Dec 26
“The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias
I am very happy to announce a blog collaboration with Holly. When Holly (who is a very talented knitter, baker and blogger) approached me with an offer to write an article highlighting all the fantastic ways to re-charge your wardrobe with hand knits….well it was simply an offer I couldn’t refuse! Now, I will leave the rest of this post to her. Take it away Holly!
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Year after year, we see recurring trends in fashion. Many staples of a decade have been consistently recurring over the years; trends that were once popular, quickly become a cliche — an outdated icon of a generation — and then return with widespread, mainstream popularity (leggings, anyone?). However, there are plenty of examples of the exact opposite. Every season, every year, there are a few classic items that stand strong, despite the constant changes in fashion trends. These pieces are often apart of everyone’s wardrobe, despite our own personal style or taste, and these are the items you are likely to wear the most… none of which are more prominent than knitwear.
Knitwear goes beyond sweaters, today it is all about the accessories: scarves, cowls, hats, wraps, shrugs, mittens, leg warmers and more, most of which can be worn all year around, not just in the dead of winter. Revamping your entire wardrobe is sometimes just a matter of adding in some season-friendly accessories. For example, pair these stylish “Some Cloudy Day” leg warmers by Tiny Owl Knits (featured here in Plucky Merino MCN http://www.ravelry.com/projects/nancykane/some-cloudy-day) or Mirry Dancers by Gudrun Johnston (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mirry-dancers) with boots and add some warmth for those chilly Autumn days. Wear with ankle boots and extend the life of your summer shoes into even the coldest weeks of winter, or wear under mid-calf and knee-high boots for ultimate warmth.
As for scarves, there’s been a strong comeback for the cowl. Instead of a traditional scarf, a cowl is knitted in a loop, or knitted flat and then seamed to form a ring. The best part? Versatility. Choose a cowl that is the proper length to allow you the option of either looping it around your neck twice, or just once. Check out the Plucky Curacao Cowl (shown here in Plucky Merino Superwash Worsted http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/plucky-curacao-cowl), offering the perfect shape to fit near your neck, without adding bulk inside your coat. Keep it close to your neck by wrapping it around twice, or wear it all year around with just one loop. The elegant cable pattern makes it formal enough to match even your most fancy coats. Looking for something extra chunky? Keep it simple with the Millwater Cowl (featuring Plucky MCN Lite http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/millwater) which can easily be dressed up, or down, with it’s simple garter borders and single, focal cable down the center.
Plucky Curacao Cowl – Curacao Cowl, Black Cherry Lambic & Mint and Basil photos courtesy Splityarn
Millwater Cowl – Photo courtesy Beth Kling
If you’re more for shawls, an absolute must is the Color Affection shawl kit, an amazing collaboration between The Plucky Knitter herself and Veera Valimaki (who brought you the ever famous Stripe Study shawl among others), and what a heavenly pairing it is! Combining 3 stunning Plucky Primo Fingering colorways and the Color Affection pattern by Veera, this shawl has amazing composition; with juxtaposed stripes, blocks of color, and a drapey shape that’s perfect for wrapping up this winter. The kit comes in multiple colorway combinations and will be available for pre-order later this week (week of December 26th).
When it comes to keeping your head warm, you have plenty of options, no matter the time of year may be. There seems to be two kinds of people in the world: those who prefer tight fitting beanies, and those who like some slouch. Mint and Basil (shown here in Plucky Rustic http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mint-and-basil) is a fantastic pattern, that offers not only one hat, but two. One is a snug beanie with an adorable button detail, and the other is a slouchy hat with an elegant, cabled border. Knitted in a warm, squishy and comfy worsted, they will both be sure to keep you warm this season. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, go for the Skinner Hat (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skinner-hat) or Cecily (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cecily) by Melissa LaBarre (both knitted in Plucky Primo MCN) Whether it’s the delicate lace pattern of the Skinner hat, or the airy chevrons of Cecily, these berets will keep you warm with plenty of style to spare. And, with the light weight yarn, they can easily be worn in spring and summer as well.
