Knit This, Purl That!

Yarn and more yarn!

2009-04-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

Is anyone up for a "Yarntini"? That is what we could make with all the great new yarns that are in the shop right now! You have got to get down and take a look at the phenomenal "La Boheme" by Fiesta yarns. The colorways are unbelievable and this would make the most fabulous shawls and scarves and such! There are also some luscious cottons and cotton blends in for that perfect piece of summer knitting! We have some of the "Golden Tulip" cowl kits dyed by our own hometown dyer "Snicklefritz Yarns". There are some new fun classes up on the May schedule so take a look and sign up to learn something new and to make some new friends! Remember that we always can do private lessons for you if there is something you would like to learn that is not on the schedule for the month.

CALLING ALL LOVERS OF SOCK YARN!!!

2009-03-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

Oh my GOSH!!! You have simply got to make it down to the shop. We have gotten in the long awaited shipment of ShiBui sock yarns and are they ever gorgeous! The colorways are outstanding and this is a wonderful tight twist sock yarn which is a dream to knit with and will wear really, really well! (Always a plus when you have taken the time to make handknit socks.)
We also have gotten in our "Snicklefritz" Yarn in in lot's of the "Gnome" colorways as well as others in this high quality sock yarn. This is truly a beautiful yarn with incredible colors that dance together around the skein. It is a really soft and delightful blend being 75% Blue Faced Leicester and 25% nylon for strength. This is hand dyed in specialized batches right here in Pleasanton and is super generous with 460 yards per skein. We will be getting in more "Snicklefritz" yarns in some of the wonderful shawl skeins and luxury blends that our talented dyer searches out and then custom dyes. She virutally SOLD OUT of everything that she had at the Stitches West show and we are so proud to be your local Northern California shop carrying this superior yarn.
You also want to come down and check out the Knitknack Kards and WPI tools that we have just gotten in, these are sure to make every knitters life easier and much more enjoyable!

Was it ever great!!!

2009-03-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

So SIP-n-Knit was so great! It is hard to put into words the sense of fun and community that the evening engendered. Everyone was sooo friendly and sharing and laughing. You DO NOT want to miss these, check the calendars and clear your schedules so that you can attend these great events! The next one is coming up Monday evening March 30, 2009. Just go online and register, or you can call the shop and let them know you are coming.

We are also so excited to be one of the very first exclusive distributors of "Snicklefritz Yarns". If you were at Stitches West 2009, you would have been some of the first to see these fabulous yarns that are created locally right here in Pleasanton! "Nannysknits" (her Ravelry ID" is the talent behind this wonderful line and her color sense is truly remarkable! She has a wonderful line of "Gnome" sock yarns that are the yummiest of colorways and blends. She is working her magic right now and we will have an array of her yarns available at Knit This, Purl That! really soon. There is some really great boucle that goes with some great DK weight and together would make the most stylish "Chanel" type jacket ever! A real wardrobe classic. Watch your e-mails for the debut!

There are some wonderful new patterns for the ever sumptuous ArtYarns that you really must come in and check out. These patterns are so elegant and would be just the thing to knit for all the events that you may have coming up.
Be sure to check out the website where we have just posted the classes for the month of April and we have some great ones coming up. There is a super cool iPod/cell phone case that will teach you how to read and follow a charted pattern. We also have a class for any of you that have wanted to learn the "Magic Loop" method for knitting in the round. We will do a really cute pair of baby booties while you learn all the ins and outs of "Magic Loop". We are offering our "Tips and Tricks" class where you will learn all sorts of things that will make you a better knitter. Our own Darlyne will be teaching a really cute "Simple Summer Shell" that is the must have addition to your Spring and Summer wardrobe. Don't be left out, sign up early and get those sticks Clickin!

SIP and Knit!

2009-03-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

You are not going to want to miss this Thursday’s event at Knit This, Purl That! It is a wonderful “Sip and Knit”. There are still a couple of open spots so you need to call or sign up online as soon as you can. Come down and enjoy yourself from 7 to 9pm and get some of the special offers that will be for “sip and knit” participants only! ( It has something to do with “Marisol” this time! ) You can always count on a fun time with Deborah and Beth so do be sure to join us.
What’s on your needles now? Come by the shop and show us what you have in progress on your needles and if you do not have a current work in progress then get your 2 sticks and get some wonderful yarn and get those sticks clicking! If you need some inspiration then you just need to take a look at some of the new books that have recently come in to the shop. One thing that you may want to consider adding to your personal library would be a stitch dictionary. We have several available and when you look through them you can’t help but come away ready to try so many of the things that you have seen. With great pictures and clear instructions these are a wonderful resource that all knitters from beginners to the most experienced will really use and enjoy.

