The door to Wild Purls whooshed open with a gush of wind . . . . . . . . . named Kelly! 

“Honey, I’m home!” , she cried. Kelly always rushes in like this. 

Her familiar hello is always a breath of fresh air whenever she graces our little shop. This time Kelly was waving around an empty (hopefully, empty) brown glass jug, excited about an awesome idea she had for a knitting project for us. 

“You need to make a cozy for this growler! I have too many clinking around in the back of my car and I keep fibbing to the church ladies that it’s my recycling.” 

And serious laughter ensued. 

And then I got down to business.

And this is what happened:

This is Kelly.

This is a growler.

This is another growler (okay, yeah, it's from Angry Hanks).

This is an empty growler cozy.

This is a growler in a growler cozy (at a bar with beer and popcorn . . .  oh, and a foosball table)

This is Kelly's test cozy. I like the button.

And Kelly's red cozy. I like that button, too.

Which spawned a . . . . .Sock Monkey Growler Cozy?

You can knit your own personal Growler Cozy too.

Class at  Wild Purls is coming up in July, so be sure to keep a look-out for more Growler Cozies!

 -Robert A. Heinlein    

Life is soooo busy and can be toooo stressful. Everyone knows it and we all deal with it as best we can.  One way I cope is through my knitting!  It is my little oasis in the middle of all the crap.  I usually have at least two projects going at a time -  who am I kidding -  I have as many as 10 UFO's at once.  One project is always super simple. You know, it's the end of the day, I'm wiped out and just need to sit in front of the TV for a bit and knit before bed.  I also like to have something that is a little challenging,  learn new techniques and have to pay attention. So I feel like I have accomplished something when I am done!

Last Sunday morning, I gave myself a treat by stealing an extra thirty minutes and a cup of coffee as I sat on my deck and worked on a new sock pattern.  There was a gentle breeze, the birds were chirping....   I ignored the waiting laundry and the to-do list and worked out my chart.  When I was done, the laundry was still there, along with the to-do list but in the end the load was a little lighter after my little treat.

Is your knitting or crocheting your little oasis?  I hope it helps you carve out a little me time, because sometimes you should just do what you want to anyhow.

  Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

These are a few of my favorite things."

Inspiration is found in all sorts of unexpected places. I recently knit a hat that was an ode to the BBC show "Sherlock Holmes" and the wall paper in his flat, a few years ago I knit a pair of mittens with a 'kiss' on the inside of one because my daughter loved the book "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn and let's not forget the Gandalf beard hat my son requested.  The internet is full of places I love to visit, places that whisk me away from my odd little corner of the world to a completely different odd little spot in the world.  I hope these amazing sites and the folks who create them make you smile and inspire you, because they really are a few of my favorite things. They all make me feel a bit like Liz Lemon...in the best sort of way.

This is Tom and his blog, Tall Clover Farm, is pretty much my dream life.  He inspires me with the beauty and humor her creates, appreciates, and nurtures. 

Then there's Angry Chicken, the incomparable blog of Amy carol. She bakes, she sews, she home schools, writes books, and is absolutely awesome while doing so.

Then there is Emily Winfield Martin's blog, Inside a Black Apple,  which is chock full or her amazing artwork and cozy life. Come on, she paints conjoined twins...that is crazy brilliant!

Where might a few of your favorite places be?

Do you have any retro knitting items in your knitting or crochet library?

When Sue was working on samples for the KAL, she picked out three classic colors of Melbourne, thinking that it would be a fun summer pillow......but it grew into a bath mat, due to the terrific texture created with garter stitch and great cotton. Many friends enthusiastically embraced this idea and whipped out their own bath mats before the knit along began. We have all had so much fun helping with color selection and seeing completed rugs. Becky's is finished, and she backed hers with fun fabric from Four Winds Quilting (tip:  sewing fabric on the back of it alleviated weaving in yarn ends)!

