Be Square.

Roses are Red,

Violets are blue. Some poems rhyme,

And some don't.

Fixing Mistakes and the Vogue Aviator

Next Saturday you'll have the chance to take two fabulous classes at YOUR local yarn shop! In the morning, I'm offering "Fixing Mistakes" -- be sure to sign up early for this one! This class builds your knitting confidence and empowers you to take on most any pattern like a pro. Learn to recognize common knitting errors and correct them in your work. You'll learn to become more analytical about your knitting, a skill that enables you to master the art. In the afternoon you'll enjoy a dynamic project class that takes hat knitting to a new, fashionable level! The terrific cabled aviator you've admired on the cover of this past edition of Vogue -- the hat you've seen and admired also in the shop, made of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride in that awesome, gleaming winter white. If you've made hats before, you'll be intrigued by the innovative construction of this stylish design. Plus, if you've never cabled before, this is a small project that will get you moving with cables. You love the piece in winter white, but think about adding a bit of color. I suggest using a soft, almost transparent shade of Rowan Kid Silk Haze carried along in certain areas or cable features of the hat to add natural highlights to the texture: an artistic wash of color. Either monochromatic or knit with a hint of hue, this hat is rich and luxurious!

Rowan: Exclusively at Vermilion Bay

Welcome, Universal!

The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company welcomes Universal Yarn! Vibrant varigated colorways and awesome softness are the hallmarks of Universal. Wisdom Poem Sock yarn: great for socks of course, but suitable for anything requiring fingering weight. Universal Classic Shades: tremendously vibrant colors in a worsted weight machine washable 70/30 acrylic and wool blend.

Knitter's Tool Box this Saturday! You need this class!

It's a common question: "Jason, do you ever offer a class to teach those things that you use in patterns but that never come up when you learn to knit?" YES! It's the "Knitter's Tool Box." If you've ever asked about an SSK, a tbl, an SKP, C4B, an "inc 1 at beg of row" or even a K2tog, this class is for you. If a Chinese newspaper makes more sense to you than a knitting pattern, yet you don't speak Chinese, this class is for you. If you're making scarves one after the next simply because "that's all you've learned to do", then it's time to take this class and broaden your horizons. After this two-hour session, you will fill your knitter's tool box with the skills you need to tackle most any pattern. Sign up today for "The Knitter's Tool Box". The information shared this Saturday you'll use daily in your knitting and it will serve you well every time you pick up your needles. You'll need to bring two (2) swatches about 20 stitches wide and 2-4" long, one on needles, the other on a holder (or both on needles if you don't yet have stitch holders). We'll get started at 10:30am on Saturday, January 29th. Spread the word!

Turquoise is THE thing!

Turquoise is with it, folks, and so is Vermilion Bay Yarn. Select your favorite turquoise accent studded with sterling or lapis! The "Evil Eye Talisman" (turquoise/silver) and the "Lapis Protection Amulet" (turquoise/lapis lazuli) represent the cutting edge of fashion, and so will you as soon as you accent your favorite wrap or scarf with either of them! Turqoise, Lapis, Onyx, Pearl combined with sterling and exotic woods. Beautiful works of art that elevate your favorite piece of handwork to the next level. Dress with artistry, elegance, and finesse. Luxury you deserve.

Not the Typical Hat

And that's music to a knitter's ears! Here's something that breaks the mold -- not the typical brim-to-crown affair. We've all been admiring the fabulous cabled aviator on the cover of this season's Vogue Knitting! It caught my eye and kept my attention. This is no ho-hum design, but it's not a mind bender either. Best of all, it looks great and turns heads -- isn't that what we want our knitwear to do? It's about the fashion as much as about the practical qualities of the garments we create. And even more better than that: this hat does it simply by being a great design in a solid yarn with classic adornments: cables. Substance, and Vogue Knitting has delivered with this awesome topper! Eye caught and attention kept, I've completed the hat in about a week's worth of off-and-on knitting. I used Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride for the project -- a wool/mohair blend -- with great results. Cables have crisp definition in this yarn, the back flap drapes properly, and the front flap (tacked to the crown) does not droop. Although I'm usually not a fan of pompoms, a well made, full flavor pompom really adds the right finial. On your next visit, be sure to examine the Cabled Aviator. Make one for yourself. You deserve it!

Every Stitch says "You've got Class"

Looking for an outstanding fiber with exquisite color, fine drape? This: Southwest Trading Bamboo. Silky look and feel, but not silk. Bamboo. Light and breathable, this DK weight yarn will have you looking sharp in your new handmade knit and crochet garments. Each ball of SWTC Bamboo provides an amazing 250 yards of pure luxury. And it differs from the bamboos you may be acccustomed to: no messy splits and pulls. Just smooth working. Colors? Many. And all of them vibrant, clean, and fresh! Regardless whether you're a scarf maker or a crocheter of garments, you're going to love working with SWTC Bamboo! My favorite is the colorway pictured here. It's called "Nappa Valley" -- and lucky for us, it offers a soft range of the Romanov colors (it's Mardi Gras, folks!). Picture a fabulous wrap or accent scarf or even an even bag masterfully created from this! You'll be the belle of the bal in bamboo! Guys, tired of the same old white silk scarf with the tux jacket? Make one of bamboo. I suggest the Greek Key scarf -- or even something with a plain face to let this awesome yarn speak for itself: "This guy is the best dressed here. Take notice!" SWTC Bamboo.

Be Unique!

Everyone makes loads of scarves. Many make loads of shawls. A shawl is just a shawl and a scarf is just a scarf without one of these ultra groovy accents. Change the look of your handmade piece simply by using an accessory that matches your mood for the day, or compliments your look! These fine wooden shawl/scarf sticks have toppers of polished stone, metal, and glass. Each one is unique -- just like you -- no two are alike! Celebrate your one-of-a-kind-ness with these fantastic new shawl sticks! There's a broad selection of colors, shapes, materials, and styles!

What Can I do with this yarn?

Flip through Winter Vogue.

Find out.

Fabulous.

Get the Year Started Right!

Sign up for the "Taos Braid" Knit-Along scheduled to start up in a couple weeks. The Taos Braid is a fabulous scarf pattern with a stunningly simple cable braid down the center. If you've never worked a cable project, but have admired cables, this is the project you need to get you started. This scarf has an interesting story. It's a custom piece for a VBYC client who had purchased the handspun dark wool and brought it in to be transformed into something beautiful. The Taos Braid is the result. The yarn used to create the original is, of course, one of a kind, but the project can be completed well using almost any worsted weight yarn. Doesn't the Taos Braid look even more fabulous accented by the "Evil Eye" shawl stick? Check the January class schedule above for dates and times. If you're unable to make the Saturday, you can start the project any time. Just come in pick up your yarn (and needles if you need them), receive the pattern and get started!