Yarntopia

Look Both Ways

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:55:00 +0000

One of the first lessons we learn as children is to look both ways before crossing the street. Well, we aren't crossing a street, but we are crossing the line from one year to the next; let's take some time to glance back then gaze ahead.

2011 was the year of "knitting up my stash." We heard this from many people whose stash had taken over every nook and crany of their home, life, and brain. It is hard to think about new projects when a house full of yarn is nagging at the conscience. I am ending the year feeling slightly overwhelmed by the odds and ends of yarn I have saved for a potential art project. All this yarn is clogging my creativity so I am giving it away to someone who will actually use it. I am also donating yarn to the Art Asylum in Houston. I want to begin the new year with a fairly clean slate. Use, donate or discard - these three words will be my new motto.

Are you ending the year with unfinished business? Projects that didn't get finished; skills that were not learned; or just that stash that is still too big to be comfortable. Whatever it is, let us help you get past your roadblock.

Unfinished projects - need help, just a little encouragement or accountability to get the job done? We will be setting aside one weekday and one Saturday per month for a UFO group. Part class, part support, all fun! Amy, Sheryl or Kathleen will be available for help and cheerleading - whichever is needed at the moment.

What about stash? I firmly believe that stash should be used - but it doesn't have to be by you! Most of us have bought yarn that we just thought we couldn't live without only to wonder "What was I thinking?!" Don't beat yourself up, just find a project or set yourself free by giving it away, selling it, or donating the yarn. If you really love the yarn but don't know what to do with it, turn to Ravelry for help. You can search for patterns by yarn weight, fiber type, or needle size within the specific categories such as "scarf" "hat" etc. Set yourself free!

Looking forward to 2012. We set goals for many things in life, why not set goals for your crafting life as well. If 2011 was the year of using up then 2012 should be the year of fresh starts and moving forward. This is a great time to learn something new or take up the challenge to knit your first garment. What would make you fell that you accomplished something significant this year?

Why not learn a whole new craft? Crochet is hot and many yarn companies are adding great crochet patterns to their line up this next year. Spinning or weaving interest you? We will have Sky Loom Weavers back for workshops in both of these disciplines. Classes for these new skills will be set up so that you can come give it a try and leave with a finished project without the need to purchase lots of materials. The materials will be included in the class fee. If you love what you learned then we will help you choose another project.

Trends to watch in the new year. We have now been around long enough to see trends come back around again. There are small signs that felting (or fulling) and sock knitting are poised to make a comeback. New in the shop in January is Lamb's Pride from Brown Sheep. We are very excited to bring in this popular felting yarn. We have approximately 20 colors of the worsted weight, single ply yarn.

Get Connected. Our groups are alive and well - Tuesday and Thursdays are lively and fun where there is always room for more! The Saturday groups have been theme groups, but beginning in January those, too, will be open groups. Find a group and get connected - your knitting life will never be the same!

Jane Austen Knitting Group This past fall, Interweave published a magazine filled with patterns based on the life and writings of this beloved author. The magazine was a huge success and a new issue is planned for the fall of 2012. We are sold out but it can be purchased online - print or digital. Check it out and tne plan on joining in on the fun. Some projects will be knit-a-longs and other times we will all work on different things.

So there is the sneak peek into the new year. Amy and I both feel that big things are on the horizon at Yarntopia. Join us for a wild and wooly year; it won't be the same without you!

Best Wishes and Happy "Yarning"!

Low Tech Knitters In A High Tech World

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:00:00 +0000

The act of knitting is ancient; it doesn't get more low tech than handknitting. Sticks and string connect us to generations of people who knitted for clothing and survival. There is no denying, however, that the high tech world has impacted and forever changed our craft. There are so many tools available thay I will only scratch the surface in this post.

When Amy and I began planning Yarntopia, blogs were all the rage in the knitting world. Truth be told I miss the yarn blogosphere. It is still there, but it has been replaced by social networking sites. Blogs were a great way to post and track projects and to get to know other knitters on a personal level. Having blog friends around the country (and sometimes world) was so cool. Then came Ravelry.

Ravelry began as a place for fiber folks to log their projects, stash, needles & hooks; an virtual inventory. It didn't take long for the Ravelry groups to explode in popularity as people were able to connect worldwide with others who love to create with fiber and yarn. Now, Ravelry is the go to place to find patterns from independent designers as well as favorites from magazines and books. Have a yarn but don't know what to do with it? Go to Ravlery, search for your yarn and see what people from around the world have done with it. It also brings designers up close and personal with their fans and is a great resource to get pattern help if you get stuck.

