WEAVING IN... LOOSE ENDS

This week has been all about finishing for me. One spell of cooler weather and my mind is very  ready to start sharing and wearing wool! Warm, comforting, delightful wool!

The first thing I finished was a new hat for my handsome husband, that's my favorite stripe pattern... as you will soon see. It seems strange to me that I always love stripes that are worked in an odd number of rows/rounds, I would have guessed before I began to knit that I would be most attracted to all things "even"- boy was I wrong!

Something special for him, something special for me!

This is my new sweater, which I love! Knit up in Cascade 220 in the only pink I can wear without looking like a very tired zombie. I knit this sweater from a new Chic Knits pattern the Basic Chic Pulli. This is my sample sweater for teaching the pattern in the Chapel Hill shop starting October 13th. I am quite pleased with the results, love the top-down-round construction, the perfectly flattering fit and the ease in which this pattern takes minor modifications! As some of you know I can't knit without doing something "different" I'm sure that speaks to my true personality, Ha! 

The major modification that I needed to make was to add length to the pattern, so I chose a nice contrast color and introduced it with a simple and dramatic slipstitch pattern over two rows. This highlights the modification and gives a classic sweater a sort of "Bride-of-FrankenKnits" feel, which I just adore! I chose a lighter color to have a slimming effect on an area that I didn't feel needed any extra emphasis.

I'm so happy that my plan actually worked... whew!

I'll share a secret... I actually properly blocked this sweater, damp towel, iron, steam- the works! It was so exciting, Thankfully I had watched Mary do some significant blocking at the shop so I wasn't too scared!

The next things I needed to put the finishing touches on- new hats for my rapidly growing niece and nephew, when it starts to cool down here it's already getting cold in Maine. I knit these up fast and in matching patterns (notice the favorite stripes) but one has lighter stripes and darker main color, and the other is opposite- to try and keep the kids from being too matchy-matchy. T. will be very happy to know that his hat looks like Jon's!

The last thing I want to share today isn't finished, but I am dreaming about wearing it, that counts right? Scarf/Shawl in Kidsilk haze!

Just one more color...

So, there's where I'm at, come by the shop and show me what you've been working on!

Hope to see you at Knit Night tonight. 

Reasons to Knit and wear Shawls

 Here are some of our favorite reasons for knitting and wearing a shawl:

When the seasons change it is he perfect wrap to keep warm.

 Take a shawl on an airplane trip and you can cuddle up underneath it instead of one those questionable blankets.

Shawls always fit- no matter what size you are- even if you are pregnant.

You can still wear a bare top or dress and cover up your arms -or other parts- with a shawl.

A shawl is the perfect coverup in the Summer in those over air-conditioned restaurants.

Wearing something that resembles a coccoon is always comforting.

Knitting or Crocheting a shawl can test your skills. 

You can make a shawl for a friend and not worry about whether it will fit. 

You can make Triangular, Rectangular or Circular Shawls.

When you are not wearing them you can drape them across the back of a chair and decorate the room.

You can't have too many of them!!!

We have so many beautiful Shawls on display at Great Yarns.  Some are super easy to make and some are a bit more challenging. The shawl above is made out of Jojoland's Melody. It is a soft merino wool that gently changes colors to really show off the pattern.

The shawl below is an easy project that will go anywhere. It is made in Berroco's Suede.

This is the Angel lace shawl pattern from Fiber Trends. It is made in Naturally's Dawn -a luxurious   silk/wool blend.

The Brown Shawl below has little seed beads knit in. These 2 are for the more experienced knitter. 

Better take a "Learn to Knit Lace" class!

This is another Fiber Trends Pattern-Ruffles and Ridges. It is made in Manos' Silk n' Wool. It is a lot of fun to do after you cast on the 1,000 plus stitches for the ruffle.

This semi- circle lace shawl was made in Jitterbug from Unique Kolours. We have many more ideas for shawls  and lots of new lace yarn to make your next project!

Memorable Knitting

Last week we had such a treat when a favorite knitter brought in her framed knitted artwork. 

Her project last year was to knit socks out of yarn from as many countries as she could. She found yarn from Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Peru,China, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey and the U.S.

She used the leftovers from the 9 pairs of socks to make the multi fiber socks in the middle of the frame. She then made mini socks to represent all the different countries.  Her children saw all of her work and insisted on having it framed. I am so glad they did because this is a great representation of many hours of  her creative knitting. She created many beautiful pairs of socks and a wonderful piece of art to share with everyone.

Thank you for sharing!!!

New this week

This is a very exciting time of year when all the new Fall merchandise starts arriving. It is like Christmas for us!

 We got some cute tape measures in Koala, Kangaroo, Watermelons,Hens, Bunnies and more.
This is a beautiful silk knitting bag for carrying all your projects.

Denise Needles now come in single needle packs. They come with 2 lengths of circular cord.

This is a new yarn called Tinkerbell. It is unbelievably soft and is great for baby sweaters, hats and blankets.

We'll keep you updated on all the new fun stuff we get!

News at Yarns etc...

New at Yarns etc....     

Chapel Hill Needlepoint! 

Nancy McGuffin is the owner of a new Needlepoint store operating out of Yarns etc...

We are excited about the expanded offering for even more fiber artists.

I think I am almost as excited as Nancy when the UPS man brings her boxes. I can't wait to see what is in them. 

She has a colorful wall filled with many types of needlepoint thread and yarn.

These are cute Christmas Ornaments that you can make in time for Christmas.

Nancy is offering finishing services and will special order canvases for you.

Here are some finished needlepoint products to inspire you to start stitching!

Come by and meet Nancy and pick up a new project.

Open in Chapel Hill

We are open in Chapel Hill!  Three Waters Farm, Chapel Hill Needlepoint and Yarns etc...We are very excited to be in our new space. We have really enjoyed all of you coming by to see the new location. We have so many people to thank for all their help in getting us to where we are. First of all I want to thank Alice, who ran Knit- a- Bit in Chapel Hill for 42 years. Alice was very gracious in recommending Yarns etc... to the building management so that we could move into this location.

We also have our husbands to thank- Chris, Jim and Stephen who always help us whether they understand what we need or not.  Our children, Evan, Liliana, Noah, Benjamin, and Carson who are helpful and supportive even when they are not getting home-cooked meals. Our parents, who all have supported us throughout the years in all our many endeavors.

All the wonderful ladies who work in the shop - Jane, Anne, Rebecca, Alisa and Deb. There is no way to thank dear Hannah enough for so many things. We would still be in the last century as far as our technology is concerned if it weren't for Hannah.

A huge thank you to all of You- our wonderful and supportive customers. Thank you for all of your offers of help, kind words and enthusiasm  for Yarns etc...

We are blessed in so many ways.

We enjoyed this fruit bouquet that was sent to us on opening day.

So many lovely arrangements were sent to us! 

Hope to see you soon!

Almost ready!

We are almost ready to open. We have a few last minute things to do before we open. We love it when the UPS man comes!

There are lots of yarns and threads to arrange for The Chapel Hill Needlepoint Company.

At the last minute we decided to put carpet in the classroom and office space. We were at the store painting and arranging until 10:30 on Wednesday night. A few more items to take care of and we will be ready to tear the paper off the windows and enjoy our new space!