It was a treat to have the knit along begin so that Sue could start adding to the blanket that she began for her oldest son, Art. When she started it and asked him if he wanted a "color theme", Art said no; however after he saw it a few days later, he said he would like more earth tones. He seems pretty pleased with it so far, but is a bit doubtful that it will be done any time soon. He heads into his Senior Year this fall, so I think I have plenty of time before Graduation in 2014, even with my "many projects on the needles at the same time" habit. Come join us as the knit-a-long continues (May 23, June 1 and 21, July 13 and August 1) We'll keep you updated on Facebook too; it will be so fun to watch them all grow!

Many think that the log cabin pattern is reserved for quilters only.  They do indeed have a rich history with this pattern dating back to the underground railroad.  I love the rich stories, particularly Faith Ringgold's children's book, Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky.  This tale of Harriet Tubman was a favorite for my girls when they were young.  Log cabin quilts were placed outside of safe houses where the slaves fleeing north for freedom could find safe shelter and food.  Since reading this book, I have had a a warm place in my heart for log cabin quilts.

These days, my girls are older and the log cabin blankets being made are knit and crocheted.  This summer we are 

holding a log cabin knit along.  What is a knit along, you ask?  It is a celebration of building community by knitting and crocheting together.  We will all cast on May 11 and let the logs pile up to create many beautiful blankets, bath mats, wash clothes and trivets. The colors will explode along with the fun.

The Log Cabin Knit Along begins Saturday, May 11 from 1 to 3pm.  Everyone is welcome to join the class and sip tea.  What great fun we will have.  Call the shop for your spot in the class.  If you already have the perfect pattern, and in our humble opinion our favorite is Mason Dixon Knitting, then stop by for a spot of tea and begin your very own log cabin.

Steeking is a shortcut used to knit in the round without interruption for openings until the end. After completing a tube, a straight line is cut along the center of a column of stitches, in order to make room for an opening. The steek itself is a bridge of extra stitches, in which the cut is made, and is usually 6-10 stitches wide.

I attached the sleeves and started the little flower yoke....so far, so good!

See the vertical lines running right down the middle of the yoke? Yeah, that's where the scissors will attack!

But first I had to reinforce the steek. So I crocheted an edging down and back up the sweater which pulled the center stitch apart and left a nice little opening for cutting. I used some wild and crazy Sockapalooza yarn for this part!

Now that things are nice and secure...let the cutting begin!!

This is after the cutting. That crocheted edge REALLY DID hold my stitches. The world isn't falling apart after all!

Next I had to attempt the "steek sandwich." Kate Davies explains this brilliant little containment of stitches in her tutorial. My only tip on this section of steeking is to do it as quickly as you can. The less your manipulate your knitted fabric, the less chance that the pesky color-work will start crawling out from the reinforcement! This particular sweater required an i-cord bind off to close up the "steek sandwich." I think it's lovely.

And here's the final product! Thank you, Kate Davies, for getting me through my first steeked project and for the inspiration that your designs create!

Back to my shawl... the yarn is a dk weight, not lace weight, this makes me think I can finish it by the wedding I want to wear it to in August.  So...when I came to the "3 into 9" stitch, I was a little confused, but a video on YouTube showed me it wasn't as tricky as I thought.  It creates a great flower pattern.  I am now cruising and anticipate being finished well before my August wedding.  Wish me luck.            -Becky

They chanted: 

"Bring Budd back! Bring Budd back!" 

Pretty sure they didn't mean the beer!

Well, Ann is back, and with a VENGEANCE. . .  

Only this time she's taming the Top-Down Terrors, and fighting the Fiendish Finishing Anxieties. 

Knitting royalty, Ann Budd, will be gracing Wild Purls Yarns, March 20, 21, 22 and 23. She was originally scheduled for just 3 days, but we had such big demand for her classes, we added a Wednesday Top Down Class. It's such enjoyment for us to see our knitters take so much pleasure in learning. It's a big commitment to schedule one, two, and even three days away from home, family and work, so we, and Ann, I'm sure, appreciate the effort it takes to get to these classes. Especially with the unpredictable weather we experience here in Montana. You might think these classes draw a lot of Billings knitters. While that is true, we always have travelers from all over Montana and the surrounding states.

