smitten

August? Seriously?

2009-08-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

It must be August, because the corn is taller than me & we've had thunderstorms almost every day this week. Besides, it is hot & it is humid. Which is why it stands to reason that I am knitting lots of cozy woolies! I have socks on my needles, an alpaca sweater, and a few other things (mostly shop samples & swatches).
We made some big changes these past few months.
The Lancaster Yarn Shop is back to one location, at 3519 Old Philadelphia Pike in Intercourse, PA at http://www.kitchenkettlevillage.com. We closed the downtown shop with much gnashing of teeth & rending of garments. Actually, we made a careful business decision, and acted on it. I am much calmer & the shop is beautiful.
We're blogging at http://www.lancasteryarnshop.blogspot.com. Check it out, there is a yarn giveaway there! You can follow us on Twitter, too at lancyarnshop. Email for the shop is lancasteryarnshop@gmail.com

Hope your knitting is going great!
Wendy

hello from March

2009-03-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

They say Spring starts on Friday, that will be fine.

Now What?

2009-01-18T19:06:00.000-08:00

Is it only Sunday? We're just home from dropping Ellie at Simon's Rock College--where there is lots of snow on the ground. We've got lots of work to do and lots of new to share, but I'm going to go have a cup of tea and call it a night. It is good to be home.

Is that Korean?

2009-01-07T19:46:00.000-08:00

It only took us about half an hour to get the flickr badge on here--but why is there whack text under it? Well you may ask!
Well, I don't know how to get rid of it, so enjoy!
Wendy

January Classes at LYS

2008-12-28T14:03:00.000-08:00

Here is our class list for January, 2009. I know it's really late, but we're getting our bearings and we'll be posting February's classes really soon! Call the shop at (717) 393.4044, or stop in, to sign up for classes. See LYS Class Policy Statement below.
Happy Knitting! See you downtown!
love,
Wendy

Fingerless Mitts Class with Rachel-Marie

Includes a copy of the book "Weekend Knitting" by Melanie Falick and a custom handspun of your choice for the project. A great way to branch off from knitting scarves and explore the texture of handspun yarns. Requirements: cast on, knit, and cast off.

Fingerless Mitts Class A January 6th and 13th from 1-3
Fingerless Mitts Class B January 20th and 27th from 6-8
Cost: $60.00

Knitting in the Round I: Making hats on both circular and DP needles

Learn long tail cast on, how to join for knitting in the round, and simple patterning. This hat is knit from the brim up with decreases to shape the crown. We’ll start on a 16” circular needle, switching to double pointed needles as we work.

Two classes, 1 ½ hours each.
Tuesdays, January 6 & 13 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $25.00
Skill level: Cheerful, advanced beginner.

Knitting in the Round II: Top Down Hat on DPN & circulars

Cast on 4 stitches to make a hat? Counted increases make a beautiful spiraling top as we knit our way from the crown to the brim to make this simple cap. Suitable for women, men or kids, this is as simple a hat as you can knit.

Two classes, 1 ½ hours each.
Tuesdays, January 20 & 27 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $25.00
Skill level: Cheerful, advanced beginner.

Very Beginning Knitting: Scarf

We’ll meet 3 times for 2 hours. Learn different cast-on methods, how to knit and purl, how to bind off, and simple finishing techniques. Includes an overview of contemporary resources for knitters including books, magazines and the internet. We’ve scheduled enough time for most students to finish a scarf (with maybe a little at home knitting time). Tuition includes one skein of Brown Sheep Yarn’s Lamb’s Pride, and a pair of size 8 or 9 Brittany birch knitting needles. Take home your own copy of the indispensable knitting reference book by Vicki Square “The Knitter’s Companion.”

3 classes, 1 ½ hours each
Saturdays, January 10, 24, 31 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $80.00
Skill Level: Beginner

(No class 01/17)

Very Beginning Knitting: Technique/Skill building

We’ll meet once for 1 ½ hours. Learn to cast on, knit, purl and bind off. We recommend a worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn and size 8 or 9 needles. Class includes overview of contemporary resources for knitters including books, magazines and the internet.

1 class, 1 ½ hours
Saturday, January 10 1:00-300
Cost: $10.00
Skill Level: Beginner

Classes coming in February:
Drop Spindle Spinning
Simple Cable Scarf
Very Beginning Knitting
Knitting in the Round I and II
Socks
Valentine Workshop (free!)

LYS Class Policy Statement

Payment required at time of registration.

Class fees are for instruction and do not include cost of yarn, patterns, or needles, unless specified in class description.

Class fees are non-refundable unless LYS cancels the class.

If class minimums are not met, LYS may cancel or reschedule classes.

Unless arrangements are made with instructor, there is no refund or make-up class for missed classes.

Please have your supplies and yarns at the start of your first class session. Material lists will be provided and will be available at LYS.

Did I mention that my other shop...

2008-12-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

...is a Christmas shop? Or that we are really, really, really busy this time of year? I haven't been to the yarn shop for a real day in what seems like ages! I'm so lucky to have Rachel-Marie and Faith and DJ holding down the fort! I'll be back on my knitting feet soon.

