Jil Eaton

Just a quick note.  You may find this blog interesting.  Jil eaton does many sorts of patterns but she is especially known for her kid patterns.  She often puts knitting tips on her blog.  Classic Elite carries her yarn line.

http://jileaton.blogspot.com/

Knitting guild of america contest

The April 27 entry deadline is approaching
to win beautiful FREE yarn  in TKGA Design Contests

{{ Your 2011 Entry }}

{{ 2010 Grand Prize Winner }}

You could win   hundreds of dollars in Yarnmarket.com certificates by getting your entry in before April 27 for the 2011 TKGA Member Design Contests.

 

Two Contests

The "Masters Contest" segment is open to members who have passed Level Two or Three of the TKGA Master Hand Knitting Program and who present a pattern with their entry.  And the “Members Contest” segment is open to ALL current members of TKGA and requires no pattern.

Judges for both contests include Jan Gratz from Yarnmarket.com, Penny Sitler from TKGA, and designer Nicky Epstein.

 

The contest rules and entry forms for each contest can be downloaded at www.TKGA.com. Finalists will be asked to provide their knit-up entries for final judging and display at the Summer TKGA Conference, in Minneapolis, Minnesota (www.KnitandCrochetShow.com).

okay so it isn't exactly about yarn

I recently got a newsletter from living crafts magazine and as I followed the thread I came to this wonderful arts and craft website.D blumchen and company
The czech egg shaped beads, the crepe paper, the doilies, etc.  are all so creatively inspiring.  The glass beads would  be a beautiful embellishment to a knit or crochet piece.

This has been a fun weekend.  I went down to the Joseph Saxton Gallery Sat night.  They were showing avant garde films of the 20s and 30s with live band accompaniment.  I am going to have to look up the films so I can understand what I saw more but it was certainly a visual feast.  Besides, the gallery has wonderful  photographs.  I often find that things that are not exactly about the art and craft you do, can inspire you to do more with your passion.   I got to talk to one of the bands' members and I am always struck by how the positive creative energy from one thing can flow to another.  I am definitely feeling inspired today!

I also went to Art is Alive on Fri night.  Canton was a hot town this weekend!! 

International care symbols

This little write up from Iowa state extension office may give you a good idea of what the symbols on your yarn package mean.  International care symbols
One thing to note is that while a yarn may be considered machine washable (acrylic, or washable wool for example), they will still benefit from being gently washed or put into a lingerie bag and then dryed over the shower rod.  A hand knit item will look nicer for a longer time if treated well.  Of course if you give the gift to someone (say a new mother), it is better they wash it however they want and at least use it.

selvedge blog

If you love textiles fabrics and just to get a  different source for  inspiration, check out the selvedge magazine blog.

latest interweave magazine corrections

I got an email recently given a specific correction to a pattern in Pieceworks and I will put it below.  Designers and editors try their best but there is always something that is missed.  Considering the level of detail involved in pattern writing, I am surprised more errors don't have to be published.  Anyway, if you are about to do a pattern from Interweave you may want to check the Interweave corrections website.
They do put corrections or clarifications on their website and it is always good to check before you start.  

If you purchased the January/February Annual Historical Knitting Issue of Piecework, please be informed that errors have been found and confirmed by Interweave Press.
Piecework - January/February 2011

Steeped in Orenburg Tradition: A Snowflake Scarf

Two chart corrections:

Chart A, page 16. Bottom Border, Row 16 should read: sl 1 pwise wyf, k8, k2tog.

Revised chart download here. (59 KB)

Chart C, page 18. Corner 3, Row 4 should read: k9, k2tog.

Revised chart download here. (52 KB)

Please note: There are a total of thirteen Snowflake motifs in the scarf.

video for yarn lovers

Just saw this cool video where yarn is raining into the street.
I found it because I was going through and checking my ravelry forums.  You have to sign up for ravelry (it's free) before you can look at things on the ravelry site but it is not necessary to sign up to view things in you tube.

