Looks Like Spring

If it looks like Spring, is it really Spring? Even if the calendar says it's still days away?

Spring has sprung at Yarn Cravin'! The porch furniture is out, just waiting for knitters to gather, and spring cleaning has begun to make way for new yarns! Be sure to stop by between now and March 24 to check out the SALE! Discounted yarns are 35% off, and paying with cash or check will earn you an extra 5% discount. Yarns in the "sale room" are discounted deeper.

The Destination Yarn Trunk show was a big success! At times it was almost like a feeding frenzy as fiber enthusiasts jockeyed for the best selections at the tables. If you missed it, never fear. Bobbie and Dale made sure to keep some of Jeanne's yarn at the shop. Below are some photos of the day.




New Spring colors from Destination Yarns - these sold out fast.


Dale Ann and her stash.

The Jan/Feb/March calendar of classes is quickly winding down. Be on the lookout for a new schedule of fun and exciting classes with new projects to make, and new skills to learn.


Cheryl, Karen, and Dee learning about Ravelry.

Next weekend, March 24, is the Black Swamp Spinners Market Day and Fiber Fair. It is held in Bowling Green at the Wood County Fairgrounds. Yarn Cravin' will have a booth, and it's a great time to go and see other crafters as well. This linkMarket Day will give you more info.

HONOR FLIGHT SCARVES are pouring into the shop. There are only 19 left out that need to be completed and turned in before the April 15 deadline. Way to go, knitters!!

A few new things of interest have come into Yarn Cravin' this week including another yarn for making ruffled scarves, called Ric-Rac. Sorry, photos didn't turn out, but here's a link Berrocco Ric Rac to colors and patterns.

We have a yarn called "Toledo"!



Some are solids, some are tonals. What do you do with it? Dale is making a shawl.



This LaLa's Simple Shawl (Ravelry link) and the pattern is free.

There's so much going on right now, and many new yarns to check out! Hope to see you soon.

Destination: Spring!

It certainly feels like Spring, doesn't it?

Yarn Cravin' has a special treat for all of you this weekend! On Saturday, March 10, from 10:00-2:00, Jeanne from Destination Yarn will be back with us! She's bringing a load of yarn to sell, in various weights and colors. Come early to this Trunk Show for the best selection!

So many new yarns are coming into the shop, you wouldn't believe. A big shipment of Malabrigo recently arrived. Sock yarn and Rasta are flying out of the shop. The ever-popular, buttery-soft worsted weight yarn is in greater supply.

Malabrigo Sock


Malabrigo Worsted


A new gorgeous yarn is Garn, by Viking. It's superwash and self-striping, a heavy worsted weight. Just look at all these colors!



The internet has been a-buzz with the release the Namaste's newest knitting bag, a backpack called "Boardwalk." Yarn Cravin' recently received a shipment, and they are going fast! Want one?



Speaking of bags, have you seen the bags sewn by our owner Bobbie? She makes the most wonderful project project bags! These are great for socks in progress, small projects, and now, even bigger projects. Prices vary, and you pay by cash or check.



We sent out the word for help with the scarves for Honor Flight, and you did not let us down! All of the yarn has been committed to scarves. Over half of the goal of 80 has already been met! Keep returning those completed scarves to the shop ASAP. We need them by April 15. If you are not able to complete your scarf let us know right away. We will find someone else to take over the finishing.



Along with the yarns shown, there are more being unpacked and priced as this is written. Lace weights. Silk and summery yarns. A new line called Juniper Moon Farm has joined Yarn Cravin, and we think you'll love it.

Stop in and see what's new. The porch may be open soon!

Milestones and Honors

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY YARN CRAVIN'!



Sunday,February 12 was the 5th anniversary of Yarn Cravin's opening, and co-owners Bobbie and Dale Ann celebrated by having cake for customers on Friday and Monday. Shoppers lucky enough to drop by were treated to a customer appreciation gift and a coupon to use in the future. How blessed we all are to have Yarn Cravin' in our lives!! Best wishes to Bobbie and Dale Ann for their continued success! You are loved, ladies!

As this is written, it is President's Day, and what better time to write about honoring those who have served our country? Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio takes WWII Veterans from our area to Washington DC and makes sure they safely are able to see our nation's monuments, and especially the World War II Memorial, built to honor their service and sacrifice for us all. It is the goal to make sure all WWII Vets see the Memorial, and other parts of Washington DC, before they die. Upon their return to Toledo, it is nice to have some token to present to them as a remembrance of their trip. This is where we need your help, fiber friends!

