What's New: 4.14.10

Last week I promised to return with sunshine and except for last night and early this morning,our weather is grand. It is truly spring in Minnesota. I am almost done putting my Vogue Shawl together. Just in time for spring evenings.

There are a number of great events happening for knitters and crafters this weekend. The biggest event for stitchers is the YarnOver event sponsored by the Knitters Guild this weekend at Hopkins High School.

There may still be openings for a few of the morning and afternoon classes. There is also a great marketplace which is open to the public from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 at Hopkins High School - 2400 Lindbergh Drive - Minnetonka.

Amazing Threads will be a vendor again this year in support of YarnOver and the Guild. Please stop by our booth to say hello and check out some great products.

Shop at the store or at the market @ YarnOver Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday and receive 20% off your YARN Purchase.

That's right 20% any in-stock yarn or kit.

The Textile Center of Minnesota is hosting a garage/textile SALE on Saturday, April 17, 3000 University Avenue, Minneapolis MN.

This sale provides hours of textile shopping fun to support the Textile Center - The biggest textile garage sale ever is back again. Admission is just $1 per person. Hours of textile shopping fun! Imagine hundreds of square feet piled high with fabric, yarn, threads, notions, kits, patterns, magazines, tools, beads, buttons, even unfinished projects! And don't forget the better-than-ever used book sale in the Library! Pre-sale event is held the night before on Friday, April 16th for $25 so you can shop the event before the doors open the public.

The American Craft Council show begins Friday and continues through Sunday at the St. Paul River Center. The American Craft Council Show presents outstanding works by America's leading craftspeople for purchase by the public and to the trade. Visit http://public.craftcouncil.org/stpaul/ for show specifics and details on vendors.

What's New

Cat Bordhi's AhHa Yarn, hand dyed by Lornas Laces has arrived at the shop just in time for her workshop here on Sunday, April 18. Our workshop is full but join us on Sunday at 4:30 pm for a book signing. Cat will happily autograph a copy of any of her books.

Cat has published multiple books including: Treasury of Magical Knitting, 2nd Treasury of Magical Knitting, Socs Soar on Two Circular Needles, New Pathways for Sock Knitters, & Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters. Cat's Treasury books focus on the magical mobius.

Pattern and yarn for a wonderful 3 skein shawl arrived today from Louet. We have carried hand dyed Euroflax Linen in the past and this is our first venture into solid colors. The more you wash and wear linen, the softer it becomes.

Upcoming Classes with Openings: Saturday, April 24 learn to CONVERT IT- 10 am to 12 pm; Convert any pattern or yarn to fit your needs. Learn how simple math makes converting gauge, yarns and patterns to your knitting needs.

Book Signing with Cat Bordhi on Sunday, April 18 @ 4:30 pm.

Sublime Waterfall summer sweater starts Sunday, April 25.

Watch the website for our upcoming Summer Knits Event.

Watch our website for Kids Knitting Camp this summer. Nancy has a great number of knitters who join her twice a month to work on projects. Erica Hanson created a number of knitted "critters as gifts this last year. Kids love the process of knitting as much as adults. Teach someone you know to knit or set up a lesson with Nancy. Continue the craft of knitting and the share it with a friend.

Freebies & Resources

My staff got me a kindle for my birthday and I love it. I did order a hard sided cover for it, but I love the kindle cover in Classic Elites latest web letter. They feature it in Montera, but any heavy worsted weight yarn will work well. Just remember to check your gauge. Yes, we think that checking gauge is only for garments, but on this project being too tight or too loose with leave you with a unprotected Kindle.

Crochet Fans-Check out the Cropped Crochet Cardigan using worsted weight yarn. I might suggest Berroco's Weekend Cotton. A blend of cotton and polyester which is machine washable. 200+ yards for $6.50 a skein. I swear we sell at least 30 skeins of this yarn a day.

I ordered the pattern from Monica Brown (Cropped Cardigan designer) for a great wrap. I am thinking ahead to next fall. My "To Knit" list is growing each day. It is only going to get worse. We start ordering fall yarn tomorrow.

Love this funky shawl I found on Ravelry. Who would think this is a knit shawl. Pattern is available from Knitty. The pattern uses twisted drop stitches which I love because you can't lose the stitch as can happen with regular yarn overs.