CLOSED during construction

The existing Hulton Bridge will be closed from October 5th - 19th. The Yarns By Design staff will be taking a well-deserved vacation during the weekdays the bridge is closed. We will remain OPEN from 10:00-4:00pm on Saturday’s, October 10th and 17th. And, will return to our regular winter hours on Tuesday, October 20th.

If you should need any products during this closure, we will be filling orders through our online boutique.

Make Lace In Public Day

Thursday, October 1st from 10am - 8pm at Yarns By Design boutique in Oakmont, PA.



The International Organization of Lace Inc. (IOLI) has declared October 1st “Make Lace in Public Day.” As a charter chapter of IOLI, the Pittsburgh Lace Group will be making bobbin lace all day at Yarns By Design on Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont.

Bobbin lace is a type of lacemaking that dates back to the late Renaissance. It is made by crossing and twisting lengths of thread that are wound upon bobbins. Essentially a form of off-loom weaving, bobbin lace patterns are formed by using pins placed into a pattern pinned into place on a sturdy padded form called a “pillow.”

The Lace Group regularly demonstrates at the annual Holiday Open House held at the University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms. We can be found making lace there in the Croghan-Schenley Ballroom. The Group also demonstrates lacemaking at Pittsburgh's yearly Folk Festival. We have demonstrated and provided talks to several groups throughout the years. Some of you may remember that in the past we were at the Oakmont Library with a large display of assorted laces and related tools.

We are grateful to Yarns By Design for providing us with a place to sit and make lace like lacemakers have since the 1500’s. There will be at least one lacemaker in the shop on October 1st during regular shop hours. We will answer questions, provide an opportunity for people to try their hand on a pillow, show off our personal tools and completed projects and most importantly make lace.

Come see what we have to show you. After all, without the public, it isn’t “in public.”

More information is available here.

Maja-Gima

by Marita Rolin

We fell in love with the unique design of Marita Rolin's Maja-Gima. There is no real front or back. You can use it as you wish.
By using one single thread gives a more transparent look.


© marita rolin

SIZES:
To fit bust
72-76 81-86 91-97 102-107 112-117 cm
28-30 32-34 36-38 40-42 44-46 in

Actual size
76 87 96 107 116 cm
30 34¼ 37¾ 42 45¾ in

Finished length
51 53 55 57 59 cm
20 21 21¾ 22½ 23¼ in

YARN:
Gima from marita rolin - 50 gm balls = 425 m, approx 302 yds.
50 55 65 75 80 gm, A - Moonbeam
15 15 20 20 20 gm, B - Carrot
10 10 10 10 10 gm, C - Sepia

NEEDLES:
1 pair 4mm (US 6) needles
Stitchholders.
Crochet hook 3½mm (US E)

For more information, see: http://www.maritarolin.se

We have a lovely selection of Habu Textiles Cotton Gima and Printed Cotton Gima colors to choose from to knit this unique summer tunic with.


© habu textiles

Our sample was made using Shibui Knits Kavo in colors ash, graphite and poppy. Originating from cavo n. Italian for rope or cable, adj. Hollow. An unusual combination of strength and elegance. With a strong 2-ply cotton core and a decadent silk wrap, Kavo creates incredible knits with exceptional drape and a smooth, luxurious hand. The slight variation in diameter gives this DK weight yarn an organic feel. Intended to be knit on range of needle sizes, Kavo’s fabric is open and airy, yet substantial enough to hold structured silhouettes. The silk wrap adds a subtle touch of sheen, making it a perfect choice for summer wear.


© shibui knits


© yarns by design

The yarn and pattern support are available at the Yarns By Design boutique.

Tolt Folded Bag

by Veronika Jobe


© yarns by design

The beauty of these bags is that you only need to knit a rectangle. The magic of the folding and seaming is what creates the shape! We chose to knit these bags out of a worsted weight linen and cotton blend (garter version), Schulana Kilino using 3 balls, and an aran weight linen yarn (stockinette version), Quince and Co Kestrel using 4 skeins. Have fun knitting these bags in any size and fiber for different options!


