Handdyed afghan/shawl kits just in!

It's been a while since my last post, but I have to break radio silence to tell you about this new JJs Hand dyed afghan/shawl kit.

My husband is begging me to make a blanket with this yarn. It is a combination of JJs Montage 8 Ply Wool, Mohair Boucle , and Brushed Mohair all wound up into one great skein. It really is the kind of yarn that makes you want to drop whatever you're working on and immediately get it onto your needles. I only have about 5 rows left before I finish the Sahara sweater, but I must admit, I am tempted! It takes one skein for a shawl measuring 25" x 65" or 2 skeins for a blanket.

Other Projects in the Store

Dianne just finished this cute little drawstring purse made with 1 ball of Reynolds Saucy and one package of the Adornaments. I will be posting the free pattern here shortly. This would be a great project or gift for a little girl, or you could use Halloween colors to make a treat bag.

Mirasol Project Yarn just in

The Mirasol Project is a new collection of yarn from Peru. Proceeds from the sale of this yarn are being returned to the village where is produced. The families of the Alpaca and llama sheperds in this area are extremely poor and the funds will be used to provide education, medical care and better nutrition to the children in the village. The best of the collection is Hacho - a hand-dyed DK weight Merino Wool.

New Fall Store Hours

During the summer we are closed on weekends, but yesterday we re-opened for the Fall. This fall we are open 7 days! Be sure to visit when you're in the neighborhood.

Just in... Supersocke 100 Holiday

New Sock Yarn

We just received our latest shipment of new yarns: Supersocke 100 Holiday

It knits up in a bright random striped pattern. One ball makes a pair of generously sized socks.

I'm sure there are alot of knitters out there who can't wait to get it on their needles!



Sahara Sweater

I have just cast off the waist band of this sweater and tried it on for the first time. I think I must gained a few pounds since I started it. [sigh] . According to the pattern, the sweater is supposed to have 'negative ease' which means it's supposed to fit snugly. The pattern also says you are supposed to try it on as you go - but I couldn't quite maneuver the sweater over my shoulders while it was still on the circular needles. I just have to finish the neck border and the sleeves. Then I will have to find some very skinny pants to wear with it.

The little guy is finally crawling!


He loves that beach ball! Go get it! He is so happy that he can crawl now. His universe just expanded dramatically. Someone just said to me -- 'the easy days are over now'. I said 'when were the easy days?!?' He used to cry when I left the room. Now I can't even leave the room! My house isn't houseproofed enough to leave a crawling infant unattended for a few seconds. I'm going to have to work on that!

Berroco Jasper Just came in!

Berroco Jasper has just come in. We have had alot of customers ask for it. The colors are amazing and it is so soft.





We have the Jasper patterns too!

Addi Lace Needles

We now have the Addi Lace needles in stock. Actually we've had them for a while, but I just got a chance to put them on our website. I have never read so many glowing reviews about knitting needles. Here's another one. Try them!

New Fall patterns from Berroco

New Fall Patterns
We just got 6 new pattern books from Berroco for Fall. I love the Nora Gaughan booklet. There are some really unusual silhouettes. When you take the time to hand knit a sweater, you want something that is different than what you can just pick up at the mall. I have just listed all 6 new pattern books on our website.

It almost makes me wish for cool weather again. Although I am enjoying the summer.

New bag handles

I'm not sure if many of you know, but we do have a section on the website just for bag handles.
I just added the Grayson bag handles to our website. They are the highest quality and will add a professional finish to your hand knit bags. You can sew the leather tabs directly onto the bag or have your shoemaker do it for you.

Updating Shopping Cart

I have been busy revamping our shopping cart. Some of our customers have requested some new features such as being able to register an account - so they don't have to enter their shipping information each time they order. I also plan to start accepting the new PayPal Express. Let me know if there are any features I can add for YOU.

Wedding
On a personal note, we celebrated my sister-in-laws wedding last weekend. It was at Oheka Castle. The weather was absolutely perfect. It was a fairy tale wedding. Stacie was one beautiful bride. And I have to mention how proud I am of my daughter Chelsea.

After months of flower girl boot camp - (We practiced walking down the aisle in movie theaters, on the beach, in synagogue, etc. ) She absolutely nailed it. She walked down a very long aisle (including stairs) all by herself without any hesitation at all and with a huge smile on her face.

Here she is in full flower girl gear.



We had a great time at the reception. The setting was romantic old world. The food was great, the band was so much fun, and we wish Stacie and Jordan a lifetime of happiness.

Happy Fathers Day!

We had a nice time today - we went out for a ride on Grandpa's boat. We went to Ocean Beach , Fire Island. We had lunch and then went to Scoops for ice cream. The weather was beautiful. I wish I could share pictures , but we forgot the camera.



Some things that didn't sell...



Some of our products sell better in the store. Some sell better online. We sell of ton of Unger Utopia online, but rarely sell any in the store. You just never know. I bought alot of these Adornaments kits at the end of the whole scarves thing, and they just never sold. I thought they would be great for making scarves or hats. You can use a solid color to coordinate and just every so often throw in a shot of one of these other yarns to add some interest. It makes a really inexpensive way to try a bunch of different yarns. At the time we were also selling alot of yarn to scrappers. They would by a few balls of yarn, and then cut it into 3-yard lengths and take it swaps where they would trade it for other scrapbooking supplies. Now I'm not sure what to do with all of these Adornaments packages. If anyone has any suggestions... Let me know.

Our latest ad

Here is a picture of our latest ad. We had alot of great entries to our ad contest. But I picked this one because she was local - so I could easily have her photographed. Also we have the pattern for the sweater she is wearing. I wanted to be prepared in case anyone came and wanted to knit the exact same sweater. Her sweater is knit with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. Isn't she beautiful! I guess I have a thing for bald babies.

I want to give a special honorable mention to this one:

His mom stayed up almost all night working on this sweater so she could get her picture in before the deadline. It is made with Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere, and it was designed by his mom. Lucky kid! He is so cute!