July 2008 Limited Edition Color

Janel Laidman's genious pours out of her new book, featuring 13 beautiful and innovative sock patterns. Preorder yours now for shipment the second week in July. Since they're written for fingering weight yarn, nearly all of the patterns will require just two hanks of Shepherd Sock in Fireworks!

If you've knit socks before, you've probably noticed that the standard 7" double points are a little bit cumbersome. Lantern Moon and a couple of other companies have answered the call with 5" and 6" double points! Options range from the luxurious Ebony Sox Stix ($22 by Lantern Moon) to the equally beautiful Crystal Palace 6" DPNS ($8.90 by Crystal Palace) and sustainably harvested Brittany Birch Short DPNS ($7 from Brittany).

It was love at first sight when we were introduced to Della Q's latest--the Solely Socks sock needle case. It's sized perfectly for smaller double points (did you ever notice how they seem to get lost amongst their larger counterparts in a full-sized case?!). Even better--Della Q donates a portion of the proceeds from all products to Vietnam Quilters, a program that teaches underprivileged Vietnamese women the art of quilting and provides them with a means of steady income. She not only provides them with initial training in the craft, but also with new equipment and ongoing training to ensure they stay abreast of industry development. These needle cases are truly beautiful, and the support a beautiful cause.
Preorder yours in one of four yummy colors now for shipment in September.

You'll need 1-2 hanks of the Shepherd Worsted in Fireworks to make this sweet little shrug for your little one. Cool enough for daytime play, but knit in wool it will be warm enough to wear into the evening!

It'll be cooling down before we know it (and at the rate I knit, I'd better get started on my fall projects!) but I know I won't be ready to let go of summer when it does. Why not pick up two hanks of Lion and Lamb in Fireworks and make this spiral cowl?

We just can't let this amazing new color go unmentioned. Lorna's Laces has launched their Color Commentary series, beginning with Franklin Habit's Franklin's Panopticon. Honestly, I'm equally excited to get my hands on a couple of hanks of this color as I am for Fireworks! If you haven't met Franklin, I have to tell you he has an amazing energy, and something about this color definitely suits him (besides of course that he designed it!). Available in Shepherd Sock and Shepherd Worsted.