Closing Day

Since almost all of our inventory is now gone, we will be closing our doors for the last time on Friday, November 19 at 5pm. We would love to see you one more time, so come on in and say good by! We have patterns and books left: patterns at $1 each and books are 75% off. If you have purchased furniture or fixtures, please pick them up Friday between 10am and 5pm or Saturday, November 20 between 9:30am and noon.

Thank you all, once again, for your support over these past six years. We will miss all of you!

A Message from Victoria Chase

This is a tough message to write, but after six years of running this wonderful business, I have decided to close the Village Yarn and Tea Shop as of November 30.

Words can't express the amount of joy, love and friendship we have received and the gratitude we feel for this shop that has brought us so many friends: the customers who came through the doors, our co-workers who were a major factor in the success of the shop, the designers and teachers who taught and inspired us, and the vendors who provided us with the medium for our creations. All of us shared in a passion for fiber arts and this passion became the thread that brought us together and kept us moving forward to our next creative pursuit.

There are many factors that played into my decision to close VYT: losing my beloved business partner, Deb; the difficult economy and more - but the bottom line is that we have been struggling to keep enough good products on our shelves and that is not fair to you, our loyal customers.

Here are a few details you need to know about our closing weeks:

If you have unused gift cards, shop credits or full rewards cards, please come in and use them as soon as possible. They cannot be redeemed for cash. They can be used during our going-out-of-business sale.

November classes will proceed as scheduled if they have filled. December classes will be cancelled or the dates will be changed at the discretion of each instructor. If you've signed up for a December class, you will get a phone call about these changes.

All pre-paid merchandise currently on hold for you needs to be picked up. Sale prices will not apply to special orders. We will not place any more special orders, but will try to help you find your desired yarns through other local shops if you'd like.

Our going-out-of-business sale will begin on Saturday, November 13 with yarns and needles 40% off and books at 50% off. We will be open regular hours. ALL SALES WILL BE FINAL: ABSOLUTELY NO RETURNS OR EXCHANGES! All Abstract Fibers yarns and spinning fibers will NOT be on sale. We will not be serving tea by the cup after November 12. We will accept cash or credit cards only, absolutely no checks.

If anyone is passionate about the yarn business and is interested in becoming the new owner of VYT, I invite you to call the shop at 206.361.7256 and talk with Kari Heisey or me as soon as possible. Village Yarn and Tea Shop is a warm, community gathering place and deserves a new owner who can carry on that mission!

A heartfelt thank you to Kari, Karla, Faye, Joni, Megan, Suzanne, Susan, Christina, Rebecca, Kit Hutchins and John Koval from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas, all of my fellow LYS Tour shop owners, The Church of the Holy Stitch, Deb (in spirit) and all of you who have been a part of the Village!

Fondly,
Victoria Chase
Owner, Village Yarn and Tea Shop

Coming in November!

Debbie Stoller, author of the Stitch & Bitch books, will be visiting us at VYT for an afternoon of knitting and informal tips and tricks from her new book, Stitch & Bitch Superstar Knitting! Yes, it's true, on Tue, Nov 9th starting at 1pm, she'll sign copies of her book and get to know all of YOU - our wonderful VYT customers.


AND, to top it all off, Susan from Abstract Fibers will be in the house on Nov 11th for our monthly spin-in. Didn't collect enough of the wonderful Abstract fibers during our Oct Knit Nite? Now's your chance to get more!

Mark your calendars with a big, red X so you don't forget to visit VYT on both Tuesday, Nov 9 and Thursday, Nov 11!

Fall Classes

Look at those sparkles!

Okay, it's not quite officially Fall yet, but I've seen gray and I've seen rain, so official or not - I think it's here! It's time to knit, people! It's time to take a class and learn that technique you haven't had time for all summer. To that end, check out our new Fall Class Schedule. You can learn to do things like the mysterious intarsia, the practical knitted, felted clogs, the quick and easy needle-felted critters or the silvery, sparkley Viking Knitting (which isn't really knitting, but that's neither here nor there - and here's a picture of the finished items from the last class). Go directly to our website and find out which fabu classes you'd like to stake a claim to. Yes. Go now. Here.

