Springtime Shawls + Yarn Crawl LA

Spring is finally here! We know that some parts of the US have experienced a more hash winter than others, but it's probably safe to say that we're all equally excited to spot signs of spring - and sock yarn shawls are certainly in that category!

There is currently a KAL happening for Grace Akhrem's excellent new Striped Tooth Shawl design, which uses two colors of our La Jolla yarn (shown here in Byzantine Gold and Orange Amber).

The Sisley Shawl by Mindy Wilkes is worked from the bottom up using a beautiful modified Estonian lace pattern - plus, it can be worn as either a scarf or wrap! It's shown here knit up in our vibrant Candy Pink colorway.

Leila Raabe's Florin Triangle Shawl (shown here in Masala) will be available exclusively at Unwind during the upcoming Los Angeles Yarn Crawl from April 3-6, 2014 - you can also visit the Baah Pop-Up Shop while you're there! If you can't make it to the crawl, don't worry! This pattern will be available for purchase on Ravelry beginning April 7th.

Speaking of the LA Yarn Crawl, we are looking forward to sponsoring this year's fun-filled event! There will be pattern exclusives, raffles and prize drawings, plus workshops and other exciting events, too. Click here to get your free passport - we hope to see you soon!

New Year’s Knitting Resolutions + KALs

Annie O'Day by Amanda Rios
Sample is knit with 2 skeins La Jolla
in My Sweet Valentine

Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a great holiday and that 2014 is off to a wonderful start. This is a great time of year to assess your crafting and decide what your goals are for 2014: Are you just starting your knitting or crocheting journey? Would you like to learn how to read charts or knit cables? Is there a type of project you've been wanting to make, but you just haven't had the confidence to cast on? We'd love to hear what your knitting and crocheting aspirations are for the new year - and we'd like to help you make them happen! We're always adding to our Tips, Techniques and Tutorials board on Pinterest; you can also read this guest post about swatching for your sweater project or check out this elastic cast-on tutorial video featuring our yarn for a little inspiration and encouragement!

Whatever you resolve to try in the new year, we hope that so-called 'selfish' knitting also makes the list! As wonderful as it is to make projects for those in need or loved ones, it's important to also treat yourself to a special project using a yarn you love. We'd like to invite you to knit along with us in the Baah Yarn Ravelry group, where we are hosting a come-as-you-are KAL for the Annie O'Day shawl pattern; the largest size uses two skeins of our La Jolla yarn, or you can opt to knit the smaller size using just one skein of La Jolla! And, of course, there is a chance to win a yarny prize for participating!

KaPOM hat by Mari Chiba

Be sure to mark your calendars for the Holla Knits KAL, which starts on Monday, February 3! You can choose any Holla Knits pattern to knit along (click here for more information); we recommend the KaPOM Hat by Mari Chiba, which uses 3 colors of Shasta Worsted to make a cute bonnet-style hat that's perfect for warding off the next polar vortex! Everyone who finishes their KAL project by May 2 will win a free Holla Knits pattern of their choosing, plus they will be entered to win grand prizes (including some Baah yarn)!

Thanks for joining us this month; we look forward to making 2014 our yarniest year yet!

Hot Knits for Fall!

We're seeing some excellent progress in our Ravelry group for the Scalloped Rib Socks knit-a-long. It's not too late to join in the fun (and did we mentioned there is a yarny prize?) - we'll be knitting together through October 31!

L-R: Pickyxy's socks in Gold Rush, Avalanche's Raspberry Toffee Socks, and Kittycait's Cape Cod Socks.

What makes this knit-a-long so fun (besides seeing all the different Baah colorways being knit up) is that there are also free tutorial videos to help answer everyone's questions along the way. The first tutorial video demonstrates the designer's preferred elastic cast-on method, the long-tail cast-on:

The next video demonstrates how the stitches should be arranged before beginning the gusset shaping (and it also features a cat videobomb mid-way through):

There are more tutorial videos to come which will be based on suggestions from KAL participants, so come join our Ravelry group and get started on a pair of socks for fall!

Mira was recently a featured guest on the Live Sweater Show as part of the 30 Day Sweater Challenge KAL that's happening this month! You can view an archived version of the show here or watch the embedded video below to learn all about handpainted yarns from Mira herself. She also shares a handy trick for swatching, plus you can also find out how to enter to win a sweater's worth of Baah Yarn!

Finally, if you're planning ahead for winter, kits are still available for the Fickleknitter December KAL - but they won't last long! Each kit includes 3 skeins of Baah La Jolla yarn, the Spring in Central Park Shawl Pattern, and two Swarovski crystal and sterling silver stitch markers from Knitifacts. Click here to read more on the Fickleknitter blog; the KAL will run from December 1-22, 2013!