The Sharon Show is Casapinka’s summer knitalong, beginning August 7th, and continuing for six weeks. The project is a four-color rectangular wrap, beyond that, it is a mystery, with a new “clue” released each week to guide your knitting. And there are two options—absolute beginner and advanced beginner—so you have a bit of flexibility regarding how much challenge you’d like to take on.

Here’s what Casapinka has to say:

The summer MKAL is a bit later than usual, beginning August 7 and running for 6 weeks. It's also a little different this year, as Sharon From Security (if you are new, Sharon is my cat and slacker employee) has designed it. SFS has plenty of opinions and is always doing battle with Jean From I.T. who causes huge drama.

It's a Cat Knitting Designer. What could go Wrong?!

As far as what you can expect: It's going to be silly, a bit random, and hopefully humorous. If you have high standards for professionalism, you want to sit this one out. If not, you probably want to grab some friends and get ready to knit. Snacks? Drinks? Give-aways? Life advice from Sharon? You'll just have to wait and see.

Taking Sharon’s design instructions into account, I have assembled several different options for the KAL, at three different price points. You can find them here. And if you have skeins to include from your stash, let us help you find something to go with them!

Current open hours are Monday - Friday, 7am-3:30pm, and Saturdays, 9am-1pm. In-store shopping: mask required for the duration of your visit; two customers at a time; avoid any wait by scheduling at yarnfolk.com/scheduling. And we’re always open at yarnfolk.com/shop!

…to learn (and do)

CURRENT CLASSES & EVENTS

Social Stitching via Zoom

Wednesday, JuLY 29, 12:00-1:00pm SOUNDTRACK KAL https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88351111252?pwd=WFpkR2pLaEx4d1dMSFI3OXl4dWJ5Zz09 OR open Zoom and enter 883-5111-1252 for the meeting ID

Of course, you can work on whatever you like!

Thursday, July 30, 4:00-6:00pm https://us04web.zoom.us/j/981942707?pwd=TExyQlRPWnB3OW40QkFZRCs5aVRtQT09 OR open Zoom and enter 981-942-707 for the meeting ID

Friday, July 31, 12:00-1:00pm https://us04web.zoom.us/j/741980568?pwd=bXp1ellFUHNqS0lUaFYvS1ord3Fndz09 OR open Zoom and enter 741-980-568 for the meeting ID

PASSWORD FOR ALL MEETINGS IS 330044.

...to anticipate

This week’s Berroco Drop Ship Projects of the Week feature Arno, a cotton & wool blend yarn with a relatively unique construction: blown/fiber-filled net. You can read about this type of yarn here. In addition to the classic, but updated, v-neck pictured above (Weir), Berroco is also offering Emmi, a pretty lace-front cardigan. Shop for either option right here.

You can also peruse all of Berroco’s Drop Ship Projects to date here. If you see one that is not listed in the Yarn Folk Shop, reach out, as I am happy to place the order for you, and the yarn and pattern will be delivered to your door!

…to inspire

Because no two skeins of hand-dyed yarn are alike, you’ll often see recommendations to “alternate skeins” to best blend the colors. Often, I’ll hear people object that it’s too much trouble. There’s an extremely simple technique—helix knitting—that is straightforward, and eliminates all hassle except having more than one ball of yarn attached to your project. Check out Suzanne Bryan’s video for a clear demonstration of how (and how not) to do it!

(And while you’re there, check out the rest of Suzanne’s YouTube channel. She has dozens of elegant solutions for small problems, and implementing them always elevates a project. Her method for avoiding underarm holes when knitting a top-down sweater is one I’ve shared before.)

...to stitch