Facebook and Twitter are also great tools for staying current with others. Yarntopia has both a Facebook page and a Twitter account. I love using them both, but really love Twitter the most. For Yarntopia we utilize Facebook more than Twitter but that is only because more of our folks are on Facebook. If you don't do Facebook, consider starting a page. You don't have to post much, but it is a great way to know what's going on at the store. We take photos and post them to Facebook whenever new merchandise comes in or if something exciting is happening. Our Twitter and Facebook accounts are linked, so Twitter lovers aren't left out.

The newest entry in the digital marketing world are the QR Codes. These are little squares with what appear to be random black and white pixels forming a pattern. Smartphone owners can download a free app to read these codes. When you read the code you will be taken to a specific website. I took an outdoor walking tour in Vermont last summer that used these codes to take participants to the websites of the artists participating in the event. Very cool!

After you download the QR Code Reader, scan this image and see what happens. Then bring your phone and come see us!

Check out our links page for other great websites that add a modern touch to the ancient craft we love so much.

Till next time,

Sheryl & Amy

Yarn Dreams

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:05:00 +0000

The display in the front window includes handspun yarn, hand dyed roving, the jewelry kits and a shawl and hat that were made using my handspun yarn.

We fiber folks are a peculiar bunch. We fondle yarn, collect yarn, dream about yarn, and a few of us even sniff yarn (and you know who you are). Our passion for yarn is exceeded only by our need for oxygen and food. Last Friday we celebrated our love for yarn, and today I want to continue that love-fest by sharing some other fibery goodness with you.

As many of you know I have become infatuated with spinning. There is something so magical about having the ability to turn a pile of wool into useable, beautiful yarn. As I learn more and more about spinning I think the intimate knowledge gained will make me a better knitter and fiber artist. The preparation and spinning of the fiber greatly affects the final knitted project.

Today, the term worsted is most commonly used in reference to a weight of yarn; however, worsted is also a method of wool preparation inwhich the fibers are combed so that the fibers all lay parallel to one another. Spinning the yarn in this direction will result in a yarn with fewer exposed fiber ends thus a yarn that is smooth rather than fuzzy and less likely to cause a prickly feeling. Yarn that is prepared and spun woolen has a halo due to the fiber going in many different directions and many exposed fibers.

Spinning is not for everyone. Your status as a fiberista is not in jeopardy if you have no desire to spin yarn. There are plenty of commercial yarns available to satisfy your fiber needs. We will not think less of you. In actuality it is we spinners who are in the minority in the wonderful world of fiber.

Playing with unspun fiber is fun and spinning is not the only thing one can do with fiber. There are two classes on the calendar that would be fun and the end result would make great gifts.

Straight From The Sheep (almost) - Using large needles or crochet hook we will learn to work straight from a coloful roving. You will learn to separate the fibers and predraft them which is a skill that transfers to spinning. The class project is a scarf that can be wet felt in the next class.
Needle Felted Jewelry - We have two awesome kits from Imperial Ranch. Needle felting is fun and very therapuetic (I some aggression out as I stab the fiber). Projects include a ring or necklace.
(I don't have finished samples yet, buth they are coming soon, and I will post pictures in an email.)

Fiber adds so much pleasure to our lives and we believe in exploring all that it has to offer. Spread your wings and try something new this fall.

Celebrate Yarn

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:25:00 +0000

Yesterday I changed my Twitter name to Sheryluvsyarn (that's my Ravelry name too) for a couple of reasons: it is more interesting than just Sheryl Means and also it is a more accurate of me. As I said when I did it, I get tired of knitting, I get tired of crochet, but I NEVER get tired of yarn.

Tomorrow has been deemed "I Love Yarn Day" by the Craft Yarn Council of America. Here are some ideas from their website:

Whether you knit, crochet, craft or just adore fiber, October 14th is the day to affirm your passion for yarn.
Show it off, tag with it, carry it, gather with friends. Declare your LOVE! Get involved.
Teach someone to knit or crochet
Do something for charity
Wear a knitted or crocheted item
Give a gift of yarn
Take your yarn to work day
Host a yarn-a-bration party
Knit, crochet and craft in public

Find a way to celebrate yarn!

Here is some eye candy for you to ponder:

Are you in need of a fix? Come see us on I Love Yarn Day -we'll make it worth your time.

The Perfect Sweater

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Most knitters (and crocheters) that I know want to make garments. There is something magical about turning yarn into something that can be worn. For some strange reason I recently had an epiphany. Walking through an airport, I looked down at the sweater I was carrying and felt a sense of pride well up inside of me as I realized "I made this and I love it!"

I am in a constant struggle to identify my style, and to know what looks good on my body and dressing to reflect my true self. Amy has helped a great deal because she notices how I carry myself when I dress a certain way. I knew she was right, but I always wanted to look or dress to fit a particular mold rather than relfecting myself.

