Catching Up!

As the weather warms, gardeners head outside, walkers walk, runners join runs, and things "somewhat" calm down here in the store.  What that means for Henry and I is catching up on cleanup work, and playing with some of our amazing yarns!  This picture below is a crochet ric rac that I found while snooping around the internet.  My sample I did with bulky yarn and a 6mm crochet hook.  It was fast.  What a cute edging!  (the yarn is Feza Fanatic.

I'm sending you something special this week.  For the next 72 hrs, that's 3 days, I have special colors on sale for 53% off!
In Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted, normally $20.50, you can order these colors for $9.63!!  Don't wait, at that price they won't last, and at that price, there's always room in your stash!!
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted is a worsted weight super wash wool....4.5sts per inch.  Once you've knit Lorna's, its hard to knit anything else!
(colors: circus, clay, confetti, country christmas, desert flower, forest, grays corner, miata, neon, newtown, parfait, springer, whitewater, wisteria and yellowstone.)

I am redoing all the Noni Bag pages and it is one of those jobs that takes months to complete.  Henry set me up a template.  The impetus for this is that Noni Bags is putting all their hardware into kits.  What that means is you don't have to be confused with all the bits and pieces, we can make our web page so much cleaner.  Noni Bags uses extremely high quality hardware.  There is no cut-rate quality here!  We can special order any kit we don't have in stock. Just let us know!!

Henry has been working too.  If you read our newsletter, you probably saw that the Lorna's Laces Sock page is new and improved!  Henry not only does the web site, he also works shipping your orders and helping you when you call or come into the store.
He just recently improved  our needle page.  Our problem is that we have sooooo many needles!  We want you to be able to see at a glance what we have, without your eyes crossing!  So we continue to try to improve those layouts.

http://www.yarn-store.com/knitting-needles-and-supplies.html

We have so many pages, we forget about some of them.  The addi click page really looks good now!  Any parts you don't see there, let me know!  We do special order.  In fact, there are a few parts I want for my clicks!  Happy Wednesday!

All on a Sunday Afternoon . . .

(before I get going on all my pics....

be sure you are signed up for my newsletter.  

It is going out in about 24hrs!!)

     This is rather typical of some of my days, unless I am buried in paperwork, which is the majority of the time.  Ah the wonderful life of a small business owner!!
    This is my favorite blocking board,  and sometimes it is on my kitchen table for weeks to a month or two.  In a dedicated work room, I would never put it up.
    Any-hoo......what you see is a project and many swatches.  The dark chocolate is a vest I am working on using my standard gauge knitting machine (SK280 or SK840).  This is the back.  I like to layer and vests keep my shoulders warm, while allowing my arms movement.  The yarn is Cascade's Heritage Silk, which is a fingering weight yarn.  Ideal for the standard gauge knitting machine.  Also very very popular with hand knitters for lace shawls and crochet projects.

The green swatch is a yarn we are looking into stocking.  We are looking for a nice yarn that isn't too expensive, but isn't poor quality either, that gets 4 sts per inch.  My test is successful so far.

The blue swatch is our Marble Chunky.  A low cost acrylic yarn that even the natural fiber lovers pause and handle.  The samples on display are really nice, and it has been a great seller.  With PSU in our back yard, the students are on a yarn budget and Marble Chunky is perfect.   It normally gets 3.5sts per inch.  but it is so soft, I wondered how it would do at 4 sts per inch.  I would say it was a successful test.  As you can see it knits to 4 sts on a US#9 needle.  The resulting fabric was very stable.  After steam blocking (its acrylic, do so carefully), it softened really nice.  This is PERFECT for long cardigans, hoodies, jackets, and such like that.

The final swatches on my blocking board is Universal's Bamboo Pop.  half cotton, half bamboo.  Laura did us a crochet swatch sampler, and I did a knitting swatch.  I was curious, because it is so soft, how it would do in a pattern.  Would it retain the stitch, or would it just melt.  I was very happy to see that it did very good!!

