Stringtown Yarn & Fiber

I totally forgot to put the July class schedule up here on the website and now July is almost over.

Dang!

Oh well, the usual Tuesday and Thursday classes are going on and you can call anytime to schedule a 1 on 1 help session or beginner knitting or crochet lesson for $10. New August classes will be up next week sometime.

New stuff in the store recently: Denise Interchangable Needle Sets, Hardwood Shawl Pins from Knitcellaneous, and the new issue of Knitscene, which has some pretty nice patterns in it. The latest color pack from Tofutsies is expected just any day now as well.

Meanwhile, check out my pictures from Weaving Camp (which is where I was the week of July 14-18th and why the store was closed then) Here is my work area:

That’s my twill sampler there on the chair and the warp for my overshot sampler waiting for me to start threading it there on the loom. I had a really good time with the ladies from the Northwest Arkansas Handweavers Guild. If you’re interested in weaving or in learning to weave you should look them up. They’re pretty awesome.

Stringtown will be closing early around 5PM this Friday, July 25th so that I can run off with Kristen to Fiber Christmas In July in Kellyville, OK. I know I’m doing a lot of running off here lately, but I promise after August 1st & 2nd I won’t be running off for anything till late September.

<3 Elizabeth

OK, first I need to warn you that Stringtown will be closing early (4:30PM) this Friday, May 30th.  The store will also be opening late (2:30PM-ish) on Saturday, May 31st. If you want to take the Booga Bag class on that day, be sure to let me know. Right now we don’t have anyone pre-registered so it is in danger of being canceled.

Now - June 7th place your pre-order for the new PINK Jordana Paige Knitter’s Satchels!

June is Anniversary month at Stringtown. The store opened on June 4th last year. Can you believe it has been a whole year?? I totally can’t.  Thursday, June 5th 6PM-8PM I’m turning the weekly Stitch N Bitch/craft night into an anniversary party with cupcakes for everyone. Be there or be square.

June 14th is Worldwide Knit In Public Day so let’s all go knit in public! I’ll be at Sweet Bay Coffee next to Creekmore Park from 9AM till I have to come open the store at Noon. (Patio if the weather is nice) Bring your knitting, crochet, or spinning and join me There will be cookies at the shop that day too.

June Classes

Beginner Socks With Lou
Saturdays, June 7th & 14th 3PM-5PM
You’ll be making slipper socks with worsted weight yarn and size 7 needles (either double points or two circulars - you choose) while you learn the basics of sock construction.
Skills Needed: You must be able to cast on, knit, and purl. Experience knitting in the round is helpful, but not required
Cost is $15 and includes the pattern and instructions. You must buy the yarn here, but you can bring your own needles if you already have them. Class limit is 6 students. Please call, email, or come in to register in advance. Please note that this is a two-Saturday class and no refunds will be given if you have to miss the second session.

Dye Your Own Yarn
Sunday, June 22nd Noon-4PM
Learn to dye your own hand painted yarns with Jacquard Acid Dyes! Bring yarn or roving from home if you want to (up to 1 pound) and we’ll have white worsted and sock weight yarns available to purchase. The class fee is $30. Please register in advance, and feel free to bring your lunch or a snack to share.

Casting On: Beyond the Basics
Saturday, June 28th 3PM-6PM
Ever wonder whether there’s another way to cast on — one that might look a bit neater, or provide an extra bit of stretch? Have you been flummoxed when a pattern calls for casting on in the middle of a row, or dithered over which type of provisional cast on to use? Do you want to know the difference between a knitted cast on and a cable cast on, when to use a tubular cast on, or what the magic cast on might be? Then this is the class for you!
Join Lou for a 3-hour session that will take you beyond the basics of getting your stitches on those needles. Bring your own smooth, light-colored yarn and needles of the appropriate size, and get ready to cast on. Cost is $15

Beginning Knitting or Crochet by appointment during regular shop hours. The cost is $10 per session plus materials for your first project. Materials must be purchased at Stringtown. Call or come by to register. For singles or groups of up to 4 people.

Beginning Drop Spindle Spinning by appointment. The cost is $10 per session plus materials. Materials must be purchased at Stringtown. Call or come by to register. For singles or groups of up to 4 people.

Knitting 911 with Beverly every Tuesday 3PM-5PM. The cost is $5 paid directly to Beverly at the time of the class. If you are stuck on a pattern or things just aren’t turning out right with your project, bring it in for her to take a look at. Beverly can also help you learn a new stitch pattern or give you some tips on keeping track of your pattern. Don’t worry about whether or not the project you need help with was purchased at Stringtown. We don’t mind a bit if you bring in something you got somewhere else. We’re just glad you’re here.
Beginning Knitting can also be learned during this time.