I have created several vidoes and stored them on you tube for the yarniashop class takers.
Yarniashop videos.

You can also link to the videos and other items from the yarniashop website.

red knit kit for Valentine's Day

I have the red knit kit still in stock.  This would be the perfect gift for a needle work person.  The kit comes with tape measure, collapsible scissors, etc all in one neat little container.  You can see all the details on the vendors site.

online magazines Feb 2011

Weather is crazy outside so I am in and looking at online knitting magazines in between organizing.
I'm going to list some below, but you may also find the yarniashop links page on my website useful.
If you knit for kids Petite Purls will spark your creativity.  Their patterns are free.
Twist Collective has lovely patterns and articles.  You pay for the patterns but they are not expensive and you are supporting designers who will keep giving inspiration.
The latest Knitscene winter 2010/spring2011 came out recently.  It is an easy one to miss because Interweave has always considered it a special issue not a subscription issue so make sure you check it out.
Of course if you have a logon for Ravelry (and it is easy to get one.  You just go on and ask for one), you can view all sorts of patterns.  Find out where to get them and they are yours.
The new readers, apps for iphone, or droids can help you to carry that pdf you bought around with your easily.  If you are getting into online patterns, make sure you backup your hard drive (you can also store patterns purchased on ravelry on their site).  I like to store my patterns on ravelry  and download them to my computer. Your purchased patterns are an asset that you will want to protect.  You can also print them out and keep them in a notebook in case you have a computer failure.

Folding a fitted sheet perfectly

I know why would I care how to fold a sheet efficiently..... Because it makes more room in the closet so you can store more yarn behind the sheets.  Check out this wonderfully simple explanation on you tube for How to fit your fitted sheets.
While on youtube, check out the yarniashop videos.  I will be adding more.  I'm going to ask the knitting group for suggestions if anyone can get there in spite of the snow we are having.  If you like a particular person's videos you can subscribe to them.  There is suppose to be a nice handy button to add to your personal website but I haven't figured out how to do that yet. You can choose to get emails when new videos are added or you can just go to youtube and look. 

I have links to the various videos on my website yarniashop.com so you can always reach them via there too.

art splash 2011 canton oh

Art in Stark is a non profit organization that gives out grants, manages the Cultural Center, and runs the Annual Arts Campaign here in Canton OH. ArtSplash if coming up soon Jan 22, 2011 
ArtSplash Flyer

Don;t miss the Skacel KAL starting Jan 2011

Don’t Miss This KAL and Contest Opportunity!

 Skacel’s “Twenty years of Zitron Trekking Knit Along and Contest!”

The Knit Along (KAL) will begin in January of 2011 and end on July 15^th.  Each month a new one skein project will be featured, which will introduce knitters to different techniques.  The KAL is hosted by Michelle Hunter of Knit Purl Hunter.  Instructions for the projects will be posted in increments on a weekly basis, along with educational “how-to” video clips.  Each week, a little more of the pattern will be revealed. For those knitters participating in the KAL, there will be weekly and monthly prizes awarded, culminating in July with the Grand Prize.

 Grand prize: A trip ticket to Seattle, WA to skacel's home office, and a $1000 shopping spree in the skacel warehouse!!

Here is a link to more information on the skacel web site:

http://www.skacelknitting.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.55525/.f

knitters gotta eat

On January 2. Bon Appetit will  launch a two-week cleanse a fresh, healthful approach to cooking.—with writer Sara Dickerman at the helm—created for people who love food.   I thought this link  Bon Appetit Food Lover's Cleanse might interest you.
I also found this Mark Bittman article interesting.

encompass

It has been a while since I mentioned Stephanie Pearl McPhee's blog.   The yarn harlot's site  is a fun read and so are her books.   She recently posted a pattern called encompass.  Look for the Dec 13 entry or if you have a ravelry account you can link to the pattern easily there.
If you are a relatively new knitter, the beauty of the pattern is that you can explore various textures and get a nice scarf out of it.  If you are not a new knitter, the changes in the pattern will keep you from getting bored.

