I need a bigger store!!

Today was very busy in the store.

My friendly UPS man brought in four boxes. Three huge ones from Berroco and another from Dream in Color.

This is the new sock yarn from Dream in Color called Smooshy. It is very soft, machine-washable wool. We received all the colours in the 200 and 300 series.

Berroco's boxes included

• Peruvia
• Keltic
• Foliage
• Ultra Alpaca
• Pure Merino
• Memoirs

Now we just need the new pattern books.

Here is a current picture of my shawl with 16" complete.

Mom and dad returned home from Myrtle Beach on Tuesday night to find the air conditioning in their house not working. Beth and I took them out for dinner last night because their house was too hot to cook in. The first words out of my mom's mouth were 'when are you going to update your blog?' Seriously, she thinks that I have lots of time on my hands!!

If you are coming on the Gone Stitchin' Weekend, I emailed out information to you today. If I don't have your email address, it will go in the mail over the weekend.

I'm off to knitting class. My Wednesday night class finished last night and the Thursday class will meet tonight and then one more class in July.

Bargain Shopper

Okay, not a bargain shopper but I did get a great deal today on stemware. When Bev and I were in Columbus I picked out some amazing Mikasa glasses. She said to wait until we got home because I could get them here for just as cheap. WRONG-or so I thought. Beth and I went to The Bay to price them. They were $29.99 in the US and $49.99 at The Bay. That is a big difference. I decided to go to the Mikasa store in Woodbridge today. SALE!!! Buy one box and get the second for half price. The price there was $39.99 a box with the second for $20. Who could pass up a deal like that?

I also picked up our counter stools when I was in Toronto. It's a good thing we are moving in at the end of the month. Beth's warehouse is getting quite full of house items.

I had better add some knitting content to this. I sat and knit yesterday afternoon waiting for the Nascar race to start. I accomplished about 2" on the Kimono Jacket (the Dawn Shawl is in the store).

When I went into the store this morning, there was a present on the fax machine for me. Berroco sent me an advanced copy of Kori so that I can start a store sample. You knit 60 squares that are sewn together. This will make a good project to take with me to Vegas. Easy to carry on the plane and I can just take a couple of balls.

People regularly comment while in the store that knitting needles aren't allowed on an airplane. I have always carried them with me. I don't usually knit on the plane but I have them just in case. If you go to the website for the Transportation Security Administration, they have a page devoted to knitting on the airplane. Click to read.

I'm off to have my nails done. I want to get home in time for Hell's Kitchen. I missed it last week and don't want to miss it again.

House and puzzles

Beth and I went to the house yesterday. The granite counter top is amazing and the colour is perfect with our cupboards. I tried to show a close up of the colour but it didn't work-it is black with spots of rust. They were able to do the island in one piece-no seams. It weighs over 850 pounds. They had to take out the mirrored backsplash to put this in-our walls aren't going to stay looking like that.

When we were at the Knitter's Frolic, a customer came up to me and told me that she was mad at me. I didn't know what I did to Pat but she was upset. She decided to take a look at Jigzone and now can't stop doing puzzles. Here is a puzzle for you to look at.

Shawl pins and fall Berroco

I talked about glass shawl pins that I bought at the show. Here are a few from a company called Artistic Visions Design. I already have three of these in the store and more coming. They are hand made so each one is very distinct. Christine, the artist, is also making Sticks. These are very reasonably priced and will work great for a jacket or shawl.

Berroco has their collection for fall up on their website. Take a look-it is amazing. I have placed my order and most of it will be in the store next week. Unfortunately the magazines won't be here until the end of the month.

This is the front of Kori-I had a picture of the back earlier in the week. I am hoping to get an advanced copy of this so I can start knitting it for the store. It is never to early to get samples done for the Knitter's Fair and Gone Stitchin' Weekend. The new shade card for Keltic is now available. The vest is knit in 5876 and 5856

Shawl

Here is a picture of my Dawn Shawl that I took last week before I went away.

I just started my third ball today-approximately 15" complete.

