Your burning questions about the NBT, answered.

The NBT craze continues, and there have been some NBT FAQ that keep popping up in the stores. So I thought I could answer them here for you...and also encourage you to try a couple of other yarns which, we've discovered, make spectacular Next Big Thing scarves.

Tahki Boulder version
This one has been a hit in the stores, largely because you can get two NBTs from one ball of Boulder. I used size 19 needles, followed the instructions for the Bulky version, and used 70" single strands for fringe. One trick I have learned is to make your rectangles, then cut your fringe, getting as many as you can out of the ball. Then you just divide the fringes evenly along the rectangle/s.


KFI Riviera version
Yes, this can be made from one ball! Use size 19 needles, cast on 5 sts and hold the yarn single-stranded (not double) in the rectangle. Cut 60" fringe and attach fringe in groups of two (I ran one fringe short but you can't tell).


Knit Collage version
My favorite so far. Again, you can get it from one ball using the Bulky directions (size 19 needle, 5 sts). You will have enough to hold it double in the rectangle and make fringe in groups of 2.


Baby Alpaca Grande version
Follow instructions for Chunky pattern. You'll have plenty in one ball with a little leftover. NBT also looks great in the Tweed and Ultimo versions of this yarn.


Rasta version
The first NBT I made will always hold a special place in my heart :) Follow Bulky instructions. You can probably cut longer (70") fringe and still make it with one ball. We got new colors in of Rasta (including OSU orange!) and they have been flying out the door. Pagewood Swagger is similar in feel and gorgeous in colorways.


Twinkle Baby Chunky version(s)
Here again, you can get two scarves out of one skein (must be the Baby Chunky, not Soft Chunky, which has less yardage). I used a 17 needle and made one with 5 sts, one with 7 sts, and cut 70" fringe which I divided evenly between scarves. Softest NBT I have made yet!



You've got 2 more days. If you didn't sleep, you could make 96 more NBTs! Who needs sleep when you can knit, right???

- Shelley
shop online at loopsknitting.com

More knitting, less cooking: Linda.

Pressed for time? Busy cranking out Necks Big Thing scarves for everyone and their dog? (Really - a mini version would be cute on a dog!). Anyhow, Linda has a super-tasty recipe with a festive holiday feel that will give you several free hours to knit, knit, knit!

Linda's Cranberry Pork Tenderloin
l 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
12 ounces chili sauce
16 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar.
Place tenderloin in crock pot. Mix next three ingredients together and pour over tenderloin. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, and then on low for 3-4 hours. Serve over cooked rice. Makes 8 servings.

Now that Linda has freed up her time to knit, what has she been making? Well, she just finished this yummy long-line vest in Plymouth Baby Alpaca Glow:


And she's almost done with this Tiny Tea Leaves Sweater in Tosh DK for the impending birth of her daughter Bethany's baby. Soooo cute!



By the way, the Tiny Tea pattern starts at 2 years, but you can try making a 6-12 month version by using Tosh Sport instead and going down a couple of needle sizes.

Also, I recently whipped up this cowl/cape in new Noro Odori, and Linda and Gina could not resist breaking into their own gift knitting time to whip up capes for themselves!

This pattern is as easy as that pork tenderloin! Here it is:
You'll need 2 skeins each of 2 colors Noro Odori. Cast on 98 sts w #11 needles. Join in round and place marker. *P3 rows Color A, K4 rows Color B, K1 row Color A*. Repeat from *, decreasing 1 st at marker every 5 rows until 10 stripes of Color B have been worked. Bind off loosely purlwise in Color A.

This pattern works great in any chunky Noro yarn, including Kogorashi and Furisode. Come pick out your colors and have something great to wear to that holiday party!

- Shelley
shop online at loopsknitting.com