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Greetings!
We have all heard it before, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. If there ever was a time that we need this to be true, it would be this year. This winter has not been kind to New Englanders, nor does it seem, as we have heard from a lot of our customers, has the economy. We spun the needles to see where we were going in both departments and......oh, you were thinking, hoping, wishing we had some good news. Well the weather in New England, what do they say, "if you don't like it, wait a minute" and the economy, we are hoping for the same. Maybe it's just the luck of the Irish this month. A little green on the lawns, a little green in our pockets. Just follow the rainbow; it stops right outside our door. |
| WORKSHOP REMINDER | | |
Only a few spots remain in the Baltic Beret/Vintage Modern Knits workshop on March 26th. Anyone who registers and pays for the workshop before March 10th is eligible to win the workshop for free.
We are also going to pick one lucky person from either our Facebook friends or from our Ravelry group to win an autographed copy of the book Vintage Modern Knits. Have you joined? |
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MARCH INTO SPRING | | |
What's hot for March? To celebrate the lion how about The Lion Neck Cardigan from Wendy Bernard's book Custom Knits done in an aran weight yarn from the top down. We couldn't forget the lamb. Heather has been busy with two adorable lamb projects. Sean (seen above), you just can't knit one and the most adorable hot water bottle cover. (Sorry the hot water bottle "sprung a leak" and was not ready for it's close up yet but should be in the shop before the end of the week. Keep a look out on the blog.)
In honor of our guests Courtney and Kate from Fibre Company, we have a few quick projects for you to whip up. Robin Hood by Grace Akhrem, a purchasable pattern on Ravelry, knit in Fibre Company's Terra, adorned in four funky buttons. Looking for a great spring cardigan, try Hannah Fettig's Yoked Cardigan, sold here at In The Loop or on Ravelry. Hannah was clever enough to size this from six months to adult and we have both sizes covered. The adult version is knit with Fibre Company's Canopy Worsted and the child's version is knit in Jill Eaton's washable cotton, Cottontail. Still looking for that great winter cowl? How about Polly Macc's Wide Rib Circle Scarf made with four skeins of Fibre Company's Canopy Worsted. One of our biggest sellers has been the Saroyon, a free Ravelry pattern, done in Fibre Company's Organik. What a great spring wrap. Susan Shabo, our yarn rep for Fibre Company was happy to stop by and share her coordinated ensemble of the Star Crossed Beret, Iona Fingerless and Cowl, all knit in Fibre Company's Terra. Last off our needles is the Cabled Owl PomPom Hat with the Give a Hoot mittens both knit in Fibre Conpany's Canopy Worsted.
This should keep everyone busy until next month!
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| KNITTING GREEN and OTHER SURPRISES | | |
Since this is the month we celebrate St Patrick's Day, In The Loop is going green.
For the month of March, while supplies last, we will be offering Ann Budd's Knitting Green "refreshing ideas and projects for earth-friendly knitting", for 20% off.
Need some yarn to go with the book? Classic Elite's Inca Alpaca, 109 yards, 100% alpaca, in stock only, 30% off for the month of March.
A new supply of Bradeen Farm's Ellies' Knitter Cream has just arrived. There's magic in this stuff. We can't keep it on the shelves.
Also new on our shelves are the Knit Happy two color mugs, small zip project bags, Fold 'n Go notions bags, and their Uptown bags. Our first order went quickly so grab them while they are here. |
| APRIL KNIT ALONG | | |
 We are so excited to announce our first Knit-A-Long which will begin in April! A Knit-A-Long (or KAL) is a get together where we are all making the same wonderful project. Each of us can choose different yarns but we'll all be working towards completing the same sweater. Thea Coleman, known as Baby Cocktails, a native of Massachusett, has designed a beautiful cable cardigan knit in Classic Elite's Provence called The Golden Vintage Cardigan . To be involved in the KAL, we ask that you purchase her pattern on Ravelry and then stop by the shop to sign up and order your choice of yarn and color. Our first get together will be Sunday, April 3rd at 1:00 in the shop. If you are too far away or can't join in, you can follow the KAL on both our Facebook and Ravelry pages. There is no fee but we do require that you purchase your materials at In The Loop. We're looking forward to this social event and hope that you'll consider joining us. What could be better on a Sunday afternoon in the Spring.....it might even get you out of yardwork!
