against our interest at the Grove, I urge you to stop by there if you can. You will get some beautiful product for 40% off and it will be very helpful to Tanya.

Augusta Knit in Skinny Dyed Cotton

How darling is this? "Augusta" is Kim Dolce's new pattern knit in Blue Sky's Skinny Dyed Cotton. White is a big color this summer (isn't it usually"!#) and Vogue's Knitting Spring/Summer 2011 issue devotes a whole series of patterns in it. There is nothing as crisp and fresh looking as white cotton...especially Blue Sky's Skinny Dyed that has a blueish tint to it. Gorgeous in an understated way! Check out Blue Sky's new website starting with Augusta and the other "Staff Picks". As usual, it is tasteful and alluring!

Vogue Spring/Summer 2011 Knitting

A peek at Vogue Magazine's Spring/Summer 2011 issue is available on their website and it looks like this one is a must have. I don't say that for every issue, honestly, but this particular one is filled with patterns you can see yourself wearing. One that I am itching to get started on is the Diagonal Front Vest (pictured above) which is knit in our beloved Worsted Cotton by Blue Sky Alpaca. And this is but one of many wearable pieces. So do check it out...especially the video!

Atenti Caddies & Needle Cases Are Here!!!

These pictures don't do justice to Atenti's new knitting caddies! These are handmade in Los Angeles in the most beautiful tapestry fabrics. The workmanship is of the utmost quality. Notice the contrasting fabric used as trim and all those outside pockets. The caddy sits flat on the floor and has a wide mouth perfect to accommodate larger projects.

We also purchased accessory bags with zippers. Typical of Atenti's colors, there are animal prints on the back of the bags, and a tapestry on the front. FUN!!!




And last but not least, we have their new needle cases!

Tapestry fronts and animal prints on the inside!

Stolen Moments Are Trying At Times!

I am teaching the Stolen Moments Shawl on March 23 so it is my job to blaze the trail, making every possible mistake (often unintentional!) so that I can warn those who follow me of the pitfalls. Well, with this shawl, I have done a pretty good job of doing just that all to my students benefit. I come up with "Susan's Tips" and they're all about avoiding mistakes.

With the Stolen Moments Shawl, my first tip is that this is not for t.v. knitting. No sir. I would say until you are about 1/3 of the way through, you have to pay attention. It's not that you won't know the pattern after the 2nd row. It's that it is so easy to miss a yarn over or a pass over. I have read most of the comments from the Ravelers who have knit this project and see that that is a common observation. This is no reason not to knit it because you will also see that it is an easy pattern, quickly memorized.

The big question I also have to ask myself as a teacher is: is it worth it? That's always the question. Is it worth the cost of yarn and is it worth the time it takes to knit? I would say this one absolutely is. I think this is one of those pieces that you will grab time and time again on your way out the door and you may just have to knit more than one.

I am experimenting with different yarns and looks, starting with Blue Sky's Alpaca Silk which is light and drapey in some gorgeous jewel tones. The one I am using is called "Peridot". Although the pattern calls for chunky or worsted weight yarn, neither is the best choice for Spring in San Diego. Hence, the choice to use a dk weight yarn on a #10 needle. If time allows, I will do a small sample of the stitch in Blue Sky's Worsted Cotton so students can select which look and feel appeals to them most. Now, back to knitting in the early morning quiet with DH and Scoutie Rosie still curled up together sleeping.

Spinning Fiber Arrives at the Grove!

In keeping with our philosophy of supporting small businesses, we have purchased these gorgeous super fine merino spinning fibers from Anzula, a fledgling company in Northern California. These girls started out selling fiber at farmer's markets. They took the big leap in January and exhibited at the Long Beach TNNA where we discovered them. I wish you could reach into this picture and feel how creamy and soft this fiber is. While picking out this incredible stuff wasn't difficult at all, we don't know how to spin it yet!

Enter, Chuck Page from Pagewood Farm! He'll be teaching us all how to spin yarn with a drop spindle on March 12 & 19th. He's also bringing Pagewood's own gorgeous roving with him for us to chose from. Don't miss this class which includes the drop spindle as well as fiber in a color of your choice. See the current class schedule (upper right side of this page). Hope to see you on the 12th!