Update on two Undyed Natural Yarns from Cascade Yarns

As a single yarn store owner, my chores cover everything from cleaning the bathroom to looking at new yarns at trade shows. Nothing is every totally caught up! Would I change it?? Nope!!

There has been a bit of relief recently, as my son Henry is working one day a week. Henry is no newbie to my store. When he still lived at home, he did many chores around the store. You may end up talking to Henry if you come in or call. Besides the typical stocking and cleaning, he's learning shipping and sales. No longer will orders be held up when I go to trade shows. Nor will I need to close my store when I'm gone. But be kind....he's still trying to pull all the stuff out of my brain to do what he needs to do!

This Sunday morning I finished updating the Cascade Eco Duo Yarn page. All colors are now in stock, including the new ones!

CASCADE ECO DUO YARN --

IS FULLY STOCKED!!
70% Undyed Baby Alpaca / 30% Undyed Merino Wool
Yardage: 100gr / 197 yards per hank
Gauge: 4.5 sts per inch on US#8 (5mm)
the BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE yarn!! These shades are natural, undyed. But the colors have been carefully separated and then spun together so that when knit, colors gradually change. You think it has been dyed, but it has not!

Also updated earlier this week:

CASCADE ECO ALPACA YARN

100% Natural undyed Alpaca
Cascade Eco Alpaca is a 100% Natural undyed Alpaca yarn, 100g - 220yds per hank.
Gauge:5 sts per inch on US#7 (4.5mm)

I've been working with this yarn. Alpaca is extremely soft, but when you don't dye the yarn, it is even softer. The colors in Eco Alpaca are the natural colors of the Alpaca. Very soft, very rich shades.

Selling my Brother Bulky KH270

Cleaning up my Brother KH270 (electronic, bulky) knitting machine, and am now putting her back together and gathering up all the tools. Next, pull out the ribber and check it over. Everything is looking good. I'm amazed how clean the bed is. No dings or nicks. Electronics working good. I've got the original boxes.
Looks like I have quite a few extra needles. . . . . maybe 100? Don't have a spare sponge bar, though. But I might be able to get one. Not sure.

I'm asking $1635.00 (I pay shipping) (obo) for the set. Will only sell as a set. No credit card on this one. As it is my personal machine, I will ask for a cashiers check.

If you want to claim this machine as yours, call asap!

Store # 503-200-5991.
or email me at angelikas@yarn-store.com

A LOT OF NEW YARN!!

I'm going to hit you with a lot of new yarn!!!!

Cascade Pacific

Oh My Gosh!! My newest fav!
Fiber: 40% Superwash Merino Wool / 60% Acrylic
Yardage: 100gr / 213 yds
Gauge: 4.5 -5.0 sts=1" / #7 - #8

Very, very nice, very soft. Perfect for baby, as well as light weight tops and tanks for yourself. IDEAL for the standard gauge knitting machine.
Care: Machine Wash Cool /Tumble Dry Air

Only $6.50 per ball!!

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Cascade Cherub DK

Fiber: 55% Nylon, 45% Acrylic
Yardage: 50gr / 165 yds
Gauge: 5.5-6 sts=1" / #4 - #5

Very, very nice, very soft. IDEAL for the mid-gauge knitting machine.
Care: Machine Wash Warm /Tumble Dry

Only $3 per ball!!

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Cascade Cherub Aran

Fiber: 55% Nylon, 45% Acrylic
Yardage: 100gr / 240 yds
Gauge: 4.5-5 sts=1" / #7 - #8

Very, very nice, very soft. IDEAL for the mid-gauge knitting machine.
Care: Machine Wash Warm /Tumble Dry

Only $5.60 per ball!!

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Lorna's Purple Mustang
New Color from Lorna's Laces

It's called Lorna's Purple Mustang to pay homage to Lorna's vintage '65 Mustang and favorite color. She was even nice enough to design a shawl using the color. You can download the pattern for free at
Lorna's website.

Now in stock in Shepherd Sock, Shepherd Worsted and Shepherd Sport

My lastest newsletter is out!!

My lastest newsletter is out!!

You can read it here, and download a free pattern "My Felted Tote".

Enjoy!!

Addi Lace Clicks!

The Addi Lace Clicks are here!!

Order right away! They will not last!

The addi Lace Click system provides 8 different sizes of addi Lace tips (3.5mm, 3.75mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm, 8.0mm), five different lengths of the new, extremely pliable blue cord (16", 20", 24”, 32” and 40”), and one connector piece which helps to either store stitches or combine your cords. The Click tips require no tools to change; simply insert the cord deep into the tip, twist and release. The tips will remain secure until you change them, thanks to the Click’s revolutionary locking mechanism!

The addi Lace Click tips are nickel plated. The nickel plating process is electro-static, which produces a smooth, rounded edge, where the tip and the cord "click" together.
**Please note, this plating is only added to the Lace Click tips, and not to our regular addi Lace circular needles.**

NEW Yarn from Cascade!

Cascade Cherub Baby

This is that soft blend of acrylic and nylon that makes the best baby garments.
Fiber: 55% Nylon, 45% Acrylic
Yardage: 50gr / 229 yds
Gauge: 6-7 sts=1" / #3 - #4
Very, very nice, very soft. Perfect for baby, as well as light weight tops and tanks for yourself. IDEAL for the standard gauge knitting machine.
Care: Machine Wash Warm /Tumble Dry

Cotton Cloths! The perfect gift!

Creme de la Creme 100% Cotton

62 luscious shades all in stock!!
perfect for kitchen cloths and towels, but with a nice finish that works for garments as well.
Stock up now at $2.15 a ball, for those last minute cleaning cloths for your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors!!

Glitz & Glam !

NEW YARNS
   Rozetti Magnolia   

Universal Yarn Rozetti Magnolia Yarn

Acrylic - 11%, Glitter - 2%, Polyester - 7%, Rayon - 55%, Wool - 25%

Magnolia is a super bulky yarn available in 5 fruity shades. Perfect for quick knits, Magnolia combines a thick-n-thin wool/acrylic roving with a subtle glittery eyelash and adds a bit of sparkle to winter accessories and summer shawls.

   Rozetti Polaris Yarn

Inspired by the night sky, Polaris mixes a soft blend of acrylic and wool, encasing a knitted strand of soft sequin run throughout. Colors range from creams and whites mixed with gray and black --- the results? Something dressy to wear with everything!

2-day sale for walk-in customers

Angelika’s is having an impromptu “get to know you sale” !!

Bring this coupon in and get 20% off all yarns (including clearance) and 50% off books.
Today and Tomorrow only!

http://www.yarn-store.com/discountcard.pdf

This sale applies to walk-in customers only.

Fast Holiday Gift

Buy Contessa yarn and I will include a printed, full color, pattern for this hat (2 sizes) (and matching scarf). The hat uses only 1 ball, US#11 needles, and can be knit in one evening.

Perfect for the winter holidays and winter events!!

Order on my Contessa Yarn Page.

Sneak Peak! First of three!

Contessa !!

http://www.yarn-store.com/universal-rozetti-contessa-yarn.html

I'm posting it here first! it's not even on my "new" announcements page.

Really interesting and fun, fun, fun yarn!!

Swinging with Addi

The Addi Swing....the ultimate classy crochet hook!

Developed with comfort in mind, the handle is constructed of two plastics: one colorful and soft, and the other, white and firm. The two balance each other perfectly for just the right amount of flexibility.Available in:US A (2.00mm), B (2.50mm), C (3.00mm), D (3.25mm), E (3.50mm), 3.75mm, F (4.00mm), G (4.50mm), H (5.00mm), I (5.50mm), and J (6.00mm)





Order on my crochet hook page.