A Cotton Sale to End All Cotton Sales!

That's right, it's time to pack up the beach umbrella, put away the vacation luggage and think about Fall yarns already. So come on in and get yourself some sale cotton: pima cotton, cotton/acrylic, hemp/cotton, cotton/silk, cotton/linen - YEP, we've got cotton. It's pretty much a wardrobe staple these days and it knits up into fine baby items and fancy washcloths just in time for your holiday gift baskets.


So come get your cotton this weekend while it's 25-40% off!
Friday through Sunday, August 27-29
Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5; Sun Noon-5

The Breast Care Express is here!

And it's time for our Women's Health weekend! There are still spaces available on Swedish Hospital's Breast Express for mammograms, if you've neglected to make your appointment. Just call the shop and we'll reserve a spot for you between 10am and 5pm on Friday or Saturday, August 20 or 21. Most insurance plans are accepted by Swedish or the out-of-pocket cost is about $275.

Don't forget - if you schedule a mammogram, you'll also get a goody bag from VYT and we'll have tea and treats to share, too. See you at the shop!

Sale Yarn of the Week

This week we have Sublime Soya Cotton on sale 20% off. This is a wonderful, drapey yarn, 50% cotton, 50% soy. Each ball is 120 yards and the stitch gauge is 5.5 per inch. Get yours this week for the low price of $5.80 per ball.

Also - we still have spaces available for mammograms at next weekend's Women's Health Fair, Friday and Saturday, August 20 & 21. Swedish Hospital's mobile mammogram unit will be parked big as life in our parking lot for your convenience! Call the shop today to make your appointment - and you'll get a goody bag from VYT, too!

Spin Nite!

Yes, it is - it's Spinning Nite at VYT. Be there or be somewhere else not spinning - which is not a good thing! Join us with your wheel or spindle and relax to the soothing sound of yarn being made. Thursday, 6-8pm.

This week's sale yarn

This week's sale yarn is Mirasol Wach'i - 85% pima cotton, 15% silk, 116yds. 20% off through next Friday! Great jewel-tone colors and really smooth to crochet or knit.

Sock Exchange!

It's time for another VYT Sock Exchange! If you love knitting, giving and receiving socks, this is for you!

Here's how it works: sign up for the exchange no later than Sun, Aug 22. We'll put all of your names in a hat and match you up with an exchange partner by Aug 25. Then you'll have until Saturday, Oct 16 to turn your knitted socks in to the shop, where we'll hang them up and have our customers vote for their favorite. On Sat, Oct 23, we'll have a party in the shop, where you'll meet your sock knitting partner and receive your new pair of socks!

Go to our website to download a submission form or pick one up next time you're in the shop. Looking forward to seeing all the fun socks we all knit!

Closed for inventory

On Sunday, Aug 1, we'll be closed all day so we can do inventory in the shop!

In other news, we got new Cascade Alpaca Lace yarn and Punta Lace Solid yarn in the shop. Both are great for shawls and scarves, so come check them out!

This week's sale yarn

This week’s sale yarn is Mirasol Samp’a. It’s 100% naturally dyed organic cotton, 120 yards per skein. Regular price is $7.25, sale price is $5.80. Get yours now through Friday, July 23!

Women's Health Fair

If you haven't yet had your annual mammogram, plan to join us Friday or Saturday, August 20 & 21 for yours - in Swedish Hospital's Breast Care Express bus! We'll have tea, snacks and goody bags in the shop to make your experience extra-special.


The Breast Express offers the latest mammography technology and the convenience of getting your mammogram right in your own neighborhood. Most insurance plans are accepted. If you are paying out-of-pocket, the cost for your mammogram will be approximately $275.

Call the shop at 206.361.7256 to schedule your appointment between the hours of 10am and 5pm on August 20 or 21.

This week's sale yarn is...

Mirasol Hap'i! It's 100% Tanguis Cotton, 132 yards per skein, and soft as butter. Get yours on sale 20% off through Friday, July 16.

Weekly Yarn Sales: They're Back!

