The Whole Nine Yarns

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