Monday, July 25, 2011

Mad, I Say!

The sock madness continues for just a few more days, and some of the team members have taken this challenge very, very seriously!

July 23 was Sock Madness Day at Yarn Cravin' and many knitters took the time to show off their completed socks, and spend the day in the cool comfort of the shop knitting away toward their goals.

Enjoy the photos of some of the participants and their socks.

Here's Laurie
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Some socks by SarahLou

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Alana, Kathy, Sandy and Sarah

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Alana's sock in progress

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Bobbie and some of her socks

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Dale Ann's finished pairs

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Other knitters dropped in and out, and others have more than 6 pairs completed for July already! Wowee! Me? Well, I set a goal to complete 2 pairs this month. I am at 1.5 right now, so maybe, just maybe I will get there.

How are you doing toward YOUR goal?

Monday, July 11, 2011

Bus Trips and Sock Madness and Handpaints... Oh MY!

Wow! There are NINE teams of knitters signed up for Sock Madness at Yarn Cravin' right now. That means there are going to be some very happy, warm feet this fall and winter! How are you doing so far on completing those unfinished pairs of socks? Remember to call or stop by the shop and get a star by your name each time you complete a *pair* of socks.

Personally, I know I would be doing better if a couple of yarn shop owners would stop ordering yarns like all of the gorgeous Claudia Hand Painted sock yarn pictured below! It's flying out of the shop, by the way. Some colorways are already gone.

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Those beautiful yarn bowls are for sale, too, by the way. If you like those, you'll love these little guys:

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They are just waiting to be adopted and placed on someone's kitchen table. Look!

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Yes, they are salt and pepper shakers! Please save me from buying them! These gorgeous sheep are handmade right here in town.

The Book Club book this month is Knit Noro. If you have a love affair with Noro yarns, you won't want to miss out on this one! Book club meets the last Thursday of the month.

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Now, on to some serious fiber business. Bus Trip. Yes, bus trip!

Saturday, August 20, is the Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan, MI. Our very own Bad Amy is organizing a bus trip (no driving = knitting time!!) for anyone who wants to go. The details can be found here:Michigan Fiber Fest Bus Trip. The cost is $40 per person, and this will be for a charter bus. You can bring food/drinks, and there is plenty of cargo storage underneath for any purchases you may make during the day. There must be 35 people signed up and paid in advance by AUGUST 1st to make this trip happen. As of today, the trip is 1/3 full. If you are a knitter, crocheter, spinner, weaver or fiber enthusiast of any sort, this is a trip you don't want to miss. The vendor list is huge! Your money will be refunded if not enough people sign up for the trip. More questions? email Amy! badamyknits@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Are You Up For The CHALLENGE?

July is bringing a new challenge, Fiber Friends, and it's calling your name. The best part is, you don't have to do it alone!

Sock Madness is coming to Yarn Cravin'. If you knit socks, and are like many others, we are guessing that you have some unfinished pairs sitting around waiting to be completed. Our wonderful shop owners, along with a couple of conspiring Julie's, decided we needed a sock challenge during July, to inspire us all to finish those pairs of socks before fall and winter creep up on us.

Here's how it will work: Let the shop know you want to participate. If you have a group of four who want to play, give them all four names. If you are on your own, you will added to a team to complete a group of four. Nobody will be on their own. This is a fun challenge, and there will be prizes. Yes, it will be competetive, but the idea is to finish socks! Why socks? Well, who wants to have a sweater or afghan sitting on their lap during July?!

Socks must be adult sized and no footies are allowed. They must be full-sized socks. You can be completing a pair already in progress, or cast on more if you have none in progress. (hahaha) Socks must be fingering or DK weight.

Sign up! The more the merrier! You have nothing to lose. Your feet will love you for it!

Now, on to pictures, because there are more new goodies in the shop since our wonderful owners went to TNNA.

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Hiya Hiya project bags. These are pretty enough to use as a small evening bag!

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Hiya Hiya clamshell with yarnball stitch markers. So cute!

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New Hiya Hiya notions, including Puppy Snips scissors. We also have folding travel scissors that CAN go on airplanes.