I carry a lot of crochet hooks! I carry two lines from Addi, the Brittany Crochet hooks (beautiful!!), Clover Reflections and Susan Bates glass-like plastic gift sets, KA High Quality Bamboo, Clover Ergonomic and a few others on special. I even carry the crochet hooks for very fine thread.

Stay tuned!! New yarns arrived today. A bit of glitz and glam for your self, family or desk mate. Super affordable prices!!

from this to this!

Lots of hustle with freight in and freight out. Here are the newest arrivals!

NEW PATTERNS FROM OAT COUTURE

Kilkenny Cardigan #GU433 from Oat Couture

Check out the details on my Cardigan page.

Sweetie Sweater for Baby #BB221 from Oat Couture

Check out the details on my Children's page.

Foursquare Blanket for Baby #BB220 from Oat Couture

Check out the details on my Baby Afghan page.

Knit Turban #AC314 from Oat Couture

Check out the details on my Hat page.

Addi Bamboo Clicks are here!! More than 300 combinations with 8 pairs of addi natura bamboo tips, 3 addi blue cords, 1 connector! US# 4 to 11. 24", 32" and 40" blue cords. Requires no tools to change, simply insert and twist.

The Cloud Chaser Vest is delicately cabled and dramatically draped. The back features full cables, knit from hem to neck. The fronts are knit side to side, with a single cable detail near the edge. But the collar is the highlight here; wide and cabled and framing the neckline perfectly. This seasonless layer is great over tanks, tees, or long sleeves. Equally great with jeans or even something more dressy, it’s the perfect wardrobe extender.Shown in Lorna’s Laces Honor (70% Alpaca, 30% Silk, 275 yards / 100g)

On the home front,I decided to tackle the eyesore of my home office, which is located smack-dab in between my little dining room and little living room. Much better, yes??

Take care and keep on with your knitting & crochet. Stay tuned....new yarns on their way!

New Yarn: Plymouth Coffee Beenz

MORE new yarn!! Super Brand NEW!

Plymouth Coffee Beenz Yarn

Plymouth Coffee Beenz yarn is 75% Acrylic/25% wool worsted weight yarn. A solid yarn wrapped with a slightly thick-thin strand of changing neutrals.

Just in time for your gift knitting for men and those conservative-neutral people on your list.

I'm almost done with my sample swatch. I knit on the suggested US#8 needle. I usually knit true to gauge, but to get this gauge (4.5 sts = 1"), a US#7 needle might be better for me. But a very nice blend, attractive and wonderful to knit!

I have about 5 new patterns in the store. 4 from Knitting Pure and Simple and a beautiful crochet lace cardigan using very thin yarn.....will do my best to get those online over the next few days.

On the non-business side of life, its been surprising. Its not every day that your beloved car gets buried in sewer water. (sigh).... In our condo complex, my parking spot is nearly the last one, and on the deepest floor of the underground parking garage. A faulty water valve caused a huge leak that the sewer drainage couldn't drain off fast enough, causing the sewing to back up into the clean water. 2 cars and 2 motorcyles went submerged. The insurance company totalled my car. It was a extremely clean, excellent '05 Town Car. I could haul as much stuf in that car as a small truck. Maybe more. That was nearly 2 weeks ago. Finally got a replacement car. 2007 Crysler 300C. Nice Car. I'm sure I'll come to love it as I loved the Town Car. The 05 Town Car was the 3rd one I'd had, so you can tell I loved them. Maybe a bit big for Portland, but I had no trouble wheeling it around town.

Through it all . . . . Knit On !!

New Mari Sweater Patterns

4 new jackets from Mari Sweaters !!
Super tailored, very professional!
See all the details here!

New colors in Sierra Yarn

New colors have been announced in Cascade's Sierra yarn and I'm working my way down the list. See the new colors here, and there is a link for a pdf of the Sierra Color Card as well!

Fiber: 80% Pima Cotton / 20% Wool
Yardage: 100g - 192 yds
Gauge: 4.5s - #8, 5s - #7
Wash: Hand or machine wash gentle cold, tumble dry cool.

