AT LAST - THE WINNERS!

Another shop hop is in the books.  The 2011 hop was the biggest and best so far.  The shopowners met today and our newest participant, Pat Capistrant of Lovin' Knits, drew the winning passport.  And the winner of $900.00 in shop gift certificates is:

DEBBIE KANZELMEYER

Debbie will enjoy many months of knitting with the supplies she can choose as the winner.  Or she can choose classes or anything else she desires.  I hope you participated this year and will again next year.  Here are the other winners and the retail value of their prizes.

CAST ON COTTAGE WINNERS

Maritza Ray - Shawl pin & Jawoll yarn  -  $50.00

Donna Paul - Lantern Moon notions bag   -  $75.00

Laura Williams - Stacey Shawl Kit  -  $12500

LOVIN' KNITS WINNERS

Nancy Gaddy - Bambool yarn & book  -  $100.00

Stephanie Johnson - Gift Certificate  -  $75.00

Tori Berube - Della Q. project bag  -  $50.00

NEEDLE NOOK WINNERS

Katrine Pate - Atenti Satchel bag  -  $132.00

Susan Hurd - 11 skeins Rhythm yarn  -  $71.00

Geri Patterson - Trendsetter Orbit  -  $49.00

ONLY EWE & COTTON TOO WINNERS

Pina Rambo - Hiyahiya Interchangeable needles  -  $150.00

Elina Ivon - Kudo yarn, pattern, shawl pin  -  $68.35

Lawrence Banner - Knitters blocking kit  -  $60.00

RARE PURLS WINNERS

Kumara scarf kit & pewter button  -  $65.00

Susan Amador - 2 hanks Epiphany yarn  -  $55.00

Michelle Stauffenberg - Sock Kit  -  $50.00

SHEEPISH WINNERS

Linda Fitzsimmon - Mt. Colors Weavers Wool  -  $76.00

Cynthia Thorn - Beginners spinning supplies  -  $75.00

Ethel Smith - Sock Package  -  $64.00

STRINGS & STRANDS WINNERS

Shannon Parris - Multi Fiber shawl kit  -  $88.50

Robin David - D. Macomber knitting accessories  -  $59.00

Marie Shuart - Sassy Skeins sweater kit  -  $54.00

THE WHOLE NINE YARNS WINNERS

Carolyn Penniman - Little Red book and yarn  -  $85.00

Wendy Langley - Origami yarn and pattern book  -  $55.00

Tracy Herring - Class gift certificate  -  $50.00

YARN GARDEN WINNERS

Becky Sorrells - Sock Package  -  $107.50

Margaret Bowers - Afghan Package  -  $78.25

Anna Shmukler - Notions Package  -  $52.00

There you have them, the lucky 28 who were chosen for prizes worth over $2900.00 donated by the 9 shops.  We thank you for visiting all of our shops and hope you will continue to do so.

Shop Hop 2011 Approaches - New Knitalong Beginning

Hi Folks:

It's been too long since I have updated here.  The 5th annual Atlanta Shop Hop will begin on Sept. 17th and go through Sept. 25th.  Passports ($1.00) go on sale this Saturday, August 27th.  Purchase a passport, visit as many shops as possible, and maybe win a fantastic prize.  See http://www.shophopatlanta.blogspot.com/ for more information and a list of participating shops and their hours.

Here is a photo of our next knitalong.  It's called A-HA by Holly Chayes.  It is knit in sock weight on size 5 needles and requires about 1400 yards of yarn.  Recommended yarn is Mini Mochi.  I have started mine in Jojoland Rhythm.  It needs a yarn that has long color floats, not one that changes frequently.  The pattern costs $6.00 and you can download it from http://www.tangledness.com/.  Wednesday is the day we will meet.  One group meets in the afternoon on the first Wednesday of the month from 1-2PM.  We will also work on this at our regular knit nite every Wednesday from 5-8PM, so you can join us for either time or both.  Everyone who has seen this pattern oohs and aahs over it so maybe you would like it too.  Here is a photo of the one I started last night.

See what I mean by the long floats of color?  It needs this to form an eye-pleasing color formation.  Pattern is super easy, all written out, no charts.

So get yourself a copy and come by next Wednesday to select your yarn.  We will be working on this for several months as it is a rather large piece.  We don't put any time limit on our knitalongs, everyone works at their own speed.  I haven't even started the last design we chose.  Come have some fun.

New Yarns For You

Come check out the two newest yarns we have received. The top photo is called "Delicato" and contains 640 yards of gorgeousness. The fiber is tencel and it accepts dye like silk, giving that beautiful sheen. It would be a stunning shawl. The skein sells for $29.99.

The next two photos are Lucatape. This is a three strand novelty with sequins. I have already knit a shoulder shawl using only one skein ($24.00). There would be many uses for this lovely.

Knit in Public day is coming up, June 11th from 11AM to 2PM at Artuzzi's in our shopping center. Join us for a day of showing our stuff.

Free Workshop - Ruffled Scarves

Join us on Saturday, May 21st, from 2-4PM to learn to knit one of these great scarves and get a jump on your holiday knitting. This is a fast project and can be completed quickly. Bring needles size 8-13 to be prepared. The cost of these yarns is only $12.00 a hank and you can choose your favorite when you arrive.

MALABRIGO TO VISIT NEEDLE NOOK

If you are a Malabrigo fan (and who isn't), you will want to save this date for a visit with a VIP. It's Tobias Feder, owner of Malabrigo Yarns, and he will visit with us on Wednesday, April 13th, from 4-7PM. Come and show him your finest Malabrigo finished objects, bring your camera and have your photo taken with him, see his trunk show and all his beautiful models. He might even bring along some of the new yarn, under construction now. You will need to reserve a time slot beginning at 4PM and ending at 7PM, every 30 minutes. Call (404) 325-0068 for more information and a reservation. There will be special pricing on all Malabrigo products for this evening. Don't miss this fun event.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO NEEDLE NOOK

I can't believe it, but the Needle Nook has been in business for 35 years, come this weekend. To celebrate, we are having a blowout sale, door prizes, giveaway, refreshments and more. Join us on Saturday and Sunday, March 19 & 20 for this event.

I finished my Malabrigo shawl in sock weight and am about three fourths of the way through a second one in Silky Merino. It is beautiful and in my favorite Malabrigo color, Amoroso. I made it a little bigger and therefore am holding my breath to see if I have enough to finish. I know better than this but couldn't help myself. Chock it up to old age! Here is the finished shawl.

Malabrigo March Roars In

If you are a Ravelry member and a Malabrigo fan you probably know about this. Each year they sponsor Malabrigo March where you knit as many Malabrigo projects as possible. Since we just received a shipment of their new Book 3, I decided to participate. I cast on the Scalloped Shawl in two colors of sock yarn and began to knit. I was soon hooked on this project and the yarn. It is a dream to knit with, so soft and supple. The pattern is beautiful yet surprisingly easy to knit. I am about half way done already. This new book is gorgeous. It contains patterns for shawls, cowls, sweaters, an ostrich and more. It is their finest effort to date. Be sure to take a look at it soon.