Our weekly summer yarn sales are back: each week, we'll have a cotton or cotton-blend yarn on sale 20% off, in stock only, no special orders - while they last! This week, get Mirasol Lachiwa: 60% Pima Cotton, 40% Linen. Great for knitting or crochet. Get yours on sale through Friday, July 9.

For Deb Barnes

Friends of Deb's have set up a team called "Deb's Divas" for the Swedish Hospital Summer Run/Walk benefiting the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research (go to the team website here). From there you can join the team and walk or run for ovarian cancer or make a donation to support the team.

The deadline to join the team is July 9th and the run itself is Sunday, July 25. Registration begins at 6:30am at the corner of Marion and Minor with an aerobics warm up at 7:40am. The 10K run starts at 8:00am and the 5K walk/run starts at 8:20, with the Surviving Ovarian Cancer Tribute/Awards Ceremony at 9:30am. All events will finish at the corner of Madison and Minor. So, if you can, join the team or give generously to support it and Deb's memory!

4th of July Fireworks at VYT!

In honor of Independence Day, we're having some fireworks of our own! Thursday-Saturday, July 1-3, buy any set of needles and ball of yarn and learn to cast on and knit FREE! Please note: you must buy needles and yarn July 1 – 3 only. Classes are 11am-1pm or 2-4pm on July 3.

We'll be closed on Sunday, July 4th, so be sure you purchase your holiday knitting supplies before then!

Crochet Nite!

This Thursday, June 17, is Crochet Nite! All you people with hooks and yarn, come join us for some concentrated crochet from 6-8pm. We're looking forward to seeing your newest projects!

We still have space in many summer classes, including our Kids' Knitting and Felting Camps. If you're looking for a fun, week-long activity for your child, you'll want to check out all the details on our website, under Classses.

World Wide Knit in Public Day: Saturday!

Yes, this Saturday is WWKIP Day! There are lots of shops and groups hosting get-togethers this weekend, including the Seattle NorthEnd Knitters. Go here to get information about knitting in public at Greenlake. If you'd like to knit in public at VYT, we'll have tables set up outside and tea and cookies available for munching. Wherever you are this Saturday, do some knitting in public to promote our wonderful craft!

Got a hankerin' to spin?

If you do, it's your lucky week! Thursday is Spin Nite, when we'll be gathering at VYT to spin on our wheels and spindles. Come between 6 and 8pm and turn your fiber into yarn with us. Just to tempt you a bit, I'll tell you that Barbara Seeler has dropped off some new fibers for us. Can you say pure silk? If so, there's some here in beautiful, vibrant colors. Barbara also dyed up some luscious merino/bamboo/silk blend and from the feel of it, it will spin like buttah! Come early and browse the colors before someone else does!

This week at VYT

It's June and the first Friday is coming up - and that means Knit Nite! Since we're deep in the midst of June gloom already, why not plan on a cozy night at VYT with your knitting comrades? Just because it's almost summer (despite the weather), we'll barbeque a few hotdogs and then move on to stitching. Come early, because the 'dogs are available only as long as they last, between 6 and 7pm. See you then!

Memorial Day: We'll close early!

We'll be closing the shop early at 3pm on Monday, May 31 in honor of Memorial Day. Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!

LYS Tour Winners

Here are the names of the lucky winners - and one of them has already picked up her gift card from VYT! Hope you all enjoyed the Tour and are rolling around in your new yarns and projects. I know I am! Congrats, winners!

$500 Chrystal H. from Everett


$250.00, N. Ingrid N. from Camdenton

$250 Diane W. from Graham

$100 Stephanie A. from Everett

$100 Anne D. from Seattle

$100, Allison T. from Redmond

$100, Ami W. from Shoreline

$100 Elisha. from Bellingham

Thanks to all who toured

Well, the 5th Anniversary LYS Tour is over and we're just waiting to hear who won the Grand Prize. As soon as we know, we'll post it here. It was so gratifying to see you all in the shop this weekend - thanks for stopping by! And now, on to our Pot Holder Swap, great summer classes (schedule should be published this week) and lots of iced tea drinking and warm weather knitting. See you soon!