Having a goal of 80 scarves by the first flight of spring (late April 2012), Yarn Cravin' has volunteered to help by knitting 80 (yes, EIGHTY) red/white/blue scarves. You only need to know the knit stitch, as the scarf is all done in garter stitch. The yarn is Encore, pictured below, and the cast on is 22 stitches on US size 8 needles. Nothing fancy. But we want to make sure every veteran receives a patriotic scarf when he or she comes off the airplane. Knitters are also welcome to be part of the "welcome home" contingent waiting for the veterans at Toledo Express when they return from their trip.



Your scarf will end up looking something like this:



Yarn Cravin' has so many customers who are speedy knitters. We can hit this goal in no time! Stop in, pick up a ball of Encore at the register. Make sure you sign up on the clipboard, and let's HONOR our beloved veterans!

There are many new goodies in the shop right now. Cuddles is a yummy yarn from Crystal Palace in many delicious colors. There are solids and variegated. This yarn is amazingly soft and would make great chemo caps, baby items and children's clothes.



Thought to be gone forever, Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn is back! Make socks, or pair it with another yarn, such as a mohair, to make a shawl.



We have many little felted wool bags for notions, felted embellishments, zipper bags and more.



These little guys are pins for your lapel!



As always, Yarn Cravin' has books, patterns, yarn, needles and notions to meet all your fiber needs. If it's not in stock, it can be ordered in for you. Stop in soon!

Generosity

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are numerous opportunities for giving to those who are need of food, toys, clothing, financial assistance and other things to get them through the Holiday Season. What happens then? *crickets chirping* It's been found that right after the holiday season, food banks have a dire need to re-stock their shelves, and our creative, generous, yarn shop owners dreamt up a plan to help.

Saturday, January 7, was our first ever Breakfast Sale. Yarn Cravin' opened two hours early to shoppers, and all those who brought a non-perishable breakfast food item to donate received a 35% discount on their purchase from 8:00-10:00AM that morning. We were blessed with generous shoppers who brought nutritious food items in the way of cereals, pancake mixes, pop tarts, cereal bars, muffin mixes,oatmeal, peanut butter, juices, and more.

This photo shows the food donation just an hour into the sale!

After 10:00AM, any non-perishable food item could be redeemed for a 25% discount on purchases for the rest of the day. The food continued to stack up, and the knitters continued to pour in the door to shop.

Just across the street, in the church, the community room had been reserved. Knitters, spinners, and other crafters were welcome to spend the day working on their UFO's and socializing. Snacks were shared. Knitting support was offered. Some even brought their kids with them, and they proceeded to play and look after the little ones.

Some old friends came back to us just in time for the sale. Our old, worn out, comfy chairs came back, having had a face lift! Look how gorgeous they are now!



This chair has a cover that cannot be removed.

The chair pictured below, however, has a lovely slip cover which can be removed.



Isn't the back lovely?



If you are interested in showing an old piece of furniture some loving, here's the contact information:
Feather Your Nest
Upholstery and Slipcovers
Barb Converse 419-874-5911
barbjc@bex.net
112 W. 2nd Street, Perrysburg, OH
Located In Back Alley Design Studio

Here's the latest wall art at Yarn Cravin'



Hopefully the generosity of the knitters this past weekend will help soothe the souls of many in need. And we hope that having our comfy chairs back, all beautified, will help soothe your souls as you sit and knit.

Thank you again for all you do to support Yarn Cravin' and each other.

Stocking Stuffers and Stuff

If you're a regular reader of The Toledo Blade, you probably have noticed the Holiday Gift Guides published daily in the front section in December. The December 21 issue was a guide entitled, "What To Buy Artists and Crafters" and featured a mention of the many knitting and crochet books carried by Yarn Cravin'! Congrats on the good press, Bobbie and Dale! If you still have your Blade from that day, you can find it on page four.

Is there still room in the stocking of your favorite knitter or fiber friend? Need a little gift for a holiday package? Stumped for a little Hanukkah gift for a knitter? Yarn Cravin' has some little treats!

Little sheep key chains made of wool, in grey, black, or white.


Zippered notion pouches made of felted wool. This is the larger size. YC also has a smaller size in various colors, including teal and purple. (No photos, because they weren't even unpacked yet when I was there to take photos!)


A very popular book, especially for fiber enthusiasts and sock knitters, is this one:

The third in a series, Clara Parkes has also written The Knitter's Book of Yarn and The Knitter's Book of Wool. She reviews new yarns and knitting tools at KnittersReview.com, an online weekly email magazine. It's free to subscribe.

The new schedule of classes is out! Check out the offerings and sign up. You can see what your choices are by going to the Yarn Cravin' website and clicking on the "class schedule" tab. Yarn Cravin' Website

Please take a moment to send healing thoughts to our dear owner Dale Ann as she is recovering from surgery to remove her pesky gall bladder. All went well and we expect her back in the shop soon.

