The Holidays Are Upon Us!

Hey there yarn pals!  I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving.  All of us here at Monarch are very thankful to be here to share our inspiration with all our wonderful customers! You are the reason we are still here and still successful! Thank you, thank you! Keep on knitting & crocheting,  and we will keep providing you with the best yarn (and needle) selection on the peninsula ;)
Sorry, it has been a couple of weeks since my last blog entry.  The holidays are here, and it has been busy, busy, busy! Everyone has Christmas knitting (and crocheting) on the brain, and we are getting down to the wire! I thought today would be a good day to share with you some of our favorite last minute knitted gifts that have been very hot during the holiday season. One of our most popular is this 1 ball chunky infinity scarf....

The pattern is free on Ravelry, it's called "Marion". We made it out of one ball Cascade Magnum. We have this wonderfully soft 'n chunky yarn in many color choices. This will take you no time at all! Knitted on size 19's, I was done with this in about 30 minutes...thats one TV show!! You can't get much faster than that!

Here is a good one to share! Kathy Lang, our newest addition to the Monarch staff (and we are so, so thrilled to have her!),  knitted this gorgeous scarf out of 2 balls of Noro Tanabata. Its another free pattern on Ravelry called "Edelweiss Neckwarmer". The pattern is a very simple knit, and it's on size 10's so it makes up pretty fast. I just fell in love with it! You can sew a couple of pretty buttons for a closure, or use a fab shawl pin like we did. I think I'll be making one of these of sure!

This next one has been popular year, after year. Its these little fingerless gloves made out of one ball of Adriafil "Knit Col". This yarn is a 100% superwash merino wool that self stripes! There are some new colors this year to choose from. They are bright and cheery!

Love this yarn! The pattern come free with the purchase and they are super simple to make.  This is a good,  "I've never made gloves before" project.  They are pretty fast too.  I made them last year as gifts. It took me about one glove per evening.  All my recipients were very happy :)

Oh yea!  Don't forget about these Road to China Mitts too!  I talked about these 2 blogs ago, they are super easy 'n fast, and the yarn is super luxurious.  Everyone loves fingerless mitts for Christmas! The pattern is, of course, free with the purchase.

So, for all those picky guys in your life...some knitted beanies! I have got to say, I have the pickiest hubby, very sweet but very picky. He never wants knitted things, but he loves beanies! The patterns I have always used for him or any other guy I've knitted for, are the Ann Norling hat patterns. There is a basic ribbed pattern, and a cool spiral ribbed one. The Ann Norling patterns are so great because you are provided with many gauges, so you can use any yarn you want! There are many sizes provided as well. Here we used one ball of Manos Del Uruguay Clasica...

These are fast and picky-man approved!
For all you gals out there wanting those cool slouchy style hats, we have just the thing! There are these little booklets called Celebrity Slouchy Beanies, that have the cutest in-style hats! There is a Knit version of this book and a Crochet one! In the knit version, I made the pretty cabley one out of one ball Swans Island Worsted, a super soft organic wool that is naturally dyed. I think we have sold over 100 of these little booklets! I had lots left over I might make these cute little gloves by Swans Island...

So there are your Christmas knitting tips for this week...I hope we have inspired you! You still have time, there are 25 days left!!

You know we can't go a week without getting in some fun new stuff!! We have a few new yarns in you must come see! The first is 2 new yarns by Alchemy. There is Silken Straw, and it is exactly what its name is...100% Silk "Straw Like" hand dyed yarn, that knits up so silky & shiny! Joan made this really cool scarf out of 1 ball, our good friend, Fawn, is modeling for me...

So pretty! The pattern is yet another free one found on Ravelry.....good 'ol Ravelry always has great free patterns! It's called 7 Circle, click here for the pattern! Joan is in progress of making yet another, very cool scarf out of this yarn, but I'll need to show you when its done! So stay tuned for that :)

The next new Alchemy yarn is called Kozmos. Kozmos is a hand dyed silk, mohair, wool, and cotton blend. The colors are to dye for! haha get it?! I'm in progress of making yet another cowl out of this lovely yarn! The pattern is Annabella's Cowl by Churchmouse. Its knitting up pretty quickly on a size 9 and it's very, very easy! The yarn is knitting up so beautiful and soft! Can't wait to show you the end result!

