Eye Candy

Have you ever looked at the Flat Feet sock flats and wondered how they knit up? Here's one example of a pair, knitted in ribbing, from one of the Patriotic color schemes. DaleAnn did this pair, and you see there's plenty left over. There's no ball of yarn to tangle or chase around, so this is a good option for travel. Check them out!
Here are the entries for July for the Summer Knitting Contest. This month's category is "shawl or shrug." Be sure to stop in and drop your vote into the teapot. There's a crochet entry this month!

Look at this happy Princess! This is a reminder to all of you that Yarn Cravin' is family friendly. Just because it's summer, and kids are out of school, don't stay away! Your kids are welcome Yarn Cravin' while you shop! Besides, Addi Purl loves the company of people her age.

It's easier for them to get on the floor to play with her!

New patterns have just arrived and DaleAnn and Bobbie told me the other day how many days it is until Christmas. (eeeeeek!) It's never too early to get started on your holiday gifts. (Mittens? Snow Buddies? Dog sweaters?)

Hot Off The Press!

Get them while you can, friends. The super-deluxe, "I Love Yarn Cravin'" shirts are here! These shirts are sized up to 3x and come in several colors. They are unisex sized and will fit us all. (No puny girly cut t-shirts, knitters, but we can probably arrange for some of those if there's a need/desire.) Even better, they are made right here in Toledo, so we are supporting another local small business.

The July/August Sock Club Yarn has arrived and it's a deliciously soft cotton yarn in sky blue. You have to see it and touch it to believe how soft it really is. It's waiting for you!

Cherry Tree Hill semi-solid sock yarns have arrived, and no two colors are the same. These are going fast, knitters. It's been a long time since I have seen such deeply saturated colors that are so gorgeous. Buying two would make beautiful stranded colorwork... I'm thinking the gorgeous Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang.


Spinners! There's some gorgeous new roving in the shop also. If you're itching to spin and want something new without having to go online to order it, Yarn Cravin' is your place to find it.

I hope you've been using this little cool break in the weather to knit, knit, knit.

Remember, while Bobbie is on vacation, there's a SALE at Yarn Cravin'. It lasts until she returns on July 7th.

Sock Club, Monthly Contest, WWKIP Day... Oh My!

There sure a great deal going on at Yarn Cravin'! I can hardly keep up with it all. What I can tell you is that there will be great new yarns coming in the fall thanks to DaleAnn attending The National Needle Arts (TNNA) Convention in Columbus recently and ordering nearly everything. Really.

The Sock Club is moving along and participants are knitting gorgeous socks! Take a look:


This last photo is our newest sock club yarn. Remember, hand-dyed yarns can have great variation in them. See the difference in color intensity between the sock on the right and the sock on the left? Check out your skein before you buy.

If you haven't seen what the Monthly Contest is producing, you really do have to check it out. These are the entries for June; anything felted. Wow!

This past Saturday was World Wide Knit in Public Day. I couldn't attend to take photos, but rest assured, our regulars were camped out on the porch and in the yard, knitting and having fun together! Knitters all over the planet participate in WWKIP Day.

Come by and knit in the shade of the porch sometime soon. Bring whatever you're working on. There's nearly always a breeze, and there's certainly always someone to knit with.

Just The Usual Clownin' Around

The porch was open and jam-packed Tuesday night. All of the chairs were out and the air was warm and pleasant. Like always, there was some clowning around going on. Was it more than usual? YOU be the judge!



I think I may have a new career with Ringling Bros. if my current job falls through.

Annette and Gina model their new hats...er...baskets.

But seriously, there was much knitting, crocheting and spinning going on Tuesday, amidst the socializing. Mary helped me with the photography, and we decided to focus on hands and works in progress, rather than the people. Well, except for Cher, who had a finished shawl to show off. So sit back and enjoy all the photos of all the beautiful hands making beautiful things.

Wait, wait, wait! That's definitely NOT knitting. It might count as fiber. Who is that?! ;-) (Don't worry, Barb, I'm not telling.)

Red, White and Blue

The latest shipment of FlatFeet has arrived! Aren't they gorgeous?
There are only 8 of them, so the opportunity to buy one will be decided by raffle. You will have to stop by the shop and put your name in the hat. If your name is drawn, you can choose one of these beautiful patriotic FlatFeet to buy! You could have some red, white and blue socks knitted up in time for the Fourth of July.

Only 50 shops across the United States were chosen to receive these special "birthday" FlatFeet, and Yarn Cravin' is one of them. We really do have a great place to knit and shop.

Here's a link to a free sock pattern written specifically for FlatFeet, from the creators, Conjoined Creations. Flat Feet Sock Pattern Enjoy your knitting!

Springtime Buzz

Have you heard about the latest contest the shop is having? The Spring Into Summer Contest has started with Socks in May. Right now the socks are on display for voting! Items for June must be completed and turned in 5 days before the start of June, and can be anything felted. Click on the link above to go to the the complete rules.

I have seen first-hand the gorgeous knitting you all can produce. C'mon, knitters! Get those kneedles moving and get into the contest!

Sock Club continues to meet with two groups meeting on alternate months. The May/June yarn comes from Perfect Day Yarns. The color is Turks Cap Lily. Sarah dyed yarn for us last year, too. Be sure to drop in and pick up your yarn. Feel free to get started on the pattern ahead of time! (The colors are way prettier than this photo show!!)

(photo stolen from Sarah's flickr)

Bobbie recently had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in her shoulder. Send a note to the shop and DaleAnn will make sure she gets it. I know she would love the good wishes.

Lastly, stop in to see what's new, sit on the porch for a bit, and tell us what's new with you.

Retreat Review

It has been said in the past, "What happens at the retreat, stays at the retreat." That just wouldn't be fair to everyone though, because there was just so much good knitting and hilarity going on. So, with some editing, I will share with you the Insankitty Spring Retreat of 2009.

The girls had their special knitting gear on and were ready to go. But, do you all know who forgot to bring knitting to the retreat?

Pretty cabled project.

Outside knitting was great. We special-ordered the 80 degree weather.

We had birthdays to celebrate!

The spinning demo was fun and interesting. Thanks Dawn, for sharing your knowledge.

Knitting with friends and sharing projects in progress... big ones and small ones.

There are far too many photos to share here, so at the end of this entry, you will find a link to a Flickr page with all the of photos!

Our Entertainment for the evening might give you a clue about why some of what happened MUST stay at the retreat! Luann and Barb were fabulous. "Hey Big Spender..."

Go here for more pictures, dear friends! Insanknitty Retreat Photos

A BIG Thank You goes to Annette, our Retreat Coordinator, for all her hard work and planning. She did a fabulous job making sure we all had a great time.