Christmas Surprises

We have the best Mail Carrier and UPS man at Yarns etc... in Chapel Hill.

Our Mail Carrier is Nancy-she is always happy and cheerful and adds lots of flair to her job.

This is our UPS man Calvin. We are so happy to see Calvin coming everyday. He brings us big boxes of fun fibers and other goodies. He is also always happy and cheerful. And he shows us that not only is he really good at his job but he also really loves what he does.

We decided to make them something really special for Christmas this year. We all Needlepointed these cute ornaments for them. This is the back view of the ornaments with their name on them.
This is the front view of them-complete with packages and letters. These came out so cute and we really had fun making them. Nancy and Calvin were really surprised and were truly happy to be a recipient of these personalized ornaments. It is so much fun to give a great gift that is so well received.

Finished Projects

Here are some finished projects from some of our customers.

We love to see your finished projects-please come show us and let us take a picture for the blog!

This cute little girl loves her new cardigan knit by her grandmother Sharon.

Jennifer models a new tank top made by her mother Myra.

This happy customer is happy to show off her newly finished red sweater.

Kathy shows off her first sweater project! Great work!

The interesting yarn and cables make this a really special sweater.

Another Last Day

Kim has been working with us at Great Yarns for over a year during her search for full time employment. She has just gotten a job in her field and today is her last day working with us. We have all enjoyed working with our very own Roller Girl this year! This is a picture of Kim hard at work in the Rowan aisle at Great Yarns. What a great way to end your time working at the yarn store-rolling around on the floor in the Rowan! Good luck! We will miss you!

Welcome Fall

This is the lovely Mrs. Jane Lane. She has been working at Yarns etc... for over 4 years. We love the days we get to work with Jane! We all love her! Jane is a woman of many talents. She knits, she needlepoints, she is a master gardener and she brings us treats to snack on during the day. As you can tell by her modeling stance, Jane has also done some modeling.

We are so grateful that Jane has given us her time, talent, patience, and smiles for these past few years. Her life has gotten so filled up with all of her many activities and family that this is her last week to work with us. We will look forward to seeing her when she comes for a visit!

Thank you for being you. We will all miss you.

Jane made these cute pumpkins that are a perfect project for this time of year. You can use them for Halloween decorations and, a month later, for Thanksgiving. The yarn used was a perfect shade of pumpkin colored orange organic sport weight wool from Three Waters Farm.

The weight yarn you use determines the size of the pumpkin. You can make slight changes in the pattern and make them taller, or fatter, or embellish them in different ways.

Thank you for sharing these with us.

Pumpkin Pattern

#1 for fingering weight

#2 for sport weight

#3 for DK weight

#4 for worsted weight

Cast on 58 sts.

Row 1- p2(K5,P2) to end

Row 2- K2(P5, K2) to end

repeat above 14 times for a total of 30 rows

leave 18" of yarn an thread through sts on knitting needle

Stalk

With brown or green cast on 4 sts, work 16 rows in St st. Cast off.( you could do this an an i-cord)

Finishing

Tie cast on edge of stalk into a knot. Gather top of pumpkin around knot and sew securely. sew down the side of pumpkin, stuff and finish off. To secure the shape of the pumpkin sew one long stitch through the center of the pumpkin from base to top and back again.

Summer Knitting for Barbie

We have been having a lot of fun this Summer making ALL kinds of interesting things!

My friend, Bradley, of The Swell Doll Shop in Chapel Hill made this elegant Barbie dress one day. I used to make lots of Barbie doll clothes when I was young and I got out my sparkly yarn and had fun making one right quick.

Bradley gave me permission to share the pattern so you can make your own cocktail dress for the Barbies in your life. When you are at Yarns etc... in Chapel Hill just walk down the hall a few more feet and visit The Swell Doll Shop. You will be reminded of so many dolls from your childhood!

