Twisted Yarns Newsletter

May-June-July 2009

www.twistedyarnstexas.com

 

News: Happy Spring!  We can’t believe it’s almost summer!  We are headed to Market again in early June to find all the fun new yarns and accessories for fall. Keep an eye on the blog for the latest news on what we find! You’ll notice on our calendar that there are several daytime Sit & Knits listed. Of course, you may hang out here any old time and knit, but we thought it would be fun to have a few “scheduled” times for you to come and enjoy meeting other knitters, and maybe win a door prize! Our annual Beat the Heat Sale will be Thursday, July 16 through Saturday, July 18. We will provide details as we get closer to July!

 

New Yarns: We have several yarns for summer knitting projects. From Lana Grossa, we have received a few unique cord-like yarns – Secondo and Cambio. Also from Lana Grossa is Linea Pura, a soft, bamboo/soy blend with subtle color changes. From Araucania, we have their nice Lonco mercerized cotton lace weight yarn in solids and multi’s. Also in lace weight is Ella Rae’s Lace Merino in beautiful multi colors. We have also received fresh shipments of our summer best sellers – Blue Sky Organic Cotton, Tahki Cotton Classic, Manos Cotton Stria, Sublime Soya Cotton, Berroco Seduce and others. We are also excited to expand our Jamieson line to include both the Spindrift and DK weight yarns in many of their beautiful colors!

 

We just received some great new colors of Trabajos, a super soft chunky weight merino. Another chunky weight wool/acrylic blend that just arrived is Expression in great colors. Also new is Baby Boutique, a super soft DK weight microfiber yarn from Plymouth.

 

New Books & Other Stuff: So many new books have arrived, including – Sock Innovation by Cookie A and Mother Daughter Knits by Sally Melville and Caddy Melville Ledbetter. Japanese Inspired Knits has some unique and interesting designs. A popular book which has already sold well is Knit One Below (we will have a class on this new technique this summer). Another new book is Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson.

 

New Classes:  We are excited to have Randi Keister of Randi K Designs joining us as a teacher of Fair Isle knitting. Many of you know Randi from her beautiful Fair Isle kits available in the shop. Randi will be teaching the basics of Fair Isle knitting. The Knit One Below technique is great for using hand-painted, self striping or solid yarns to make vertical stripes in a pattern. This class will teach this new technique.

 

Crochet is catching on, so we will be offering a new class in a crocheted felted bag – come see the sample of this cute bag in the shop. We are offering a class on the cute summer cardigan from Knitting Pure & Simple. It’s a great project if you would like to take the next step with your knitting. It’s a well written pattern, and we’ll help guide you through!  Another new technique we are offering a class on is Socks from the Toe up!  You’ll make a small sock in the class and learn all the techniques you’ll need!

 

Please support your local yarn shop by using yarn purchased at Twisted Yarns for your class. We offer a 10% discount on yarn purchased for use during a class.

 

Special Events:   We are excited to announce that Thursday, June 18, we will have a sit-n-knit with the special theme of charity knitting. We’ll be knitting/crocheting bears for kids, and stocking caps for the troops. The finished bears will go to children in local hospitals ~ Memorial Hermann, Children’s Memorial Hermann, Ben Taub, MD Anderson and Texas Children’s. If you would like to participate, you may use some Encore which has been generously donated by Plymouth Yarn Company for the bears, or Cascade 220 Superwash for the stocking caps, also generously given by Cascade. You may use your own yarn as long as it is washable. There is more information about these projects on our blog. We will also have Warren Hanson, author of Kiki’s Hats, here to read from the book, and discuss the inspiration for his book. He’ll also be happy to sign books for you!  Join us on  Thursday, June 18th from 5 to 8:30. We’ll have refreshments and door prizes of course!  See you then!

                                                            

In November, we will be having some workshops with Nicky Epstein. The dates are November 15 – 16. Sign ups will be coming up shortly.

 

We are also excited to announce that Houston’s own Crochet Dude, Drew Emborsky, will be with us October 10th for a workshop and book signing. More details about that will be coming in the Fall newsletter, and will be on the blog as soon as possible. It’s awesome to have such a talented designer in the Houston area!

 

Charity Knitting:  Our Newborn Hat Project continues, so come by and pick up some yarn and a pattern and you’ll receive a coupon for $1 off any purchase for each hat you bring in. Please make sure the hats you make are at least 3” in diameter. We deliver hats to Texas Children’s Hospital and MD Anderson. The hospitals and babies greatly appreciate your hard work. We’ll also give you a coupon for each bear or stocking cap you bring in for the local hospitals or the troops. Check our website for other charity knitting opportunities.