Click those Sticks!

2009-03-02T11:49:00.000-08:00

Well there has been a lot going on at Knit This, Purl That! You have got to get in and see all the new items that have come in, as well as check out the calendar for the new classes. Deborah has a great class with the “Knit One Below” scarf. Once you start this technique it is so much fun you will want to make several! We have the great “Bunny” class coming up with Kristina and it will be a super fun class to learn some toy making techniques in. come and let your “inner child” play.

The “Houdini” sock class with Jan went great and everyone is working away ready for the next class where we will attack those socks with scissors! It promises to be a magical time.

I know that some of you had the opportunity to attend “Stitches West 2009” this past weekend at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Make sure you come by the shop and share with us what you learned or all about the things you saw especially if it is something that you think would be fun for us to carry in the shop. Remember that we can also do special orders for you and get items that you might have seen that we don’t carry all the time. Sometimes they might be unavailable for us to order but we would love to help you out if we can. We always love to hear about the things our customers have learned and see things you are working on!

Make sure you stop in and take a look at the new “Claudia’s” handpainted yarns that have come in, there are some wonderful colors and I can’t wait to work with some of the new Linen. It is just the thing to make some shell tops for the summer with! So get your 2 sticks out and get them clickin!

We're Back!!!

2009-02-16T19:04:00.000-08:00

Okay so we have been away from the blog for quite some time, but we are back now!
There are so many new things in the store it is hard to know where to start. We have been really burning through the "Nastasha Bag" projects and it is so incredible to see how beautiful and different everyone's bag comes out.
We were at the TNNA market in San Diego and did we come home full of great ideas and information and especially new fibers that we have ordered. Yes it is finally coming...KOIGU!!! We have ordered and will look forward to our first shipment of these superb yarns coming in to the store. You will be the first to know if you are a part of our e-mail list.
We also have Shi Bui yarns coming, new Lorna's Laces "Pearl" yarns coming, but you absolutely have to get down to the shop and see the new "Great Adirondacks" yarns that arrived. They are just breathtaking and have to be seen in person to be fully appreciated! We also got a large shipment of the Malabrigo "Aquarella" yarns as well as their other lines. These have been flying off the shelves and we can't wait to see the beautiful projects that you all come up with for these yarns.
Another great new item are the "Square Knitting Needles" made by Kollage. These came in and we are already out of some sizes and will be re-ordering shortly. These needles are especcially great for any of you who may have hand issues from arthritis and carpal tunnel, to just plain overuse. They are really much easier on the hands because of the square shape. We have a set out on the front counter so please do come by and take them for a "test drive".
Make sure that you check out the class schedule on the website for the great upcoming classes.
Also for all of you going to "Stitches West" stop by with your class list and recieve a discount on your class supplies!

This Week....

2008-05-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

We received a huge shipment of Blue Sky Organic Cotton on Friday. Deborah has already started the Mac & Me "Summer Shawl" with their pristine white yarn.
This pattern is a great summer accessory for our cool evenings.
Deborah has been knitting like a fiend and
also brought in her Handbag from Pretty Knits.
This is an awesome bag made with
Lantern Moon Gelato Silk Ribbon and Muench Touch Me.
Robin and I are right behind her"almost done".

I cast on the sleeves of my Noro Sweater and
can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yay!

I have to brag about one of my beginning knit students.
Lauren came in 3 weeks ago and wanted to learn to knit.
The first week of class she started her class project which was a scarf.
Lauren came back on the second week with the scarf completed.
She had done an awesome job. She was ready for a new project,
so she choose a striped sweater (no less) for her 1 year old son (3 color changes).
You probably already know what I'm going to say!
Yes, she came to class last night with a finished project.
The sweater was truly magnificent. She is off and running again.....

Update on Sock Wars...
Ellen has sent her socks to Texas and is still alive. Glenna is
waiting for hers to arrive.
WaHoo!!

Sock Wars!!!

2008-05-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

We have two customers, Glenna Eastwood and Ellen Hartzler who are participating this year in "Sock Wars". Below is a pic of Glenna's socks she knitted. She has been working on these for 3 days (give or take a day ), finished and sent them to her target. (You rock Glenna!)

Her partner in crime, Ellen came in on Saturday for a couple more weapons. She was out the door in a flash......I haven't heard from Ellen since.

I know she's right behind Glenna in the chase.

Go get'em, girls!!
Speaking of socks we have only 6 spaces left in the Knit This, Purl That! Sock Club. If you're thinking about it sign-up online.

Busy Day!!!

