You'll Want to See This!

Over the weekend, I popped into Yarn Cravin' to see what was new and I was glad that my trusty Nikon make the trip with me. You'll appreciate it too, I'm sure. I'll try to keep the verbage low, because there are many photos to show you all!

First up, Lotion Bars!!! These tins have a round, solid lotion bar inside. The solid lotion is great for knitters and other crafters because it is not greasy, and absorbs quickly, allowing you to get back to your fiber crafts quickly. These are also very portable and come in several yummy scents. Come and sniff!



Look at the adorable teddy bear and kitty cat tape measures! You've seen the sheep, and the round peppermint candy look-alike. Here are more critters to steal your hearts. Right behind them you'll see care labels for your knitted items made by SOAK. Attach a label to a knitted gift that tells the recipient just how to wash that special knitted item.



Just one hank of Berroco Jasper yarn made these three felted coasters! Buy two hanks and make a great house-warming gift, or send some off to college with your big kid. For that matter, make some for your own house! This is a quick and easy project. We can felt them at the shop if your washer at home won't do the trick. Just try to let us know ahead of time.



If you are a fan of Claudia Handpainted Yarns, check this out:



New colors have just arrived! Aren't they gorgeous? This is being sold as sock yarn, Fiber Friends, but I know you can think outside of the box and will figure out many other ways to use this beautiful yarn.

Are you looking for an eco-friendly yarn? Berroco Re-Mix just arrived (the photo below just shows a few colors!) and is made entirely of recycled fibers!!! It's a mix of several fibers - nylon cotton, linen, silk, but NO wool ... I'm probably forgetting something. I was amazed at how soft it felt, and each ball has 216 yards! This is a great yarn for those allergic to wool, or possibly for baby items.



Who is looking for something fun to knit for the holidays? Why not knit up a drawstring bag for someone special to carry during the winter? Or fill it with goodies and use it for your winter decorations. I find the little "coal" bag particularly amusing!



This item and the next really excited me. Many of you already have a needle gauge from Debra's Garden. Lo and behold, she's made one for sock and lace needles! This needle gauge goes down to size 000! If you know someone who has a love for knitting with teeny needles, this would make a great gift or stocking stuffer! There are several colors and they come in a matching drawstring pouch.



What really got me excited was this nifty gadget and I know a woman designed it. Look at this stitch counter! The inner circle goes up to stitches 1-9. The outer circle starts at 10... so stitch 11 would be 10 + 1. But wait, there's more!! If you look closely, at the very outer edge, at the bottom, you'll see a notch. At that spot, there's a blade, and that can be used to cut your yarn! Ingenious! These items are each individually hand made, so the price is a bit steep, but the quality on each one is high, and I think they will last for years. Send your significant others in to buy one for you! ;-)



You cannot have been in the shop recently and missed seeing all these little bundles of yarn being made or being passed around. Friday there was a whole basket full. See?



Bobbie and DaleAnn were sitting in the back making more of them as fast as they could and it's all because of this:



The shop is hosting a KAL (knit-a-long) for the 10-stitch blanket and if you haven't caught the mitred square madness, you probably will! In an ideal world, one would use sock yarn scraps. Being that not everyone is a sock knitter (what? some people don't knit socks?!), the lovely ladies at Yarn Cravin' are accommodating those knitters by making up bundles of "scraps" that are really new, for purchase. You can knit a blanket, a shawl, whatever your heart desires. The first official night for the KAL is August 18.

So, now that all of that is out of the way, please remember that your Summer Fair Projects are due at the yarn shop for "judging" before August 19. Your projects will be on display August 19-21 and voting is August 21. There will prizes in all categories!

The Fall/Winter class schedule will be out soon also. Keep your eyes open for that. If you saw something in these photos that caught your eye, hurry into the shop, or call and have someone hold it for you. Here today, gone tomorrow, you know. The early bird gets the worm.

WWKIP Day and TNNA and New Goodies and... Whew!

SUMMERTIME!

In Mid-June Bobbie and DaleAnn went to TNNA in Columbus. You know, the big semi-annual trade show where they learn all about what the latest trends are in the fiber world. The boxes started arriving at the shop before the two of them even arrived home! Really, knitters, you have to stop into the shop regularly to believe all of the new yarns, patterns, gadgets, and notions that are already streaming in for Fall and Winter. And did I mention BAGS? Oh, the bags! All shapes and sizes, and in fabrics and colors that you won't believe! Don't worry, I've taken some photos.

