Where do you get the pattern for the sweater in our Vogue Ad?

We've been getting lots of calls about the unique Rowan sweater in our latest ad. It's the Cheadle pattern by Marie Wallin and can be found in Rowan Magazine 46.

It's knit in Cocoon yarn...and is absolutely stunning for the autumn.

New autumn Gedifra pattern book is on the way!

Wow! What terrific response we're getting from our autumn ad in Cast On, TKGA's magazine that features the gorgeous Gedifra pattern 1443 in Samina yarn. A lot of you have written or telephoned because you want to get working on it right away.

We've been told by Gedifra that the pattern books are on the way to Yarnmarket and should be here very soon. And, as soon as we have them, we'll post them to our site for our knitters.
Some of you have wisely asked, "Hey, how come you've got an ad for something that isn't for sale yet?" Here's the scoop: Magazines work months in advance. Ads for autumn are typically created in the spring -- long before the books are even available. So, we work with the manufacturers to select the best pattern for our ad, and then hope against hope that the pattern books are available before the magazines are out. Much of the time, we're right.

But it's always a challenge to create ads that show our knitters what's brand new for the season long before the patterns are even printed.

And if you think that's rough, just ask me about yarns we need to send for reviews. I recently received a note asking us to send yarn samples for the SUMMER 2010 issue of one of the more popular magazines! That's a year from now, but editors are busily working away on reviews and editorial for their readers. (KnitchMagazine.com is online so it's much easier to present the fashions that are current AND available! As expected, we don't finish writing it until minutes before it goes online...and we're currently working on our Autumn issue for release this month.)

Please be patient with us about the Gedifra 1443 pattern that is in their 092 pattern book. I promise it's on the way...and we can't wait to get it!

A pox on all you chickens!

One of two of you may have noticed I've been absent for the past few days from my usual haunts on the Internet. I've been other places...mostly on Google and WebMD.

I'm telling you this because someday the information might be of use to you.

Here's what I've learned since last Wednesday:

1. If you're Googling the word "shingles," it's probably too late;
2. If you're Googling the phrase "shingles face," it's probably too late and you have my heartfelt sympathy;
3. Those chicken pox you had as a kid may revisit you in the most ghastly way imaginable;
4. A full frontal assault on a virus can, in some cases, be effective.

Here's what happened.

I woke up last Wednesday with what could best be described as a bright red racing stripe down the right side of my face. I figured I'd slept on it funny, threw some makeup over it, and went to work. It was tender to the touch, but I didn't think much of it.

The next morning, the racing stripe was a glorious brilliant red and it really hurt when I touched it. I figured I'd better call Dr. Martin (the doctor whose scale throws me into a fit of depression every time I step onto it), but decided that a picture is worth a thousand words so I stopped by his office on my way to Yarnmarket.

The receptionist took one look at me, and decided that she'd be able to fit me in to see the doctor fairly quickly.

When Dr. Martin examined my racing stripe, he said the word I hadn't to that point considered: shingles.

Shingles?! Agghhh! I know shingles, and I know I don't want them. I know someone who had them over a year ago and who is still in constant pain. So, I was grateful when Dr. Martin decided we'd attack it with heavy doses of Valtrex and Prednisone...even though he wasn't entirely optimistic.

I rushed to the drug store, then went home to devour my pills and learn more about the illness. I visited every web site I could find -- even the loony ones. And I decided I'd do everything everyone has ever claimed would work against these dreaded, hideous shingles. Because if I didn't ward them off before they really blossomed, I'd be laid up for four to six weeks.

Once I'd prepared a list of concoctions that might work, I got into my car and raced to the local health food/nutriceutical store. There I stocked up on Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, L-Lysine, Rutin, Malic Acid and Colloidal Silver. The Rutin and Malic Acid weren't really related to shingles, but I tossed 'em in just for good measure.

I spent the next few days semi-conscious...and when I was conscious I had an ice pack on my face and I was devouring pills.

And do you know what? It worked! At first the rash started to spread. Then, surely enough, it got lighter and lighter and lighter until it went away. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to have fought off this clucking chicken pox virus. Dr. Martin is amazed, and my husband is relieved that I don't have to go into hiding for the remainder of the summer.

