30

Oct

Christmas stocking class

Posted by Emily in classes

It’s that time of year. And what better gift than a hand knit Christmas stocking? If you need a little help getting this project going, we’ve got just the class for you.

This stocking is elegant, lovely, and fun to make. Two skeins will be just enough to make two stockings with mirrored color schemes. How cute would that be hanging from your mantel this holiday?

This class teaches two great skills - Fair Isle color work and basic sock construction. Also, there is a two week break between each class so you have plenty of time to get your homework done. Plus, best of all, you get to hang out with Julie, the teacher, who is one of our very favoritest people.

Saturdays, Nov 8, Nov 22, Dec 6 from 3-5pm
with Julie Nelligan
$60
Level: Advanced Beginner
Includes: Anne Norling Snowflake Stocking pattern
Materials: worsted weight wool, like Louet Riverstone Worsted

Just give us a call to register - 503.922.1150.


26

Oct

All about BMFA

Posted by Emily in yarn

Did you hear some squeals of joy coming from NE Portland Saturday morning? It’s possible. Because at long last…our fall order of Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn is here!

In addition to the ever-popular and drool-inducing Socks that Rock Lightweight, Mediumweight, and Heavyweight, we are thrilled to add several lines of other Blue Moon yarns, including:

De-VineDe-Vine - Once upon a time discontinued, this chubby, tightly spun yarn is back and all the rage. 100% Merino, 8oz, 225yds, 4 stitches per inch on size 13 needles. $48.00.

Woobu - A huge hit among sweater knitters. Bamboo enhances the lofty quality of the merino while adding a bit of a sheen.60% Merino/ 40% Bamboo, 8oz, 620yds, 6 stitches per inch on size 4 needles. $29.50.

LSSLuscious Single Silk (LSS) - Merino and silk make this heavenly soft yarn glow like it’s plugged in. Emily’s favorite yarn ever.50% Merino/50% Silk, 8oz, 500yds, 5 stitches per inch on size 6 needles. $32.00.

GeishaGeisha - The fabric this yarn creates is baby soft with a little drape and a minor amount of elasticity. 70% Kid Mohair/ 20% Mulberry Silk/ 10% Nylon, 8oz, 995yds, 7 stitches per inch on size 3 needles. $48.50.

LaciLaci - Lace weight merino at its finest. Laci is quite a joy to knit with and blocks out beautifully. 100% Extra Fine 80’s Merino, 8oz, 1,750 yds, lace weight. $50.50.

PeruPeru - A great balance of alpaca, wool, and silks; they compliment each other and make a lovely yarn. 50% Alpaca / 30% Merino / 20% Silk, 8oz, 500yds, 4-5 stitches per inch on size 8 needles. $40.50.

SeductionSeduction - Great for everything from garments to socks that can play up Tencel’s shimmery quality. 50% Merino / 50% Tencel, 4oz, 400yds, 7 stitches per inch on size 3 needles. $34.00.

SilkmoSilkmo - Silkmo is soft, furry goodness. The silk and nylon take away any of the itch factor that some of us more sensitive types experience. 70% Kid Mohair/ 20% Mulberry Silk/ 10% Nylon, 3.75oz, 794yds, 5 stitches per inch on size 8 needles. $30.50.

TwistedTwisted - A 3-ply yarn that has two plies of regular merino and one ply of superwash merino. Makes a fun boucle effect when felted. 100% Merino, 8oz, 560 yds, 4-5 stitches per inch on size 8 needles. $29.50.

BSJ KitBaby Surprise Jacket Kit  - Enough cotton Sock Candy yarn for two sweaters. $44.

Sock Monkey KitFunky Sock Monkey Kit  - Two colors of STR Heavyweight, for one big and one small monkey. $32.


25

Oct

What’s soft, and squishy, local and exciting?

Posted by Shannon in the shop, yarn
BLUE MOON FIBER ARTS, OF COURSE!!!

Our long-awaited Fall order is beginning to arrive, so get here early on Saturday (but not too early - we don’t open until 11, NO EXCEPTIONS!) to get first pick. Shannon is heading out to Blue Moonland this evening, and by opening tomorrow, much of our order should be on the shelves, waiting for your hot little hands to take some home. Lots of Socks that Rock is in this order, as well as many other Blue Moon Yarns, some of which had even been discontinued until very recently!

We are so insanely excited about this order, and are looking forward to sharing with all of you!


24

Oct

Learn Lace, just in time for Holiday Knitting!

Posted by Shannon in the shop, yarn, classes

One of our most popular classes is coming up next weekend, and there is still space available! It’s the Introduction to Lace workshop, starring the lovely Japanese Vines pattern, by the talented and fabulous Michelle Molis (who also teaches the class). If you’ve been in Twisted, you’ve surely seen one of the sample Japanese Vines we have hanging out here - you may have even tried one on! Well, now’s your chance to make it, knitters, and to get comfortable knitting lace while you’re at it!

