June 6-9th: Inaugural Golden State Yarn Crawl

Plan to visit during the weekend June 6-9th  the nine Central Calif. participating shops. Get your GSYC passport stamped, find some pretty new summer projects, and collect all 9 shop commemorative stitch markers too (you can never have enough st m's). What's a Yarn Crawl? It's a fun road trip excuse to visit regional yarn shops! Each one usually has special grand prizes, perks, commemorative bling and extended shop hours. Each shop has special promos, kits, patterns or raffles in addition to grand prizes. 

Here's list of participating shops with links to their websites. There's a nice mix of yarns, fabrics, paper, bookstore and gifts, and even live baby animals! More importantly....it's great chance to plan a fun road trip with friends and/or family for a weekend road trip. 

GSYC Prizes: Get your GSYC  passport stamped at all nine shops, turn in at last shop visited to enter into awesome prize drawings:

Grand Prize:  $100 gift certificate from each shop 

First Prize:  $50 gift certificate from each shop 

Prize Baskets (9):  A gift basket full of goodies.

Suggestion: Murphys is a great place to finish up with all the wine tasting rooms. You complete your journey, then collapse with a nice cold sip at one of our favorite tasting local rooms, Millaire's (that's wine-maker Steve, peeking from behind the grapes!), or his other Murphys original winery, Black Sheep. (Bonus: Black Sheep directly across the parking lot from maisieblue! LOL)  

Our Golden State Yarn Crawl has a website with all the details, lists shops to visit and even a map! 

Shops are all about 1-2 hrs driving distance from each other. Totally do-able over the course of 4 days. Our shops all have extended hours for the event: 10-6pm. There's an Alpaca Farm with BABY ALPACAS!!!!  Here's a newbie cria. Be sure to get to Macedo's Mini Acres by Turlock. Pet an Alpaca! 

Whichever way you start and end up....biggest thing to do: Have Fun! 

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Crikey! LYS Day April 27th Here Again!

LYS Day crept up on me this year! We have three bang-up awesome specials for this year's weekend celebration of all thing LYS (Local Yarn Store): Double the Stitches, Berroco and KFI. Read on for details, then let's go shopping this weekend! 

Double the Stitches  Pattern & Designer's Zoom KAL 

Again this year lovely designer, Jessica Ays of Double The Stitches (and Head LYS Cheerleader) dreamed up this little beauty:Trust Fall Shawl by Jessica always does fantastic pattern to support all us little ole yarn shops. This year it's a peach! She (like us) loves Jody Long Yarns and this one uses just 2 balls of Alba. (Yes, Jessica is to blame that I've cast on yet another new project.....)

*Buy this project yarn, get free pattern and you can enter KFI Lykke Lotto too!* 

A pefect wrap for year-round, but especially for Spring flip flopping weather. I have absolutely NO business casting on anything for the next decade..... But....yep,,,,,this baby going on the needles tonight! I love working with Alba so its a no-brainer. 

Come into shop to grab some Alba and get your LYS Day Promo Code for the free pattern (via Ravelry). Pattern available to download starting Apr 26th.

• The pattern codes will only be redeemable for a limited time only: Friday 4/26 8:00 AM ET until they expire on Sunday 4/28 at 11:59 PM ET.

Our Thursday Shop Group needs a new KAL too. This is perfect! Hoping to entice my compatriots in casting-on to whipped this one up next! Join me on Thursdays 12-2pm at our Drop-In Group. I'll be working on this shawl (along with many other projects). 

Jessica doing a Live Zoom KAL open to everyone! 

Jessica will meet on May 4th 7pm EDT on Zoom. Grab your yarn and needles. She'll show you the ropes, walk you through the stitches used and answer questions. Perfect if you feel stuck or just want to have company as you knit. Note: Cast-On Party will be recorded so you can watch later. Pre-register here (scroll down to bottom for sign ups). 

Berroco Seeing Double Cowls 

Once again like last year it's a Berroco 2-fer-Cowl patterns! This year they are busting out the color! Byte (Crochet) and Pixel (Knit) versions. These cowls are exclusively available through our stores and will not  be available to download on Ravelry or Berroco.com. Patterns Byte and Pixel free with each yarn purchase in our shop this weekend. 