World Wide Knit in Public Day was celebrated June 19 and it was a glorious, warm, sunny, breezy day. The porch was comfortable and Dale put fans outside to make it even better. Some people stayed away because of the heat, but a good time was had by all who attended. There were prizes!

SarahLou finished the Dead Fish hat for her dad for Father's Day! :-)

A serious note was part of the day, since 10% of all sales went to help the families who were affected by the tornadoes in early June. A bag for extra donations was put out that week as well. Special thanks go out to all who donated whatever they could to help the families who are in need. We are fortunate to be surrounded by such a generous, caring, fiber community!

And now to those bags I mentioned earlier. This is by no means all of them, dear knitters. I did make the photos bigger for you, though. ;-)



These clamshells by Lantern Moon are a set of three! They are great for notions, coins, lipsticks, your charms for your bracelets... use your imagination! Oh, but the red one may have come home with me today. Ooops! I think there's one more at the shop, though.



JaJaJa Purses makes these pretty bags using reclaimed upholstery and draperies. There are no two exactly the same, and they come in many shapes and sizes. It's been hard for me to leave this red bag at the shop!



Red Lantern Moon... and there are matching clutches, too. Yummmm!





Not a bag, but DaleAnn has finished her Sideways Linen Vest. I had to try it on, and it is gorgeous!!! I know many of you are working on vests of your own, and I would love to take photos when you finish them. How is your progress?



As always, Tuesday nights are busy nights with our group of fiber lovers growing. We have welcomed many new faces to Yarn Cravin' and love that you are telling your friends about us. The more, the merrier!

Shop Happenings

Were you at the Spring Insanknitty Retreat? It was great fun! Many new people joined in this time, and new friends were made! The date for the Fall Retreat has already been set - Oct. 16-17, and reservations are being taken. Don't miss out! Here's a link to some photos: Spring 2010 Retreat Photos

There are many new yarns in the shop right now, including JoJo Land Rhythm and Melody! The new Bearfoot Mountain Colors sock yarn - Crazy Foot - has arrived, too. This is dyed on a new base yarn, and is leaving the shop quickly.

Just a reminder:

We are also starting a new Knit-a-long! The pattern we have chosen is the Soft Linen Sideways Lace Vest (Ravelry Link) from Classic Elite designed by Julia Trice. It is a beautiful vest that can be worn year round. If you have never joined us for a knit-a-long before, let me tell you a little more about how it works. We will start Thursday April 29th. You need to come in to sign up and purchase supplies on or before April 29th... but I bet Bobbie and Dale will let you in if you beg. Then every Thursday during the Knit-a-long, Dale Ann and Bobbie will be available to answer questions and give help if needed. You are welcome to come and knit for as long as you can join us on those days. It is not mandatory that you come every week but we would love to see your progress and we know it’s more fun to knit with friends. The shop is open until 8:00 PM on Thursdays.

Extra Bonus: One lucky person will win a gift basket valued at $200 from Classic Elite Yarns. The details for the basket will be explained on the 29th. You must pre-register for the knit-a-long to qualify for the gift basket.

Have you seen the cotton ankle socks Dale Ann knit recently? She used one skein of Katia Bombay, and the socks are so yummy! This yarn is flying out of the shop, too. If you want your socks to match, you'll need two skeins. Of course, if you're like me, and fraternal twin socks are okay, one skein is plenty for shortie socks. Think summer, knitters!

This summer's knitting contest theme is a County Fair theme, with many different categories. The details are on flyers in the shop. I will try to get them listed here ASAP.

P.S. If the sideways vest isn't your style, a whole bunch of other knitters are informally knitting the February Lady Sweater together. This is a gorgeous sweater, based on a baby sweater designed by Elizabeth Zimmermann. There aren't any formal meetings, but you can get help/support on Tuesday nights at Knit Night.

Catching Up

Wow! This winter has been a bear, hasn't it?! February 2010 was the second snowiest on record; topped only by Feb. 1900.

It's finally March, and this month seems to have come in like a Lamb, with temps reaching 40 degrees and the SUN shining! The Winter Olympics have ended, and if you participated in Ravelympics over on Ravelry, hopefully you completed your events.

