Where have we been?

We've been very busy getting the new website up and going. Now customers can use PayPal and we think the whole shopping experience is smoother. We've got new events and new products!

Local customers won't want to miss this on Feb 28 from 12-3pm:

This special Serendipitous Ewe trunk show features handpainted yarn by local artist, Angela McNamara.


Crisp cheerful colorways, including the latest colorway, Tuscany, are showcased in wool and wool blend yarns.

Buy 3 of any yarn and get the 4th for half price!

I have been getting lots of knitting done, not so many pics taken. It's too cold to go outside and take a picture!

Jill and I attended TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association) Winter Show in San Diego last weekend. Unlike the last time we were in San Diego, the weather was beautiful. This was especially significant as I left very cold temperatures in MD.

Things we saw that we really liked? The top of my list is the yarn from Be Sweet with felted balls that you incorporate in the same manner as knitting with beads. I am obsessing about this so expect to see it in the shop soon. I also really liked the new Brown Sheep colors of Burly Spun, Lamb's Pride Worsted and Bulky. Beautiful redhead colors!

Of course, we ordered Malabrigo. Jill asked Tobias if I could have one hank of sock yarn and he threatened to cut off my hands! So I didn't get the hank I wanted to play with. I need these hands for knitting!

Kraemer yarns has a new yarn, Belfast, a lovely linen blend. They did not cut off our hands when they gave us some to swatch. We'll have that in the shop soon as well as knitting suggestions for it.

I ordered some yarn from Himalayan Yarns and am most interested in the yarn from nettles. We learned about the International Year of Natural Fibers (2009). More about all of this as we get organized and get yarn!

Our friend, Michael Golden from Ashland Sky, has an iPhone app that can be downloaded for 99 cents. It helps calculate stitch gauge. Look for KnitGauge at the iTunes store.

Going away and having all the yarn stimulation, I come home filled with ideas. While putting all the samples up in the shop on Wednesday, I also reorganized a bit. You'll now have new scenery upon entering (Pic #1), the Malabrigo is all grouped together (#2), and I've put a table out for my IYNF display(#3).

What's IYNF? Stay tuned or stop by for more info!

Glomitts

For Linh, who likes to do outdoor photography, even when it's cold. First pic is the top side, second is the bottom side with one open for easy access to camera buttons.

Lucky Baby!

Ian is now 8 months old. I had this idea for a sock/stocking and made it up for him. Leftovers became the hat (Y2Knit's Top Down Ear Flap Hat). I worked this toe up so that the entrelac formed an edging at the top.

I used Malabrigo Chunky.

Y2Knit, transformed

This last weekend, the Y2Knit Yarn Shop was transformed as we held the 4th annual Holiday Open House and Artisan Sale. Friday night was Old Tyme Christmas in Funkstown, and for the first time since Y2Knit has been here, there was no precipitation. Crowds were out to greet Santa and visit the shops, which were open until 9. Y2Knit had a steady stream of customers and lookers.





Featured artists: FLY's silver jewelry, Coles Pottery, collage art by Julie Cantrel, Penguin Forge, Kumiko Nuss clay artistry, woven scarves by Diane Silas, APPLES silver and glass bead jewelry, Millhouse Candles, Miriam Gordon photography and Cedar Ridge Soaps.

Felted Stocking

I saw a picture of a felted stocking and couldn't resist working up some leftovers I had. It was huge before felting, just right after. I cast on 52 stitches, worked 5 purl rounds at the beginning, then inc 4 sts in the next round and knit until it was 18" long. I then worked a short row heel and knit the foot until it was 7" long. I worked standard toe decreases until I had about 32 stitches, then worked decreases evenly around (first round k2, k2tog, next round k1, k2tog, next round k2tog) until I had 16 stitches. Cut yarn, draw through stitches, work in ends. This took only a few hours to create.

My text can't be read on the pictures:
On the larger, pre-felting, 23" from top to heel, 18" heel to toe, 17" circumference. After felting, 14" top to heel, 11" heel to toe, 12" circumference.

Fair Isle Mittens Class

This project was engaging and interesting. I think that everyone learned a lot. It was fun to see how the use of color changed the look of the mitten--all were beautiful.

We'll be offering this class again January 7 and 21.

Yarn used: either an alpaca(locally grown)/merino blend in natural shades or Lamb's Pride Superwash Sport (sport weight is new this season) in kiwi, brick, brown, blue, purple and white)