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

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