Monday, July 23, 2012

Sheep, Cascade 220 & Christmas Stockings!

Herd your herd of DPs with sheep!
 

These soft and rubbery sheep are here to help you corral your double points. No more rolling around to the bottom of your bag or mingling with confusing similar sizes. These point protectors will keep 'em straight and safe.  Two sizes that cover 2mm through 3.75mm needles (US#0-5 usually), and 4mm through 6.5mm (US#6-10.5 usually) double point needles. 



If those mm sizes confuse you, check out how we manage our web page:  http://www.yarn-store.com/double-point-knitting-needles.html    Our pages are laid out by mm sizes and US needles sizes.  Not all US companies agree on what makes a US size number.  When in doubt check that mm size on the needle!!




400 shades of Cascade 220, and we've let them loose to play!  In the past, I've kept them in their bags to keep them organized so pulling from shipping is fast!  But now the shelves are clearly marked and we've removed them from their bags.  Sheer color intoxication!  But not only is the store getting a face lift, Henry is continuing the long task of revamping web site pages.  It's just Henry and I, and I'm SUPER appreciative of your patience and kindness in the restyling of our web pages.....Henry has released part of the Cascade 220 web page with the new layout.  The old still exists, but this page of the SOLIDS ONLY is done and looks amazing!!  
http://yarn-store.com/cascade-220-wool-felting-yarn.html The Heathers, Quatros and Paints are next in line.


Elegant Heirlooms has released a small, simpler Christmas stocking kit, called Doolallies.  This cute stocking is about 21" long, uses DK weight yarn and US#5 needles.  The designs are  simple single designs.  I know, I know....it's mid July, it's hot, the kids are driving you nuts . . . . but these just came through the door!  Time to plan ahead and have them on hand when you are ready to start!    http://www.yarn-store.com/doolallies-christmas-stocking-kits.html


Knitting and Crochet, both, are one of those "all season" crafts.  Knitting and Crochet is very popular in the winter, but in recent years it is a very popular social engagement.  Groups meet in yarn stores, homes, community centers, parks and even coffee houses and pubs.  Winter is traditionally the crafting season, but summer is perfect for those outdoor gatherings and perfect for light weight sock, baby, Christmas stocking and lace work.  Knitting and Crochet is perfect for when traveling by car, train or plane!!  
In the years since 1987, when we opened our doors we tend to have a slight slow down in the spring.  I'm assuming crafters are working their gardens, or perhaps beginning their spring walking routine.  But by July, its is obvious they are looking back to their knitting and crochet projects.  
Plan your projects, by either cleaning up older unfinished projects or looking ahead to the gift giving holidays and keep on designing string into art!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Giving Away - Candy - Lace

Facebook Give-Away Winner Tina, won our set of Knitter's Pride Karbonz needles!
Thank YOU to everyone of liked and shared our post!  
That was too much fun....I already thinking of more fun stuff to Give-Away!

Smooth metal tips, with a slightly sharper point, and rubber coated handles in sweet candy colors!

Universal's Garden 10 Cotton Thread is by Nazlie Gelin, which means "shy bride" in Turkish.  This is a #10, 100% mercerized Egyptian Giza cotton thread, classified as 0-Lace weight.  Makes heirloom quality shawls and delicate enough for crocheted jewelry.



