May 16 2012 Update

Good Afternoon one and all, isn’t it a beautiful day here in Texas, probably our last one until October, so we better enjoy it, tomorrow’s high is 99!!  Time to get back inside and get those knitting needles clicking away and that crochet hook flying!  I hope all of you mother’s out there had a fabulous mother’s day.  We know some of you got some awesome gifts!  We really make it easy on our loved ones don’t we….love those lists that say…anything for knitting and crocheting. 

Every day we get asked “how do you like your new location”.  I cannot express enough how much we love it here.  The space is full of natural light which we love.  In fact, it is so bright in the mornings we have had to install shades so that we could see the computer screen and they really cut down on the heat coming into the shop.  So far, our electric bills alone have made the move worth it.  If you haven’t seen the new location yet, we would love to show it off to you.   This morning I went by the old location, I needed to see Sherri from Country Florist, I miss her arrangements, so I decided to go by and pick up some flowers for the shop.  It was good to see her, and reinforced how glad I am that we moved. 

WHAT’S NEW!!

Well, where do I start….let’s talk about the new cotton for dishcloths we have brought into the shop.  It is called Big Easy, by GGH yarns.  A wonderful, durable, cotton.  77 yards to a skein, knits up on US 8-10, crochets nicely on a US H-J and feels fabulous!  Priced at $4.95 per skein, 19 colors to choose from, a great start on Christmas, a few dishcloths all done up seems to be quite the hit.  And to make it easy for you, here is a site with 25+ free dishcloth patterns for knitting ! http://tipnut.com/dishcloth-patterns/  and for crocheter’s http://tipnut.com/dishcloth-crochet/

Carezza from Lana Grossa has arrived in three new colors.  This yarn has really been a hit.  So soft to the touch, great yardage, beautiful garments!

Touch Me from GGH has arrived in 10 more colors and we are awaiting more new colors, this Touch Me will have Lurex (glitter yarn) in it therefore making it an even more fun yarn to use.  Remember two skeins does awesome Chemo caps. (pattern free with purchase), three skeins make the gorgeous slouch beret. 

Sock Yarn – We got about 30 skeins of a beautiful wool/cotton/nylon mix in the colors are delicious.  Our SEA SOCK from Fleece Artist is just gorgeous not only to look at but to knit with and to wear!  I now not only do not own any store bought socks, but am patiently replacing my regular hand knit socks with Sea Socks! My feet really love me!

OK, let’s talk scarf yarns now.  These ruffly yarns have been fun to do scarves out of, but I think I feel the burn out on scarves.   That’s ok, we have found some other really fun, fast projects to do with this yarn.  How does a purse, knitting bag, carry all sound?  They are really, really fun to make, one or two skeins will do it, depending on the size.  I had a blast knitting up my red/white/blue knitting bag.  I put a crystal zipper in and added my Grayson leather handles, whoolah, a show stopper for sure.  This was after I spent hours looking for puffy white stars, that is what I wanted the handle out of, but they do not make them anymore and if I am going to knit stars, than I would have to finish my patriotic vest which is just lacking about 36 more stars to be knitted and sewn on! This purse pattern came about thanks to Kate Baird, Andie Paterson and Lori Torrence.  I think Kate started it and everyone else put their personal touches to it, Lori added a flap to make a messenger bag, complete with lined pockets on the inside, you go Lori!  Andi, kept trying different yarns to get just the right combination for herself and she did knit two of the shop models.  It is amazing what casting on 6 to 10 stitches more does for the size. 

Next project for this yarn, which I had a blast doing.  How about a shawl?  I got a post on my FB site featuring this cool shawl, when I inquired about a pattern I was told it was free on Ravelry.  Want to check it out for yourself, go to Ravelry, in the patterns section type in Kelp Shawlette.  I advise watching the video as the written instructions did not translate to me what the video was showing.  Easy as pie, I did it in about 7 hours, used two skeins of yarn.  Brenda did one using one skein of yarn, it was just as cute, just smaller.  I am working on one in the bubble yarn right now, can’t wait to see how that ends up looking.  These make wonderful fast gifts for any occasion. Pictures at the end of the update.

Another fast fun summer project, is the MY Skirt kits.  I love my skirt and will love the second one just as much.  Add a t-shirt and sandels and you are ready for a day on the town, add heels and a dressy top and you are ready for an evening out!  Fast knits, as it is knit in the round, the only purling is in the waistband ribbing.  We didn’t do the I-cord, I just added elastic on the inside of the ribbing and another finished project!

CLASSES

The last class for May is TOP DOWN BEADED SILK SLEEVELESS SHELL - May 26 - Saturday 10:30am - 1:30pm - $40.00 - Materials: 2-4 Skeins of ArtYarns Beaded Silk Light, Size 8-10  needles or needles to get gauge, bring 8/9 to be safe. What a perfect top for our hot Texas Summers, you don't wear sleeveless, that's ok, we will show you how to easily put in set in sleeves and you now have a T-shirt! The Beaded Silk Light is a perfect yarn for this project and our hot Texas summers. Knits extremely quickly on US size 8-10, the pattern is free with the purchase of the Beaded Silk Light. Those colors scream KNIT ME every time I walk by them.  We still have openings in this class.  If you have never made a top, I highly suggest this class, it is fast and easy.  Ask Andi, it was her first knitted project and Artyarns uses her top as one of the pictures on their site featuring this yarn. 

Ruffly Purse - June 2nd we are having the purse class with the ruffly yarn, the class is $10.00 plus your yarn and needles.  10:30 to noon!

Ruffly Shawl –  June 2^nd Saturday 1:pm to 3:pm - $10.00  plus your yarn and needles. 

We have the Milanese shrug and Granny Squares scheduled so far for June.  I will be working on the class schedule this week and adding more for June, July and August. 

And for those Thursday nites when you don’t have anything else planned, remember us!  Therapy Thursdays can be contagious and too much fun!  Come join us anytime after 5:00pm

Now, we want to welcome, Joan Adams, our newest addition to the staff.  Joan was in the banking world before she came our way.  She is a lovely knitter and looks forward to trying to help in any way that she can. 

Brenda has decided that she wants to set up a left over garage sale corner, I am sure she will be working on that Monday, come by and take it off her hands!

We will be closed May 28^th for Memorial Day, Joan and Brenda will be waiting eagerly to help all of you on Tuesday May 29^th.  They are giving me a three day weekend.  I will be spending that weekend with my sister who just flew home from our Brother In Laws funeral.  My youngest sister (yes, I have lots of them), Tracy lost her husband this past Friday after an 8 month fight with Lung Cancer.  Thank you to all who donated to his Burial fund. 

As always, thank you for your continued support of Yarn Heaven.  Keep it in Texas!  If you need to order on line, try Texas stores that have an online business.  Remember money spent in Texas stays in Texas  and for our out of state friends, we love being your local yarn store and thank you for your support also!

Don't forget to join us on Facebook!  http://www.facebook.com/Yarnheaven