Maya & Tallulah model their Christmas scarves

This year, I knitted scarves for my nieces. Not anything challenging or technical but heavy in the "pink and fluffy" category. At their ages, 2 & 4, the fluffiness category is more important than any other.

I received these photos of the girls trying the scarves on during the Christmas morning frenzy! I'm a little biased but I think they are adorable in the scarves, don't you??

:)

Got Sheep for Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I wanted to share one of my favorite gifts....a pair of sheep! Melissa got them for me and they are too cute. They even have a fluffy little tail....check them out...

Hope each of you got something fun!! Can't wait to hear about your holidays when we see each other next!

Shop will re-open at noon on Friday, December 26th.

New Classes are up for Jan & Feb!

We finally have our class schedule posted for the happy new year! Take a peek. We hope you can join us to learn, laugh and play with yarn.

http://knitpickyyarns.com/Classes/JanFeb09classes.htm

Rudolpha is our Holiday Sock Yarn for 2008!

Take a peek at "Rudolpha"!! It's warm brown coat, combined with Rudolph's red nose and a feminine pink inspired the name change from Rudolph to Rudolpha.

The Unique Sheep has done it again! They hand dyed this festive colorway just for us and it is going fast! Rudolpha is the colorway and Verve is the yarn: a superwash merino, 400 yards, and cost $22 per skein. Verve is a best selling sock yarn for The Unique Sheep and we've heard many great compliments from knitters about this yarn.

If you'd like to purchase a skein give us a call. We will take your order by phone (336-768-5599). Or email us with your order and address and we can call you for your cc number.

Our winner hails from New Jersey this year! Elaine, your yarn will be in the mail tomorrow! Congrats to you, happy holidays, and a big thanks to all of you who made the guess the name game so much fun!!

We wish you a peaceful season with a few special hours of treasured knitting time!
Jo and the gang at Knit Picky!

We have a winner!!

We do....I just sent an email out making sure she could be 007-stealthy about it 'cause remember....it's top secret. Mum, hush, zip....until the Holiday Party on December 7th!

I love the yarn so much I've plucked out another skein as a door prize for Sunday night. So there's hope yet for another FREE skein. Of course it will be available in the shop on Tuesday, Dec 9th if we don't sell out at the party! ;)

Thanks to all who emailed/blogged and submitted guesses on Ravelry. That was fun. And what a batch of terrific names for next year's yarn!!

The Big Hint for our Guess the Holiday Sock Yarn Contest

Our guessing game continues without a winner. You are to send in your guess for the name of the colorway for our Holiday Sock Yarn 2009. So far, some very close guesses but not the exact name!

As promised, with no correct answer by Thanksgiving, I'm giving you a big hint. The name is a holiday character.

Best way to guess is by email to knitpicky@bellsouth.net but a post here works, too!

Jo

Boxes and Boxes delivered today!

Guess what arrived today??!!?? Yup....our new tees. We've pulled the pre-orders so they are safely waiting on you. And we have lots more!! Red w/gray, Gray w/black, Gray w/pink, Brown w/pink and Pink w/brown.

If you want one in your size & color but can't get here this week, give us a call. We'll hook you up! These Bella design tees are the same ones from last year and are very comfortable!

Also arriving:

• New "Handmade" tags to attach to your holiday knitted gift. Soooooo cute! Why didn't we come up with this idea?
• Knitterella's precious knitting themed note cards.
• Books, books and more books.
• HPSY (code for Harry Potter Sock Yarn!!) Finally.....wheee....we love this yarn. You know the company had a flood in the summer and several shops were told "sorry" you won't be getting any HPSY. We got some, not 10 per colorway but 4 in each color...hey, we'll take it!

Last but not least:

BERROCO!!! New yarns for fall/winter 2008! We are planning to do a Yarn Tasting for this batch as they have several new yarns. We won't have these three boxes open for KN but all the others will be available. (we may be able to sneak a peek)

Happy Wednesday!

Jo

Holiday Sock Yarn '08....win a Free skein!

Once again, we have a wonderful Holiday Sock Yarn arriving in December. It will be unveiled (or unwrapped) at our Holiday Party on Dec 7th. After that, it will be available in the shop.

Each year as the weather cools, I think about a colorway, an Indie dyer, an idea and get input from others. And now….we have a terrific Holiday Sock Yarn 08 coming soon!
And again, we are having a guessing game! Do you feel lucky? Are you clever? Can you be impulsive?? If you’re the first to get it right, you win a free skein!!

