Catching Up

Lots of new items have come in these past few weeks, but I've been too busy to post updates on the blog.

We now have 34 colors of Kraemer Mauch Chunky in stock. This is a chunky wool that's similar in construction to Lopi, but I find it softer and the heathered color blends are more interesting. It works nicely for outwear and winter accessories and also felts amazingly. 

I made a pair of "Snowproof" felted mittens with a knit cuff that you can see in the shop -- the pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry. The yarn felted quickly and easily.

Perfection Chunky - Kraemer has also introduced a chunky weight of their popular Perefection Machine Washable Merino/Acrylic blend. We have all 12 currently available colors in stock. It's soft and squishy.

All colors of Jojoland Rhythm Superwash are now back in stock. Plus we have several new patterns that Jojoland just released. This has been a very popular yarn for us. If you find a large shawl or sweater daunting, Rhythm Superwash is a light worsted weight machine washable wool that works well for hats and mittens too.

Our Cricket Club meeting on October 1st was a success, and many knitters were excited to see how easy and approachable weaving can be with a Schacht Cricket Loom. We have looms, additional heddles (5, 10, 12 ends to the inch), pick up sticks, and carrying bags in stock. 

Stay tuned for another post with new products...

Aslan Trends - King Baby Llama Mulberry Silk and Alpaca Melange

Our newest shipment from Aslan Trends arrived Tuesday morning -- it includes all 20 colors of King Baby Llama and Mulberry Silk as well as all 7 colors of Alpaca Melange.

King Baby Llama and Mulberry Silk is a combination of two of the best fibers the market has to offer. The baby llama is completely dehaired and extremely soft. Mulberry Silk is the highest quality silk the fiber market has to offer.

The light and dye react differently to the two fibers -- giving this yarn a unique sparkle. It looks and feels great.

It's 70% Baby Llama and 30% Mulberry Silk. At 218 yards per skein and 5 stitches to the inch on a US #6-8 -- it's a great worsted weight offering.

The entire color palette of 20 beautiful colors is in stock. View and purchase Aslan Trends - King Baby Llama & Mulberry Silk online or come visit to see it in person.

Also new from Aslan Trends is Alpaca Melange.

This is a completely dehaired superfine 100% Alpaca. It too is a worsted weight at 218 yards per skein and approximately 5 stitches to the inch on a  US #6-8.

All 7 colors are in stock. The melange color blends offer a bit of interest and visual texture to your projects. View and purchase Aslan Trends - Alpaca Melange online or visit the shop today.

A lot more new fall products are arriving soon -- this is looking to be a very exciting season!

You can always see the newest products if you attend our weekly drop-in group. It's every Saturday from 12 - 2 PM. There is no charge and no registration is required. Feel free to drop by for the entire time, or just as much as you can fit in. Join the other crafters in sharing your work, picking out new projects, getting a quick assist on a current project, or just chatting about the latest news.

Alpaca Yarn Company - Hand Dyed Yarns - Swizzle and Paca Paints HT

Swizzle, from The Alpaca Yarn Company, has a unique multi-toned hand dyed effect on top of super soft alpaca fiber. This yarn knits at approximately 5 stitches to the inch on a US #7, making it a great light worsted for use in fall projects.

The colors are really great -- including three "brights" that really pop against a single black ply.

All 9 colors of Swizzle are in stock. View the Swizzle colors here, or come visit to feel it in person.

Also just unpacked from The Alpaca Yarn Company is Paca Peds HT. This is a superwash alpaca and wool sock yarn. Included are 360 yards of the main color plus 90 yards of a complimentary dyed skein. Use this second skein for heels, toes, stripes, or other accent work.

If you were planning on making one of the popular shawl or scarf patterns -- this second skein works great for edgings and trims. Or isolate a particular panel of the pattern to be worked in the semi-solid to be sure it pops.

10 colors of Paca Peds HT are in stock. View the Paca Peds HT colors here, or come visit to feel it in person.

New Yarns - Jojoland Fantasia, Step It Up Sock, Serenity Sock

New for Fall 2011 is Jojoland Fantasia. This is the chunky weight version of Jojoland's very popular self striping yarns. It's machine washable wool and has a generous 145 yards per hank. With its great colors and nice hand, it's sure to be a best seller.

All nine colors of Jojoland Fantasia are now in stock.

Also new is Step It Up -- a long color repeat striping sock yarn. "Tie Dyed" is now in stock.

 Four new colors of Serenity Sock have also been added - Harlequin, Surf, Pink Sugar, and Violas.

Interested in more information on the new items? Browse our online store, or visit the shop today.

 

The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook - Ultimate Spinner's Reference Guide

The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook: More than 200 fibers from Animal to Spun Yarn.

From sheep, goats, alpaca, and bison -- all the way to yak -- this book includes everything you've wanted to know about all your favorite spinning fibers.

Pick a sheep breed and flip to that page. You'll find a photo of the breed, some history about its origins and development, facts about it's fleece (weight, fiber count, lock characteristics, color ranges, etc.), and suggestions on how to best use it (how to prepare and spin it, how to dye it, what to knit with it). Even more photos show that breed's fleece raw, cleaned, and spun in several different styles.


The authors have put together a great book with some worthy heft to it.

In stock today!

New Class - Japanese House Slippers

Sign up now for our newest class!

These slippers are made from the translation of a traditional pattern for Japanese House Slippers. They're quick to knit and great for gifts.

The class will cover adjusting the pattern for size, selvedge edging, joining in the round, shaped decreases, kitchener stitch, and garter stitch grafting.

The class will be over two sessions -- Saturdays August 13th and 27th from 2-4 PM.

Registration Required. There is a $5 class fee, payable in advance.

Our sample is shown in Jojoland Rhythm Superwash. Two balls is sufficient for most sizes -- making a pair $13. Kraemer Perfection or Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) would also be good choices, with price points of $5.95 and $3.99 a pair respectively.

Please visit the shop, give us a call, or send us an email for more information.

Introducing Hiya Hiya - Notions, Needles, and Accessories

We are now carrying Hiya Hiya products -- including their very popular selection of dumpling cases, yarn ball stitch markers, knitter's safety pin stitch markers, darn it needles, and puppy snips.

Also in stock are Hiya Hiya Stainless Steel Circular Knitting Needles in 47" length sizes US #1, #1.5, #2, and #2.5. The perfection selection of sock sizes, in a great length for magic looping.

The Hiya Hiya products are not yet available on our website (soon!), but please stop by the shop to see them in person -- or let us take your order by phone.