uniqueyarnsblog

This just in...knitted burp cloths make for smarter babies!

"Studies have proven that babies who spit up onto burp cloths that display interesting textures, patterns, and colors, do better on the SAT's than babies who spit up onto plain white diapers or bare shoulders." Page 133, Mason*Dixon Knitting.

Ok, rationally we know that what babies spit up upon has little to do with....well....really anything expect how easy it's going to be to clean up, but what fun to knit one of your loved ones something stylish, functional, and that could possibly get them into an Ivy League school.  Mason*Dixon Knitting is a book packed full of colorful, attractive projects that are fun to do, and read about.  The book was born from the letters Ann and Kaye write back and forth to each other on their blog, masondixonknitting.com.  The photographs are especially beautiful and the range of projects is wide and varied in difficulty.  And funny.  This book is really funny.  I like that in a knitting book.  If you're going to pick up the sticks and cast on, you might as well have fun doing it.

We've got several copies of this book, as well as shelves full of others to help you pick a new project or get your kid into a really good school.  You never know.....anything is possible. :-) 

HELP!!!!!

So you've settled into your favorite knitting chair, the one with the best light, and flipped on your favorite TV show.  Life is good.  You're knitting and watching and knitting and......oh dear....something isn't quite right.  During that really exciting part of the show you did, or didn't do, something with your knitting and now you aren't sure how to proceed.  Time for Creative Knit!!

It's time for a new project and you are so excited about picking up the needles and casting on, but is this project a little beyond your skill level?  You hem and haw and pick up yarn and put it back.  You really want to stretch yourself, but what if you get stuck?  Creative Knit to the rescue!

Creative Knit was designed to supply knitters with questions a place to come for answers.  Staffed with talented, patient, and understanding people, you can come once, or make it a weekly part of your knitting life.  Creative Knit is held Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00 and Wednesday evening from 6:30 - 8:30.  The day sessions are staffed by the amazing Nancy (who you met in my last post) and Becky lends a hand when needed.  The Wednesday evening class is team taught by Laura and EJ.

Which brings me to two new people to meet!  This is Laura.  I always say that Laura knits in her sleep, because she is the most prolific knitter I know, especially considering she is the mother of two precious little ones (and a new dog!).  And cool, she knits the coolest stuff!!  Have you seen the messenger bag hanging behind the counter with all the little i-cords on the front?  That was Laura.  As mentioned, Laura teaches the Wednesday evening Creative Knit, but also works the retail floor on Saturdays.  Come and let her "you can do it" attitude work for you. 

Meet EJ. (Remember you can click on any of the blog pictures for a bigger view.)  She knits, spins, sews, and lights up a room when she enters it.  EJ is just full of bright, happy energy and is thrilled to help you with your knitting Wednesday evenings at Creative Knit.  She also teaches the Lost Point and San Francisco Nights shawl classes.  (Being a big shawl fan, this impresses me no end.)  EJ is a retired teacher and those teaching skills definitely work in your favor.  Her recently retired husband, Wally, is a talented woodworker and has been providing the shop with lovely drop spindles and lucets.  We are so lucky to have them as part of our fiber family.

Creative Knit is a come-as-needed class, so there is no need to reserve a class space.  You can come for one session for $15, or sign up for a block of 6 for $60 that you can use as needed.  Also remember that the daily staff will be glad to lend a hand with a quick problem, AND you are welcome/encouraged to come to the shop to sit and knit any time during retail hours.  We love your company!

Getting to know you, part II!

For those of you that have been customers of the shop since it was located on Forest Hills, I'm sure you have noticed that there have been more changes made than just added space and some well placed windows.  With a larger space came the need for a larger staff.  These "getting to know you" posts are to help you put names to faces and, hopefully, feel more like you know our family of employees a bit better.  Today, Nancy and John.

Nancy is just about the nicest person you will ever meet.  Really.  On my first day she made me feel so welcome.  You can't fake that kind of thing.  She is also an AMAZING knitter.  Nancy teaches many of our offered classes and she has the greatest eye for patterns and how to choose fiber to make that pattern a work of art.  She is patient and generous and will help you become the knitter you want to be.  She also has a really great dog.  You have to love a person with a great dog. :-) 

   If you've been in the shop since December you may have noticed that there is a man hanging around.  Meet Dr. John.  John is a chiropractor that is taking a little side trip into the wonderful world of fiber.  He is also Becky's son.  If you looked up "enthusiasm" in the dictionary you would find John.  He is funny, focused, and pretty darn flexible, considering that he is working with a bunch of creative women and hasn't completely lost his mind....yet.  John is handling the business end of the shop, but he also has learned to knit and is doing a pretty fine job of it.  He leaves Saturday for a few weeks in Australia, where he has lived the past two years.  The place won't be the same without him.  And look!  He's got a new sweater! :-)   (Sweater is Ann Norling pattern #29 made out of Manos Stria.  The sample is a size 4 and uses three skeins pink, two skeins orange, and one skein a darker pink for the contrasting purl row.  The pattern is six row stockinette, 2 rows garter.)   