Send your guesses to me at knitpicky@bellsouth.net. If we don’t have a winner by Thanksgiving, I’ll throw you a bone and send out a hint!

Gook Luck!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Lights

My mom is giving me an early Christmas gift. She is having the shop decorated with white twinkle lights! I'm as excited as a kid during the holidays.

The lights might be done by Tuesday night but I know they'll be ready for Wednesday's Knit Night!! Aaahhh....the thrill of the holidays....thinking with my kid mind (not my adult/recession mind). I close my eyes and I'm having visions of a magical gingerbread house filled with yarn shop sugarplum fairies! Then again....it may end up looking like The Griswold Family Yarn Shop.....we'll see! Maybe they'll see us from Stratford Road. Maybe from Hanes Mall. Wow....I can really relate to Clark!!

New! Undyed Baby Alpaca

Cascade has a new yarn out and it just arrived in the shop. Eco Alpaca is a great, soft yarn and for around $8 you get 220 yards! The gauge is 5/inch on US 7, hand wash, lay flat to dry.

A perfect yarn for Christmas scarves or shawls. And especially good for guys since it is undyed....right of the alpaca...in the colors they seem to like. Stop in and pet the yarn. We've sold several skeins as we opened the box!

Another new yarn in (which is dyed in beautiful colors) is Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Lace! 100% baby alpaca, comes in 437 yd skeins and feels like a dream. We have several shades in the shop ranging from the neutrals to beautiful navy, green & red!!

Halloween Knit Night!

Last night was so much fun!! We had our annual Halloween Knit Night at Knit Picky. We choose to stay inside this year because we are divas and hate to be cold.

So the few who dressed up..we thank you! You added spice to the night. The official vote for best costume was cast for one of three: the witch, the stitch and the bi*&h.

Sarah the witch won. Whoo Hooo! She was wearing black and white stripped stockings, dark smokey eye shadow, all black clothing and pointed witches shoes (which were actually covers for her black pumps.....clever). Her prize? A box of Dove Chocolate that she didn't have to share with others. Yeah Sarah.

The stitch was our very own Kim. She had multiple UFO's on her body....part of a sweater, a scarf, even a bit of a sock around her ankle. Also very clever. It was a close vote, Tiffany said. Maybe we should have voted for most creative, too!!

And the bi*&h....well Laurie is too funny. I guess as Halloween ghost and goblins and brides of Frankenstein go, the bi*&h would translate to the "Miss Congeniality" of the spooky night bunch! So Laurie...congrats to you....Miss Spooky Congeniality!

Of course we had more food than our usual knit nights. Mom made her yummy Taco Stew and Jalapeno Cornbread. Belva brought a pot of delicious Chicken Chili. Several ladies added more treats: cornbread muffins, wine, nuts, wine, Dewey's rolls, more wine, apple cider, chips & snacks & chocolate cupcakes, and wine.

Thank you all for being there!!

Mirasol is here and worth the wait...

We've loved Mirasol, and The Mirasol Project, every since we heard the story and felt the yarn.

Today, we got our fall shipment from KFI-Euro. New yarns from Mirasol: Chirapa, Qina, Tupa and new colors of Hacho, Miski and Sulka! New pattern books, too.

We also got a splash of refreshing colors in Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool, Hempathy, and Kathmandu Aran (a pretty pinky tweed is one of my favs).

Here are a few pictures, frantically snapped as we ripped thru boxes like it was Christmas morning. Now....here's a carrot for you! If you are the first to read this and post a reply, you'll get 10% off your Mirasol purchase!

Now...back to the red couch for more fondling.

Addi Click Sets on Order (Regular & Lace Addi's are in)

We don't have our Addi Click sets yet but we did get a box of Addi needles today. But both regular Addi's and Lace Addi's came in today.

We have 10 Addi Click sets ordered. We are taking pre-orders if you know you want a set. Skacel cannot give us an exact ship date but they predict Nov/Dec. Just in time for holiday knitting (fingers crossed).

Jo

We're getting a Make-Over!

What do you think about the make-over to our blog spot?? I thought the first version needed updating and with the assistance of Julianna (knitter, blogger, movie-geek extraordinaire and friend) we've got a whole new look!

