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!