The Whole Nine Yarns

Where did the time go? And why didn't I get more knitting done?

Hello, internet!  It's been so long since I've posted and so much has happened!  Before I get into all of the news and new products, let me just fill you in on what's been happening.

Some of you may know that I've been sick.  I was out for about two weeks, but, thanks to Caryn, Jenna, Jan, Mariana and Travis, things stayed running at the shop.  I also wanted to thank all the people who let me know they missed me and were thinking of me. It meant a lot to me.  I'm back now and really anxious to knit.  the leaves are changing and the weather is right for knitting! Thank goodness we have a lot of wonderful new yarn to use!

Also, I wanted to thank everyone who participated in our annual Breast Cancer Awareness event.  We raised over $1,700 for Sisters of Support that day and in the raffles for the gorgeous shawl made by BJ Free and the beautiful quilt made by Lori Williams.  It's amazing to be involved with such wonderful people and I appreciate all of our customers and friends who got involved.  Thanks doesn't begin to cover how I feel.

Well, onto the world of yarn and knitterly things! We're lucky enough to have the trunk show for Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts issue.  I can't decide if I like the Entrelac gift bags or the Family of Fair Isle hats best.  Or maybe it's the pattern for the Connemara Pony. 

This issue sells out every year, so be sure you come and get your copy soon!  There's still plenty of time before Christmas to make something amazing - even if you keep it for yourself.

Speaking of amazing trunk shows, we've also got the trunk show from Pick Up Sticks!  We've got the tractor, pig and cow booties and they are just too cute.  We've also got the Flora doll as made by Louise.  Like so many of us, she couldn't resist the cute, but luckily for the rest of us, she's going to be teaching a class on Flora.

Seriously, can't you imagine how much fun it is to make a doll like this?  Louise added wire to her arms and legs to make her more poseable.  AND, Flora's accessory kit comes with the materials to make her a knitting bag!  Are you thinking what I'm thinking? 

One of the most popular looks for winter is stranded knitting - also known as fair isle knitting.  It's one of those techniques that looks so much harder than it is. Jenna is doing a basic class on fair isle knitting this weekend and will be teaching it again. Also, there's a great book called The New Stranded Colorwork and the reissue of Alice Starmore's Art of Fair Isle Knitting. It's something new and maybe then you can look at this new pattern and alpaca yarn and say, Why not?

 
And if you already knit fair isle, maybe the question should be, Why haven't you already started this pattern? 

We've also gotten the book The Enchanted Sole and a whole assortment of sock yarn to go with it.  Seems pretty perfect for the holidays when a simple sock can become a stocking and Prince Charming might be waiting for your slipper to fall off!

 Maybe if you're good, Santa will leave a little sock yarn in your stocking!
  

I'm hoping that I will find some of this alpaca roving from Georgia Mountain Fibers:

We have alpaca-silk, alpaca-wool, alpaca-nylon and alpaca-alpaca rovings and bats. Soft and lovely and oh-so spinable. 

Not to mention, we've gotten KidLin, MerLin and Euroflax from Louet, Jubilee sock yarn from Blue Ridge yarns, patterns from Penny Straker and new Rowan yarn so fabulous - oh, it's good to be back!  I'll be back on Wednesday with more details!

Debi and the rest of the TWNY gang
 
  

Book Signing With Cat Bordhi!

Hi everyone!  It's been a busy week and another busy weekend ahead.  I want to thank everyone who took the time to come to the Purl for the Planet event last Friday - we exceeded our goal and I know we all had a lot of fun!

That's the old news, though - this weekend we will have the one and only Cat Bordhi teaching at the store.  Her classes are filled up, but Cat has agreed to do a book signing on Sunday, September 27!  From 11-12, Cat will be signing her books, including her latest, Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters. 