The blog was getting a little dusty. I've been posting less and less and I apologize for that. I plan to post more stories about the shop, projects I'm starting and the few I'm finishing, as well as new items and events at KPYS.

So...THANK YOU Juli! And if you are the first one to post a comment about the new look, you'll receive a free gift from us! Even if you're not the first, we'd appreciate your input. Tell us what you'd like to see here. We have so many cute stories about happenings at the business, that I thought it would be fun to share them with you!

Have a wonderful Sunday! By the way....our first ever "Knit Your Fashion" Show was a huge hit yesterday at the Pink Ribbon Talks. I'm waiting on some pictures and I'll post more about it!


Jo

Trunk Show: Fitted Knits!

Fitted Knits, by Stefanie Japel, has been a favorite of mine since it was published. The cover is pretty, the designs are flattering, and the book is a best seller. I'm tickled pink to have the actual knitwear in the shop!! You gotta see these sweaters. From a short bolero to a long luscious sweater coat, these garments are unique and beautiful. Take a peek at your favorite design!

See photos of sweaters here and, of course, on Ravelry!

The Trunk Show is with us until Friday, Sept 5th, when we'll pack and ship to the next lucky LYS.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

Jo

My Ozark in progress

Susan and I couldn't keep our paws out of the Ozark! So we picked up 2 skeins and we're each knitting this funky wrap. It knits up in less than 2 hours. I still have the ruffle to add around the edge. So many colors in this yarn that I can't decide on a color for the trim.

Classes starting this week....

Tiffany's knitted her Hemlock Ring Blanket as a wedding gift and it has been on display in the shop while being blocked. People who saw it stopped in their tracks and stared. It took their breath away. She joked that it looked like a jellyfish before we blocked it (and it kinda did)! But afterwards....wow!

Tiffany starts her class on the Hemlock this coming Tuesday, August 5th. Click for dates/times.

If you're up for something a little smaller, check out KnitPicky/Marette's Original Design ~ The Floating Gems necklace. This class also starts August 5th. Knitting with wire is fun and creates a unique piece of jewelry that looks like a million bucks! Perfect for a gift but you'll need two (one to give, one to keep)!

Our Friday night knitting class in August is on the 8th and features the Swallow Hill Beaded Scarf. Several of you have this kit and we're offering a 'how to get started' session with tips and tricks. As you know, this scarf is jewel-like and will be a beautiful accessory for any holiday party or special event.

Check out our list of August classes for your very own back to school fun! Click to see Knit Picky's class schedule.

To register, use the online form on the website, call us at 768-5599 and you may leave a message, email us at info@knitpickyyarns.com, or come by the shop.

Jo

Gardiner Yarn Works Designs

After meeting Chrissy at market and seeing her designs, I knew we should have her patterns in the shop. The patterns arrived and include lots of sock designs, lace patterns, sweater patterns in regular and plus sizes, and a cute "collegiate style" kid sweater!!

Oooohh...and we're the only NC shop listed as retailers for Chrissy's patterns. Whee!! Check out the whole pattern line here.

Come by the shop and check them out....

Christmas in July

We have a beautiful display of hand knit Christmas Stockings in the shop. The kits range from $40 to $88 and include a pattern, quality yarn and embelishments. Since opening the shop, I've heard excellent reviews about these kits and I'm very pleased with our first order. Plus, they are a North Carolina company!

I hope you'll stop in and see them. A few of you have expressed an interest in a project class for the stockings since they require colorwork or intarsia. We'd love to do this!

Not exactly on topic...

What do you get when you mix together rhinestone, blinking tiaras, a couple bottles (or more) of champagne and some of the sexiest knitters around?

Way too much fun, thats what. More photos on Laura's blog.

Mission: Clean the Clutter

I'll have to say, being closed to clean and reorganize was not that much fun! I missed open knit night. I missed seeing my customer friends. I missed Randy and Marcus delivering those fun brown and blue & white boxes. I'll admit, I'm a pack-rat. Always thinking I might need something later. So I stuff it behind something only to not remember where it is when I DO in fact need it. Or never think of it again (more like it).

Anyhoo....with the help of lots of people (Steve, Susan, Belva, Pat, Zana, Tiffany and Mom) the shop is looking smashing! The sale bin is full, the yarn room has some spaces ready for new arrivals, and the wall of hand-dyed yarn still makes me stop and stare. Really pretty.