 

Class Descriptions

Each class includes experience level information to assist you in determining if a class is right for you. Also, remember you will receive 10% off your yarn purchased for a class.

Beginner  – you’re a novice, either you’ve never knitted before or it’s been a long time!

Advanced Beginner – you know the basics, cast on, knit and purl, and basic increases and decreases

Intermediate – you have experience in knitting or crochet projects, knitting in the round, reading patterns, etc.

 

Basic Beginner 

In this class you will be introduced to this great art and will learn how to cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease and bind off. By the end of the three-session class you will have completed a felted bowl and have the skills to knit scarves, hats, shawls and many other projects. We will have classroom yarn and needles available for your use for the first class. During the subsequent classes you will be working on your first project, so will need about 100 yards of 100% wool in a worsted weight and 16” circular needles size 11. The fee is $55 and includes the bowl pattern.

 

Continental Knitting

If you are an “English” or “throw” style knitter (hold yarn in right hand) and have wanted to learn the “Continental” style of knitting (hold yarn in left hand) – this class is for you! You will learn how to knit and purl Continental style. This is also a great primer before the Fair Isle Knitting Class. Materials: worsted weight yarn and appropriate size needles. The class fee is $15. Level: Advanced Beginner

 

Crocheted Bag – New!

Both beginning crocheters and those returning to the craft will have fun improving their technique with this colorful crocheted bag project. The bag is worked in the round with single and double crochet stitches and includes increasing, decreasing, changing colors and felting. Materials: Less than 100 yds each of 5 colors of worsted wool (feltable), size J (6.0 mm) and N/P (9.0 mm) crochet hooks. Fee: $25, including the pattern. Level: Advanced Beginner

 

Fair Isle KnittingNew!

Many of you know local Norwegian knitter Randi Kiester. Randi has been knitting Fair Isle since she was a young girl and has designed the beautiful kits we have in the shop. In this two session class, you will make a small cell phone pocket, with additional patterns for a hat and small Christmas stocking. Materials: 3 colors fingering weight yarn, size 2 DPNs. Level: Intermediate, must know how to knit in the round on DPNs and knit “continental” style. Fee: $40, including the pattern.

 

February Lady Sweater

This is an easy cardigan with a touch of lace and no finishing. The pattern is based on Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Classic Baby Sweater, but adapted by Pamela Wynne for women’s sizes. She has graciously given us permission to use the pattern for the class. The sweater is knit from the top down making it easy to try on as you go. In this three-session class you will learn an easy lace pattern, buttonholes, and sizing. Materials: 750–1400 yds worsted wt. yarn, #8 needles (32” circular and DPNs), larger needle for bind off.

Fee: $65 Level: Advanced Beginner

 

Introduction to Spinning 

What is yarn? And how do we make it?  Join us for this basic class using a drop spindle and wool roving to make your first chunky worsted yarn. We don’t have this class on the calendar for the next few months, but you can call to set up a class. The fee is $25 and a supply kit is available for about $16. Level: Beginner 

 

Knit in the Round Hat

This is a good class for beginners who want to learn shaping. As long as you know how to cast on, knit & purl you are ready! You will learn to knit in the round on double pointed needles, make ribbing, decrease, and finish your hat. This is a great class to take before learning to make socks. The fee is $25 and includes the pattern. Materials: Yarn and appropriate needles in 16” circular and DPNs (or just DPNs if you are taking this before taking Socks 101). Level: Advanced Beginner

 

Knit One Below – New

Learn this fun technique in an easy scarf. Once you know the basics, the other uses of the technique seem endless! It is great for hand-painted or self striping yarns. Materials: Worsted weight yarn in two colors, 110 yds each color, size 9 or 10 needles, either long DPNs or circular, either Knit One Below book or Knitters Magazine Winter 2008. Fee: $25. Level: Advanced Beginner

 

Learn to Crochet

With the Crochet Dude coming this fall, you’ll want to learn the basics of crochet, including single and double crochet and chain stitch. When you are done you will have an I-pod or cell phone case! This is a one-session class. Materials: approx 100 yds worsted wt. yarn in light color and a size H crochet hook. Fee: $25. Level: Beginner

 