Sunday, July 8, 2012

Summertime

Summertime is for picnics, visiting the beach and for some it means hitting the road.  Had a customer in the other day and we had a great time matching this jacket for the perfect match in orange.  The yarn is Cascade 220 Superwash, a dk weight washable wool.  The colors that matched the Harley orange in their patched (not inked, but the actual Harley Davidson stitched patch) was #815 Black and #907 Tangerine.  At first I thought the tangerine was too neon, but to my surprise the Harley orange really is this bright.  It's just used in smaller patches, so it appears less intense.
Summertime is also great for simple projects that can be carried out to the garden and enjoyed during conversations with good friends.  These cute cover ups have great versitility.  A perfect jacket for when the evening sun sets.  Wear over swim suit or sleeveless top.  But in the winter, they are also perfect for laying over a long sleeve t-shirt, turtleneck or blouse.  The left 2 patterns are for children.  The pattern details can be see on my children's pattern page.  The right pattern is for us!   Ranging from measurements of 36-53, you can check more of the details on my women's jacket & cardigan page.
Summer is also when Lorna's Laces brings out new colors.  Above is Cummberbund (strong red-orange) and Waistcoat (beautiful deep dark cyan-green, or deep teal-picture looks really blue to me, but it is deep dark teal).  There are more shades to come!  These above are Helen's Lace.  You can see additional pictures, and maybe the color will be better on my Helen's Lace page.   Also check out the Shepherd Sock page, where you can see Waistcoat and a multi-color called Bow Tie. We are stocking most of the colors in Shepherd Sock, Sport, Worsted, Bulky and Helen's Lace.  As the new shipments arrive, we will be making them available on the web site.


Finally, only 5 more days to the end of our Give-away of the new Karbonz Needles.  To enter go to our face book page at http://www.facebook.com/a.Yarn.Store , then "like us", then share the posting with your friends.  IF your shares are hidden we can't see you, so be sure to write a comment that you shared!  We want to make sure we've got your name added to the bucket!

Take care, be safe and enjoy the summer!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Like and Share for a chance to win a set of Knitter's Pride Karbonz from Angelika's Yarn Store! 
**To participate: FIRST - LIKE our pagehttps://www.facebook.com/a.Yarn.Store 


**THEN - SHARE the original posting about this Giveaway! Only people who share this original picture are eligible!


**ONE winner will receive: 1 set of Knitter's Pride Karbonz Double Points (Sizes US#1, 2, 3 and 4.) 1 Ashland Sky DP Needle Case in Red 


**ENDS ON JULY 13, 2012! 
We will draw a winner using a random number generator and announce the winner on Saturday July 14, 2012. The winner will have a LIMITED amount of time to email or call us with an address so we can ship the prize! 


**No purchase necessary--its okay if you've never ordered from us! 
**No, you WON'T pay shipping! 
**International participants welcome! 


The cost of this prize if purchased from us would be $99! Not to mention you'll have a starting set of a sleek, jet black, carbon fiber needles to store in a vivid red ribbon casing. Edgy! If you just can't wait, visit us at http://yarn-store.com/knitters-pride-karbonz.html and place your preorder now! We expect them within the week! The New age needles are made from High-Tech carbon fiber! Carbon fiber is one of the most versatile materials used in manufacturing of the new generation Air craft, Space ship, Automobiles, etc.!! Perfect points, flawlessly tapered-Ideal for all yarns and every project. High tensile strength, Light weight and lots of flexibility. A smooth join on circular needles ensures easy stitch glide and no snagging. Surface that helps the stitches move smoothly on the needle!! Resilient, flexible cords lay flat with no kink or twist – easy to store. Warm to touch & gentle in the hand.  Because of this material, the Karbonz needles are strong, even down to a US#00000 (that's a 1mm size)!!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Father's Day!

Pot o' Gold continues to be an amazing best seller here.  We love the bright color, and we see that you do too!  Pot o' Gold is a Done Roving color in their Frolicking Feet sock yarn.  But sock yarn is not just for socks!  This weight of yarn is wonderful for shawls.  Delicate, but washable!!  Perfect for knitting or crochet.   Here is a picture of customer, Laura's crochet shawl. 

And here is a picture of customer, Marsha's knit neck wrap.   The pattern Hitchhiker is available on Ravelry.

 I particularly like this weight of yarn on the standard gauge machine.  At tension 8 or 9, it makes a nice fabric for a t-top or sleeveless summer top.  And the lace carriage loves it!!

