Happy New Year

I forgot to post these on Christmas, but aren't Joy and Love (and doesn't the Angel resemble a bell - for Ringing In the New Year) all appropriate sentiments for any day of the year.  

Jennifer knit these ornaments and I think we should have a workshop nice and early "next" year so that we'll all be able to give them as gifts in December 2012 which is just around the corner.

Happy New Year!  Everyone at Katonah Yarn looks forward to knitting and crocheting with you in 2012.

Best wishes for a year of health and good things.  -Liz

Merry Christmas

A big thank you to everyone who donated hats for today's Christmas Dinner at St. Mary's Church.  Because of you, Katonah Yarn was able to contribute 380 hand knit hats to be given out today.

Annie's Quick Knit Cowl

Here's the cowl that Annie knit up last weekend using one skein of Plymouth Yarn's Baby Alpaca Grande Hand Dye.  It's already getting raves and the one above is now in the possession of the person who modeled it for the picture.  I'm sure if there's anyone left on your list in need of a gift, they would want one too.  You can find the pattern below.

Annie's Quick Knit Cowl

Yarn: 1 Skein Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande Hand Dye

Needle: Size 17 straight

The cowl is knit in stockinette stitch, double wrapping every stitch, every row.

Cast on 28 stitches.

Knit all rows double wrapped stockinette until most of yarn is used up.  

You can finish by either binding off and sewing the two edges together (wrong sides facing) or doing a three needle bind off.   Weave in ends and put over your head and admire.

Knitted Gifts and the Gift of Knitting

A hand knit gift is both functional and full of love.  This is the time of year when we're all looking for a scarf, hat or glove pattern that's a little different than the one we used last year.  This year's it's the slouch hat, the scarf, and fingerless gloves or mitts.

While we may know how relaxing and restorative knitting is for the soul, there are those who don't or those who don't know how to knit.  Martha Stewart recommends sharing this tonic with people we care about by giving them the gift of learning how to knit.

And for those of you who know what you want and want your loved ones to know too, there's the Katonah Yarn wish list.  Let us know what you would like and we'll keep the list so that when your friends and family come in, call or email, we'll able to tell them what you want.

How To Knit and Purl

When Jennifer was approached by someone to participate in a how to video for about.com she didn't think twice about saying yes.  One of the reasons she opened Katonah Yarn was to share with others a craft that has brought her immense personal satisfaction.  This video gives her an opportunity to teach the basics to a wider audience.

With knitting and purling under your belt, you can knit just about anything.