Oops. More Koigu and O-Wool

So, we went upstairs, moved some boxes around whilst looking for something else and POOF!! More Koigu appeared! Several different colors are now available (again) at a reduced price in our sale area. Perfect for that last minute shawl you want to whip up for your mother-in-law for Christmas. ;-)

The rest of our O-Wool order arrived today so our color palette has doubled. We have some cute hat and scarf patterns designed specifically for this wool but it is perfect for all types of garments and we have enough backstock for sweaters in all colors.

New Manos del Uruguay Wool Silk Blend

Imagine glorious kettle-dyed colors applied to a 30% silk/70% merino extrafine wool and you have the new blend from Manos del Uruguay. We have been big fans of their wool and cotton for years and are thrilled with this new blend (150 yds, 22-24 sts per 4" on #4-#6 US needle, $12 for solids, $13 for multi). We are all trying to decide what patterns to use - maybe a two-toned scarf, a luscious hat, a lovely shrug......too much yarn, too little time!! Or how about just buying a couple of skeins to give to your favorite knitting pal! (This is one item you wouldn't mind having re-gifted....to you!)

Petting strongly encouraged. ;-)

Holiday Open House

Saturday, December 8, 2007
Doors open at 10:00 AM

Schedule
11:00 - 12:30:	Free Make 'n Take, Session 1
1:00 - 3:00:	Vendor's Corner
3:30 - 5:00:	Free Make 'n Take, Session 2

Our free Make 'n Take project this year is a knitting-themed holiday card sponsored by Close To My Heart. We provide the supplies and inspiration, you supply your enthusiasm and talent!

In Our Vendor's Corner:

Amy Allen, Good to be Girl Stitch Markers and Gifts
Emma Kidd, Dragonfibers Hand-dyed Roving
Anne Turner, Handmade Beads
Terri Shea, Sellbuvoter demonstration and book signing

Live music and a food sampling from Christopher Brooks - holiday puddings and chutneys - round out the day. We hope to see you there!

What If Everyone Knit the Same Sweater??

Well, I suppose it has been awhile since our last post. I know that we've posted about the all the new yarns coming in, but we haven't yet talked about our big adventure as a group. We are doing a shop knit along, using Peace Fleece Worsted weight yarn to make the Everyday Cardigan.

What's the plan you ask? Well, you have until this Wednesday, November 21st at noon to place your yarn order. You can either pick your color off the Peace Fleece website (see above) or come into the shop and check our our color card. We will order your yarn and pattern Wednesday afternoon. We are asking each participant to pre-pay their yarn, and we are giving you 10% off your purchase at that time.

Peter at Peace Fleece has assured me that the yarn will arrive by the middle of December, just in time to get a swatch done. We will all meet at 1 pm at VYT on New Year's Day to do a group cast on. If you are out of town, then just do your cast on vacation but try and start it at 1 pm PST.

This is not a race though - work at your own pace! I also thought it would be fun for the more adventurous or experienced knitters out there to add in their own touches. Check out the Nicky Epstein books for interesting edges, Barbara Walker for cool stitch patterns or maybe a motif book for a colorful band. Make it your own - that's alot of the fun!

I will also be setting up help times on Thursday nights in case you get stuck, and there will be a yahoo group to chat amongst yourselves and give each other encouragement.

Stay tuned - I'll be planning a fashion show and display at the end!

Ellen

Mirasol Project

I want to take a moment to let you all know about one of the new yarn lines we are carrying in the shop. Not only are the yarns beautiful but the story behind the yarn is also pretty wonderful.

Vision of the Mirasol Project:

• Improving the well being of rural children in the highlands of Peru
  

Executive Summary:

• Quality of education in Peru is poor. The country was rated last of 41 in the IEPS (International Evaluation Program for Students) back in 2002. As a result of this poor showing, education was prioritized within a National Agenda. Special emphasis was given to the rural areas of the highlands, where educational programs and levels of literacy are the worst.
• Recent studies have found that the people of Puno have one of the lowest levels of education and health in Peru. The lack of economic resources and poor nutrition have resulted in high and increasing levels of anemia.
  

Objectives:

• To provide accommodation, meals and health care for the support of the infants and children of the community
• To develop personal and occupational skills, study techniques and language communication through specialized workshops.

By purchasing a Mirasol yarn it means that a percentage of the price goes towards providing an education to the children of the farmers. Jane Ellison - a world renowned knitwear designer - has taken this project to heart and has designed many beautiful patterns for this great yarn. (We sold out of her book the first week but more are on their way!) The yarns are:

• Miski - 100% Baby Llama
• Hacho - 100% Merino
• Cotanani - Pima Cotton and Merino blend
• Sulka - Merino, Alpaca and Silk blend

We hope you will get a chance to see and purchase these lovely yarns very soon!

Fall Sale

From now until this Friday, a number of our favorite yarns are marked down by 35%. After this Friday, they will still be marked down but only by 25%. The yarns include Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky, Noro Transitions, Kochoran, Daria, and Iro, Donegal Tweed, Rowan Big Wool, and even Koigu! These yarns are going fast. How fast you ask? Ya know, when you watch the Road Runner cartoons and he zips off and that little puff of dust is left behind? THAT fast!