To show our appreciation, we are offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity! And not just to Ann's classes, but to all of Wild Purls friends.

Wild Purls is pleased to announce that on Friday, March 22, 2013, one lucky person will get to have dinner with Ann Budd at her favorite restaurant in the Magic City. Please visit Wild Purls to enter the drawing.* The winner will be chosen on Friday, March 22, 2013 at noon.

*No purchase necessary.

So please stop in, and put your name in the basket any time between now and the 22nd . . . . . . 

And this could be you:

I decided on the junior version of the Blaithin sweater for my daughter's Easter sweater. I'm always up for a challenge, but when I read that this sweater is steeked, I definitely paused. Then again, Easter was over a month away, and I would grab a back-up sweater from Target just in case!

What exactly is steeking? I had to do a little research: Steeking is a shortcut used to knit in the round without interruption for openings until the end. After completing a tube, a straight line is cut along the center of a column of stitches, in order to make room for an opening. The steek itself is a bridge of extra stitches, in which the cut is made, and is usually 6-10 stitches wide.

So, wait a minute. I'm going to knit this sweater in the round and then cut my knitting down the center to make the opening of the cardigan??? Yeah, I was scared. And really, I still am. I'm currently knitting away on the sleeves and will soon start the cute flower yoke, but I know the scissors are waiting....just waiting for their chance to dice my stitches. I will keep you updated on the progress. In the meantime, if you want to take a closer look at steeking and its magic, Kate Davies has great tutorials on her blog. I will be pouring over them from now until Easter! 

Here are a few of Kate's other designs. They are all available at Wild Purls through Ravelry!

All photos by Kate Davies Design

Sometimes Valentine's Day comes in all fast and crazy; a dozen roses, chocolates, and sappy cards. Other times it's all but forgotten; a shuffle of the feet in apology and a bent up card some time around midnight. But once in awhile, something comes in like a spring breeze in a snow storm, something wonderful finds its way to your day. My sweetie made me a yarn box and every inch was thought out with me in mind.  He recalled every odd comment I made about knitting and yarn and the multitude of ways fiber can be kept.  All I can say is, I'm one lucky gal and he's a keeper. (-Glenda)

The shades of brown crochet afgan belongs to my husband and comes from the hands of my Grandma Freida, who made one for each grandchild and one for each of their spouses over the years. All were different patterns; Cousin Mike's is red/white and blue because he was born in 1976; mine is pink, green, and white because of sorority colors. The white baby blanket came as a surprise gift when my first baby was born and was made by my Great Aunt Edie, Freida's sister, who gave a hand made white blanket to many families for all their babies to share. The tiny little doilies were given to me by my Great Grandma Alice because of my childhood dollhouse obsession. They were rugs, tablecloths, and the occasional sun hat (cheap ring made a good hat band). I don't know if she had these things tucked away or made them especially for me -- probably a bit of both. Great Grandma also made the little red purse for my mother, and then it was passed along to me. Finally, that knitted 'quilt' was done by Grandma Freida for a doll bed. I treasure these bits of handiwork from Grandmothers and Aunties, and have more to share another time!

The Famous Felted Slippers are famous for a reason, they are a great project, people love them!  I finally made myself a pair last winter and used yarn I had not felted before, but sadly came out too small for me.  I promptly offered them to my sister, who loved them.  When her daughter saw them the next day and also loved them, she gave them to her for her birthday.  I am now working on a new pair for my sister and maybe the next pair will be for me.  I predict I will have a pair on the needles for the next little while.  I am happy to do it.  The Slipper class is just finishing up, but the patterns are available if you want to tackle a pair.

Crowded? Yes! Busy? Yes! Knitting? Yes! 

Filling? Yes! Yes! YES!

