Jan. Classes and such

Happy New Year!! Hope your holiday season was wonderful and filled with joy and friends. Here at the shop we've been considering how to best ring in OUR new year. We've done and inventory and made a few decisions on new yarns to stock and old ones not to! We've cleaned up and rearranged a bit and have big plans for the new year!

January is going to be fun! We're closed Jan 1&2 and will reopen with normal hours on Jan. 5! Speaking of Jan. 5, we have a special treat starting that day. Shirley Spell, an awesome local knitter is going to be in the yarn shop from 11-2 that Tuesday and others that follow. If you need knitting help, or perhaps a private lesson, this is the time! Shirley offers pattern support, private lessons and more! Drop in and get a bit of advice or just hang out and knit with us!

Speaking of hanging out and knitting with us, on Jan 6 & 20th (and the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of months to follow) a group of knitter's/crocheters/crafters will be meeting from 1-3pm. Come on in then, or Thursday Evenings for our regular Craft in (6:30-8:30).

Classes:

Jan 9th Roc Day Party!--this is the day, historically, when all the women got together to resume their spinning after the holidays.

10:30-12:00 Drop Spindle class--either learn to spin or come on in and brush up on your spindle skills if you're a bit rusty. (class fee $5.00)
12:30-4:30 SPIN IN! Bring 2oz of fiber for a Fiber Sandwhich and hang out and spin for the day. Bring your wheel or Spindle! (free)

The rest of Jan. we'll be concentrating on knitted gifts for babies
Jan 16: 10:30-12:00 Baby Hat ($5.00)
1:30-3:00pm Baby Booties ($5.00)
3:30-5:00pm Beginning Knitting ($5.00)

Jan 23: 10:30-12:00 & 1:30-3:00 Baby socks (this class will run all day with a lunch break) ($10.00--this includes your supplies just bring size 1 DPNs and be comfortable knitting on small needles)

Jan 30: 10:30-12:00 & 1:30-3:00 Baby Sweater (this class will run all day with a lunch break) ($10.00--bring along US 6 16" circulars (or DPNs if you prefer) and know how to CO, knit and purl comfortably)

as always classes are $5.00 unless otherwise noted and we ask that you purchase supplies at our store!

Dec. Classes

During December we're offering classes to bust your stash and not your budget! All classes listed are stash buster classes: you don't have to buy yarn from us if you already have something that will work in your stash! Also, all the projects are fairly small and intended for you to be able to finish in about 8 hours of knitting, they'll make great stocking stuffers!

Please note the class designations are as follows:

B: Beginning project that requires only that the knitter know how to cast-on, knit and, purl and bind-off.
I: Intermediate project that requires knitter know how to knit, purl, do seed and moss stitch. You should be able to recognize the difference between stitches by looking at them.
I-A: Intermediate to advanced project. this project requires that knitter know how to knit, purl, do seed, and moss stitch and knit with small yarn on small needles.
A: Advanced. these project will require knitters to know everything listed prior and yarnovers and work with small yarn.

Each class is a single 1.5 hour block.

Dec. 5, 2009
12:30-2pm Owly coffee sleeve--knit up a wool coffee cozy! (B) (worsted weight wool)
2:30-4:00pm Tree Socks--these tiny cute socks would work as baby socks, but we'll add a loop to hand them on your tree (A) (sock yarn)

Dec. 12, 2009
12:30-2:00pm Dragon Scale Shawl--this fun little knit looks more impressive than it really is! (B) (laceweight)
2:30-4:00 Fingerless Gloves--a fun quick gift for a teen or anyone with cold hands. (I) (sport weight)

Dec. 19, 2009
12:30-2:00 Queen's Leisure Headband--this is a quick fun pretty thing to hold back your hair. (I) (sock yarn)
2:30-4:00 Mobius Neckwarmer--another quick gift (B) (sport weight)

Kids classes:
During Christmas week we're offering two classes to get your kids out of the house, and let them make a small project to gift (or keep)--please have an adult to help supervise!

12:30-2:00pm
Dec. 22, 2009: knit and felt a fortune cookie and add a note to the recipient! (B)
Dec. 23, 2009: knit and felt a tree shaped ornament and add beads for decorations. (B)

Each class is $5.00.

Classes in November.

Please note the class designations are as follows:

B: Beginning project that requires only that the knitter know how to cast-on, knit and, purl and bind-off.
I: Intermediate project that requires knitter know how to knit, purl, do seed and moss stitch. it will teach Yarn Overs and reading a chart.
I-A: Intermediate to advanced project. this project requires that knitter know how to knit, purl, do seed, and moss stitch and knit with small yarn. it will work further on Yarn Overs and shaping.
A: Advanced. these project will require knitters to know everything listed prior and yarnovers and work with small yarn.

_____________________________________________________________________________
We will be closed Nov. 6 &7th as i will be out of town on business. We are also closed on Thanksgiving day.

We will be open early on Friday Nov. 27--there will be specials from 8-10am! come on it--i'll make the coffee!