2008-05-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

Jan did a great job on designing the socks for the Bobbles for Boobies kits. All the profits from the kits will go to the 3 Day Walk that Team "Unraveled" is participating in. We also received great pink bobble knitting needles. The supplies are limited on both.

Larissa from Offhand Design sent a new shipment of her awesome bags today. We have a great supply in the store now. The "green" buttons from New York arrived today and I am working on a great display for them. We have wonderful recycled glass buttons that look like beach glass (my favorite) and seed pods. The seed pods are beautifully dyed and what a statement they make.

I am making good progress on the Noro Taiyo Sweater that I'm knitting. I'm almost done with the front and the back is finished. That leaves just two short sleeves to knit. Dang, a girl can only do so much garter stitch.

Last night at Sit n Knit I cast on and am knitting the Chalice Hand Warmers by Alison Green Will. They have a great cable running up the front of each hand warmer. I chose to use Aslan "Invernal" and it is knitting up beautiful. Making these for mom and hoping to get at least one done to wrap up for Mother's Day. Ugh! That may not happen!

Remember we are closed on Sunday.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

What happened to Spring ????

2008-05-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

Where did the warm weather go? We've been talking about summer knitting and we need our winter woollies!!! Burrrr....

We are expecting any day a new shipment from Artyarn. We have 16 new colors of Beaded Silk and Beaded Cashmere/Silk blend. This yarn is so luxurious and we ordered many new patterns that go along. Nina will be flipping out because her job is checking in new patterns. Oh, did I mention that she hates that job. :)

Also, arriving any day are Denise Needle Kits, (great Mother's Day gift) Addi Turbos, Linie Solo, Misti Alpaca Super Chunky (4 new colors) and Lantern Moon Gelato Silk.

I taught a Beginning Knit Class last night and every one of the ladies did awesome. They were all knitting and purling by 9. That does my heart good... More knitters...YAY!

Over the weekend Team Unraveled went to the Makers Fair and met The Yarn Harlot. The report was what a hoot she is!
Jan is feverishly working on the "Bobbles for Boobies" socks and we will have the kits ready in about a week. Remember that all the profits benefit The 3 Day Walk.

We also have a new employee at Knit This, Purl That!. Stop by and say hello to Deborah. She will be working on Monday mornings and is looking forward to meeting all of you. Welcome to the team Deborah!

Summer Knits...

2008-05-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

What I love most about summer knitting is it takes no time at all to whip up tank tops, and tees, camis, and cardigans. Come by and be inspired by our pattern binders and whip yourself up a new wardrobe in no time!

Linda O’Connor stopped by yesterday to show us her latest project. Linda knit up the cute little top from Pretty Knits called “Avril” Shrug. Linda chose to use Blue Sky Alpaca/Silk in Color #33 Ice. This is Linda’s 1st lace project. You go girl! I am so proud of you......

Paul, our UPS guy arrived with boxes yesterday. We received 6 new colors of Noro Matsuri and more Namaste Bags. YAY!!! Jan is sporting a new Olive Green Laguna bag herself and loving it. Jan said, "Everyone wants to know where I got it and I replied at Knit This, Purl That! of course." Our wonderful customer Martha stopped by and pickup a beautiful gray Namaste "Laguna". She was all smiles as she walked out the door.

Jan is busy designing a new sock kit for our 3 Day Walk team to sell and all the profits will benefit our Team “Unraveled”. Watch for Bobbles for Boobies updates!

The Sit n Knit group met last night at the beautiful downtown Pleasanton Rose Hotel for an evening of knitting and sharing. I really enjoyed joining the group outside of the store. I am always amazed at what a talented group of women there are.
Christina, Kristin, Betts, Charlotte and Shelly are heading this weekend for their Sea Socks Cruise to Alaska. Have fun girls and bring back a lot of pictures and ideas to share.

Yay!! We are here...

2008-04-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

It is so fun to be up and running online. I know that you have gotten email from us but this is a great place to check out what's going on at the store and what we are working on. We hope to put pictures and links here for you to enjoy.

Right now our team "Unraveled" is training hard for the 3 Day Walk in September. They have been meeting twice every week and walking a variety of routes together. In addition, I know that each one has been training on their own. This is as simple as parking further away, taking the stairs, anything to add more steps to their day. I am proud to be a sponsor to this great group of knitters.

I know that I plan to go out one day to cheer them on, and I am already working on a great Noro Sweater that I will be wearing. (I am already done with the front!) This is the Regetta Sweater in the new Noro Joy book. I am using Taiyo color #1 a yummy cotton, silk, wool and nylon blend. It is a wonderful mix of pink, brown, grey, charcoal and oatmeal. It's a soft nubby yarn that would be perfect for a day at the beach or a concert in the park.