Archive for October, 2011
Here in the Bay, it’s getting a little bit chillier. The wind is blowing a little harder and leaves are changing colors. I think I can officially say this is football weather!
I’ve heard it said that the best thing to knit along to is a football game. Use the time-outs for counting your stitches or reconsulting your pattern, while you make use of the exciting game-play to get through the repetitive stockinette stitch portions of your project!
So, as you cozy up on the couch with the game and all that stash yarn you need to get rid of before next year, try some of our favorite football-inspired knitting and crochet patterns.
Football Hat by Susan B. Anderson
This is the latest pattern that has made waves (scored?) at the Nine Rubies store. From Anderson’s book Itty-Bitty Hats, this is actually the real inspiration for this blogpost. We just love the little bobble on top!
Football Helmet Winter Hat by Tracey Rediker
This pattern must be purchased, but you have to admit – it’s completely adorable! Change the colors to your favorite team’s or just to your favorites. Even the adult fan would enjoy wearing this hat on game day.
Football Mosaic Scarf by Sarah Burton
How great is this design? I mean, again, it’s easily adaptable to any team’s colors, but I also think it just looks cool. You could even give to a non-football fan – it could be like subliminal messaging.
Football Cocoon and Hat Set by Tupelo Honey’s
Here’s one for the crocheters out there! This little football-shaped cocoon blanket and little hat are so adorable it’ll make you choke on the guacamole!
If you would like to make up your own design, or use a more basic pattern that could be worn year-round, this blog has a list of Cascade 220 colors than sync up nicely with NFL team colors. Or, if you’d rather use a different yarn, use this list of all the team colors of every team in the NFL since 1922.
To get you started, try using this basic Harry Potter Scarf pattern or Mae’s Striped Team of House Hat. Switch the colors out to your liking, and wear proudly.
Well, that’s all from us! Be sure to tell us how the football season goes for you – for both your favorite football team and knitting projects.
- Nadya the Intern
October 15th, 2011
Almost HERE, as in San Mateo, the home of Nine Rubies! We are hustling and bustling, getting together what we need for our booth, as well as scheduling a special designers’ night at the store! Let me give you the run down!
1. Nine Rubies will be one of the only retail stores setting up a booth at the Interweave Knitting Lab Knitter’s Market. This market is free to attend and open to the public:
- Thursday, November 3: 5 – 9 p.m
- Friday, November 4: Noon – 9 p.m
- Saturday, November 5: 9 – 3 p.m
We will be carrying a whole lotta Shepherd’s Wool in a whole lotta colors (that’s 50, if you want exact numbers)! In addition, we have been winding yarn for weeks now to create enough Dipped Infinity Scarf Kits for the event! There will be more, lots more, and you’ll only know what if you come on down to visit us at our booth (but here’s a hint: sock yarn, Noni accessories…I’ve said too much)!
2. On Friday evening, from 5pm – 7pm, we will also be hosting a special Local Designers’ Night! Carrie Sullivan aka Irish Girlie Knits, and Hilary Smith Callis (of the Citron Shawl and Ceres Scarf fame) will be coming by to show off their newest patterns! RSVP on Ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/events/local-designers-night
October 13th, 2011
A scene from last year's double knitting workshop
Come on over to Nine Rubies for our free staff-led workshops! A great addition to this year’s line-up is a reprise workshop on Thursdays during the afternoon – great for those customers of ours who can’t get out of the house on evenings.
The following is our schedule as we have it now, although it is subject to change (this will be the place where we will change it, so bookmark this post if you like). All Wednesday workshops occur from 7pm-8pm, and Thursday workshops will be held from 2pm-3pm. Stop on by and learn a new skill and catch up with fellow knitters!
October 12, 2011: Lace Squares
You’ll be learning a simple lace pattern suitable to beginners and creating a square for the Palo Alto Veteran’s Hospital Charity Blanket. Bring US 7 needles and about 100 yards of Worsted Weight yarn.
October 19th & 20th: Splicing Yarn
Need to join a new ball of yarn to a project in process? Learn various methods of splicing yarn with Christina. Bring scrap wool yarn, sharp tapestry needle, and scissors.
October 26th & 27th: Multiple Cast On Methods
Learn a variety of casting on methods for every occasion with Christina. Bring 2 contrasting colors of smooth worsted weight yarn and size US 7, 8 or 9 needles.
November 2nd & 3rd: Hexapuffs
Everyone is crazy about the Beekeeper’s Quilt by Tiny Owl! It’s a great way to use up leftover bits of sock yarn and you end up with a warm and cozy quilt for the winter. You’ll be addicted in no time! Get started with Saloni. Participants should buy the pattern beforehand, or we’ll help you buy it via Ravelry at the shop. Bring fingering weight yarn and US 4 double-pointed needles.
November 9th & 10th: 3-Needle Bindoff Once you learn this technique, you’ll be using it for everything. It’s a great way to join two pieces of knitting invisibly! Learn with Saloni. Bring two stitch swatches still on the needles and a third needle of the same size or slightly larger.
November 16th & 17th: Introduction to Toy Knitting
We will be knitting a ball and stuffing it to learn the basics of toy knitting.
October 11th, 2011
Scott Hamilton’s breathtaking mohair pagoda’s are up in the Nine Rubies storefront! They will be on display until October 15th. You must see these in person!
October 6th, 2011
We’re pleased to announce a great addition to the Yarnbombing talk and booksigning coming up Saturday, October 8th: Scott Hamilton’s beautiful fiber creations will be on display.
Scott creates large pillars made of mohair that are meant to be hung from ceilings and walls. These pillars look light-as-air, and allow sunlight and shadows to pass through them, creating a piece that is constantly changing. Ten to Fifteen of these pillars will be on display in the Nine Rubies window. We hope you stop by to support a local artist and see these gorgeous creations in person! The artist’s reception will be from 6-8pm on Saturday night, but if you are really dying to get the first glimpse, the installation will be up on October 5th, and will stick around until October 19th. The artworks will also be available for sale. We will have the artist’s contact information at the store if you are interested.
October 1st, 2011
