FEBRUARY YARN CAMP

If you can imagine such a time, the kids are back in school, decorations and baking pans put away, what to do??!

COME TO YARN CAMP WITH US! The weekend of February 19, 20, 21 we’ll gather for the 3rd Installment at the 4-H Center, starting 9-ish on Friday. Dinner that night, 2 meals on Saturday and brunch on Sunday, breaking up about 2 that afternoon. Spend both nights if you wish (and you most certainly will if you don’t!!). Nothing to do for 3 wonderful days but finish projects, learn new techniques, swap ideas and maybe yarns. Cost will again by $78 for the whole she-bang.

Paid reservations start January 1 and would make a great Christmas hint. Checks to Washington County 4-H Center, please.

Rudolph?? NO, IT'S ADDI !!!

That “click, click, click” you hear isn’t the Red-Nosed One up on the roof, it’s yet another set of Addi Clicks flying out the door. We have 2 sets left of the needles and cables in the soft-sided case, as well as the “add-on” cables and needles.
Come quick, kerchief or not!

BAG IT UP!

Ever wondered what’s really living in the bottom of your knitting bag? If it’s from Nantucket, you can just unzip it, lay the whole thing flat and see for yourself….if you dare!

Designed to corral your needles and tools either inside or out with way many pockets for everything, the baggs are made of heavy ripstop fabric with coordinating straps in colors for either girls or guys. For her, blazing pink/yellow or natural/navy and for him, black/black or maroon/brown.

Why not make the bagg the box and stuff it with yarn-ish swag!

SCHOOL COLORS

Got students on your Christmas list? We have custom-dyed sock yarns in colors for VA Tech, UVA, KY, Duke, NC State, UNC and William & Mary. Emory & Henry and ETSU are on their way. Skeins come 4 to a bag and we'll be happy to order a prepaid bag from your favorite Hallowed Halls. As you might guess, earlier is quicker!

OUR NEW BFFs...MALABRIGO AND BLUE-SKY ALPACA

We could put this stuff in the backroom, under the sink, behind the pipes, in the proverbial "plain brown wrapper"....and you'd still find it. Malabrigo comes to you from Uruguay in 100% wool, kettle-dyed in worsted, lace or sock weights. Blue Sky Alpaca flies out of here in both alpaca/silk blends or a 100% alpaca in sport weight. And little sib Spud and Chloe..beautiful superwash cotton/wool blends..comes with its own patterns in sock or sweater(worsted) weights.

ECO wool from Cascade

How much 100% wool is enough? We know, we know...it's never enough, but would 437 yards almost do it? For $15 a skein? The ECO is in natural shades of sheep and the ECO+ comes in all different colors, bright and brazen to organic shades straight from the forest floor. We're happy to wind it for you!

SUNDAY HOURS

Stay home and KNIT these cozy fall Sunday afternoons! Come November 22nd (the Sunday before Thanksgiving), though, we're back open noon-5 until after Christmas. For future reference, we'll be open 'til 2pm on Christmas Eve and closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

OFFHAND, we'd say...

that we've got the prettiest cases and totes you ever saw. Your yarn work will never ride around happier than in these vintage fabric bags handmade in San Francisco. If your tastes run retro, you'll also enjoy the smaller ones as a pocketbook.

There's a very large "clamshell" style that carries everything and several styles of needle cases. They've been selling right out of the box, so if there's a particular pattern or style you want, check back often or we'll be glad to include your prepaid order with our next shipment.

YARN CAMP WAS A HOOT!!

October is a busy time, but none prettier to gather at the 4-H Center for a weekend of spinning, knitting, chatting and generally catching up and finishing all those UFOs. New friends from Orange, pals from NC and lots of locals had a big time and we're looking forward to the next one. Mark your calendars for the weekend of February 19, 20, 21, 2010 and we'll begin taking registrations when we reopen in January.

LIVING HISTORY TOOLS AND FIBERS

With a bow to historical interpretations, re-enactments, and presentations to area schools, we've gathered together a collection appropriate for either 18th or 19th century portrayals.

Tools include handmade birch needles (single and double points) from NC, dropspindles and nostepindes from TN and wools from our own Washington County Grandview Farm. You'll find scissors, chatelaines, thimbles of horn or cloisonne, tapestry needles and there's more on the way. Flags range from Betsy Ross to the National Flags of the Confederacy, Ft. Moultrie, Battle of Cowpens and area states.

If there's a particular tool or accessory you've been looking for, please let us know.

GOT A ROVING EYE??