Knitter's magazine/Living Craft magazine special offer

Knitter's magazine special offer that I thought might interest you.

The ‘stocking stuffer’ subscription offer. For a limited time, you can subscribe to both magazines (4 issues of each) for one year for only $20! TWO GREAT MAGAZINES AT ONE LOW PRICE! That's 50% off the regular subscription rate of each magazine and 66% off the newsstand rate.
This special subscription offer is only available for two weeks—from December 20, 2010 through January 3, 2011. If you already have a subscription to either (or both) of these magazines and want to take advantage of this offer—no problem. They’ll be happy to add a year onto either or both existing print subscriptions.
Click on the covers to the right to go directly to our online offer and take advantage of this promotion. Or, call the  customer service department (1-800-232-5648) to place your order by phone.  Please tell them that you’re signing up for the ‘stocking stuffer’ subscription offer.

Classic Elite

Classic Elite is doing a special "love your shop" promotion.  You spend $40 on yarn or books, send them a copy of your itemized receipt and they’ll send you a recent pattern book and three mini-skeins of Classic Elite Yarn, just for buying local.  See their website   for more details.  Items must be bought between Nov -Dec 15 and postmarked by Dec 31.

baby ull, falk, Dale of Norway

I got the Dale of Norway yarns (baby ull, Falk, stork) added to the new online shop.  I also have some of the books in stock.  I plan to organize the book section but right now the Dale book are under books on knitting and the list is alphabetical.
Since the addresss (URL) of my old website is the same as the new website, you may only see the old shop initially if you have recently been on my old website.  Here is a computer trick.  If you type an address
yarniashop.com  put a "?" after it and it will make your browser get the new shop page.  If this doesn't make sense then just use the link below.

TO get to new website click yarniashop.com?

Idea for the Holidays

Not about knitting or yarn, but a wonderful idea all the same.  Recently, 2 different women told me how several women in their family got together to make nut rolls.  I mean this is a production where 20-25 rolls are done in a day.  Both were from an eastern European background, but it got me to thinking.  There is still lots of time between now and the end of the year or maybe you plan for a day in the new year, but wouldn't it be a fun way  to get together.  Find some dish that is a hit in the family and meet at one person's house.  The younger women could learn the dish and everyone gets to spend time together.  Each of you takes one or more  home and you each take different friends or relatives to deliver food to.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and have a chance to reconnect with family and friends.

scarf with knitted ribbon style yarn

KFI distributes several yarns that are actually a knitted ribbon.  One is called Flounce and the other is from online and it is called Solo.  When knitted up you get a sort of boa type scarf.  There is a video here that shows you how to do it.
There have been rumors that Flounce is discontinued but according to a letter I recently go KFI  is just waiting on shipment.  Until KFI gets it, then they cannot ship it to stores.  I have none left but I do have some of the online solo in the store shop.

for sock lovers

Cookie A will have a new book Knit.Sock.Love. coming out shortly.  Right now, you can buy a signed copy directly from her and for 5.95 extra get a PDF version too.  Of course, you could just buy a PDF or just a book.
Why  get a PDF?
  PDF downloads  are great because if you have something like a sony reader you can take the pattern with you anywhere,  or you can store the pattern on other computer things/places that you can access from anywhere. But mostly the PDF is great because if you are impatient to get started on one of these beautiful socks, you can get
the downloaded version right now.
Why the book? 
Because it has beautiful pictures and if somehow the computer goes bleah, you still have your book.