Of course, we knew our customers were fabulous with their chosen crafts, but they really showed their colors with some fabulous foods, both savory and sweet. 

Here's a sampling of what we "noshed" on . . . 

First,  the SAVORIES! 

Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta and Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini

The ever popular Tortilla Spirals with Pimento Cheese. It's not a party without Tortilla Spirals!

Here we have Sue's Spicy Nuts and, yes, Becky's Balls. Don't ask.

But it you want the recipe for Sue's Spicy Nuts, you don't even need to ask, we'll just give it to you!

SUE'S SPICY NUTS

Ingredients

1/2 t. ground cumin
1/2 t. chili powder
1/2 t. curry powder
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
1/4 t. ground ginger
1/4 t. ground cinnamon
dash salt
2 T. olive oil
2 c. pecan halves
1 T. coarse sea salt

First you must preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Then you should mix the first 8 ingredients in small bowl. Then heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over low heat and add spice mixture. Stir and simmer to mellow the flavors together for 3 to 4 minutes.

Place nuts in mixing bowl, add spice mixture, and toss. Spread nuts in single layer on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven, toss nuts with rubber spatula, sprinkle with coarse salt, and let rest in pan for 2 hours in cool place.

THE SWEETS

Chocolate Caramel Brownies (these also tasted pretty good this morning out of the fridge!)

And as we all know, one can never have enough brownies! Here is Sue's take on Ina Garten's  Barefoot Contessa's Salted Caramel Brownies. (BTW, Her new cookbook, Foolproof, is just that, foolproof!!

We had no idea just how Wild the Wild Purl Girls could get, but we had so much craziness, we are planning to be Repeat Offenders!

Yards and yards of fiber left from precious skeins we selected for precious people. There they sit in my yarn basket, in my stash drawers, in project bags. I look at these yards and think of the fiber, the weight, the person's face and the reason for the project. 

We can't bear to part with these yards, can we? So I set my mind to use them. And I found this lovely little pattern...

The length-wise linen stitch scarf is nothing new, but it gave new life to my leftover yards. The knitting is easy and the stitch looks woven. Colors blend no matter what I use. And in the end I'll wrap a woven story around my neck and have a winter reminder of people I love.

As far as my knitting and crocheting are concerned, this will be a year of finishing.  The sweater I started a while back needs to brought out and finished.  That is all there is to it.  I want to wear it.  I want to be done with it!  That also goes for the crochet bag I've been working on for an eternity.  

New projects abound.  One of the most difficult things about working with and around so much talent is having project attention deficit disorder.  Every week, at the least, someone walks through the door with the most fabulous project.  I can almost feel my knees weaken, my breathe get a little shallow and my resolutions melt away.  

And not to mention the self talk, "I could slip in a quick hat, or that darling pair of mittens in between the projects that I've sworn in blood to finish.  But not this year.  No, I will finish at least two, yes 2 aforementioned UFO's.

Oh no, the doors opened to the shop.  I may go hide in the back room with my knitting bag!

“Dear designer of questionable intent,

Please send me a photo of yourself. Please be wearing the knitted pants that you designed. It's not that I don't believe that there is anyone out there thing enough to wear horizontally stripped trousers knit from chunky wool, it's just that I would like to know whether you are deliberately cruel or whether you are the one woman these would look really great on.”
― Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much

Maybe you've heard that Jimmy Beans Wool is hosting A Mystery Knit-a-Long to celebrate the much anticipated third season of Downton Abbey, but what you may not realize is Wild Purls is crashing in on the fun! Yes ma'am's (pronounced to rhyme with hams*) and sirs,  the below stairs crew is kicking it in high style with the above stair yarn-ocrats!

We are overjoyed and tickled down to our hand me down knickers (Did you know that most maids received their under garments second or third hand?*) to be a part of this amazing celebration and even more so to share it with you.

