Saturday, July 29, 2006

Yarns By Design

Okay, knitters. Here's the scoop on the area's newest yarn shop:

new yarn shop!  new yarn shop!

I visited Yarns By Design today, which was the day of their grand opening. Also, it was the day of the annual street sale in my quaint little town. (Yes, we do have a large number of squirrels here...) Yarns By Design is a little out-of-the-way being off the main street and out of the main shopping district, but that means it has a fairly large space and lots of free parking. It's in the Oakmont Station office complex (see the address in the image above). Here's what the outside looks like:

outside

And the inside:







Hours:
Sunday and Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10-6 (6-8: knit night)
Wednesday: 10-5
Thursday: 10-8
Friday: 10-5
Saturday: 10-3

Let's see. They had lots of basic yarns—Debbie Bliss and a good selection of Cascade yarns. They had lots of Noro, which made me very, very happy to see. There were yarns that I'd never seen or heard of (sorry, I of course don't remember what the names of those were). My only disappointment so far is that they didn't have much sock yarn. But, they are a growing shop, with lots more to come, so maybe that's in the future. There is a room in the shop that will be used for knit-togethers, and today it had a spinning wheel in it, so I am assuming that's where the classes will take place as well. There were gorgeous knitting bags, beautiful buttons and pretty pins that were sweater- and scarf-friendly. Of course, since I am an admitted Noro whore, that's what hooked me:

swag

So sweet were the employees (I'm sorry I didn't get their names), that they threw in a measuring tape and a Eucalan sample. Here's a money shot:

golly, I love this stuff!

In short, Yarns By Design looks to be a growing and wonderful shop. It definitely fills a need for a knitting shop in this area, and I can't wait to see what's coming down the line for them! I think I will be spending a lot of time there...

In other news, Green Gable is still coming along. I am finishing the waist-shaping now, and it should be smooth-sailing from here on out. The traveling socks are coming along. Jennifer (from the Beadazzled! 07/19/06 comments) - please do join us the next time you are in town! We get together every third Wednesday at the Waterworks. I'm off to take in more of our town's cool attractions. The new Woody Allen film is playing at our local theater and we're having dinner afterward at our local bistro. Great movies, dinner and yarn, all in one day? Viva la Oakmont!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Excitement!

What am I so excited about?

1.) The safe and healthy arrival of the recipient of these:

teeny

Pattern: Infant socks by Judy Ellis
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Purple Iris
Mods: None to the pattern, but used a twisted German cast-on (my new favorite!)

2.) My excellent new traveling sock in Koigu KPPPM, color P155 (still like it better than the Lorna's):

pretty

Green Gable is still coming along. I've only been able to do one or two rounds per evening, so it's slowed down considerably. I think I can have it finished by late summer/early fall though, when it will be more comfortable to wear it.

3.) A new yarn shop. This is of particular note as it truly will be my local yarn shop - about a two-minute drive or less than a 10 minute walk from my house. The grand opening is this Saturday. Of course, you can expect a full report next week!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Beadazzled!

So, my Green Gable modifications went surprisingly well. I inserted a lifeline just before the waist shaping, ripped back to it, then re-knit it with a ssk and k2tog combo instead of just k2tog (which looked weird and lumpy). I also spaced out the decreases a little further apart, and that helped as well. No progress shot, because it looks exactly like the one in the last post. Except the sides look better.

Infant sock #1 is now finished and I am on the gusset of sock #2. And still no baby. SJ mentioned that it might be that I have the Harlot's baby knitting ability. Hopefully the baby will come before I finish her socks, because we all know how slow of a knitter I am.

The monthly SnB was tonight at the Waterworks Barnes and Noble, and we are seeking new recruits. Our group has dwindled to three. But we are fun!! See how much fun we have?!?

beadazzled!

Props go to the girls in the background of this photo for having the coolest beadazzled hat and short short shorts. Also, there are many rich and colorful characters that you get to see!! Like the guy that was talking on his cellphone SO LOUD, and this guy:

40 guy

So, pretty please, won't you join us next month?!?

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Progress update

Just wanted to pop in with a Green Gable progress update:



After reading about some mods on the Green Gable Knitalong, I've decided to rip out 20 rows or so and re-do the waist shaping. Other than that, this is moving along pretty quickly (for me, at least). Also in the pipeline are some infant socks for Lori's sister, who is due to deliver atanyminutenow.

Off to catch up on some blog reading!

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Loving it.

green gable

Okay, so maybe not the most flattering photo, but I am really loving Green Gable so far. I just hope that the body fits as well as the top fits right now. Also, I am loving the Cotton Fleece again. I loathe cotton yarns, but this one has just enough precious wool to make it enjoyable, let alone bearable. Hopefully it doesn't stretch too much after washing, unless, of course, the body is too tight, then stretching would be good.

Here's what else I am up to:

yay

Even though I do not normally wear a lot of jewellry, I lately have been coveting chunky, colorful beaded necklaces. I've seen some in the stores made with cheap glass and poor construction, yet selling for exorbitant prices. So I got myself to Crystal Bead Bazaar in Lawrenceville, where the owner and a shop assistant/instructor were very kind and very patient with all of my questions. What a great shop! About $35 later, I left the shop with a sterling silver clasp, some adventurine beads and some stringing materials. In about an hour or so, I had a completed necklace. Instant gratification!

I look creepy

I can't wait to make more chunky necklaces. Maybe an orange colored one to go with Green Gable? Hmmm...