news & events

Hilary recently started a new knitting group called Throwers, Pickers and Hookers.  It meets at our shop on the first Wednesday of the month from 7-9pm.  And it meets at various other Wicker Park locations on the third Wednesday of the month. All are welcome.

Here are a few shots from our first gathering at the shop.  Thanks to everyone who came!

Our next gathering is tonight at Small Bar (2049 West Division).

Join this group on Ravelry to stay updated.

Joanna has been making lots of lovely things recently, including this Tea Leaves Cardigan she made for her daughter.  It fits perfectly!  Rather than fastening it with buttons as the pattern suggested, Joanna chose a great twig shawl pin by Jul.  The yarn is Madelinetosh DK (composition book grey).

Jen completed this Ingenue sweater awhile ago, but I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of her when she wore it into the shop the other day.  It was knit with Malabrigo Twist (green gray).  Looks great!

Janet brought by her gorgeous fair isle hat (En Blekksprut), and Hilary modeled it.  The yarn is Road To China Light by Fibre Co.

Beth has been teaching Crochet Classes at the shop recently, and she made this great infinity cowl for us to display.  It took 3 skeins of Rowan Lima.  And it’s embellished with a crocheted flower made from Louet Linen.

Kristen shared with me this darling photo of her baby boy, Tobey.  He’s all wrapped up in a blanket made with Dream In Color Classy.  Adorable!  The pattern is part of Blue Sky Alpacas’ Three Piece Baby Set.

I covet Molly’s Dark & Stormy Cardigan.  Isn’t it fabulous?!  She finished it just in time for the chill that arrived this week.

Love her color choice of Olivia (Madelinetosh DK).

Janet stopped by to show us her gorgeous Leaf & Nupp Shawl.  What a beautiful use of Swans Island Fingering!

We’ll be open from 12-6 on Monday, October 10th - Columbus Day.

It seems like we’re receiving a box of yarn, patterns, books & accessories just about every day now.  There are lots of new things to get excited about.  Plus we’ve added to our existing lines.   Makes me want to cast on a zillion new projects.

Here’s a look at some of the recent arrivals…

28 glorious colors of Koigu.  Perfect for our favorite Churchmouse patterns such as the Turkish Bed Socks, Linen Stitch Scarf, Beaded Beret, and Barb’s Ruffle Scarf – all available here at the shop and through this link.

Imperial Stock Ranch Columbia 2-ply – a wonderfully wooly wool from Oregon in a range of natural hues.

Imperial Stock Ranch Pencil Roving – a unique cake of yarn for knitting, crocheting and felting.

Zealana Rimu – a soft blend of merino wool & possum from New Zealand.  It’s machine washable, resistant to pilling, and incredibly warm.  These 3×3 ribbed scarves reveal just how much the yarn blooms after washing.

Twinkle Baby Chunky is a new line which we added to our ever popular Twinkle Soft Chunky collection.  The Cabled Hat pattern from Spud and Chloe works up well with this yarn on a size 15 needle.

Art Yarns Rhapsody Light, Beaded Silk & Seqins, and Beaded Mohair & Sequins – these are the most luxurious fibers imaginable.  Try making a fancy ornament or an elegant lacy scarf.

Blue Sky Alpacas Techno is a very unique new yarn this season –  fluffy and light as air.  The free hat pattern can be found here

Malabrigo Rasta… once again we have a large selection of beautiful colors available.

Fibre Company Acadia is a new yarn made of merino wool, baby alpaca and silk.  It has a special textural quality.

Road to China Light is one of my favorite yarns.  Composed of baby alpaca, cashmere, camel and silk, it’s my ideal choice for a fair isle hat.

This is the hat pattern I’m about to begin.  It’s called En Blekksprut Beret.  Though a fingering weight yarn is suggested, Road to China Light works really well.

We’ve also received some fun accessories such as these Stitch Markers stored in a Dumpling.

And these fabulous button closures by JUL.

Just screw the leather Pedestal Buttons into place and they fasten this Mia tunic perfectly.

An assortment of closures by JUL.

A huge thank you to Takako for a wonderful Habu Event last Wednesday!

Everyone loved her workshops and we were so inspired by the garments she displayed in our shop.

Here are some of my favorites:

Sea Tangles  YKit 128

Shippo Tail Jacket Kit 27A

Silk Stainless Steel Cardigan Kit 24

Ruby by Coco Knits  Kit 150B

Kusha Kusha Jacket  Kit 75

We’re taking part in the 2nd annual Chicago Yarn Crawl which runs from Friday, August 19th through Sunday, August 28th.

During these 10 days, when you visit each of the 27 participating stores you’ll get your passport stamped, enjoy a 10% discount, receive a free shop pattern, enter a shop prize drawing and become eligible for several grand prize drawings.

For more information about the Yarn Crawl, click here.

As a special bonus, we are offering a free gift to anyone who picks up their passport AND gets their first stamp at Nina on Friday, August 19th (12-5).

Here’s a preview of the free patterns we’ll be providing: