Unwind - Knitting for your body and mind

Rowan 39 on it's way to Unwind

This is the cover of Rowan's newest magazine, #39. I admit to being a Rowan devotee, but not every issue is a great one. But this time, Kate Buller and her band of fashionistas have hit the jackpot. This is one gorgeous book!! Superb art direction, amazing projects, a project directory to help you more quickly find the instructions (a great idea) and more. You can pick up your copy at the shop or call us to order by phone 818/840-0800. #39 is $23.

I've already made this:

I adored this necklace out of Cotton Glace, and I was in a crochet mood, so I whipped this little delight up last night. I'd show you the picture of mine, except my four year old seems to have made off with it! I made mine with two colors of Rowan Cotton Glace
and one color of Crystal Palace Waikiki as shown here.

The Waikiki is variegated which tied the whole thing together. I can't wait to wear it.

And Mia just brought me the completed version.

I need a new project

Looking for some new projects? Here are a couple of stylish pieces that you 'll enjoy making and enjoy wearing.

How about this Unwind Design that Karyn whipped up? It's a top down cardi knit from Nashua Equinox Stripe. Three balls , and you're done. You'll find the yarn and the pattern at the shop. Call us at 818/840-0800 or shoot us an email at info@unwindyarn.com
It's a great pattern, because you can use any yarn at all!

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This is the same cardi, knit to a different gauge with two balls of Rowan's Plaid. This cropped look is all over the place. I knit this one, and it was a lot of fun. It's cute on with a skirt and blouse, and you can make the body and sleeves as long or short as you want. Since it's knit in one piece, it's got zero sewing together! How fun?

Or how about Clapotis from Knitty? Camille knit this one with one strand each of Southwest Trading Company's Phoenix Soy Silk and Bamboo held together. She did fewer repeats than the Knitty version and a few more than the kpixie version. Play around with yours as you like. One ball of each yarn makes it another great project

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Passion or Obsession

So this is Odessa. A one-ball wonder made in one of my favorite yarns -- RYC's CashSoft. One of our great customers, Barbara, showed us the pattern, designed by Grumperina. You can find the pattern on Mag Knits. You could also make a fabulous Odessa with Optimum DK which we've got on amazing closeout on the web shop at www.unwindyarn.com/shop

As soon as I saw it, I had to start knitting. No matter that I am in the middle of one of my over the top, too many projects at once modes. And I had been so good for awhile. Besides, Odessa would take me one evening to make, and then I'd have a cute hat for my new longer hair. I spent short breaks during the madness of Unwind's No Football Super Bowl Party fondling all the Cash Soft in the store. I settled on a deep wine color that Rowan calls "Opulence." So this would be my reward for a successful Super Bowl Party. (By the way, hope you gals all had fun. It certainly looked like you did. :) )

So I get home with my Opulence and my 16" size 6 circs. And I start knitting.

Now this is where we can question whether we're dealing with passion or obsession.

As many of you know, I do my best to relieve you all of the guilt of what you like to call your yarn obsessions. You'll come into the store, sneaking around, trying not to touch anything. And then you admit your "obsession." I almost always attempt to reframe that as your "passion."

Of course, now I'm caught myself, being obsessive over this darn beautiful Odessa.

Too tired after the long day of the Super Bowl Party, I really only got an inch or two done that first night. But the next day --oh the next day! I'm knitting along as my hubby and I are driving to an appointment. Nearly 5" of the hat is finished. The end is in sight. I can pop this thing on at any moment now. And then, NOoooooooooo. I forgot to bring the double points! And the scissors! And the yarn needle!!

My inner knitter won't stop chanting,"must finish hat, must finish hat, wear hat now, wear hat now!"

So, have you ever tried to turn a 16" circ into a magic loop? You should have seen me. Twisting and turning that silly needle, trying to work the decreases. Please, please, please can I finish.

We stopped to get coffee. Could I break some drinking straws, and use those as double points?! I looked around to see if anyone had noticed that I was losing my mind. Can you believe that I managed to use that darn circular all the way to the end of the hat?

Then the blasted scissors. I rummaged around in the glove box for anything that could cut the end of the yarn. Aha!! Plastic knife. Gnawing away at my beautiful yarn and finally the plastic broke through. Wove the end in with my fingers, and voila!

So the top of my hat is a bit gnarly. It's still a beautiful hat. And I still say I'm a passionate person, not obsessed.

But you be the judge.