Stitch N Bitch/Craft Night is Thursday 6-8PM. This is a free get-together. Bring snacks or drinks if you like. We’ve got free coffee, tea, and water. Hang out and work on your project. Swap tips, and get caught up on what your friends are up to.

Need some time away from the house? You’re always welcome to come hang out and work on your knitting, crochet, or spinning projects here during regular store hours.

 Mother’s Day is May 11th, so if you want to make something for your Mom, you’re running out of time!

Saturday, April 26th - Saturday, May 3rd

ALL YARN & BOOKS 15% OFF

ALL BAGS & TOTES 10% OFF

Would your Mom enjoy a Gift Certificate? All Gift Certificates purchased during the week of the sale will include a coupon for 10% off to be used with the Gift Certificate.

Happy Mother’s Day!

 Here in Arkansas, April Showers bring hail and tornados! We had golf ball size hail and lots of scary weather last night.

I went down to check on the store last night after the hail, and YAY! The skylight didn’t have any holes in it. There is the usual basement puddle and a little bit of skylight drip like we always get when there are high winds, but the yarn is safe and nothing on the table was damaged. 

I hope everyone else came through the storms OK.

Customer Appreciation Discount Coupons
The new Customer Appreciation Discount program has been a big hit so far. If you’ve spent at least $100 at Stringtown during Jan, Feb, and March then you qualify for a coupon worth from 10% to 50% off to be used before July 1st. This time around I’m going to issue paper coupons so be sure to ask for yours if you think you’ve qualified for one and I don’t give it to you next time I see you.
 
New Stuff!
There are several new yarns in the store this month.
Rowan Summer Tweed - This cotton/silk blend yarn works up at 16 sts to 4in on US8 needles. Great for summer tops and accessories. Coordinates with Rowan Damask
Rowan Damask - A slightly thick and thin blend of Viscose, Linen, & Acrylic with a silky sheen.
Berroco Sox - New Superwash Wool and Nylon self-patterning sock yarn. One skein makes a pair of socks for only $12. They have a couple of free patterns for it here.
Tofutsies Stitches Collectors Edition Packages - These are available now in a very limited quantity. You get 4 exclusive colors of Tofutsies previously only sold to XRX Stitches Market attendees, a cute little project tote bag, and a cd with 10 sock patterns all for just $64 (the price of 4 regular skeins)
In other news, Stringtown is an official “Sox Hot Spot” in the XRX Think Outside The Sox Contest. Go to http://www.thinkoutsidethesox.com/ for all the details on how your sock design skills could win you up to $6,000!

New Spring yarns have started to arrive!
 
Jojoland 2-ply Cashmere, Harmony Laceweight, and Melody Superwash are here along with some of the patterns featured on their website.

There is also a batch of new Tofutsies colors. Just in case you haven’t heard about it already, Tofutsies is the official sock yarn of Sock Wars III. Just click that link to find out more about Sock Wars and sign up if you want to. 

 
Oh, and I now have some super cute new needle felting kits with everything you need to make two different cats or a monkey. If you haven’t tried needle felting yet, you should check it out.
 
Something else you should check out is Ravelry. If you haven’t signed up yet, you just don’t know all the fun you’re missing. It’s the best free pattern and yarn information resource around. Look me up and friend me when you get there
 
Arriving next month: Rowan Summer Tweed and Damask yarns!
 
March Classes

Needle Felted Flowers
Saturday, March 8th, 3PM-5PM
 You’ll be learning to make needle felted flowers that can be used as a pin or embellishment on a felted bag etc. Cost is $15 which includes all materials and instruction. Class limit is 6 students.  Please call, email, or come in to register in advance.  (The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is also scheduled for the 8th, so maybe get here a little early)
 
Beginning Lace Knitting
Saturday, March 15th 3PM-5PM
You’ll be learning about lace construction and how to read and follow a lace chart while making a feather & fan scarf using any DK to worsted weight yarn you choose and size 8 or 9 needles.
Skills Needed: You must be able to cast on, knit, and purl.
Cost is $10 and includes the pattern and instructions. You must buy the yarn here, but you can bring your own needles if you already have them. Class limit is 6 students.  Please call, email, or come in to register in advance.
 
Beginning Knitting or Crochet by appointment during regular shop hours.  The cost is $10 per session plus materials for your first project. Materials must be purchased at Stringtown. Call or come by to register. For singles or groups of up to 4 people.