Check out the cookie A website to get your copy...or 2 if you need a gift.

super stretchy bind off for toe up socks

Cat Bordhi has several books out.   Her toe up sock descriptions are quite clever.  One of the tricky things about a toe up sock is getting the cuff bound off at the ankle in a way that makes it very stretchy and comfortable for the eventual wearer.  Check out this youtube video of the super stretch bind off.  This is the perfect bind off for a stretchy rib.

fall schoolhouse newsletter

The new Sept 2010 newsletter from Schoolhouse press is available.  You can subscribe on the schoolhouse website or you can go to their website in future to read the newsletters.   Meg Swanson writes them and there is often good knitting tips in the letter.

Knit lit group in NY needs your support

I am posting this in case you would be interested in supporting a teacher/school that is using 

knitting as a means to connect with kids.  Voting for their project goes through nov 1.

Greetings!

I wonder if you would be interested in helping me spread the word about an amazing group

of knitting kids in New York who need your support - not money, just votes and publicity!  

My name is Betsy Rodman, and I run a knitting/book club called "KnitLit" at 

Haverstraw Middle School, in Haverstraw, NY (Rockland County).  Kids knit blankets for 

charity and we read and discuss a book together. This is an impoverished community 

(more than 50% of our students have free or reduced lunch), where knitting has caught on. 

KnitLit is extremely popular, and I even had to turn students away last year due to budget 

constraints. Sadly, the club is facing elimination this year due to a dire budget situation.  

How you can help: we have been nominated for a "Power a Bright Future" award from the Clorox 

company.  Winners are determined by vote (people can vote once a day through Nov. 1), 

and amazingly, after 5 days of voting we are in the TOP 5% NATIONWIDE among all of the nominees! 

BUT we have a long way to go to get to the top, with some serious competition from lots of sports 

activities and marching bands.  Wouldn't it be wonderful for handcrafts and the knitting world to 

see a group of young knitters win this award? Is there any way that you could help us spread the 

word to a larger audience?  Perhaps a blurb to your e-mail list? We need to move quickly, as 

voting ends Nov. 1st.  

To read our award application, go to this link:
http://www.powerabrightfuture.com/gallery?id=3048&cid=p1core-tbx05.f.1800/ae890/3b6/ef55c07c.e5c302e3793a9e1688da21fc91c1a7b4&page=1
For more info, go to http://www.powerabrightfuture.com/ and search on "KnitLit". 

You can read our award application there. We also have a KnitLit Facebook page. 

What a wonderful opportunity to help a worthy cause without donating a penny, and to spread the word of the power of knitting with young people! I thank you for any support you could lend us! Sincerely, Betsy Rodman Haverstraw Middle School KnitLit Club

Finally getting caught up

It has been a hectic few weeks.  Closed the store, started several classes and helped a family member move. Roxanne (the crochet teacher) has beginner crochet and tunisian classes going.  I have 2 sets of beginner classes.  One is an adult class and the other is 4/5th graders.  All that with a 5 day trip out of state to help a family member move from one assisted living location to another.

Anyway, on to the knitting news.  Skacel has not sent out the addi lace interchangeable needles yet.  They are still fine tuning to make them perfect BUT they have the natura interchangeable needle sets on their way to stores.  I do love this needle whether it is a regular circular or the interchangeable set.  The needles are great but the cord is so perfect.

The new Deep Fall knitty issue has some great patterns in it.

I got some new books recently....the knitters year by Debbie Bliss, the new commemorative Knitters almanac by Elizabeth Zimmerman, Modern top Down and the new aran knitting by Alice Starmore.  The aran knitting is not just a reprint of the old book, it has been updated.  I have enjoyed reading through all of them.  

That's it for now.  Short and sweet so you wouldn't think I quit posting.



 

Yankee Peddler, Algonguin Mill Festival, Spinner and weavers guilds

It is Sept so the Yankee Peddler Festival  is coming.  If you plan it right, you can hit the festival and come to Yarnia for the big sale.  Last day of sale if Sept 17.

While I'm at it, the Algonguin Mill Festival is in Oct.  The lady (Holly) who makes the homespun consignment yarn that I carry in the shop usually goes to this festival.  They do have a spinners and weavers guild that meets there monthly.  If you are close to the area, you may want to check it out while you are at the festival.

