The colors are available in a large selection of solids and variegated. Featured at the parent company, Coats and Clark, you can find free patterns to make a one or two ball scarf, purse, or baby blanket.

Currently, Red Heart is revamping their website, so be sure to use the Coats and Clark site for now to look for your free patterns. While at either site, be sure to sign up for Coats and Clark and Red Heart newsletters to be the first to know about new products and additional free patterns.

Pomp-a-Doodle is available at your local  Joann Fabric and Craft Stores, and Michaels.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation is the leader in the breast cancer movement by supporting the research to cure this disease.  The foundation is constantly finding new partners and sponsers to generate funds to support their cause.  The Susan G. Komen Foundation is the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

The knitting community is no exception in supporting breast cancer sufferers. Pattern designers and Charity knitters have long supported breast cancer sufferers by knitting and crocheting Chemo caps.

The September newsletter from Bernat® introduces the new Knit & Crochet for Breast Cancer collection. This collection is available at participating ACMoore, JoAnns, Michaels, Walmart Canada and Zellers – while quantities last. Bernat® is contributing $10,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® through the purchase of the yarn in the Knit & Crochet for Breast Cancer collection from August 15 – November 15, 2009.

Bernat has also made available 4 new free patterns featuring their new yarns. There are two knit patterns and two crochet patterns available for download. These patterns are not available through the normal free pattern search.

Easy Gift Scarf Cabled Hat & Scarf Prayer Shawl Crochet Chemo Cap

It is important for us as a community to acknowledge the many men and women that have fought breast cancer. The best way to honor their heroism is to work towards a cure and to make a difference. A purchase from the Knit & Crochet for Breast Cancer collection will make sure the total amount of $10,000 will be given to the to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® foundation.

To find out more information about breast cancer research, breast health, or any other breast cancer issues, visit the foundation or call 1-877-GO-KOMEN.

[tag]Clara Parkes[/tag] , author and blogger, reviews the new line of yarns from Blue Sky Alpacas at her[tag] Knitter’s Review[/tag] site.  According to Clara, this yarn brand, Spud & Chloe, was the hit of the recent TNNA.

The yarn comes in 3 weights to complement one another, and in a multitude of colors.  The yarns can probably be found at your favorite store by now.  A google search (my favorite search engine) found many hits yarn stores, including kits at[tag] Jimmy Beans Wool.[/tag]

In addition to the new yarn, [tag]Susan B. Anderson[/tag], blogger and author of Itty-Bitty Hats and Itty-Bitty Nursery, is now working for Blue Sky Alpacas.  Susan was hired to write and create the Spud and Chloe blog and to design and write free patterns for the blog,with  new and fresh free patterns every month.

One of the best general purpose tools yet is the Knit Kit.  This is called “the Swiss army knife of knitting”.  This product first debuted  at the [tag]TNNA [/tag]Show in San Diego January 17-19, 2009.  It was an instant hit!  Now you can have all your small knitting tools in one place and not loose them in the bottom of your knitting bag. The unit is small – approximately 5″ x 3-1/2″ and will fit in you purse or pocket.  The store locater at [tag]Knit Kits[/tag] website shows where you can purchase this tool. A demo for this kit is available at [tag]youTube[/tag] to show you all its unique characteristics and how to use the tool.
Next up is the [tag]Fibersphere™ [/tag].  This is the ultimate in fiber protection.  The Fibersphere™allows your yarn to flow smoothly inside of the sphere to help avoid tangling.  It protects your yarn from damage by outside elements.  The Fibersphere™ now comes in two sizes, 7-inch and 5-inch diameters. Both sizes come in clear or translucent pink.  If you buy the pink container, the company will donate 5% of every purchase towards breast cancer research.  For a list of retailers, go here.

The cutest item I found today is the [tag]Addi Teddy Bear Needle Huggers[/tag]!  These cute point protectors are made by [tag]Skacel[/tag] the manufacturer of [tag]Addi Turbo[/tag] knitting needles. What fun these needle tips are.  Addi Teddy Bear Needle Huggers are for keeping your double pointed needle sets neat and organized.  They can also be used as point protectors for larger needles.  Each color features a different diameter opening for various sizes of needles. The idea behind the bears is to put all the double pointed needles from your project using one bear at each end of the needle.  Four pairs bears in a package for about $14.00.

Consider knitting a necklace with a pendant.

You can find ribbons and unique yarns and design your own.  Pendants are available from bead suppliers such as [tag]Fire Mountain[/tag] to name one.  Cords, ribbons  and unique yarns are available everywhere.  If you use your imagination you can even make a shoe lace look good as your base for the necklace.