Beth and I are almost done our house shopping. We need to get some wine glasses (neither of us drink wine but you can't entertain without them) and a toaster. The last major purchase is a couch for the loft but we are waiting until we move in. Nothing has 'grabbed' us so far. Beth stopped by the house today but she couldn't get in. When she looked through the front door she could see that the granite counter top is in. We are going to make a trip over tomorrow to check it out. I really hope we picked the right colour because it can't be changed now!!!

Noro and Jane Ellison

My sales rep emailed me pictures from the book Jane Ellison will be doing in Noro for fall 2007. Here is a sample-more to come later. This is called Sea Breeze. It is knit out of Silk Garden in colour 264. The shade card is from the US supplier. I am not sure that all these colours will be available in Canada this fall. Colours 255 and greater are the new colours and these will be in the store by the end of June.

Home Safely

I just returned home from Columbus. The drive home was uneventful but I am very tired. It could be the late nights out. It is always fun to see the new yarns and accessories at the show but seeing friends from around the world is always the best part of the trip.

Debbie Bliss was more than impressed with her box of 24 O'Henry bars!!

Before the trip I had already ordered the yarns that come from Canadian suppliers. At the show I take a look at finished garments from these yarns and then look at the yarns we can't get here. From the US we order Berroco and Nashua and I will be doing that over the next couple of weeks. The only yarn ordered at the show was more sock yarn from Claudia Hand Painted Yarns and many, many skeins of Bearfoot from Mountain Colors. There are four new colours coming and hopefully the chocolate bars I bribed them with will get the order here in August.

I did order new bags from Offhand Designs. These are the bags I order and they should be available sometime in August.

The main purchases at the show were shawl pins. There were some amazing ones and I ordered them all. These should be here in time for the Knitter's Fair. I am the most excited about the shawl pins from Moving Mud. The website doesn't do their products justice-they are amazing!!!

When I arrived home there was a newsletter from Berroco showing their new yarns and patterns for fall. They are all amazing and I will show more later in newsletters but here is one that caught my eye. It is called Kori and is knit out of Keltic. The shade card does not show the new colours for fall-these will be a surprise.

Knitting Bags

I received two emails today about knitting bags.

The first was from Jordana Paige. She has a new knitting bag that will be available in July called Bella. The available colours are Pearl and Black Licorice.


There are new colours from Offhand Designs. These will be available in August-just in time for the Knitter's Fair. Here are the ones that are grabbing me. This might be the first booth I visit on Saturday morning!!


After work I had to run and have my nails done for the trip. On the way I stopped at Chapters to get some books-I spent today outside rereading a book and decided that I would like something new. I bought the new Penny Vincenzi book for which I was very excited. For some reason I went on Chapters.ca to look at her list of books to make sure that this was the newest book and it was online for $10 less than in the store. What's that all about? I guess I will be visiting Chapters tomorrow to return the book.

Just checking in

I have absolutely no knitting to report-the needles weren't picked up over the weekend. Maybe tomorrow I will get some more accomplished on the Dawn Shawl.

Beth and I did some more damage house shopping today. We met Bev up at Vaughn Mills and went through all the furniture stores. We bought our counter stools for the breakfast bar in the kitchen. Unfortunately no couches called our names but we still have a couple weeks left. We also purchased the last of the bedding that we needed. There is a huge pile in Beth's warehouse of purchases-luckily we have big vehicles for move in day.

I wasn't paying attention on Saturday morning and spilt a tea all over my computer keyboard. Of course it didn't work after this so I had to go out and get a new one-this one is wireless which will be nice in the new house.

The office in our new house doesn't have a phone jack. I know, it doesn't make sense but they didn't put one in. I decided to get a wireless router so the computer will work anywhere and hopefully the laptop will as well. I spent hours yesterday trying to set it up but of course the instructions were terrible. After another hour today talking with my internet provider it is working.

Thursday morning, Bev and I are leaving for Columbus, Ohio. The car will be loaded up with Canadian chocolate bars. Debbie Bliss is in love with Oh Henry bars. I introduced her to them when she taught in my store a couple of years ago and now it is required that I bring her some whenever I see her. The rest will be for the ladies from Mountain Colors. They mentioned that they loved chocolate when I placed my first order with them years ago. Now I bring them chocolate that we have in Canada and they don't have. It is a small bribe to get my yarn faster!!!

