HOOVER'S HOLIDAY JUMPER

Happy New Year from our family to yours! Just as Hoover's book states, "Keep Calm and Carry On," we've had quite a year of ups and downs. It's no secret that life is full of that and often the media tends to amplify way more of the negative than positive. So my personal resolution for the new year is to take some time to relax, unplug, spend more time doing things I love to do rather than things I HAVE to do and lastly, look for the beauty in everything and everyone surrounding us. There's so much out there to be grateful for and I'm coming to the age where I choose to embrace that. Our world has become more complicated and hectic than ever and if I were to predict a trend for the upcoming year it would involve people choosing to participate in activities that calm them the heck down--knitting being one of them. After the frenzy of opening packages and preparing the Christmas meal, I trolled the internet, looking for an easy pattern. Let's hear it for the designers out there who choose to share their designs. Thank you to Ravelry for that and also Knitty, the online magazine, where I found this adorable doggie sweater pattern called Penny by the talented designer Corinne Niessner. I whipped up this adorable jumper for my baby pomeranian Hoover in just a few hours--truly bringing me peace and joy on the holiday. Best wishes everyone for a safe, happy and healthy new year! xo RT

FEATHER AND FAN SCARF or STOLE

As knitters, we love combining texture, color and technique. This super easy, tried and true pattern, the good-ole Feather and Fan, works up so beautifully when combining mohair with a delicate sock yarn. Colinette has been a favorite of ours for years and their Fabulous AbFab kits have been a popular choice for designer throws. This twist lets you get a glimpse of what you can create but on a smaller scale. Excellent gift idea for the holidays. MATERIALS 2 skeins RT Mohair (hold mohair doubled throughout pattern) 1 skein Colinette Jitterbug (carry this yarn single-stranded) Size 9 needles DIRECTIONS Cast on 38 stitches for scarf or (74)sts for stole with Jitterbug. Row 1: Knit. Row 2: Purl. Row 3: K1, *K2TOG 3 times, [YO, K1] 6 times, K2TOG 3 times, repeat from * 1 (3) times more, K1. Row 4: Knit. Rows 5-8: Cut Jitterbug and repeat Rows 1-4 with RT Mohair. Do not cut Mohair, but rather carry it up the side until needed again. This will save yarn and time weaving in ends. Rows 9-12: Repeat Rows 1-4 with Jitterbug. Rows 13-16: Repeat Rows 1-4 with Mohair. Repeat these 16 rows until your scarf or shawl reaches 60 inches or desired length. Work a final repeat of Rows 1-4 with Jitterbug. Bind off, weave in ends and block.

Great Balls of Yarn's J. Crew Inspired Blanket--FREE PATTERN DAY!

Autumn is in the air and that always makes us think of snuggling up with a loved one, especially in front of a crackling fire...This is a simple pattern that has a JCrew feel and an interesting design element to it. We recommend Berocco Vintage for this pattern but really, any worsted weight, washable yarn will work. The pattern is sized for a baby blanket, but the simple 12 stitch square pattern repeat makes it easily adaptable to any size. Soft, squishy and a classic knit. Have fun!

FINISHED SIZE: 30 by 24 inches GAUGE: 17 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch MATERIALS: 4 skeins Berocco Vintage and size 8 needles (we used a 24" circular) DIRECTIONS: CO 132 sts. ROWS 1-16: Knit. BEGIN SQUARE PATTERN: ROW 1 (RS): Knit. ROW 2 (WS): Knit 8, (Purl 8, Knit 4) 9 times, Purl 8, Knit 8. ROWS 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11: Repeat Row 1. ROWS 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12: Repeat Row 2. ROWS 13-18: Knit. Repeat pattern (Rows 1-18) 11 times more. Repeat Rows 1-12 once more. Knit 16 rows for border. Bind off, and weave loose ends to wrong side of work and block to size. We have a terrific selection of Vintage and Plymouth Encore in stores now. If you choose to make this pattern using a hand-dye, be sure to interchange two balls throughout the pattern to avoid color pooling and to meld dye lots.

