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How to Support Your Local Yarn Shop without Buying Anything

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how to support your local yarn shopWe all know that local shops, including yarn shops, need our support if they are going to continue to exist. But is it possible to support them when we’re not financially able to buy yarn, or when we’ve chosen not to make more purchases?

Cowgirl Yarn has some great ideas for no-cost ways to support you local yarn shop, including teaching other people fiber arts and sharing their content on social media.

How do you support your local yarn shop if you have one? I’d love to hear your ideas!

[Photo: Cowgirl Yarn.]

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Knit a Hood for Your Fall Wanderings

Whether you love the cottagecore vibe, are heading to a Renaissance faire, stitching something fun for your Halloween costume, or just want to keep cozy on your fall rambles in the woods, the Wandering Woods Knit Hood from Yarnspirations should be your next knit. 

The skill rating is easy, and it calls for worsted weight yarn to knit the hood with an integrated seed stitch border worked in a contrasting color. The hood is worked flat and seamed, then you pick up stitches along the bottom to knit the cape portion. 

The cape part is shaped just like a raglan sweater, with increases on each side of four points across the cape. If you’ve ever worked a raglan project before this will be simple for you. And if you haven’t you’ll be ready for your first raglan sweater after this project! The front edgings are worked at the same time as the body, and you’ll finish off with the contrasting bottom edge, as well as I-cord ties for the hood. 

This cape is pretty short, just covering the shoulders, but you can knit it as long as you like and even make a full length cape if you’re going for high drama (and warmth!).

There are four size options for the cape, to fit a chest measurement ranging from 28 to 60 inches (71 to 117 cm). As shown the cape edges don’t meet in the front, so if that’s something you want you can work more increases, which will also make the project longer. I’d love a version that’s longer and with a fun clasp to make it even cozier, but you can make it your own way. 

The pattern calls for Red Heart Super Saver, but this would be a great project to knit in wool or a wool blend for extra warmth. 

You can grab a free copy of the pattern from Yarnspirations, and if you want to make it as shown you can also get a kit that includes the two colors of yarn you need and other supplies if you want them. 

[Photo: Yarnspirations]