On December 31, 2012 Jimmy Beans Wool will reveal all the nitty gritty details on the Jimmy Beans Wool blog so we're ready for the first installment of the KAL which will released on January 6, 2013. As with all relationships between the above and below stairs people, we don't know much about the KAL (as well we shouldn't, where'd the fun be in that???); rumor has it though that 1 skein of Lorna's Laces "Christmas at Downton" in Sportmate will be needed or 2 skeins in Shepherd's Sport which can be purchased at Wild Purls online and our in town store.

If you just can't wait, join in the pre-season fun by visiting Jimmy Beans Wool on Ravelry or Wild Purls on Ravelry and jump in on the discussions.

*Fun facts from "The World Of Downton Abbey; The Secrets and History Unlocked" by Jessica Fellowes.

1 Universe

8 planets

204 countries

809 islands

7 seas

2 places Lorna's Lace

Christmas at Downton yarn

is available

Jimmy Bean's Wool

and

Wild Purls

• Robert Maurer, a psychologist who studies creativity states, "When the midbrain is engaged by the repetitive movement involved in many crafts, the temporal lobe is unable to focus on worry or stress".
• Betsan Corkhill, a knitter and former physical therapist says, "When concentrating on a pattern, you're required to be so present in the moment ... even physical pain fades into the background".
• Turning something fairly ordinary, like yards of yarn, into something beautiful creates a sense of accomplishment, activating "... a pleasure center in the brain known as the nucleus accumbens", says Maurer. These pleasure centers release the happiness-producing neurotransmitter dopamine.

If this is all a bit too "brainy" for you, this one about soldiers during World War I is more succinct:  during that war, shell-shocked soldiers were taught to knit as therapy. Keep the needles clicking, fair yarn lovers; you're doing your minds a world of good!

This Saturday, November 24th is SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY.  This movement started just a few years ago and small businesses around the country have jumped on the band wagon to be part of the day.  We all know about Black Friday when large, national retailers open at unbelievable hours for sales.  This year, some retailers are opening Thanksgiving evening for their outrageous sales.

You won't find Wild Purls open.  We will all be home enjoying our families, friends and the glow of turkey day.  My family will be busy with it's third or fourth round of charades.  My dad will say the title out loud, by mistake, as he does each and every year.  My brother will do something completely crazy and the laughter will be heard from miles away, probably even in the lines of rabid early shoppers in front of their favorite box store.

So, black Friday will come and go as it always does.  The big day will be on Saturday when small businesses around the country will ask that holiday shoppers remember the local, small businesses in their holiday shopping revelry.  

As an added bonus this year, Wild Purls will have a coupon, available in the Billings Gazette, for 20% off your yarn purchase (not the total purchase, only the yarn) when you present your coupon.  The add will be run on Thanksgiving day as well as on Saturday.  So all we ask is that you bring your coupon with you, and we will reward you with a nice sale for your holiday gifts.                                                             

Join the fun and shop small on Saturday!              

Never doubt how cool knitters are! 

99 Problems *

If you're having fiber problems I feel bad for you ma'am

I got 99 problems but yarn ain't one.

I got the gauge patrol on the double point needle patrol

Dropped stitches that wanna make sure my mittens suck

Knit critics thats says she's outta luck

I'm a Continental knitter, stupid what type of facts are those

If you grew up with Red Heart in your stash

You'd celebrate the minute you was having cash

I'm like darn critics you can kiss my swatch

If you don't like my socks you just watch

Got beef with Ravelry if you don't knit the pattern

They don't post my adaptions, well I don't give a stitch

I don't know what you take me as or understand the intelligence knitters has

I'm acrylic to vicuna

I ain't dumb

I got 99 problems but yarn ain't one

Cast on!

*adapted from Jay Z's "99 Problems"

Do you have an ornament swapping tradition with a dear friend? A needle felted cookie cutter ornament or a mini-mitten ornament would be the perfect one-of-a-kind treasure.

Have someone on your list who is always on-trend? Make her a knitted headband so she'll look cute even while walking the dog.