GREAT BALLS OF YARN WELCOMES NEW NORO COLORS FOR FALL

Ahhhh, the smell of leaves in the air. Well, OK not so much here in South Florida. But we do love our fall knitting and getting ready for the holiday season as it will sneak up upon us quickly. Some yarns just speak to you and the colors of NORO really do that for us, especially during this time of year. NORO has been around for decades and has come in many forms but most notably, their Kuryeon collection of colors is far and away the most vibrant. With the introduction of the new NORO magazine, we are again inspired by the amazingly vibrant colors and designs that only the folks at NORO can offer. Here are two of my personal favorites--a cool easy swing caplet and this adorable checkerboard cap. We have our own in house stained glass pattern done up as a beret and of course we will give away our pattern with the purchase of the yarn. When using two different skeins in the checkerboard pattern it creates a magnificent effect.

We're also pleased to bring in another new attraction from NORO called FOSSA. A boucled little number, this yarn is a little more muted but features the long running colors through a soft moddled fiber. A really nice choice for scarves and items worn close to the body. Check it out!

RIC RAC'S THE RAGE!

This super easy scarf was knitted in less than an hour with a cool new yarn from Berocco called Ric Rac. We love it!! At a price point under $25, this yarn works up fast and makes a delightful holiday gift! We've also seen it done in a larger boa and most elegantly as a warm and cozy winter cowl. A fun new twist on the ruffle stuff! We have many colors in stock now to choose from and if self-ruffling yarns are what you crave choose from other new arrivals like Serpentine from Trendsetter or Bacopa--both easy to knit and crochet! Now that football season is on in full force it's a great time to work on all those holiday presents...

SAY HELLO TO LA FURLA and LUNA!

The folks at Trendsetter have done it again...say hello to La Furla, a long, lashy, super soft yarn that works up quickly into a gorgeous boa like this one pictured here. Or, choose to trim your favorite afghan, sweater, cape, hat--whatever--with it. We also have a hand-dyed version of it from Prism called Plume, pictured to the left. Same yarn, it's just one is machine dyed, the other dyed by the master artisans at Prism Arts. Your choice!

For those of you who are beginners, this lovely concoction works up quickly on a size 10 needle to make a bold scarf. We love it! Also new from Trendsetter is a sparkly, sequined nember called Luna. Boasting 350 yards in just one ball, Luna is a divine accent for most any special project. It comes in a variety of neutrals to give your projects a special touch.

NEW TUNISIAN CROCHET CLASSES JOIN LINE-UP FOR SPRING

With spring comes a re-birth and we've taken a whole new look at crochet this season. Tunisian crochet lends itself to a variety of uses. Because it's more flexible than your typical crochet stitch, Tunisian crochet yields a more wearable fabric that can used for shawls, kimonos, and even basic sweaters. It's woven appearance and gentle drape make it an exceptional choice for multi-textured or hand-painted yarns. We especially had fun making a gorgeous ponchetto in a variety of novelty yarns on a gynormous P hook! We trimmed it with Poppy, a self-ruffling yarn from Trendsetter and it came out so cool!

With the Tunisian crochet, you can either change your yarns each row, or make an interesting repeat. It's forgiving for newcomers to crochet and it's a great stash-buster too! Spring into something new this May and sign up for our Tunisian crochet class. You'll find it fun, fresh and an interesting new tool in your repertoire. Click on our class page for updates to this spring's class line-up!

ANNE'S BUTTERFLY COWL

Our own talented Miss Anne has inspired us once again with her original design, the Butterfly Cowl, made up in Malabrigo's new fingering weight, hand-dyed merino called Finito. We love the feminine delicacy of this timeless design--Vintage Anne! This design is one of our new project-based classes for spring, along with entrelac, the Baby Surprise Jacket and more. Just a quick word about Finito...this amazingly soft yarn comes to us from Uruguay only once a year. We have it in all color ranges so if you're interested in it, snap some up today before it's all gone!

