Last Chance for Jaeger!

In case you hadn't heard... The Jaeger yarn brand is being discontinued, so if you are a fan of the outrageously soft Extra Fine Merino, now is a good time to hoard! There are still quite a few balls of it left at 20% off (and an extra 5% for Purl One members), as well as some of Jaeger's variegated Baby Merino DK.

Coming Soon...

Three of a Kind
Originally uploaded by dinahsaurus

...a Decidedly Hilltop pattern inspired by Seattle's Baby Boutique! This soon-to-be-available baby toy pattern will be free with the donation of a handmade item.
If you haven't heard, Hilltop is helping the Baby Boutique collect hats, sweaters, booties, mittens, scarves and blankets for our city's homeless children. A child's hat or booties can be knit up so quickly with leftovers, but can really make a big difference in someone's warmth this winter. Your handknit or hand-crocheted items can be brought to the shop and we will deliver them to the Baby Boutique. More information on the pattern soon!

Hilltop 5 year Blanket

Hilltop recently celebrated it's 5 year anniversary! Accordingly us employees wanted to make something to give our illustrious shopowner Jennifer and we decided on a group blanket.

Can you tell we like group blankets around here? They give us all a chance to participate, with enough variety to play to multiple strengths and keep our interest. Admit that you too would knit more blankets if you could somehow get away with just knitting part of it. :)

Betsy instigated the blanket plan, while Jule carried it to fruition. Martine helped with the perfect Jennifer color choices. Susan traced a shield from the stained glass windows in the store to knit them into the blanket. Jule charted the drawing of the house into a pattern and Betsy knit it in. Kat, Karen, Daphne, Anne and Shannon knit some of the garter squares. Kathryn and Jenny also knit squares. Teresa knit and made it to the seaming party.

Jule based the pattern on Mason Dixons' Moderne Log Cabin blanket. We used Colinette sock yarn (doubled), Kid Silk Haze, and Lambs Pride worsted. We're pretty proud of it and we hear Jennifer loves it. :) 5 more years!

Penelope Vest

Flowers
Originally uploaded by dinahsaurus

After many, many months of procrastination, I finally finished my version of the RYC Penelope Vest that I wore in last November's fashion show. It was just in time to see the original one head back to the sale shelf, because the yarn has been discontinued! (and if you liked that vest, it's still back there, ready-to-wear!) Not to fear, though, if you, too, loved the designs in Classic Woman; Nashua Ivy is a perfect substitute for RYC Soft Lux. It's the same yardage, just as soft, and it even has the sparkle. This vest is in Blue Teal, but it also comes in a pretty green, and a purple, and a cream, too. The wacky flowers are not part of the original pattern, but after all that teal ribbing, I felt that the vest just needed *something.* I'm not sure that it needed something quite so bright, but so far, they can stay!

Gift Knitting

See that look on our faces? That's why gift knitting is some of the best knitting around!



Photo by: Seth Howard

That's Karen, Martine, Jenny, Jesse, Betsy, Kat (me), Teresa and Daphne holding up a group project knit by Hilltop for Jesse and me on the occasion of our wedding! Here we are receiving this lovely blanket at our reception. (Not all knitters involved are pictured.)

It was knit using Lornas Laces Worsted, Cotton Fleece and a whole lot of love! The pattern is from Nashuas' Bloom book which may be meant for babies, but I'm not taking that as any kind of hint. :)

It's been cool enough that we've been able to snuggle under it already! Thank you to the above and to all the other knitters. (Please speak up so I know who all was involved.) We love it.