As always we have Project Night on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 (not on Thanksgiving tho). this month we're trying a new idea, on Nov. 19th we'll be doing Knit 'n' Movie. The movie for this month is planned for "Private Benjamin" and there will be a simple project that we recommend to go with it. We'll supply some popcorn-- bring your own drink!

Sock Classes continued from Oct. Lacy Sock Class
Nov. 14 & 21st 12-2pm

Nov. 14:
10-noon Terra Neckwarmer 1 (I)
2:30-4:30 Fern Fingerless Gloves (I)

Nov. 21:
10-noon Terra Neckwarmer 2 (I)
2:30-4:30 Fern Cowl (I)

Nov. 28:
10-noon Kid's Knitting (this will teach kids to knit--a parent must accompany and stay for the class so the cost is $10.00)
12-2:00pm: Felty Bowl (B)
2:30-4:30 Fichu (to be continued in Dec.) (I-A)

As always classes (unless otherwise noted) cost $5.00 and we ask that you buy supplies for the class with us.

Alpaca!!!!

We're harvesting some really lovely colors and textures here at C. R. Yarn...

last night, before knit night, i arrived home to a couple of LOVELY big boxes of alpaca yarn. this stuff is SO yummy, you just have to come and see it. we have some gorgeous variegated worsted weight, beautiful solids in both dk and sock weight.

This lovely Sport Weight stuff is called Baby Twist. In comes in a whole lot of colors--we have about 12 so far... saying it is SOFT is such an understatement, i can't express it. if i were independently wealthy i think i'd buy enough to just roll around on top of it. Oh my!

these amazing colors are called "Socrates" and are a baby alpaca, merino wool, bamboo, nylon blend. i'm absolute certain that blue is going to make amazingly fabulous socks.

here's mojito--it's 100% baby alpaca and amazingly beautiful stuff. i love the variegation and the softness.

November classes will be announced tomorrow!

Happy Anniversary!!!!

We're super excited. TODAY is our 6 month anniversary, and we think it's important to celebrate even small accomplishments... you know, getting gauge, learning to purl, doing two rows of involved colorwork! Just what everyone needs to do--so we're having Italian Sodas and Cheesecake all day! Plus we're kicking off our new customer appreciation program. If you're like me, i lose those cards some places hand out in my purse constantly. So instead we're keeping track for you, and when you spend $100, you'll get free stuff! Free food tastes better, so you know free yarn will knit/crochet better!!!!

come on in, have some cheesecake and a soda...

October Classes

Upcoming Classes:

Sept. 26: Dye Workshop 12-4pm
come on in and try your hand at dyeing yarn (N)

Oct. 3: Neck Warmer 2:30-4:30
Get started on a simple lace neck warmer. this is a fun, quick knit project that will make a lovely gift. (I)

Oct. 17: felted Bag 2:30-4:30pm
Whether you use this bag as a purse or a project bag or a gift, you'll love knitting it! (B)

Oct. 31: A Day of Spinning
Morning: 10:30-12:00 Drop spindle spinning
Afternoon: 2:30-4:30 Fiber preparation and carding (N)

Oct. 3, 17, 24, &31: Lacy Socks 12:00-2:00 (A)
Oct. 3, 17, 25: Beginning Knitting
Learn to knit and make some handy dish clothes. (N)

class Levels

N: no prior experience required
B: know how to knit and purl (a couple knitting classes and you're all set)
I: know how to knit and purl and be ready to learn yarn-overs
A: know how to knit and purl and be ready to learn yarn-overs and knit on small needles

What's new in the shop

we've gotten in some really lovely handmade stitch markers! they come in sets of 5 or 7 mostly, and have one big stitch marker and 4 or 6 coordinated smaller markers. they're fun little bits of knit bling! (every girl deserves some jewelry) some are natural stone, some are class beads... all are fun and cheerful and run between $5.95-$9.95 depending on what beads they are made from!

we've gotten in some lovely new handspun yarn... lots of it is now priced for affordable luxury--under $8.00 a skein. as usual there's new hand dyed sock yarn. we're also working on getting in some lovely new project bags... can't wait! come on in for a visit!

Closed May 15-16

The shop will be closed May 15-16. Candis and i will be hanging out at Nemo Guest Ranch at Quest for Camelot (a big local SCA event) and so will not be open these days. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes.

Grand Opening Today!!!

It's like a first day of school, or first date or something. I know it will be fine, and not a huge deal, but it is a bit unnerving anyway. :-) If you haven't heard, we're doing a charity knit-in today. stop in. hang out. do a bit of knitting for the NICU. We'd love to have you. We have new yarn in... some gorgeous heathered sport weight yarn. MMMM and some fun bright spring colors of SuperLamb. We also got in some great books, but you need to hurry as they are going out the door fast. :-)

When grand opening is done we'll be ordering lots more needles, so if what you're looking for isn't in, let me know, i'll order them! the shop looks like, well... a Yarn Shop!