NEW CLASSES FOR WINTER!

Now that the holidays are behind us and the Giants claimed the Super Bowl trophy, we can finally concentrate on creating a fun new lineup of knitting and crochet classes for winter/spring. If you get a chance, print out a pdf of our class calendars from the store of your choice on our Classes Page. Our fantastic staff down in Aventura always offers cool, innovative classes. Led by our number one educator Lena, you will find many intricate designs that may be intimidating, but trust me, she de-mystifies if for you and you'll be amazed at what you can create! All our stores offer many beginning classes in both knitting and crochet. So, if you've ever dreamed of becoming a knitter or crochet artist, now's your chance! Choose from a plethora of new project-based classes like the Baby Surprise Jacket pictured here in pink, or try intro to entrelac which yields this interesting woven fabric above. We've added Japanese crocheted flowers and baby booties to our roster this season...among other new classes. Just a note that we also have private classes which are a great alternative if you have a tight schedule, because we plan them around you!! Learn something new and expand your knowledge!

JOIN US FOR A BOOK SIGNING NEXT SATURDAY IN OUR STUART STORE!

We're bathing in luxury this weekend up in our Stuart store on Florida's Treasure Coast! Join us for a book signing with Robin Turner, owner of Great Balls of Yarn and author of the beautiful brand new book, Recipes from the Gourmet Knitter. We'll showcase all the desgins from the book at the store this week so you can see first hand their construction and design. With over 27 proven and popular knitting patterns as well as 18 culinary recipes, there's something inside that will tempt most everyone's tastebuds. Robin will be up in Stuart from noon to 2 and better yet, all the yarns in the Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers collection will be on sale in the Stuart store through January 28th to celebrate our book!!

NEW COLOR-DRENCHED PRISM KITS!

This could very well be the funnest knit I've ever made! Modeled by our beautiful NYC based babe, the lovely Miss Barbara, this colorful little number looks very complicated but I'm here to say it was a snap! I couldn't put down the needles once I started it. Called Silver Plumes and designed by Rick Mondragon from XRX, the shrug fits every body size. Really! You begin the base with five mitered squares, then the rest of the shrug is a simple 2 row repeat. We will be holding workshops in our stores to get you started and get you through, but I think you'll find the project just as easy as I did. The ever-changing colors and textures of the Prism Wild Stuff keeps the shrug interesting and imaginative. Pair it with dressy slacks or casual jeans and it will guarantee to turn heads. You'll love wearing it as much as you did knitting it!

MISSONI MANIA! FREE PATTERN!

Looking for a pattern that looks fabulous, blasts your stash and can be adaptable for other creative uses? Then today's your lucky day! This Missoni-esque pattern lends itself to many uses. The key to a successful outcome is to make sure you use yarns that are all the same weight and a needle that corresponds with it. Hand-dyes and multis give the pattern even more interest! Cast on with an even number of stitches and change the yarn color every row. My next application for this easy and wonderful pattern is a blanket. While in Lake Como this summer I visited a Missoni boutique in Bellagio and found a lovely throw using this type of woven stitch. Missoni priced theirs upwards of $900 Euros. Mine will be made from a closet full of stash. Love it!
SCARF PATTERN
Sock Weight 1800 yards-Size 5 circular-CO 450 sts
Worsted Weight 1600 yards-Size 8 circular-CO 294 sts
Heavy Worsted/Chunky Weight 1200 yards-Size 11 circular-CO 196 sts
Abbreviations:
YFWD= Bring Yarn Forward to Front of Work
YB= Bring Yarn to Back of Work

Row 1 (RS): *K1, YFWD, Sl1, YB; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *P1, YB, Sl1, YFWD; rep from * to end.
Continue in pattern, whilst changing yarns every row. When scarf is desired width, BO with WS facing then weave in ends.
Choose to self fringe or pick up sts on each end with solid color and work a fold over hem in stockinette. Looks great on both sides. Bella!!