This week I took an online fashion survey (lanebryant.com) which told me my style is "Fearlessly Confident, mostly Dramatic and Trendy with touches of Feminine and Casual." Wow! Who knew? I have made it a point to dress accordingly this week and I have felt fabulous about myself.

So, now I am looking at their fashion suggestions and then turning to the knitting patterns to see how I can take this new information and knit according to my style.

I love to layer, specifically short over long, full over slim, long and slim over long and flowy. I have to remember that I am only 4'11" so porportions are crucial to success or failure, especially with the long over long looks.

My all time favorite garment is a cropped cardigan that I can throw on over nearly everything from camisoles to tunics. Most ladies are concerned with the cropped cardis because they can accentuate the roundness of our middles. I have been guilty of this, but have found that if I wear something loose and floaty under the cardigan and keep colors in the same family the look can work.

From the time I was a little girl I have loved clothes that twirl. Long flowing skirts and cardigans fit into this category. A loose, draped front cardigans layered over a slim sillouette of pants and a cami or t-shirt can be casual and comfy or dressy depending on colors, fibers, shoes and accessories. This combination gives a long, lean look that is universally flattering.

Tunics are another fashion staple for me. I go against many of the "What Not To Wear" mantras here, but even at my age I love wearing tunics and leggings. They work for my style and personality.

Right now what I really want to make is a tunic. The two I am considering are Maude and Leisl both from Cocoknits.

I am leaning towards Maude because it has a more fall look to it and the back is very cool. Cocoknits patterns are fabulously stylish yet simple. They can be dressed up or worn casually. The A line tunic from Knitting Pure and Simple also falls into this category (A lines are my friends!). Even though the class didn't come together I still might make this great sweater.

These Knitting Pure and Simple patterns are all things that I can make work with my style:

Oat Couture is another line of simple designs that can be made to work with a variety of yarns and for many different styles.

Both of these simple sweaters from Oat Couture have always been favorites of mine. They would be adorable over leggings or a full, swirly skirt.

Have I tempted you? Encouraged you? I hope so. Come talk to Amy or me anytime and we would love to help you make your perfect sweater.

Made In The USA

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:55:00 +0000

It is getting harder and harder to find anything that is truly made in the USA. Most of us have just come to expect that the goods we purchase will have been made in another country. The yarn industry is no exception to this situation. In reading labels, you will find Turkey, Italy, China, Japan, but rarely USA.

With this in mind, we are so excited to introduce Imperial Ranch Yarns. Imperial Ranch is located in Oregon and is a small family run farm. The wool from their sheep is processed and spun all here in the United States of America.

We have one of these bracelets in the store and more coming. The bracelet with the clasp is the Honeycomb and it is constructed in the same way as the scarf below. So, if you want to learn the scarf, come take the bracelet class first!

Honeycomb Scarf

Please visit their site, then come pet the yarn and help us support small business and products made in the USA.

Where Has September Gone?

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:20:00 +0000

Sheesh...I get sick and my whole month gets thrown off kilter. The illness only lasted a day and a half, but I am still trying to figure out where the time has gone.

My plan was to "teach" a knitting computer class in this week's entry, but we have soooo much yarn in the store and so many new shop samples that I am foregoing my plan for the current news.

This is the wall behind the register. We will display upcoming class project samples here. So, if you see something you would like to make, just ask us about it! Each project also teaches a skill or two, and the final project is something to share or keep. There are close up pictures with the class descriptions, so go take a look and then come check them out in person.

Fair Isle or stranded knitting has been one of those techniques that I have avoided. Not because it is hard but because it can be fiddly and the dense fabric is generally too warm for our climate. But, look what I made!

The tam is knit with two colors of Liberty Wool (have I told you how much I love this yarn?) and the variegated yarn does most of the work in the design. I am now totally loving the stranded knitting and looking for patterns that feature small amounts of this fun color work. Want to make this? Check the calendar soon, I'll schedule it and try to infect you with the Fair Isle love.

Check out the crochet at Yarntopia.

Isn't this stunning? It is crocheted with Liberty Wool so it is vibrant, soft, and washable.

This lovely scarf is the creation of Adrienne Lash and is on loan to us. The pattern, Noro Windowpane Scarf, is a free download on Ravelry and uses 1 skein of Noro sock yarn. It is a beautiful use of a self striping yarn in crochet. Adrienne also crocheted the stole for us. We are so excited to have her crochet talents helping us out!

Other new stuff:

Autumn is a fun new yarn that has wooden beads and fabric leaves spun into the fabric. The shawl shown takes 2 hanks and the pattern is free with the purchase of the yarn.

