and yet

You guys. Seriously, you guys.

So, March – everyone’s least favorite month – is coming to an end! I know, right? I never thought it would be here either; and yet. Our calendars, like our hips, don’t lie. The snow is melting, the ice is slowly being chipped away from the sidewalks and bipedal locomotion is totally a thing again! Work them gams, girl! I’ve heard that in parts of the country – ok, L.A. – the strawberry season is beginning! Sure, we’re approximately a million miles away from Southern California, but if this great nation is into anything, it’s unity, and so I say, SPRING IS HERE, BABY!

In honor of Spring, and the gas money you will save by walking, might I humbly suggest a few of our stellar April classes?

We have a couple of great classes for those of you who like to knit for tiny humans. Jen will be teaching the baby moc-a-sock class – sweet, moccasin-esque baby booties! She will also be teaching a class on Little Sister’s Dress, an darling little dress or tunic in several sizes, and a free pattern on Ravelry.

baby moc-a-soc: photo courtesy of nobleknits.com

Baby Moc-a-Soc : April 3 + 10, 6-8 pm. $20 plus materials.

Little Sister’s Dress : April 9,16 + 23, 6-8 pm. $30 plus materials.

It might be a little late in the year to cast on for a sweater, but it is prime time to make yourself a lovely shawl or lacy scarf to keep your neck warm on chilly Spring evenings. Jean’s Easy Lace Scarf class teaches you the basics of lace knitting with a pretty and straightforward lace pattern, which can even be made in worsted weight yarn! No toothpick needles for you! If a shawl is more your speed, Jen will be teaching a class on the ever popular Color Affection Shawl. Again, tiny needles will not be making an appearance – this shawl can be made with fingering weight yarn on size 6 needles, or lace weight yarn on size 3 needles.

Our in-house color affection shawl. Lovely!!

Easy Lace Scarf : April 25, 6pm. $15 plus materials.

Color Affection Shawl : April 15, 22 + 29, 6-8pm. $35 plus materials.

We also have a slew of crochet classes this coming month. The reversible scarf pattern is a fun and quick way to introduce a little colorwork into your crocheting.  Jo’Elle will also be teaching a crochet finishing class for those of you who have had a partially finished crochet project weighing you down that you just can’t finish.

the reversible scarf!

Reversible Scarf : April 29, 2 – 4:30 pm. $15 plus materials.

Crochet Finishing Class : April 299, 5:30 – 8 pm. $15 plus materials.

Didn’t see anything you like? A full list of classes can be found at our website: yarnharborduluth.com. just click on classes!

Did you really think that was all? Oh, no. Of course not. Surprises are just falling out of our sleeves like a bad magician, and here’s another one for you – the Knit Swirl Trunk Show is coming!

This may actually be the worst-kept secret in the world because everyone and their brother is talking about it. The show will feature five garments, including at least one example of each of the four silhouettes featured in the book, and at least one example of each of the three sizes. It also includes designer notes on each garment, and tips for fitting the garments. Can you even handle it? Come check it out, beginning April 5!

and the beat goes on

I know I blogged about the employee trunk show last week. I know, I know, broken record and all, but I can’t help myself! It’s so inspiring and it seems like every day someone brings in something new! And the beat goes on!

Noro blankets are in the air.

Jen’s blanket is an absolutely gorgeous, color-saturated specimen of knitting. Don’t you just want to curl up on the couch with it?

Jennifer also brought in her Noro blanket, done in the luscious Silk Garden.

Blankets are a great way to use Noro, especially if you’re a little color-shy in your clothes and accessories, like I am. So scrummy and warm.

Molly brought in this self-designed cowl, made in Malabrigo. She really has an eye for design.

Kathy continues her tradition of excellence with colorwork:

So come visit us and check it out!

Don’t forget, next weekend, March 23, is the spinning demo by Sharon Knutson! It will be a blast!

maybe, just maybe

It’s a funny time of year. It might be freezing, it might be snowing, but warm weather is just around the corner and everyone knows it. The younger generations are pretending not to need coats, and  the checkers at the grocery store are having the same conversation, over and over, with everyone who comes through their line: “I’m just getting so sick of the cold!” Spring is coming into focus.

Sometimes, I think about what my life was like before I lived, ate, and breathed knitting. Especially at this time of year, winter seemed like a cruel mistress who would never die. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe hardly seemed fantastical, talking animals aside, and I clipped pictures of green grass and tropical beaches from magazines and hung them in my bathroom mirror.

I have knitting now, and it makes all the difference. Mid-March might be knitting’s halcyon days; you’ve pawed down your spot on the couch, cat-like, and settled in, you’ve worked through that tendonitis in your left hand, and you’ve generally hit your stride and are cranking out hats like no one’s business. “Is it still Winter?”, you think to yourself as your neighbor complains about the salt damage to his truck. Maybe, just maybe, some of you aren’t even ready for the inevitable warm up. Maybe you’d rather make a few more sweaters.

I will admit the possibility that some of you need a little something more to get you through to April – a Marchpertif, if you will. Next Saturday, March 23, Sharon Knutson will be doing a spinning demo all day and if that doesn’t get you out of bed and into the shop I don’t know what will!

Her yarns are gorgeous- nubby, textural and vibrantly dyed, just the thing to warm your soul. So bring yourself, and bring a friend! We look forward to seeing you!

#excitement

 

Well hello there!!

 

“Excitement” is the word on everybody’s lips this week. Not only do we have a super-cute, Easter-themed new “Just Felt It” project, we also have the long-awaited employee trunk show! What, you guys didn’t have this marked on your calendars? For shame!! We guess you can make it up to us by coming in and checking it out first hand.

 

 

This wee little bunny and basket are made with wool and angora and felted into scrumptious little snuggly knitted morsels that would charm even the most hard-hearted of Easter grinches out there.

 

The puffs of angora add a tactile, ethereal touch to the traditional Easter basket.

The employee trunk show is also totally killing it.

IMAGINE!!!

Jennifer’s favorite yarn, Peace Fleece…..

Perfect for Jennifer’s favorite sweater!

This little baby sweater is actually the most adorable thing I have seen all day. Knit by Angela out of Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock, in the colorway “Fern Frond”.

About this particular piece, Angela says “everything about this was my favorite.”

Love it!

“Crossroads Tunic”, crocheted and designed by the incomparable Jo’Elle Galo in Silky Wool.

This regal “Sheep to Shawl” poncho was made by Kathy, the colorwork master.

Come in and check out the rest of the show!! There is an incredible coat crocheted by Jo’Elle, lots of shawls and cowls by Kathy, Jean, and Jennifer, and some lacy legwarmers by Kaethe, with more to come throughout the week!