I love this book, which we've gotten in just as it came out!  There are so many inspirations here and so many though provoking ideas.  Whether you are in a class this weekend or not, I strongly encourage you to come Sunday, meet the Great Mind of Socks and get your books signed! We've got Cat's previous books (Socks Soar on Two Circulars, A Treasury of Magical Knitting, A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting and New Pathways for Sock Knitters) ready in case you don't have them. Believe me - once you realize how amazing Cat is, you'll want more!

Oh, and speaking of how amazing Cat is, she has designed these stitch markers with Skacel.

Each is marked with a letter and will fit on small needles.  More interestingly, they can be slipped over the cord of a circular needle for easy moving and changing no matter what the pattern calls for.  Clever, cute and efficient - what more can you ask for?

Speaking of cute, look what the clever Jan Linton has made for us!

These are some of the cutest guys I've ever seen. We can help you find just the right colors for your little guys and if you start now, you can have a whole lot of cuteness by Christmas. These guys are enough to make me want winter NOW.

Speaking of fuzzy and warm, just take a look at this alpaca we got in:

Some of these are pure alpaca, some are mixed with Corriedale Wool and some are mixed with bamboo.  All of them are beautiful, soft and waiting for you. Isn't it really time to add spinning to your skills? Or needle felting? And you just know that these would be so gorgeous displayed in a bowl, inviting your fingers to pat them.  Of course, the only way you'll know for sure is if you come into the store to see!

I hope I see lots of you this weekend for the book signing - remember Sunday, from 11 AM - Noon with Cat Bordhi. 

Debi and the rest of the TWNY gang

What To Knit First?

When the end of summer comes in and we start getting all kinds of great wool and patterns in, I realize that I am beyond lucky to be doing what I do. I get to see (and feel) all of the wonderful yarns and patterns that come in and do a lot of dream knitting.  Luckily, my job is to share it with you, so you can have it, too!

This week, we're thrilled about a lot of new things, as always. First up are the Small Balls and great patterns from Pick Up Sticks. I love the idea of the Small Balls - as the label says, why buy 220, when you need 65? If you love color work, small projects or just yarn, you're going to love seeing these little gems in person.

Along with the Small Balls, we've gotten in the cutest patterns from Pick Up Sticks.  Jenna's already working on the Flora Doll and accessories, but the little boots are just about as cute. Come in and see for yourself!

Now, hold onto your hats, because I think you're going to be pleased with these new books from Sublime.

 

No one does baby patterns like Sublime - and now no one does bright colors like them either.  There are bright pinks and oranges, along with a true purple that will make you smile.  I can't tell you how much attention the baby in your family will get with these knits!

Another one of the favorites around here are our clear TWNY project bags.  You'll be glad to know they're back in stock, along with a new size that can hold at least one big project.  It's rectangular and would easily hold a bag of yarn; there's also a grommet to feed your yarn through so it will be safe while you're working! These bags just don't look their best in pictures, so you'll have to come in and see them.

Speaking of bags, I am pleased to tell you we've gotten in a lot of great new purse handles!  There are lots of styles in stock, but maybe this one will show you how great they are:

Some of you may be saying, where's the spinning stuff, Debi? Not to worry! We've gotten in great new Momi bats by Catherine - how can you resist these cupcakes of fibery goodness?

She even includes samples so you can see what's possible with each box.  And speaking of possibilities, what do you do with your handspun? Stuck for ideas? Well, Interweave Press is here to help. Just check out this book, hot off the presses.

Even if you don't spin (yet) the projects in this book will excite you and get you in the mood for gift knitting.  Or maybe for sneaking in a project for yourself!

Speaking of doing something for yourself, I want to encourage you to check out our new class in continuous strand weaving. It was a huge hit at Christmas in July, but we have a few spaces open. It's fun, easy and a great way to use up stash yarn you've been saving for just the right project. The picture below shows a shawl made on a loom like these - just wait to see what else you can come up with!

I always hate to end these posts by saying that's all for this week - after all, I write these on Tuesdays and there is so much more to come every day!  Thanks for reading and I hope we see you in the shop soon!

Debi and the rest of the TWNY gang