Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
The holidays have arrived I hope you are all prepared!! We here at the studio have been busy rearranging the studio to make the most of the available space.  I'm sure by now you all know how much I love yarn!! So I just added more wall space for yarn to display plus I've enlisted the help of my husband electrician and have more spot lights and still I want more!  Hampden Hills Alpaca Magic is due to come in anytime now (Can't wait). 

Also I received a dozen Noro Magazines if any of you  are interested please email they are not listed on website.  The magazine normally retails for $9.99 and for nonnas customer they are $7.99 a 20% discount.  Most of our yarns are a min. of 20% discount but only if you email your order I can't do it thru website.  Also the studio is always open (it's my walkout basement)  email or text me, to make sure I'm in, when you want to come  to see/touch/feel the yarns!!  By the way we do meet every Thursday afternoon from 12:30 - 3:00,  we have a great group of ladies!!

I have also been busy finishing some project and adding some. The picture below is a little wrap for what I call a Nickie size!   :-)  This yarn is 100% American spun natural color donated by Anita the Alpaca from Hampden Hills Alpaca!!!  It has 300 yds/ 4 oz , and it is so wonderful to knit with then you give it a bath and wow does it ever bloom!!!



















In retrospect I should have purchased one more hank but didn't know at the time what I was going to knit with it.  I love the pattern too its called "Lace Cables" its an 8 row repeat and a multiple of 11 stitches plus 7 did a little math and I cast on 70 sts (4 garter sts on each side) also I used a size 7 needle I wanted it to be a loose knit.


This cardi I used Romney Ridge Farm worsted yarn called Fire.  I was worried about this yarn cause it felt rather scratchy but after soaking for a while in wool wash it really soften up quite a bit and its great!  The pattern is also a quick one first off I knitted with size 9 needle so you know that goes quick.  I begin with one front knit to the desired length then increase for sleeve, maybe 8 sts, continue to shoulder then put on hold go and work on other side.  Once you have both fronts at the same point put center sts ( I put the border sts plus 5) on hold and put remaining sts back on needle,  work across to the sts on hold now you have to cast on for back of neck (not as many as you have on hold) then continue to other end.  Now you are working on the back of your sweater.  Continue to you reach sleeve increase of the front (fold at neck edge, I put marker)  but now you decrease the same amount of sts. Continue to end!!  love this pattern I was able to complete in less then 2 weeks. By the way as with any hand dyed yarn alternate hanks so the yarns combine in color.  There is no written pattern for this cardigan I just play around with the gauge and calculate more or less  how many to cast on for one front!!!






Finally I have a video which I tried to download here but did not work however I do have it on facebook here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=787873864603297&set=vb.122180817839275&type=2&theater 
Not sure weather it will work.  Its a video  of the studio. Enjoy!!

Once again Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!





















Wednesday, October 29, 2014

PROJECTS COMPLETE



This is color Chick-a-dee from Hampden Hills Alpaca, just the softest alpaca yet. The pattern is one of mine. (I know I can't take good pictures but trust me its a great fit perfect to cuddle in).

Met with Erica the owner dyer from Hampden Hills at Rhinebeck and it was like reconnecting with an old friend.  Very sweet. Anyway come November, which is soon, I should be receiving some "Magic" a chunky worsted alpaca in just gorgeous hand dyed colors!  I can't wait!!!!

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This shawl Is a free pattern on Ravelry "Demalangeni" from Wendy Neal and the color, "Into The Shadows"  a great pattern and perfect yarn.  My sister love it she wore it to Rhinebeck!





The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze




















































Friday, September 19, 2014

AN UP DATE AND.....THE NEW YARNS ARE ALL IN!!

Well I finally finished the TCNJ Afghan for my son!! Hurray it took a while but a whole season of King Henry the VIII made it much easier to complete!   :-)  Now to my next project!!  I have a few that need to be picked up and completed  b...u...t...  I thought of something else   ;-} 

The new yarns arrived these past couple of days and well they are scrumptious really really scrumptious!! Let me tell you a bit about each and then we will see if you agree with me!!

Okay now here are
"The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze
If you once loved Koigu you will love these yarns.  Peppino is a beautiful 100% merino high twisted fingering weight hand painted as only Rhichard can do.


