A day with the grandkids

Just a quick personal note this time.  Jerry and I picked up Emma and Colton on Sunday with nothing particular in mind, simply determined to go in whichever direction the mood took us.  We ended up at Padilla Bay Sanctuary, where the kids had a great time looking at the different estuary aquariums and learning about fish, birds and estuary life in the kids' room.  What a nice afternoon.  We took a walk down to the beach, and I snapped this shot on the way.  It pretty much sums up the day.  Nice, peaceful and relaxing.

Too Little Time, Lots of New Developments!

I have obviously not checked in to the blog in a very long time...I promise to do better!  There are so many things going on ~ lots of new yarn that is exclusive to KJY.  A few months ago we converted our mechanical room into a dye studio!!  Yes.  That's right.  We have our own line of kettle dyed and hand painted yarns, with the appropriate label of Eweneek Yarns!  So far, we have two blends in fingering weight: Formidable: a superwash wool and nylon blend and Boo-Yah!: a superwash merino, bamboo and nylon blend.  Formidable has names such as Bridgekeeper, Holy Hand Grenade, French Soldier, Shrubbery, Elderberry...and Laura is taunting me into naming one Flesh Wound!  (Monty Python, anyone?)  Boo-Yah! has colorways called Storm, Glacier, Quicksilver, Maple Leaf and Spring Fling in the hand paints.  We've just come up with some semi solids that have yet to be named in beautiful blues, greens, browns and rust colorways.  Yum!

We also have Exquisite: a laceweight 50/50 silk and merino laceweight, and just received a new single ply superwash laceweight that is yet to be named.  The Exquisite is available in such colorways as Sea Glass, Storm, Kelp, Warm Sand, Abalone, Tidepool...do you see a theme developing??  In Aran weight, we are offering a single ply super soft wool we've named Malabarista with coffee themed names in honor of our Pacific NW coffee culture.  So far we have dyed Arabacia, Shade Grown, Mocha and Kona.  And just in this week: Treasure! That's the name we've given our beautiful silk and seacell laceweight, 700 yards of fabulous in each 2 oz. hank.  The colors are all going to be named after gemstones, and the first skeins are out of the dyepot and nearly ready to go.  I'm thinking Sapphire, Emerald, Pearl, Onyx, Topaz, Tanzanite...I think you get the idea :)

Here's a look at Boo-Yah! which is our superwash merino/bamboo/nylon blend in a fingering weight:

 

 

We are also in the middle of a major revamp of the website, so stay tuned for exciting developments in the very near future.  The new website will focus on our Eweneek Yarns and other exclusive items as well as Shepherd's Wool, great tools and our exclusive downloadable patterns.  I promise there will be more up to date blog posts, too.

Cheers,
Becky

Button, Button...Who's Got The Button?

We do! Just met with our local resin button artist (and I use that word seriously, these are works of art!)




The photo on the top shows the smaller individual buttons, the bottom photo is the BIG buttons that are on cards. These are lightweight, each one is individually hand made, and they are perfect when you want the WOW factor on a garment! The big guys are perfect for a hat, cowl, one or two button sweater...the smaller ones are ideal for cardigans. You won't find two that are exactly the same. Aren't they great?



Becky

Progressive Needles KAL

For those working on the shawlette for October, clue #2 was posted today at http://www.knitpurlhunter.com/ This is becoming a really beautiful project!

The yarn for the November project arrived today...Austermann Royal, which is a merino/nylon/silk/cashmere blend. Here's a peek, and if you want us to hold a color for you just call 360-755-7086. The project takes two skeins of the same color:

Unpacking a Cascade Yarns order today, and thought you might enjoy a sneak peek:

Eco Duo Alpaca Lace & Alpaca Lace Paints

220 Sport and....220 Superwash Sport

Mountain Colors Yarn Party Doorprize WINNERS

We have winners for the Mountain Colors Yarn Party door prizes!