11 ½ inch Dolls Knitted Sheath dress

Materials: Sock yarn, fingering weight yarn (1/2 ounce)

Size 1 knitting needles

Steel Crochet hook

Three snaps

Safety pin or Small stitch holder

Gauge: 9sts=1”, 13 rows=1”

Dress: Skirt: beg at lower edge of front and back of skirt,

cast on 46 sts. Work in Stockinette st (k 1 row, p 1 row)

for 32 rows.

Cast on 4 sts at end of last row for placket =50 sts.

Next row: (k1, p1) twice. K to last 4 sts (p1,k1)twice.

Next row: (p1, k1) twice. P across to last 4 sts (k1, p1) twice.

Repeat last 2 rows twice more, end wrong side.

Waist shaping: row 39: (K1, p1) twice, k 9, k 2 tog, k 2, sl 1, k 1, psso,

k 12, k 2 tog, k2, sl 1, k 1 , psso, k 9, (p1, k1) twice- 46 sts.

Row 40 and all even rows: Keeping frst and last 4 sts in ribbing P across.

Row 41: (k1, p1) twice, k 8, k2 tog, k2, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 10, k 2 tog, k 2, sl 1,

k 1, psso, k 8, (p1,k1) twice- 42 sts.

Row 43: (k1, p1) twice, k7, k2 tog, k2, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 7, (p1, k1) twice-

38sts

Row 45: ((k1, p1) twice, (k 6, k 2 tog, k 2, sl 1, k 1, psso) twice, k 6 (p 1, k 1)twice -34sts

Work 13 rows even, end wrong side.

*Inc note- to inc, insert right-hand needle in bar before next st on left hand neele. K loop (inc made).

Bodice shaping (k1, p1) twice, k4, (inc 1 st, k 1) 19 times, end k 3, (p1, k1) twice-53sts. Work 7 rows even.

Left back: (k1, p1) twice, knit 10. Turn. Bind off 14 sts of left back. Do not end off. With crochet hook , sc across left back. End off.

Front: Join yarn at arm side, K1, p1, sl 1, k1, psso, k17, k 2 tog, p1, k1,-23sts. Turn. Leave remaining 14sts unworked for right back.

Next row: k1, p1, p to last 2 sts, k1, p1.

Next row: k1, p1, sl1, k1, psso, k15, k 2 tog, p1, k1- 21 sts. Work 1 row even.

Divide for straps, k 1, p1, k1, sl these 3 sts on a pin for left shoulder strap. Bind off next 15 sts for neck edge. P1, k1. Work in ribbon on remaining 3 sts for 16 rows or until strap fits doll’s shoulder. Slip 3 sts of left shoulder strap onto needle, work same as right strap.

Right Back: Join yarn at underarm. K 10, (p1, k1) twice. Bind off. Do not end off, With Crochet hook, sc across.

Finishing: Sew back seam to placket in place on wrong side. Sew straps to back, work 1 row sc on front of neck edge and lower edge of skirt. Steam-press edgings and seams lightly. Sew snaps to back.

Carolina Fiber Fest

The Carolina Fiber Fest was at the NC State Fairgrounds the weekend of May 21-23rd. There was an abundance of Fiber and smiles to go along with it all.

Great Yarns/yarns etc... sponsored the Ravelry Meet-up.

There was lots of knitting and sharing and meeting new people.

There were so many beautiful projects. People won prizes for various entries. This project won for the oldest project - I think she said she spun the yarn 6-8 years ago.

People came from as far away as Wilmington and as close as 1/2 mile away. The thought of wonderful fibers and demonstrations and new Fiber Friends brings people from far and wide-even in the heat and thunderstorms!

We even have proof of the World's Youngest Knitter! Meet 2 month old SAM. He can DO some knitting!!
If you missed it this year- mark your calendar for next year!!

Knit Grafitti

My family and I recently took a wonderful vacation to Northern California and San Francisco. We had a marvelous time- enjoyed all the sights- even visited a few yarn shops. We parked our car next to this bike rack in Haight- Asbury one night. My husband said look at that- and took this picture. It is always exciting to see unexpected knitting and color!