Beginning Drop Spindle Spinning by appointment. The cost is $10 per session plus materials. Materials must be purchased at Stringtown. Call or come by to register. For singles or groups of up to 4 people.
 
Knitting 911 with Beverly every Tuesday 3PM-5PM. The cost is $5 paid directly to Beverly at the time of the class. If you are stuck on a pattern or things just aren’t turning out right with your project, bring it in for her to take a look at. Beverly can also help you learn a new stitch pattern or give you some tips on keeping track of your pattern. Don’t worry about whether or not the project you need help with was purchased at Stringtown. We don’t mind a bit if you bring in something you got somewhere else. We’re just glad you’re here.
Beginning Knitting can also be learned during this time.
 
Stitch N Bitch/Craft Night is Thursday 6-8PM. This is a free get-together. Bring snacks or drinks if you like. We’ve got free coffee, tea, and water.  Hang out and work on your project. Swap tips, and get caught up on what your friends are up to. 
 
Need some time away from the house? You’re always welcome to come hang out and work on your knitting, crochet, or spinning projects here during regular store hours.

Toe-Up Socks
Saturdays, February 2nd and 9th, 3PM-5PM
You’ll be learning to make socks with any weight yarn that you can try on as you go. You’ll need DPN’s or 2 Circulars in a size to match whatever yarn you choose.

Skills Needed: You must already be able to cast on, knit, and purl and work in the round on double pointed or two circular needles. It helps if you also have experience knitting socks, but if you don’t then don’t let that stop you from signing up.

Cost is $15 which includes the pattern and instruction. You must buy the yarn here (previously purchased here yarn is OK), but you can bring your own needles if you already have them. Class limit is 6 students.
This is a 2-session class, and no refunds will be given if you sign up but can’t make it to both sessions. Please call, email, or come in to register in advance. We’ll do this again in March if there is a demand for it

Beginner Hat / Knitting In The Round
Saturdays, February 16th and 23rd 3PM-5PM
You’ll be learning about hat construction, how to check your gauge, and making a simple hat using any yarn you choose with 16-inch circular and double pointed needles.

Skills Needed: You must be able to cast on, knit, and purl.

Cost is $15 and includes the pattern and instruction. You must buy the yarn here, but you can bring your own needles if you already have them. Class limit is 6 students.
This is a 2-session class, and no refunds will be given if you sign up but can’t make it to both sessions. Please call, email, or come in to register in advance.

Beginning Knitting or Crochet by appointment during regular shop hours.  The cost is $10 per session plus materials for your first project. Materials must be purchased at Stringtown. Call or come by to register. For singles or groups of up to 4 people.

Beginning Drop Spindle Spinning by appointment. The cost is $10 per session plus materials. Materials must be purchased at Stringtown. Call or come by to register. For singles or groups of up to 4 people.

Knitting 911 with Beverly every Tuesday 3PM-5PM. The cost is $5 paid directly to Beverly at the time of the class. If you are stuck on a pattern or things just aren’t turning out right with your project, bring it in for her to take a look at. Beverly can also help you learn a new stitch pattern or give you some tips on keeping track of your pattern. Don’t worry about whether or not the project you need help with was purchased at Stringtown. We don’t mind a bit if you bring in something you got somewhere else. We’re just glad you’re here.    Beginning Knitting can also be learned during this time.

Stitch N Bitch/Craft Night is Thursday 6-8PM. This is a free get-together. Bring snacks or drinks if you like. We’ve got free coffee, tea, and water.  Hang out and work on your project. Swap tips, and get caught up on what your friends are up to.

Need some time away from the house? You’re always welcome to come hang out and work on your knitting, crochet, or spinning projects here during regular store hours.

The store is closed today because I’m a big chicken when it comes to driving on ice.  I’ve been seeing video of accidents on the bridge there by the store and a couple of cars creeping super slow across our back parking lot on Channel 5. They keep putting these bulletins across the screen saying roads are hazardous and not to go out if you don’t need to. I don’t think I’m gonna take the chance, and I don’t think you should either.