I'm trying to create an inviting ambiance in the kitchen so we can spill over on Knit Nights and not feel like we're banished to the kids table. We found a pair of cute white wrought iron chairs, covered in popping pink, that remind me of 50's ice cream parlor chairs. I like them.

So...I can't wait to see all of you. To hear what you've been up to and to show off our new found space. Thanks for understanding and being patient about the closing. Bring in your projects to show off. Remember, Ice Cream Social this Wednesday-bring your favorite topping.

Happy Knitting!!
Jo

My Favorite Summer Shirt

I know the shop is closed this week, but I just had to show all of you this shirt. I've made a lot of shirts this summer, as you all have seen. But this one is, by far, my favorite. The pattern is Picovoli by Grumperina and the yarn in Waikiki by Crystal Palace Yarns. I had been in love with the colorway for a long time and was searching for what it wanted to be. I'm very happy with the finished project.

Sasha is DONE!

There are quite of few of you who have seen me working on some part of this skirt. I am very happy to say that Sasha is done and I am thrilled with the result. If you'd like to see it in person, I'll proudly be wearing her at the shop tomorrow as I work all day. Hope you have a great weekend!

Celebrities at Market

What a day! We've each been starstruck by different knitting celebrities. We're pretending to be best friends. Jo and Louisa, Belva and Cat, Susan and Lily....first name basis!

Today we scanned the yarn market floor and made several terrific purchases for the shop. We are yarn drunk with excitement!! Can't wait for you guys to see the goods which are scheduled to arrive in July, August and September.

Here we are...proud as punch with our new found friends!

Louisa Harding taught a fun and creative class on knitting a summer bag.

Belva, Cat Bordhi and me returning from our luncheon with guest speaker....Stephanie Pearl McPhee!! What a fun girl she is!!

Jo and Melissa Leapman, aka queen of cables, talking together after a clever reversible scarf class.

Last AND least is Maria....visiting shop dog for Knitter's Mercantile here in Columbus. Had to check out the LYS you know!

Now we're off to plan our strategy for tomorrow. By the way....Martini Man still works at the restaurant/bar that Ann Marie and I visited last year. Ann Marie.... he's still pretty cute!

It's Show Time!!

The girls and I packed up this morning and hit the road. We arrived in sunny Columbus around 4pm after traveling through the beautiful Virginia and West Virginia countryside and battling a couple of thunderstorms.

After checking in to our hotel we promptly screwed the top off of some wine, had a glass in our corner room and relaxed a while before heading out to dinner at The Elevator (thought of you, Ann Marie!!). The Elevator is a unique restaurant here in Columbus. In the early 1900's it served as a pool hall and cigar bar. Above the bar area is a bird cage. Not like Sky Birdie's cage but a second floor balcony which served as a showcase for the ladies of the night! I tried to get a picture but the lights were low and my camera couldn't capture the moment!

My meal was not only delicious it was beautiful! Tuna with sliced almonds and house wasabi and hot sauce. Yummmm!!

Tomorrow we are sleeping in a bit then we'll brew some of Belva's freshly roasted coffee and off we go!! First to register for the Broadway Show of Yarn (TNNA), then off to check out the Columbus LYS's and then....who knows! Classes start Friday and the market opens on Saturday.

Here's to all you fun girls!! Wish you were here!

Jo

A Beautiful Bride to be (and yummy-good food)!

We had a perfect excuse to throw a party at the shop: Laura's wedding shower! So with the help of Belva, Susan, Ann Marie and Kim, we pulled off a good time!

See our yummies?! And fresh cut flowers from Susan's garden.

Beautiful mother and daughter!

Our gift to Laura & Chris....a hand made blanket...perfect for snuggling which is required for a good marriage I think. Do we look proud or what??!!

See more photos on Laura's wedding blog here.

Beading Class

This past Saturday, I rolled out of bed, had my two cups of coffee and went to the shop on my day off (I love that little shop!) I wanted to take the Knitting with Beads class and knew we had 2 openings. So I did and had a ball! Zana is one of the most creative ladies I know and she's an excellent instructor. Three other fun girls and I learned the beading technique and laughed at how long it took us to string our beads. Instead of choosing random beads, like Zana suggested, we each were thinking too long and hard about choosing just the right, minuscule bead. Enough!! Just pick the beads and go!! I like my golden bracelet but you should see the others: vivid deep blues and water color greens. Maybe we can get a picture of them, too. Anyway, this was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Now I gotta try Knitting with Beads and Wire. Kim and Laura have already done it. Overachievers.

