The little yarn shop that could - Northampton Wool

11 Pleasant St
Northampton Ma. 01060
413-586-4331
nohowool@yahoo.com

Linda Daniels and Northampton Wool is my choice for a first example of the greatness of yarn shops in New England. I am starting our "crawl" here because Linda should be an inspiration to all. Linda combines the old fashion comfie knitting store ambience, wood floors, piles of beautiful fibers, a big table in the middle to sit, knit, share and learn, with the contemporary classes, styling, helpfulness of today.

Northampton Wool in Northampton Mass is often overshadowed by a nearby neighbor of much larger size. Her customers, however, are loyal and still a growing population. That's the beauty of each individual yarn store - you each have an individual "character" and people choose you because of that.



Linda has written a book - The Northampton Wools knitting book. Great projects big and small. I especially recommend the Reversible cabled scarf on page 5 done with Karabella Aurora 8. Have you tried this fiber? 100%wool worsted weight, cool water washable, just beautiful to work with.


Linda has designed sweaters for Movie stars. she has knit garments for Charlize Theron and Michael Caine for Cider House Rules and for Halle Berry in Perfect Stranger.

But here's the tip for today from Northampton wools - it's BLUE HERON RAYON METALLIC. Linda has designed a scarf - or a series of scarfs out of this fiber. they are pretty simple and truly show off the fiber to it's fullest. this Rayon Metallic is a great fiber for summer knitting, is washable, and has just a bit of sparkle to brighten up a summer evening - and your mood! And here's the shop trick that I found sooo brilliant. LInda knits up a swatch of the fiber in the pattern for a scarf and displays it with the pattern that she has written. Customers can see how beautifully the yarn knits in that pattern, how simple and stunning the fiber works into the glitz.



A little bling goes a long way. A lacey scarf, a tight patterned scarf, turn it into a stole. it's a great fiber for drapey t-shirt, sleevelesss shirt... A great fiber for summer knitting. And did you know Rayon is NOT a synthetic fiber. It is also called "viscose" and "art silk". It is a manufactures, regenerated cellulosic fiber - according to wikipedia (4/23/2009). AND it's MACHINE WACHABLE! Check it out on Ravelry or at www.blueheronyarns.com or call Linda at the shop.

Northampton Wools has a strong group on Ravelry at northampton wools ma !