New Yarns by Shi Bui!

Hello everyone! It’s another week and yup...we got more goodies to tempt you with! We are super excited to say we are now a supplier of beautiful yarns by Shi Bui! Shi Bui means “elegant with a touch of bitterness” in Japanese...that sounds right up my alley! ;) Shi Bui is based in Portland, Oregon where they specialize in making unique yarns out of some of the finest fibers available. They are constantly searching for new and unique fibers and texture combinations to create beautiful, elegant pieces. They’re patterns are also just as elegant and in style, flattering wearers of all ages, shapes, and sizes. We at Monarch could not resist Shi Bui! So unique, so luxurous, we just had to make it available in our shop! To start out, we have picked 4 different yarns from Shi Bui that we just couldn’t live without! This week we got 2 of them, Heichi and Linen. 

Heichi is a beautiful 100% raw silk yarn with a tweedy, rustic look and a distinct modern edge....

Love the colors! Joan cast on immediately! She is knitting a pattern by Cocoknits designs called “Anna”

This lightweight, layering top is knit from cuff to cuff seamlessly. It is knitted up very quickly on a size 11! The large needle size makes a nice sheer, net like fabric. Just perfect to throw on over a t-shirt or tank to add coverage without adding too much bulk or extra warmth. I can’t wait to see it all finished! 

By the way we are now carrying many fashionable designs by Cocoknits! Here are some others...

Oh how I want to knit that gorgeous drapey tank called “Liesl”! In fact, it would be perfect for the next Shi Bui yarn I’m about to share, Linen! 

Shi Bui Linen is a clean crisp fiber spun into a uinque “chain like” construction. It knits up into light and airy garments that become softer with every wash and wear! 

we still have a few more colors on back order that are coming very soon! 

The other 2 yarns by Shi Bui are still on backorder as well but coming shortly! We are expecting Baby Alpaca DK and Silk Cloud!!! There are many Shi Bui patterns coming in soon as well. Can’t wait! You will hafto stay tuned...I will be posting when we get it. 

We also got in a brand new sparkley, ruffley yarn called “Moda Lame Long Print” 

It’s a “net like” yarn similiar to Katia’s Triana, but with a little more pizazz! ;) When you knit into the top edge holes of the net, like magic, you get a beautiful stripey, sparkely boa!!

How fun is this!? I made one recently and it only took about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs of knitting! Another great holiday gift idea. 

Alrighty yarn pals! Those are the new goodies this week. We hope you are just as excited about them as we are! Before I leave you...a bit of show and tell is in order! Remember last week we shared the new Fiddlestyx patterns? Well Diane, just as we suspected, fell in love with these and made “Emily” 

Ooooh! So Cute!!! She used Cascade 220 Superwash and a bit of leftover Madelinetosh for the leaves. Adoreable! 

Joan designed and finished this darling little kids aran sweater out of our West Yorkshire Blue Faced Leicester (the aran weight) 

Love! This yarn is perfect for cables! This stunning children’s pattern is now available free with yarn purchase. Perfect winter wear! Wouldn’t this be just adoreable in holiday pictures on your little one? We think so!! We figure it’s about a toddler size about 4-5 years. 

Ok! That’s all folks! Check in again next week for more temptation. Have a wonderful yarn-filled weekend!!

Angelic Yarns & Some New Patterns

Hello pals! Do we have some goodies for you this week! Oh boy! Let’s start with some new yarn. Sent straight from the yarn gods (well not exactly) we have new Debbie Bliss “Angel Print”!

Oooo! Ahhhh! Same beautiful yarn, same luxurious contents (Silk & Mohair), but now in gorgeous self striping prints!!! That bright yellow, purpley, blue one sure is speaking to me....knit me, knit me!! Wouldn’t that make a gorgeous Mohair Bias Loop?! 

Now if you are a knitting angel that preffers something with a bit of bling, how ‘bout some new colors of “Party Angel”

you can knit yourself something stunning and sparkley.....then go out for a night on the town! Razzle dazzle!!

Angel also comes in an array of goregous solid colors! We now have some new ones to add to our collection...

now over 25 shades to choose from! This has got to be one of my favorite yarns! I love the colors, the light airy feel....like you are an angel wrapped in a cloud ;) So many beautiful things can be made with Angel from scarves and shawls to stunning, flowy garments. Hold it together with another yarn to add softenss and warmth! It really is a fab yarn ;) 

Speaking of dressing up...we got some new colorways in the “Butin Necklace Kit” by Laura Nelkin!! These Butin kits have been by far the most popular of all her beaded-knitted designs...

easier than you think and a super quick knit! This pretty little accessory would make great Christmas gifts! Hint, hint

Now on to the new patterns!! You are gonna fall in love with these! New by Fiddlestyx Designs - very special, and very adoreable little headwear.....

