E-Newsletter: August 14, 2008

Dear Reader,

Did you survive the first week of school? It sure was a busy time around here! Once the students were settled in their classrooms, our customers came running back to Yarn Expressions to find out what they’d missed over the summer and what was in store for fall.

We spent the week putting together our newest class list, and I think you’ll like it. We’ve added some knit-alongs to our schedule as well, some of them as a follow-on to a technique class, others freestanding. Everything begins in early September, so get all your chores done now so you can come hang out with us, laugh a little, learn a lot and knit to your heart’s content.

What’s New in the Store

Mill ends, more 220 and new sock yarn
Behold the wall of Cascade 220! Notice how well Valerie’s Ravelry tee coordinates with the display of yarn that she spent days creating. I could sit and stare at that swath of color for hours!

This week brought the arrival of two brand new sock yarns to us. In June, my friend Roxanne sent me some yarn to try out in the store. Not just any yarn mind you, but her own Squooshy, a dozen skeins. Somewhere between Canada Post and the USPS, it disappeared. Are there knitters in the postal services? Anyway, we filed a claim and the package showed up. Come take a look. I think they’re gorgeous, and if you agree, we’ll get more.

Earlier this summer I had a chance to peek at samples of Twilight Sock yarn from Storm Moon Knits, another indie dyer I’ve come to know through Ravelry. (What? You’re not on Ravelry! Go join…now!) Lindsay has a sense of color that’s unique in the hand-dyed world. I haven’t seen combinations like these before, and I was blown away. So I ordered a bunch. A big bunch. They arrived this week. Grab them while you can, ’cause I doubt they’ll last long. There are pictures of these yarns and more on the store blog at our website.

We also received 20 pounds of Bearfoot mill ends for you modular knitting fiends. Twenty pounds seems like a lot, but I tell you, these 8 oz. bags disappear with lightning speed.

What We’re Working On

I’m in love!
I am ordinarily a monogamous knitter. If I set aside a project, I find it difficult to go back. So I generally resist temptation and push on to completion. I’ve become weak in my old age, I’m afraid. I heard about this vest on Ravelry (see, there it is again!), saw the photos and knew that I wanted it. Wanted it so badly that I ordered copies of the magazine for the shop, grabbed some yarn that I was spinning for an entirely different project, and began. Liked it so well and saw variation possibilities, so I scheduled a class and a knit-along for this project. Yes indeed, I am truly in love!

What You’re Working On

This column is on vacation…

What’s Going On Around Here

Classes!
You have been so very patient, waiting for us to get the class list ready. Jill and Valerie worked feverishly to come up with projects and techniques to appeal to every level of knitting ability, and I think they did a mightly fine job. Class size is limited, so register early. You must pre-register at the store at least one week before the first class date. Payment in full at the time of registration is required. You may register in person or by phone with a credit card.

We’ve also set aside time for various knit-alongs (KALs), some inspired by the classes we’re offering, others are projects we think are good community projects. Although there is a Yarn Expressions staff “leader” for each group, these are informal knitting sessions, aimed at providing an opportunity for people to work on a common project. There is no charge for the knit-along sessions, but we do ask that you let us know if you’re coming, so we can have enough space set aside for the group.

What’s In the Works

1,000 Knitters Project Update
I’m so pleased at the level of interest for this photo shoot. As of right now, we’ve filled the 40 slots available. I’m still waiting to hear from Franklin about the possibility of a few more being made available. In the next few weeks I will be sending out confirming e-mails to those who returned their model release forms in time to be part of the project.

I would encourage everyone who is interested to come by on October 11th to join the fun. We’ll have refreshments and surprises throughout the day. Don’t miss it!

 

That’s it from me for now. Next week I’ll be on vacation, wandering the wilds of Wisconsin with my mother and sibs, so the newsletter may be a little late. Or a little wet if I work on it near the lake. Have a great week and enjoy your knitting!

Sincerely,

and all the crew at Yarn Expressions