Shop and Save the Snow Leopards

Hi there yarn friends!! This week we have a brand new yarn that is particularly special. This yarn is a gorgeous, hand-spun 100% Mongolian Camel Wool. What makes it so special is the cause it supports!

 This wonderful yarn we get through an organization called the Snow Leopard Trust.  As you know (or might not know) Snow Leopards come from the mountain highlands of Central Asia and are in danger disappearing from our planet forever! These beautiful, endangered creatures are hunted for their fur which is highly valued in Central Asia. Many poachers are local residents who live in Snow Leopard habitats. These regions face high levels of poverty and poaching offers them income for food, shelter, and medicine. Through the Snow Leopard Trust, nomadic communities that share the mountains with these beautiful creatures, are able to sell hand spun yarns and traditional crafts to earn money. This exchange relieves the economic pressures that can drive poachers to hunt the Snow Leopards, which helps protect these wild cats and their prey. While the quailty of life improves for these communities, Snow Leopards are given a greater chance of survival! Help us help them by purchasing this beautiful yarn! I’m gonna make a hat for my sweetie who was very impressed that there is such an organization. Will share later! If you would like to read more about the Snow Leopards and Snow Leopard Trust click here. 

There area few other goodies we got in this week that you must see! If you are someone who can’t get enough bling in their life (like yours truely) we got some fun new yarn for you! By Katia, we have “Grace” and “Greta”

Grace is a “net like” yarn with a pretty metallic edging. We simply took a crochet hook and did a chain stitch, poking through each hole along the top of the yarn. The result...a pretty little scarf thats more like a piece of jewlery...

me trying to be a good little model :)

Greta is a “ribbon type” yarn with the same metallic edging. We did the same thing, just doing a simple chain stitch with a crochet hook, but you get a different but equally beautiful look...

Love this! These only take minutes to make and are so easy a child can make one!! Makes a great gift! Get a head start on Christmas gifts!!!

We have a brand new “carry along” yarn too with little sequins attached! It’s by Marks & Kattens and is called “Pajett”....

Hold this along with any plain yarn to jazz it up with some bling!! Or use it for a feling project by holding it along with the wool you are using. When the wool felts the bling stays for a cool effect!! Come check it out!

If you need something to put all this new yarn in....we have some great new project bags by Knit Picks. These bags are clear so you can see all your goodies inside! Why hide that gorgeous yarn?! Be proud. Show it off. 

The come in a range of sizes...a tiny zippered pouch for tools, and the bags come in small, medium, and large. With the plastic bag ban now in effect in Monterey (not here in Pacific Grove yet, but soon to be) these bags are very helpful and affordable!! 

That’s just about all I have time for this week yarn pals....there will be more to share next week so please check back!! Have a great weekend if you get a chance, come see us! 

Imported British Wool!!

Hello everyone! Oh boy! Don’t we have a special treat for you this week!! A brand new wonderful wool just came to us all the way from West Yorkshire,  England! It’s 100% Bluefaced Leicester... and it is to-die-for!!! It comes from a wool manufacturing company called West Yorkshire Spinners. In their state of the art factory, they specialize in producing natural high quality yarns, socks, scarves, and blankets using the finest wools, like the Bluefaced Leicester! All the wool fibers are sourced from their own sheep, that graze freely along the countryside. Those are some happy sheep! The Bluefaced Leicester is quite a regal looking creature...tall in stature, upright ears, and a very prominent nose! Their wool is highly valued, so silky and lustrous....

 Awww don’t you just wanna kiss him on that nose!? Just look at those beautiful locks! 

 West Yorkshire Spinners are also sponsored by The Prince of Wales himself!! Wow! What other wool company has that kind of support!? We are proud to say that we are the first yarn store in the U.S. to get the opportunity carry such a fabulous wool! 

This wool we have avaliable in 3 weights in 3 all natural colors. There is the DK thickness with a very generous yardage of 247!

An Aran thickness at 182 yards..

and a bulky one-ply roving yarn suitable hand-dyeing or felting (165 yrds). These are some of the silkiest, softest wools we have ever put our hands on! Really!! I cant wait to cast something on! This wool is just begging me to make something with cables. A skein of the Aran thickness is coming home with me today...

 I’m thinking a slouchy, soft hat. Joan is knitting a child’s aran sweater right now as we speak! I caught a pic of it today....

Joan says it’s a dream to knit! I can’t wait! Must. Buy. Wool. Now!! You must, must come by and feel some of this wonderful wool. Even the Prince of Wales would say so :) 

I was looking at West Yorkshire Spinner’s website today, and reading about their campaign for wool... I’d like to share with you now. It will inspire you to knit more wool!

