News and Events - December 2025
I find myself short of opening words this morning, so this part will be more succinct than usual, and... well, lets dive in-
New Products -
Viori Shampoo and Conditioner bars are in! If you haven't tried bar shampoo and conditioner yet, these are a great introduction. May as well dive into one of the best! Not only are these effective, they're beautiful to look at - and even better, NO PLASTIC packaging to rinse out and wonder if it's actually being recycled. And the product packaging would look great in a stocking or under the tree.
LIbrofm and Bookshop.org- We now have shop fronts on both. If we don't have the book you're looking for in stock, bookshop.org is the next stop. Of course, we can also special order books for pick up if you prefer. If you're an audiobook fan, consider supporting our shop via Librofm! Librofm works just like that other big audiobook subscription service with a major difference- it supports independent bookstores. I'm currently listening to Buckeye by Patrick Ryan and I am very much enjoying it.
Tea - We're expecting a shipment of Plum Deluxe any day now (seriously, any day now..) and our Frontier Tea selection is growing as well. Keep an eye on this space!
Yarn - We have new limited edition colorways - Kindlespark and Magical Mount Vernon 2025, and speaking of...
Magical Mount Vernon is this Saturday from 2pm - 7pm, rather than on Thursday as in years past. This is my favorite of all of our festivals, and we hope you can make it out! I believe we'll have some visitors at the shop that you may recognize (bring the kids!).
For more information, follow @visitmvl on Instagram!
For the occasion, I've dyed up some hanks of Wool & Silk Worsted in colorway Magical Mount Vernon 2025, which can be found under Wren & Purl Limited Colorways here. 
And even better- I've written a quick pattern for it - and here it is -
Holly and Ivy Hat
You'll need 1 cake of Wool & Silk Worsted in colorway Magical Mount Vernon 2025, and size 6 needles.
A note on gauge - This yarn is a new base for us, and a new base generally. Data is still coming in, but for this product on these needles, here is mine - 20 sts per 4 inches, and 28 rows per 4 inches.
This hat fits my daughter's tiny head (21 inches) and my big Irish one (23 inches or so), so if you'd like to make a smaller (or larger) hat- just cast on fewer (or more) stitches. You'll need a multiple of 10.
CO 90, arrange to work in the round.
Work in 1x1 ribbing for 5 inches. Get comfortable, you'll be here awhile. Watch a show or something. Oh! Or listen to an audiobook on your new Librofm app!
Increase Round - Knit 8, Kf/b around (100 sts)
Round 1 - K8, K2tog, YO
Rounds 2 & 3 - Knit
Repeat these rounds until hat measures approximately 10 inches from CO - end after round 3
Begin decrease rounds -
Round 1 - K3, K2tog, K3, K2tog, YO (90 sts)
Round 2 - Knit
Round 3 - K2, K2tog, K5 (80 sts)
Round 4 - K6, K2tog, YO (80 sts)
Round 5 - K1, K2tog, K5 (70 sts)
Round 6 - K7 (70 sts)
Round 7 - K2tog, K3, K2tog, YO (60 sts)
Round 8 - K3, K2tog, K1 (50 sts)
Round 9 - K2, K2tog, K1 (40 sts)
Round 10 - K2tog, K2tog, YO (30 sts)
Round 11 - K2tog, K1 (20 sts)
Round 12 - K2tog (10 sts)
Cut 12 inches of yarn, place on darning needle, stitch through ends with darning needle and pull tight, weaving in your end on the inside of your hat.
Now, cut a new length of yarn, at least double the width of your hat and fold your brim upwards, and stitch down. I chose to make a visible stitch with the green, but you could do this underneath and make it invisible as well.
This hat has a small amount of slouch, but not too much. If you have preferences on this, try it on as you go like I did. You'll have enough extra yarn for a pompom or to make a slouchier hat.
Cheers!
