the blue blog archives: knitting in circles

Yesterday, I trudged out in the snow and sleet to visit a new yarn shop in my area, Circles. Best selling-point? A kids' play area and a Friday knitting circle... "kids welcome". Okay, you don't have to tell me twice! The playroom got four thumbs up from my boys. There's a nice separate space with couches for comfy knitting (with a view to the playroom) and nestled in-between is a very pleasant little store with some wonderful specialty yarns from small manufacturers along with other high-end yarns from names like Manos, Jaeger, Mountain Colors, and Karabella. Oooh, she had the most wonderful brushed alpaca from Karabella! You must go to the Karabella website right now, check it out under Yarns - B and then see the pattern they have for it, Patterns - Brushed Alpaca. Too die for fabulous! I didn't get anything yet though. I'll have to plan for something special before I can go too wild in this store!

But I did buy some yarn before the day was out. I went to the opposite end of the spectrum, A.C. Moore, and picked up the Lion Brand Homespun called for in the No-Sweat Pants pattern in the newest Interweave Knits. (See a pic here and hey, I'm up for a pant-along if anyone's interested!)

So, is it okay to bring my $3.88 Homespun to knit at the fancy yarn store knitting group?

posted by alison at 12:31 am | in fantastic fiber voyage , sweatpants?

Comments

Oooh, we really need a yarn store like that where I live. You are so lucky! Experiencing intense envy here.

The sweatpants knitalong (sweatalong? pantalong?) is going to be fun to watch, and you bet you should take your Homespun to the knitting group. Oh, yeah!

Posted by: Becky at February 7, 2004 4:00 AM

My how times have changed! A knitting store with a play area! Sounds like heaven. Take your Homespun and settle in - I'm sure some items will leap into your shopping bag eventually. Can't wait to see the sweatpants.

Posted by: Mary Beth at February 7, 2004 8:24 AM

Sweat pants are on my list to knit. I'm really liken the look. Oh I get to knit something for me. Thank you for alerting me to the up coming pattern. I won't get my interweave knits for a couple of weeks but I'm going to get the yarn now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you

Posted by: Michelle at February 7, 2004 9:03 AM

I've been meaning to suggest a field trip to Circles! I'm glad you liked it. Perhaps we'll have to go again some time. I have sooooo much Homespun laying around. Maybe I need to make pants too? Let me know if you need more - I have some cream color that would make a cool stripe down the side of the sweatpants. Look out J. Lo!

Posted by: Gina at February 7, 2004 9:37 AM

That pattern for the sweat pants appealed to me too! Nothing like having something comfy to slip into in the morning. Especially something that can be washed and doesn't break the bank. I'll pant-a-long with you.. or maybe it should be a "pantaloon" :-)

Posted by: Theresa at February 7, 2004 9:54 AM

Only 3/4 skeins????
Wow- my sweater took 6 (but the yarn was held doubled throughout). And no I'm not huge- a size 32/34" actually.
Anyway, good luck with them- won't be joining this knitalong bcuz I don't wear pants much- I'm a skirts girl myself. :-D
BTW are your sons twins? They are so adorable!

Posted by: Sarah Elizabeth at February 7, 2004 10:39 AM

I would definately be up for the pant along! Now all I need to do is get a copy of Interweave...

Posted by: Jen at February 7, 2004 12:06 PM

Of course it's all right. If you feel funny about it, you can take the labels off and pretend it's something unusual from Australia!

Posted by: Sonja at February 7, 2004 1:04 PM

That pant pattern really appealed to me too. But I'm all about Tuja and Rogue at the moment. No more new projects!

Posted by: claudia at February 7, 2004 3:58 PM

Wow! That brushed alpaca is gorgeous! And the crazy batwinggy sweater on their site - I feel an uncontrollable urge coming on...

