The Whole Nine Yarns

What to knit next?

Do you ever have a time when you just can't choose what to knit next? Or what to crochet, spin, etc., next? I am definitely having one of those moments and if you keep reading, you'll see why.

I just got back from market and so my head is full of new things that will be coming for the spring and summer.  You just wouldn't believe how hard it can be to choose what to bring into the store.  It's eye candy everywhere. 

And then I come back to the store and more new stuff is already coming in! I brought back some amazing buttons from Mission Falls - bone, wood and horn in great sizes and shapes. That is just the tip of the button iceberg though; you'll have to wait to see why we're  going to be YOUR button source.

I love the new yarns we have gotten from The Fibre Company.  The Canopy Fingering and the Terra yarns have a great depth of color, texture and "smooshability."  Just look at their free patterns and you'll need some of this fabulous yarn.

I don't want you to think that all of our amazing stuff comes from far away; we love local artists. Many of you know our own Catherine makes amazing batts for spinning. Now she's turned her talent to dyeing yarn and the result is her Bodacious Boucle. It's soft, lush and the colors are amazing.  I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Speaking of local talent, one of our favorite teachers, Jolie, is going to be teaching offering a free workshop on Sunday, February 21, from 1-4.  More Than One Way To Skin A Sweater will be an exploration of how sweaters are constructed, with easy ideas for beginners and challenges for more advanced knitters. 

I just realized I'll still be typing next week if I keep talking about the great stuff we've gotten, so I'm going to list it! 

• Three new pattern books from Classic Elite
• Marly cashmere scarf kits
• Bamboo Pearls yarn and patterns from Sublime
• Elizabeth Zimmerman's Green Sweater and more patterns from Schoolhouse Press
• New Debbie Bliss and Knitscene magazines

You'll have to come in and see it for yourself. Some of you were here for Purljama and saw some of it.  We had so much fun with so many new people and lots of familiar faces.  I can't wait to do it again - after I recover!

Last night we had an impromptu trunk show from Tina, who represents Bergere de France, Bijou Basin and lots of other wonderful yarns.  A big thanks to Tina for all the fun. Remember, if you miss Knit Night, you never know what you'll miss.

 

Don't forget to come in and see Mariana's new pattern of the month - the No Purl Scarf done in Brae Tweed from Knit One, Crochet Two.  It's a fun quick knit and very wearable.

Happy New Year!

I think you'll all be happy to hear that it's my New Year's Resolution to keep the blog updated better.  Every Wednesday this year, there's going to be a new post to look forward to.  It should be easy to find material - there's always something going on here - but finding the time will be the trick! Nonetheless, I promise we're not disappearing!

So, speaking of the New Year, I want to make sure that you all know about our upcoming Purljama 2010.  On January 15, from 7-12 PM, we'll be relaxing, playing with yarn, talking with friends and generally having more fun that non-knitting muggles would believe! Bring a dish to share - and don't worry, you don't have to share yarn - and get ready to do some serious post-holiday unwinding.

Now, what you're really here to see is the new stuff in the shop.  Talking with Jenna last night, she suggested our motto should be "Inspiration, with cashmere on top." I don't know if that's one I'll go with all the time, but I do love this new cashmere.

 

We've got laceweight cashmere from Jojoland and DK weight cashmere from Classic Elite.  You know your hands need some cashmere to help you recover from holiday stress! 

We've also gotten in some yarn from Cascade that I really love - Magnum.  It's so huge, but it's a big single full of yum, with great colors and wonderful texture.

 

It's perfect for a quick project.  What about a cool purse for you? Or a scarf for you? Don't you deserve it after the stress of holiday knitting?

Cascade is really knocking out the great yarns.  There are tons of free patterns on their website using all their different yarns, including this Alpaca Laceweight.

Seriously, isn't this just begging you to come in and see how beautiful the colors really are?  It's so silky and soft with really deep color. It comes in hanks that are just right for a small shawl, so it wouldn't be a huge addition to your stash, now would it?

Have you seen the January class calendar?   Here are two samples of what's come up.  First, there are Louise's Felted Ballet Slippers:

They are so cute!  Imagine the variations you can make in them with just a change of color and buttons. And here is Jenna's Twined Knitted Hat.  It's a fun technique which really makes a warm fabric and does interesting things to multi-colored yarns.

There are plenty of good things to enjoy around the shop.  Plus, I'm heading out to Market in January and you know I'll be coming back with a lot of wonderful yarns and ideas!

Happy New Year!  May the new year be full of yarn and lots of fun for you all!

Debi and the rest of the TWNY gang

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

Purl for the Planet - and more!