If you are less adventuresome, you can purchase a kit.  Kits are available from sources such as:

[tag]Judi and Co.[/tag] – she also have bracelet kits and a wonderful selection of ribbons.

[tag]Dream Weaver Yarns [/tag]sells the magknit pendant kits.  This pendant uses a magnet to close the necklace.

[tag]Annie Howes[/tag] has a kit that allows you to make your own pendant. There is a video here to show you how.

The above links show one type of knitted necklace.  Tomorrow I will dicuss another type of knitted necklace.

Tonks, Harry and Ron, Hedwig, Lupin, Ron, Harry, Draco, and Dumbledore are the names of the new
[tag]Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince[/tag] sock collection. Opal has created these color combinations featuring bands of semi-solid colors alternating with the mock-fair isle for which Opal is known.

[tag]Tonks[/tag] is a pretty pink combined with red, yellow, creamy white and what looks like a grayish blue. That is my personal favorite. Harry has a pretty wild pattern and is mostly blue and green, with bands of fuchsia, and an overall ticking in navy blue.

Pictures are hard to come by, but a real nice slide show is available at the Opal website. While there you can check out all the new sock yarn hitting the yarn stores! Like [tag]Rendezs-vous[/tag]. Yummy!

[tag]Leisure Arts[/tag] is proud to announce the introduction of the “Knit Along With Debbie Macomber” Knitting Accessory Line. The line of 12 items, coordinated with Debbie’s exclusive designer fabric, includes a collection of patterns, storage options, and other knitting notions. It was designed specifically with Debbie’s readers in mind. the items are available at the[tag] Leisure Arts Boutique[/tag].

The line includes:

• Knitter’s Pocket Guide (SRP: $21..99)
• The Knitter’s Complete Journal (SRP: $32.99)
• The Knitter’s Complete Journal Refill (SRP: $3.99)
• Classic Collection Pattern Box (SRP: $21.99)
• Floral Stripe Purse Kit (SRP: $15.99)
• Quilted See-Through Bag (SRP: $8.99)
• Floral Stripe/Blue Accessory Bags (SRP: $18.99)
• Quilted Single Project Bag (SRP: $18.99)
• Large Floral Stripe Tote (SRP: $49.99)
• Quilted Needle Sleeves (SRP: $14.99)
• Quilted Large Needle Case (SRP: $32.99)
• Three-Compartment Hanging Storage (SRP: $24.99)

Debbie will donate all of her proceeds from the sale of the new accessories to help children around the worl as she has done with the pattern books. The primary charities which benefit from her Leisure Arts products include [tag]World Vision[/tag], [tag]Warm Up America![/tag], [tag]Project Linus[/tag], and [tag]Guideposts Knit for Kids[/tag].

For thos of you who want more information about [tag]Debbie Macomber[/tag], be sure to sign her guest book to receive her newsletter, and also visit her knitter’s club web page to see what Debbie is working on and get a free Leisure Arts pattern every month.

In this paint can, you will find two skeins of their [tag]Shepherd Sock yarn[/tag] with a basic sock pattern. The skeins are guaranteed to be of matching dye lots and the can is reusable.

Lorna’s Laces is available in 68 multicolored yarns and 40 solid colors, so your favorite color should be available! Check your local yarn shop for this new little marketing ploy, and bug them to order it if they haven’t yet!

Tahki Yarns Fall / Winter Collection knitting pattern book features 26 classic and fashionable [tag]knitting patterns[/tag] using Angel, Baby, Baby Print, Bunny, Bunny Print, Bunny Paint, Bunny Splash, Dream, Flower, Jolie, Monterey, SAvoy, Star, Taos, Torino, Totino Bulky, and Torino Bulky Long Print yarns.

Filatura di Crosa Fall / Winter Collection knitting pattern book features 19 classic and fashionable knitting patterns 127 Print, Alpalite, Baby Kid, Batuffolo, Batuffolo Print, Carousel, Curly, Elen Cashmere, Gioiello, Malizioso, Maxime Print, Mutlicolor, Murano, North Pole, Puff, Superior, Tibet, Tokyo, Wave, Zara, Zara Plus and Zarina yarns.

Tahki Knitting Patterns Tweed Collection 2007 knitting pattern book features 17 classic and fashionable knitting patterns using Baby Tweed, Donegal Tweed Homespun, New Tweed, Shannon and Soho Bulky yarns.

S. Charles Collezione Knitting Patterns Fall Winter 2007 knitting pattern book features 22 classic and fashionable knitting patterns using Aran Cashmere, Aura, Dynasty, Galaxy, Luxor, Merino Cable, Micio, Pasha, Rialto, Ritratto, Sabrina and Venus yarns.

[tag]Tahki Stacy Charles yarns[/tag] and patterns – a very nice way to start your winter wardrobe!