These are some of our favs. I’m so sorry I can’t show them all! There are 19 different hat designs for your little ones! Joan whipped one right up. How sweet is this little cupcake....

Ouch! I got a toothache, too sweet! haha! I wish we had a baby to model this little sweetie. These super cute little patterns are for little ones from newborn to 5 years. Make a different one for every day of the week! What a great last minute knit for a special shower gift...they will catch ALL the attention! 

Then we have this cute new Little Book of Little Sweaters...

This book has 6 itty bitty sweater designs made just for 18” dolls...like for American Girl or your favorite teddy bear. This is a great learning tool for beginners that have never made a sweater before! Each little sweater is a skill builder...starting from a very simple basic sweater, to a cabled sweater, and at the end a little colorwork sweater! The best part is you can learn all these techiques fairly quickly since the sweaters are so tiny! Then you will have a very well dressed doll or teddy. How fun!! We were thinking about coming up with a 6 week learn-to-knit-sweater class featuring this book. One sweater each week! What do you think?  

That’s all for this week yarn pals! Have a wonderful weekend. If you have time please come on down we would love to see you! 

A Bit of Show 'n Tell!!

Hello again!! Today I just wanted to share with yall some great show ‘n tell!! Diane, Joan, and I all finished something fabulous this week! I feels great to finish projects! Now all we wanna do is start more ;)  

Remember that wonderful new yarn, “Embrace”?. I shared it a couple of weeks ago.... it’s that gorgeous yak yarn with a purpose from Reywa Fibers! Joan Made up a cowl out of just one skein....and it is to DIE for!!!!! 

Here I am trying to be a good little model/blogger for you! ;) When Joan brought this in, after washing and blocking, I just couldn’t get my hands off of it! So soft and luxurious! If you have been reading my blogs you will know how I feel about cowls...can’t get enough of them!! The pattern is by Reywa, and is free with the purchase of Embrace. You must come feel! This would be a wonderful, special gift idea for the holidays. 

My knitting pal and co-worker, Daine, finished a cute little shawl by Steven West called “Pogona”...

Wow! Those colors! Guess what yarn?! That’s right....good old Madelinetosh Tosh Sock!! Everyone’s favorite! The pattern comes from Westknits Book 1. This cute little uniquely shaped shawl takes only one ball of Tosh Sock or about 400 yards of sock or fingering weight yarn. Pogona has simple stitch patterns that are ideal for showcasing a variety of yarns from variegated to soild. Every one of Steven West’s designs are so fun to knit and also very unique! We carry many of his patterns and all of his books - Westknits 1-3 and soon to come out Westknits Book 4!!!

As for myself....I managed to finish up 2 shawls this week! One of them I’m very proud to finish because it has been cast aside for many months. You all remember that Kinetik Mystery Knit Along back in January? With all those beads?? Well....here is mine all finished! 

Yaaay! It feels so great to get that one off the needles! It was quite a challenge with all that lace and don’t forget all those beads!! The yarn was very generously dyed just for me by Joan. I love it, love it! I’m wearing it right now as I’m typing! If you are up for a lacey beaded challenge, then the Kinetik Shawl is the project for you. Although very beautiful and unique, this shawl is not for the faint of heart. 

Up next is my “Coquille Shawl” made out of one of our newer yarns, Fame Trend “Paljett”! 

This shawl is knit side to side with little short row “wedges” along the bottom to shape a ruffle. There is also some “condo knitting”, which is simply using a small needle then a large needle to get the elongated stitch look. A very fun knit! The pattern is free at knitty.com. Only one ball of the Pajett is needed! I had lots left over! Don’t you just love the little sequins in the Pajett?! I love anything that sparkles! 

That’s the show and tell folks! I hope we have inspired you. A quick tip before I go....all these items didn’t just come off the needles looking this good. Blocking is essential to get a good finish...especially with lace. What I do is first soak your item in warm water with some wool wash like Soak (about 15 to 20 mins) 

Then I gently squeeze the water out and lay the item on a towel and roll it up burrito style. Stomp on it a couple of times to get all the eccess water out. Then I use my awesome blocking set by Knit Picks, they are great you can build them into whatever size/shape you need for a blocking board. They are like foam puzzle pieces. They break down and store nicely as well. 

Then I take my Blocking Wires and weave them under and over stitches along the edge. This helps give a nice straight edge. 

