The other day Farrah stopped in with a couple of her latest creations.

First, she pulled this absolutely perfect giraffe out of her bag.

It was knit with Spud & Chloe Sweater Yarn.  The pattern is from Itty Bitty Toys.  So cute!

Next she showed her Lattice Baby Blanket by Mac & Me (using Blue Sky Alpacas Cotton – double stranded).  Soft and squishy.

Then Erin B. stopped by with her Eyelet Baby Blanket (knit with Blue Sky Alpacas Cotton).  She chose to knit the ruffle in an accent color.  Doesn’t it look great?

Erin S. brought in some recently completed children’s sweaters for us to ooh and ahh over.

This darling striped cardigan is a Debbie Bliss pattern knit with Rowan Wool Cotton.  The classic pullover is a pattern from the new book “More Last Minute Knitted Gifts” knit with Spud & Chloe Outer Yarn.

And Hilary, who works here at the shop, made the sweetest baby gift ever…

this dress and shrug set (knit with Spud & Chloe Sweater Yarn).

Thanks for sharing everyone!

But the busy season is gearing up and we want to make ourselves more available to you, so we’ll be returning to our regular hours after Labor Day.

Here’s the holiday weekend schedule:

12-5  Friday, Sept 3

12-5  Saturday, Sept 4

12-5  Sunday, Sept 5

Closed Monday, Sept 6

Closed Tuesday, Sept 7

After that our hours will be:

11-7  Mon, Wed, Thu

11-6  Fri, Sat

12-5  Sun

Closed Tue

Join us for an evening of fashion, drinks, discounts and door prizes.

Please stop by to see some of our favorite projects, and get a glimpse into fall trends.

Here’s a little preview:

tea leaves cardigan

We have this pattern for sale at the shop and lots of beautiful Madelinetosh yarn.

shalom cardigan

Choose a color of Misti Alpaca Chunky and some fun buttons and you have a great fall cardi.

The pattern is free.

clapotis

This version of the ever popular Clapotis is made with fingering (sock) yarn for a lighter version.

The pattern is free on knitty.com

koigu ruffle scarf

There are so many nice sock yarns to select from… you’ll want to make several of these.

The Churchmouse Classics pattern can be purchased at our shop.

koigu ruffle scarf

Notice how different this Ruffle Scarf looks in a bright, playful color.

holly

A simple pattern from Rowan Studio 18 using Rowan felted tweed.

9 color kid silk haze scarf

Choose your 9 favorite shades of Rowan’s kid silk haze and cast on this beauty.

The free pattern is available at our shop.

mohair bias loop

This piece can be worn several different ways.  We have the yarn and the pattern.

simple things shawlette

A simple, small wrap using sock yarn.

The pattern is for sale on Ravelry.  Just click the link above.

mara

A perfect cozy wrap knit with Madelinetosh yarn.  The pattern is free on madelinetosh.com.

21 yarn shops are participating, and here’s how it works:

You pick up a passport at one of the shops listed below and get it stamped at each shop you visit.  You’ll receive a 10% discount at each shop, an exclusive free shop pattern, and a chance to enter a raffle.

Each shop will have a prize package worth at least $100 to raffle off.  There will also be a grand prize raffle for a gift basket worth over $500.  There are 3 chances to enter the grand prize drawing – one for visiting 10 shops, one for visiting shops in all 5 regions, and one for visiting 15 shops.

Hope you take this opportunity to visit Chicago area yarn shops.  It’s fun to discover what each one has to offer.  For more information about each shop’s location, hours, and special events, check out the Chicagoland Yarn Crawl Group on Ravelry here.

Special things going on in our shop during the Yarn Crawl include:

* Fashion Show Tuesday Aug 17th from 5-8 pm featuring fall project ideas, drinks, discounts & and prizes

* Trunk Show Aug 15-18 (during regular shop hours) highlighting patterns by Madelinetosh, Blue Sky Alpacas, and Churchmouse Classics

* New products from Malabrigo, Madelinetosh, Zealana, Jul, Blue Sky Alpacas, and Spud & Chloe (among others)

Here is a list of all the participating shops:

Region 1
Knit 1 – Chicago
Knitter’s Niche – Chicago
Knitting Workshop – Chicago
Loopy Yarns – Chicago
Nina – Chicago
Sister-Arts Studio – Chicago

Region 2
Fuzzy Wuzzy – Arlington Heights
Gene Ann’s – Barrington
I’d Rather Be Knitting – Long Grove
Knit Happens – Buffalo Grove

Region 3
Closeknits – Evanston
Montoya Fiber Studio – Evanston
Mosaic Yarn Studio – Des Plaines
Three Bags Full – Northbrook
Woolly Lamb – Chicago

Region 4
Chix with Stix – Forest Park
Idea Studio – LaGrange
Knitche – Downers Grove
Wool and Company – Geneva

Region 5
My Sister’s Knits – Chicago
Yarns to Dye For – Frankfort

First stop:  Loop

I’ve always been told that my shop has a similar aesthetic to Loop so I was excited to visit on Monday.  The shop is beautiful – with inspiring displays and a great selection of yarns.  I love the layout, the simplicity of the design, the overall feeling when you walk in the door.  It’s a special shop… be sure to visit if you find yourself in Philadelphia.

Next stop: Spool

After seeing Loop I popped next door to sister store, Spool.  It sure made me want to take a sewing lesson.  There were so many wonderful fabrics and sample projects.