New Noni Bag Patterns now in stock!

New patterns from Noni Bags!!

Wearing my marketing hat!

Today I have my marketing hat on. Since my move to Portland, I'm updating as many internet links as I can find.

Finally got my local google listing complete, but I need some reviews.
Would love some reviews, if you have time!
Here is my Google Link .


Now back to making my badge and banner for my Ravelry Group !

My Yarn Standards

Another big job completed today. One of the things I offer is trying to offer yarn substitutions. And to make that easy, I need to know what I've got in stock, so I've created a yarn standards chart. A yarn standard refers to the size of yarn and what gauge it knits to. So I have organized all my yarns by their standard. This chart has not been updated for about 18 months, and today it is finally completed. A lot of new yarns have been added since it was updated. My Goodness!

The chart is printed and added to each shipment, starting today. The web page has also been updated, and I also have an interactive (yarns link to their web page) pdf that you can download. Sometimes I scare myself that I can manage to figure things out. While the interactiveness is really cool, it was hard to figure out and I'm sure that there were easier ways to do this, but it is done! I love it, and now I'll have to remember to do this each time I add a new yarn to the chart.

Also, a little teaser. Got part of my shipment for a new yarn in earlier this week. Web page is 90% complete. But you can check the preview here. I'll tell more about this scrumptious-squeezeable yarn in a few days! Needless to say I cast on for a small project already . . . Enjoy!

Knitting & Working & Playing in July 2010

July???

What happened to July?? I knew I was a bit behind in posting to my blog, but whoooaa!

The weather in Portland has turned rather pleasant. Had a few 90+ degree days, but mostly 70s and 80s. Waterfront Park is in full swing with summer activities. Two weeks ago it was the Brewmasters Festival. That was fun. I attended with my two sons, Cody and Henry, and their friends. The weather was warm, and the beer cold. Perfect combo. Discovered a new favorite, Irish Red. So attendance was a success!

This coming weekend is The Bite of Portland. It covers culinary, Oregon beer and Oregon Wine. I'm looking forward the food part. I'm ready for a few new discoveries to add to my cooking skills (or lack of!).

In the store, I've been working hard at the processes involved when adding new colors to existing lines and adding new lines. (Oh, and my e-newsletter went out since my last blog. That was really a big job.) Cascade has added new colors in almost all of the Cascade lines I carry. I've got the new colors in Cascade 220 added to web, and all ordered. Fixation has new colors and its web page is now updated, and all new colors in stock. Cascade Heritage Sock almost doubled in the number of colors it comes in. The web is all up to date, and I'm in the process of getting all the new colors in. Cascade 220 Superwash has new colors. I got the scripts up on the web site, but still need to get graphics posted. And there are 10 other lines that all have new colors. Cascade is also introducing a handful of new yarn lines. The 220 Sport Superwash is amazing and it is soft. Epiphany is 60% Royal Alpaca, 20% Cashmere and 20% Silk. I think I squeezed the life out of it during my Cascade rep's visit. And there's more! Where to start???

Lorna's Laces introduced 5 new colors and a new yarn Honor. Honor is an alpaca silk blend, and comes in all the Lorna Laces colors.

Today I finally got the scripts up for the 5 new Christmas Stocking Patterns from Googleheim. This is the time of the year for those projects. They'll be done in time for Christmas, and they are small enough to work on for summer travel and summer heat.

So much new to share with you! Stay tuned, and stay cool!!

New Spring Shades in Lorna's Laces

The new colors of Lorna's Laces arrived this week at Angelika's Yarn Store. I'm still working on getting them all into the database, and then onto the web site. If you are an existing customer, I can take email orders for them. Otherwise email me at store@yarn-store.net with your order and shipping information, and I'll call you back for a credit card number.