I use T-pins to stretch the wires outward and pin it down. This helps open up any lace pattern so it is more visible. I also use the T-Pins to help pin out points like on the edge of a shawl....

I then let it dry compleatly. Then voila! It’s like magic. The difference is just astonishing. All the tools I used are available right here at Monarch. Please come by or call if you need any more tips on blocking. We are always happy to help fellow knitters! 

Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece

Howdy yarn pals! Just a quick update today! We got in a new yarn from Brown Sheep - Cotton Fleece!! yaaaay! What a wonderful yarn it is too. It’s a worsted weight 80% cotton, 20% merino wool and it is super squishy soft!! The colors are vibrant and cheery, just perfect for the kiddies :) Also..for us big kids too! I’d just love a little summer top out of this yarn. It feels great against your skin. 

We love Brown Sheep Yarns! All American made! More colors to come! There is a brand new book out featuring this great yarn. Do you remember Phoebe’s Sweater and Freddie’s Blanket?

These are very sweet children’s story books but in the back are knitting patterns to go with the story! These books also feature this yarn. The new book is called Phoebe’s Birthday

It’s a story about little Phoebe Mouse (who is about to turn 6) and her family going on a summer trip to the beach where they stay in a little toy boat that has washed up on the beach. In the story Phoebe overcomes a fear of learning to swim and gets a special handknit dress for her birthday made by Grandma in her favorite color! Of course, what does every little girl want....PINK!! Such a sweet story! The pattern to make Phoebe’s dress is incuded along with a cute little beach romper, tunic, a quilt, and even a cute little sewn Mermouse!!

Too cute! We love it and we know you will too. Don’t forget...there is also Brown Sheep Serendipity Tweed. Another great choice for these projects or summer wear or really any time of year wear! It’s a worsted weight cotton wool blend just like Cotton Fleece. Lots of good colors!

Oh yes! The new Debbie Bliss Fall/Winter Magazine is out! It’s full of great winter ideas....gettin ready for the holidays. There are beautiful scarves, lacey shawls, cabley sweaters, and more! All featuring Debbie Bliss’s fantastic yarns! Come get your copy now!!

Last thing I want to share is a bit of adoreable show ‘n tell! Diane just finished the cutest little cotton dress out of Debbie Bliss Eco Baby...

So so cute! I wish we had a baby to model this! The pattern is by Never Not Knitting and it’s called “Very Cherry”. Very adoreable! Diane made the 6 month size here and only needed 3 balls of Eco Baby. The size range is great too, the pattern goes from 3 months to 6 years! We have great color choices in the Eco Baby, over a dozen colors to choose from!

Thats about all we have this week but stay tuned, we have alot of fun new stuff coming! I can’t wait to share :) Have a great weekend everyone! 

Embrace the Yak!

Hello everybody!! Happy August....geez it’s August already!? This week we have another really special yarn to show you! This yarn comes from a small company called Reywa Fibers. The wonderful team of people at Reywa have been working together in Tibetan communities in China since 2004. Reywa (meaning “hope” in Tibetan) works in community development, running projects focused on education and enviornmental preservation. The vast majority of the world’s yaks reside in the Tibetan Plateau. The grasslands are deteriorating, meaning yaks are not able to produce as much milk as in the past. Costs of living are increasing, the cost of education for children is increasing. Many nomad families in these regions struggle desperately to make ends meet. With the extremely soft and warm yak down that is collected by Tibetan nomads, Reywa created an exqusite yarn appropritely called “Embrace”. Yak down is not only luxuriously soft, it also has hypo-allergenic properties, has extreme breatheability and insulating properties, and has natural water resistance!

Through educational sponsorship for children of impoverished Tibetan families and by funding initiatives for grasslands preservation, Reywa invests directly in the communites that make their yarn possible. A yarn with a purpose! We are proud to support such a cause. We hope to continue to support Reywa in their cause! Help us help them by purchasing this wonderful yarn! All it will take is one touch and you will be in love. Joan made some simple fingerless gloves out of just one skein...

These are to die for!!! Pattern is available free with purchase. Right now we have the natural color which is a nice chocolatey brown, and a pretty purple color. We have more coming very soon here is a sneek peek...

Oh boy! Can’t wait! If you would like to read a bit more about Reywa Fibers, please click here to visit their blog. 

That’s about all I have time for this week! Busy, busy, busy! :) Before I leave you I gotta tell you we got in a brand new issue of Interweave Knits yesterday!

Come get a copy before they sell out! They always seem to sell out fast too! Have a great weekend yarn pals!!