ALASKA KNITTING CRUISE WITH BARRY KLEIN and GREAT BALLS OF YARN THIS SUMMER!

Great Balls of Yarn presents our 9th cruise...and this one will be like no other! If you've ever dreamed of visiting one of nature's most spectacular playgrounds, you will find it on our knitting cruise to Alaska. Fabulous fjords, glorious glaciers and picturesque ports await as you beat the heat of summer. Joining us is our very favorite host, the innovative Barry Klein from Trendsetter Yarns. We will depart Seattle on August 24th and begin our journey up to Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway all whilst passing through the Tracy Arm Fjord and Alaska Inside Passage. If you've never seen this part of America, you're in for a thrill! We'll also make an evening stop in Victoria, British Columbia, another amazing destination on the left coast. Barry will teach for two full days and as always will tempt you with the latest in his fall/winter line. A prolific author and designer, Barry is a patient, fun-spirited and super cool instructor. Non knitters, spouses, and significant others are always welcome! For deets, call our fantastic cruise agent Mara Hargarther at CruiseOne--1-800-2-LUV-SEA. PS We will be on the Celebrity Infinity, which right now is in dry-dock getting a complete overhaul. They call is a Solstice-izing, which means they are re-doing everything aboard the ship, including expanding the spa, adding more specialty restaurants, and renovating all the staterooms and amenities. We will be some of the first to see this ship as she debuts this summer! Dates, rates and the reservation form are downloadable on our cruise page.Rates are based on double occupancy and include all taxes and port charges for knitters. Non-knitters who join us pay a lesser rate and Mara can give you that info if you call her :)

SPARKLES, SEQUINS, AND GLITZ!

Check out Miss Francesca in our new LucaTape Chanel jacket with corresponding accent purse. Perfect for upcoming holiday parties! LucaTape is a multi stranded, sequined yarn from Lucci NYC. LucaTape works up quickly on a size 8 or 9 needle and comes in a glittering array of colors. We have it in stores now with many other outstanding pattern ideas.

Also new from Lucci NYC is a bulky weight, multi-stranded mixture of glitz called Melange. One skein makes a fabulous ribbed caplet which was a popular pattern in out Stitches East booth. If you like to sparkle and shine, then stop in and see these gorgeous new yarns--they will dazzle you!

TOSH VINTAGE BABY BLANKET

Another free pattern from Great Balls of Yarn! Now that Madeline Tosh has arrived in our stores, folks have been making so many beautiful projects with this "sandwashed" squishy soft superwash delight! Here's a great baby shower gift idea that's easy to knit and you'll be proud to give. Just two skeins makes an ample blanket for a very lucky baby.


MATERIALS
2 skeins Madeline Tosh Vintage
One 24 inch size 10 circular needle
GARTER and RIB PATTERN
Row 1(RS): Knit across row.
Row 2(WS): *K3, P3 repeat from *to last 3 sts, K3
CO 87 sts. Knit 5 rows. Work in two-row Garter and Rib pattern until almost all yarn is used, then knit 5 rows and BO loosley.
Lightly block to open up rib. Your little cherub will love it!

FEATHERED YARN FROM PAGEWOOD FLIES OFF OUR SHELVES

What will our friends at Pagewood Farm think of next? They love to adorn yarns with embellishments like sequins, fabrics, flowers...and now feathers!! Stephi from our West Palm Beach store whipped up this fab scarf for her beautiful friend Paulette using just one skein of Pagewood Plumes. Neat-a-reeno!! They say feathers and furs are THE must-have for the season...and we agree!

SNEAK PEEK from our new book, RECIPES FROM THE GOURMET KNITTER!