Spring Cleaning

I spent the day today rearranging. I'm not done yet-this could be a week long process. You will be in for a surprise on your next visit.

These bags are more yarn for the tent sale. This sale will have more yarn than any previous sale. Once Jane is back next week we will decide on the date in August.

Here is a new top that just came in the mail from Lynda. I really liked the yarn (Surfer from Sirdar) when it arrived but customers weren't taken with it. Now that the see it knit up they are really liking it. The yarn has stretch to it which is great for a summer top.

The Dawn shawl is progressing. I have about 9" done now.

I love this weather

As a yarn shop owner I am not supposed to want the beautiful weather that we are having. Customers have their minds on other activities right now-usually their garden. The store is slower now than in the fall but it doesn't bother me. I have spent the last few days sitting outside in the sun and reading. My tan is great!! I am also moving around the yarn in the store. This isn't the easiest task but it will look great when done.

We received a shipment from Brown Sheep this week for new colours in Naturespun Worsted. I am excited about these-they will be great for felted bags.

The shipment of bags from Offhand Designs finally arrived. I now have a problem-which colour do I want? Next Thursday I am leaving for Columbus, Ohio and one of these will be great for packing. Bev and I are going to the TNNA Trade Show to see the new yarns for fall. It is always exciting to see what is new. We also get time to visit with friends that we don't get to see very often including friends from England and New Zealand.

Here is a picture of my Dawn Shawl that was taken on Thursday. Since then I have finished the ball and am onto the next ball.

I have joined the Lace Shawl KAL. It is amazing some of the shawls that these knitters are making. Maybe for my next one. We have some lace weight yarn coming from Prism. They are sending me an assortment of colours-it will be exciting to open the box when it arrives.

Beth and I measured the windows in the townhouse today to order California Shutters. I hate to see what the bill for those is going to be. Holiday Mondays don't fit into my schedule. I need to be able to visit the bank, post office, grocery store, etc on my day off and they are all closed today. I also have house shopping to do!!!

Tonight is the last show for Dancing with the Stars. I know, you can't believe I watch that but this season has been great. I think the final voting will be close.

New Noni Patterns

There are new patterns from Noni-here is a sample. These are ordered and will hopefully be here soon. Rhonda, get your needles ready. I think I will need a Hydrangea bag in mauve.

I have been talking about my house for some time and then Jane came in with some news yesterday. If you haven't met Jane, she is referred to as Mom #3 (behind my mom and Bev). Jane works in the store on Mondays and on any other day that I can't work. Jane and her husband have bought a townhouse in Brantford and are moving at the end of August-still close enough that she can keep working in the store. She kept it quite a secret until it was a done deal!!

Mom is nagging me again

Mom is in Myrtle Beach again and the blog keeps her up to date.

Sorry, it has been a crazy week. Beth and I have been running around shopping for the townhouse. We picked out our living room furniture on Saturday-it was on sale too which makes it even better. My bedroom and bathroom is done. Her bedroom is almost done and we need to find towels for her bathroom-of course it is the weirdest colour of green. On Monday we made a trip to the Keeping Room in Dundas to buy some things for the kitchen. Thank you Phyllis, Julia and Emery for all your help.

Do you know how hard it is to get a new phone number with Bell Canada? 45 minutes later I finally have our new number.

There hasn't been much knitting to report. I have picked up the Naturally Dawn shawl while in the store but it has been very busy-I'm not complaining.

After the Knitter's Frolic there was talk about a new yarn company, Dream in Color. I have contacted them and ordered some yarn. It is superwash wool and supposed to be great to work with. Right now they have a worsted weight and sock weight yarn. This is a couple of their colours.

Small Taste of Fall

My sales rep and I spent hours going through the new yarns for fall and didn't get it all done.

Here are the new shades of Noro Silk Garden for fall. Not the best pictures but it gives you a taste of what is to come. The colour in the top left is off white with a touch of beige. There will be 22 colours in all with the next shipment (including the new colours) arriving in Canada at the beginning of June.

Here is a picture of my shrug. The yarn is Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton. I am using the colour Circus Peanut. You can see the picture from the Nashua magazine-I am using this stitch pattern with the shape similar to the Berroco shrug that I knit. I knit 7" today on it so there could be hope of it getting done in time.

