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Nora’s Sweater from the cover of Interweave Knits Winter ‘09  is our next Knit Along Project.  It is an intricate and gorgeous sweater — coming and going — with cables, lace, and knitted pleats.

We’re recommending Lana D’Oro from Cascade because it feels fabulous and has the perfect drape for this design.  Be sure to hurry in to order your favorite color for this project.

The Knit Along begins on Thursday, February 11, during our regular evening knitting gathering.  We meet from 5:30 or so until the shop closes at 8:00 p.m. There’s no charge for participation, but please use a yarn purchased at HearthStone Knits.

I can’t wait to get started!  Are you coming, too?

Here is Daughter in her Christmas gift.  She really liked it and was very surprised.  We decided to shorten the neck about half — it was just toooooo big.  The yarn is Kashmir Aran  from Louisa Harding and the pattern is Nesselrode from Berroco Booklet #288.  It was great to knit, and I’m really pleased with the result.

Okay, Santa, go ahead.  Come tomorrow, I dare you!  I’m ready for Christmas!!  Yeah, me!!!

This is the earliest I can remember being finished with Christmas knitting and Christmas shopping.  As for knitting, there is a sweater for Someone and socks for everyone, except SIL (Son-In-Law) who isn’t that crazy about them.  He traded his “Sock Rights” for a giant afghan that will cover both of them — to be completed after the Holidays.  I want to post a pic of Someone’s sweater, but that person reads this blog and I don’t want to spoil the surprise.  I promise to take pictures before I wrap it up and post asap after it’s given.

Now I have to think about Holiday meals….

I’ve been busy knitting samples of items that make great, quick-to-knit Holiday gifts.  They’re all finished, and we’ve displayed as many of them as possible on our front counter.

Whether you want hats, scarves, ascots, fingerless mitts, or socks, we have ideas that will be a big hit with everyone on your list.

It’s not too late to knit something luscious for the Holidays!

P.S.  We have great gifts for knitters, too.  Leave your wish list with us, and it will be ready when your family comes looking.

To accommodate busy shoppers — and frantic knitters — HearthStone will be open on Sunday, December 13th, and Sunday, December 20th, from 1:00 to 4:00.

I decided everyone could use some extra time to pick up gifts and also to get some private knitting accomplished.

I’ll be here from 1 to 4 with the water on for tea and coffee, so join me for some last minute shopping or some quiet knitting time.  See you then!

Every Thanksgiving we make an extra effort to say thank you for another year of support.  You’ve made it possible for us to celebrate our 20th year.
Thank you — 20 times over!!

What’s on your personal wish list this season?  Make sure some of these beauties make your list:

Namaste knitting bags and Buddy Cases

Circular needlecases from DellaQ

Addi Clicks, wonderful interchangeable needle sets

JaJaJa Bags, made from repurposed fabrics

Some of that fiber you’ve been lusting after

Tell them to shop early for best selection!

What are the top gifts to knit this Holiday season?  The hot choices are accessories: socks for the nearest and dearest; fingerless mitts, colorful and cabled; hats, especially slouch hats and berets; and scarves, scarves, scarves.

Our front window is full of luscious yarns to use for your Holiday projects, including Lustra and Blackstone Tweed from Berroco, Lana D’Oro from Cascade, Brae Tweed from K1C2, and Marble Chunky from Kertzer.

We’ll be glad to help you find projects that will be delightful to create and to receive.  Hurry in soon.  On Saturday, November 28th, we begin to countdown our knitting days to Christmas!

Lynette sent me this link about a man who knits costumes for superheroes.  Where’s Sweaterman when you really need him!

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/QA-Mark-Newport.html

Boy, do I love road trips!  We drove to Kentucky  last weekend to visit my husband’s family.  It’s always good to see the folks, and the scenery was wonderful with all the leaves beginning to turn.  And the knitting time in the car…wow!!  I finished socks for Daughter for Christmas, cast on and completed a really nice cowl out of Mermaid for shop display, and began Husband’s socks for Christmas.  Yeah!!!  I’m so excited.  I may actually finish my Christmas gifts well ahead of December 24th. Yeah!