He's also very grateful that the Prednisone made me hyper-active for a few days, and I spent several hours sorting and filing all our electronics equipment. We now have boxes and boxes of stuff -- neatly stacked and labeled, "Television wires," "Stereo wires," "Ethernet wires," "Cables," "iPod Accessories," "Camera Accessories," etc.

It's kind of funny. I was wired, so I sorted wires! Gotta love that Prednisone.

I'm telling you all of this because I think everyone should know that a red spot that hurts (I can't even call a rash because it was just a discoloration), and is confined to one side of your body, should not be ignored. Shingles is a painful and long-lasting illness, and it seems to be cropping up quite a bit lately. I know four other people who've had it, and only one of them got to a doctor quickly enough to fend it off.

So please...if you've had chicken pox as a kid, and you develop a painful red spot, get thee immediately to a doctor! Do not even stop to Google "shingles."

Learn about sock yarns with our Just My Type newsletter

Jan has just released her newest issue of our Just My Type newsletter. Each month, she features a different yarn -- teaching about it, offering advice, and featuring lots of great patterns.

This month's issue is all about rocking sock yarns. In it, you'll learn about the history of socks, find out about some great new sock yarns, and get links to projects and patterns available on Yarnmarket.com.

If you don't already subscribe to the newsletter, be sure to sign up for it at Yarnmarket.com. But, in the meantime, you can read this issue in KnitchMagazine.

By the way, we're working diligently on the Autumn issue of KnitchMagazine, so it's a good idea to subscribe now to our alert. That way you'll be among the first to know when the new issue is released.

New Facebook Quiz: What kind of yarn are you?

What are you? Vicuna? Cashmerino? Silk? Hemp? If you've ever wondered what kind of yarn you'd be -- if you were a yarn -- you'll want to complete our Yarnmarket yarn quiz on Facebook. Have fun with it...and be sure to pass it along to all your knitting friends.

New Berroco Yarns and Patterns at Yarnmarket

We've just gotten in another autumn shipment of the most gorgeous yarns from Berroco and I'm in seventh heaven. These are really terrific yarns in colors you'll love for fall.

Building on the excitement of their original Comfort yarn, Berroco has just added Berroco Comfort Heather. This worsted-weight version of the original yarn is completely interchangeable in all Comfort & Comfort Colors patterns. Comfort Heather is a velvety soft 50/50 blend of super fine nylon & super fine acrylic.

Another interchangeable yarn is Pure Merino Chine. This multi-hued version is more than just a variegated alternative: strands of complementary solids have been spun side by side for a sophisticated, subtle marled effect. The end result is a supersoft, machine washable, 100% extrafine Italian merino ideal for women, men, children and even babies. It can be used for patterns for Pure Merino Heather and Pure Merino Nuance.

I think the best news right now is that we've got Norah Gaughan's latest new books in stock! These include Berroco: Norah Gaughan Number 5 and Berroco: Norah Gaughan Men. You'll want to have a look at what Norah has designed for this autumn. It's going to be tough choosing which ones you'll want to create.

Wacky Baby Knits patterns are wacky fun!

Maybe it's just me...but I'm not really crazy about the typical baby knitwear that's so sweet and precious it gives you a sugar buzz. I dressed my grand-daughter like a Holstein and I'd laugh so hard every time I looked at her that I'd almost bust a gut. The photo of me with my Cow-girl still makes me grin like a fool. I love it even if Madison does occasionally refer to me as her "amazing, insane Grandma."

When the new book, Wacky Baby Knits, arrived I fell in love with the quirky collection of projects that range from the off-the-wall to the truly bizarre. I mean, how many Moms and Grandmas can resist a biker outfit with wings?

If you'd like to knit something unique and unusual for a baby you know and love, check out the funtastic patterns with themes like:
• Elvis, mohawk, and cupcake hats
• Monster booties
• Furry bear feet with matching mittens
• Robot suit and hat

Really...you've gotta love this stuff. It's just not your usual cutesie pie baby wear. It's baby wear that'll make you laugh...even while you're wiping drool and cleaning up poop!