Are these just stunning or what? Here's a litte "taste" of what's insde our new book, Recipes from the Gourmet Knitter by Robin Turner. There are 25 more delectable designs plus 18 gourmet receipes to tempt your tastebuds! And you can make these fabulous projects! The patterns are clearly written for a newer knitter or for those who are returning to the fiber arts. Many of the patterns use exquisite luxury yarns from our Great Balls of Yarn exclusive, the Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers Collection. This season we're rolling out DELIZIOSO, a classic lana merino wool imported from Milan--the best part about Delizioso is: It's Washable!! An array of colors will dazzle you.Other yarns used in the designs come from our Yarnistas' Showcase category--you'll see easy to knit projects in Malabrigo, Trendsetter, Prism, AslanTrends and those sparkly Lucci Yarns in the the book. Divine designs! If you're at Stitches East in Hartford CT this weekend, look for three of our models on the runway at this Friday's Fashion Show. Plus, say hi to Robin at the Great Balls of Yarn booth this Saturday for our book launch and signing at Noon!! Recipes from the Gourmet Knitter will be in stores October 23rd.

RECIPES FROM THE GOURMET KNITTER by Robin Turner to Debut at Stitches East

Great taste and fashion come together in this large collection of both knitting patterns and cooking recipes direct from the test kitchen of South Florida’s couture knitting boutiques, Great Balls of Yarn. In Recipes from the Gourmet Knitter, you’ll discover 27 stylish and relatively easy knitting patterns, coupled with 18 proven culinary delights that even the most discriminating palate will savor. Cooking and knitting are the kissing cousins of the domestic arts and this book brings the two together through vibrant, crisp photography and clean, easy-to-read instruction.

Feel comfortable and confident right away—the patterns are designed especially for newer knitters, or those recently returning to the fiber arts. Most patterns are fairly straight-forward without complicated stitches or difficult charts. An added bonus, many of the designs feature yarns from the Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers luxury collection as well as a few "showcase yarns," those special yarns we treasure from Malabrigo, Trendsetter, Prism, Lucci and AslanTrends. Retails for $19.99.

ENGLISH GARDEN STOLE

Are these colors magnificent or what? When knitting on all these beautiful Trendsetter Yarns all I could imagine was a stroll we took through London's Green Park this summer. The olives, pinks, fucshias and mixture of colors in Trendsetter's Dune carries me back to that crisp summer day in July. We had a terrific time with Barry on our cruise to Bermuda--where we had a chance to play with all his new yarns from Trendsetter's fall collection--many of which are in this stole. Ask us for the pattern and we'll share this palette of color with you or you can create your own! Cheerio!

HEAVENLY HOLIDAY ANGORA SCARF

Spoil yourself or someone you love with this luscious angora scarf--just perfect for the holidays, easy on the pocketbook and so so nice to knit. This pattern works up over a multiple of 3 stitches so you can easily transform the diagonal pattern into a super soft, scrumptious shawl. Enjoy!
MATERIALS:
2 balls Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers’ Heavenly Angora shown in Red (scarf).
1 set size 7 needles
GAUGE:
Gauge is not crucial but is 20 sts = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
DIRECTIONS:
Loosely cast on 24 stitches. Work 5 rows in garter stitch (knit each row).
Begin working lace pattern:
Row 1: K3, *YO, S1-K1-PSSO, K1* 6 times, K3
Row 2: K3, P18, K3
Row 3: K4, *YO, S1-K1-PSSO, K1* 6 times, K2
Row 4: Repeat Row 2
Row 5: K5, *YO, S1-K1-PSSO, K1* 6 times, K1
Row 6: Repeat Row 2
Repeat Rows 1 through 6 until scarf is as long as you desire.
Work 5 rows in garter stitch.

FINISHING
Bind off all stitches loosely. Weave in ends. Fill wash basin with lukewarm water and a dash of hair conditioner. Agitate very gently. Roll up in a dry towel. Lay flat to dry in shape. Angora will blossom and you will love it!!