Which swatch is your favorite?

My Oh. My. Gosh. Moment

My OMG Moment!!!

We get a lot of yarn to sample up every month.  Yarn that is given to us to see if we like and if it will fit well into our selection. Or yarn we did get in that needs a sample swatch for the shelf. Needless to say, most of my knitting is sampling yarn.  A few weeks ago, as I was heading a few hours north to spend the weekend with a friend, I grabbed one of these yarns.  Then poked around my stash of needles trying to find a needle, and wondering how many needles I should take just in case that size didn't work.

Now I have never been a fan of interchangeables.  Never liked their join.  And to point out my stubbornness, never tried the addi clicks for just that reason.  "this is ridiculous" went through my mind.  I grabbed the "creme de la creme" of interchangeables, the addi clicks.  and just not any set, I went for the Lace set.
Long needle, extreeeeemely smooth needle, with a nice point.

Oh. My. Goshhhh!

I do have some turbos in my stash, and I have some lace needles in my stash, but this particular set is a nickel plated lace needle.  The best of both worlds.  and the join?  what join?  Simply does not exist.  and what a beautifully soft cable! My stash contains at least a couple needles of every needle we sell, as well as needles given to me that we don't sell.  But my heart has been given away to the addi nickel plated lace needle.

....and ....Mother's Day is coming....sshhhh....don't tell my Mom, but I know exactly what to get her this year!!

So if you have someone who has been good to you.  This is an amazing gift!!  Or if your children are asking . . . (hint, hint) ... tell them to go in together and get you this gift!
http://www.yarn-store.com/interchangeable-knitting-needles.html


and onto to technology!
Facebook, Ravelry, Pinterest, Twitter, blogs, enewsletters, forums and more.  I run around in circles trying to decide which is the best method to to keep you informed, and to shy away from methods that just irritate. The one thing about all these methods is that unlike junk mail, you can unsubscribe or simply just not subscribe at all!

Angelika's Yarn Store is on all of the above.  Some I'm more active on than others, but I'm trying!

I'm probably the most active on Facebook.  I can post really simple and fast each morning.  It's an easy read for you as you relax at night, or drink coffee in the morning.  You can find me at http://www.facebook.com/a.Yarn.Store

Pinterest ( http://pinterest.com/yarnstore/ ) is newer for us.  I'm still getting a  routine to post there.  But I do enjoy all the cool projects (knitting, crochet, gardening, food) that I can browse.

Ravelry is a great resource if I am looking for something specific.  You can find me there at
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/angelikas-yarn-store

Our bi-monthly newsletter is also soon to go out.  You don't want to miss out on the tips & tricks, techniques & pattern inspirations, as well as all the new product we get each month.  Be sure to sign up for it at
http://www.yarn-store.com/yarn-store-newsletter-blog.html

Out of Control and Loving It !

Ever get stuck in a rut with a stitch? I did. And I love it! This is a scarf I crocheted in a silk blend. Loved it so much I sampled it in a tonal acrylic yarn, then in a Alpaca & Merino Blend, and finally in a Mohair Silk Lace (my personal favorite!) This pattern will be included in my next newsletter. If you aren't signed up to receive my newsletter, sign up here: http://yarn-store.com/yarn-store-newsletter-blog.html (Blue: http://www.yarn-store.com/lornas-laces-lion-lamb-yarn.html) (Green: http://www.yarn-store.com/universal-uptown-dk-yarn.html) (Brown Heather: http://www.yarn-store.com/cascade-highland-duo-yarn.html) (White: http://www.yarn-store.com/rowan-kidsilk-haze-mohair-yarn.html)

New yarns continue to arrive. Seda Rustica is only about a year old and from one of the nicest yarn companies around, Knit One, Crochet Too. I debated for a year, and finally gave in. It was selling out of the freight box before we even found a home on a shelf for it. A softer than velvet yarn with a rustic look. Seda Rustica just begs to be cuddled and squeezed and never disappoints with a composition of silk and baby llama. The colors are antique and mix with each other very well. Composition: 70% Silk, 30% Baby Llama Yardage: 218 yards Weight: Medium (4) STS: 16-17 sts = 4" on US#7 or #8 needle