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Angel Wing Scissors. Doing a swap? Need a little gift for special friend? These are perfect!

String Me Along

String Me Along. This thin yarn has sequins and is great to knit along in a hat or shawl to add some bling! Use your imagination.

Sea Star

SeaStar Handpaints sock yarn. This is so popular and has been flying out of the shop. Yes, there are some DK skeins. ;-)

Mini Mochi Plus

Mmmmmmmmmm... Mini Mochi Plus! This is even prettier in person.

Flounce

Lots of colors of Flounce, and another similar yarn to make the ruffled scarves.

And last, but not least...

Seeds

This is Seed. It comes in great yardage, and has gorgeous color changes in each hank. Think shawls or maybe shrugs.

Come on! SOCK MADNESS is fast approaching! Join the Challenge!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

We Knit In Public. How 'Bout You?

On June 4, Yarn Cravin' held its' annual Knit In Public (KIP) Day. The day was hot, but beautiful. Vendors sold their wares. Contests and prizes were so much fun! Apologies in advance for not getting photos of everyone present; I know I missed the porch knitters.

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Hmmm... some future knitters in this photo!

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A special thank you to Dale Ann and Bobbie for organizing such a fun day.

SPINNERS!!! Mark your calendars for JULY 2! Rebecca (of sock blankie madness) has reserved the meeting room at the Heatherdowns library from 10am-5pm for spinning to kick off Tour de Fleece. This is open to all spinners- not just the crazy Tour de Fleece spinners :-)

Please post to the thread on the Insanknitty board on Ravelry to let her know if you can make it so she can make sure we have enough chairs for everyone.

Please also spread the word to other spinners who may not be on Ravelry. If you are not on Ravelry, you can join easily at Ravelry Join. If you don't want to join, leave a message at Yarn Cravin' for Rebecca.

Monday, May 23, 2011

New, New, New!

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Are you hungry for something new? Come in and feed your cravin'!


There are great spring and summer yarns at Yarn Cravin' right now. Yummy cottons and linens that will make great summer projects are in and they are available in delicious colors!

Check out Ultra Pima by Cascade Yarns. Like all Cascade (most?) these contain 220 yds. of yarn.

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This is Sprout, by Classic Elite. 100% Organic Cotton. Summer baby? Top for you?

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Linsey, from Berrocco. My photo doesn't do the color blends justice!

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We also have new colors of Liberty Wool. You MUST see the granny square baby blanket Dale Ann crocheted using multiple colors of Liberty Wool. It was finished in no time!

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Reminder that Book Club is using Mirasol Collection books this month, and all Mirasol Collection yarns are 25% during the month of May. Don't miss out on this great deal!

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Mark your calendars for June 4. We are celebrating World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIP Day) a week early. Come and spend the day with us! Bring a camp chair, lawn chair, a bag lunch or money to order food from downtown. If you spin or weave, bring your wheel or loom! The more the merrier! We've put in an order for good weather.

A word of warning, though... There are EIGHT ladies expecting or having recently just delivered of beautiful babies at Yarn Cravin'. We're pretty sure hanging out in the Sock Yarn Room is contributing to the epidemic. Enter at your own risk, or use it to your advantage. :-)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Do You Hate Cancer? Make a Donation, Be Entered in a Raffle!

I'm Karen, your Insanknitty blog writer. I'm posting this with Dale Ann's permission.

My older sister is currently winning her battle with breast cancer, having been cancer-free for 3.5 years. I'm guessing you know someone who has fought breast cancer, or know of someone. It's a horrible disease, and affects ONE IN EIGHT WOMEN. If you look around our Tuesday night Insanknitty, that's staggering!

On May 14, 2011, my sister is participating in Race For The Cure in Columbus, Ohio. The money raised will stay in Central Ohio to fund mammograms and cancer treatment for those without insurance and those who are facing fincancial hardship. I bet you know someone in that situation also.

On my own personal blog, Ttownknitiot, you will find my sister's story, and a link to her donation page. You will also find a contest with YARNY PRIZES!!! Yes, I said prizes. wooohooo! There are FOUR prizes, not three, since our own Sarah Lou has generously offered to make a set of stitch markers.