Two more new shop samples

This is a convertible hat. Draw the ribbon tight and wear it as a hat, or open it up and allow it to drape around your neck for a super cute cowl. Two for one - gotta love that!

And finally this luscious scarf begins with a garter stitch center, then a lovely, lacy crocheted border is added. The shrug is knit with Rowan's new Alpaca Chunky - yummo!

As is always the case, things are more lovely in person. Hope to see you soon!

September is Back To School Month

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:55:00 +0000

As a child I loved going back to school. The anticipation and excitement of what lay ahead kept me awake at night. Shopping for school supplies: new pencils, Pink Pearl erasers, clean notebooks, binders and paper, made me giddy. I think this is why I still love shopping in an office supply store.

This same back to school excitement happens at Yarntopia as we pull the summer cottons off the shelves and restock them with all the new colors and textures of fall.

Here is a peek at what is on the shelves.

I took a close up of this great yarn because it is so interesting. This is a merino base with a fabulous shimmer from Sublime. The fiber is encased in a mesh. This yarn is soft and light as a feather, and would be great for cowls or scarves.

Lima is a new alpaca and merino blend yarn from Rowan. The chain construction gives this yarn a lightness that produces snuggly warm items. The pockets created by the construction allows warmth to get trapped in the fiber. Garments and accessories will be light weight but soft and warm. The book Winter Warmers is full of great accessory projects - wonderful for gifts or yourself. Another new yarn from Rowan is also featured in this book - Alpaca Chunky. Also a chain construction with all the characteristics of its worsted weight cousin.

Here is a close up of the yarn. You can see the chain very clearly in this photo.

Bubbles is a variegated yarn that is plied with thread which gives it a lovely texture.

This adorable cable beanie is knit with Bubbles and we are having a class for it in October!

To continue with the back to school theme, each week we will attend a different class. Next week we will go to Computer Class For Knitters.

The Dog Days of Summer - The Last Week

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:30:00 +0000

School begins one week from today. Most folks, if they have school age children, are meeting themselves coming and going as preparations for school are in full force. Who wants projects that require concentration and attention to detail? No one!

Even for those of us who aren't fighting the back to school rush, the heat is frying what brain cells we have left. We really just need fun, mindless knitting or crochet.

So beat the heat with one of these great projects. Small projects are the name of the game.

First, Katia's Triana Lux. Ewey is wearing a Triana scarf but it is not the Lux. Lux has a metallic thread running through it for a hint of bling. These are the two colors we received.

These are two more colors of Flounce and there is more to come. I'm loving the one on the left.

Swoop is a pattern I designed last year for Tilli Tomas' Mystery Skeins. 1 skein produces a lovely crescent shaped scarf. These yarns from Feza are also multi yarn hanks which will work beautifully with this pattern.

Neptune is a beautiful ribbon yarn that will add so much to your next shawl or scarf.

This adorable shawlette is called Storm Cloud. A free pattern from Ravelry.com this would be a stunning accessory in the Lurex Ribbon.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: Sock Knitting

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:55:00 +0000

For those bitten by the sock knitting bug, there is simply nothing else they would rather knit. Sock yarn comes in an infinite variety of colors, patterns and fibers. Socks are cute, practical and can be worn by everyone. What's not to love?

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee helped fuel the sock knitting mania (as well as the trend of photographing ones knitting as a way of documenting a vacation) and is still one of its biggest proponents.

There have now been two huge knitting conferences devoted to the art and craft of sock knitting - Sock Summit just concluded its second successful event and there are multiple You Tube videos to share to manic fun that was had by all.

Sock knitters are a special breed. Do you have an inner sock knitter waiting to escape? When I first stepped foot (pun definitely intended) into a real yarn shop for the first time, the one item that grabbed my attention were the sample socks hanging all around the baskets of yarn used to create them. They represented a world of possibilities and I wanted to be able to join that world.

I was motivated and set about to gain the necessary skills: using double pointed needles, picking up stitches, decreasing, and the Kitchener stitch are all the things I learned just so that I could knit socks. Then, the first time I turned the heel on a sock...knitting nirvana! Socks are miniature works of art that never cease to amaze.

Have I piqued your interest? Surf the internet, take one look at these little gems. And did I mention the glorious fit of handmade socks? I have an exceptionally small foot and I can now have socks that fit me - no more buying socks in the children's department for me!

We have several classes coming up to teach all the skills necessary for successful sock knitting, a stocking class that doubles as a sock class, and a first sock class in which you will make a pair of slipper socks. Find a class or call us to schedule a private session that meets your needs.

Next week...Summer Shawl Basics