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.

Recovering from Cat - with Yarn!

Wow, it's been such a great week.  Spending a weekend with Cat Bordhi is an eye opening and almost life changing event.  You come out feeling like there's nothing you can't do - and no reason not to try.  We're going to try to hold onto that idea with a monthly "Creative Consortium" (named by Amy De) to inspire and support each other in being creative and innovative.  Stay tuned for more details about that - it will probably start in November, since October is just about INSANE!

Every year, we look forward to hosting our Breast Cancer event, raising money for Sisters of Support. SoS is a local breast cancer support group and we're always pleased to be able to help them. On Sunday, October 11, from 12-4, we'll be having an event at the shop.  It's a $5 donation at the door, followed by a lot of fun and incredible prizes.  We'll be knitting on prayer shawls as well as playing games and enjoying the friendship of other knitters. Our vendors have been very generous, so you can expect to see amazing door prizes and incredible silent auction items.  We're also lucky enough to have a local hairdresser come to donate pink extensions to anyone who wants for $5. All proceeds from the extensions and from the whole event will be going to Sisters of Support. It's going to be a great time for a great cause and I hope you can join us.

But of course, that's not all that's going on around here.  We're still getting in great new things all the time.  Just take a look at these buttons by Lantern Moon:

Some are made of shell, some are enamel on shell and some are enamel on coconut.  You know how much I love buttons - they define a garment.  We had a customer last night who bought some like the green ones to sew onto the store bought sweater she had one.  The color was perfect and it made what was a nice sweater into something really special.

And speaking of special, take a look at these Amy Butler bag patterns!  The Chelsea would make a great needle bag or small project bag.  The Sophia would be perfect for a sweater project.  We also have Amy Butler fabric, so you can make these things quickly enough to have a place to put the sweater you know you want to make!

Now, we never have a shortage of patterns, but designers keep coming out with more great ones.  The new book Folklorica from Tahki is one wonderful example.  The book is full of patterns using their Presto yarn, which frankly doesn't photograph well enough for me to show you how lovely it is.  Maybe the book's cover will show you:

And then, of course, there is the continuing challenge of finding a pattern that fits a really curvy figure.  Classic Elite has come out with a great pattern book, full of things that just beg to be knitted.  Check it out!

Remember, the Atlanta Shop Hop begins this Saturday, October 3, to Sunday October 11. A $1 passport means you can visit all the participating shops and get the passport stamped with a $10 purchase.  If you visit all the shops on the hop, you'll be entered for the grand prize. Also, each store will have a free original pattern for Shop Hoppers. I'm pretty sure you'll love ours, but no matter what, you'll have fun!

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

And we're back!

Last week, I had such a great post, full of new things and information - and then, the computer froze.  The good news for you is that I have all the photos - and some of the new stuff - still and am back with even more!

Last week's post started out with a photo of the new Hiya Hiya Interchangeable Needles!  I mean, really, I love the fact that the sizing goes from 2's to 8's, which are the sizes I seem to use the most.  The set, packaged in the coolest case, also includes 4 cables, sized 16", 24", 32" and 40".  Can you imagine how many projects you can have going at one time with this set?

 

OK, if you've got as many projects going on at one time as I do, you might need two sets. 

Now I wouldn't want you crocheters to feel left out.  Denise has come out with an interchangeable crochet set, which is so great if you're into Tunisian crochet.  Catherine, who works in the store on Saturdays, has started and baby blanket using Tunisian crochet and it is flying off the nee -, I mean, hook!

 

I wouldn't want you to think that the only really great stuff I have to show you this week involves needles and hooks.  Perish the thought!  Take a look at this - Brae Tweed from Knit One, Crochet Too. 

 

The colors are insanely gorgeous with names like Peat, Slate and Moor and the fiber content is positively lush:  60% merino wool/20% baby llama/10% bamboo/10% donegal . You need to feel this stuff just to believe it. Plus the pattern support is just wonderful as always from this company.  Jenna's already working on the Kelly Pullover. 

We've also gotten in Misti Alpaca Tonos Worsted.  The colors are tonal and rich, but they just didn't want to photograph well.  It's a wool/alpaca blend, 50/50, but it's spun for loft and should have great stitch definition.  Imagine the next time you're thinking of using worsted weight - this just bumps it up another notch and you'll feel the difference.

We've also gotten in Yang from Southwest Trading Company. If you think you need a little sparkle in your life, this may be your new favorite yarn!  

 

The fiber blend is so nice and soft, which is unusual for yarns with sparkle: 60% wool, 20% silk, 20% bamboo.  Maybe this will be the perfect yarn for a holiday wrap.  Just think, if you start now, you'll be able to wear it this year!

OK, now it's time for something completely different.  Some of you may be aware that we carry fabrics by Amy Butler; her Midwest Modern style is unique and her color sense is really amazing.  Well, we thought it was time to show you guys what to do with all this lovely stuff, so we've brought in a lot of her patterns!

 

Can't you see a lot of these bags for knitting and notions?  Imagine our surprise when two days after one customer bought the pattern and the fabric, she came in with this completely wonderful and reversible bag!

 

Betsy Kinchen rocks!  Just had to share that with you! So come in and get inspired.

I want to leave you with a date to add to your calendars - September 18, 2009, we'll be hosting "Purls for the Planet".  We support the Save The Fleece organization and will be having a fun night to help raise money and awareness about natural fibers.  There's no cost to come, but donations to Save The Fleece are encouraged and we'll work on our part of the World's Longest Scarf. You can read more about Save The Fleece at Save The Fleece. We're looking forward to the event and we're looking forward to seeing you then!

Thanks and have a great week!

Debi and the rest of the TWNY team

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