We'd never ever encourage such a thing, but "an eye for roving"? Ahh, that's another story! We've got bold and beautiful from Miss Babs or wool in natural colors from our own Washington County Grandview Farm. As at home beside a 19th c. fireplace as it is now, the Grandview roving has just enough lanolin to be well-behaved as well as being kind to your hands.

We carry Miss Babs in several yarn weights as well as roving to spin for special effects. Check her website (missbabs.com) or on Ravelry and, with prepayment, we'll be glad to order you any color she has in stock. Her eye-popping colors come in 100% merino or a merino/Tussah silk blend or in a Blue Faced Leicester roving. While you're in the shop, don't miss our own Blue Fleeced Lester, a cutie-pie lamb, knitted by Helen Morgan.

She-Knits...We Swoon....The End

The End?? Heck, no!! It's just the start of fabulous take-charge winter bags!

All this week (through Monday), you can see Sharon Dreifuss' glorious felted bags "in person". See what wool was born for when bulky-and-bigger yarns become baubles, ribs, cables and spectacular color mazes.

Bags go back next Tuesday, Sept. 8th, but the patterns will be with us for a long, long time. It's feeling like an early fall, so get busy..holidays are on the way!

Buffaloes, Clydesdales and Possums.....OH MY!

As if the Highlands Festival hasn’t been enough excitement, those magnificent Clydesdales from the Budweiser folks will be here for the last weekend, this coming Tuesday (as in TOMORROW!!) ‘til Monday morning.

They’re stabled at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion at Exit 17 (except for August 6th when they’ll be away visiting) each of those days with a parade on Saturday, August 8th.

No horse yarn but we do have our Buffalo Gold in lace weight or mixed with bamboo (BuffBoo) or with cashmere/silk/tencel (“Lux”) in sport weight. The baby bootee pattern is called “Hoofies”…too cute! And wait ‘til you see the Zealana possum (yep, that’s what I said!) from New Zealand. A gorgeous mix of merino, cotton and a soft, dense fur you’d swear is muskrat or beaver! Several different weights, lots of different colors.

OFF TO SCHOOL???? Sis-Boom-BAH!!!

Can't be time for that, but the stores will soon be full of little backpacks and supplies. We've tried very hard to stock yarns in all the various school colors around here (Do you have any idea how many there ARE???! Or how many oranges are involved????) as well as colleges and universities. Knit up a cap with mittens or a scarf for your scholar, your self or a special friend. We've even commissioned sock yarns in UVA, VT and UT colors. If there's one we've missed, bring us a true-to-life color sample, sweatshirt, etc. and we'll do our best to match it.

A MAYTAG MOMENT....

Now that we're settled with our own kitchen and our own washing machine, there's felt in the air for fall! Whether it's a Lucy bag (in 2 sizes), a stylish bowler or bucket hat, project bag or a rainbow-hued teddy bear, we've got egads of patterns for this fun process. Knit "the thing" (and, for the faint of heart, it's supposed to be 3 times the finished size), pop it in the washer with hot water and agitation and Presto! Felt-o!! The spell is cast and you're hooked! Again, check for classes or get some friends together and we'll make a time for you to learn this great technique.

WHAT A CLASSY ACT ARE WE!

Check the website for July classes....everything from a crocheted Net of Justice KAL with Cassie to needle felting giggles with Beverly and several beginning classes both in knitting and crocheting. Designed for all ages, programs are offered morning, afternoon, evening and weekends, along with our every-Thursday-night Chix with Stix. Not exactly a class but an entertaining get together to applaud (or assist) each other's work and progress.

MAMA, I'VE GOT A ROVING EYE!

You and all the fleece folk we know are admiring our new stock of roving for both spinning and needle-felting. We have hand-dyed rovings in bamboo/merino, merino/tussah silk and BFL, plus, from our own Grandview Farm, natural tones of Icelandic and curly, curly Cotswold! Bags are 1, 2, and 4 ounces and mixed bags of "puffs" are on hand, too. You can have the best of all worlds by buying the already-spun yarn from Miss Babs, then spin the fleece of the same color yourself for contrast or trim.

YARN CRAWL ALL OF JULY ON I-64 AND I-81

Ever heard of "hogwild and pigcrazy"?? Maybe not, but how 'bout "monthlong and statewide"??

Details are on getyourknits.com but here’s the short answer…We have great looking tote/shoulder bags in the shop that are going to save you lots of money this month!!

You buy the bag, printed with participating stores all across the state, for $20,….Alexandria, Charlottesville, Richmond, Vienna, Orchard Side, Bedford, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Manassas, VA Beach, etc. And, of course, Abingdon!

After that, all the regular priced yarn you can stuff in that bag is 15% off. Fill it up over and over…..same shop, different shops, all the shops - doesn’t matter. If it’s regular priced and in that bag, you’re 15% to the good. No notions, books, tools, sale yarns, special orders, etc.

BUT WAIT….THERE’S MORE!! For every $25 you spend, you’ll fill out an entry for a $100 gift card at that store. $75, 3 entries…$200, 8 entries. You could go marauding across I-64 and 81 winning and saving as you go….all the way to August.

We only got 30 bags, so come in quick and get started! We sold our first one yesterday and the word’s getting out!

JUST A SCARF???

What "Just"? That's like "just chocolate" or "just romance"..there's just no such thing.

Let the stitch be the thing or wispy/glitzy sparkles carry the day. Cottons, silks, bamboos, woolish things (alpaca, llama, mohair, angora....and, yes, wool), marvelous synthetics can be just the thing for cool summer evenings or to begin now for holiday giving.

We have books, we have patterns and we have the imaginative, creative teaching staff to gift you just the direction you need to come up with the Scarf of Your Dreams!

TO MARKET, TO MARKET..

That "fat pig" of the nursery rhyme might be the only thing you can't put in here! Use it now for groceries, etc. or make it with an eye to Farmer's Market season just around the corner, you'll be hauling the best of produce in style. On display in the store, Cassie's Market Bag is crocheted in Jeannee cotton/acrylic and the other is out of 100% corn....Corntastic from Kollage. (And, NO you can't eat it and NO you can't run your car on it.)

Lots of colors.....lots of fun!

CONGRATULATIONS HELEN!!

Helen Morgan, our Tuesday afternoon knitting guru, is the featured artist in the current newsletter of the Arts Depot. She's a longtime knitter/weaver/felter and designs patterns for both methods as well clothing. Don't miss the tale of her designing and weaving a family tartan into a kilt for son Peter to wear to his prom.

Hats off to Helen for her skills and talents.

SWEET LUCY

Delita's teaching the smaller of these 2 bags but, if you'd rather go for bigger, that option's available, too. Lots of other felted options....Noni patterns (plus their gorgeous hardware, buckles, rings and feet), project bags, pocketbooks and minis of all shapes.

BUTTONS, BUTTONS......HAVE WE GOT BUTTONS!!!

If it holds things together, chances are we've got it....in 3 different sizes and 8 different colors! Bone, shell, mother-of-pearl, stones, pewter or brass, and, yes, the always-popular plastique. You'll find daisies, geometrics, animals, toggles, and octopus, for ornamenting a simple shrug or putting the finishing touch on a little sweater.

Hand-painted machine washable ceramics from South Africa come as everything from choo-choos and kittens to eye-popping ethnic and architectural wonders. And there are more coming when we move to the new shop.

You'll never know 'til you look! Come see us soon for a great finishing touch to your beautiful work.

LESSONS AND CLASSES

It's finally light past noon and the garden's calling but so is the variety of classes at A Likely Yarn. Our time is yours and sessions can be arranged for Tuesday nights, weekdays, or Saturday afternoons, either as group classes or one-on-one private lessons.

Classes include Beginners Plus, Felted Project Bags, Cables, Beginning Sweaters, and socks from every direction..toe-up, top-down, Magic Loop or 2 Circulars.

Get together a group of 3 or more, pick a time and we'll find you a teacher. Children's classes are also available and will be offered on a regularly scheduled basis in the summer.

Rates will vary, according to the number and length of classes and materials must be purchased here. If you prefer to move at your own pace, individual instruction is available at $15 per half hour or $25 per hour plus materials.

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL..WHO'S THE CUTEST BEAST OF ALL???

Wel-l-l-ll, depends on when you're talking about. Saturday, March 28th, the honors will probably go to Debbie McLeish's alpacas. Big doin's at her place close to Meadowview VA. Check the website at www.Dreamlandalpacas.com for directions.

THEN, the following week, sheep (mostly nekkid) take center stage at Thistle Cove Farm's Annual Shearing Day. This time the action's close to Tazewell and includes crafts demonstrations by Lost Art Guild members, spinning, weaving, baskets, woodworking, etc. Check Sandra's website at www.thistlecovefarm.com for directions, times, etc.

We're happy to spread the fame of these lovely fiber women and hope you'll enjoy the time you spend there. Tell 'em we said "hey".