Next stop: Slip Knot

I feel so lucky for the friendship I’ve developed with Clare, the owner of Slip Knot in Newtown Square (outside of Philadelphia).  We met at a Yarn Market News Conference a little over a year ago.  Since then, we’ve talked on the phone a lot, exchanging ideas and offering each other moral support as business owners.  I’ve always wanted to visit her shop.  This week I had the chance to work there with her for 3 days.  It was a great experience to meet her customers and see how she runs her business.  Our shops are so different!!  Everything is different – our location setting, our layout, our project samples, our customer requests… everything.   And yet we have so much to learn from each other.

Clare and her staff are wonderfully talented.  The shop offers so much:  expert help, an amazing sense of community, a great use of space that maximizes every nook and cranny, and the most incredible collection of knitted and crocheted samples I’ve ever seen in a yarn store.  Ideas and inspiration at every turn.

Here are some of my favorite Slip Knot projects on display:

7 Color Scarf

November Ruffle

Sweet Pea Hat

Koigu Ruffle Scarf

Morning Mist

Mohair Bias Loop

Liesl

Cloud

Mia

Scroll Lace Scarf

Phiaro

I loved my time at Slip Knot and I look forward to welcoming Clare to Nina when she visits in August.

I returned to Chicago feeling grateful for the perspective I gained from the other shops, and so happy to be back in my own.  We have the absolute best customers at Nina!  They are so nice, receptive to our suggestions, appreciative of our help, and fun to work with.  Thank you all for that!

Can’t wait to receive all the things I ordered!

Here’s a preview:

Malabrigo’s new Rios Superwash (It was impossible to choose so I just ordered every single colorway).  Plus I beefed up our current stock of Rasta, Twist, Lace and Sock yarn too.

Malabrigo Rios

Malabrigo Rasta

I added some beautiful new colors of Misti Alpaca Chunky to compliment the rest of our collection.  Plus some new cozy wrap patterns that are just perfect for this super soft yarn.

I ordered the much anticipated Merino Light by Madelinetosh as well as Sock, DK, Lace, and Pashmina.  Amy was gracious and helpful as I pondered my decisions in her booth.  I simply love all of her colors.  There will certainly be a big announcement when I receive her yarns and patterns since I know there’s a huge Madelinetosh fan club out there.

Madelinetosh Merino Light

The booth by Blue Sky Alpacas & Spud & Chloe is always a show stopper.  They have an amazing way of displaying things.  I always want to carry every one of their yarns and designs.  I’m excited about the new patterns I picked, and I can’t wait to start knitting them as soon as they arrive (which will be very soon).

Buga Baby Bunting

Peruvian Cabled Scarf

Brushed Suri Wrap

Brushed Suri Tunic

Maggie at Pick Up Sticks is one of my favorite people, and I so enjoyed visiting with her and ordering her clever new patterns & kits.  Her ideas are incredibly well presented.

Pick Up Sticks Benji Doll

Pick Up Sticks Holiday Decorations

Had a nice dinner with Leslie from Mac & Me.  I’ve carried her patterns for several years, and it’s always a treat to see her line (she has some great new designs!)  Got the update on her daughter Mac (who just graduated from high school – Congrats Mac!)

Mac & Me pattern: Natalie’s Slippers

Mac & Me pattern: Fur Pom Pom Hat

Mac & Me pattern: Evening Cardigan

Saw the talented young designers Stephen West and Ysolda Teague and ordered their new patterns and upcoming booklets.

Offhand Designs bags are available in a new style called Scottie.  So I ordered several – in some fantastic new fabrics.

Ordered more glass shawl pins and sticks from Moving Mud.  Love these unique handcrafted pieces from Vermont.

Glass shawl pins

Glass shawl sticks

It was great to see Jeanne from Oregon’s Imperial Stock Ranch .  She was decked out in her sheepskin vest and fancy cowboy boots, surrounded by natural fibers and images of the beautiful Oregon landscape.  She makes me want to live on a ranch.  I love her yarns and pattern collection.

Imperial Stock Ranch Honeycomb Scarf

Imperial Stock Ranch Ribbon Scarf

In addition to ordering from existing lines I carry such as Rowan, Berroco, Be Sweet, Classic Elite and Louet, I also found several new products from New Zealand, England, Canada and Maine.  Can’t wait to introduce them as soon as they arrive!

It was certainly a productive and exhilarating buying trip!

Memorial Day through Labor Day

Closed Monday & Tuesday

11-7 Wednesday & Thursday

12-5  Friday, Saturday & Sunday

To help kick off  summer we’re having a Memorial Day Weekend Sale

Friday, Saturday & Sunday:  May 28-30

15% off all yarns

Love this multi-colored cotton by Blue Sky Alpacas!

We’ve had it for quite awhile now, but wanted to highlight it because it’s one of my personal favorites.

Perfect for baby hats, blankets, toys… just about anything.

We considered many books, magazines, and patterns – and then came upon Precious in Rowan’s booklet, The Organic Cotton Kids Collection.

And let’s just say… the result is indeed precious.

Rather than using Rowan’s Purelife Organic Cotton as the pattern suggested, the customer selected Babyboo by Knit One Crochet Too.  The bamboo yarn is soft, with a bit of sheen – just perfect for this sweater.

I’m so glad I got to see it and snap this photo before it was given to the lucky little 8 year old.

This pattern is free on Ravelry.

It looks great in solid or variegated yarns, and can be knit in various weights.

I’m using Malabrigo Sock Yarn in the color indiecita.

Mine is a smaller scarf version.  Here’s what it looks like so far.