Sleeveless Shell  

Make a Sleeveless Summer Shell in your choice of yarns. This class will be split into 3 sessions and you will have plenty of time in between sessions to complete the homework. We have pre-selected a basic shell pattern. This is a great way to venture beyond scarf knitting!   You will need to purchase yarn and make a gauge swatch before the first class. The class fee is $50 and includes the pattern. Level:  Advanced Beginner

 

Socks 101

You will complete a small sock and learn all the techniques needed to make socks for you and your family. You need to already know how to knit and purl in the round on double pointed needles. The Knit in the Round Hat is a good class to teach you this skill before taking the socks class. Materials: size 7 DPNs and 1 skein of worsted weight yarn in a light shade. This is a one-session class & the fee is $30. Level: Advanced Beginner

 

Summer CardiganNew!

This is a great little short sleeve cardigan to take you through the summer and into fall!  This Knitting Pure & Simple pattern is knit from the neck down, and is a great first garment project. Materials:  900-1400 yds. heavy dk or light worsted wt. yarn, 24” circulars in size 5 and 7, 16” circular size 7, or size required to get gauge of 4.5 sts/in, stitch markers, 4 to 6 buttons. Fee: $55 including the pattern. Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

 

Two at a Time Socks

Say good-bye to second sock syndrome or the worry that your socks won’t be the same length!  This class will guide you through the steps for knitting both socks at the same time. Over three sessions you will learn the cast-on, the heel flap, turning the heel, and toe decreases. At the end of class you will have a pair of socks to wear or give to a special friend!  Materials:  enough sock yarn for a pair of socks, two 24” circular in size appropriate for your yarn and stitch markers. The class fee is $55. Level: Intermediate-must have knit a pair of socks before taking this class!

 

Toe Up Socks – New!

In this class you will knit a small sample sock from the toe to the cuff!  You’ll learn the Turkish cast on, the short row wrap & turn heel, and EZ’s sewn bind off. We’ll also teach you how to adjust this basic pattern to other yarn weights and to fit a full size foot. Materials:  about 100 yds. Worsted weight yarn, Size 6 or 7 DPN’s or two 24” circulars. Class fee is $35. Level:  Intermediate – must know how to knit in the round on DPN’s or circulars.

 

Twisted Yarns Return & Class Policies

Return Policy: Returns must be accompanied by a receipt, no exceptions!  We encourage you to buy plenty of yarn for a project so you don’t run out, which is why we are happy to take back any extra within 1 year of purchase. Returns on yarn will only be accepted for 1 year from date of purchase, in their original condition. We cannot accept yarn that has been wound, or yarn that has been kept in a smoke filled environment. Additionally, we will only accept returns of needles and/or accessories in their original packaging for 2 weeks from the date of purchase with your receipt. That should give you plenty of time to do a gauge swatch and figure out if you need a different needle size. No returns on books, patterns, or clearance merchandise.

 

Special Orders:  When you are placing a Special Order, we require a 50% non-refundable deposit. Special Orders are not returnable.

 

Holds & Clearance Items: We are happy to hold regular priced yarn/needles, etc. for 30 days, and then they will be returned to the shelf. Please call us as soon as you know you won’t need the yarn. We cannot hold clearance yarn.

 

Classes:  All class fees are non-refundable!   Please understand that we are securing an instructor’s time and holding a place just for you. You will receive a 10% discount on any yarn purchased for a class. Please support your local yarn shop by using our yarns for your class project.

 

We are happy to help you with any project at any time, but hope you will understand that if the store is busy, we may not be able to give you 100% of our attention!   If you have a project that requires a lot of help, or you will need more than 15 minutes of our time, please call the shop and book a private lesson with one of our instructors. That way we can give you our undivided attention, and we won’t keep other customers waiting for help. The fee is $15 per hour.

 

Thank you so much for sharing our love of knitting!  We really enjoy having you as our guests. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions as to how we can better serve you, please feel free to call us at 281-528-8664, or send us an e-mail at twistedyarns@earthlink.net. Thanks for helping us make Twisted Yarns your favorite yarn shop!

Store Hours:  Tuesday thru Saturday 10 to 5

 Closed Sunday & Monday

 

Phone:  281-528-8664               

Website: www.twistedyarnstexas.com

 E-mail: twistedyarns@earthlink.net

 

We are usually open the 4th Thursday of the month ‘til 6:15

 before the KANG KNOT meeting.