Yarntopia

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"!