Holiday Ideas

Our fearless leaders at Yarn Cravin' have been busy, with the help of many elves, putting together a Holiday Trunk Show to make sure everyone has ideas for quick and easy gifts in the days and rapidly dwindling weeks ahead.


(Clicking on the photo above will give you a photo with notes about different projects on the page)

If you are wanting a special gift, maybe the Addi Click Lace interchangeable set would like nice wrapped up for you. Hint to your significant other, or buy your own gift! These sets have arrived at YC!



Knitters, spinners, fiber lovers, who wouldn't love this adorable sheep mug?



But wait! There's a surprise inside!



With the popularity of the sparkly sock yarn lately, Bobbie and Dale have done a fantastic job finding some that's new. http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=193 Marathon sock North Pole comes in a wide variety of colors include Jack Forest, Snow Day, Merry Merry...



I bet some teenager or fun grown up you know needs a cupcake hat, right?



If nothing else, stop in to see all of the adorable sheep frollicking all around the walls of the middle room in the shop. They are too cute for words!



Wishing you quick and painless holiday knitting, and joyous times with family, friends, and knitters!

Socktober!

Everyone says the Fall Retreat was a HUGE success. Thank you to Annette for her planning!! Mark the weekend of April 2-3, 2011 on your calendar. That's the date for the Spring Retreat.

Surely you have noticed that the days are colder, especially the mornings. Now is the perfect time to stop in at the shop and stock up on supplies for keeping your feet warm this fall and winter! Hand knit socks are wonderful and last a looooooong time. They make great gifts, too, especially in superwash wool if you aren't sure if the recipient will hand wash them.

Yarn Cravin' has so many new sock yarns, you have to see them to believe them, but my trusty Nikon and I have photographed some to give you a small taste of what's in store...



Sparkly sock yarn by Kertzer. Much prettier than my camera can capture!


Ty-Dye socks in all sorts of pretty colors!


Panda silk! This is a silk/bamboo combination and very, very soft. Think about this for someone who doesn't like wool, or can't wear wool.


Panda superwash!


Mini Mochi! Many of you have been wanting this in the shop for a long time. It's finally here!

And I have to tell you about the new tote bags that have arrived. They are made from recycled 2-Litre soda bottles. The designs on them are famous quilt patterns. The bags are big, and zip at the top. They hold a huge amount of knitting! Really, they will hold an afghan or sweater project easily. I think they would make great re-usable shopping bags for when you come to shop to knit and pick up more knitting supplies. They are priced just under $7 and are a great deal! Shown below are two of the designs.





Aren't they gorgeous? Stop in and get yours today. Use it for shopping when you come to Yarn Cravin' and help the environment at the same time!

Mitred Square Mania

Do you find yourself swapping little bundles of sock yarn with other people? Do you see squares where others see socks? Are you taking your knitting to bed with you at night? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from "Mitred Square Mania" which starts with this,



and ends up with a project looking like this:


Dale's Mitred Square Shawl

A very large group of dedicated (obsessed??) knitters are doing this KAL at the shop which is meeting the third Wednesday of each month. Shawls, scarves, and blankets are all being knit.

Co-Owner Bobbie has sewn up some fantastic project bags which are currently for sale in the shop. They are all different, and come in different shapes in sizes. These are a great way to keep your sock projects all separated, and a fabulous way to keep your knitting bag organized. Just grab the correct project bag, or two, and you're ready! I always keep one little project in the car, as my "waiting around" knitting. Oh, and sorry. The pink and and orange tie dye bag is gone.
;-)


Bags by Bobbie

The big football Border Battle will soon be upon us. If you have to ask what that means, stop reading now! Otherwise, I must ask, where do your loyalties lie? Make no bones about it with this yarn!



Flock Sock is soft, and yummy. It will create spirals of color. Think candy cane stripes. The blue/gold and red/grey colorways are going fast, but there's red/cream and green/cream for the holidays, or for local sports teams. This is a true fingering weight yarn.

Last but not least, the Fall Retreat is coming! Choose your projects, pack your bag, get your pillow and sleeping bag ready! If you didn't make the list, don't despair. A couple of spots have opened up and Dale and Bobbie have been calling people on the waiting list. Remember to take some cash and/or your checkbook. There will be some great yarn deals available. And thank Annette, our fearless Retreat organizer who does such a great job!

The temps this week don't indicate that it's fall, but the cool weather will show up soon, really. Stop in and stock up on some wool for your winter projects. There are new yarns arriving every day. Literally!

REMINDER! SUMMER FAIR IS COMING!

In case you somehow missed this information that has been on the Yarn Cravin' website, and has gone out via email, here it is again... Info about the Summer Fair knitting contest! You might still be able to get something entered!

We will be following a summer fair theme with August 19, 20 and 21st being our fair dates. The 21st will be the BIG day! Mark your calendars now to hold those dates. On those days, customers will be able to vote for their favorite in each category. We will award 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in each category plus each participant will receive a special discount coupon. Items will remain at the shop the following week for all to see the winners. So, it’s time to show off your creativity and talent!

Now, let us explain the categories and the rules.

Categories:

1) Flat Feet Frenzy: Make anything BUT socks with Flat Feet. If you are not familiar with flat feet, it is yarn that is knitted, then hand dyed and ready to unravel and knit with. You may use one or as many flat feet as you like for your project.

2) Classy Crochet: Make anything but a dishcloth in crochet. We have many talented crocheters and thought that we needed to highlight their talents!

3) Fair Isle Fun: Have fun making anything with fair isle knitting.

4) Animals: What’s a fair without some animals? Knit or crochet any kind of an animal or family of animals.

5) Two or More: In this category the items must be made holding two or more different yarns together. (EASY PEASY!)

6) Mirasol Collection: If you are not familiar with these yarns, they are beautiful and we carry the full line. Purchasing these yarns helps to support the Mirasol Project which was set up in 2006 to improve the future of disadvantaged children in Peru. This collection was named after Mirasol, a little girl who helps tend a herd of 3000 alpaca at the Mallkina ranch high in the sierras of the Peruvian Andes. So we are challenging you to make something with these yarns. We have many Mirasol books, but feel free to use any pattern you wish.

7) Happy Holidays: Anything seasonal goes! You pick the holiday!

8) Keep us Warm: This category is for Afghans! We had beautiful entries last year!

9) Mohair Madness: Make it with only mohair or add in mohair. We have different weights and colors as well as some with sparkle!

10) Scrap Happy: Time to use up some odds and ends in your stash. You must purchase one yarn that will then be used with bits and pieces from your stash. Think scrappy, a little of this and a little of that with a new yarn to pull it all together. (GOSH, I CAN'T THINK OF ANYONE KNITTING WITH SCRAPS RIGHT NOW! HAHAHAHAHAHA!)

Rules:

1) All yarns must be purchased at Yarn Cravin’ on or after March 20th. A 10% discount will be given on these yarns but you must tell us it is for the contest at the time of purchase. This is on top of your customer appreciation discount. (Sale yarns excluded, in stock yarns only)

2) All entries must be submitted by August 14th to Yarn Cravin’ along with an entry form.

3) All items will be on display from August 19th-28th. Voting will be held on the 19th-21st. Each customer will be allowed to vote for one item in each category.

4) Gift Certificates will be awarded for the top 3 in each category. 1st prize/$25, 2nd/$15 and 3rd/$10. All participants will receive a special coupon to use in September.

So, mark your calendars. August 19th-21st will be our Summer Fair Days. Each day we will have some fun surprises. Saturday, the 21st you will want to be here for sure!

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.