BOOKS!!!!

so, today i got books in. i'm so excited. from socks to teen knits, from fab gifts to no-tears knitting... we've got them all! come on in and visit... we're also adding new yarns daily...

yarn and needles

I got in a big shipment of needles and a whole bunch of new yarn yesterday! it's so exciting getting dig through all that new yarn. so many pretty colors. so much fun. I can't wait to get to the shop this morning to unload it all and start getting it ready to put out.

The yarn is primarily SuperLamb Jagger spun, that we're stocking up on for the grand opening charity knit-in. it's SUPER soft, fully washable and some of the nicest yarn to work with, EVER. plus some heathered sport weight. I'll post pictures later today.

i also have some new hand dyed yarn to put out. this morning should be fun.

Grand Opening!

We're planning our grand opening on May 2! We will be doing a Charity Knit-in! The goal is to get many people to show up and knit for Charity. I'll be following up with more definitive details soon! (hopefully the NICU here is willing to take donations).

After that classes will start on May 5th. this first set of classes is a "beginning level" project, that will be suitable for absolute beginners if they're interested. We'll be knitting either a sampler scarf (or a throw). Either way, we'll be practicing knitting and purling and cast on, as well as learning a number of interesting stitches. everything from Garter stitch to Cables as we move along! 10 sessions total!

Then on May 9th (a Saturday) we'll be doing a class on on-line knitting resources. it will concentrate on web sites that offer free and or down-loadable patterns, as well as how to use Ravelry (provided we get permission) and Flickr. i think it will be great fun!

We're making plans for our first Teen Knit Night. we'll have a movie, small snacks and a small project or two to go with the movie. If you know a teen knitter, let them know... and make plans to attend!

In June we'll be starting Sock Classes. Sock class will be 4 class sessions. (the last will be primarily a follow-up/wrap up class.

We're getting little bits of new stuff in the shop. new Castle Fibers sock is arriving momentary, new SuperLamb in wonderful spring/baby colors, and some new Sport Weight Heathered. Oh and of course... MORE NEEDLES!

world wide knit in public day!

So, on June 13, 2009, we're thinking we need to participate in WWKIP day! I'm thinking that we need to do a "yarn crawl" starting at the shop and going a couple places in town. i'm not sure where yet... i was thinking maybe meet at the shop, move to a restaurant first (for breakfast), then move to a coffee shop, and end at the mall maybe?

it'd be great to get a bunch of people involved.... maybe do a mystery knit along?

oh, here's the website! http://www.wwkipday.com/

charity project

for our grand opening, i'm planning on doing some kind of charity knit-in, where knitted items are donated to a worthy cause. I'm thinking cancer hats or NICU premie hats. any one have a brilliant thought that's better???

credit cards!!!

Yay! my credit card dude, Hank, showed up with my credit card machine. i feel like our store is really complete now. Now, if only it would just stop snowing. i has cookies. i takes credit cards. lifes good!

Tuesday Mornings with Mom

So, tuesdays mornings we'll be hanging out with the kids. If you're a stay-at-home mom (or don't mind kids) come on over from 10am until noonish... we'll be knitting and hanging with the kids!

needles and tofutsies!

lots of stuff arrived yesterday! YAY!!!! Needles from Hiya Hiya. these are fun and super smooth.

these cute little guys might just convert me to knitting with ciruculars. ok. likely not, but aren't they just CUTE?
all priced and hung on the wall. ran out of hook, had to find more. had to use different size... to much stock is awesome...

and then it hit me. i failed to buy any single point needles. Good Grief! what was i thinking.

then the tofutsies and other SWTC yarn arrived. ooooo yummy! i gotta take more pictures of it all on display! it is FUN!!!!

more pictures!!!!

our work area isn't as neat as it should be i guess. that part needs cleaning next!

brown sheep is near us, so we're stocking it! gorgeous yarn. and practically locally made.

that far wall is dk yarn... from Jagger. the most luscious stuff evah...

our wall of sample size (25 gram) skeins of lace weight! I want one of each...

candis, skeining up a bit of yarn!

a wall of JaggerSpun along with luscious silk roving! mmmmmm

Candis's fabulous skein winder that is making it so we can sell yarn that only comes on cones, can be sold in hanks. Jagger for example only comes on a cone, and is LOVELY yarn, but unavailable to the average knitter because you have to buy the stuff by the POUND!!!

more progress

progress

a yarn store....

so, for those of you who have followed my saga, you know that i was a bit involved in opening a yarn store in Rapid City, a bit over a year ago. this was never my yarn store, and after a year it closed when Kim moved on to the "next step" in her life.

Now, a friend and i, have decide WE will open a yarn store that is the yarn store we want to own. So, we're busily putting together shelving and planning and labeling yarn...

the store is called C. R. Yarn (candis and rita) and is in the gap in Rapid City, right next to the Rooster (a sporting good supply store). the building is nice, the light is lovely, the view is attractive...