Lonnie - New Mountain Fusion Teton yarn & hat pattern - colorway Mountain Sky
Jean - Warm & Wooly Throw Trio & pattern - colorway Clover
Lynn - Moguls yarn & Portland Hat pattern - colorway Cedar
Christina - Twizzle yarn & Knit Night sock pattern - colorway Gold Rush
Melanie - Half Crepe yarn & Lattice Scarf pattern - colorway Sandstone

Congratulations to all the winners! We had a great time!!

Zig Zag Cuff Tutorial

Stringing the beads

Thread your working yarn into a big eye beading needle. If you don’t have a big eye needle you can stop in and get one or call the shop and we can send you one. They are just $2.00 each. A dental floss threader or a regular beading needle with a loop of thread tied into the eye will do in a pinch. String 176 or 220 beads onto your working yarn. If you encounter a bead that will not slide easily onto the yarn, do not force it. You could break your needle or damage your yarn. Remove and discard that bead.

Waste Yarn Cast on

Choose a smooth, light colored, fingering weight yarn. Cast on 32 stitches. Start with a purl row and work 6 rows of stockinette stitch. You will be able to reuse this waste yarn tab to make additional cuffs if you work at least two more rows of stockinette stitch for each additional cuff you want to make. End after working a knit side row. Cut waste yarn.

Join working yarn and start working from the graph.

Row #1 is a wrong side row. Read the chart from left to right.

Slip the first stitch as if to purl (shown as “I” on the graph).

Join the working yarn and knit two stitches (two empty boxes on the graph).

Slide 1 bead up the yarn until it is flush against the right hand needle and knit one stitch (“B” on graph). The bead should be trapped on the horizontal strand between two stitches.

Knit one stitch (one empty box on graph).

Place a bead and knit a stitch (“B” on graph).

Knit three stitches (three empty boxes on graph).

Place a bead and knit a stitch (“B” on graph)

Knit one stitch (empty box on graph)

Place a bead and knit a stitch (“B” on graph)

Knit sixteen stitches (empty boxes on graph)

Place a bead and knit a stitch (“B” on graph)

Knit three stitches (empty boxes on graph)

This completes row #1

Row 2 and all right side rows are not shown on the graph. To work row 2 slip one stitch as if to purl with yarn in front. Bring yarn between the needles to the back and knit remaining thirty-one stitches.

Continue working in this fashion. Place beads according to the graph on the wrong side/odd numbered rows and work plain on right side / even numbered rows.

Repeat the graph 4 times for the small size, which will fit most women, or 5 times for a larger size.

After completing row 23 of your final repeat, cut the working yarn leaving a tail about 24 inches long.

Second Tab

Join waste yarn and work 6 rows of stockinette stitch starting with a knit row. Bind off all stitches or thread them onto their own tail. You will be unraveling these stitches as soon as you complete the graft.

Duplicate stitch grafting.

Thread the long tail of working yarn onto a tapestry needle.

Bring the beginning and the end of the cuff together with the beaded side out and the two waste yarn tabs held knit sides together.

Using the tapestry needle and working yarn exactly trace over the bottom, right leg of the first waste yarn stitch on the lower tab

and the top half of the first waste yarn stitch on the upper tab.

Then trace over the bottom half of the second stitch on the lower tab

and the top half of the second stitch on the upper tab.

Work across the row in this fashion.

Pay special attention to the edge stitches. Tighten the new duplicate stitches to the same tension as the surrounding work.

Unravel the second waste yarn tab. It should unravel completely and pull free of the cuff.

If you accidentally sewed through the waste yarn as you were sewing the duplicate stitches you may need to carefully snip part or all of the waste yarn to get it free.

Pull on the cuff gently to check for any loose or missed stitches. If any stitches are dropped and starting to run, unpick the graft. Pick up the cuff stitches and make a new waste yarn tab.

Remove the first waste yarn tab by snipping the tail where it is joined to the cuff and unpick the last row of waste yarn one stitch at a time.

When all waste yarn has been removed from the cuff, double check that the edge stitches are secure and weave in the tails of the working yarn.