LYS Tour: Day 1

We had such a fantastic first Tour day today - lots of people buying yarn, eating cupcakes, drinking tea and hanging out with us! Love it! We're really proud of our patterns, both knit and crochet and hope you're loving them too. Here are photos to tempt you! And we hope to visit with many more of you this weekend.

LYS Tour on TV!

Are you planning on starting the Puget Sound LYS tour Destination:Yarn first thing on Thursday morning? How about joining us to kick off the tour at the KING 5 studios on Dexter Avenue for a taping of Margaret Larson's new show - New Day. Thursday's show will showcase a yarn fashion show and information on the tour. We want to fill the audience with people knitting while wearing their favorite handknit items.

We need YOU at the KING 5 studios on Dexter Avenue at 9:15am. We will have you on the tour no later than 11:30am. (The actual show airs 11a-noon this Thursday).

If you can join us, please email neuroticknitter@gmail.com. Any questions, please call Kristin at 206.718.1406.

One more day till LYS Tour 2010!

It's tomorrow, it's tomorrow! Have you picked up your passport? Wangled money out of the significant other (or better yet, shanghied him/her to drive you!)? Decided where to have lunch? and dinner...and ice cream...and coffee...and chocolate...and...and... Did you write down all the future patterns you want to buy yarn for? Oh, and are you getting lots of rest, catching up on the laundry and dishes and other boring chores so you won't feel guilty for leaving them behind?

If you have taken all of these steps, YOU are ready for the 2010 LYS Tour! Get the vehicle gassed up, grab a friend and wait with bated breath for Thursday, May 20 to arrive. It's almost here! (And we're looking forward to seeing you all at VYT!)

Big Day on May 5!

That's the day when our long- and not-so-patiently- awaited Madelinetosh yarns will be on the shelves at VYT! We hope you'll agree that the wait was worth it when you snatch up your own supply of these beautiful yarns. Get the Tosh Sock or Pashmina and make your favorite beautiful creation! See you on the 5th!

Knit-in at Third Place Books: This Sunday!

Third Place Books and Village Yarn and Tea invite you all to join us this Sunday for another fabulous Knit-in at the Commons! We'll celebrate Mother's Day early with music by harpist Judith Cummings. Victoria will be there from VYT with Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool for you to sample, as well as the new spring yarns by Mirasol. Join us for the fun! Sunday, May 2 from 1-4pm.

If you'd like to take advantage of a great learning opportunity after spending a little time at the Commons, call to sign up for Lisa Ellis's "Design Your Own Summer Shell" class, also on Sunday, May 2, from 2-5pm at Village Yarn and Tea. Lisa will show you the ins and outs of making a pattern your own using different yarns and stitches. Call today to reserve your space - cost is only $30!

See you this weekend!

Sassy Selbuvotter Class

Yes, YOU TOO can knit these beautiful mittens, when Mary Scott Huff comes to visit us again in May! Mary wowed us with her beautiful Fair Isle designs this past fall and we're looking forward to learning some new skills from her. She'll be teaching her class on the Selbuvotter mittens of Norway, complete with her own snazzy pattern and a historical slideshow. And, we'll host an open house for Mary on Friday, May 14th from 6-8pm. So mark your calendars now and call to reserve your spot! Go to our website to download a flyer that has a supply list and all the class details!

Saturday, May 15
12:30-4:30pm; $70

We're hatching a Crochet Nite!

For all of you crocheters who have been waiting for your very own "nite" at VYT - it's here this week! Bring your favorite hook and yarn and come share your ideas with other crocheters! Thursday, April 15, 6-8pm and the third Thursday of each month from now on! See you there.

Spin... or crochet - or BOTH!

This Thursday, the spinners will gather to make a little new yarn. If you don't have enough yarn in your life already, come join us - there will be all kinds of wheel spinners and spindle spinners there to show you what it's all about! Thursday, April 8, 6-8pm.