BTW Canton also has a spinners and weavers guild.  You can join by contacting Kathy at the Canton Art Museum.

 

Aultman Hospital Wellness on Wheels (WOW)

Pepsi is doing an online voting for groups to get a $250,000 donation.  Aultman Hosptial  is in the running for their Wellness on Wheels (WOW) program that takes health care to people.  You can read about it on the Pepsi website or the Canton Repository has run articles.
You can vote daily until Sept 30, 2010.
PS I have to admit that when I do things like this I do not use my email that I give to family/friends/store.  I created  another one for this situation so I don't get my mailbox gummed up so much that I can't find the latest email from my mother.
VOte for WOW


Help bring access to health care to more people.

living craft fall 2010, felted soaps

The new living craft fall 2010 issue will be in stores shortly.  I love this magazine.   I know many of you are getting back into a school mode.  While to really learn it takes work and discipline, this magazine gives you some great ideas for fun things to do together.  Besides, there are a lot of problem solving skills that can be developed from doing crafts.  I mean if your felted gnome doesn't look right and you realize that if you put ears on it, he makes a great bunny, problem solved.

If you get a subscription right now, you can ask for 1 extra issue with your subscription. (You get 5 issues for the price of 4). 


There is a cute free pattern on how to felt soap on their website.  This is a great fall project that gives you  an inexpensive way for your kids to make a bunch of holiday presents.

miniatures, classic elite web letter, summer set

I don't know if I have the joints/eyes to make the items on this site but they sure are adorable.

I love classic elite yarns.  You always get a beautiful fabric with them.  I had a customer come in with a sweater she is doing in summer set in the picket white color.  It was so classy looking but the best part is that it is the perfect sweater to keep in your car for all the cold restaurants and movie theaters.

Classic elite does a web letter that gives great suggestion for how to use all their yarns.  Check out their web letters

New Chic Knits patterns

2 new patterns from chic knits arrived yesterday.  Cerisara is a 20st cardigan with a lovely lace detail. 
Super cupcake is a hat/scarf set that is easy to do and very fashionable looking.  These are new patterns so they are not part of the storewide sale but the other chic knit patterns are.  Bonnie Marie Burns writes a great pattern and her patterns are printed on high quality paper. 

twist collective fall 2010

The Twist collective fall 2010 online magazine is out.  The magazine has great articles, but if you want to see all the patterns that are for sale you can click on shop and it will give you all the current patterns plus all the patterns from past issues.  The photography in this magazine is gorgeous.

The fall knitty is out too.  You can explore the current patterns but here are some of my past patterns that use the yarn you can buy from Yarnia.

Kidsilk Haze from rowan Wisp, Abby, Ice Queen,  Seascape, Tie one on
Rowan felted tweed  Milly Vest
Silky wool by Elsebeth Lavold  Branching out scarf, Tappen Zee cardigan,  HoneyComb Vest
Classic Elite Alpaca Sox  Lace Ribbon Scarf
Classic Elite 150 Modern Lace Henley
Classic Elite Sprout Emmaline
Classic Elite WaterLily Spoke Sweater
Minnow Merino Steggie
Baby ull Baby Norgi, Drunken Argyle Vest, Tatiana, 
Harrisville Design Shetland  Salto sock
Jamieson Spindrift  Chullo
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran Toddle Scarf, Miss Dashwood Hat, Tempting Sweater, Charm Shrug
Louet Gems Fingering Winnow Sock    Baroque sock,
Louet Gems Worsted Toirneach kilk hose,
Louet Gems Sport  Sidewinder skirt,
Lorna's Laces Sock Sweetspot scarf/Ghan, Wanderer sock,  Penny dog sweater, Clandestine sock
Opal Prepschool tie
Rowan Calmer Shedir cap   Tempting II sweater
Rowan Scottish Tweed Aran Ester shrug,
Rowan Tapestry Hanne