Next Up, the Linen Stitch KAL, but first.

As promised, I'm back with a proper post about our next KAL - the Churchmouse Linen Stitch Scarf - which we're going to cast on next Friday, June 7.

But first, I wanted to be sure everyone saw yesterday's announcement from The Fibre Company about their newest yarn, Meadow. It's a laceweight blend of merino, llama, silk and linen. I know, right?!, this is the perfect fiber mix for all-season knitting! The 12 colors are gorgeous, as you'd expect and Theresa has ordered all 12 (as you'd expect!). The shipment should arrive in plenty of time to participate in the Mystery KAL Kate & Courtney are hosting on their blog and in their Ravelry group. I bought my pattern yesterday...now all I have to do is choose a color (which I suspect is going to be a hard decision!)

from Churchmouse - the Linen version

from Churchmouse - the Alpaca Silk version

...and now, the Linen Stitch Scarf . This pattern has been popular at the shop for years and most of us have knit at least one. I knit mine back in 2010 and three years later it is still my favorite wool scarf. Even though it seemed to take ages to knit, I've always said I'd happily knit another (I already have the three skeins of handpainted fingering merino stashed). Ahhh, but leave it up to those talented folks at Churchmouse to really seal the deal. They've published two addenda - one that uses Claudia Handpaints Linen and the most recent that uses Blue Sky Alpaca Silk.

Choosing the color combination is great fun. For all three patterns, you need three skeins in three different colorways. Go for contrast to really show off the linen stitch (it will also make the knitting easier if you can easily tell which skein worked the stitches). Here are a few suggestions to get you started. Please don't let these limit you - we have a great selection of all three yarns (as well as the size 10-3/4 needles suggested for the linen version) in stock.

Claudia Handpaints Linen - Mushroom Hunting, Driftwood, Midnight

Claudia Handpaints Linen - Urban Fever, Copper Pennies, Mudslide

Blue Sky Alpaca Silk - colorways 142, 143, 120 

Blue Sky Alpaca Silk - colorways 148, 129, 122

Claudia Handpaints Fingering - Cherries, Old Hollywood, Lipstick 

Claudia Handpaints Fingering - Be My Valentine, Makes Me Hungry, Lipstick

I've chosen the linen for mine.

Euroflax Natural and Claudia Handpaints in Cabin Fever (purple) and Scout's Honor (Blue/Green)

and can't wait to get started...as soon as I finish Pendulum...today, maybe? I'm on the 10th stripe. The rows are really long (good thing it's Friday and I'll have company at the shop for knitting this afternoon)!

So - hope you'll consider joining us for the Linen Stitch and/or the Meadow Mystery. If you have questions or comments, please let us know!