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never too late for new year’s resolutions…

Seven Resolutions for 2012

______________________

Even though the first month of the year has passed in a flash

we realize we still have the whole year ahead of us.

So we thought we’d share a few resolutions

that you may not have thought of.

It’s not too late to add a few more to your list!

Let’s start with the obvious…

#1

Get it Off the Needles

We’ve all got those projects that sit on the needles for months,

or even years, as newer and more enticing projects
keep popping up right in front of us.

This year, resolve to turn your UFOs into finished objects!

#2

Learn to Crochet

Open up your world to the possibilities of crochet,
which has become increasingly popular over the last few years.
More patterns and better designs are becoming available every day.

This year, resolve to set down the needles and pick up a hook!

#3

Get on Ravelry

There is no better resource for knitters and crocheters than Ravelry.

Browse a vast selection of patterns, connect with other crafters

through groups and forums, and follow us here at nina: a well-knit shop.

This year, resolve to stay connected with us and each other!

#4

Knit & Crochet with Friends

The only thing more enjoyable than knitting and crocheting alone
is knitting and crocheting with others who are knitting and crocheting!
Consider joining the Throwers, Pickers, and Hookers of Wicker Park
for many evenings of guaranteed fun. Also be sure to keep an eye out
for various KALs (knit alongs) that will take place throughout the year.

This year, resolve to spend more time stitching with friends!

#5

Start that Habu Project

You know who you are…

You attended our fabulous Habu Textiles event last summer
and purchased one of the many beautiful kits.
Months later, that beautiful kit is collecting dust.
Get motivated and get help by joining one of our Habu KALs
which take place the first Sunday of each month from 3-5pm.

The next gathering will be Sunday, February 5.

This year, resolve to knit the kit!

#6

Advance Your Skills

What’s a better goal than to add a new skill to your repertoire?
Stay tuned for new classes that we’ll be introducing throughout 2012,

including Basic Entrelac for knitters and Tunisian for crocheters.

We’ll also continue to offer classes in the Magic Loop technique,

Fair Isle, and Mobius knitting, among other things.

This year, resolve to learn something new!

#7

Raid Your Stash for a Good Cause

This year, we look forward to partnering with an

organization to knit and crochet for good.

More on this later, but for now, start setting aside any

machine-washable sport, DK and worsted weight yarns,

and we’ll soon provide you with more details.

This year, resolve to knit and crochet for the greater good!

Posted February 3rd, 2012 in announcements, current, events, new stuff

nina turns 7!

Posted November 18th, 2011 in announcements, current, events

throwers, pickers and hookers…

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.

Posted November 16th, 2011 in current, events

knit-alongs at the shop

Posted October 10th, 2011 in current, events

thank you habu!

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

Posted September 2nd, 2011 in current, events

chicago yarn crawl aug 19-28

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:

Molly’s Cowl

Posted August 18th, 2011 in announcements, current, events

habu – august 24th

Posted July 27th, 2011 in current, events

so much fun with Susan B Anderson!

We had a great Book Signing Event with Susan last night!

Thanks to all of you who came to meet Susan and to see her adorable creations. And thanks for bringing along your own animals for us to ooh and ahh at. So many sweet critters!

In case you weren’t able to make it to the shop last night, she signed some extra books for us. Stop by for your copy of any of her fantastic 4 books: Spud and Chloe at the Farm, Itty-Bitty Nursery, Itty-Bitty Hats, and Itty-Bitty Toys.

For more inspiration, check out Susan’s blog and the Spud & Chloe blog . Lots of clever ideas!

We enjoyed welcoming Susan to our shop for the second time. Thanks Susan for such a fun evening!

Posted June 18th, 2011 in current, events

Susan B. Anderson event Friday June 17th!

Exciting News! We’re hosting Susan B. Anderson for a book signing featuring her wonderful new book, SPUD & CHLOË at the FARM.

Susan will be at the shop this Friday, June 17th from 5-7 pm.

Stop by to meet her, get your book signed, and admire her wonderfully clever creations. There will be refreshments, discounts, and giveaways.

SPUD & CHLOË at the FARM is a unique knit-and-read book for children and adults. It provides a genuine opportunity for the knitter and child to bond as they get to know the story’s characters, discuss their knitting progress, and choose which toy to knit next.

The characters in SPUD & CHLOË at the FARM include Chloë, the little girl, Spud, an introverted but lovable sheep, a mother hen and her chicks, three little piglets, and a little black lamb. The book also offers patterns for making an assortment of farm props including a picket fence, bales of hay, dainty baskets, and a three-sided foldable barn.

Susan B. Anderson is also the author of three other popular knitting books: Itty -Bitty Nursery, Itty-Bitty Hats, and Itty-Bitty Toys. We love all of these books, and we’ll have them for sale at 20% off.

If you’ve already made things from her books, please bring them to show us!

We hope to see you on Friday, June 17th!

Posted June 14th, 2011 in current, events

Spud & Chloe At The Farm…

We just received copies of SPUD & CHLOË at the FARM, the wonderful new book by Susan Anderson.

This is a unique knit-and-read book for children and adults. It provides a genuine opportunity for the knitter and child to bond as they get to know the story’s characters, discuss their knitting progress and choose which toy to knit next.

The characters in SPUD & CHLOË at the FARM come alive through a fun knitting adventure, and as we knit and read along, we discover more about Spud — an introverted but lovable sheep, and Chloë — his perky owner. The pair travel to the farm and meet the inhabitants of the barnyard: a mother hen and her chicks, three little piglets, and a little black lamb. The book also offers patterns for making an assortment of farm props including a picket fence, bales of hay, dainty baskets, and even a three-sided foldable barn.

Susan Anderson, author of the popular Itty-Bitty series of knitting books, designed each of the 13 farm-centric projects. She uses Spud & Chloë yarns, a product line of all-natural and machine-washable fibers from Blue Sky Alpacas.

We’re excited to announce that Susan Anderson will be visiting our shop for a Meet and Greet and Book Signing on Friday, June 17th from 5-7pm. More details to come…

Posted April 14th, 2011 in current, events, new stuff

The shop occasionally hosts special events, book signings, trunk shows, and sales. Private events can also be arranged at the shop by request.

Perhaps you'd like to have a birthday party centered around a knitting lesson. Or a baby shower during which everyone learns to knit a square for a baby blanket. Or a corporate networking event that features knitting instruction. Or a book club that encourages participants to knit while discussing the book. Nina: a well-knit shop is available for these and other special events.