© schulana kilino


© quince and co kestrel

FREE pattern

The yarn and pattern support are available at the Yarns By Design boutique.

Linen by Shibui Knits

Clean, crisp linen fiber is spun into a unique chain ply structure for Shibui Linen, their breeziest yarn yet. The quintessential summer yarn, Linen knits up into light, airy garments that become softer with every wear. An array of vibrant colors brings Linen to life and provides a fresh spin on this classic fiber. This fingering weight, 100% linen has 246 yards.


© shibui knits

Below are two patterns we think would look great using Shibui Knits Linen fiber.

DANGLING CONVERSATION by Mindy Ross:
This Flirty Little “NUMBER” doesn’t leave conversation dangling for long, if at all! Quite the eye catcher and ‘CONVERSATION’ starter! This cute little Crescent Shaped Shawl/scarf/kerchief adds dimension with any outfit. Constructed in Linen, it’s wonderful for staying COOL…in the HOT HOT HOT days of summer, and a lovely embellishment in the COLD of Winter.

A quick knit, using ‘Telephone Time’ or ANY time, while listening to the latest stories from friends near & far! It’s even great for TV Time.

Small Version: 1 skein (246yds) Shibui Knits Linen suggested.
Large Version: Double Stranded~Habu Textiles A-148 1/17.6 Wool Stainless Steel, held with 2 ply Lace Merino. (Approx. 300yds used)
Larger Version~(Not HUGE) Wolles Yarn Creations Color Changing Yarn~ (Approx. 460-480 yds used).

Knit with Large needles (US Size 9 5.5mm, suggested for Linen). Any sized Needle works for ALL yarn choices, depending on “The Look” YOU want to achieve. Edges adorned with 6/0 beads. (Approx 400-750 beads, again YOUR choice, or BEADLESS works too)


© followtheyarn

IROKATA by Olga Buraya-Kefelian:
IROKATA 色形 (jap.) - color form, essence of color
This light summer linen tee is right on trend - combination of color blocking and linear geometric lines incorporated into construction without need for intarsia. Worked absolutely flat, this design features dolman sleeve and dipped hem. It also uses a short-row technique for neckline shaping and color direction and as a result requires minimum finishing.


© olgajazzy

SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate

TO FIT BUST SIZES:
30-32 (34-36, 38-40, 42-44, 46-48, 50-52, 54-56, 58-60)”

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Bust 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)”

YARN:
Shibui Linen (100% linen; 50g, 246yds/225m)
MC - color Tar 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins
CC - color Ash 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins

NEEDLES:
US 4 (3.5 mm) circular, 24” or longer
US 4 (3.5 mm) circular, 16” or set of dpns
Spare needle in same size

NOTIONS:
Crochet hook size E (3.5 mm), waste yarn, tapestry needle, stitch holders, stitch marker

GAUGE:
22 sts and 34 rows = 4” in St st, washed and blocked

For more information, see: http://olgajazzy.com/patterns/irokata/

The yarn and pattern support are available at the Yarns By Design boutique.

Scoreboard KAL

Join us this Fall, and keep track of TDs on CIRCs or DPs!



About this Knit-A-Long!

The Scoreboard Cowl is worked in the two (or three) colors of your favorite football team!

The main color (MC) will always represent your favorite team and their points, while the secondary color (CC) will always represent your favorite team's opponents and their points. There is also an option to add a third color, to provide a visual break line between games. In the BLUE, GREEN and SILVER example above, representing Seattle's 2014-2015 season, the BLUE represents Seattle, the GREEN represents Seattle's opponents, and the SILVER is the purl round that separates the games!

The idea behind the design of the cowl is fairly simple. When your team scores, you will knit a round in the MC for each point attained. Did they kick a field goal? That would be 3 rounds. Did they score a touchdown? That would be 6 rounds. Was the point after good? Add another round! Should the opposing team score on the subsequent drive, their points will be knit in the CC (following the same rules noted above). You will follow this structure for the entire game, switching back and forth between the MC and CC depending on which team scores. All rounds will be worked in knit stitch, except the optional, game-dividing, purl rounds.