Hi everyone!  Remember a couple of weeks ago when I posted about our Purl for the Planet event? Well, it's finally almost here!  This Friday, September 18, from 7 PM to midnight, we'll be playing with fiber, sharing time with friends and, I hope, raising a lot of money for a worthy cause: Keep The Fleece. Bring what you'd like to drink and if you want to bring some food to share, that would be great, too.  Admission is free, but we will gratefully accept donations for Keep the Fleece.  Caryn and Jenna are working on knit and crochet versions of TWNY's contribution to the World's Longest Scarf, ready for you to add a few rows. Oh, and we'll also be having a sample sale, so that sweater you've had your eye on might just be available! We look forward to seeing you there!

Now, on to the the new stuff!  I have to start with this little guy:

Is he not the cutest thing? He's a sample from the new needle felting kits from Lorna's Wool.  There are also kits for sheep and pigs, as well as sampler kits with different colors that are just made for needle felters.  The owner of the company has her own flock of sheep and she uses their wool to make her kits!  How cool is that? Trust me - you've got to see the sheep. The kit includes all you need to make the sheep, with the bases already felted, the needles and even little locks to give the sheep extra texture and realism. 

And then, on a much more grown up note, I want to share the Botanica Medallion Cardigan by our newest teacher, Louise!

The class is on October and I know you're going to love it.  I think her cardigan is much more lovely in person than in this picture, let alone in the magazine. The color, texture and pattern are just gorgeous! And just consider all the colors that cotton comes in - imagine what you can do!

Speaking of colors, just take a look at these scarves from Lantern Moon. They are so soft and elegant and would be great presents for anyone - including you!  You could add knit or crocheted embellishments easily - you could even add needle felting.

I was trying for a photo that captured the colors, but just imagine the possibilities. 

We've also gotten in new patterns,yarns and sock patterns from Fiber Trends. The sock yarn is a wool/nylon/alpaca/possum blend and comes in a great range of colors - many of which are perfect for men!  In a world full of gorgeous handpaints, it can be hard to find a sock yarn a man will wear - look no further.

And, lastly, I have to share something I am so thrilled about.  Anyone who's been knitting a while knows the name Alice Starmore. She is the queen of Fair Isle knitting, but her seminal book on the subject has been out of print for years. Copies on Ebay were going for hundreds of dollars, but now Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting has been reprinted!  And trust me, you can get it for a lot less that $300.

This is a history book, a pattern book, a technique book and a design primer all in one!  You haven't ever seen anything like it and believe me, you'll want to. If you've never done Fair Isle before, don't worry.  Jenna will be teaching a Fair Isle class in November, so you can get settled in with the technique and then be inspired to create your own designs!

Have a great week - and keep an eye on your e-mail. Good things may be coming your way!

Debi and the rest of the TWNY gang

Patterns and knitters and more!

The week has been flying by here at the shop. Between new yarns and patterns coming in and getting ready for our Purl for the Planet event and for Cat Bordhi to come, we just don't have enough hours in the day!  That said, there's always time for a little fun. Today, Caryn and I wrapped Jenna in duct tape - really.

We were helping her get  ready for her class, Dress Me Up. With duct tape, a t-shirt and a little help, you can made a custom dress form. Imagine how much fun this could be!  And with all the colors of duct tape out there these days, there's no reason to stick with silver.  Come in the shop to see the finished model and to sign up for the fun!

I know you didn't read this to see someone wrapped in duct tape - you wanted to see what's new. Well how about this pattern?

You can't put a scarf on a baby, but you can make a hat with nice long flaps to keep their ears covered and their neck warm.  Not to mention, the photo ops!

We've also gotten in some wonderful Ozark Handspun in glorious colors.  I love the texture of this stuff and the fact that it's not like anything else out there.

One skein can make a great hat, but what about using it at the top of a felted purse? I've seen it and believe me, it's wonderful. You could also use it in the yoke of a classic top down sweater for a unique look - lots of texture and color, without a lot of work. Just start imagining.

If you need a little help in the imagination department, we've gotten two great new magazines in this week:

Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine and Interweave Knits Weekend knits are both full of great things to knit and interesting things to read. I like more than patterns in my knitting - I like useful informations as well as features of new products.

Speaking of which, have you see the latest offer of Spin Off? We sold out of our first batch already, but more are on the way.  It is, as always, a really interesting read, but it's also got something special this month.  Our favorite woodworking spinner, creator of the Trindle, Jeremy Armstrong, is featured along with his creation. Trindles are one of our favorite toys around here and one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of Spin Night is seeing if Jeremy has brought us any new trindles. We're the exclusive brick and mortar store for trindles and believe me, I know how honored we are! Even if you've tried other drop spindles without success, you owe it to yourself to try a trindle.

And while we're on the the subject of spinning, look at these dangerous looking instruments!

Wool combs! These are from Majacraft and come in both single and double tiered versions. They are perfect for long wools and are great for blending color as well as making your own wonderful soft fiber blends. Getting good tools makes any job easier and these are a dream!

As always at TWNY, we're hoping to share the love of knitting with the next generation.  I want you to meet one of our youngest knitters - Kennedy. He's in 6th grade in school, but so ahead in knitting!  He's a helpful model, too - showing off a tam mde by Ginny.