Oh, and look at this- have any of you seen this in your favorite Whole Foods parking lot?

Or this? This tree will be a little warmer this Fall.

Here is a short video and news clip about another town that has been experiencing a bit of Knit Grafitti. It makes me wonder what we could all do to brighten our surroundings with our brightly colored knitting!
'Midnight Knitter' Pulls The Wool Someone is spinning quite a yarn over one New Jersey shore town.An unidentified culprit dubbed the "The Midnight Knitter" has been covering tree branches and lamp poles with little sweaters in West Cape May, N.J. under cover of darkness, CBS station WCBS-TV reports.Mayor Pam Kaithern said police were looking into the guerrilla crocheting, which technically is against the law because it is being done on public property without permission.Despite the illegality of the act, the town's mayor and residents admit they're enthralled by the rainbow of colors that has popped up.Resident Susan Longacre takes a walk each morning in Wilbraham Park, where several tree branches and light poles have gotten the treatment. She thinks it's great.Even those who are not thrilled admit the yarn is better than spray-painted graffiti.West Cape May is about 147 miles south of New York City.

Purple Hats

The following information is from an email we received from Lynn Jackson, please consider participating in this worthy cause.

Dear knitters:

We need YOU! We invite you to put your terrific talent to work!

WHO: Please share your knitting (or crocheting) gifts to help us reach our goal to provide a PURPLE newborn baby cap to every infant born in North Carolina during the week of April 11th, 2010. This [PDF]flier has all the details.

WHAT: Help us raise awareness of a statewide education project designed to teach parents and other caregivers about the Period of PURPLE Crying: Keeping Babies Safe in North Carolina – the largest and most comprehensive evidence-based Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention initiative in the country.

WHEN: The deadline to send your finished baby caps is March 25th, see mailing address on flier or call/email with questions.


More info about The Period of PURPLE Crying:
The Period of PURPLE Crying: Keeping Babies Safe in North Carolina is designed to educate parents and others about the normalcy of increased early infant crying and how to cope with it. More than 5,000 nurses in hospitals across North Carolina have educated more than 140,000 parents about this important program, so far. Help us honor, thank, and celebrate our nurses and hospitals! By raising awareness and understanding, the Period of PURPLE Crying program seeks to significantly reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries that occur when frustrated caregivers shake crying babies.

---

Visit our website for more information on the Period of PURPLE Crying: Keeping Babies Safe in North Carolina: purplecrying.info Please pass this information along to anyone you know who might be interested.


For more information and questions, please contact:
Lyn Jackson 919.961.1081 Ljackson@purplecrying.info
Jane Royall 919.733.6341 jroyall@purplecrying.info

Fun Day at the Yarn Shop

It is always a fun day at the Yarn Shop. It is especially fun when Babies and Grandchildren come to visit.

Baby Wyatt was there as well as Kerri's new baby boy and his visiting cousin from Minnesota.

We also love it when Miss Anne's Grand daughters visit too!

The next best part was when the ladies from the yogurt shop came by giving away frozen yogurt samples. It was a particularly warm day so everybody was really happy to have some of the cool tasty treat!

You just never know what is going to happen next......

Baby Wyatt

Baby Wyatt came to visit last week! We all took turns holding him and enjoying him. It was a cold day and he was all warm and snuggly in his little wool sweater and striped hat. He is so sweet and Hannah is such a good mama. We all miss her but she is doing the most important job in the world right now. We will look forward to seeing you again soon!

Prolific Knitter

We have some very prolific knitters at Great Yarns and Yarns etc...

It is so much fun to help someone pick projects and help decipher the patterns. The best part is when they come back and show us their finished projects.

Rebekah is a great knitter. She picks really beautiful projects in beautiful yarns. She is always willing to try a new stitch or shaping technique. I really enjoy helping her pick out her next project. Rebekah is also a pretty quick knitter -so she completes a lot of projects. I have taken pictures over the past year of most of her finished projects.