Enjoy 15% off this project when you sign up and purchase the yarn. |
| COOKING UP CREATIVITY | | |
Piccante Dolce can now be found here each month as Jennifer, who grew up right here in Norfolk, will be tantalizing us with the most delicious recipes all based upon the shops theme for the month. Follow along with us as this rising "Food Star" cooks her way into our knitting family. Ohhhhhh, I can just see the pounds........
Green Eggs & Ham
serves 4
4 eggs 3 slices prosciutto 8 tsps light cream 4 Tbsps Spinach Pistachio Pesto (recipe below) butter for ramekins sea salt & fresh cracked black pepper
1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly butter 4 4-oz ramekins and place on a cookie sheet. 2. Slice each piece of prosciutto into 1/2" thick ribbons. Divide evenly between the 4 ramekins. 3. Crack 1 egg into a small bowl and carefully pour on top of prosciutto, repeat with the rest of the eggs and ramekins (by cracking the egg into a bowl first you make sure no shells get in each ramekin) 4. Top each egg with 2 tsps of light cream and 1 Tbsp of spinach pistachio pesto. Top with a pinch of salt and a few turns of the pepper mill. 5. Bake for 15 minutes or until eggs are set. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with crusty bread and fresh fruit.
Spinach Pistachio Pesto makes 1 cup
5 oz fresh spinach - washed and dried 1/4 cup roasted salted pistachios - shelled 2 garlic cloves - peeled 1/3 cup grated pecorino romano or parmigiano reggiano 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1. Place pistachios and garlic in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment (a blender will work too). Pulse for a few second to begin to break down the garlic & nuts. Add the spinach to the food processor and pulse until a chunk paste forms. 2. Stream the olive oil in as the food processor is running until it is too a thick saucy consistency. Add the grated cheese and pulse once or twice to combine. Reserve sauce for use in Green Eggs & Ham or toss with pasta for an easy dinner. -- Jen invites everyone to check out her blog Piccante Dolce. The recipes and musings of a 30-something foodie who loves her food and her life to be spicy and sweet. piccantedolce.blogspot.com |
| HEATHERS HELPFUL HINTS | | |
In East Asia, spring begins on February 4, which is based solely on daylight and the strength of the noon sun. Embracing this idea, I started my spring cleaning and more specifically, spring cleaning my knitting "tool" bag. As i emptied out the contents, I was struck by many items that were initially intended for another use but I have re-purposed to my knitting needs.
Altoid/Sucrets box: The perfect size for a few stitch markers, scissors and darning needles. Make a few and throw into each project bag! Hint: place a small flat magnet on the inside cover and put your needles there. Voila! No rummaging through and possibly pricking yourself.
Single Earrings: Given up on finding the other earring? Use needle nose pliers or a pencil to bend the earring hook to form a circle and TA- DA! You have a beautiful and unique stitch marker.
Paper Clip: Cheryl uses these in a pinch as a cable needle! Very clever. Unbend the clip to make either a U shaped cable hook or a straight cable hook. Your choice!
Business card magnets: Use two to mark your place in a chart or pattern. Place one on the back of your paper and one on the front, they will magnetize to each other and keep your place. Thanks, Karen!
Safety pin: A quick stitch marker especially when you need to mark the fabric. I hate when I lose track of the "front"!
Binder clip: For keeping pattern books open with out breaking the spine.
Your body: When you don't have a tape measure handy, it's good to know a measurement or two on your hand. For example, my ring finger is 3" long, so I can always make a quick measurement using that information. My palm and middle finger is 8" (I'm 6'1" so yours is probably shorter).
Do you have a tool you use in a pinch, or perhaps even prefer to the "real" thing? Come over the the March Hint discussion on the In The Loop Ravelry board and share it with all of us!
Click here: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/in-the-loop-norfolk/1545800/1-25
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We hope everyone finds their Pot of Gold.
Happy St. Patty's Day and Happy Knitting.
P.S. Don't forget to sign up for our Blog posts and "like" us on Facebook. We have lots of little surprises planned just for you.
Sincerely,
In The Loop
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