I have ordered the new colors in Shepherd Sock, Shepherd Sport, Shepherd Worsted, Shepherd Bulky and Helen's Lace. 90% of them are sitting here, waiting to be processed into the data base, photographed and put away.

By the way, the Shepherd Sock in these new colors arrived in their new put-up. Instead of 50 gram hanks, all new Shepherd Sock hanks received are being put-up in 100 gram hanks. That means only 1 hank is needed for a pair of socks.

Fjord is a light blue, slightly toward grey. Looks really beautiful paired with the color commentary Deep Dark Secret. Fjoyd is a nearly solid, which means you will see some color variation that occurs with hand dyed solids from Lorna's Laces.
Unicorn Parade is an updated version of Child's Play. Very brightly colored, a perfect name for this youthful and playful color combination.
Patina is a nearly solid color. A beautiful bronzy gold.
Robot Overlord is sure to be the best seller. Rich shades of browns and teasing inserts of poppy. My favorite for sure!!
Turtle Rodeo is bright and flirty. The graphic doesn't show the colors quite as well as they are. There is dark teal, medium teal, terracotta and dusty green. This will eventually be rephotographed. But I love the teals in this color!! I would call it a fall collection of colors.

On the home front . . . . looking out the windows behind the Yarn Store you see Lovejoy Fountain.

The other day they installed these signs. It may not be readable, but it is a warning not to drink the water, but you can wade and play in the water. And they do! The other day when I left, it looked like the beach! Kids were romping on the steps that were cascading with water. And young people were sunbathing in swim suits on beach towels. Oh my gosh! So cool!! I can work on my tan after work!!

Keep knitting through the summer! Small projects such as socks and scarves are perfect summer projects. I love to knit in the early hours, outside on the deck with coffee. Unfortunately that is also the time I'm shipping, so weather permitting, that might happen only once a week....But that's my favorite time.....when is yours?

There's Overload, and then there's Robot Overload!

I've caught up with most of the chores that were put on hold while I was away at TNNA (a trade show for yarn store and needlework stores). And mother nature of the PNW has decided to bless us with a non-winter day. It has gotten hazy this afternoon, but the temperature has finally slipped out of the 60s and is in the low 70s here in downtown Portland. Lovejoy Fountain, located outside the back door of my store has seen many happy sun lovers today. While the haze has drifted in, there is still hope that the temperatures stay warm, and that the haze might slip back out soon.

Visitors in the store remain at a steady relaxed pace as Portlanders stop in to meet me and check out my stock. Most ask about classes. I've decided against group classes, but I am doing private one-on-one lessons. Students learn at their own pace, on a project that they will wear and at a level their knitting (or non-knitting) experience is at. Tomorrow afternoon a knitter is coming in to learn how to knit 2 socks on one circular needle. Sure, I said, why not. (Let me explain that I rarely have time to knit socks. Love wearing them, but seems admin work screams louder than my knitting!) When I do knit socks, I use the 2 circular needles for one sock method. Fast forward to today. Time to get crackin' and practice up this technique. Long story short, I thought my eyes were going to cross and my head would drop to the keyboard in a "thunk!" but I did it. The hardest part was understanding the cast on. After realizing I had no books on hand to explain this particular process, I headed to the internet. 12 websites later, 2 of which were very helpful, I got it done.

Tostetoes.com has a pattern which was pretty helpful on the cast on, but I just could not visualize how to cast on that last 1/2 of a sock. The Boy Who Knits blog (look at his "previous" column. He wrote this tutorial in 2006.) helped to piece together that missing link, and I was able to progress forward with the cast on and a few rows.

Over the next few months I'll be announcing new product that I ordered at the show, as they arrive in the store. I have the graphics for 3 new colors of Poem Sock, so I'm going to show you that now, even tho I don't have them in stock yet.