Jo

Ribby Shell Pattern Now IN STOCK

After Kim knit the Ribby Shell (twice!) we promptly sold out of the pattern. Ooops! But don't worry, more have arrived. So now you can knit your own Ribby Shell. If you would like us to hold a copy of the pattern for you, give us a call at 768-5599!

A New Shirt - The Ribby Shell

Yes, I know I'm obsessed with summer shirts. Here's my next one (actually, this is my 2nd of this design). This is the Chic Knits Ribby Shell. Knit Picky is going to offer a class on this wonderful summer shirt. The options are unlimited. Whether you like solids or a little more color (mine is done in Tye-Dye, this one is a gift). The classes will be on Saturdays - possibly starting the last day of May, so keep your calender open!

Better late than never...

OK, so sometime back in December I saw Shanna working on her Jaywalkers and I just HAD to do them, too. It is now April 10 and I have the first one done. I have gotten 1 or 2 things done in the meantime, but that's kinda bad - even for me. Hopefully, I get the 2nd done a lil quicker.

Google Maps

I was listening to a podcast by "Its a Purl Man" today and he was talking about Google Maps. How is this knitting related, you ask? Well, LYS are listed on Google Maps and its one of the main ways that new customers find yarn shops. So I immediately headed over to the site to make sure Knit Picky was listed and all the information was correct-- it was. But there are no reviews. So how are prospective customers supposed to know that we are a GOOD yarn shop, not just any ol' shop? If you have had a good experience at Knit Picky, I encourage you to go over to maps.google.com and search for Knit Picky Yarns (that should be enough for the program to find it). When it pops up you should see a link to "Write a Review". I think you need to have a google account to do this. That way, if knitters are visiting from out of town, recently moved to our area or just took up knitting, they will know that Knit Picky is THE place to come for yarn and knitting notions in our area! Thanks!!

Laura

Fun Girls who Knit (and Crochet)

It's Thursday morning and I'm thinking again, "What a fun group we have each Wednesday night at the shop". Our group is so unique, talented and diverse. It feels like best friends and family gathering together to share stories and laughter! And although we had a few low-volume moments last night, we often get loud with chatter in every corner of the room!

I am also lucky to have a terrific, yet smaller, group of ladies fill the yarn lounge on Thursday mornings. This quieter, coffee sipping group discusses new grandchildren, travels to far away places, children and jobs, and what's the best way to handle shoulder seams. And we laugh, too. That's a common denominator for both groups and it serves as our release. Release of worries, concerns, frustrations....things we all face in our busy lives.

I am blessed, that's for sure. And I always feel better after attending these two groups. Cheaper than therapy, right?! Thanks to each and every one of you who hop in your car and drive to your favorite knitting group. Knit Picky's success is a reflection of your passion!

Bear hugs to you!
Jo

Welcome Jojoland!

Melody by Jojoland arrived as expected! Along with two beautiful shop samples: the Swirl Shawl (amazing!) and the Dragon Melody Shawl (exquisite!). I've enjoyed wearing these around the shop this week. Stop by and try them on yourself!!

The good news....the Dragon Melody Shawl may be made for less than $100 (yarn, pattern and needles)!

The Swirl Shawl is constructed in one piece (whew) so there's no sewing small swirls together.

Melody is a 100% superwash wool, variegated in a fingering weight. Perfect for shawls, scarves, wraps and yup...SOCKS! Balls are put up in 50gms, 220 yds and recommended needle size is US 1-3 giving you 7-8 sts per inch. Cost: $6.75 per ball.

Hope you love this yarn as much as I do!

New Yarn Arrivals!

Two BIG boxes from Plymouth arrived today, full of new yarns perfect for your spring and summer projects!

Linen Isle is a spring yarn using the fiber of the season (that would be linen, of course) blended with cotton. I can see this yarn used for everything from sleeveless tops to skirts to shoulder bags. The colors are all soft and natural to show off the beauty of the linen.

Happy Feet is Plymouth's brand new sock yarn. It looks like a handpaint, but cheaper! Superwash Merino/ Nylon, fingering weight, bold, beautiful colors. Whats not to love?

But the star of the show has got to be Shire Silk. This 100% silk yarn has an incredible tweedy texture that you really need to see in person. So come on over, take a seat on the red couch, and check out all the new goodies!