I'm Back!
Long time no post! For months Blogger and Google refused to let me add photos. But I've successfully procrastinated long enough. I CAN BLOG AGAIN! Without cursing like a sailor or throwing things at my laptop. What a relief. well I still curse a bit too much under my breath...
Surprise Spring Sale!
Crochet is Cool!
Yep! Crochet is super-trending and seeing a big resurgence. It's especially popular among the GenZ set. We've bulked up our crochet supplies and as always, have great yarns perfect for any project.
6 Day Star Blanket CAL with Betty McKnit
Star Dreams Blanet CAL: Join in the Juniper Moon Farms/Betty McKnit Crochet-a-long starting May 6th. Just posted details at our blog at link above. Sign up online for access to exclusive videos, tutorials and Live Q&A with Betty. Plus you'll be entered into KFI's Prize Raffle for good stuff! Let us help you pick your colors & get 15% off supplies.
Calls for 6 balls Juniper Moon Farms Cumulus Degrade. We have new batch of colors in stock and access to the pattern. The pattern also comes with links to the video tutorials if you want a head start.
Crochet Critters CAL
Our weekly Drop-In Thursday group having fun making Crochet Critters from Kerry Lord's book, Edward's Menagerie: New Edition. If little animals more your style, come join in 12-2pm each Thu. Lisa guiding everyone through the 50 critters (note: photo showed older version of book). Soon we'll have a zoo's worth! Kerry has great how to videos as well.
Yarn Crawl Time!
Golden State Yarn Crawl 2025: Dates are Jun 19-28th. Expanded to 10 days and maybe a few new locations, but same drill. Make a mad dash to shops to collect your passport stamps. Goal: A fun excuse to travel to new towns in our California backyards. Discover new shops, good stuff, maybe frolic with baby alpacas too! Bonus for us in Murphys: Wineries to entice a little wine-tasing during their travels. Follow updates on instagram.
- Lykke Works Cases: New empty denim/leather organizing cases for all your interchangeable needles & cords, notions and hooks. Three styles (Weekender, Oxford and Taylor) designed for 3.5" and 5" IC tips and cords. But some of the cases could work for other types of needles and notions. Great when you need a smaller option for travelling.
- DellaQ bags: You can never have too many bags! We have the Maker's Midi Backpack and Mini Messenger. Plus the new Maker's project totes. The waxed canvas is super sturdy and perfect for travelling. The bags designed with crafters in mind with little details: stitch markers, stitch holder, thread cutter, tapestry needle and sweet mini notepad included.
- Maika bags: ....or too many adorable, sturdy canvas project bags! Zipper pouches are fantastic for travel and everyday use. The Lunch Totes make awesome project bags and surprisingly hold a ton! And who doesn't need an adorable little keychain pouch for the absolute essentials?
On the Bookshelf
New Elly Griffiths Coming: She launches a brand new series, The Frozen People in July. Main character is a Cold Case Detective with a secret: The team can travels back in time to solve the case! Works great until our main character gets trapped in 1850s London! Hardcover but for fans....we don't care! I can't wait.
Lane Winslow Mystery Series: Brand new release! #12 The Cost of a Hostage is a welcome addition to one of our shop favorite series. Looks like her and Darling head to Mexico City to save another sibling! We're taking bets when a Little Darling will enter the King's Cover neighborhood.
New Scandi Mystery Series by Viveca Sten: Came highly recommended by our customers (huge mystery readers) and now there's a Netflix series based on her Are Murders Series. Sten is a massive best-selling writer in her native Sweden. Her first series, the internationally #1 best-selling, Sandhamn Murders, also found a place on our shop shelves! (I'm longing for snowy vistas and freezing temps of Scandinavia as our temps tease us with summer months to come)
Yarn Trends: Mohair Pairing Still Big
Gorgeous fingering hand-dyed yarn with cashmere. It's a delight to use. I've swatched using it with Aerial mohair together. (Another big trend-especially Scandinavian designers-using carry-along technique with strand of silky-mohair. Bumps gauge up a bit and creates a unique, soft fluffy, cuddly fabric. Got small restock in the dye pots right now, due to arrive next month. On our website but not all colors have pictures yet.
