Whit's Knits: Little Cable Knee Highs

Whether you have legs like Rob Roy or Jerry Hall, whether you fancy yourself riding a horse in ancient Mongolia or hopping a subway in 21st century Manhattan, knees high socks are for everyone, everywhere, anytime!

These Little Cable Knee Highs are designed to look like they could as easily have been plucked from a case at the Victoria and Albert Museum as from a shelf at Barney's. They're simple and practical, but with an attention to detail that's both timeless and beautiful.

Serious sock knitters are also seriously particular about their sock yarn. That's why I used Anzula's Squishy, one of our favorites for everything from socks to baby blankets.

Squishy is the perfect blend of fibers for knitting up a superior pair of socks: merino for warmth and ruggedness, nylon for durability and cashmere for totally happy feet. Plus, I love how its hand dyed color is so gentle and spontaneous, like a wash of watercolor paint.

These Little Cable Knee Highs are just in time for holiday giving. Wouldn't they be a spectacular gift to find under the tree? -Whitney

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4 Seasons of Embroidery Gifts!

Is it better to give or to receive? For us crafters the answer is neither; the real joy comes in the creating! Embroidery is one of the most satisfying ways to share this joy. The mesmerizing rhythm of stitching both soothes and stirs as a once-empty cloth becomes a beautiful field of texture. Best of all, embroidery projects make wonderful gifts because they are truly one-of-a-kind heirloom treasures!

This year we plan to use our new 4 Seasons of Embroidery Packet as a starting point for all kinds of unique gifts, starting with this monogrammed 40 Minute Tote! Our master embroiderer, Erin, used our woodgrain alphabet transfers to stitch this lovely monogram on a cool gray linen-cotton background. The silvery tones of the delicate embroidery transform this simple tote into an elegant carry-all with a personal touch!

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Whit's Knits: Bear's Rainbow Blanket

Like many parents, I soon discovered after having a baby that I'd never actually been busy before. Basic things like taking showers and returning phone calls suddenly seemed overrated. But for me, one thing that has never been dispensable is crafting things for my son, Bear.

I'm not saying that I sit around for hours, dreamily stitching away. No, it's more like a stolen moment here and a quick minute there; a few squares at jury duty, a couple more in a waiting room, and two years later a blanket is born!

As drawn out as the process was, making Bear's Rainbow Blanket was always an exhilarating ride. Each step contained a world of wonderment, from Koigu Premium Merino's incredible hand dyed colors to this fascinating stitch pattern that magically turns a circle into a square; from the arrangement of dozens of colors and 108 squares to the daydreams of Bear dragging his Rainbow Blanket off to college!

I think I could have crocheted these squares for the rest of my life, but I finally stopped myself when I had enough to make a 40 x 54-inch blanket, the perfect size for my four year old. The bed pictured here is a queen, but this blanket is also right at home on a twin bed... or under a circle of picnicking stuffed animals!

I've crafted quite a few things in my life, and though I have so much fondness for many of those things, this is perhaps the dearest to my heart. This blanket expresses not only my love for my son, but for crafting too. To pursue a grand plan to its very end is the chocolate cake of crafting: a rich and deeply satisfying experience!

To start concocting your own grand plan, read on! -Whitney

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New! Purl Soho's Learn To Knit Kit!

If you're a knitter, then you surely remember your first journey into the world of knitting. Inevitably, it started with a scarf and was accompanied by a wonderful tremor of excitement. A whole new passion was in store for you, a life of creativity and fascination, of joy and beauty. 

At Purl Soho, our mission is to share this passion, and so our new Learn To Knit kit is specially designed to spark a creative fire in the hearts of new knitters everywhere! Our goal was to create an experience for new knitters that would be as satisfying and enchanted as were our own first forays into knits and purls.

We believe that beautiful materials are at least half the pleasure of knitting, that just because it's your first scarf doesn't mean you can't appreciate tactile delight and sumptuous beauty. That's why we equipped the Learn To Knit kit with two gorgeous skeins of our new Super Soft Merino, enough to knit up an equally gorgeous, totally cuddly, absolutely wonderful scarf!

Also tucked inside our kit is an indispensable first-time-knitter companion, our Learn To Knit instruction booklet! Filled with dozens of full-color, close-up photographs and explicit explanations, this guide will hold your hand through every step of the process, from winding a ball to casting on, knitting, purling, combining the two, adding a ball, binding off, weaving in ends and blocking. This may sound like gibberish to you now, but by the time we're done with you, you'll be completely fluent!

In fact, the Learn To Knit booklet is so chock-full of practical and valuable information that, in the end, you will have the knowledge and confidence to choose one of three scarf patterns to knit up your very own scarf. Garter, seed or rib? You'll know exactly what we're talking about!

Packed inside a sturdy, use-it-again tube is absolutely everything you'll need to actually knit a scarf! Each Learn to Knit Kit includes...

• 2 skeins of Purl Soho's Super Soft Merino, enough to make one scarf. Choose from our whole palette of twelve lovely colors!
• A pair of solid birch knitting needles, size US #13. Made in the USA.
• A yarn needle for finishing.
• An everything-you-need-to-know Instruction Booklet which includes patterns for three scarves.

And with the holidays around the corner, now is a very good time to learn how to knit so you can give a scarf imbued with the love and devotion of hand crafting! Or, equally meaningful, share your own passion for knitting with someone who doesn't yet know what she or he is missing. Now, that's a gift that will truly last a lifetime!

If you'd like to order a Learn To Knit Kit just click right here. And happy knitting!

Super Soft Merino Fluted Cowl

Our Fluted Cowl combines two of our very favorite things: elegant drama and Super Soft Merino! If you haven't heard, Super Soft Merino is Purl Soho's new, very own yarn, and we couldn't be happier about it!

A loosley spun single ply of 100% Peruvian merino, Super Soft Merino is beautiful, decadent and yes, super soft. For cozy warmth and cuddly comfort, it makes the consummate neck wrapper!

This Fluted Cowl is the perfect expression of everything we love about Super Soft Merino. It is lush and wonderfully indulgent, easy and versatile; it is why we knit! The scale and elegance of this cowl give it an operatic sweep that will carry you through the winter in style.

This fascinating texture is created by a simple pattern called the Fluted Fabric Stitch. Slipped stitches add depth and loftiness, while gentle ribbing creates a soft rhythm. Easy for beginners, quick for everyone? Think holiday gift!

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