Skinner Hat – Photo courtesy Melissa LaBarre
It’s safe to say that knitwear isn’t going anywhere, and with so many accessories to knit up for every season, it’s likely you’ll get plenty of use out of them. Some of us may be lucky enough to have knitted heirloom pieces, whether it’s a shawl or a blanket, it proves that knitwear survives the decades, and is just as popular now as it has ever been.
Holly is an avid knitter, baker, sometimes writer, and of course a die-hard Plucky fan. She documents all things creative over on her personal blog: Lucky You, Lucky Me, and is known on Ravelry by the username Shinetastic.
Dec 20
Remember the Plucky Retreat I mentioned a couple weeks ago? Well, it’s now time for sign-ups! Sign-ups will be tomorrow, Wednesday, December 21st at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time in the Plucky online shop. For class descriptions and more detailed information.
Bisque – A new repeatable colorway
Something Blue – A new repeatable colorway
Medieval – A new repeatable colorway
My first attempt at homemade chicken soup. Very loosely based on this recipe with just a few modifications (let the stock sit over night so as to skim off the fat, added fresh rosemary, no-yolk noodles and a little bit of fresh cabbage) and I must say, I would totally make this again.
Dec 16
Sign-ups for the next round of Plucky Classics are now open!
Guess what? It’s that time again. Time for the next installment of the Plucky Classics yarn club. If you are not already familiar with Classics, it is a great way to ensure you get a regular dose of Plucky yarn, especially if you find it difficult to make the updates (time zones, work schedules, etc.). Sign-up and yarn will magically appear in your mailbox every two months. Easey peasey!
Classics (all primo, all the time!) will continue to run in six month increments with shipments going out every other month (which means the next round will ship in February, April and June). I am also very pleased to let you know that in addition to the fingering and worsted weight options there is now a brand new sport weight option as well. That’s right, Primo Sport is finally here!
Sign-ups will remain open until Sunday, December 18th or while spots remain. Ready to sign-up? Here’s the link to sign-up along with all the information you will need.
Please note: If you are a current subscriber and wish to keep things just as they are, you are all set and do not need to do anything at all. Your subscription will automatically renew (based on your original sign-up date). However, if you wish to change your current subscription to a different base(s) and or amount(s), please cancel your current subscription and re-subscribe.
To cancel your subscription: Go to your Account and click on ‘Profile’ and then ‘My Money’. You will see a list of types of payments including ‘Installment’. Click on Plucky Knitter in the list that displays and there will be an update button for canceling the subscription.
Dec 14
Need a super fast knit? Look no further!
- Pattern: Playful Plumage by Leftside Knits
- Yarn: Plucky Primo Worsted, Fat Fish Blue
- Verdict: Lightening fast, easy & fun!
Nov 28
A Very Plucky Retreat ~
Hold on to your knitting needles – have we got something fun for you!
We have been (very!) excitedly planning a weekend of learning new knitting tricks and techniques for spirited and adventurous knitters also known as Plucky knitters!
Your Friendly Vendors ~
Sarah Dimond, owner of The Plucky Knitter, has been dyeing like a madwoman since 2007. Her love of color and her obsession with all shades of gray keeps her very busy and highly entertained. http://www.thepluckyknitter.com and http://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-plucky-knitters
Sarah, along with her sister, Hayley, will be your point person(s) and hostesses for the weekend. You will see Hayley’s smiling face upon arrival and if you need anything at all, she is your gal!
Your Teachers ~
Sivia Harding learned how to knit in 2000 and has been churning out patterns since 2003. Her work has appeared in publication under her own name, plus being featured in online magazines Twist Collective and Knitty, various subscription clubs, and in many knitting books. Sivia is known for her work with exceptional beaded knits. She joins us from Portland, Oregon. Read more about Sivia at http://www.siviaharding.com.
