Rizos Ruffle Yarn Has Arrived

This is my Rizos scarf in progress. This tape yarn has loops on one edge and this is what you knit in to to form the stitches. It's really easy and works up quick. I have used a size 8 needle and 8 stitches but you can make it larger or smaller to suit your preference. I think 6 stitches would work just as well. The cost is $12.00 per hank and you don't even have to wind it up.

Pictured above is the bulky neckwarmer we have been knitting at warp speed this fall. It makes a great holiday gift, is inexpensive and quick to knit. What more could you ask for? To help you get started Needle Nook is holding a free workshop on Saturday, Nov. 20th from noon to 3 PM. Bring size 13 and 15 needles if you have them. We will help you choose appropriate yarn (please, no stash yarn today). You will most likely be able to leave with a finished neckwarmer. I knit 3 in one day. This is a fabulous gift for teachers, friends and family too. The buttons are available from Gail K. Fabrics on Cheshire Bridge Road. Join us to sit and knit for a while and have a fun time while you cross some names off your gift list. Our address is 2165 Briarcliff Road and the phone is (404) 325-0068. Hope to see you then.

Fall Happenings

Pictured above are some of the events going on and planned at Needle Nook. The top (not very good) photo is of the knitted beads we are doing in a class on Sat. Nov. 13th from 3-4:30 PM. You will learn how to knit with beads and place the knitting over a wooden bead. Class fee is $30.00 and that includes materials to make 3 beads. Registration is in progress.

The second photo is the Curlicue Blanket (turned into a shawl by Betty). We have had so much interest in this project that we are starting a knitalong on the first Wed. in January, 2011. There will be two options. Wednesday afternoon from 1-2PM or our regular Wednesday knit nite from 5-8PM. We will be working on this at both times. Registration is necessary for this KAL. More information later.

The third photo is the bulky neckwarmers that I knit in two hours. You won't believe how fast you can make this item. Need fast holiday gifts, this is the answer. It's knit on size 15 needles with bulky yarn so it goes quickly. Add a fabulous button and you are done. I'm making these for gifts this year for all the ladies. Purchase the yarn for this project and I'll give you the pattern free.

Also wanted to mention our spooky knit in on Saturday, Oct. 30th at Artuzzi's. We will meet on the patio from11AM - 2PM for some knitting time with friends. Bring a treat to share and Artuzzi's will provide free drinks. You can also order lunch there. Wear your favorite knit item OR a costume to be eligible for door prizes and Needle Nook specials. See you there.

SHOP HOP 2010 - $1,000.00 GRAND PRIZE

Get ready for the 4th annual shop hop - Sept. 25-Oct. 3rd. There are 10 shops participating this year and the grand prize is a $100.00 gift certificate from each shop. Do the math. If you don't get to all 10, there are still 30 other prizes up for grabs. Here are the prizes we are donating. You can see more at http://www.shophopatlanta.blogspot.com/, along with a list of all the shops. Passports are on sale for $1.00 each now.

Needles, needles everywhere

Literally everywhere. We just received our first and very large shipment of the new Lana Grossa needles. There are two kinds. One is chrome plated brass circulars in all sizes in 16", 24" and 32" lengths. The other is layered wood in colors to form a lovely design. These are available in double points, crochet hooks (not in yet) and circulars in 24", 32" and 40" lengths. Not every size in each style has arrived yet but all are on order. These needles have very, very smooth joins and extra sharp tips for those who love working with a pointy needle. The yarn glides right over the join with no stopping to push it up. I loved working on the sample I did. So come in and give it a try. You'll like it.

Stitches Fun

Here we are with the Ravelry crew we spotted at Stitches on Friday morning. There's Alma, Eve and myself pictured with them. We had to stop and tell them how much we enjoyed Ravelry and they thanked us and gave us buttons to wear.

The Stitches market was very nice with many vendors attending. I saw many folks I have known over the years from TNNA shows. I did purchase some cute drawstring pouches for the shop and stitch markers too. The only thing I bought for myself was a beaded necklace kit, which I have already completed. It made me realize how much I enjoy working with beads and so I am trying out a few ideas. Who knows what it will come to, probably nothing. I did learn a beaded cast on from this kit and have used this on a new scarf model for the shop. It is coming out nice.

Mother's day is coming up this weekend and my daughter and I will head over to Home Depot to pick up some flowers. Then we will come home and pot them all up for the patio. We will also purchase vegetable plants for the garden. It should be a fun day. I hope you are able to spend time with a family member this Sunday or at least have a phone call. Tell Mom how much you love her. You can never hear it enough.

Arlene

P.S. Final total for Ovarian Cycle fundraiser was $2,150.00. Thank you everyone.

Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser - Report

Our event was held on a beautiful sunny day. The vendors were there as well as the shoppers. The items for sale were wonderful and many went home with new owners. Artuzzi's supplied free pizza and drinks for everyone - that was so generous of them. All of the silent auction items have not been picked up yet but we are somewhere in the range of $2,000.00 that has already been donated to Ovarian Cycle (this event happens this weekend). The shawl raffle was won by Sandee Stephenson and the bowl was won by our own Jan Goodloe.

Thank you to everyone who participated - either by being a vendor, attending and purchasing items, baking for the bake sale, spreading the word and general helpers. You made a valuable contribution to an important quest and you should be proud of yourselves.

Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser & Sidewalk Sale-April 10th

Once again our vendors will set up on the sidewalk in front of Needle Nook. We will be there from 2 - 6 PM on Saturday, April 10th. There will be many items to choose from including:

• Baskets
• Baby Hats
• Wood bowls & wine stoppers
• Felted Purses
• Silver & wire jewelry
• Quilted table runners
• Tshirts
• Knit & crochet items
• Santa & Mrs. Santa dolls

There will be much more to choose from. This is a great time to select gifts for Mothers Day, Fathers Day, graduation or just for yourself. A portion of each sale will go towards research to find a test for ovarian cancer. Currently, no such test exists. Madame Jeri will return to read the Tarot cards. I had mine done last year and she was right on the money. So please come by on the 10th to lend a hand. We will also have a silent auction, raffle and bake sale. See you then.

Arlene

Happy Anniversary Needle Nook

The Needle Nook opened on March 20, 1976. Back then I was a 31 year old who knew nothing about running a business. It's a wonder the shop survived but it did and now it's 34 years later and still going. All this is thanks to wonderful loyal customers and friends and great staff.

Come by on Saturday, March 20th and wish me a happy 34th anniversary. In turn I will give you a 10% discount on your purchases all day. This does not include classes or special events. Hope to see you then.

Arlene

New-New-New

The beautiful Malbrigo Rasta yarn has arrived and is a beauty to behold. No one can dye colors like Malabrigo. The Rasta is a super bulky weight, knitting at 2 stitches to the inch. We have 10 gorgeous colors to choose from. Each hank contains 90 yards and sells for $24.00.

Lots of new yarns have arrived already. Light weight cottons and blends, sugar cane yarn and more. Above is a shrug knitted in the new Mia bulky cotton. We will offer a class on this soon.

And also shown above is a new knit bag from Namaste. It is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. We also received circular needle cases and gadget cases from them. They look like leather but are actually faux.

Since I can't seem to put the pictures with the correct article, I'll close now and hope you will come by to see all the new items in person.

Arlene

Finished Olympic Challenge

This is the Citron Shawl from the current issue of Knitty.com. It is our knitalong project and I decided to do it as an Olympics challenge. I cast on during the opening ceremonies and finished this morning. I set a goal of a certain number of rows to do each day. At the beginning it was easy to maintain my pace but as the rows got longer and longer and longer it was tough but I perservered and completed it this morning. I even added 3 repeats of the pattern to make it larger for me. It came out great. I used a lace yarn called "Ballerina" which is smaller than the Malabrigo lace it calls for. If you enlarge this pattern, be sure to double the yardage needed. I ended up with a tiny, tiny little ball left over. All in all it was fun and I have a great spring shawl to wear.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

My 65th birthday is around the corner (2/22) and I need you to help me celebrate. Bring me a birthday card on Saturday, Feb. 20th and I will give you a piece of cake and a 10% discount on all your purchases. Class fees and special events are not included in this offer. I'll be there from 10 AM to 5 PM so drop in during those hours for some goodies (both kinds). There's lots of new shop goodies to tempt you as much of our spring yarn has been coming in over the past few weeks. So come by and wish me luck.

Arlene

Needle Nook Winter Olympics Knitting Competition

Hi Everyone:



First of all, thank you to all who have contributed to the Haiti Relief Fund. We have collected around $2800.00 as of today with a few more days left. This money was matched by Knitting Fever and sent to the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. Your generosity was sorely needed by the residents of Haiti. Thanks again.



On to a new venture. The Needle Nook has always supported community service projects. We have done chemo hats, preemie hats, childrens chemo hats, ovarian cancer scarves and more. We thought it would be fun to have a Winter Games competition. Here's how it works:



Knit or crochet the following items for donation to charitible organizations:



Chemo Hats

Preemie Hats

Preemie Blankets

Teddy Bear Outfits

Stoma Covers *



The person who turns in the most items wins a $25.00 gift certificate to the shop. Competition starts with the opening ceremony and ends with the closing ceremony (Feb. 12-Feb. 28). Honor system, no combining with your buddies. Must be received at the Needle Nook by 5PM on March 6th.



You can find free patterns on the web for most of these items. * The stoma covers (for tracheotomy patients) MUST BE MADE OF 100% COTTON smooth yarns with no fuzz. You can make a 6" x 6" or 7" x 7" square or something of that shape and size. This is a great way to try out some new stitch patterns. It's just like doing a dishcloth except you add about 14" ties to the top, to go around the neck. Teddy bear sweaters should fit about a 8" - 16" bear. These are given to children in trauma. The rest of the items speak for themselves.



So get those needles fired up and help your community. You will be glad you did. Call us at (404) 325-0068 if you have questions.

Help Haiti Victims

One of our yarn suppliers, Knitting Fever, has generously offered to match any amount sent to them for Haiti earthquake relief. If you wish to donate you can make out a check to The Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders and write Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund on the bottom. Bring in your check or mail it in to Needle Nook, 2165 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30329. Please don't delay, we will only collect for a few more weeks. We sent off the first group of checks for over $1,300.00 just yesterday so that will go a long way when doubled. Thank you to all who have donated so far. We have taken donations from $5.00 to $500.00 so no amount is too small or too large. Thank you for being such caring and concerned knitters and crocheters.