Jazz up the ubiquitous gift card with a knitted Itty Bitty Gift Pouch.

Click on over to the Holiday Happenings Workshops section of our website to see even more projects. 

If you weren't around to see the elves in action on Saturday, then guess what? You can be an elf yourself on Saturday, December 1. Register here on our website, drop by the store or give us a call. I've heard Mrs. Claus will also be on hand with home-made cookies....she may even share her recipes!

Waldo and Wenda (correct spelling, by the way!)

  But, of course, budgets are tight, so  homemade outfits are required . . . .  .  and procrastination rules! Both Alice and Melissa are baby knitters, slow enough to whip out two Waldo hats in time for Christmas,

 but not in time for Halloween!

Alice (Waldo) on the left, Melissa (Wenda) on the right.

Using Cascade Pacific Chunky, held double, knit on a size 13 needle.

Pattern: Perfectly Easie Beanie, modified for the chunky yarn.

What if a family, in the not so distant future, walked into a thrift shop looking for a deal on warm knit items for the coming winter? And what if that family found a huge basket filled with close fitting caps in an array of colors and fibers; some bright and festive, others demure and some just outright smile worthy. Above the basket a sign would hang, reading 'buy 1 get 8 free'.

I like to imagine the youngest of the family looking at her mom quizzically, wondering what the items are for.  They're not very thick, not made to keep heads warm in a snow ball fight nor are they especially useful to keep one dry. 

"Oh, honey those are chemo caps. When I was a little girl knitters and crocheters would make them for women who were battling cancer. Thankfully, that's long in the past and we don't need that sort of thing anymore." The mom would say as she scanned the shop for what she needed, paying no further heed to the useless old caps made with love and prayers.

That's my dream and I'm holding tight to that dream.

Wild Purls is collecting chemo caps throughout the month of October for the gals in the trenches, so pick up your needles and hooks dear friends because the fights not over, not by a long shot.

*Author's Note: We should start thinking now about what October should honor when we get this whole cancer thing taken care of...I'm rather fond of 'Awesome Women and Their Yarn awareness month'.

So here is a pictorial incorporating chairs and fiber.

To find the original sources, please link to my Pinterest page, and clicking on each picture. This will lead you to the original artist and photographers

Ann Budd joined us for 3 days of classes this past weekend at Wild Purls.  We had knitters from far and wide attend classes on socks and mittens.  

Simple skills that all knitters know were explained in a new way and the "aha's" could be heard throughout the room.  Ann paced each class so that everyone was able to see the steps of the day's project just when needed.

Friday was a day of cuff down socks.  By the end of the day, the tables filled with darling little socks. Each sock was knit full of techniques to be taken to the knitters next projects.  Saturday was mitten filled with a few twists to the right to make each knitterly appetite ready to tackle mittens for the cooler weather approaching.

Sue went home Saturday night and started a pair of mittens using Ann's book, The Handy Book of Knitting Patterns.  Her husband couldn't believe that so many women knit all day long without a single adult beverage to get them through the day!

The "aha's" continued Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sunday's class was Toe Up socks. Socks were created, torn out, started over, and knit with wonderful tricks and tips for a lifetime of sock knitting excitement.  

As every sock knitter, or for that matter, every knitter learns at one time or another the Kitchner stitch can be wonderful but it is hard to remember all the steps and each person claims to have the rhyme that works.  Most knitters avoid it and are glad when it is done, even though it never looks as good as it should.  Ann broke down the steps visually and thoughtfully so that everyone left with a new appreciation for this grafting stitch. Overheard on Sunday from one friend to another, "The Kitchner stitch was worth the price of the entire weekend!"

Barb couldn't wait to show off her Almondine Socks, one of Ann's designs, with great pride.  

For all you who didn't attend this series of classes, watch your calendars.  We are trying to twist Ann's arm to come again to Wild Purls.  The next series of classes will be sweater design!  It will be another weekend not to be missed.  Thank you Ann and thank you to all the attendees.  The weekend was wonderful!