Lorilee Beltman happily sees no end to where one’s knitting curiosity can take them, so she enjoys helping knitters make new discoveries. Although she considers herself primarily a teacher, 2012 will see her designs popping up in a few public places. When not traveling to teach at national knitting events, she has enjoyed tent camping at nearly twenty National Parks with her all-boy family. She joins us from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Read more about Lorilee at http://www.city-knitting.com.
Your Location ~
Downtown Holland, Michigan is a lively and lovely area for shopping, dining and strolling. Enjoy the fresh spring landscape and perhaps some early tulips before the rush of visitors arrive in early May for the largest tulip festival in the U.S.
City Flats Hotel, the first LEED Gold Certified Hotel in the Midwest, will host our group for two nights. Consider coming a day early or staying a day late to enjoy more of what Holland has to offer, including miles of sandy Lake Michigan beaches. Read more at http://cityflatshotel.com/holland, but please do not book your room just yet. A block of rooms is already reserved, and you will want to use the registration code provided later in order to get the block discount. What you can do is make plans to pair up with a friend to share a room, so that you can be ready when registration opens.
Your Schedule: Friday-Sunday, April 13-15, 2012 ~
Dates Join us beginning Friday, April 13. Arrive any time, but you’ll want to aim for early afternoon to shop the Plucky Knitter Open House at the hotel. Our first group gathering will be a cocktail party and welcome reception at the hotel on Friday evening.
After fueling up on breakfast Saturday, enjoy the day with two class sessions separated by a generous lunch hour to shop, dine and relax on your own. Classes will feature Sarah’s yarn and Sivia’s and Lorilee’s instruction, as we aim to make your hands and brains happy. The group will dine together on Saturday evening.
On Sunday we offer a more relaxed pace with a leisurely breakfast, final access to the Plucky store, and a two-hour “Favorite Tips and Tricks” class co-taught by Sivia and Lorilee.
We plan for this to be an intimate event with 20 – 32 participants. All the Plucky details will be provided on Monday, December 19th, including cost, transportation, event registration, and hotel booking.
Sarah will start a thread on the Ravelry group where you can feel free to chat. Stay tuned!
-Sarah and Lorilee
Your Event Planners
Nov 23
Thank you for your very enthusiastic response to the Color Affection kit! Spots are sold-out at the moment, but I have grand plans for offering more kits very soon. And, when more kits are made available I will have a few other colorway options available as well. Thanks again, so very much!
It is with much excitement that I announce a pattern/yarn collaboration with Veera Välimäki, the very talented designer behind such lovely patterns as the Honey Cardigan, Golden Wheat, Water & Stone and the wildly popular Stripe Study.
Veera has come up with yet another winner! Color Affection combines garter stitch, clever use of short rows and more stripes to love. All that, plus Plucky Primo Fingering – it is quite simply a match made in project heaven!
Sign-ups are now open. The kit is currently available in seventeen (yes 17!) different color combinations – truly something for everyone. And, if you’re feeling especially adventurous, there is even a mystery kit available.
Kit includes:
-3 skeins of The Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering (385yds per skein)
-the Color Affection pattern
-shipping included!
You will need needles: US 6 (US 2.5) [4 mm (3 mm)] circular needle, at least 80 cm/32” long. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: tapestry needle, blocking wires and pins.
Sign-ups will remain open while supplies last. Please note: Kit will ship the week of January 9th, 2012.
In other news, there will be a sneak-update on Monday, November 28th in the Plucky ETSY shop. One more time for old time sake I say! The update will feature a bit of everything, including SALE skeins, cashmere, limited editions (Black Water, I’m talking to you!) and one-of-a-kinds. And to make it all the better I’m offering FREE SHIPPING as well.
Thank you, each and every one of you for your excitement, encouragement and enthusiasm for Plucky yarn. It is a true privilege to serve you.
Wishing you a lovely weekend filled with family, friends and all the knitting your hearts desire.