Everyone at Yarn Cravin' wishes you and your family a Joyous Holiday Season and best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Deck The Hall With... Yarn!

It's December, Fiber Friends! December!!!!

Small Business Saturday in late November was a big success thanks to so many of you. Your support of Yarn Cravin', and other independent shops in the area that day, was greatly appreciated. Thank you!

If you need some ideas for quick gifts to knit, Yarn Cravin' has you covered. Stop by and check out the front table full of ideas and books full of quick knits. Even the little tree has ideas for you.

From ear-warming to headbands to crochet bracelets with some surprise bling in them, there's something for everyone. No time to knit or crochet? Not sure of the size? Your fiber friends would love a gift certificate to Yarn Cravin'!

While you're in the shop, be sure to fill out your Wish List card so that friends and family members can get you exactly what you want. Just ask anyone working for a Wish List card, write down yarns, books, needles, notions, bags and the sizes, colors and or amounts. The Yarn Cravin' Elves will keep it on file and take care of the rest. Oh! You do have to make sure to send them shopping at YC, though. :-)

Want some ideas for your Wish List? Here's what just came in this past week...

Dream In Color Classy. This is a worsted weight yarn, great for mittens, fingerless mitts, cowls, a scarf, hats, etc. Think warm, winter gear! This yarn is American spun and dyed, too.



Madelinetosh Merino Light has arrived! This fingering weight yarn is hand-dyed here in the USA and sells out everywhere. It's beautiful for socks, but two skeins make a gorgeous shawl. It won't last long.



If you missed out on the Everlasting Sock by Dream In Color, more has arrived. With as fast as the first shipment flew out of YC, we know this is tried and true.



Keep checking the Yarn Cravin' website for the updated schedule of classes, which should be posted soon. Of note, there will be two different classes about how to use Ravelry; one for beginners, and an Intermediate class for those who want to learn to post pictures and add links and use Ravelry more in-depth. If you use fiber, want to search patterns on the Internet, and want to network with other fiber enthusiasts in your area, these classes are for you.

BIG NEWS!!!! In February 2012, Yarn Cravin' will celebrate being FIVE YEARS young! What a fabulous milestone for a small, independent, business! If you would like to be part of the planning for this anniversary celebration (not you, Bobbie and Dale Ann!), please email your name to weloveyc@gmail.com . (you may need to cut and paste the link into your email) Put Yarn Cravin' Anniversary in the subject line.

As always, stop in to see us for help finding just the right yarn for that special project, or the right pattern for yarn you already have. We would love to see you even if it's just for a few minutes to say hello and have a cup of coffee during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We appreciate each and every one of you who have visited us during 2011.

Trunk Shows and Sock Clubs and New Things... Oh My!

If you were fortunate enough to be at Yarn Cravin' on November 12, then you know just how gorgeous the items from the HPKY Trunk Show were in person. There are photos below of a few items. If you missed it (we know there are some nasty cold and tummy bugs going around), never fear! Bobbie and Dale made sure to keep some of the items on hand to sell in the shop.


Scarf-in-a-scarf kits


Scarf-in-a-scarf knitted up

A couple nights ago was the last meeting of Yarn Cravin's Sock Club for 2011. Here is the last installment of yarn:


Northern Lights, by SeaStar Handpaints.

Some of the Sock Club Members already working hard!



Here are some projects from the August yarn, dyed by BadAmy! She is a genius with self-striping yarns.



Now, on the new goodies at Yarn Cravin'... Do you like bags? I know I like bags. Bags are our friends!

Lantern Moon has created a larger tote



New to Yarn Cravin' are these totes in all shapes, sizes and colors by Hadaki. There's even a catalog for you to look through so that you can order exactly what you want! Of course, the shop will carry several colors and styles if instant gratification is more your style.




The insides are full of pockets, and the bags zip closed.

Do you love Noro yarns? There's a brand new Noro book available, full of accessories like mitts, cowls, scarves, and hats. This fiber enthusiast can't wait to knit the entrelac mittens!



Now, a couple of notes about the upcoming holidays:

*Yarn Cravin' IS open the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

*The Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday - a day to support small, independent businesses. Support Main Street, not Wall Street!

*As in years past, you can still fill out a "Wish List" card at the shop to help loved ones with gift ideas for you! Just stop by, fill out a Wish List with items you would like to receive, and send your friends, family and loved ones to Yarn Cravin' to shop for you.

Also, if you know Mary Derck, who sometimes helps out at Yarn Cravin', send her good thoughts and wishes this weekend. She is getting married this Saturday, Nov. 19!

Congratulations, Mary and Lee!