We recently got in a shipment of everyone's favorite cashmere by Jade Sapphire!! Along with the 4 ply sport, we now have 2-ply lace available! It's amazingly soft and wonderful to knit! You can't get much better than cashmere :)

Last but not least on our list of new yarns is Swans Island! This beautiful organic, naturally dyed, merino wool, we now have available on a fingering weight! The fingering weight has a generous yardage of 525! Joan is so fond of this yarn she is in progress of making 2 samples! She is making the "Panoramic Shawl" from Coastal Knits. Also, some really pretty, cabled fingerless gloves I will share with you when they're done.

That is about all the time I have for sharing today. I seems like the days are just flying by so fast lately! Stay tuned for more...

Even More New Stuff!!

We just love winter season here at Monarch! The weather gets colder, the holidays are drawing closer, everyone is in the mood for some good yarn. That's why every week we have something new and exciting to share...we gotta keep those creative juices flowing! In fact, I sometimes have a hard time keeping up with all these fun new things. Sometimes I feel I have knitting A.D.D. I get so distracted by the constant inspiration around here!


So, on with the sharing shall we? Let me start with some of the most luxurious yarn you will ever feast your eyes on! So luxurious in fact we charge you to even touch it.... haha no just kidding ;)  It's called Arctic Dream. This beautiful laceweight is an amazing blend of 55% Qiviut (pronounced kiv-ee-ute), 30% Cashmere, and 15% Silk. It's by a small company out of North Pole, Alsaka called Arctic Qiviut. If you are wondering, what is this Qiviut you speak of? Qiviut is truly an amazing fiber. It is the delicate underwool of the Arctic Muskox. It is one of the most sought after fibers in the world because of it's rarity, softness, and warmth. Qiviut is softer than cashmere, as light as a feather, and eight times warmer than sheep's wool! Wild Muskox shed naturally in the springtime, so it is hand collected from the ground, or bushes they rub up against. Qiviut that comes from farmed Muskox is combed out in large sheets. It is then cleaned and spun into the most fabulous yarn you can put on your needles! Arctic Qiviut only uses the highest grade, finest quality Cashmere, and Bombay Silk. Due to the rarity and softness of the Qiviut, it commands a higher price...but it's worth every penny!

Oooooh look at those colors! The price for this little piece of heaven is normally $140 a skein but we are giving you all a great deal and only asking $120 a skien. Aren't we nice ;) Joan whipped up a shawl out of one skien, it is just to die for! Check it out...

The pattern is by The Shetland Trader, it's called "Wast Side Shawl". The pattern is available here as well. One skein will also make a beautiful lace scarf! Get this yarn for unique gift for yourself, or someone very special. I promise they (or you) will cherish it forever!

Last week, if you recall, we got in some gorgeous shawl kits by Art Yarns. The kit comes with some fab mohair and silk yarn with sparkles, and some silk yarn with beads and sequins attached. It comes with the pattern to make a knitted or crocheted shawl. Well, here are 2 new colors!!

Those colorways are even prettier than the first ones! Wow! We only have 1 red one left (I sold it as soon as it went on the shelf) just so ya know ;)

Speaking of kits, we have a new one for you! It's an Organic Wool Baby Soaker kit by Appalachian Baby Designs. The baby soakers are great for those sensitive baby bottoms. These natural wool soakers are worn over the diaper and offer extra leakage protection without irritating delicate skin. The lanolin that is naturally in the wool is also good for the skin. Perfect gift for a new mom and so cute!!

Oh boy! New needles! We got a nice shipment of Serendipity Needles. These needles are hand crafted by a family in Rhode Island. They are made from a nice, smooth birch wood. The tops are made from polymer clay - each set is unique! There is a wide variety to suit any personalty :)  Perfect stocking stuffers!!

All you sock yarn lovers out there...we have new self striping sock yarn by Opal! 6 fun colors to choose from. 1 ball will make a pair. There's nothing like hand-knitted socks! They make and extra special gift for someone special on your Christmas list!

I just love sock yarn. I can't get enough of it. There is a ton of it in my stash. I just have the hardest time making 2 of anything (must be the knitting A.D.D.) Sock yarn does make great scarves and shawls too!

