Are you dreaming of warmer weather?  I am.  I’m sitting here with tissues at hand, cough drops in my pocket, and the teapot is on for another round of hot tea.  I’ve had bronchitis too much this winter and now have a cold on top of that.  So, I’m REALLY thinking of spring and summer, and a time when my feet will be warm.

The Spring/Summer 2010 Vogue Knitting just arrived at the Studio, and inspired the featured pattern for this week, a Sun Dress/Lace Cotton Tank Dress with a lacy bodice using a version of feather and fan.

Okay, I’ll admit, I will not knitting this as a dress.  I’d modify it to be a shell/camisole type of top for me– I’d resize it for my ample bod anyway.  But look at the bodice — not too low, not too high.  Straps wide enough to hide the bra straps.

While the pattern calls for Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton, other options include Takhi Cotton Classic (a mercerized cotton), Classic Elite Provence, Berroco Pure Pima, Nashua Creative Focus Cotton DK.

Take a look and see if this doesn’t spark your inner summer self!

In honor of the Winter Olympics, the pattern of the week is the Olympic Reindeer Hat by Helena Bristow.  The pattern is FREE on Ravelry, and the Studio has the red, white, and blue Cascade 220 in stock.  This can be your own Olympic challenge, since it uses colorwork — both Fair Isle and Intarsia for the reindeer.

Helena has the chart on her blog, if you’d like a sneak peek!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Falling In Love by Evelyn Clark is a wonderful lace scarf for someone you love, including yourself!  While the posting on Ravelry suggests Lorna’s Laces Shepherd’s Sock, just about any yarn you want to feature will do, just size the needle up appropriately.  I would NOT use a self-striping yarn, as that would take away from the hearts formed in lace.  More yarn ideas?  Koigu.  Dale’s Baby Ull.  Wagtail Mohair.  Rowan Kidsilk Haze or Kidsilk Aura.  Classic Elite Fresco.  Superior Cashmere.  Last I checked, the pattern was available at the Studio.

Wrap yourself or someone you love in lacy hearts!

Now back to tallying up those receipts for tax deductions (I hope!)…

Rowan Kidsilk Haze color 606/Lipstick

Wagtail Kid Mohair color scarlet red

Ah, the silly groundhog saw his shadow this week, and we’re all seeing snow as a result, or the folks in PA would like us to think so. I’ve not seen our groundhog neighbor, because she has enough sense to stay snuggled underground in her den!

But given the forecast, I think you might like this week’s selection. I rarely look at the magazine Knit Simple. Why? I’m supposed to be a knitting expert! I work in a knitting store! I’ve taught classes, fudged designs, yadda yadda. But I leafed through the Winter 2009/2010 issue and found item #6 by Elena Malo, a yummy soft coat/sweater made with Blue Sky Alpacas. Item #6 is called “Button-Neck Coat” in the photo spread, but given the inelegant and unflattering name of “Bulky Coat” in the pattern details section. Don’t let that put you off. It’s knit in one piece, has a lovely button closure at the neck, and believe me, if you knit it in the right yarn, it won’t be so bulky. I think the Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes might be the trick to that, given how it’s a knitted type of yarn, and most of us can’t pass us yummy alpaca — and this yarn has a lovely drape.

Look for other yarns that have a drape — alpaca content usually can help with that. Rowan Lima would be a wonderful substitute, as would Cascade Eco Alpaca, Classic Elite Princess, and Berroco Ultra Alpaca. Mmmmmm.