We don't stock Vintage (worsted) but do have Ultra Wool, Remix and the new Bozzolo-all perfect subs. Washable Wool, Recycled and Super Soft Cottony Goodness!  

Bozzolo would be particularly awesome: amazingly soft to touch, lovely colors and gorgeous multi colorways. Using a solid with a multi could be so interesting! (Someone needs to try this...because I SERIOUSLY CAN'T CAST ON ANOTHER PROJECT...... lol!)

Knitting Fever Brands Lykke Lotto!

Always wanted a gorgeous set of Lykke Knitting or Crochet Sets? They're running drawing- 1 name for every 20 entries. Here's what you do: Make a purchase with us this weekend, email your receipt to socialmedia@knittingfever.com. It's that easy! (Be sure to have us email your receipt!)

We stock these participating KFI brands: Lykke, Noro, Juniper Moon Farm, Jody Long, Queensland, Laines du Nord, Araucania and OnLine. Head on in this weekend, splurge a bit and enter into Lykke Lotto. 

Happy LYS Day/Weekend!

Berroco: Vintage Baby Line Expands

Few years back Berroco introduced a great baby yarn: Vintage Baby. It's a true "baby" yarn, meaning sport (think in between sock and dk). We love it. It's adorable little mini skeins (50g), washable and awesome colors. 

Now they've added Vintage Baby Handpaint. Sweet little hanks in same baby friendly yarn in rich, tonal multicolor or perfect splatter, speckles. Use separate or together since the colors blend perfectly. As with it's Vintage Baby, this new line perfect for all things baby but now with a touch of fun.

Berroco's pattern picks for both lines include a variety. There's garments and blankets (knit and crochet), of course. Here's brand new freebie, Wren. A cardi using both solid and handpaint; top-down construction.

If you need a faster project the hat, booties or even toy elephant work. You can never have enough booties. Plus it's a great way to dip your toe into making socks. 

We think using the wee Minutia patterns for a sweet garland or daisy chains make unique baby gifts too. You can easily turn this into a mobile for over baby's crib. 

Have a gander at our past blog posts: Vintage Baby Trunk Show We had this in shop couple years back and fell in love with all the patterns:

 Vintage Baby Collection 2023.

Vintage Baby Collection 

I've STILL got a Kirby (still) on the needles (stranded on sleeve island) and (weekly) I plan to tackle mastering Frankie, (on my crochet bucket list). My Kirby WIP is further along now than seen in blog post. It's just waiting for me to finish the sleeves.....( "I just need to finish these stupid sleeves!). The blog post highlighted 5 WIPs. To my credit...the Fuzzy Mustard JoLo-ish baby cardi I actually finished last year and it's working it in the shop! 1 out of 5 done not so bad! LOL [Scroll down the blog post for one of my favorite tips: IC cords in lieu of stitch holders/waste yarn.] 

You can find our Vintage Baby and Vintage Baby Handpaints online or in the shop. It's a great yarn when you need smaller amounts, baby/kid friendly and don't want to break the bank! 

Other lines of note: Berroco Vintage Sock and WYS Bo Peep Luxury DK. Also superwash. The WYS distributed by Berroco and works great with all the Vintage Baby yarns. Great when you want stripes!

New Year, New Make-Alongs

Tale of Two Sweaters 

Our Winter KAL was planned for Jody Long's Enya  But twice is nice, so we now have two options to choose from!  A second group chose Noro Sia, a very popular Noro pullover.

KAL starts Jan 9th. As usual our Make-Alongs are free to join and receive 15% discount on supplies, with free pattern included. We meet weekly on Thurs 12-2pm to work together. Our KAL's usually run a couple of months so from Jan-March these are what we're working on! 

Enya 

Option 1: Enya is a bulky, fast coatigan style knit on #15...yes nice big needles = fast finish (hopefully)! Choose from this season's new Andeamo Twist (marled) or Andeamo (solid). Jody had this sample at his Fall Event to try on and many of us loved how this fit. Bonus is fact it'll go quick since it's a super-bulky. 