It's Official

Beth and I now own a house. The offer was accepted yesterday morning. I think my parents are more excited than we are. The closing date is June 29 (Beth and I return home from Las Vegas late on the 27th). This is the back yard (my dad is already planning the deck) , front of the house and a picture of my bedroom.

I got my first house warming gift yesterday from Phyllis (the owner of The Keeping Room in Dundas). In class last week we talked about drinks and I said that I like Green Apple Martinis. She brought in two Martini glasses, mixer and a leather serving tray. THANKS!!!

There isn't much knitting to discuss. I have started a shrug that I hope to have done in time for the trade show in Columbus at the beginning of June. I think I am dreaming but you never know. There wasn't enough knitting to take a picture-maybe tonight. I am combining some patterns to come up with it.

My sales rep is coming in today so that I can order the Rowan for fall. More about that tomorrow as well.

Have a good day-enjoy the sun. If the weather would stay like this until November it would be nice.

Kaffe Fassett

Here are a couple of updates from the yarn open houses this weekend. You will find more updates in our next few newsletters-I can't put them all here because it cuts down on available newsletter content.

Kaffe has designed a line of sock yarn for Regia that will be available this fall. The price is higher than the regular Regia but the colours are very different. He also has a new magazine coming out called Kaffe Knits Again.

The new Rowan magazine (#42) is great. There is a fair isle vest knit out of Felted Tweed that is so Rowan. The styling is what we saw in Rowan back in the 80's and 90's. Kaffe has two designs in the magazine. There are about ten garments focusing on Kid Silk Haze and Kid Silk Night.

The builder did not accept our offer on the townhouse. We now have a new offer in with him-maybe we will know tomorrow.

It is very early but I am off to bed-tv is bad tonight and Beth has to get up at 5am to fly to Calgary. Of course, this means I will be up at 5am too. I guess I can get some paperwork done!!

Thank you Mary

Here are some pictures of our townhouse. We didn't pick the wall colour but are going to keep it for the time being. Because the walls are so tall it needs something with a punch.

Beth and I did our offer yesterday morning with the real estate agent. We have to wait for tomorrow to get the builder's answer. There was a lot of signing my name-sometimes I wish my last name was Smith.

I then ran to Toronto to Diamond yarns to see the new yarns for fall. Rowan is fabulous. I will have more information in my next newsletter about the two new yarns as well as some information on the new books. Debbie Bliss, Elsebeth Lavold and Noro are all bringing out new yarns and great colours to the existing yarns.

Last night a few yarn shop owners got together for dinner at Mary's house. Mary owns Mary's Yarns in Unionville. Ann (Wool-Tyme Kingston), Louise (LK Yarns Halifax), Mary's children Lynn, Emma and Ben, her husband Mark, her employees Kersti and Christine and myself had a fun evening. We discussed the good and the bad of owning a yarn shop-mostly the good. We shared strategies and horror stories. Thank you Mary and Mark for preparing the dinner. Your house is beautiful and the gardens are spectacular!!

Dinner lasted a long time so I stayed in Scarborough last night so that I could go to Estelle Designs this morning. There are some great new sock yarns coming for fall.

I am going to relax this afternoon and watch the Nascar race-thank you for being rained out last night.

Quick post

Just a quick post. Beth and I are off to make an offer on the townhouse. Our mortgage was approved yesterday so things are moving along.

I am off to Toronto this afternoon to see the new Rowan, Noro, Debbie Bliss, etc. Tonight I am having dinner with a group of yarn store owners from across Canada. I think that I will stay in Toronto tonight so that I can see another supplier tomorrow.

Here is my progress on the Dawn Shawl-not much.

Have a good weekend.

Finished the book

The store was in an absolute mess after the Frolic so this morning was spent putting it back together. Of course this means moving things around again. I bagged up some more yarn for the Tent Sale (will be held in August this year) and then washed the floors in the store. After doing this I didn't really feel like knitting so I finished reading The Friday Night Knitting Club. The ending was very unexpected. The book was okay but I would suggest waiting for it to come out in paperback.

This weekend my suppliers are having open houses for us to see the new yarns for fall. I will have lots to tell you early next week.