We are doing another sock club! 

This time, however, I will not be choosing the pattern for you.  I will surprise you each month with yarn and an extra little goody of some kind.  You will also receive a specially made (by me) project bag to carry your socks with you wherever you go! 

Send us an email at the store if interested and come pay by Thursday to be included. 

Introducing the Sassy Summer Halter by Yarntopia's own budding designer.  The pattern for this is available at Yarntopia or by PDF download.  Way to go - Mom, Amy is very proud.

A new online magazine to check out is Twist Collective.   It reads like a real magazine.  It is beautiful, informative and has loads of patterns that you can purchase.  It brings the designers directly to the knitter.  I love it and have subscribed to the newsletter.  Check it out!

New Online Sock yarn is here!  The colors are gorgeous and shouldn't be missed!

Kaffe Fassett knows color and he has brought this expertise to a new line of sock yarn from Regia.  "Design Line 'Exotic' Color" has 6 unique colors and patterns.  If you are considering socks as Christmas gifts, then a pair of these is a must knit for the holiday season.

Hey everyone,  I am having a great time here in Manchester.  It has been raining ever since I arrived on Tuesday, but I am having a blast and have learned so much.  Most of what I have learned thus far won't show up immediately at Yarntopia, but Amy and I have big plans and you will reap the benefits in the months and years to come.

Robyn Chachula and I had lunch today and have ironed out the details of her visit.  She will be teaching 2 classes and having an informal shop event in which she will have garments for you to try on, sign copies of her books, Blueprint Crochet and Mission Falls Goes Crochet.  Robyn is a fun person and she loves getting to know the folks at the yarn shop.  She doesn't want the event to be about her, rather she wants to be a part of the Yarntopia community.  She had another great idea that I would have never thought of to get you all included in the fun.  I am so excited that I am ready for October to be here now! 

As for the classes - she is going to teach Crochet Like a Pro, a class full of tips and tricks for taking your crochet to the next level.  She is a very hands on teacher so don't worry that your skills might not be up to speed.  Come, enjoy her and take away what you can and then come back to Yarntopia at another time for a class with me to build on what you learned.  The second class will be a fun project class where we will make a cute cuff bracelet.  In addition to teaching the project skills, Robyn will also teach ways to take the basic cuff and jazz it up with beads.

Tomorrow I will be learning some basics of Celtic crochet before boarding the plane to come home.  I really don't want to leave and am already planning on being here through the end of the show next year.

Happy knitting and crochet to all - see you next week.

Sheryl

How cute is this?  A clear heavy vinyl bag with matching accessory bag, project bag, and a notebook.  The notebook is very cool.  It has cards to store samples of your stash yarn and paper to make project notes.  In addition to the black and pink combo there is a pink/white and green/white set available.  We sold those immediately and will have to reorder soon.

Notice the other bags in the background?  From left to right - the much coveted pink Jordana Paige Knitter's Satchel and 2 Namaste Newports.

Cotton Kisses is the name of this precious sweater kit from Plymouth Yarns.  Included with the ball of yarn is the pattern for either a pullover or a cardigan, and the buttons.  Great gift for a mom to be who knits or a baby gift if mom doesn't knit.

Pele is a beautiful lace shell designed by Elsbeth Lavold and knit in her new yarn, Bamboucle, a blend of cotton, bamboo, linen and nylon.  It has a very subtle boucle texture which gives it a springy quality.  The fiber blend makes it a perfect year round yarn for the Houston area.  Thanks to Brynne for another beautiful sweater!

The first Dinner & Movie night was a huge success and the next 2 have been scheduled.  We have decided to move it to Monday nights (works better for Bolli Bros. and keeps our Thursday night stitching group intact.)  The cost is $12.00 again and we will be watching Must Love Dogs starring Diane Lane and John Cusack.  Sign ups have begun - don't miss the fun!

Many of you have asked what we saw at market that was new and exciting. The truth is that what we noticed was subtle.

We noticed crochet being worn and crochet in yarn company booths; we noticed fine gauge yarns being used for a variety of projects; dresses, coats, Audrey Hepburn chic, and the kimono were the design ideas to watch. A report on the blog for Yarn Market News (our industry journal) placed crochet as the #1 thing to watch.

There are several new books coming out and they are taking crochet in exciting new directions. Robyn Chachula, a talented and prolific crochet designer, has 2 books coming out this fall. Blueprint Crochet is due out in September and features beautiful motif based crochet. Come by the shop to see a sneak preview.

Her other book is called Mission Falls Goes Crochet and includes patterns for Mission Falls new DK weight yarn. The cover sweater was on the fashion show runway at TNNA.

If you like what you see schedule a crochet class with Sheryl to brush up your crochet skills because Robyn will be visiting Yarntopia on October 25th as one of the stops on her book signing tour. Robyn will be signing books in the morning and then teaching a class in the afternoon!

Robyn has been published in Interweave Crochet, Crochet Today, Not Your Momma's Crochet, Crochet Me, and more. She has appeared on the TV show Knit and Crochet Today. Crochet is hot and the fashions being designed today are a far cry from the boxy acrylic sweaters of the 70's and 80's.

Put Saturday, October 25th on your calendar and plan on being at Yarntopia to get hooked on crochet.

Our first movie event is scheduled for Thursday, June 26th 6:30 p.m. at Bolli Bros. Pizza, and will feature "No Reservations"starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhardt. Mark Bollinger has designed a menu just for us.

Appetizer Trio

• Shrimp with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, and basil wrapped in pancetta
• Stuffed mushroom with shredded parmesan
• Bruschetta

Salad

Mixed greens with tomatoes ("untainted") and carmelized shallots with fresh herb vinagrette

Entree

• Pork chop stuffed with feta, spinach, and bacon
• Green bean amandine
• Roasted new potato flowers

Cost is $12.00 per person this includes the meal, ice tea or water and gratuity.  You are free to bring additional beverages of choice.

Reservations must be made and the $12 paid no later than Monday, June 23rd so Mark will have an accurate head count for his preparations.

In addition to the wonderful meal and entertainment, those reserving a space will dine at a special table and be eligible for a drawing for the project of the month.  Each month we will choose a project that goes along with the theme of the movie.  This month we will feature the Noni felted oven mitts.  The kit will include yarn, pattern and all necessary materials; additional kits available for sale as well.

For those who don't wish to dine with us, you are welcome to come for the movie and knitting experience. 

Yarntopia will be open before and after the movie for your shopping pleasure!