Favorite Stitches and Why

Garter - Knit every row. In the round, knit one row, purl one row.

It's a soft squishy texture that doesn't take much concentration but it's bouncy, "double pain" fabric make for a comfortable, warm garment or accessory. Looking for a travel project? A super warm scarf? Or want something to lay flat? Garter stitch is the way to go.

Cables - twisting stitches to lay over one another.

With anything, you throw a cable in there it looks classy. It may eat up more yarn but if you want to jazz up a plain piece, put a cable on it. They chart well and make your knitting interesting without getting too complex. Think of any traditional or sophisticated looking knitting and most likely it has a cable on it.

 Short Rows - a method of knitting where you stop short of a full row, turn your work and knit back. It creates dimension, depth, curves or allows for shaping with different colors. Prime examples, sock heels, earflaps or collars.

This technique or stitch allows you to do so much to your knitting. It gives you the option to have your garments fit better or have the extra shaping you were looking for without having to knit an extra piece. It really grants you the ability to play with color and shapes.

Local Inspiration

Aren't these gorgeous? Wisteria happen to grow right outside our shop and it's that time of year for them to bloom to their beautiful purple and ripple in the wind.

Since the color and flowers are mesmerizing, I thought I would put together a project based on this lovely vine.

Pattern: Diving In (recipe)

Designer: Mam'zelle Flo

Yarn: Ballad by Jojoland, 100% Wool

Colors: Deep Lavender (268), Quiet Green (413)

 

 The light striping in the beginning of the pattern allows you to bring the subtle green of the Wisteria Vine and the then the purple just amps up the beauty for the main part of the shawl. It's an interesting piece to knit and it's always fun making something inspired by something else. Makes for a good story.

 

"Why did you choose this project." "Because it reminds me of Wisteria." "Oh my goodness, it totally does!" See what I'm saying? If you feel like taking a whack at it, come on in and we'll hook you up or come up with a project using your own inspirations. 

Our Best Sellers

These are our heavy hitters, the yarns that walks out of here the most. It's a wide range of fiber content, weights and prices but I like that we aren't good for just one thing. Check it out and then come on in and feel for yourself why these bad boys are super popular.

Uptown Worsted, 100% Acrylic. It's soft, washable and inexpensive.

Malabrigo Worsted, 100% Merino. It's a kettled dyed, singly ply yarn that always makes your projects pop.

Cherub Aran, 55% Nylon, 45% Acrylic. Soft, washable, inexpensive, tons of colors and we can get it in quick for you.

Silky Wool, 45% Wool, 35% Silk, 20% Nylon (Polyamide). DK weight, cool feeling yarn, Fun mix of colors that have a speckled feel, perfect for a summer project.

Chalet, 70% Alpaca, 30% Bamboo. A chunky weight ultra warm, ultra soft, ultra light weight yarn that is perfect for that luxury knitted piece you've been holding out for.

Melody, 100% Wool. A washable, light fingering weight yarn. Great for shawls, socks or light weight projects in general. 

Madelinetosh Vintage, 100% Merino. Hand Dyed, that's all you need to know. Vintage is pictured but anything from this woman you all seem to love.

We try and keep these stocked with a variety of colors as we know how you like them. Don't be fooled though, we have tons of other yarns that can satisfy a fiber craving.

Pattern Holders

Check these out guys. Ever sitting at a table and knitting and you have to uncross your legs, lean forward and look down at your pattern lying on the table? Well look no further for a solution because here it is. Pattern holders by Tango Tango Designs exclusively at Got Your Goat.

Pull this little cutie out, plop it on the table and prop up your pattern and knit without interruption. It comes in two sizes and has fun, colorful designs that will brighten your mobile knitting area. Come on by and take a look.

Resolution Review

It's the end of January and those resolutions have had some time to settle in and be tested. How are they holding up? Rethinking that pledge to not buy any new yarn? Or possibly giving up coke or sugar or caffeine now seems like a bad idea?

We didn't make any resolutions as a group here but we do see the benefits of taking the New Year as a time to re-situate yourself for the next 12 months.

If I were to make some knitting resolutions, they would go something like this:

1. I resolve to bust out my gift/stamp cards and indulge myself with some Alpaca and possibly a new bag. Seriously, I have my eye on both of these things.

2. I resolve to keep my greasy snacking to a minimum while I'm knitting, either that or invest in some really awesome paper towels.

3. I resolve to finish all of my works in prog..........I can't even finish that sentence, all of my bags of W.I.P. are laughing at me.

4. I resolve to invest in some good audio books and give my TV a break while I'm knitting. Maybe I'll learn something too, nah, fiction here I come.

5. I resolve to tell my husband about every yarn purchase I make this year.......dun, dun duunnnn. That will definitely keep the stash at a minimum.

I think five resolution ought to do it. If by now you have conquered your resolutions or feel like adding a few more or hey, you want to start, feel free to pick up any of these. Good luck with your reformation!

Books and Yarn

Today I'm thinking of my happy places.  I am guessing that many of you share my love for these destinations, a book shop and a yarn shop. I can spend hours in either one of these two. The endless possibilities of getting lost in an imaginary world or a genuine love story or ticking off one of those classics on the list. Or touching so much soft yarn your skin starts to feel more smooth or daydreaming about patterns to go with the alpaca you just found or "investing" in another needle set. These places just get me.

Now we don't have the space to pull this off at the shop but wouldn't it be great to combine the two? Raise your hand if you're with me! Since we can only dream about it, how about we meet half way and at least talk about the books that have been tickling our fancy lately while we indulge in some yarn shopping. Feel free to talk books as well as yarn next time you're in. :)

New Sock Yarn

If you like it colorful and stripey we have brought in the perfect sock yarn for you. Feast your eyes on Hachito by Mirasol Yarn, it's 80% wool and 20% nylon, great for warmth and longevity. There are 192 yds in a skein and we have four different colors at the shop.

Hachito by Mirasol Yarn. Color Parrots (10001)

Pattern shown: Basic Sock by Churchmouse 

This gorgeous yarn is shown in a simple but effective pattern. We all know Churchmouse can do a pattern like none other. So come on in and take a look at these beauties and imagine them making your feet nice and toasty. 

Thanks to Cori for pictures of her lovely socks in progress. :)