Last weekend we had a nice visit from Maaike, a talented Dutch blogger and crafter who lives in Toronto.
We are so impressed with her beautiful blog, Crejjtion, and are tickled to be featured on it.
Here’s her post about our shop:
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Nina Chicago
hello this sunny Saturday from Chicago!
straight from this beautiful city
I am excited to share with you
Nina Chicago
one of those yarn shops where you can stay for hours
full of pure inspiration
welcomed by these cute yarn snowmen, you enter a shop full of quality yarns
in the most amazing color ranges
together with lots of temtping examples
for yourself
and the little ones
how cute can they get?!
Nina and Sam make this place such a warm and inviting store
it feels like home when you sit on the couch and knit a few more rows
like Robin did, while her son Soren was still sleeping
well, this sweet boy did wake up in the end
if you are in the neighborhood, go and visit this inspiring store
a beautiful yarn collection, and friendly professional ladies ~ you will be hooked
~
more shop features coming up soon…
Posted February 5th, 2012 in current, new stuff
|
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
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 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
Wanted to share Tami’s Escargot Hat.
Doesn’t it look great edged in white?
Add it to my must knit list.
Posted February 1st, 2012 in current, new stuff
Carrie’s been turning out some crazy cute monsters. Meet Hugo and Corbin.
(Made with Malabrigo Rios and Madelinetosh DK)
Molly’s adorable 2 year old daughter, Bea, is destined to be a model.
Here she’s wearing Kindling. So sweet! (made with Be Sweet Bamboo)
Posted January 29th, 2012 in current, new stuff
We love Rowan’s Kidsilk Haze. It’s soft and drapey and comes in a zillion gorgeous shades.
Many people have enjoyed choosing 3 colors to make our Ombre Cowl. This one, knit by Carrie, is especially beautiful!
This one, knit by Molly, is striking too!
And this one, knit by Hilary, was the original inspiration.
Sam and I had fun choosing some pretty color combinations today. What’s your favorite?
If you don’t want to switch between three different colors, but you still want some color interest, try using Rowan’s Kidsilk Stripe. It stripes on its own as you knit or crochet with it.
The blocks of color vary in size depending upon the number of stitches you cast on.
Here are a couple of pretty examples:
Posted January 27th, 2012 in current, new stuff
Maura has been a big help at the shop this winter season. Yesterday she stopped by to show her latest project – the oh so sweet Woodland Hoodlet. I want one! It knit up quickly on size 15 needles and it took 3 skeins of Twinkle Baby Chunky.
Posted January 3rd, 2012 in current, new stuff
We know some of you may be running out of time so we thought we would help with some last-minute gift ideas:
From left to right: Blue Sky Alpacas Tin of Sock Needles, Eucalan Wash, Della Q Project Bag, Hiya Hiya Stitch Markers in a Dumpling, Hats, Mittens & Scarves in a Box of Patterns
From left to right: Book of Knitted Gifts, Box of Greeting Cards, Peppermint Candy Tape Measure
For the Sock Lover: Sock Yarns, Sox Stix, Toe-Up Socks Patterns in a Box
For the Shawl Lover: Various Shawl Pins in Glass, Metal & Wood
For the Confused: A gift card, available in any amount
Posted December 21st, 2011 in announcements, current, new stuff
Valerie stopped by Sunday with her Cropped Cardigan. Love the bright green color she chose (Malabrigo Worsted – sapphire green).
I recently made a Christmas hat for my friend’s new baby, Sophia. The pattern is the Munchkin Hat (with a few modifications), and the yarn is Blue Sky’s Sport Weight Alpaca.
I needed a quick, cozy Infinity Cowl, and I wanted to try out Twinkle’s Baby Chunky, so I whipped this up. (Super easy pattern: Cast on 112 stitches with a 36-40″ long size 15 circular needle. Join in the round, and repeat the 2 row sequence of knit a row, purl a row until you run out of yarn.) This took one skein of Twinkle Baby Chunky (170 yds).
Jen made this beautiful version of En Blekksprut with Road To China Light.
Maura knit a Ruffle Scarf to demonstrate Rowan’s new yarn – Kidsilk Creation. It’s an easy 1 hour project, and the tutorial is available on Rowan’s website.
And Amy brought by her adorable Daphne & Delilah before gifting it to a lucky child.
Posted December 7th, 2011 in current, new stuff
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.
Posted November 5th, 2011 in current, new stuff
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!
Posted October 14th, 2011 in current, new stuff