In a few days, UPS will be delivering the 5 new colors in Lorna's Laces line. I will get pics up as soon as I can. If Lorna's Laces has some before I do, I'll borrow those pics just so you can see the color. Lorna's Laces also has a new yarn "Honor". (Shown above in new colorway called Robot Overload.) It's a 70% baby alpaca/30% silk blend DK weight yarn. I'll be bringing in that yarn in a few popular shades. It is put up in large 100 gram, 275 yard hanks. Shepherd Sock will change from 50gram hanks to 100 gram hanks. These means that one hank = 1 pair of socks!

There's more to say, but I'll save it for another day! Keep on Knitting!!

Angelika ( email store@yarn-store.net )

Cleaning House Treasures

Silver Reed KR11 Knit Radar Cleaning house can be fun when you find treasures!! 3 KR11 Knit Radars were recently found when spring cleaning the warehouse. Brand new, still in original packaging. SUPPLY LIMITED, so order immediately!! Normally $290 + $15, now only $245 with free shipping. The KR11 has been replaced with the new KR21, an electronic knit radar which sells for $390 + shipping, so this is a great deal!! Order immediately as supply will not last! An accessory for knitting machines so you no longer need to match the gauge of a pattern. With the Knit Radar, you tell the device what YOUR guage is. This charting device allows you to draw your garment shape. Select the ruler gauged to your stitches per inch, set the row setting to your rows per inch, and let the Knit Radar guide you through the complex curves of your garment piece. No more math! By simply changing the gauge settings, you can knit this same garment over and over with a variety of yarns and stitch styles. Order Here PS: Just returned from the Trade Show....stay tuned for announcements of new products soon to arrive!

Jul Purse handles for Noni Bags

Classy, classy!!

Beautiful upscale quality handles for your Noni bags, or any purse. Nora uses these handles in her Nomad Bag pattern.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so I'll just be quiet and let you look at these beautiful pictures!

Yarn Store in Lights !

Yesterday I went to excercise, and on the way home I had to swing by the store. It was dusk, and the neon lights were on. During the day they are off, and I don't even see them anyway because I walk to the store and approach the store from the back. But yesterday evening it was different.

Wouldn't you say its sometimes a good thing to see your name in lights?? hahaha!

Stay tuned....will be posting some pics of the new Jul purse handles in stock for the Noni Nomad Bag pattern.

New yarn, new patterns, new season

So busy, so much excitement....a couple new things since I last blogged.

Just a few days ago I added another sock yarn line. This yarn is quite a bit different than what I've stocked and is a wonderful addition.
Universal's Wisdom Poems Sock yarn has gradual, graceful color changes. While designed for socks, its color and content makup make it perfect for scarves and other projects as well. I stock all the colors. Even if you don't do socks, take a look at the colors!
1 ball has a very generous amount of yarn, plenty for a very large pair of socks!

Patty Davis Designs Patty's crochet designs for children are bright, colorful, stylish and just simply amazing! Dresses, vests, tops and jackets for Children. Cute, cute, cute!

On the home front, my sister Claudia is coming to Portland for the holiday weekend. I'm looking forward to kicking around downtown Portland, shopping, lotsa Latte's and good food! It is still overcast and having April-like weather here, but Saturday says maybe some showers and 67. That will be pleasant. Its those cold days I'm ready to say good-bye to! Need to look up and see what is all happening in the area and take advantage of those activities.

STORE HOURS: Currently my store hours are 10-3 Tuesday - Friday. Most of the time I'm also in on Monday and Saturday to at least noon to get the shipping done. I can also stay late on most week days. So if you need other hours, just give me a call at the store! Also, the table is open to knitters at lunch time or for your regular club/group meetings on most evenings. Call me about that too! 503-200-5991
More contact information here.

Bring me your projects! I want to see what you are all working on!

Angelika

Ysolda Red is in STOCK!

The newest color in the Lorna's Laces Color Commentary Line has arrived. It is Ysolda Red!

Currently I have Shepherd Sock, Shepherd Sport and Shepherd Worsted. Shepherd Bulky and Helen's Lace will arrive soon!!

Order here for immediate shipment!