When the season is over, you will be left with an AMAZING, wearable knitted record of your team's 2015-2016 season in the Scoreboard Cowl!

During the season, there will be weekly prize opportunities for participating knitters, as well as chances for your Local Yarn Shop to win pizza parties and other fun things for those knitting along!



Supply List

So what supplies will you need to participate in this KAL and make the Scoreboard KAL Cowl?

You will need a soft, washable yarn that comes in a lot of colors! HiKoo® Simplicity is the perfect yarn - and it is available at the Yarns By Design boutique. While it is impossible to know exactly how much yarn to buy, we have done a lot of research on the average number of points scored per game and per season, and we are recommending starting with 6 (six), 50 gram hanks of HiKoo® Simplicity in each of your team's 2 main colors, and 1 hank of a third color (third color is optional). You may need to buy more yarn if a lot of points are scored each game, or you may have left over yarn to make a hat if defense is strong! Other than yarn, you will need a 16" US 7 addi circular needle (a second needle of the same size and length is needed at the end of the season when it is time to turn the scarf into a cowl by joining the 2 ends together with Kitchener Stitch). You will also want a darning needle to weave in those ends!

Materials
(6) hanks HiKoo® Simplicity in your favorite team's Main Color - to represent the points scored by your favorite team
(6) hanks HiKoo® Simplicity in your favorite team's other Main Color - to represent the points scored by opponents
(1) hank HiKoo® Simplicity (Optional) in a third color (your favorite team's third color, if they have one) to mark the breaks between games
(2) 16” US 7 addi® circular needles
Darning needle

Team Name: Knit - Tackle - Purl
Below is a list of teams we are supporting.



Pre-registration is required, $10 per participant. We will meet at the Yarns By Design boutique two (2) times during the season. Our first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1st from 6-7pm to introduce ourselves and to select our team colors. Participants will receive 10% off yarn needed for their project(s). Yarns By Design will host a Pizza Party at the end of the season to show off our finished victories, date TBD.


© skacel knitting

Hitofude Cardigan

by Hiroko Fukatsu

As implied by the name “Hitofude”, meaning a single brush stroke in Japanese, this open front cardigan with an allover lace pattern is worked in one “yarn stroke” -- a continuous strand without cutting the yarn.

The yarn stroke starts from the upper body and sleeves worked together in a rectangular piece, then moves to lower body, where the lace pattern increases evenly, creating a gentle drape.


© marjotse

SIZES:
Bust XS 73-84 (S 85-96, M 97-108, L 109-120, XL 121-132, XXL 133-144) cm / XS 28¾-32¾ (S 32-37, M 37½-41¼, L 41¾-45¼, XL 46-50, XXL 50½-54¼)”

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Body width 42 (48, 54, 60, 66, 72) cm / 15¼ (17½, 19¾, 22, 24, 26½)”

YARN:
Approximately 660 (760, 890, 1060, 1190, 1390) m / 730 (840, 980, 1160, 1310, 1530) yards of fingering weight yarn that drapes well after blocking.

NEEDLE:
US size 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 80 cm (32”) long or size to obtain correct gauge.

NOTIONS:
5 stitch markers, crochet hook (3.25 mm), tapestry needle, spare double pointed or circular needle (same size or smaller than main needle), 2 waste yarns. Optional: 1 button (13-15 mm / 1/2~5/8”).

GAUGE:
20 sts and 32 rows = 10 cm (4”) in Chart A. Or 24 sts and 16 rows in Chart A (2 x 2 pattern repeats) = 12 cm (4¾”) and 5 cm (2”) - After blocking, slightly stretched.

We suggest using Sparrow by Quince and Co. which is a 100% organic linen sport weight fiber with 168 yards per skein.


© quince and co.

The yarn and pattern support are available at the Yarns By Design boutique.