10 Unwoolly Reasons to Love Wool

1. Pure wool is 100% natural, 100% renewable, 100% sustainable, 100% biodegradable. If you love the environment, use more wool!

2. Wool is warmer. How else would sheep keep so snug on a snowy hillside?

3. Wool has safety benefits too. According to firefighters, wool carpets are more flame-retardant if your house catches fire, and give off significantly less smoke.

4. And wool breathes ... naturally. Children love the sensation of wearing real Merino wool against their skin.

5. Sleep under woollen blankets and duvets for a scientifically-proven deeper, cosier night's rest.

6. Wool has hypoallergenic properties. The kindest, most natural material around.

7. It's so versatile. Insulate with it, soundproof with it, even package with it. The world's oldest renewable material is also the most modern.

8. Wool carpets look better for longer - a lasting investment.

9. Sheep are part of our historic landscape. Imagine Britain without fields of sheep. But it could happen...

10. Sheep numbers have halved in 20 years. Partly because we're all using less wool. Embrace wool and save our sheep!

All we are saying is... Give fleece a chance!

If you would like to read more about West Yorkshire Spinners click here to visit their website. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and if you get a chance...come see (and squeeze) this wool!! 

Cuddly Blankies!

Hello and happy Friday everyone! This week I wanted to make sure you saw this great new baby yarn! It’s super soft and cuddly and just perfect for a quick gift! It’s called “Snowflake Chunky” by Sirdar. Snowflake chunky is a 100% polyester yarn that’s super fluffy soft and machine washable. Check out these colors, perfect for your precious little one...

A rainbow of softness

Whatta cute yarn! We thought since this yarn is sooo cuddly it must be a blankie. Our pal and co-worker Sydney knit up this very simple blanket in just a few days...

So sweet, and did I say soft? Yup! The pattern is very easy. It is made from the corner out just like a big washcloth. Just 4 balls and size 11 needles, and in just a few hours you’ll have yourself a blankie! Pattern free with purchase. Oh and just so you all know...this blanket has been approved by our little buddy Snickers! :)

Awww little cuddle buddy!

He knows all about being warm and snug...one of his favorite hobbies is napping! He’s an expert in that department.

Another great cuddly yarn we have is “Heaven” by Plymouth Yarns. What an appropriate name too ‘cause this yarn feels just as soft as a cloud...yes clouds are soft...haven’t you felt one before?! 

This yarn is as cuddly as can be! I’m making a little blankie right now for a knitting pal’s new grandbaby! The baby is due in 2 weeks....I better get a move on! Good thing this yarn is super quick to knit up using size 15’s! You can have a little blankie in just one weekend! 5 balls of Heaven makes a good size. I’m almost done...just 2 balls to go...

Hey fawn if you are reading this, this is for you knitting pal!! Hope your new grandbaby loves it! 

We got a nice selection of brand new books today too!! I would tell you about every one of them but there are so many! Check it out....

Yaaaayyy for new books!! Daine fell in love wth Arne & Carlos’s new book Knitted Dolls. It’s just too much fun! 

Before I leave you for the week, I just gotta share this great summer scarf Joan just finished! It’s made out of just one ball of Euroflax Linen! 

The pattern is by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas and it’s called Before & After Scarf. It’s called before and after beacause it looks kinda unattractive while knitting but after you wash and block it....it comes out FABULOUS!!! The pattern is super easy stockinette stitch, knitted on the bias. There is an option to add some beads at each end too. This pattern is just perfect for any lace or lightweight yarn. I have one going out of Manos Lace...it’s gonna be fab! Must finish! Too many projects...story of my life! 

That’s all for now everybody! Keep on knitting! 

More Ruffles!

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a happy 4th full of family, friends, food, and maybe some fireworks!? Today I just wanted to give you a quick little update. Some new colors of Tecido Trico that came in just a couple of hours ago!!!! Tecido is a sheer polyester fabric yarn with little pre-punched holes along the top like this....

when you knit into those little holes, it creates a really cool ruffley scarf like this...

Too cute!!! One ball is all it takes for a scarf. This yarn can also be used as an edging on the neck of a sweater, cuffs on sleeves or gloves, wherever you feel you need a ruffle! It’s been featured in a sweater in the current issue of Vogue Knitting...

Fab Ruffles! Here are the new colors...

I’m all about that animal print!! Love it! Come get you hands on some soon ‘cause this fun frilly yarn is a limited addition for us. Once it’s gone well...it’s gone. 

Hot off the press and just in today, a new issue of Knitscene!! This mag is a must have! I think I’ve told you before, I have collected every issue since it first came out. For good reason too! Knitscene is always full of fresh, in style, designs and lots of good must know tecniques. Come on down and get a copy, or give us a call and reserve one today! They do go fast. 

That’s all I have time for today yarn pals! Keep checking in for more :)