Kim: "I've cast on and it's fast-going! Just an hour and I'm already halfway up the back! But trick: Can I sustain momentum and actually finish it" LOL

           

       

Enya Details

• SIZES: S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)
• To fit bust: 32-34 (36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54) in
• Actual measurement, at underarm: 37½ (41¾, 46, 51, 54, 59½) in
• Full length, from neck shoulder point: 27¼ (28, 28¾, 29½, 30¼, 31) in
• Sleeve length: 18 (18, 18½, 18½, 19, 19)in
• Needles: #11 and #15 
• Gauge: 9.5 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
• Yardage: 875 - 1225 yards (5-7 hanks Andeamo Twist or Andeamo)

Sia

 

Option 2: Sia was worn by Tilly (shop mannequin) all last winter and it's found in Noro Magazine #19. Many customers were inspired to tackle this pretty easy, set in sleeve, minimal shaping boat neck pullover in Madara, a lovely Noro tweed. The worsted/aran weight yarn not as fast a knit, but the pattern a fun yet easy "spotted" stockinette pattern, so not too boring. Only a little bit of shaping at neck for this boxy pullover. A perfect winter cuddle-up kinda sweater. 

                 

Sia Details

• SIZES: S (M, L, XL) Size S in photo
• Bust: 45 (47, 50, 53)“  
• Length: 22 1/2 (23, 23 1/2, 24)” 
• Needles: US #6 and #7 
• Gauge: 17 sts and 24 rows to 4in on #7
• 5 (6, 6, 7) x 100g hanks of Noro Madara 

Tale of Two Shawls

Berroco's Crochet-Along!   Jan 23-Feb 29th

Thanks to the Berroco Designers, we also have two crochet shawl options when they host two very different style crochet shawls from Jan 23-Feb 29th. You can follow the designers progress, get tips, etc on  Berroco's various social media spots (FB, Instagram,Blog).  You can also join us for our weekly group sessions Thur 12-2pm for companionship, encouragement and cheerleading! Now's a great time to try your hand with expanding your crochet skills. 

We have plenty of Carousel and Aerial in stock for Alegria. We don't have Mistico, but Dulce a perfect sub yarn for the Houdin shawl.

The Alegria shawl is made with Carousel and Aerial held together. Carousel features color flowing all through the plies giving off an overall balanced look, while Aerial gives the shawl a soft and cozy halo effect. The finished shawl is made up of 100 crochet motifs joined as you go. Finished Measurements Approximately 25" / 63.5 cm on all sides. Berroco Carousel:3 balls #4423 Dunk Tank Berroco Aerial: 4 balls #3454 Lilac.

Houdin is a beautiful lace shawl with an all-over pineapple motif, crocheted from the bottom point up. Houdin is made with the light and airy Mistico. Brushed alpaca creates a soft halo while the cotton, wool and nylon core seem to illuminate flecks of color in this gorgeous yarn. Houdin by Alison Green Approximately 68" / 172.5 cm wide and 25" / 63.5 cm down center (sans fringe). Berroco Mistico:  3 balls #2538 Utopian (Our Sub Suggestion: Ducle). Hook, size H / 5 mm or size to obtain gauge. 

Here's what you need to know about the Berroco CAL

• Runs January 23 - February 29

• There’s no need to sign up! Just purchase the pattern and yarn, and join Berroco designers on social media for check-ins and giveaways.

• Get 50% off the Houdin and Alegria shawl patterns on our website and Ravelry with code BerrocoShawlCAL (code expires on 2/1)

• Tag your posts with #BerrocoYarn and #BerrocoShawlCAL on Facebook and Instagram so we can see your work in progress and finished pieces!

• Join Mel, Emily and Casey for weekly live check-ins in our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok pages. The first LIVE is on 1/24 at 1 PM EST.

• Want more connection? Join our Facebook or Ravelry groups to share your progress and to ask questions.

• Want to learn to crochet? Get started with our How To Crochet Basics video.

Let's get Makin'!