25 November! It's almost Christmas!

2008-11-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

Rachel-Marie took this picture today after we put lots of hundred year old ornaments on our little shop tree. Tucked in the front window, imagine that our late-nite, last minute knitter has just gone to check on the kids before sitting back down for a cup of tea. We have a few more doodads to add to complete the scene; like the knitting! Conveniently, I have a half knit pair of socks to lend an air of knitting reality! We'll finish the display tomorrow. It was fun to decorate the tree with Rachel-Marie, we listened to Christmas music! Special thanks to the National Christmas Center in Paradise, PA for the Christmas antiques. If you live in the area and haven't had a chance to see their exhibit, see if you can fit it into your holiday plans (you'll need an hour and your camera!). There is also a beautiful exhibit in the Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum curated by the NCC, called a Lancaster Christmas.

Well, that's a lot of Christmas right before Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving!

Practicing gratitude,

Wendy

New Yarn Today, Live Music Tomorrow

2008-11-20T19:00:00.000-08:00

Today was a big day for new yarns at LYS! We got boxes and boxes of Brown Sheep Company's Lamb's Pride in the worsted weight. It came as 4 ounce (190 yards), reeled skeins. You can really see the shine from the mohair and the colors are beautiful.
The Opal sock yarn in the Harry Potter colorways came, too, along with an incomprehensible German poster. We all sort of can't stand that there isn't a Hermione colorway, I mean, WHAT? Nevertheless, they're all pretty groovy and should knit up pretty nice.
You'd think I'd take my camera to the shop every once in a while...but not this time! Pics soon, and the yarn will be on the shelves tomorrow (and, hey, if it's not, you can buy it out of the boxes!).
Tomorrow night is 3rd Friday in Lancaster. Lots of shops and galleries stay open late and host live music. So, we're jumping on the bandwagon, and hosting The Wringers tomorrow, November 21 between 7 and 9 p.m.
The Wringers are an old time music duo, I happen to be married to 1/2 of the band. That would be Bob. Mike Witmer is the other 1/2 of the Wringers, (he happens to be MaryKay's husband) and also the painter responsible for the beautiful paintings hanging in the shop.
Stop in with your knitting & get an earful of oldtime!
Happy Knitting!

Opal Harry Potter Sock Yarn!

2008-11-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

Coming very soon! I already have a favorite, what's yours?
(Phew! I remembered how to make a proper link.)

Brown Sheep link

2008-11-17T16:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, here is the link for the Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted!

What does a Root Canal have to do with knitting?

2008-11-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

Well, lots apparently. Last Thursday, I had a toothache. I went to work late, after paying my dentist $50 to agree that yes, I had a toothache. There was nothing to do but let it develop. Of course, Friday I worked at my other shop, and was very busy all day. When I got home, the toothache had worsened to a constant, awful pain. In fact, it was so bad, I couldn't knit. That's when I knew it was serious. I made it through a very busy weekend, knitted not at all, and this morning, I had a root canal. I still haven't done any knitting, and my mouth still hurts. I am assured that it will get better soon. I'll let you know when I'm knitting again.

choosing new yarns

2008-11-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

It is raining and I have a rare morning at home. So far, I've spent it making sandwiches, eating cheerios and drinking coffee. (It's almost time for another cup!)
Yesterday, I pored over the color cards for Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride. The colors are so beautiful it is hard to choose what will look best in the shop. Here is a link to the web page showing what I'm looking at
I've also placed a reorder with ShiBui for more sock yarn! We'll have more of what you've already seen, and some new colors, too. I'll post here when it arrives--I've sent back the trunk show, but we'll have more paterns, too, notably the button down sock pattern.
Yesterday, I ordered our first sock yarn from Opal--are you ready? We're gettting the Harry Potter line! There are 8 colorways, & I can already tell my favorite is going to be 'Tonks!' This yarn will arrive in early December, in time for QUICK holiday sock or glove knitting!
KnittyDirtyGirl and RippleStitch are ganging up and getting some new hand dyed, locally raised woolies ready for the shop. We'll have two ply and single ply corriedale yarns.
Check out the Lancaster Yarn Shop group at Ravelry Rachel-Marie set this up for us, as I am hopelessly stuck in the 20th century and could not figure out how to make the graphics work.
Tonight is our drop in stitch and bitch--bring your knitting!
I'll be at LYS this afternoon and evening, hope to see you there!

2008-11-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

2008-11-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

The weeks are flying by!
Last week, Kellie/Whorled Peace (check out her etsy!) stopped in with a big box of roving and lots more of her amazing hand painted sock yarn. I've been eyeing sock yarn for other projects--baby sweaters and booties come to mind--even an openwork cowl would be really nice in superwash merino!
The new Interweave Holiday Knits magazine is in! We got 12 copies, stop in to get one. There are some sweet patterns, and a contest to win a copy of Franklin Habit's "It Itches," which is also available in the shop. I love his blog, and I love his book. You can find Franklin on Ravelry, too.

We also got a few more copies of Living Crafts Fall 2008 Issue, which is their annual 'wool' issue. I love this Waldorf inspired magazine, its not just knitting, and it is so friendly!

Just in time for First Friday, we brought in some beautiful fair trade handknits from Nepal and Ecuador. Recycled sari silk hats and scarves and big wooly socks, mittens, and hats.

So, that's LAST week--I'll be in the shop tomorrow, and I'll let you know what's new this week soon!

Don't forget Lancaster marks First Friday on November 7th this month! We'll serve fresh roasted Ripple Stitch coffee and dark chocolate Wilbur Buds. We'll be open until 9:00-ish. Stop in to say hello while you're downtown!

2008-11-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

pinch me

2008-11-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

Smitten!

2008-05-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

It's about falling in love with yarn all over again!
Check back here to see what that means!