MAGGIKNITS Trunk Show at Ivelise’s Yarn Shop: The staff at Ivelise’s Yarn Shop will be hosting an open house/trunk show from 5pm to 8pm. on Friday, August 14, 2009. We are excited to be able to have available for you to see, feel, and try on 16 pieces from Maggi Jackson’s collection (Maggiknits). Innovation is the key to Maggie’s continuing success.  Her designs combine traditional fabrics like Irish Linen with denim, mohair and tweed yarns in a signature style that is uniquely Maggiknits. Maggiknits’ books, patterns and yarn will be available for purchase.  A class for interpretation of Maggi’s patterns and stitch information will be offered on Sunday, August 16th.  Additional information on the Trunk Show and class can be obtained by calling the shop at (269) 925-0451.  Please come, bring a friend and enjoy an evening of fun.  Light refreshments will be served.

The staff at Ivelise is so excited about the newest arrival in the store: Calmer from Rowan.  Calmer is a 75% cotton/25% acylic microfibre blend that sets the standard for all cotton yarns.  This yarn gives you the breathability and durability of cotton, while the microfibre adds the flexibility that is often missing.  And if that’s not enough, the colors are absolutely gorgeous.  Shown below are calm, coral, slosh, kiwi, freesia and cloud.

Calmer knits up at 21st/4″ on a US 8 needle.  Each skein has 175 yards. 

And of course, we have also stocked up on pattern support.  Check out Rowan’s Calmer Collection:

This book includes 15 patterns from well-renowned designer Kim Hargreaves:

For those of you familiar with Knitty.com, you’ll also find this Tempting II  that calls for Calmer.  You can also check out one of the 2959 projects currently featured on Ravelry.

The famous knitter and teacher, Elizabeth Zimmerman, designed the Baby Surprise Jacket  in 1968 and it still remains one of the most knitted baby items around.  This little gem is constructed to be knit in one piece using garter stitch along with some cleverly placed decreases and increases.  The finished piece is then folded and seamed in only two places.  Add some adorable buttons and you have a sweater that will put any baby on the fashion map.

 One thing that makes this pattern remarkable is that you determine the size of the sweater by the weight of yarn used:  the pattern remains the same.  For instance, if you want to knit for a newborn, you can use fingering weight and size 2-3 needles.  Sport weight yarn on 4-5 will give you a size to fit 6 months, and worsted on 7-8 should fit a 1 year old.

While there are many yarns here at the shop that can be used, the staff highly recommends Lorna’s Laces.  This yarn has so many things going for it:  it’s superwash, super soft and comes in bright,  child-friendly colors. 

Plus, it comes in fingering, sport and worsted weights, so you have your choice of any size. 

The Baby Surprise Jacket is guaranteed to put the baby in your life on any best dressed list!