 Peppino!!




































 These two are the Worsted weights they are soo squishy soft

They will all soon be on the website!! 
So many choices..... 

Meanwhile go check out these wonderful patterns  on ravelry

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Ro69/over-the-rainbow 
by Emma Fassio , 
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/solemate/sweet-shoppe-shawlette
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/cdninswe/jeweled-cowl  (this one is free)  and  I found one more
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/cdninswe/ashton-shawlette-4
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nymphalidea 


Next new arrival is
Done Roving Yarns Frolicking Feet Transition!
Oh my these are flying off the shelf!! well no,... they haven't  made it on any shelf!!
Look how cool the packaging is!!


















The Savanna by Jen Lucas on Ravelry

 








  
This is to give you an idea of how the colors work up!

Danielle on Ravelry















 


This pattern will comes free with purchase of yarn!






Hampden Hills Alpaca



Remember last posting where I talked about Hampden Hills Alpaca,  as soon as it arrived 2 colors found new homes!  I am left with Sangria and Chickadee (top left).  This yarn is so unbelievably soft it just glides on your hands!!


I've decided to knit my ever so popular "P2tog" Cardi with the Chickadee color and hopefully have it finished in time for the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY.
I plan to visit Erica from Hampden Hills Alpaca,  therefore my thought was to be wearing this cardigan knitted up in her yarn.  Wouldn't that be perfect.  Wish me luck!!!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Happy Fall

Labor Day the un official end of summer and beginning of Fall.  The weather warmed up like summer for that week but now there's a nip in the air and it's so refreshing.  The Farmers Almanac is predicting a brutal winter for us and I've notice on the website people are gearing up already.  Sales have picked up and I don't blame them.  Last winter was very long and very cold.  I used my "Great American Afghan" all winter long. I knitted this afghan with 100% merino and let me tell you its so warm!  I actually never finished the edge.  Here is a picture as you can see no edging, I do have the yarn to finish it but I could not wait. 
It was fun  knitting each square, even though some square were a bit more challenging then others but we sure learned quite a bit.
Now I am about finished with another afghan this one is for my son in college, his school colors blue and gold. The yarn I used is Louisa Harding Kashmir worsted (blue) and Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky (gold).  Both yarns are washable wools!! not that he will ever wash it

Shop news!! 
Three new yarns are coming in this fall!  First in is Hampden Hills Alpaca!! As you can see I am just testing the waters and purchased just four colors in the Cree-Ah's Breath which is a 100% Alpaca yarn. Its a dk weight and WoW is this yarn melt in your hands soft!!   This yarn arrived Tuesday haven't even entered into the website and I have 2 colors left. Karen came by the Studio and just could not put it down it was very difficult for Karen to decide which color!
Then Nickie came and quickly picked her favorite and ran did even have a chance to take a picture!!
So you ask which colors are left, the Cheekadee and the Sangria !!

Two more yarns will be coming soon "The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze" also another scrumptious yarn that I had the pleasure to play with and loved it. 
























 "Peppino" 
a 100% Merino superwash hand dyed by Mr Devrieze.  I knitted these little swatches from sample skeins he had sent me and just loved it.  They are due to arrive any day now!!
Here is a shawl found on Ravelry "The age of Brass and steam kerchief " (Free pattern) using this really lovely yarn.
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/artcom/the-age-of-brass-and-steam-kerchief



AND lastly {for now :-)}  is Done Roving Yarns the Frolicking Feet DK Transitions yarn
also a hand dyed yarn (Can you see the trend)and  look how cool it knits up!!!
The Danielle--Ravelry Download 

Till next time Happy Knitting and/or Crocheting  :-)


http://passets-cdn.pinterest.com/images/about/buttons/big-p-button.png
Don't forget to check out my Pintrest I have a board for free knit and one for free crochet patters that I find around the internet!!!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Big Summer Blow-Out Sale!!

It's that time of year when it's time to start thinking of warm wooly things to knit/crochet.  The so called "last" weekend of the summer is upon us.  Everyone taking their last vacation days going away somewhere near sand and water!  Fun, but before you know it that chill will be in the air and your fingers are itching for some nice soft merino to wiggle thru the fingers!  