Once you've got your yarn all spun up, join us next week for our first-ever Crochet Nite! We're really excited to be a place where crocheters can gather each month to get those hooks flying, share ideas and generally have a great time. Julie Holetz, local crochet author and pattern designer, will join us and tell you all about the classes she's offering at VYT this quarter. If you've never crocheted and want to see how it's done, come on over! Thursday, April 15, 6-8pm.

See you there!

Knit Nite is this Friday!

That means it's almost April and we're ready to celebrate Spring (despite the rain). So grab your sticks or crochet hook and join us this coming Friday, April 2 from 6-8pm for some stitching, snacks and an extra-special treat: Ray Skjelbred will be back to play his dolceola (miniature piano) from 6-7pm! His music will make you want to do some dancing in between stitches! See you there.

Spring is springing!

Thanks to all of you who attended Stephen West's classes this past weekend - a good time was had by all, especially Stephen and the staff at VYT! We're well-supplied with Stephen's patterns, too. Speaking of spring, you'll want to dash into the shop and check out some of our new yarns. I personally am enamored by the Sugar Rush, a soft, drapey yarn made from sugar cane and the Berroco Origami is pretty cool too, and comes with a book of fashionable spring patterns. Or check out some new cotton blends by Mirasol: Lachiwa, a DK cotton/linen blend and Wach'i, which is light worsted pima cotton and silk. There are lots more to tempt you, along with some new Namaste bags.

One important note: beginning April 1, we will be open till 8pm on Thursdays only, for the summer. Here are our updated hours for each week starting then:
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 10am to 6pm
Thu: 10am-8pm
Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun: 11am-5pm

More about our Stephen West events!

Designer and teacher Stephen West will be visiting VYT this Saturday, March 20th! We are so privileged to have this talented knitter grace the teaching table at our shop. We've been able to shuffle students so that we now have space available in both the morning and afternoon classes - PLUS, we are hosting a meet and greet knit-in with Stephen from 3-5pm! His class will be a lecture-style session and will include information about shawl design, construction, cast-ons and bind-offs. Bring your own yarn and appropriate needles for sampling Stephen's techniques. He'll be spending the day with us, so even if you can't make the class, stop in to give Stephen a big Lake Forest Park welcome!

If you're not familiar with Stephen's work, go here to read his blog - you can also find his patterns on Ravelry. We guarantee you'll be an instant fan! So come join us in welcoming Stephen to Lake Forest Park.

Saturday, March 20; $25
11am-12:30pm
1:30-3pm

A Sunny Outlook

Thanks to all of you who attended our reception for Elise Duvekot last Friday - we had a packed house, sold out of her book (but more are on order, never fear!) and enjoyed her beautiful knitted samples and spending time with each other and Elise.

No matter what the weatherman may predict for the next month, things are looking sunny at VYT. New yarns are arriving each week. Last week we got Silky Wool in new colors we like to describe as "sophisticated Easter egg" - just a bit beyond spring pastel, but still good enough to eat. Our stock of Berroco Pure Pima is in, along with a new Norah Gaughan booklet with more of her edgy patterns. Looking for something great for tanks, tees and clothes for kids? We think Zitron Polo is just the thing: brights in a washable cotton/acrylic blend.

And even though it feels like spring, many of us are deep into our Winter Knit-Along, Elizabeth Zimmerman's Green Sweater. Faye has taken the knitting reins in hand and is leading us through the deep woods of a Zimmerman sweater recipe. This weekend we had to do math! And some of us are into the second set of the dreaded steeks! Just wait till we actually have to cut them - widespread panic may ensue!

Come hang with us at the shop with your latest knitting project or problem - and enjoy a cup of our newest tea, Blue Eyes - it's fruity, refreshing and caffeine-free!

Knit One Below

We are proud and excited to announce that author Elise Duvekot will be at VYT on Friday, February 19th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for a wine and cheese tasting and to meet our knitting community. Elise will demonstrate the technique featured in her recent book Knit One Below: One Stitch, Many Fabrics.


Elise has reintroduced and redefined a simple stitch (knit one below) and developed a collection of unique patterns using this technique. She teaches us how the stitch works, what it looks and feels like; then shows us how it can be used to take advantage of its virtues. The technique is intriguing and the patterns are gorgeous, ranging from a gossamer shawl to a sophisticated jacket with a classic Chanel look.

