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Knitters and crocheters spend a fair bit of time planning and plotting, checking out patterns, jotting down ideas, and scrolling through social media looking for the next perfect project. A LYS is no different — here at Riverside Yarns we, too, are looking for great projects that show off our yarns and inspire our customers. Fortunately, we have many hands that provide us with a range of projects from the beginner-friendly beanie to multi-coloured shawls and sweaters.
Peggy Call is an experienced knitter who has been invaluable in helping us refresh the store samples. She knit many of the classics in the store, including the Love Note by Tin Can Knits and the gorgeous Altheda in the photo above.
Many of you would have met Melanie Merswolke at the store before we bought it in 2019. We have a lovely Weekender sweater that she has made, as well as a cosy Gramps cardigan. She shares her creative output on Instagram at @purls_and_honey, and her completed projects can be found on Ravelry under purlsandhoney.
Lori Savichunas is behind the fun and whimsical Instagram account @caddyshackcreative. And while she enjoys knitting small animals and smaller people, we have displayed a number her shawls in the store that feature the Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze. These projects can be found on her Ravelry page, lorisav.
Earlier this year we collaborated with local knit designer Nancy Lekx to present the Riverside Yarns Family Cowl Knit-Along. Nancy’s designs have more recently been published in Interweave Knits and A Needle Pulling Thread. We were happy to receive her Coronavirus Smackdown shawl shortly after she released the free pattern on Ravelry. You can find her other designs at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/nancy-lekx.
Our store manager, Shawna Katz, has also supplied us with many wonderful crochet samples. Her High Line Pullover is a great example of modular construction done in a versatile and moderately-priced wool blend. Shawna is also a designer, and her work can be found on Ravelry at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/shawna-katz. You can follow her on Instagram at @seak.creates, and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/seak.creates .
We met Johanna Brown in the spring of 2019, as the Saturday afternoon knitting group was gathering at the store. Last spring she made 'Jane' by French designer Mlle Petronille for us, and we’re going to be showing off her Butterfly/Papillon shawl sample. Johanna has also designed an easy Wedge Heel sock pattern for us to help new knitters begin their sock-knitting journey.
When Nancy Luckhardt came in to show us her Butterfly/Papillon Shawl last spring (shortly after the first Lockdown) we were blown away by how beautifully done it was. When she said we could use it in the store, we were speechless. That shawl has inspired a wave of Butterflies, and we’re grateful to Nancy for her generosity.
Kim Allerton is also loaning us a shawl that is inspirational and fun. Her version of Waiting for the Sun (in the photo above) is posted on her Ravelry page: KnitPearlKim. We’re also grateful to Kim for the knitting advice she has given us over the past year and a half, saving us from more than a few fibre disasters.
We were happy to bring Joan Spence on board this fall, and her help in the store has been invaluable. We'll soon have a Frid sweater, knit in super bulky Sirdar Adventure, thanks to Joan. We also have in the store a beautiful Ribbed Cowl, which she designed herself and knit up in Katia Eden.
We love to have crocheted samples in the store, and Zinah Al-Hakeem made one of our first ones, the Dancing Poppies Cardigan. It’s done in Katia Azteca Milrayas, and it still brings a great splash of colour to the store. Zinah is also the maker of a lovely little lace crop crocheted in Cascade Anchor Bay.
Karli Whitmore has been a fan of our Farm to Store Yarns, and has used Woolies in the Country Yarns for mitts, hats, scarves, socks, and much more! She also loves the Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze and Meaford Wool. Karli sent us a gorgeous Self Fringing Shawl knit up in Woolies Brushed to use as a sample in the store. We’re sharing it with Bonnie (Woolies in the Country)! Karli’s projects can be found on Ravelry at KarliKnitter.
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