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Category: Specials and Promotions

Lots of new Toys!

Lots of new Toys!

Of course we looked at yarn at TNNA, but the things that are arriving first are new tools and accessories. You might be familiar with some of them, but I’ll bet there are some you haven’t seen.

Knit Kit
Knit Kit Front View with Tools on front visible

 

At the first chance we got, we pounced on the Knit Kit!

This is a self-contained tool kit for crocheters and knitters both, perfect for traveling, but also very useful at home.  The photo on the right shows the front side, where you see a row counter, thread cutter, retractable measuring tape, and a snap in and out crochet hook for picking up dropped stitches. 

On the reverse is a compartment that holds a set of collapsible scissors, point protectors, stitch markers, and a darning needle, with space for more little items.  All the articles in the Knit Kit have been approved for airline and train travel by the TSA.  All in all, this tool kit is just a wonderful addition to your project bag.  See the complete description on our webpage here.

And look at these:  Permanent labels for your circular needles!

Circular Needle ID Tags

These handy ID tags clip on to the cords of your circular needles, and show you the size both in US size and millimeter diameter.  The markings are etched into the plastic, so the numbers will never wear off.  Easy to see and read.

There are two sets, one for sizes 0 through 6, and one for sizes 7 and up.  Each set has more than 25 tags, with as many as 4 for the most popular sizes.   You’ll soon wonder how you did without them.  Get all the info here.

I’ll be back soon with more products from TNNA…..

What a cutie!

What a cutie!

A Touch of Lace Toddler Sweater In Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed
designed by Susan Gressman

Featured in the April/May issue of Country Woman Magazine! We have some copies of this sold-out magazine left over from our trip to Stitches South. I can’t tell you how popular this pattern has been! Even the gals at Cabin Fever have been amazed at the response. And why not? It’s so cute, and is really not hard–a quick project for your favorite little, little girl.

The kit includes 3 skeins of Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed in your choice of colors, plus a copy of the magazine that includes the pattern. The pattern in the magazine has full instructions plus a chart for the simple eyelet pattern.

Three sizes: 18 months (22″ chest), 2 years (24″) and 4 years(26″). There is enough yarn for any size.

Soooooo cute!
Soooooo cute!
TNNA 2010

TNNA 2010

We’re back from TNNA.  It was a bit quiet, but that wasn’t because there wasn’t anything to see there.  We were pleasantly surprised to find a number of items that we are anxious to bring into the store.

silly knitted birds
Exotic birds!

There’s also a lot of fun and silliness at TNNA, like these birds on the “new product” table.  Personally I’d love to have one of those macaws hanging over my front door.

I’ll be back soon….

Mountain Meadow Wool — New yarn!

Mountain Meadow Wool — New yarn!

We first learned about Mountain Meadow Wool in a blog post that appeared right after the January 2009 TNNA show in San Diego.  Their yarn was highly praised by several reviewers, including Cat Bordhi.  This is a daring venture by two moms in north-central Wyoming to help bring the wool from local sheep ranchers to market.  They have been working on this project for over 5 years!

Mountain Meadow Wool
Mountain Meadow Wool

Being from Wyoming myself, I contacted them immediately to find out the whole story, and to see what we could do to help them grow and “get out there.”  These women are committed to not having these wonderful high-micron fleeces thrown away, and to encouraging the ranchers to make the most of their livestock in sustainable ranching methods.

>>Private comment to those of you from heavily populated states like NY, CA, IL, OH etc:  When you come from a place where there are more antelope than people, you really care about people from your home state who are trying something new like this!<<

Anyway, we’ve been communicating by email for the last 5 months, and I finally got to meet Karen and Valerie at TNNA in Columbus.  It was so much fun!  They are just the people you would want to have as neighbors, and their yarns are just wonderful, and getting better all the time.  Right now we have the worsted weight 2ply and the chunky 3ply in stock. Mountain Meadow Wool Yarn

Mountain Meadow Wool Yarn

They are also coming out with a  fingering/sport weight, and we will be carrying that soon.

This yarn is just fabulous for dyeing, with either kettle techniques or for hand painted colorings.  It’s great as is, though, with it’s natural off-white color so reminiscent of aran sweaters.  The worsted weight is on the heavy side, and will be great for any aran type pattern.  The chunky is just fabulous–so in style right now and a really quick knit.

So, so soft–Mountain Meadow Wool’s Wyoming Merino!

New Accessory offerings too!

New Accessory offerings too!

There were lots of new exhibitors who were showing needlework accessories.  A number of new tote bag manufacturers were there, in addition to the well known ones like Offhand Designs.  There seemed to be many more jewelry displays than last year, and a couple of new booths for buttons.

New trends

New trends

Home decor was hot at TNNA– everyone from the Ultra Chic designers to the least-cost yarn reps were showing home decor ideas. Of course the needlepointers and the cross-stitchers were laughing behind our backs, because they always are into home decor. But if you’ve never considered knitting a pillow or such, take a look at these:

Do dressed-up dogs qualify as home decor? Maybe…. I’m not really sure since we do our decorating with cats! 😉

Pictures of New Goods

Pictures of New Goods

Of course the best thing about TNNA is seeing everything that is new for the upcoming fall season. There are no cameras allowed on the market floor, but outside the market there are two display areas for new goods, one strictly for yarn and one for yarns and other items too. Here are some photos I took for you:

Some beautiful yarn, hanging in hanks

more…..

January is for afghans!

January is for afghans!

You know how in summer you wind up knitting or crocheting handtowels or dishcloths or Anything That Won’t Hang Down on Your Lap and Make You Hot?  Well it’s six months from summer, and we just paid a heating bill and I wanted to knit something that would keep me warm while I’m making it.  So I’m thinking, all I need is a little inspiration, right?

Sometimes its just hard to get started on those big projects, so I took some time to work up several afghan ideas.  We have a couple of patterns with a variety of yarns, so you can pick the one that fits your style and budget.  Everything from acrylic to hand-painted wool, from down-right cheap ($42 for an afghan-Wow!) to luxury (baby camel at $300+).

We sent an email about this out to our customer list, and as I was designing that email it occurred to me what a value a hand knit or crocheted afghan is.  It’s stimulation and pleasure and entertainment in the creative process, it’s accomplishment in the completion, and it’s warmth and enjoyment, maybe even some romance, in the using for years.  Pretty good value, I think.