We are having a big Summer Blow-out Sale lots of yarns at deep discount between 25% - 70% off !! Just  go over to the website, too many yarns for me to list here. There are some limited amounts so its first come first serve.  Once they are gone they are gone.   http://nonnasyarnstudio.com/berroco-blackstone-tweed, Berroco, Blackstone Tweed  only 9 left  reduced to $4.50 and if you go to Berroco's site you will see this really cozy hooded vest that can be knitted with 7/9 skeins: http://www.berroco.com/patterns/truman
Or are you still in summer knitting mode here is Berroco Captiva http://nonnasyarnstudio.com/yarn-by-brand/Berroco/berroco-captiva as low as $3.60!!

For some more ideas of what to knit, free patterns or just inspiration you should check out Pintrest  http://www.pinterest.com/nonnasyarn/

Also read this article from the Almanac:  http://farmersalmanac.com/weather/2014/08/24/2015-us-winter-forecast/    I'm the east coast where it will be crisp and very stormy.  
I am already knitting a couple of cardigans and almost done with the college afghan for my son.  Must.... Knit..... Faster!!


Have a great holiday everyone!!


Monday, August 4, 2014

It's Been Some Time


Hello Friends, 

It has been a while, sometimes life takes over and you have no control over it.  June/July brought HS graduation for my youngest and then a chain reaction of college visits.  Till he decided and then more college visits and paper work and get ready to pack up.  That's where we are at now, finalizing all that is required and he will be off by the end of the month.  Quite exciting for him, overwhelming for me.  

My knitting is what is keeping me sane and focused, what I keep doing is begin new projects. I am up to 5 different patterns, a couple of cardigans, a top, a shawl, and of course an afghan for my college bound child.  Also needed some instant gratification and crocheted 2 shawls and completed. But my latest cast on is  a shawl which  keeps me knitting right now, this project I am really enjoying.  It's a stitch I found on Pinterest (Love Pinterest) but what makes it fun is combining yarns and colors that work with a particular stitch.
Here below are some pictures,


this is the afghan for my youngest, its much larger now
its coming along













If you look back in May  I began this project.  I was in a cotton/summer mood and decided to knit a top which I take with me when I need an easy mindless project. It will eventually grow up to be a A-Line top.

 This is the Mimi  Mink  yarn cardigan,  I look at it and promise myself to finish it.  Can't have it on sleep mode for too long cause then I will forget what my plan was.










Here is another project on vacation!  This is an old yarn from Debbie Bliss, the 100% Cashmere chunky from my stash.  Love this yarn and I stocked up quite a bit of this color.







And when I'm in an instant gratification mode I jump to crochet.  This was a great feeling to finishing in 2 days.  Also this is some yarn from my stash. I just had enough to finish this shawl.  
An original pattern!








 Here is another, this was crocheted with E.L. Silky wool and thread.

Another original pattern. 

How do you like?












And now this is what I am working on now and kind most excited about it.  I love the colors and the stitch.  The color of the yarn work perfectly with this stitch and a little "copper" sparkle goes a long way. The yarn is Done Roving Frolicking Feet DK in "Copper Pennies".  This shawl/wrap is working up rather quickly or should I say I am working it more and more.  I'm aiming to finish this one!!






















At the beginning of this post I stated 5 projects well as you can see it's actually 7.  Wow I must stop adding new projects and finish some. 

This is a good way for me to keep track, how many of you have this same itch of starting"ites" ?

Till next time !!


Friday, June 6, 2014

Have you ever worked with Noro Yarns? 
We Love Noro any Noro the colors and the feel are magnificent.  As a matter of fact I just received a box of new yarns and most of it is Noro ** Silk Garden ** all time favorite and some **Aytori** and a new yarn **Kibou**  If you want to see all the different Noro yarns just visit Knitting Fever website, very difficult to decide on just one. 

Knitting Fever just posted this link on facebook and I had to share please go take a look press tab 2 and its a video on the manufacturing and ideas of the Noro company founder!!

 http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/greatgear/recent.html

Below you can see how much we like the Noro Yarns!!



























the log cabin blanket is knitted with all left over *Tayo* hanks and its still in progress.  It's my go to in between project.
Get yourselves some Noro and have fun!!!