This is the February Ladies Sweater made in luxurious Manos Wool/Silk.

This cotton Cardigan has an interesting lace pattern that Rebekah had no problem mastering.

This is the first random color/texture afghan Rebekah has done. It is an easy project and really fun but it takes a long time to knit and uses a LOT of yarn. You change yarn every 2 rows so you are constantly getting to work with a new color or texture. You can go with a particular color sequence or be a little more random about your choices.

Here is a one color afghan with an all over stitch pattern. I bet no one gets chilly at Rebekah's house with all these beautiful afghans to keep them warm!

Another fabulous lace patterned cardigan. Perfect for this Spring!

A beautiful blue raglan cardigan.

Another cotton cardigan with interesting stitch details in the front bands.

I love this short sleeve v-neck cardigan. The one button closure is a flattering style and if you look at the button closely you can see it is a turtle. So Cute!

This all over lace patterned cardigan is also made from Manos wool/Silk. It is a great weight for our climate.

Thank you Rebekah, for letting me show off some of your beautiful work and for being such a great knitter that I get to help find the next great project for you!

This is a close-up of the lace pattern from the purple sweater from above.

Knitting for the Troops

Here is a great volunteer knitting opportunity! Knitting helmetliners for our troops overseas.
When I first heard of this project I wasn't so sure that this was an item that a soldier really needed or wanted. Well, I was very pleased to find out that helmetliners are really needed and appreciated! It is cold in the desert at night and sand is blowing - the helmetliner keeps them warm and keeps some dust out. It also provides a soft layer of protection between the head and the helmet. My nephew Taylor is an officer in the 82nd Airborne and you can bet he will have at least one helmetliner in his duffel when he goes to Iraq or Afghanistan.

If you are interested in learning more about making Helmetliners, scarves or neck gators you can go here

All the information including patterns, yarn requirements and colors can be found on the web site. Cascade 220 is one of he suitable yarns and we have many great "desert "colors in stock.

You can leave your finished helmetliners at Yarns Etc... or Great Yarns and I will send them to the organization that distributes them to our soldiers.

NEW CLASSES!

It's a new year, which means new classes!

Learn to Knit
* Monday Jan 11: 10-12am
* Monday Jan 11: 7-9pm
* Saturday Jan 16: 9-11
$20

Magic Loop Socks
* Monday Jan 11, Jan 18, Jan 24: 5.30-7pm
$50

Fingerless Mitts
* Thursday Jan 21: 9-11
$20

Simple Hat
* Monday Jan 18: 7-9pm
$20

Tuesday Night Knitting
* Tuesday Jan 12, Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 23: 7-9pm
$60

Knitting 201
* Monday Jan 25: 10am-12pm OR 7-9pm
$20

Finishing Help & Techniques
Thursday Jan 21: 7-9pm
$20

15 Years in Business

Happy Birthday to Yarns etc...

15 years ago on January 2nd 1995 Yarns etc... opened its doors in downtown Greensboro. My father and husband and I worked at night after our day jobs to get space  ready to open in the new year. We stripped 3 layers of flooring, laid new carpet, painted, built shelves and more. My son, Evan, was barely crawling and my mother looked after him while we worked. When she wasn't available we put him in a big box with some toys while we worked.

We had a lot of fun watching downtown Greensboro grow and change. It was a fun time and we made lots of great fiber friends. 

Evan is now 15 and is 6'3". He is learning to drive and still coming to the yarn store to see all the ladies.

We have all had a lot of fun during this yarn odyssey. Every day has been an adventure! I have learned so much from all of you and enjoyed myself more than I ever imagined. I never dreamed when I started 15 years ago that this is where I would be today. I am so grateful and feel truly blessed that I get to do what I love and I get to do it with all you fine people.

I can't wait to see what will happen in the next 15 years!!!!

( If you read this in time- we are having a one day sale in both stores on Saturday January 2nd.

15% off everything to celebrate 15 years in business)