Ready to Browse Some Mohair? Just enough mohair to shake a needle (or hook) at on our newly created Mohair Magic web page. There's always something to be said about mohair. This fiber has its ups and downs but the finished product should always be luxurious and warm. Most of our mohair is made from kid seta (aquired from younger goats) so the "hairs" are much softer and are less likely cause discomfort when right next to the skin. Mohair can be knit on larger needles to create a drapey, open garment that knits up fast yet is just as warm because the yarn's halo will close in the gaps. Mohair works great with other yarns as well. Many of our lines are spun with wool or silk to create extra warmth or sheen but any knitter can knit a strand of mohair with another, complimenting yarn. For example, Angelika knit a strand of mohair with a strand of alpaca to use on a hat's brim!

I just want to say . . . Angel, one of our very enthusiastic customers, knits for friends, family and herself. Yesterday Angel came in with this super neon fingerless cable mitts. One strand of Universal's Uptown Worsted in Neon Pink and Neon Orange, double stranded and some fun, playful cables are super cute!!

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I try to blog weekly, but if you'd like to keep up with us with shorter, daily notes, "like" us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/a.Yarn.Store

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New Fall Inventory: OOC "Out Of Control"

This fall I was out of control! Bought wayyyy too many new yarns. This is the 3rd week of boxes of boxes of boxes of new yarn, new colors and new inspiration. Henry and I have spent hours at the key board and at our needles.

My week spot is glitz and glam. Tahki Stacy Charles's new holiday sparkle is Adele. In the sunlight or in the evening lights, this yarn lights up with an unearthly glow! My favorite is the antique gold. oh MY!!

Everyone who knows me, knows I have a real weak spot when it comes to mohair. I love the softness, I love it in lace, or in a simple stockinet stitch. This mohair, Sandnes Silk Mohair, from Sweden knits up fast and fluffy on a US#9! Not to mention the generous 309 yards on every ball. Order now and be ready before the cold sets in. But realistically it won't take long to make up a scarf, hat or cardi out of this heavy worsted size yarn.

We've been looking for an sweetly priced 100% bamboo and we found it in Feza Nirvana 100% Bamboo. This super soft sport/DK weight yarn is soft and very drape-able. So soft, how about a small receiving blanket for the newborn? It is sure to be a favorite with Mom. Allergic to wool? but prefer natural fibers? This is your answer!

I could not help myself when I saw this. Wish such a demand for neon, this crazy scarf project is sure to be a hit. It's called Rozetti Spectra Nouveau Neon. Bright and cheery....perfect for a boa .... Halloween costume, or just a bright splash of color over our otherwise dreary winter coats .... it all works!!  Whatever your knitting needs are, Henry and I here for you !

New Fall Lines at Angelika's

It's been a busy 4 weeks since I last posted.  Weather in the Pacific NW turned beautiful and everyone is enjoying it!  In the store, we are getting in our new fall yarns.

I mentioned this yarn in my last blog post, but it deserves mentioning again.  This is Rowan's Kidsilk Haze Trio. Kidsilk Haze Triois three ends of Rowan's  Kidsilk hace spun together to make this worsed weight, super soft yarn.  It knits like a worsted but feels as light as a feather.

DooLallies Christmas Kits Easy-to-knit Christmas stocking kits include instructions for the toe to point left or right. Kits include Nature Spun 100% wool yarn, a full-color chart to use while knitting the design, and an alphabet. All embellishments are included. Size: Approximately 6.5" wide by 21" long All you need is your Size 5 straight knitting needles. These kits can also be knit on circular needles. Some Christmas stockings may need a bit of fabric glue and some may also need a beading needle, a tapestry needle and the knitting could be easier with the use of bobbins. Finished Stockings are, on the average, 23-34 inches long. Length is affected by your knitting gauge and some stockings' patterns are just a bit longer. But they normally average 23-24" long. This is a new line from Elegant Heirlooms.  A simpler project.  See their Googleheim selection of Christmas Stockings.

