An interview with Amy

This is Rebecca, a college student who helped us here at Bloomin Yarns during her recent holiday break. One of Rebecca's jobs was to interview our staff and write a blog post on each person. Check back over the next few weeks for more of her interviews and enjoy getting to know all the lovely girls who work here! Thanks, Rebecca! It was great having you!

Amy

Amy pictured in her Swirl

Two women and their husbands walk into Bloomin Yarns on a Saturday afternoon.  While the women gravitate toward yarns that catch their eye, the men gaze absentmindedly around the store, obviously out of place.  One of the staff members offers them apple cider, and before they know it, the three are engaged in an enthusiastic sports discussion.  The men are pleasantly surprised with this woman who can knit a hat and talk college football simultaneously.  Meet Amy, a freelance sports writer who spends Thursdays and Saturdays working at Bloomin Yarns. “I believe that everyone needs a hobby- everyone needs something that is away from their profession.” She says that she does not remember learning to knit- she was so young at the time- but says that she probably learned from her mother.  Like many, Amy went in and out of phases of knitting before becoming committed to it.  When she was working in the athletic department at UCLA in the early 2000s, she was doing a lot of quilting, but she picked up knitting again because it is more portable.  When she moved back to Pennsylvania, she connected with knitters, and says that they were her first friends after coming back.  She then began working with Bloomin’ Yarns in 2008.  She enjoys working here because “Michelle does a fantastic job of making people feel comfortable in her shop, and there is a good range of yarns.  As a staff we all compliment each other well, since everyone has a different area of expertise.  We all like each other too!”  Amy’s areas of expertise include socks and sweater knitting. Oh, and knowing how to keep the men occupied while their wives go wild over yarn.

A monkey and dog Amy made for her neice and nephew

this Christmas, pictured with a blanket she wove .

Noro Sweater

SIx New Knit-A-Longs!

Below are photos and information about our Winter 2012 Knit-A-Longs that begin now.

Prizes!

For this set of KALs we are going to have prizes, lots of prizes (we're still amassing the collection but promise they'll be great)!  For that reason, we must have some ground rules:

1. This series of Knit-A-Longs begin immediately.
2. Projects must be completed by Saturday, April 7th, our Fifth Anniversary, in order to be qualify for a prize.  Winners will be drawn that day.
3. You must use yarn purchased at Bloomin Yarns.
4. We'll draw one winning name for each separate project.

We have a few ways to increase your chances of winning a prize:
1. Join Ravelry = one chance to win. Not sure about Ravelry.com? Read this awesome review.
2. Add your project to your Ravelry page (must include all details - yarn, needle, link to Bloomin Yarns) = one chance to win.
3. Add a photo to your Ravelry project page = another chance to win!
4. Wear your project to the store on April 7th = one more chance to win!
Here they are:
1.  Rocky Coast Cardigan from the book Coastal Knits - available at Bloomin Yarns.
Janice is making her Rocky Coast with The Fibre Company's Organik, the yarn called for in the pattern.  We have several other nice options for this sweater should you like to join us!

Here's the start of my Rocky Coast, also in Organik, a beautiful single ply blend of Wool, Alpaca and Silk .

2.  Aidez - available free at Berroco.com.  Sandy made her Aidez with Berroco's Peruvia Quick which is the yarn called for in the pattern.  Sorry, this color, Oat, will not be available until the end of February:(  Sandy wears her Aidez ALL the time, so if you'd like to see it hurry before she claims it!!

Isn't the back lovely?

3.  Iced is available free at Knitty.com.  Judy made hers with Berroco Peruvia Quick a perfect substitute for the yarn called for in this pattern.

4.  Cowl-Neck Cape - Knit Simple Magazine, Holiday 2011.  Cathy made her Cowl-Neck Cape with Berroco's Blackstone Tweed.  This pattern calls for a worsted wt. yarn. We have tons of options should you want to make this project!

5. Caramel - a free pattern available here.  I first saw one of our customers, Marilyn, wearing this sweater before Christmas. (I wish I'd taken her picture!)  She had made it with Madelinetosh Sock in pink and orange.  It was stunning and I've been dreaming of it ever since!!  The great thing about this sweater is that the gauge is 22 stitches/4 inches.  You can use a DK wt. yarn, or lighter - as long as you can get gauge!!
I'm making mine with Madelinetosh Pashmina (sport wt.) in subtle stripes of Winter Wheat and Olivia.

Janice has been considering using three colors in different sized stripes.  So creative!  She's been swatching away!

6. Honey's Shawl - a single pattern available at Bloomin Yarns.  This shawl is pure fun!  Great for a beginner.  You'll learn increases and how to knit stripes, then at the end knit a mohair ruffle.  The color options are endless!

Janice is nearing the end!

I just got mine started, below.  And Sandy has one in progress too!

We hope you'll join us!

Our KAL meeting times are:

Wednesdays 2:00-4:00

Thursdays 6:00-9:00

Saturdays 2:00-4:00

Your projects and December/January arrivals

Your Projects:

Isn't Anna's snake the cutest snake you've ever seen? 

No need to scream when you come across this guy!

Nancy combined Rowan Alpaca Cotton with yarn from her stash to make this handsome sweater for her son!

Consuela's husband picked the perfect yarn for his scarf: Madelinetosh Vintage!

Isn't Michele's fisrt sweater just beautiful? She knit it with Manos del Uruguay's Silk Blend.

Marie knit this Lanesplitter skirt for her granddaughter.  So cute!

Here's Nicole wearing her very first project ever!!  Great job!

Dianne's hat is called Molly, a free pattern from Ravelry.  It's a great pattern to show off vareigated yarns.  Dianne used Malabrigo Rios. 