If you haven't stopped by the shop, lately, Tuesday night Insanknitty sessions have been jam-packed to just about standing room only. Don't let that keep you away, though. There's always room for one more. Or two. Or three. :-) Dale Ann and Bobbie just celebrated their THIRD ANNIVERSARY at Yarn Cravin' also! Hooray for all of us! There is a new rule, though:

We just need you all to be aware of the writing on the wall!

Also, remember that classes continue to be in full swing at Yarn Cravin' on just about every day of the week, and at all different time slots. The Winter schedule is winding down, so watch for a spring schedule soon.

Would you like to see the very newest in organizational tools from Namaste? Of course you do! They just arrived at the shop today...

This little box is an accordion file for your circular needles! Inside you'll find over a dozen (I didn't stop to count them, but I'm thinking closer to 24) pockets, plus tabs for labels. The colors match all of your gorgeous knitting bags. There are countless ways to use this handly little box - maybe get one for longer lengths of circulars, and one for shorter lengths? It would make a great gift for a friend who knits exclusively on circulars. Having seen the price today (it's less than $25!!) I know they will fly out the door.

Many knitters are counting down the days until the Spring Retreat in mid-April. If you signed up, but haven't paid yet, get your $$$ in ASAP. All spots are filled, so if for some reason you cannot attend, be sure to let Dale Ann, Bobbie or Annette know right away. Others are anxious to attend.

There have been some new faces dropping into the shop recently. If you see someone you don't know or don't recognize, please say hi and introduce yourself. We want to keep it fun, friendly and informal!

What A Party!

Were you here for the Pajama Party Sale? The bravest of the brave were lined up well before 6:00AM rarin' to go!

Look at these happy early morning shoppers!

Misti was wide awake and ready to help.

Addi decided that early morning sales were for the birds.

Shoppers were packed in all the rooms looking for deals, and filling their bags full of wool.

This Yarn Cravin' Elf looks happy, considering the early hour.

Should we do it again next year? What do you think?

Pajama Party Sale! Pajama Party Sale!

Yarn Cravin’ First Annual Pajama Party Sale

Saturday January 2nd, 6:00AM-9:00AM

(yes, you read that right!)

First of all, there are a few rules! (oh, yeah, the fine print...)

• You MUST wear P. J.’s to get the discount. Not sweat suits, scrubs, etc. Pajamas are a must! NO pajamas, NO discount. (We will be in our jammies, too, don't worry!)
  



• Sale is on in stock items. Needles, special orders, yarns we are holding for you and classes are excluded. No other discounts apply.
  
  
  
• No yarns will be wound into pull skeins from 6-9, from 10-4 maybe. You may bring yarns purchased back at a later date to be wound.
  



• From 6-7 all yarns will be 40% off, everything else 25% off
  (you need to be in line by 7 to get 40% off)
  



• From 7-8 all yarns will be 35% off, everything else 25% off
  (you need to be in line by 8 to get 35% off)
  
  
  
• From 8-9 all yarns will be 30% off, everything else 25% off
  (you need to be in line by 9 to get 30% off)
  
  
  
• Bathroom Sale Yarn 75% off from 6-9 ONLY
  



• From 10-4 everything will be 25% off! (patterns, books, knitting bags!! notions, mugs)

You don't wanna sleep through this one!!! Get it on your calendar now!

NOTE: We will close from 9-10 to allow our helpers time to have breakfast and get ready for the rest of the day!!

Puppies, Ponchos and Fish

Puppies, ponchos and fish. Say what?!

You'll see!

Item number one: The Puppy.
Look at Misti! Isn't she adorable? She's growing quickly, so if you haven't stopped in to see her in her "little" stage, do it soon!

Item number two: Ponchos. Look at the adorable poncho Deb made! She took the Icelandic Sweater class with Wayne (former co-owner of Fiber Works, which we all dearly miss), and adapted what she learned to make a poncho for her granddaughter. Brilliant!!

Last, but not least, FISH! Fish hats! This is a free pattern at knitty.com and you can knit it yourself quite easily. Fishy hat can be made from Mission Falls superwash quite economically like the hat on the right. Just picture yourself at a Toledo Walleye hockey game sporting one of these hats! Too much fun, friends.

As always, Tuesday nights are open for fun and friendship, help and shopping. We would love to see you!

Remember this month there's so much to be thankful for, including our yarn, and our yarn shop and shop owners!!