We got in a big selection of new books this week. Too many to talk about each one. Check it out....

Last but not least... some show 'n tell for ya! In case you weren't already aware, I LOVE to knit cowls! I think they are perfect for all climates, they don't dangle in your way, and they are very satisfying to make. This one although kind of boring, and took me wayyy too long, was worth it!!

It is a pattern by Tiny Owl Knits and it's called "Ships & Seaside". It started with a provisional (temporary) cast on, knitted in a big tube, then the ends are grafted into a inner tube. It makes a double thick, extra warm fabric. The yarn is Rowan Kid Classic, a lambs wool and mohair blend. It was a joy to knit with, soft 'n fuzzy. It is a yarn that often goes unnoticed, but it makes a wonderful, cozy fabric! Just perfect for all kinds of knitted garments and accessories. If you love it like I do, come on down, we have the pattern and many yarn choices! We can help you pick the perfect one ;)

Oh So Many New Things!!

Hello again everyone! What a busy week it has been! We have been getting in so many new fun things it hard to keep up! Not that it's a bad thing ;) I hope everyone got to come by and see (and pet) all the beautiful cashmere we had from our Jade Sapphire trunk show. What a joy it was to have in our shop... I wish we could have kept it here! Our wonderful Jade Sapphire representative, Jan, let us borrow 20 fabulous items....

We all enjoyed showing them off! There were quite a few items we fell in love with..

Oh boy...cowls! There was one in particular that caught my (and many others) eye..

It is called Dutch Cowl and is made from Jade Sapphire's 2 Ply Cashmere. Its so light weight yet so warm, and sooo luxurious! I love the color it was made in too. Gotta have it! In fact, enough people loved that 2 ply Cashmere, we have decided to order some. There will be some patterns coming as well, along with that Dutch Cowl. It should arrive in a couple of weeks. Anyone wanna have a Dutch Cowl knit along with me? We all need yet another project don't we?

Although we were sad to see the trunk show leave, we have got in lots of new things! Let me start out by showing you our new shawl kits. These kits are by company called Art Yarns, who are known for making luxurious hand dyed, beaded, and sequined yarns. These kits are just to die for! Look how they come so perfectly packaged...

Wow! This would make a great gift! The kit comes with all this..

and a pattern to make a knitted or crocheted little shawlette. Diane whipped up the knitted version in just a few days. It came out so pretty! Here I am being the model, lucky me ;)

I love it! It's like wearing jewelry. There are a couple more colorways coming in, a purpley one, and a red one. Can't wait to see those!

We are super excited because this week we FINALLY got in out Madelinetosh Merino Light!!! Woohoo! Merino Light is a fingering/sport weight single ply superwash wool. It has very generous yardage, 420! We have 14 colors to choose from. Come check it out soon...It's gonna go fast.

I fell in love with the colorway "Molly Ringwald". It's a really pretty shade of pink, plus it's named after my favorite 80's actress. I'm going to make an Austin Hoodie. I can't resist... must cast on now!

Now, on to the new needles! Lantern Moon came out with a new line of needles we just had to get. They are called Featherlights, and they are not kidding! These really are light as a feather! Featherlights are made from plantation grown woods that are organically treated to add density and hardness. These needles are environmentally friendly, free of formaldehyde and resin. You must come try these!! They are so lightweight, smooth, and easy on the hands. We have them available in 10" straights, 14" straights, and circular.

This week we got in 3 new magazines as well...

and a new book by my one of my fav designers Kim Hargreaves! I love all her books! I admit I'm a collector.

Last but not least some show n tell :) I made some really cute little fingerless mitts out of only 1 ball Fibre Company Road to China.

I have been admiring this yarn for a long time and just wanted to test it out. As I predicted, this yarn is a dream to knit! How can you go wrong with a yarn that has alpaca, camel, cashmere, and silk in it! I thought these would make great Christmas gifts. These are so speedy to knit, and a perfect little bit of luxury for your hands. I wrote a pattern up for them, free with purchase. Here are a few other yarns I thought would be great for these... only 1 ball will do it!

Thats all I have time for today! There will be more to share next week ;)