Rowan Fine Lace This beautiful lace weight yarn is made in a blend of the softest baby suri alpaca and the finest merino wool. This gorgeous, luxurious yarn has soft chalky shades and is perfect for creating delicate hand knitted and crochet lace. Composition: 80% Baby Suri Alpaca, 20% Merino Fine Wool. Yardage: 437yds (50g) Weight: lace 20-39 sts per 4"  Recommended Needle: US0-6 (2-4mm)

What's great about sock knitting? You generally only need 1 hank! So, here's a page listing all our sock yarns! http://www.yarn-store.com/yarn-store-sock-central.html

Rowan Kidsilk Creation A net, tubular construction made from the best selling yarn Kidsilk Haze. Comes with instructions on how to knit! Composition: 70% Super Kid Mohair, 30% Silk Yardage: 10 yards (50g) Weight: Novelty STS: Recommended Needle: 8

Universal Classic Shades BIG TIME Composition: 70% Acrylic, 30% Wool Yardage: 85 yards (77 meters/150grams/5.29oz) Weight: Super Chunky STS: 8 sts per 4 inches Crochet STS: 6 sc per 4 inches Recommended Needle: US17 Recommended Hook: Q-19 Big time is super soft, and knits up super fast.  I predict that this will be a "big time" seller this season!!

Light up someone's life with neon!  Universal's Uptown Worsted now comes in shades of neon. Just in time for winter hats and children's cardie's. Just a touch goes a long way!! We've waited a long time for neon to come back in style. There was a whole generation of children who didn't have it. and now they are telling their Mom's and G-Mom's that's their favorite color! If you can't stand the brightness, it is ideal for small amounts of fairisle, thin stripes and trim. It is 100% acrylic, but its not the same as it was years ago. It is actually quite soft and softens with wear. We have a cabled vest out of Uptown Worsted (and another in Uptown DK) hanging in the store. And yes, I have worn them! Very comfortable!

Rowan Yarns & New colors from Lorna's Laces

Angelika's Yarn Store now stocks some of Rowan's tops selling lines.  Rowan's high end luxurious yarns are heaven to work with.  Last summer we brought you some budget conscious yarns from Cascade such as Pacific Worsted, Pacific Chunky, as well as the new Cherub lines of Cherub Baby, Cherub DK and Cherub Aran.  This summer we flipped over to some beautiful blends from Rowan.    

Rowan Big Wool

This is what happens when Angelika leaves Henry for a week; he goes crazy and builds yarn pyramids! When he came to his senses he quickly got to work on that Rowan web page so you can build your own pyramid with BIG WOOL! Knits up fast. Knits up big. 

More details here!

http://yarn-store.com/rowan-big-wool-chunky-yarn.html

Rowan Kidsilk Haze Trio

Balls of mohair are like fuzzy little kittens and we've kittens in boxes that need good homes! These particular fluffy puffs are a brand new yarn from Rowan called Kidsilk Haze Trio. It's 3 strands of their favored Kidsilk spun into one to create a shimmering, worsted weight and airy yarn.

More details here!

http://www.yarn-store.com/rowan-kidsilk-haze-trio-mohair-yarn.html 

Rowan Felted Tweed DK

Quirky yet sensible, this DK weight tweed from Rowan is flexible enough for colorwork, a tasty vintage throwback for the young crowd, and the perfect amount of subtle for the refined taste.

More details here!

http://www.yarn-store.com/rowan-felted-tweed-dk-yarn.html

Lorna's Laces new Summer 2012 Colors 

 Lorna's Laces has their 2012 Summer Shades out. These 6 colors are romantically named after gentlemen's frippery. We are stocking them in Shepherd Sock,  Shepherd Sport,   Shepherd Worsted,  Shepherd Bulky 
and  Helen's Lace