Sleeper Yarns

Like a good Indie film, sometimes a yarn doesn't get the exposure it deserves because of all the blockbusters that are around at the same time. I have some favorite "sleepers" that I'd like to highlight today.

Noro Niji (what a shocker - a Noro yarn)

Niji is 45% wool, 25% Kid Mohair, 25% silk, and 5% Nylon boucle-ish yarn. We have a

 sample in the shop that some people love to hate because it's a garment that is hard to wear but I really like this yarn. It's perfect for a warm wrap or a simple bulky sweater.

Noro Silk Mountain

Another sleeper from Noro, this boucle is gorgeous and the colors are more subtle and uniform than most Noro yarns. I started a wrap last year (mixed with some other yarns) and really liked the yarn but I got sidetracked somehow....you know how that is. Anyway, I think it's very pretty.

O-Wool - 100% Certified Organic Merino, worsted 

This is a beautiful merino; perfect for that cable cardigan you've always wanted to make. The colors are a little muted because of the organic nature of the yarn but it should not be overlooked. Several people are making the February Lady sweater with it. (Pssst - that will be our KAL for January!)

Cilantro by Nashua - 70% Cotton, 30% Polyester, worsted

This single twist yarn feels like merino - kind of springy - and we have a lovely shop model but it came in a color that isn't too flattering for most people. This is a shame because the yarn is great and its perfect for all kinds of garments. The colors are mostly bright but they would work for Fall.

Louisa Harding Cinnabar - cotton, silk and linen blend with a touch a sparkle

I'm not a sparkle yarn kinda woman but I love this yarn. Victoria made the most beautiful skirt using this yarn and I've seen a few other tops made out of it and it's beautiful! I think the color blends are very sophisticated and elegant. Her Jasmine cotton/bamboo blend is also very nice but we don't have a garment yet. That's a common problem in the shop - so many yarns, too few samples made up - so some yarns don't get the attention they should. 

I hope you take a few minutes the next time you are in the shop to look at these "neglected" yarns.  

It's getting to be that time....

....when all the new things for Fall start arriving. But let us NOT forget all the fabulous yarn that we already have in the shop! It's time to make those transitional garments or those great tanks that will be all ready to wear when you take them out next Spring on the first warm day. Ask not what your wardrobe can do for you but what you can do for your wardrobe! (Too dramatic?)

For those of you who must live on the edge, the newest arrival in the shop is the Tilli Thomas Voile del la Mer -  70% Silk, 30% Seacell, 18 sts/4" on Us #7, 250 yds of luscious wonderfulness.

Our Ladybug arrives!

We have a bunch of new spinning related items to report on today. 

First off, we received some 100% camel down and other fibers from Dana Locken and it's all ready to spin. Dana was just featured in the last Spin Off magazine! If you haven't felt camel down.......ooooohhhhhh......

Next - we now have Spinner's Contrast Lap Cloths and Katie a-Go-Gos from Nancy's Knit Knacks. These are great tools for spinners who want to take things to the next step. 

And last but not least, our Schacht Ladybug wheel has arrivcd! The Ladybug is friendly to entry-level spinners, easy to treadle, easy to take with you, and...., as cute as a bug! The Ladybug only weights 12.5 pounds but has the characteristic solid Schacht construction. 

Our price: $550 plus tax

There is also a lazy kate available (for $34.95 plus tax) that fits right into the wheel for easy strorage.

Cotton Sale Yarns

Okay - you've asked for it so here it is! The list of yarns that are marked down 25% this week:

Cascade:Pima Tencel, Sierra

Dale of Norway: Stork

Elsbeth Lavold: Cotton Frappe, Hempathy, Bamboucle

Lion Brand: Organic Cotton

Louisa Harding: Castello, Cinnabar, Jasmine

Meilenweit: All the sock yarns

Mirasol: Cotonani, T'ika

Misti Alpaca: Misti Cotton

Nashua: April, Cilantro, NF Ecologie, June

Rowan: All Seasons Cotton, Bamboo Tape, Calmer, Cotton Glace

Schulana: Aria, Sojobama

Sirdar: Baby Bamboo, Surfer

Southwest Trading Co.: Tofutsies

Sublime: Soya Cotton DK

Tahki: Cotton Classic

Such a deal!!! Come on down!!! :-)

Stitch-n-Pitch Success

Another great Stitch-n-Pitch! And the Mariners won even!!! I never get to actually see the game but still have a great time. Thanks to all of you who stopped by our table. :-)

In Memorium

Our very dear friend Patty Mottley passed away just over a week ago. She was diagnosed four months ago with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Patty was able to fulfill her dream to take a trip to Ireland with her daughter, visit the ocean, and was calling the shots to the very end. We will miss her smile, her passion for all things fibrous and the love she had for her family. 

Patty became a regular in the shop after the very first Stitch N Pitch. We had a nickname for her and her sister, we called them the Home Girls. The Home Girls played a big part in getting the Breast Cancer Wristband project going for us and organizing the pajama party. She was a wonderful, caring human being and her loss will be felt for a long time. 

Debbie Abrahams Workshop

We are delighted to have Debbie back at VYT. She is a wonderful teacher and lots of fun to be around! 

Debbie is the author of several best selling knitting books including 25 Cushions to Knit and 100 Afghan Squares to Knit (and 100 more!). Students that took her last class in beading here at VYT are still talking about what a great class it was!

25 Beaded Knits Workshop
September 16, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Cost: $80

This is a very popular class so signing up early is a must. Students will be getting a packet from Debbie ahead of time with some "homework" before class begins.

Health Fair and Stitch-n-Pitch Pattern

Three  things to talk about today.

First, we still have spots available for mammograms during the Health Fair on August 22 and 23. We can't stress enough the importance of having a mammogram! We have so many friends and family members who have been saved by early detection. If you have never had a mammogram - fear not! We are here to hold your hand both literally and figuratively. 

My second topic is the lovely Ruth Sorensen Noro kits we have made up for Stitch-n-Pitch! Ruth has come up with 6 new and exclusive patterns for us using the new Noro Kureyon Sock yarn - 3 different bags and wrist warmers. For those of you who are not familiar with Ruth, she designed many of the VERY popular patterns using Kauni and Evilla yarns. 

And speaking of Kauni - our very own Joni has designed something special for Stich-n-Pitch using this great yarn. Be sure to stop by and get your copy!