Today is Father's Day and thoughts toward the types of knit or crochet gifts for Fathers comes to mind.  For Dad's who like to snooze on Sunday afternoons, a cozy throw for Dad's chair is just perfect.  I did one for my Dad and he absolutely loved it.  For those more active Dads a scarf or hat in his team's colors is also a great choice.  But do consider if he is a "chunky" yarn kind of guy, or one who would use a scarf knit from Sport or Fingering weight yarns.  These fit nicely around the neck and tuck inside of dress coats or work jackets.  If he is a fisherman or outdoor's man, perhaps a vest is a good choice.  It is a great layer type of item.  Consider that wool is the most warm and breathable.  Particularly those wools that are hand wash only.  If you are around to do the washing, then that is the best choice.  But washable wool and acrylic blends are the perfect choice for the guy who does his own laundry.  Either way, the best gift for Dad is one where you think about his lifestyle and activities!  Even though today is Dad's Day, birthdays and the winter gift giving holidays are ahead, and this time frame allows you time to make the best choice!  Here are some links that might start those creative juices flowing.
http://www.yarn-store.com/knitted-mens-patterns.html
http://www.yarn-store.com/knitted-shawl-and-scarf-patterns.html
http://www.yarn-store.com/lornas-laces-patterns-shawls-scarves.html

Have a great Sunday, and we will talk next week!  Angelika

Sunday, June 10, 2012

House Cleaning this week!!

House Cleaning this week!! About once every 2 years, I go through the store and line up yarns to move on out. And about at the same time, I've placed my winter orders, which are often all about new yarn! Extra work for us, but exciting work! And for you, it means great savings! If you haven't been mulling over stitched gifts, now is the time, because of these great prices, you can stitch up even a nicer gift than you could have at regular price!

Sale and Clearance Yarn

All purchases of sale and clearance yarn are final. Be assured, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this yarn aside from being old classics and underdogs--not that there's anything wrong with that, either!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Our Customer's Beautiful Things!

Henry and I totally enjoy the beautiful things that our customers create with yarn.  We love sharing in picking out the colors, we love crocheting and knitting through the project with them, and we really love recording the end result with stunning photographs, and sharing with all of you.

Phyllis's second afghan, another timeless keepsake, is Cascade 220 Superwash.  With hundreds of colors, in a superwash pure wool makes this yarn ideal for keepsake afghans.  This is out of a Leisure Arts book called "A Year in Afghans, Bk 1".  But with this yarn, any afghan is a gift to treasure.
See all the wonderous colors at: http://www.yarn-store.com/cascade-220-SuperWash-yarn.html

Laura, our resident pro crocheter, has fallen in love with Done Roving's Frolicking Feet.  This fingering weight yarn is perfect for drapy shawls, whether you are crocheting or knitting.  This particular project uses the Pot o' Gold color, and the Oat Couture Lightweight Scarves #PH619.  Laura has plans for every single color of Frolicking Feet.  Done Roving is a small company from Maine.  Paula's wool comes from her farm, and her neighbors farm.  The wool is processed and spun, all here in the U.S.  Paula dyes the yarn in beautiful, deeply saturated shades.  We are very happy to support a business that supports the U.S. by keeping every single bit of it's product's processing here in the U.S.A.
Check out the yarn at: http://www.yarn-store.com/done-roving-hand-dyed-yarn.html
and the crochet pattern at: http://www.yarn-store.com/crochet-shawl-and-scarf-patterns.html

This is Patty.  Patty knits beautiful garments and classic styles.  This particular jacket is a free pattern from Cascade Yarns.  Their photo is done in yellow.  I do love yellow, but it seemed (now that I see it in Navy) that it distracted from the very usable style of this jacket.  Patty came in looking for something to go with her jeans.  It is just beautiful!!  It is a fast knit, not complicated.  Done in Cascade's Sierra, which is 80% cotton, 20% wool, it has great definition, the comfort of cotton, but with the added wool, it retains its shape and is easier to knit.
The pattern can be downloaded at http://cascadeyarns.com/patternsFree/W147_SierraBasketCardigan.pdf.
But be sure to come back and order the yarn at: http://www.yarn-store.com/cascade-sierra-yarn.html

I love this photograph. Henry is working on a project, but in the test stage, he took this photograph.  Don't you love the stitch markers?  They are hand made by Portland resident Nona.  A set of 10 markers, also includes 2 extra contrast color markers.  They come in 3 different sets (sizes).  We don't have them online yet, but feel free to call and ask about our color selection.