What's New: 3.17.10

It's another amazing week at the shop. Tina and staff continue to rearrange as we prepare for our upcoming Yarn Tasting on Friday, March 26, 2010. Don't Miss this EVENT. It is sooo much fun to try the new yarn on needles and be inspired by ALL the new books, patterns and yarn. We ONLY do 2 events like this a year. Mark your calendars NOW for our biggest spring yarn tasting to date.

I have been in Seattle for three days at a Yarn Market News Conference. I have previewed lots of upcoming products AND heard lots of ideas to continue to make your knitting experience amazing at our shop.

We were treated to a wonderful dinner hosted by Skacel last evening. Skacel brings us Addi Turbos, Addi Lace, Treking and lots of other wonderful yarns. Last night I felt like I was in the Oprah audience. At th end of the dinner, Skacel gave each shop owner in attendance a set of ADDI LACE interchangeables. They are a prototype of the Lace Intrchangeables to come. WOW. We all screamed. Almost every knitter loves the lace tips. The Lace Interchangeables are shorter and come with cords starting at 16" up to 40," come in a brown case and include needle sizes 4 to 11. OMG = Oh My God is what my girls would exclaim and so do I. I will have my set at the shop on Thursday for anyone who wants to touch. I have put in a large pre-order. I known own two sets of Interchangeables Colonial Rosewoods & Lace. I LOVE my Rosewoods. My yarn will have to decide which one's I knit with! What a wonderful delemma for any knitter.

SKACEL DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE NEDLES WILL BE AVAILABLE- but soon I hope.

BUT I AM TAKING PREORDERS. Email or call the shop to get your name on the list. The Lace Interchangeables wil be priced similar to the Turbos.

New Yarn Spotlight. We received some amazing Supersocke with Angora from On-Line. Great hand, soft to the touch and gentle color changes.

Trendsetter Merino 6 & 8 have been restocked. This superwash merino is a steal at $8.50 a skein. On Thursday I will have my Swagger Jacket from the book Swing Swagger Drape at the shop. It is knit in Merino 8 by Trendsetter.

Aracaunia Ruca spun from sugar into fiber is here. We have a great scarf pattern that shows off the color and drape of this yarn. We carry solids and variegated. We have new KnitKits in stock. The new bright blue KnitKits now include a chibi and a double ended crochet hook. Great additions for the Easter Basket or for that special mom on Mother's Day. I got to spend a few hours in Seattle with Barbara, the developer of the KnitKit and we had great fun visiting a few shops in Seattle this afternoon including the infamous Tricoter. It is so much fun to see how other yarn shops support the art of knitting and crochet.

RETREAT KNITTERS: How is your Vest/Sweater coming along? Join me on Monday, March 22 from 6-8 pm to work on your retreat project. Spring is a perfect time to wear your vest. LET'S GET IT DONE.

Upcoming Classes: Join Yvonne to make your version of Elizabeth Zimmermans's Green Sweater. Designer Sunday Holm reconstructed the pattern replicating the original shaping of the garment. The sweater is worked from the bottom up with a mitered hem and "phoney seams." It is a cropped sweater with Dolman sleeves (we've seen this type of sweater sleeve in many clothing magazines lately) and is knit in the round to the shoulder. We give plenty of techniques (provisional co, phoney seams, securing steeks, EZ's icord button loops and more), along with an option for slimming the sleeve. Sizes (38, 42, 46, 48 chest circumference). Class starts Saturday, March 20.

Lindsey has finished the FIorista Sweater for her upcoming class that starts in May. Stop in to check out the sample. We love Fiorista. It has just a hint of nylon that gives this cotton elasticity and makes it an easy knit. Also love the Gedifra pattern support.

Freebies & Resources

Visit epatterns central for free and very cheap, easy to knit patterns.

We also have great Easter patterns from Marie Mayhew & our resident designer CID at the shop. Get started now..you only have a couple of weeks. Check out the great FREE placemat pattern. There are many new yarns that will create a set to update any table.

I also love these perfect wedding washcloths for any upcoming wedding shower.