Posted by: Erica at February 7, 2004 5:48 PM

Alison, we would have been at Circles, if not for the snow. Maybe we will see you next week, me still trudging away on my wrappy dress and you with a whole leg done on the pants!

Posted by: amy at February 7, 2004 9:34 PM

In Jamaica Plain!!! Geez, why didn't they bury it somewhere harder to get to like the Mattapan. It may be fine for you Brookliners, but how do you get a car to J.P.?

Okay, that's it. I'm opening a yarn shop. Or maybe I'll declare war on a decent existing one and occupy it, then declare it a kid-friendly zone. Stroller parking, cappucino maker, duplos, and all my favorite yarns.

Hey, let's design our perfect yarn store. . .

Posted by: Julia F-C at February 7, 2004 10:21 PM

Hi Alison! Could you add me to the Banff-along, please? I've just started mine. Thanks!

Posted by: Alexandra at February 8, 2004 12:49 AM

Holy cow! If I had a yarn store like that, I'd never leave.

I finished Banff. Photos are on my blog.

Posted by: Jessica at February 8, 2004 2:36 AM

Oh yeah, all locals out there, you should come to Circles. Bring the kids! I'll see you there. Julia, we drove over, but I don't know how to get there from you.

I've started a list for the pant-along. Let me know if you I missed anyone. I realize the sizing is pretty small on these. I'll be sizing mine up. The pattern looks really straight forward, so it shouldn't be a problem for anyone to add a couple or five inches to that hip measurement.

Jessica, congrats on Banff and on finally ripping! Yay!

Posted by: alison at February 8, 2004 9:22 AM

pooh, I won't be able to start the pants until the 23rd, when IK hits the newsstands...

Posted by: Jen at February 8, 2004 12:10 PM

Hey Jen, didn't realize that that was the official date. I'll just change the start date, no problem!

Posted by: alison at February 8, 2004 12:41 PM

Hmm, I won't get IK until the end of the month either, but the pants are on the definite maybe list right now! They look great, and hey, I'd be able to make pants the right length--gotta love that. :)

Posted by: Sharlene at February 8, 2004 1:23 PM

The pants look great in the picture - I may have to pick up a copy of IK too. I think I'd be slightly concerned about saggy butt issues though. Anyone know what the most bounce-back fibre/blend or yarn would be?

Posted by: peggy at February 8, 2004 4:16 PM

If Circles is the kind of place that is so welcoming to children then it's definitely a place where you can bring your 3.88/skein yarn.

Look forward to seeing how the pants knit up.

Posted by: Melissa at February 8, 2004 6:44 PM

what a fun idea - knitted pants. i will keep checking back to see how they are coming along

Posted by: kay at February 8, 2004 8:23 PM

I'd be a little leery of the homespun. I crocheted an afghan with it that was beautiful when I finished, but only a couple of months later looked awful. The yarn doesn't wear very well...I'd be very wary of using it with pants.

Posted by: Laura at February 9, 2004 10:29 AM

Mm, if my interweave knits finally comes in I'd love to pant-along (sounds strangely off-colour) and hopefully my site will be all better too (damn registar)

Posted by: Amber at February 9, 2004 4:53 PM

Oh do please come to Circles again. The store is lovely and we us Circle groupies (for lack of a better term) are real cool. You missed our yarn swap Saturday night. Some of the yarn was not to be believed ! But there were some skiens that would make Homespun look like Cashmere ! It's all good !

Posted by: Judy at February 11, 2004 2:35 PM

Nobody here will scoff at your yarn. Knitting snobbery not allowed at Circles!

I saw those sweatpants in IK and want to make a pair for myself! I'm wondering what they'd be like in a linen, or a cotton/lycra blend.

Posted by: allison at February 11, 2004 2:51 PM

Thanks, Allison, I'll be there! Those pants would be great in linen or cotton blend. The pattern's so neat, I'd love to see someone try to make a nice (ie - wear outside) version of them.

Posted by: alison at February 11, 2004 8:30 PM