Beaded Cuff Tutorial

Our 2011 LYS Tour one-skein project is the Zig-Zag Beaded Cuff. We will be posting a tutorial with step by step photos as soon as possible after the tour concludes. If we're really organized, it might be up before the conclusion of the tour. But it's coming soon!

Sivia Harding Patterns

We're very excited to announce that Knot Just Yarn is now a stockist shop for the entire Sivia Harding pattern line! We had such a wonderful time at the ReTreat (I'm gathering photos and will post an update as soon as they are all together) and were so delighted with Sivia and her class on the Heart To Heart Beaded Scarf that we made a command decision to bring ALL the patterns! So stop in to the shop or give us a call, and we will gladly help you pick out your next Sivia Harding project. We have lots of delicious new yarns to suggest!

Here's a peek at Fluency, the latest design for beaded gloves (or fingerless mitts, also included in the instructions).

Closed February 23, 2011 SNOW DAY

Knot Just Yarn is going to be closed today - Thursday, February 23. We hope to be open tomorrow, depending on weather conditions.

This was the view from my car going home on I-5 last night at 5:30. From news reports, it's gotten worse. Needless to say, the shop is going to remain closed today. I have forwarded the phone to my cell, so if I can help with questions, mail order, etc. please call 360-755-7086. Stay safe and warm today, and hopefully we will be open tomorrow!

~~~ReTreat 2011 & New Yarns~~~

We still have a few spaces left for the March ReTreat ~ this year we will once again be at the Baker Lake Lodge from March 18-20. The ReTreat includes all your meals, our famous goodie bag, door prizes, and this year we are hosting Sivia Harding! Sivia will be staying with us the entire weekend, and will be teaching her Heart to Heart Beaded Scarf in a four hour workshop on Saturday (two hours in the morning, two in the afternoon...we don't want you to work too hard!). So included in the price of $250 is the workshop fee plus the pattern! The project uses either laceweight or fingering weight yarn and appropriate beads, so if you haven't already picked up your supplies at the shop we will bring some yarns and beads to the ReTreat with us.

The ReTreat is a relaxing, fun getaway weekend and we have MANY repeat "ReTreaters" each year. It's a lot of eating, drinking, visiting and just plain fibery goodness. There will be people knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, beading, sleeping, relaxing in the sauna or taking a walk. Many change into pj's upon arrival and stay in that relaxed state until Sunday when it's time to to home. Speaking of which, Diane is once again attending to offer 30 and 60 minute massages (not included in the ReTreat, of course). So if you'd like more information or want to sign up, just give the shop a call at 360-755-7086 or 1-888-477-KNIT (5648).

We unpacked a few new things today. The February Feed Your Creativity Kit (Sonoma Socks) includes the pattern, yarn and project bag:

And just in from Knit 1, Crochet 2 - Ty-Dy Sock, a pretty blend of superwash wool and nylon, 436 yards per 100 gram skein...so plenty to finish a pair of socks. You might also want to get some inspiration from the new Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders book!

That's it for now, have to go work on goodie bags and door prizes! Have a fibery day!

Becky

Just in today, Kollage Glisten in 8 colors. Left to right we have Wisteria, Dark Orchid, Cadet Blue, Burlywood, Cinnabar, Teal, Celery and Smoke:

Lots of great pattern support, including the Four Seasons Wrap pattern that is a current Ravelry KAL. I'll update in a little bit with photos of the patterns :)

Love this yarn - it has a bit of shine, but NO scratch! 70% Alpaca, 25% Silk and 5% Estelline.

Becky

This Just In...

Marble Baby! We received our reorder of Marble Chunky, and along with it came the newest offering - Marble Baby DK. We have all the colors in stock now! Here's a peek:

LYS Tour 2010 is here!

Wow - we've had a great time getting ready for all of you who are planning to visit Knot Just Yarn during the 2010 Destination:Yarn LYS Tour. Our 1 skein project uses Mountain Colors Twizzle, a beautiful blend of silk and wool that is 'like buttah' to work with - it has become one of our faves! The free patterns are for a crocheted cloche hat (thanks to designer Nancy Brown for sharing this pattern) and our very own Scowl, which is a convertible scarf OR cowl that can be worn several different ways by clever use of buttons. We hope you like them and have a great time during the Tour. Here's a peek:

The one skein projects are the crocheted hat shown on the left (the Twizzle Beanie on the right also takes one skein, and is a pattern available for purchase) and two Scowls - the one on the left uses Gold Rush, and the one on the right was knit with Wildflowers.

We also have a Mountain Colors Trunk Show during the Tour, so you will get a chance to see many of the garments in person while you're in the shop! Many of them feature our 2010 Tour yarn Twizzle, but you can also special order patterns, yarn and/or kits in any of their colorways! The Trunk Show will be in the shop until Wednesday, June 26.

We're looking forward to another great LYS Tour, and can't wait to see you all !!

Spring 2010 KAL

We're now a stockist for Imagine Knit and Ysolda Teague patterns. For our Spring 2010 Knit-A-Long, we'll be knitting Falling Water:

This is a lovely garment, very sophisticated and just the perfect thing to wear on those chilly spring evenings (or in the case of our Pacific Northwest...pretty much all day!) Join us during our normal Wednesday morning, Thursday evening or all day Saturday groups for this Knit-Along. And of course, if you're a member of our Ravelry group but live too far away to come in to the shop, we'd still love to see your progress! Call the shop for your pattern and some yarn suggestions - 360-755-7086 or 1-888-477-KNIT(5648).

Preparations are well underway for the 2010 ReTreat March 19-21, again at Baker Lake Lodge. We have worked our way through the waiting list, and may have two or three spots still open. Give us a call for information or to reserve your spot!

Becky

What's New

Winky and Filbert have competition as shop mascots. Meet Hugo.

Here's a peek at the newest shawl and stick pins from Jul...they are rosewood, ebony, sterling silver, and the stick is also highlighted with natural turquoise - Beautiful!

We also have five different kits for fingerless gloves that include a skein of Kollage 1/2 N 1/2, a new yarn that is 50% milk and 50% wool. We brought in all the colors, so you have the choice of five patterns and 10 colors! These are presented in a nice gift bag, so this is a great grab-n-go project or gift.

Speaking of Kollage, we also have all the sizes of 24" circular SQUARE needles! These are ergonomically easy on the hands and arms, and give you a more consistent knitting stitch. Try a pair out in the shop, we think you'll like them!

Mountain Colors Trunk Show

It's here! We unpacked 29 garments received from Mountain Colors Yarns today, and are in the process of getting them put out for display. They will be here through the 30th of October. And don't forget to mark you calendar for Saturday, October 24. YARN PARTY!!! We will have Nancy Brown in the shop - she's works for Mountain Colors and is also a terrific designer in her own right. She will have all the Mountain Colors yarns, samples of all available colors and all the patterns for everyone to see and touch (no drooling, please). We will have samples of the yarn for you to work with, and there will be refreshments and drawings for door prizes. We hope to see you on the 24th, but if you can't make it on party day you won't want to miss seeing these projects in person any time between now and the end of the month.

Socrates Alpaca Sock Yarn - Yum!

Here's what all the colors look like (we couldn't fit them all in the big basket). Alpaca, merino, bamboo and nylon - 400 yards to the skein. I think I'm in lust.

It Really IS Knot Just Yarn

So, tonight Diane stopped by with her massage chair to offer us 15 minute chair massages. So our Thursday night group not only worked on their projects, got help with problems, had a nice visit and shared finished objects. Tonight, they also had this option:

I'm just sayin'....

This could be an ongoing thing if there is enough interest. Let us know if you'd like to stop by for fun, friendship, fiber and a massage. Diane (LMP) will stop in as requested between 5:30 and 7:45. We close at 8 on Thursdays. Just call the shop at 360-755-7086 or send an email to becky-at-knotjustyarn-dot-com. You know the drill about substituting the 'at' and 'dot', right?