Windy Cities 🌬️

May 12, 2026

Ya gotta laugh and shake your head when you travel 1900 miles from home and the predominant weather feature at your destination is the same as home.... (It was a little warmer and drier in Ellensburg than Chicago, though!)

As you can see, I have plenty to think about, and lots of decisions to make for fall. Somehow all of that came out of the same carryon rolling bag and my backpack I left with, with just a little bit of overflow into a canvas tote. Maybe next year I will break down and take an actual full-sized suitcase??

It was a good trip, and not only did I get to see lots of yarn and other merchandise, I also spent time with shop owner friends I only see in person once a year, took a couple of classes, and had the chance to hear Natalie Chanin give a keynote address!

…mark your calendars

Social Stitching

Every Saturday, 2-4p

Every Tuesday, 10a-12p

Stitch Every Day in May

Our annual challenge! May 1-31

Trunk Show with Palouse Yarn

June 4-7, In person spinning with Shelley June 4, 11a - 5p

…new in the shop

Since we weren't really in "receiving mode" last week, I am going to use this space to highlight a couple of special LYS Day items we still have stock of.

First off, the Patina kits from Urth Yarns. I wish I'd had time to work up a sample prior to LYS Day--but I just didn't. Patina is a very wearable keyhole scarf--designed to stay in place without much fussing. The kits come with a skein of Urth's "16", a 16 micron fingering weight Merino wool. Microns are how we measure the softness of fibers, and the lower the value, the softer the fiber. As a point of reference, 16 microns is the demarcation between Grade B and Grade A cashmere. In these kits, 16 is paired with Bonmoher, a 60/40 super kid mohair/silk blend. When Rachel from Urth paid me a visit six weeks or so ago, she had a sample of the scarf, and it was just so lovely. We have four colors of the kits.

We also have some Oh Snap project bags from Della Q in LYS Day exclusive designs. The white set comes with two sizes, one XL and one L (11x14 and 8x10), and the red/pink/purple set has three graduated sizes (4x6, 6x8, and 8x10). The strong mesh lets you see what is inside, and the snaps at the top openings keep the contents secure. These are limited edition designs, so when they're gone, they are gone!

…to inspire

We barely got the second batch of the new yarn from Gepard put out before I left for Chicago, which means that I had extra time to think about what I want to make for samples. Right now I'm focusing on the two lighter weight yarns, My Fine Wool and CottonWool 3, and here are some lightweight tees I'm eyeing. Joji Locatelli's new pattern, Orchidee, is pictured above.

...currently stitching

I finished the Hiesu Sweater using Laine x Novita 4ply held with a strand of Aerial kid silk mohair. It was a relatively fast knit on 5mm needles, but the tubular cast off edgings did take me longer than planned, in no small part because I kept trying to do them at dumb times. (The entire bottom hem on the outbound plane? Really? 🤦🏻) It is lightweight and comfortable, and I think it will be easy to layer into the fall.

The Golden Hour Shawl is 10 or so (long) rows from completion but the Ellington Bandana is treating me to ever-shorter rows. I am trying to make myself finish both of these before casting on something new!