Supposedly the roads will clear later on tonight and in the morning when the sun comes up so I’m gonna say the Dye class is still on for tomorrow morning. If you’ve signed up for it and you aren’t going to make it, please let me know and we can reschedule for you for a different time. Of course the Hat class is also still on for tomorrow since it’s supposed to be in the 50’s by the afternoon. (??!! crazy weather)

Meanwhile, here are some Finished Items for you to enjoy:

I confess that I suck and I can’t remember who made it, but isn’t this a cute little baby cardi? It was made with Opal sock yarn. If you’re the one who made it, let me know so I can give you credit

Kristen made this hat using Nashua Julia. She adapted a pattern from the book “Kristin Knits” by Kristin Nicholas. It turned out all pretty and her color substitutions really make it unique. The ease of color substitution with this yarn and the patterns in the book is one of the things I love about it.

Finally, these are Sarah V’s Tempted Socks. She used the “Shock Rocker” colorway, and they turned out just great!

Speaking of socks, we’ll be doing another toe-up sock class in February. It’ll be held Feb 2nd and Feb. 9th from 3PM-5PM, and I’ll be teaching a tip of the toe cast-on, so you can use any yarn and any gauge you like. Class limit is 6 students and the cost is $15 for the class.  The rest of the Feb. class schedule will be out soon.

Everybody take it easy today and be careful if you have to go anywhere.

Do you know about these?

Basicly you’re a hitman and your weapon is either a sock (for Sock Wars) or a cabled hat (for Hat Attack) When play begins you get a pattern and the name and address of your target. You knit the item as fast as you can and mail it off to your target before you receive one yourself.  A player is “dead” when he or she receives the item and must then send you their own target’s info and their incomplete item for you to finish and mail to the next target. Play continues until there is one winner left in each contest.

Get all the info at the following places:

Sock Wars: Yahoo Group and Ravelry Group (these are the sites for the last round. The info for the latest round (Sock Wars III) will be posted to these groups soon.

Hat Attack: Yahoo Group and Ravelry Group

Sign-ups are through the Yahoo Groups.

The official yarn of Sock Wars III is Tofutsies, and the yarn used in the Hat Attack pattern is Lamb’s Pride Worsted.

Since I have both of these yarns in stock at Stringtown, and I’ve signed up for both of these, (yes, I’m nuts.) I thought I’d do a special.

Mention Hat Attack when you buy a skein of Lamb’s Pride Worsted or mention Sock Wars when you buy a skein of Tofutsies, and I’ll give you 25% off.

Hurry though, sign-ups for Hat Attack end Feb. 9th, and sign-ups for Sock Wars III are rumored to be starting on “Bloody Valentine’s Day”.  Have fun!

I just want to remind everyone that if Fort Smith Public Schools are closed for bad weather/icy roads, then Stringtown will also be closed. The weatherman is talking like we might have some ice tomorrow morning.

Also, most of the new stuff I ordered has come in. We have the new Plymouth Kaos Confusion, Kraemer Tatamy Tweed, Kraemer Silk & Silver, Berroco Comfort, and then restocks of all your favorites including some new colors of Tempted Sock Yarn (as seen recently on wendyknits.net) Ultra Alpaca and Malabrigo. As of right now nearly all colors of the Universal Tapestry yarn are in stock, and I’m expecting a shipment of Lamb’s Pride Bulky later this week. 

So, if it doesn’t ice us in tomorrow, come down to see the  new stuff

OK, after that bummer post about being closed today due to the ill-timed painters I figured I’d give you guys some good news. The first batch of new yarns are going to start rolling into the shop late next week. 

Here is a little preview of what I have ordered:

From Kraemer Yarns (Spun in the USA! Yay!)

•  Tatamy Tweed Worsted - a cotton/acrylic blend tweed yarn that’s machine washable and dryable. Great for kids’ items or spring sweaters.
• Sterling Silk & Silver - 63% Superwash Merino, 20% Silk, 15% Nylon & 2% REAL Silver fibers. You will want this yarn for socks, but also for shawls and lace projects. The silver fiber provides a touch of elegance for evening. Only available in white at first, but I plan to kettle dye some too so we’ll have colors eventually. 

Plymouth Yarn

• Kaos/Confusion - Novelty Yarn that changes texture and color as you go along. Think scarves, scrumble projects, shawls, etc. Check out the colors:
  

Berroco

• Comfort - Yep, this is an acrylic/nylon blend yarn. I know that’s going to turn some of you off, but trust me. This is nice and soft and not at all squeaky or scratchy. It has a cotton-like feel to it, but it still has bounce and it won’t sweat you to death. Machine wash and dry and allergy-free so no worries.

I’ve also re-ordered lots of your favorites like Malabrigo, Plymouth Boku, Dreambaby DK, and Universal Classic Worsted Tapestry and LP. By the way, the Universal people called yesterday to say that all the colors of Tapestry that have been on back order are finally shipping today! YAY!