8 January 2011

Happy New Year!

We have been busy making sure that Santa brought all of the right things for a great knitter's Christmas – especially gift certificates.

We are getting in new items all of the time. I have more Skacel Lace Clicks coming. Now I can't get the standard Clicks. Go figure! I got in Hiya-Hiya interchangeable needles. So if you are interested, come by and see how they do their needles.

We are considering carrying interchangeable bamboo, ebony and rosewood needles. Tell us what you think about this. Would you purchase wooden interchangeable needles?

I thought you might want to know about the Vogue knitting patterns in the back of each issue. To quote:

"Some patterns in this issue require large charts of lengthy instructions. Space considerations have made it necessary for us to move parts of the instructions to our website. Please read the NOTES before beginning a project to check if any part of the instructions is on our website.

To find these items, visit our website and click on 'CHARTS.'"

To be fair they will send you the charts if you send them a SASE. I just thought you might want to know. You might want to check your issues to make sure you have the information you need for the issues you have.

We've posted a pattern on Ravelry that seems to be a quick like. It was designed by Lyn's mom and we thank her for the pattern. It's a quick knit and only takes one skein of Berroco Boralis. You can use any yarn you wish but that is what we used for the model. If you go to my Ravelry page it will link you through to the websites page and you can down load the .pdf.

We are inventorying the shop so the drudgery work is at hand but we are still open and willing to help you and serve you needs. Stop by and break us away from the counting, please.

15 January 2011

Hi folks,

Here's a new pattern that was designed by the HCY Design Team. You can find the link on the HCYs Ravelry page. It's knit with one skein of Berroco's Borealis and it's just garter stitch to boot.

If you don't know about Ravelry, it's time to find out about it. There is no fee and the knitting world will open up to you. Need I say more.

17 December 2010

New yarns have started coming in! I just got Cascade Yarns 220 in Sport Weight, and it is washable too. That means all of your baby patterns pre-1970 will no longer be a problem. You don't have to resort to acrylic yarns.

To help those of you who do not have older baby patterns I ordered Penny Straker patterns that support this weight of yarn. These are classic patterns and will be be just as fashionable today as they were in the '60s and will be for scores of years to come. These sweaters will become family heirlooms.

New class schedules were mailed on Monday. I just got mine today and it was the post office that they were mailed from! You should be receiving the schedules today or tomorrow. If you are impatient, the schedule is on the website.

9 December 2010

I have been remiss. I am sorry for not having posted for awhile.

I have been busy trying to bring in new products for your winter knitting. And, we have gotten in some great yarns. I've just ordered some Cascade Eco + and there are free patterns for this yarn. I have been notified that it has shipped so I hope it will be in next week.

Jered Flood has knitted a beautiful throw using the Eco yarn. You can see and download the pattern from Ravelry.

There will be more yarns coming soon and I will let you know as they arrive.

The class schedule is at the printers as I write this. If you don't get one in the mail by the end of next week, please let me know. I've added a class about cast-ons. It might surprise you how many types there are and how they might just be a bit better than the one you're presently using.

I'm including some of the pictures of the tams knitting at the PJ Party weekend. Courtney was nice enough to model her tam for me.


And now for a smile....

I've found that there is a very permanent way of attaching buttons to your sweater. I use dental floss (not waxed). I know you're saying, "What about the white?" Well, a permanent marker takes care of that. The color only has to be close - not an exact match. The best way is to back the button with another button. Fabric shops sell emergency buttons. They're clear and just the ticket for the backside of the button band. This stops the button from being torn out and helps it lay flat on the surface of the button band.

Happy Holidays!

29 October 2010

Don't forget tomorrow's Porch Party. It looks like the weather will be great - cool and sunny, so it will be the perfect time to wear that just finished sweater! We'll have hot tea available and lots of goodies. The party will be all day so come when you wish.

The PJ Party was another success if I do say so. Lisa Myers of Manos del Uruguay was our guest speaker. She had many sweaters to show and all of the lines of Manos. Lisa also spoke about the Manos project and how it was one of the first "Fair Trade" yarn suppliers. Manos employs women in the very rural areas of Uruguay who would otherwise not have any employment at all.

Hunt Country Yarns has carried Manos del Uruguay yarn from the day we opened our doors in 1997. We will continue to supply the finest that Manos has to offer to our customers.

Check out our website for the exciting news about the shop's upcoming trip to Bermuda! This will be a sit back and relax trip to remove the doldrums of winter. This trip is open to stitchers and their partners. There will be plenty to do aboard ship and much to do in Bermuda. Not to worry if you don't pursue the needlearts.

And lastly, a tip:

If you drop a stitch in a fine dark yarn or fuzzy yarn, hold the knitting over a bright source of light (try a lamp on the floor - take care with the hot bulb). It will be much easier to see where the stitches are and probably very easy to see the dropped stitch. Catch the stitch with a safety pin (we have the coilless ones again). Now you can decide to pick-up the dropped stitch or (heaven forbid) ravel back to the error.

14 October 2010

Well, I think I am ready for the PJ Party - at least I hope I am. I have the chocolate, so I guess I'm ready. If I forget the chocolate I don't think I should show my face.

I have been remiss in not publishing this picture. It is a fanciful tea cozy from Bath, England. It was brought to the shop as an addition to my sheep collection by Susan Anthony who said that she just couldn't resist it when she saw it. It is officially a "Farmyard Crazy Tea Cozy" specifically "Sidney the Sheep".

I think it is just great! It gives me great pleasure every time I look at it.

Thank you Susan!

13 October 2010

For all of you PJ Party goers, here is a listing of restaurants in Shepherdstown WV. You should call for a Friday night reservation if you will be dining in town.

SHEPHERDSTOWN RESTAURANTS 2010
(Be sure to call first; this is homecoming
weekend at Shepherd U.)

Rumsey Tavern— the Clarion’s own casual pub.

Sebastian’s— the Clarion’s more formal dining room.

The Yellow Brick Bank– Creative American with
house-made breads and desserts, historic bank
building, 201 E. German St., 304-876-2208

Bavarian Inn— Elegant surroundings and fine European
cuisine in main dining rooms, plus casual dining in
the Rathskeller pub, 164 Shepherd Grade Rd., 304-876-2551

The Press Room— Chic new fine-dining Italian, 129 W.
German St., 304-876-8777

Stone Soup Bistro— Casual spot featuring local fresh
and organic produce, eclectic menu, 112 W. German
St., 304-876-8477

Three Onions— Popular global cuisine and martini
lounge, 117 E. German St., 304-879-3502

Blue Moon Café— Natural foods café and pub, soups,
salads, vegetarian. corner of Prince and High St.,
304-876-1920

Kazu— Hearty homestyle Japanese and Thai cuisine, 120
W. German St., 304-876-8798

Betty’s Restaurant— Local old-fashioned small town
favorite, sandwiches, closes early, 112 E. German
St., 304-876-6080

Shaharazade’s Tea Room— Casual Middle
Eastern/Mediterranean and light vegetarian menu, 141
W. German St., 304-876-1000

A-Wok Chinese—Traditional Chinese dishes, Rt. 45,
Maddex Square Shops, 304-876-1088

China Kitchen—Classic Chinese cooking, corner of
German and King Street, 304-876-6620