Elise says, “I hope this book will lend wings to knitters’ imaginations.” We hope many of you will help us welcome this incredible designer to the shop this Friday night!

Our Winter Knit-Along

This winter, Faye will lead us in knitting Elizabeth Zimmerman's Green Sweater (Ravel it here). Knit in the round and then steeked, this classic cardigan will give you the best of both worlds: stockinette stitch in the round with the challenges of the steek, a little different sleeve treatment and hemmed edges. Join us this coming Sunday as we cast on together, and plan to attend classes to help with the tricky bits. This Sunday's class is free; the other classes are $15 each. Take a look at Faye's red Green Sweater in the shop - it's gorgeous!


Cast on: Sun, Feb 7, 1-3pm
Class #1 (Sleeves): Sun, Feb 21, 3-5pm
Class #2 (Steek): Sun, Mar 7, 3-5pm
Class #3 (Finishing): Sun, Mar 21, 3-5pm

February at VYT

We'd like to take one last opportunity to thank you all for the many outpourings of love and support during the past few weeks, as we've mourned our friend and shop co-owner, Deb Barnes. Those expressions are priceless to us - thank you!

Deb would be thrilled to know about all the fun events we have planned for February! This Friday night, February 5, is Knit Nite! We'd like to invite you all to come knit with us - and we especially want to invite all of you crocheters, too. We'll be having a chocolate tasting courtesy of Suess Chocolates. Can you say truffles? My mouth is watering just thinking about them. Go to http://www.suesschocolates.com/ to check out their many yummy flavors.

Next Sunday, February 7, join us for our Super Ball of Yarn - our very own Super Bowl alternative. This event will be held at the Third Place Commons from 1-4pm. With needles in hand and warm memories in our hearts, we'll honor the life of Deb Barnes, while knitting, snacking and enjoying music by Susan Moore and Linda Srb onstage from 1-2:30pm. We'd love to visit with you then.

On Friday, February 19 from 6-8pm, we are privileged to have Elise Duvekot, author of the book "Knit One Below: One Stitch, Many Fabrics." Elise is coming all the way from The Netherlands to visit with you, our fabulous customers and demonstrate the technique that she made so popular in her book. The fabric she'll teach us to knit is reversible, versatile and fun to do. We'll have a wine and cheese tasting to welcome Elise to VYT, so mark your calendar now and visit with us!

Deb's Memorial Service

A memorial service for Deb Barnes has been scheduled:

Saturday, January 30 at 2pm
University Unitarian Church
6556 35th Ave NE • Seattle, WA 98115

Please note: Village Yarn and Tea Shop will close at 1:00pm that day so all of our staff can attend the service.

On Sunday, January 17, Deb passed away peacefully after a long and valiantly-fought battle with ovarian cancer. We as fellow employees can hardly put into words what Deb meant to us personally - she was friend and sister and so much more. She showed us courage, humor and talent. Deb gave to us when she didn't feel like it and loved us well. Each time we enter the shop, we're reminded of her and we hope you are too.

We'll have more to say about ways we can all honor our friend in the coming days. For now, we say "rest well" to our Deb and send our thoughts and prayers to her daughter Zoe, brother Gary and her many friends and family members who are grieving with us.

First week of January at VYT

Despite the hoards of people standing in a very long line to buy their 25% off yarns on New Year's Day, we do still have a little bit left! Thank you all for coming and being so patient with the crowds - we think it all went pretty smoothly. And no matter what, we always have fun, so that's the main thing.

Here are a few upcoming events to put on your calendar:

• Knit Nite! Friday, January 8, 6-8pm. Knit in the new year with us!
• Spin Nite! Thursday, January 14, 6-8pm. Victoria has graciously agreed to share the pile of fiber she's lounging on (singing "Santa Baby," by the way) we just got from Spirit Trail Fiberworks. Superwash merino and alpaca/merino/tussah - oh my!
• Cookie A's classes! Friday, January 29, 10am-1pm or 2-5pm (Call SOON to register - they're filling up fast!)