Berroco Aerial in 80 colors. So much fun pairing the wide palette to create a unique duo. It's addictive fun....kinda like wine & food pairings without the calories! Addictive too. It's magic watching how your pairing turns out but always in amazing ways. It's such a huge trend (especially with Scandinavian designers) to pair a fingering or dk yarn with strand of mohair. It bumps up gauge a bit and makes a lovely soft fabric with wonderful halo effect. A hand-dye like Smooshy Cashmere + Aerial creates a gorgeous combo.
Take it up a notch....with Cashmere!
Lang's Cashmere Light & Dreams:Few years ago we gave Cashemere Light a spin. Tentatively we placed the order since it's pricey....but it's proved to be irresistible. When you want "special gift" this is your yarn. 88 cashmere/12 nylon blend is actually softer to the touch than 100% cashmere!
This year they have Cashmere Light Colors (multicolor) and we have a few Cashmere Dreams to test out. Order was due in winter so colors deeper, rich tones but a dream to use. I'm making a 1 ball simple keyhole scarf now and it's just sublime. This could be a perfect friend/loved one gift knit this holiday season. Love you can turn these little balls of heaven into a gorgeous, scrumptious gift!
Summer Is Coming
Thermometer ticking up. That means it's time for our seasonal yarn shuffle to begin. We pull the chunky wools and put out our cottons. We love all the Cumulus' and Cirrus' lines. They're so beloved we keep them out year-round! Included are Berroco's Pima Soft and Modern Cottons (here, here) to the list.
Our climate differs from other regions. When customers making baby blankets I always ask two questions: Where does baby live? Will Mom want sturdy/super-washable on high, or will she be ok with wash gentle/tumble cool? Don't get me wrong.... I adore wool! But you can't beat the softness of our cotton yarn lineup. Most people pick soft and cuddly every time.
Here's quick snapshot of what's what, past-present-future yarn doings:
Berroco Spring/Summer '25 arrives in mid-May: Vintage Sock Handpaint, Modern Linen and Iris. New Berroco Fall/Winter Lines: In the shop Millstone Tweed, Merino 401, Gimlet.
New KFI/Euro Yarns: Restocks of our usual favorites (new colors, new patterns): Juniper Moon Cumulus' and Cirrus' lines; Noro Akari and Akari Solo; Jody Long Coastline, Ciao. Cumulus Degrade restocked now for the Star Blanket CAL.
Other New Summer Yarns On Order: Eco Bag, Noro Kakigori, Ohajiki; Jody Long Pima Grande, Satiny (Jody's bringing great new cottons!), Brighton Beach, and Jute.
Trunk Shows
Berroco Fall/Winter '24: Came, Inspired and Went. Find them on Berroco's YouTube channel.
Berroco Spring/Summer '25: Save the Date: Modern Linen: Jun 6-23rd; Iris: Aug 8-25th.
Jody Long Summer '25: Timing this trunk show for the Golden State Yarn Crawl. Expect to see it here mid-late June. Requested Pima Grande and Satiny. Super thrilled about Pima Grande: It's a, nubby chunky cotton! It's hard to find chunky cottons. Satiny is a loosely spun, super soft Spanish-Italian collaboration. 100% Mako cotton so stronger, softer and shiny!
Free In-Shop Sessions, Circles, Gatherings....
Free Weekly Drop-In Circles: Perfect for practicing with others nearby to guide you. It's a great way to test the waters. Always fun to work together around the table. Granted....there's also a lot of tinking-back and ripping out as we chat and laugh!
Socks, Baby....Socks! Maureen still here Fridays to coach you on making socks. She loves an Easy Vanilla pattern using 9" circulars. But all styles welcome. Great chance to have Free Drop-in. You can always drop-in even if not making socks! We love the company.
Individual Classes
First Time Knitters Classes Sign up with Kim for individual lessons here. For Newbies. No fuss and not costly. We like to start simple and take it at your pace. Supplies needed: Worsted weight solid cotton yarn and pair of needles #8 or a hook #I. If you like things big....use a chunky or super bulky. Your choice. We find affordable cotton yarn a great place to start. If you like it and want to keep going, sign up for more individual lessons to take to the next level and tackle the purl!. Lessons are $20 a session and run about 1.5hrs. For now come to shop and set up a class with Kim. Eventually we will get it up on the website...but not yet! LOL
That's it until next time!