The next time someone tells you only grandmothers knit, you'll be able to prove them wrong! Why wait until you have grandchildren to enjoy the good stuff, after all?

And speaking of sharing the joy of knitting, don't forget that the third annual Atlanta Shop Hop starts October 3 and reuns through October 11. We'll haveextended hours during the weekend and you know you're anxious to see what Mariana comes up with this year for our Shop Hop pattern! Details can be found at The Atlanta Shop Hop Blog.  I hope to see you all before then! 

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

The Cat is out of the bag!

The Cat, the one and only Cat Bordhi, will be at our store September 26 and 27!  For those of you who aren't familiar with her, Cat is one of the most inspired minds and admired teachers in the knitting world.  Doing socks on two circulars was only the beginning of her brilliance.  Her new book, Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters, will be out in time for her classes here and we can't wait.  Better than that, she'll be teaching a class of the same name on Saturday, September 26. On September 27, she'll be teaching Finding the Fountain of Fresh Knitting Ideas - if there's anyone who can tell you how to find fresh ideas, it's Cat. We love her and can't wait to see her again.

Now, Cat said recently that she thinks all knitters should learn to spin, even if it's just a little bit.  Well, you already know I agree with Cat on that one - just look at some of the new fiber we've gotten in!  Here's the Targhee roving from Mountain Colors:

 

And then, there's all the lovely new roving from Gale's Art. We have her Chocolate Swirl rovings, along with the Blue Faced Leicester and the black Blue Faced Leicester rovings. We also have her silk hankies! If you haven't tried spinning silk in this form yet, just imagine spinning in these colors!

 

Look at the shine - and the color. Wow.

I don't want you to think that the only thing we've been getting is fiber - not at all!  The fall yarns have been rolling in and it just keeps coming!  We're really excited to have added Shibui Knits to our line up.  The patterns, the colors, the Silk Cloud and the sock yarn - oh, my.  Really, how many times can I say beautiful?

  

Can you guys imagine how hard it is to have a knit shop and let all this wonderful stuff LEAVE??

All knitters love yarn, but I happen to know they also love their tools. And ways to organize their tools. That's why I got so excited when I saw these tool rolls from Ashland Sky. There are several different versions - ones made to hold your double pointed needles, ones to hold your circulars, ones to hold your straights. My favorite, though, is the one that can hold everything!

 

Imagine, you could have all of your needles in one place - and be able to see if you've got them all. There's a flap at the top to keep the needles in place and then you just roll it up. Tidy and ready to come to knit night!

Oh, before I go, I wanted to let you know that we have joined the Twitterverse. Follow us at TW9Yarns and find out what comes in before anyone else!

Debi

Ho Ho Ho!

Hello again!  Last weekend, we celebrated our annual Christmas in July and I think it's safe to say we all had a jolly time.  Our instructors were there, with simple and quick knits to get holiday knitting off to a roaring start!  Here's Caryn, my manager and the main crochet teacher; she also organizes all the classes, so I think you can imagine how much I appreciate her.

We had BJ with her "I Got Your Lace" shawl and Ginny with her "Tam-tastic" pattern.  (I'd show you pictures of them, but they were surrounded by customers the whole time!) Here's Judy with her continuous strand  weaving; she'll be teaching that this fall for us!

 But I don't want you to think that's all the news for this week.  We've been receiving regular visits from the Man in the Brown Truck!  Just Monday, he dropped off four HUGE boxes from Berroco. The new pattern books are so fabulous, but the yarns are just as good.  Here's Sundae, a bulky weight yarn with amazing depth of color:

 

See what I mean? I'm also in love with their Vintage Wool, which comes in such a great range of colors and is washable! Oh, and the Lustra - a wool tencel blend with shine and softness to make you just need this yarn!  The patterns are also just so good - a range of wearable things no matter what age you are. 

 

And then, just when we found room for all of that wonderful yarn, along came the boxes from Aslan Trends.  They've launched three new lines of yarn, all kettle dyed. There's a sock weight, a worsted weight and a bulky weight all in the same colorways. With that, you could either mix and match yarns in one piece or have socks that perfectly match your sweaters!

 

The other thing I love about yarns like this is that they can make a simple sweater really look special.  We had one customer who bought the purple worsted weight to make her first garment - a vest.  It is such a basic pattern, but it will pop in the yarn she chose. Who says basic has to be boring?

On a final note, I want to encourage you to check our class listings from the main store site. We have 15 instructors and they are always coming up with new projects. We've also added two new instructors. Melissa will be teaching the Bianca sweater and Louise will be teaching the Botanica Medallion cardigan from the summer Vogue. Welcome to both of them!  The shawl below is the Limbo shawl which was designed for new knitters.  It will teach you everything from gauge to cables, to lace, to seaming.  Just look for it on the August calendar!

 

Keep knitting and thanks for checking in with us!

Debi and the rest of the TWNY gang