Linda's beautiful Mara Shawl is knit with Madelinetosh Tosh dk.

As is her Embers Cowl.....

And her Honey Cowl!

New Arrivals:

The gorgeous Malabrigo Arroyo:

Pretty pedestal buttons from Jul.

"Colors" Shawl Pins:

And, more shawl pins:

An interview with Janice

This is Rebecca, a college student who helped us here at Bloomin Yarns during her recent holiday break.  One of Rebecca's jobs was to interview our staff and write a blog post on each person.  Check back over the next few weeks for more of her interviews and enjoy getting to know all the lovely girls who work here!   Thanks, Rebecca!  It was great having you here!

Janice

Janice with her Lane Splitter Skirt

Janice began working at Bloomin Yarns to have a job close to her home in Bethel Park, but also- more exactly- to work in a place where she could stay close to her love of knitting. She has now been here for four years. “Michelle and all of the girls, of course, make it a special warm place, as well as all of the beautiful yarns.”  Some of her favorite yarn brands include The Fibre Company, Madeline Tosh, and Rowan. She prefers knitting DK and worsted weight yarn, and she especially likes natural fibers.  When asked if she has a favorite project or pattern, she replied, “I’m liking cables right now.  I mostly knit sweaters, some accessories… My first sweater was white, very eighties, off the shoulder, you know (laughs).”  That first sweater was completed with the help of her grandmother, who also knitted and crocheted. Janice learned to knit from a class at a local yarn shop in Iowa, circa 1987.   Since then, she has continued to explore knitting as well as other areas of fiber arts.  She has been spinning for 8 years, commenting that “the hard part is finding time to do it, but it’s relaxing and I do enjoy it.”  She also does needle and wet felting, and as of late, has been obsessed with acorns.  One of her felting projects includes a series of wet felted acorn bodies attached to tops that she collected from nature.  Janice’s creativity and easygoing personality make her easy to talk to when knitters have questions about anything from pattern to color choice. As she described her co-workers, Janice, too, makes Bloomin Yarns a warm and special place.

Finished Projects: Heights Vest, Brigid Jacket, and Swirl Sweater

Her current project, the Rocky Coast Cardigan

Last Minute Gift Ideas

We have loads of ideas for quick gifts but some of our favorite ones can be found in this stack of books; all great resources for gift knitting.

 The most popular project this season is the Kidsilk Creation Scarf which can be knitted or crocheted.  This light and fluffy scarf can be completed in less than one hour!

 The pattern for this beautiful but simple garter stitch wrap is free with your purchase of yarn.  It's knit with Malabrigo Gruesa or Aquarella on size 17 needles.

 Another light and fluffy scarf, the Sonoma Scarf from Be Sweet, is made with three balls of
Be Sweet's Medium Mohair.

 Hmmm, "light and fluffy" seems to be a theme here!  Another L&F scarf takes just two balls of Schulana Rodeo on size 13 needles.

 If you have just a little bit more time, why not make a pair mittens with some scrumptious Terra?  The pattern is free with your purchase.

 So, if you're walking out the door and you realize you need a hostess gift or you forgot a gift for someone on your list, Aloha is the scarf you make on your way to the party!  Or you just want something new for yourself but can't justify taking the time....this one's for you!!

This is a fun scarf to make.  Hold 5 different yarns together on BIG needles and you're done in an evening and have a one-of-a-kind creation!  The pattern is free with your purchase!

Another freebie from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas is this cute reversible cabled cowl.  Hold it closed with a Floating Buttonhole from Jul Designs.                                                           

 Triana's an other quickie that is finished in at about 30 minutes! 

 This adorable Shoulder Cozy, a Churchmouse pattern, can be made in an evening!  Hold a strand of  Rowan Kidsilk Haze and Summer Tweed together on big needles!  Or, how about Rowan Alpaca Cotton and Kidsilk Haze....the possible combinations are endless!

Looks great as a capelet....

.... and as a cowl with your winter coat!

 This sparkly cowl pattern is free with your purchase of one ball of Schulana Silverstar.  Another evening knit!

Here's the beginning of one of my holiday projects, started last night, December 16th!    I'm making a Big Snowy Owl for my daughter who's a big fan of the group Owl City and Harry Potter.  It will be quick and....cute!  I'll show you when it's done.

Stop by for more ideas!

Our Recent Arrivals

Most of you know how much we adore Terra from The Fibre Company.  We just received 6 new colors of this yummy yarn!!  Four of them are brand new colors and 2 are new to us. Take a look at (from the bottom) Belladonna, Ash, Black Locust Bark, Copper Pennies, Chamomile and Hollyhock.

Fueled by the popularity of the gorgeous Rocky Coast Cardigan in the book Coastal Knits (more copies just arrived), we finally orderd Organik from The Fibre Company.   Organik is a "beautiful, smoothly spun worsted weight single ply blend of organic merino, alpaca and silk. "  Six colors are in while three more will be here soon!

Pretty sheep project bags from Lantern Moon.  Maya project bags, too (not shown).

Here's a pretty basket of Smooshy with Cashmere from Dream In Color Yarns.

And, lots more Felt Balls and Bracelet Kits from HandBEHG.
Get creative and add some fun to your knitting!

Circular Needle cases from Namaste:

Skinny Mini notions cases, also from Namaste:

Kim Hargreaves newest pattern book Scarlet:

Triana, a fun mesh scarf yarn:

Here's Triana knitted!  Finished in about half an hour!

More Rizos - another quick scarf!

Two new books arrived yesterday: Textured Stitches by Connie Chang Chinchio and Folk Socks by Nancy Bush:

If you're traveling, this book is a must to help you locate fibery adventures while away from home.