Every little bunny needs a basket.

Remember these adorable Easter baskets?  I posted about them a week or so ago.  All the staff are making them for their family members because they are so darn cute and such quick knits.  I've still got three to do before April 8 and no worries that I'll have them done and filled with goodies in time to share them with my loved ones.  Don't you think someone in your family needs one of these sweet baskets?  We're making it even easier by offering a class!  The next two Saturdays, March 17 & 24 from 10:00 till noon will be the Felted Easter Basket class.  Give us a call today to reserve your spot.  Once you see them, you'll be hooked!  Every little bunny needs a basket!

Did somebody say SALE?

If you are on our mailing list and have opened your e-mail this morning you know that this is going to be a BIG week at Unique Yarns, cause we're having a SALE!  Dig through your closet and find something green to wear, because it is going to save you money.  Save 10% on your purchase, AND you can combine that 10% with any other discounts (sheep cards, etc) IF you're wearing the green.  They say there is a little Irish in all of us so lets celebrate!

  This week is another FREE FILM FRIDAY!  This is just so cool.  Come in, maybe shop a bit, and then sit down to watch the movie that is sweeping the country, The SECRET.  I know, we showed that one last time, but THIS TIME it's the version featuring Abraham Hicks that is no longer available for purchase.  I haven't even seen this one, so I plan to sneak in and watch when I'm able.  Come in, bring your friends and join us as we view The SECRET.  Then stay for a few minutes and discuss what you saw.  I promise that it will give you much to think/talk about.

Manos Stria

Isn't it lovely?  Manos Cotton Stria, a super soft Peruvian cotton that is hand dyed in large kettles (not unlike the Malabrigo) to create a subtle color variation.  An entire box of it arrived on Monday and it's out on the shelves for you to make that first Spring/Summer garment.  We have it in a wide range of colors that have to be seen to truly appreciate.  Manos Stria is just another addition to our stock of cottons, with more arriving soon. Despite the fact that I am shivering as I write this, Spring is on the way and I have that sinking feeling that it is going to go from cold to hot with very little in between.  Time to get those great summer tanks on the needles.

Are you a Knitty reader?  The Spring issue is up and, as always, I can't decide which pattern to do first.  If you are unfamiliar with the wonders of Knitty, it is an online knitting/spinning magazine that features free patterns, reviews of books and products, and great articles on knitting help and technique.  Knitty's editor-in-cheif is the lovely and talented Amy Singer of "Big Girl Knits" and "No Sheep for You" fame. 

A quick reminder that there will be no Project Crochet this Saturday (March 10) morning.   

 

What was your name again?

Getting name tags on our staff is very high on the to-do list, because we know that it would make life easier for you, our valued yarn lover/customer.  We try hard to remember all of your names, and often fail (our apologies!), but we want you to be able to call us by name to ask for help, or to just say hi.  Until we get those name tags, we thought it might be nice for you to "meet" some of our staff here on the blog.  Over the next week or so, I'll be profiling a couple of staff members per post to help you put names to faces.

First up, a few of our retail staff.  That lovely smiling person to the left is Cindy.  Cindy is just about the coolest person I know and we call her our shop color stylist. :-)  Nobody does color combinations quite like Cindy.  She knits, crochets, locker hooks, and sews.  With a degree in fashion design, when I say she sews, I mean she SEWS!  If you've been in the shop recently you may have noticed that amazing red design in the front window.  That was Cindy.  Outrageously beautiful!  Cindy works Monday, Wednesday, Friday and one Saturday a month so be sure and say hi the next time you see her.  Give her a color challenge and watch the magic happen.

  Next up, Jill.  I apologize for Jill's slightly out of focus picture.  It was the photographers fault (me), cause Jill is a very focused person.  She is the newest addition to the retail staff and you are going to love her.  Trust me, she is just the best.  I haven't yet experienced all her fiber talents(I do know she is a talented knitter), but I can tell you that if you need help with ANYTHING, Jill will go above and beyond to assist you.  Her work schedule varies.  Her husband is a fireman, and since they are the parents of two of the most adorable boys in the world (really.cute.boys) she works on the days that he has off.  We are SO happy to have her!!!

  In other news, Becky left on Saturday for a much deserved vacation in Aruba.  In the two weeks that she will be away the rest of the staff will do our best to help you with all your fiber needs.  Keep in mind that Creative Knit is available Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1-3, and Wednesday night 6:30-8:30.  Project Crochet is Saturday mornings 10-noon.  The extremely skilled teachers at these classes can help you with any questions you might have regarding your fiber projects, and it's also just a great time to get together with other knitters/crocheters.