Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Alpaca…

What makes alpaca yarn so delicious?  Alpaca fibers have a hollow core making it warm – warmer than wool – yet breathable.  Alpaca also is less itchy than many other animal fibers.  Many people who can’t wear traditional lamb’s wool can wear alpaca against their skin.  Yarns spun from alpaca fiber are subtly fuzzy, extra cushy, and have an elegant drape making for stunning garments, scarves, and shawls.  For all these reasons Stix has stocked up on some of the most lovely alpaca yarns available including…

… Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight
This yarn not only is a super-soft plied alpaca in yummy colors, but because it’s from Blue Sky Alpacas, you know it comes with great patterns.  My new favorite is “Olga’s Mitts” written specifically for this yarn.

… Misti Alpaca Bulky
This Bulky weight baby alpaca yarn is perfect for gratifying accessories like hats, scarves, cowls, and mittens.  The yarn comes in a great variety of solid colors and is also available in stunning hand-painted colorways.  Try out the very popular “Cranberry  Sauce” hat on Tangled.

… Joseph Galler Heather Prime Alpaca
This DK Peruvian alpaca yarn is perfect for all your medium weight projects. Each skein has an incredible 665 yards making it a great cost-effective choice for scarves, shawls, or garments.

Come by and check out all of these yarns for yourself in our ever-growing alpaca display.

Bobcat Spirit!

Bobcat knitting kits are now available.  Hats, mittens, and a stocking all with your favorite team logo!  Everything you need (except the needles) to knit the perfect gift for the Bobcat in your life.  (Griz kits available if you must….)

 

Indie Designers

Four new books from the top indie designers on Ravelry just arrived!  Ysolda Teague’s Whimsical Little Knits and Whimsical Little Knits 2 have almost all of her most faved projects.  From the stunning Ishbel lace mini shawl to the Snapdragon Tam and Mitts.  And Ysolda tries to make it easier for those just starting more difficult patterns: she gives both written directions and charts so that if you prefer one over the other, she’s got you covered.

The Shetland Trader is written by Gudrun Johnson and this book includes 10 new designs all photographed by Jared Flood in the Shetland Isles.  There are small projects and a few stunning sweater patterns in the book.

And finally Stephen West’s first book, West Knits Book One, is more of what he is good at – hats and shawls.  A total of 5 shawls and 3 hats.  Innovative and unusual patterns!

We also have individual patterns from these indie designers too!