You simply make a tax deductible donation to Race For The Cure following the link, then email me confirmation of your donation at ttownknitiot at gmail dot com (spelled out to avoid spam). After that, leave a comment on MY blog. If you aren't sure how to leave a comment, let me know in the email. I'll put a comment with your name on the blog.

The drawing for prizes for prizes will be held on May 15, and winners will be announced on my blog.

What are the prizes?

A skein of Chewy Spaghetti sport weight (we used her yarn once for sock club - she did our pickles and peppers yarn)

Two skeins of Claudia Hand Paint - Strawberry Latte

One skein of Wollmeise!

A set of stitch markers.

More prizes may be added. Pictures are on my blog!

We are all about helping others at Yarn Cravin' and I hope you will find it in your hearts to help if you are able. If you can't help financially, pray for good weather!

Peace and Love,
Karen

Thursday, April 28, 2011

It Really Is Spring

Easter has come and gone, and thoughtful Joann Arndt brought in this beautiful bread (the eggs are dyed before baking, but not cooked ahead of time!) to share with those at the shop. Isn't it beautiful? First we thought it might be too pretty to eat, but we got over that idea in a hurry!

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There are so many important tidbits of information to share with you, dear readers, so read carefully and pay attention!

Have you ever struggled to turn the spinning racks that held the needles and notions at Yarn Cravin'? There's no longer a need to fret! The spinners are gone, and the walls have been converted to "peg wall" where everything hangs neatly within reach, and with room for several customers. Check it out!

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SALE YARN (also known as bathroom yarn tee hee hee) is currently 40% off. Bobbie and Dale were even nice enough to move it out of the bathroom! They're so good to us!


MIRASOL yarns are 25% off during the month of May. If you have any of the Mirasol Collection books and have a project in mind, this is the perfect time to get the yarn!

The Spring/Summer Class Schedule is ready to go. You can find it on the Yarn Cravin' website normally, but it's not ready online yet. Paper copies are in the shop.

World Wide Knit In Public (KIP) Day will be celebrated on June 4 starting at 10:00AM at Yarn Cravin'. This is a week earlier than normal, due The National Needle Arts Assoc. trade show that our dear owners will be attending. We do have some wonderful local vendors that will be set up for you to shop from that day. Bring your fold up camp chairs, a sack lunch if you don't want to buy from downtown, some sort of beverage, and of course, bring your knitting, spinning, weaving, crocheting and happy smiling faces! Did I mention there will be prizes? Bring your sunscreen!

The Front Porch is OPEN! Use it if you dare! Seriously, the warmer days are coming. I promise. The porch is ready and waiting for all of us.

I scouted out a couple of new cotton yarns that might be nice for summer projects for you all. Listen, cotton yarns have come a long, long way. They are much easier on one's hands than the old dishcloth cotton we used to suffer though. Give them a try! This first one is by Cascade, and it's "Luna." Aren't those colors gorgeous?

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The second cotton yarn comes from the Queensland Collection, and is called Puna Fresca.

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Delicious color!

Coming up quickly, SOCK CLUB! Meeting quarterly now, instead of monthly, you Sock Clubbers might need a reminder that the next meeting is Monday, May 9 at 6:00PM. The yarn for May is gorgeous! If you're on Ravelry, go get a sneak peek. If you're not, I'll get permission to snag the photo and post it here later.

See this very adorable baby sweater? It's the Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ) and it was made by Dale. It's not difficult, and we discussed today the possibility of having a KnitALong (KAL) for this sweater in the fall. Would you be interested in participating?

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And there's one last tiny thing to tell you all, dear fiber friends. If you read this blog, and shop at Yarn Cravin', good things come to you! Mention that you read blog while checking out with your purchases during the month of May, and you will receive 40% off any one item in the store! This excludes consignment items and interchangeable needle sets, but everything else in the store is fair game.

Now get out there and do a warm weather dance, would you?

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, and all those whom we love like our own moms, and those wonderful women who have "adopted" many of us and become like mothers to us. Remember, a mom is not necessarily the person who gave birth to you. Let that woman know she's loved and appreciated.