Happy Leap Day

The wind is gusting.  The door keeps blowing open, and the floor was covered in soot this morning.  It's 61 degrees outside and it's Leap Day.   I have lots to tell you about.  First, lots of great new yarns. 

The one in the above picture is Sabine from Juniper Moon Farm.  It's  a worsted - 30% royal llama, 30% merino wool, 40% cotton.  It's the perfect 3 season yarn and there's a great book that goes with it.  I've cast on for Wren -- a really cute top down cardigan.  The other new yarn from Juniper Moon is called Yearling.  It's chunky!  60% wool and 40% cotton.  Look at the colors!  I took this picture early this afternoon when the sun was streaming in.

Cory's starting a Carol Feller pattern called Vivido. 

We also have some beautiful new acquisitions from Alchemy.

This is called Silk Purse, it's uh, silk!  We have 2 other equally gorgeous yarns from them.  They are like jewels or gemstones.  You have to see them.  They would make the perfect little lovely for this weird and changeable weather.

In other news, we just added a Saturday morning Beginning Knitting session and there's one place left.  We also have 2 places left in the Inspira class and we have new colors of Noro to go with it.  Look at this one!!

Or how about this one?

Either of these would be good for the Steampunk version, but we also got a lot of new colors in Taiyo which would be gorgeous for Afrique.  I may have to make another one!

Lots of new things everyday and ongoing sales to make room.

See you soon,
Lynn

Winter Storm Watch -- Big Bang

Big Bang Cowl (sz 50 ndls)

News flash!  It's going to snow tonight!!  In honor of this auspicious occasion -- better late than never -- we have a cool super chunky yarn for you called Big Bang.  It's on sale this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  It comes with a free pattern for this great cowl that you can knit Friday night and wear through the duration of the winter weekend and beyond.  And, yea, it's 20% off!!!  that makes it $24 for a great, soft, warm accessory! 

We also have some other great deals for you:  Misti Tonos Worsted 50% off,  Angel's Kiss (bulky merino alpaca) 50% off, Kimbo a great super chunky (size 50 needles) 50% off.  There are still a few skeins of Cascade 220 left at 60% off. 

So put on your winter woolies and come on over!
See you this weekend,
Lynn

This post isn't about knitting...

I was surfing around the other day and came across this website - The Joyful Abode, and a recipe for grain-free granola bars that are Paleo/Primal friendly.  I made them using our friend Kelly McKaig's honey and oh yeah, they are good!

Here's the recipe stolen directly from the Joyful Abode:

Grain-Free Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Granola Bar Recipe

You will need:

• 2.5 cups assorted nuts and seeds
• 1 cup dried fruit
• 2 cups shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• splash of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• generous sprinkle of cinnamon
• some more cinnamon

Roughly chop 1 cup of the nuts and seeds. Place in a bowl.
Use your food processor to pulse the other 1.5 cups of nuts and seeds into a finer “chop.” Add to the bowl.
Add your fruit.
Stir in the dried coconut.
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine oil, honey, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Cook until the mixture bubbles, then pour over the fruit/nut mixture.
Stir to combine completely.
Press your mixture into a parchment-lined pan of some sort. Press HARD.
Cool 2-3 hours, then remove from the pan and cut into bars.

The only thing I noticed is that they get a bit soft if you don't keep them refrigerated.

Enjoy!
Lynn

Extra Yarn

Just when you think the last word about knitting's been written something shows up in the shop to say otherwise.  I'm reminded every day that knitting isn't always about knitting; sometimes it's about friendship and community and the relationships we form and the things we do for others because we care about them and we love to knit.  I was reminded again the other day when the book Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett arrived.  (Actually it arrived twice, once from the publisher and then from someone else, but that's a whole other story which I'll share with you in a bit.)  This book is a little fable about knitting and yarn and friendship and faith.  It's beautifully illustrated by Jon Klassen, has a wonderful main character - Annabelle and features her beautifully adorned (in a dog sweater!) companion - Mars.  Of course there's a villain, but Annabelle triumphs.  Knitter power!  Along with all the wonderful Indie designers and clever stitchers who are publishing e-books and patterns there will be Annabelle, Mars and this lovely story.

Many years ago I met someone through knitting who has become a very dear friend.  We have been with each other through knitting triumphs and failures, not to mention life's many ups and downs.  When she brought me this book I was so touched because it so perfectly illustrated for me this knitting world I live in-- literally and figuratively-- our store window is filled with dog sweaters by Corinne Niessner who also works with me, but I also felt a kinship to Annabelle who's stitching away in her "cold little town".  So here's to knitting, stitching, yarn, friendship, dogs and community!

Lynn