BE IT EVER SO.....

Well, yes it is pretty "humble" but just ahead it's a castle, a palace, a treasure house of yarnish things. Our new home is at 213 Pecan St., Abingdon...a quaint Victorian cottage built in 1900 with later additions. Big shade trees and triple the retail space with lots of work space for staff and inventory. Sounds like heaven, huh??!

We're right at the RR tracks, between the VA Creeper Trail parking lot and bike shop. Just 2 blocks one way to galleries and shopping, a Hollywood museum and even a shop for afternoon tea. And 2 blocks another direction up the hill to Barter Stage II's theater and parking lot.

Mark your calendar for Monday, June 1 and come see us! We'll be open through Memorial Day, then close the rest of the week to pack and move. Same zip, phone, etc. just waaaaaay more room. (And not the least bit humble!)

Calling All Knitters

Join us for World-Wide Knit in Public Day, Saturday, June 13. We will be knitting in small groups around the Abingdon area from 10am to 4pm, ending with a get-together at our new home...213 Pecan St. Bring your knitting buddies....relatives, groups, neighbors, etc. You need not be affiliated with Abingdon or A Likely Yarn but we do need to know you're coming.

We hope to have 3 or 4 knitters (2 or 3 hour shifts) at the various sites, so we encourage all ages, all skill levels to sign up. Knitters will be responsible for their own needs....chairs, coolers, umbrellas, etc. Please call the shop at 276-628-2143 to sign up and let us know your preference, if any, for time and place. Final placement will be made in late May.

TOTES AND CASES

I looked for some obscure needle size the other day and realized what a blessing an "all-purpose, once and for all" tote would be. Needles in the drawer? Stuck in the seat cushion? Cat knocked 'em under the couch? Maybe you're like our friend who sold her car and the clean-up guys found 27 "thingies" under the seats..whatever the complication, a well-designed system will make your life ever so much easier.

Lantern Moon baskets will be in soon, as decorative as they are effective. We'll be carrying several sizes, both lined and the basic "rice basket" design as well as gorgeous silk combo packs for DPN/circular storage. The Yarn Tote is somewhat more of a workhorse and comes with zippered plastic sleeves for holding DPN and/or circular needles of the same size...all the 8s, all the 2s, etc...with a mesh pocket on the side and extra "pages" available. Just think....all your tools together.

SILK TIME AT OUR HOUSE

Gosh! Where to start? We have recycled silk from sari mills in Nepal, Mermaid (silk, linen and wool), Eden Silk (bright spring colors made half and half silk and wool), Elsabeth Lavold's Silk Wool (again, half and half, this time with a soft tweedy look) and knock-your-socks-off shades from Blue Ridge (Shimmery Silk that lives up to its name) and the always dazzling Colinette. Looks beautiful, feels wonderful...and knits like a dream!

MORE 'GANIC COTTON

Our Kollage family is growing by leaps and bounds. We began stocking their milk yarns (Creamy is 80% milk and 20% cotton; 1/2 and 1/2 is equal parts milk and wool) and a fun, sturdy yarn called CORNtastic last fall. Along with this, their HOPE is a 100% organic, undyed cotton that comes in both DK and worsted weights. Lots more cotton to come, so hunt up your favorite spring and summer projects and patterns so you'll be ready.

SQUARE NEEDLES?? WHO KNEW??

That's right, square needles from Kollage Yarns. The needles are a lovely bronze metal and have pointed ends and square barrels. Easy to hold and they absolutely won't roll when they're dropped. As a bonus, both the size AND the length are engraved on the barrel so you don't have to guess or measure.

We got several sets of double points in 2s and 3s and some circulars in the larger size. We want to know what you think.....if you purchase the needles and find they're not for you, we're happy to refund your money. So far, we've heard nothing but raves for their performance in any project with any yarn. Come see what you think....

WHAT A WEEKEND..

Did you ever see prettier weather over the weekend...and an "extra hour' to enjoy it! Abingdon's full of visitors here to enjoy the recreation, history, arts and theatre we're famous for.

Here at A Likely Yarn, pretty weather means GET OUT THERE ON THE PORCH!! Our Tuesday and Thursday evening sessions will meet outside as weather permits and there's always a chair and a latte just waiting for a few yarnistas. Daytime classes (both beginner and more advanced) will be outside as much as possible.
To celebrate the new beginnings, there's a whole garden of gorgeous colors in new, lighter fibers just waiting for you. Come on by and see us soon.