Knit, Blog & Be Happy!

At home, I always have my trusty stocked knickknack bag at the ready (more on that next week), and I usually have a notions bag for larger projects, like shawls and sweaters, that live in their respective project bags. But sometimes, when working on a quick, small project like The Shift, I need a few basic notions at hand. With our restock of Firefly Notes Tins, I have finally created a mini notions tin. What took me so long? I do not know!  I would, from time to time, toss things into an old Altoids tin, but over time, the hinges would give...

After a dreary and chilly winter here on the coast, don't we all deserve a day filled with color and inspiration? On Saturday, March 11th, we will do our best to cure the winter doldrums by hosting a Plucky Knitter Trunk show. It will be a happy day at the shop with yarn, kits, treats, and giveaways. And, if you are far afield, don't worry; we will be hosting the trunk show virtually starting on Sunday the 12th!  Nick and Diana will be here to help you make your selections, and if you are looking for yarn for a particular project, you...

I know I might be preaching to the choir here, but at the shop, we always run into pushback when we tell people a yarn requires hand washing. A number of yarns can be laundered in a machine and come out as good as new. But most yarns require hand washing, and I am here to tell you, it is not that hard. So many people imagine this complex process that takes a lot of tools and setup. But it is simple, trust me. Use a mixing bowl in the kitchen for smaller items like a baby sweater, small cowl, socks, mitts,...

When scrolling through my emails last week, one made me stop in my tracks. Woolfolk was introducing their Winter Collection 2023 with this photo: Look how cozy this model looks!  I want to be her (although if my hair were stuck in my turtleneck, it would drive me crazy). Doesn't this sweater look like something you could live in? It is relaxed and easy to wear. I will reach for this sweater on a cool evening or a foggy morning. Hegn, knit in Flette Bulky, is an easy top-down sweater with a lot of ease (between 8 and 16 inches).  Knit in the...

The last installment of my Confident Knitting series is focused on skill building. Whether through classes, online videos, joining our help table, or attending a knitting group, there are many ways to learn new things and keep your knitting toolbox full and fresh. First, my advice to new knitters: With each new project, look for a skill builder. Did you just knit a scarf? Then try a hat to learn how to knit in the round and decrease. Have you been knitting nothing but accessories? Cast on a sweater! Look for a new thing to tackle with each project: cables, colorwork, chart...