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The deets:
Saturday, November 1. 3:00 – 5:00 pm.
with Michelle Molis
$20
Materials: One skein Cherry Tree Hill Supersock fingering weight (a solid color & not too dark), US 3 needles, stitch markers, darning needle. Please bring to class a small swatch or sample of your knitting.
Includes: Japanese Vines pattern by Michelle Molis.
Skills learned: Yarn over, slip-slip-knit, reading a chart

We also have the first part of one of our most exciting Fall orders arriving in shop tomorrow (Saturday). Come on by to snag some of the hottest yarn out there! Keep an eye out here and on our Tweets to find out more…


22

Oct

Two birds, one skein

Posted by Emily in classes

I hate to say “killing” two birds with one skein (or stone) because that makes it sound so negative. When, in fact, knitting two socks at the same time is a fantastic way to save time and energy while ensuring that your socks match perfectly. Plus, if you do your socks from the toe-up, you’ll never run out of yarn again!

Two at once socks class
For those already familiar with knitting socks on two circular needles. Class pre-requisite: our toe-up socks on two circular needles class or equivalent experience.

Wednesday, Oct 29, Nov 5. 6:00 – 800 pm.
with Chrissy Gardiner
$40
Materials: One skein sport-weight yarn, 2 sets size US2 circular needles
Includes: Handout
Skills learned: Knitting two socks at the same time on two circular needles.


21

Oct

Reminder - Back Fence Event

Posted by Shannon in Uncategorized

Remember, there’s a super-cool event happening tomorrow night! Both Sarah Gilbert and Tina Newton are speaking at Back Fence Portland’s October 22nd event at Urban Grind East! (Buy advance tickets! Check out this event!)

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Check out more of Back Fence’s story here, and thanks to the fabulous Melissa Lion for helping to organize this event, and sending the flyer over to us!


19

Oct

Last day of sale…

Posted by Emily in sale

It’s Sunday and that means the last day of our fall sale! If you haven’t made it over already, don’t miss this chance to get some great deals. We’re open 11am-6pm today. See you soon!

* 10% off select “summer” yarns including: Sublime Soya, Debbie Bliss Cathay, Debbie Bliss Prima, Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton, Louet Euroflax Worsted and Sport, Noro Taiyo, and Crystal Palace Yarns Cotton Chenille.
* 10 - 25% off select sock yarns including: Opal Rainforest, Chewy Spaghetti, Fortissima, Kollage, SWTC TOFUtsies, and Farmhouse Yarns Fannie’s Fingering.
* 20% off all yarn company pattern books including: Sublime, Debbie Bliss, and Noro books.
* 25% off select colors of Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed Aran and Chunky.
* 40 - 60% off select yarns including: Araucania Patagonia, Araucania Nature Cotton, Araucania Pomaire, Debbie Bliss Pure Silk, Sirdar Just Bamboo, Sirdar Luxury Soft Cotton, and select colors of Bergere Magic.
* Plus, best of all, 50% off everything previously on sale!


18

Oct

Back Fence Portland, featuring some fabulous knitters!

Posted by Shannon in events

Both Sarah Gilbert and Tina Newton are speaking at Back Fence Portland’s October 22nd event at Urban Grind East! (Buy advance tickets! Check out this event!)

bfp10-08-evite-hr2.jpg

Check out more of Back Fence’s story here, and thanks to the fabulous Melissa Lion for helping to organize this event, and sending the flyer over to us!


17

Oct

Holiday Magazines

Posted by Shannon in the shop, yarn, knitting

It’s that time of year again, folks, time to start thinking about holiday crafting, and we have a few magazines to help you do just that.

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This morning, Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts arrived!

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We received the Vogue Holiday Issue last week, and still have a few copies left…

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And, the Knit Simple Holiday Issue is here, it’s pink, and there are some super-cute projects waiting to be knit up!



11

Oct

Haiku winner

Posted by Emily in contests

The winner of the September haiku contest is Charlotte C.! Yeah Charlotte!

fridge.jpg

Truthfully, I knit
to avoid cleaning out my
refrigerator



Thanks to everyone else who entered - there were so many great ones this month! It is always so hard to choose.

Be sure to enter our October/November contest on the contest page. This month’s topic: what is your favorite kind of thing to knit?

Other entries:

I knit to stay sane
Fingers busy and my brain.
Stresses wash away.

I just have to knit!
Otherwise what would I do
With all of this yarn?

Transform a yarn ball
From blah to sock, sweater, shawl
Knitting is my call

Somewhere in Kabul,
a newborn wears my knitting.
It warms both of us.

Because snow-white sheep
have dreams of colorful knits.
Their wool made rainbow.

warm, colored line
something coming into being
it will be a surprise

I love to relax
While sitting and knitting socks
Watch the world go by

Work,stress,kids,partner!
Pick up my needles and knit
World is calm…I breathe

Soft yarn, wood needles
Fingers moving, forming socks
Letting my mind rest

Philosophers say
I think therefore I am, I
knit therefore I am

Stories, I can’t pen.
And lies, I can’t fabricate.
Hence knit sox for you!

Here color, texture
intertwine; become anew.
I have created!

My hands they must be busy
My mind must wander
Knitting does let me ponder