New Lorna's Laces colors

We have the five new Lorna’s Laces colors in the shop. Right now we only have it in Shepherd Sock (and we're working on getting them up on the website, don't worry!), but if you want it in another yarn/weight just give us a shout! Now, we give you… Andersonville, Beverly, Montrose, Rockwell, and Satsuma!

Calling All Spinners!

Now that Sharon has started spindling, she's getting lonely on those two days of the month that Hanks has set aside for spinners! The first Monday of each month (from 11am to 1pm) and the third Thursday (from 5pm to 7pm) are when the spinners gather at the shop to sit, spin, chat, and have a cuppa. Please consider joining us this Monday, February 2nd!

WoodsEdge Wools Farm yarns

We're proud to introduce WoodsEdge Wools Farm yarns into our shop this week -

Hunterdon Alpaca is 100% natural colored alpaca; 3.5 oz/250 yards; $15.00 (the white and brown in the photo)
Hand Dyed Designs is WoodsEdge Suri and Huacaya Alpaca; 3.5 oz/250 yards; $28.00 (the purple in the photo)
Couture Collection is Black Suri Llama and Black Alpaca; 3.5 oz/250 yards; $25.00 (the black in the photo)

Lorna's Laces Single Shepherd Sock Sale

We have a few skeins of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock that are singles (we call them “widows and orphans”). We’ve marked them down 20% to $8.80. Get ‘em while you can– we’re only marking these down because when we get more in, they won’t be in the same dye lot!

Cold weather still got you down?

Even though it's finally warming up here in Gainesville, we never know what will happen around here until March. (Gainesville slogan: "Don't like the weather? Wait five minutes!") If you want to have a quick scarf done before the next cold spell, take a look at two of our newest patterns.



The knitting pattern has eight reversible scarves that can be worked up quickly in a variety of weights and needle sizes. We've recently started including this pattern in our Introduction to Knitting class, so don't be intimidated if you're new-- you will be able to do something in this pattern!

The crochet pattern is very similar; six scarves that can be worked up in a variety of yarns using a variety of hook sizes. There is something in here for anyone from the brand new crocheter to someone who has been hooking for years.

We will be working on getting these, and other new patterns, up on the website over the next month. Until then, if you have a question about the patterns we will happily give you information over the phone (352.338.7222).

Kundert Spindles

We have recently started carrying Kundert drop spindles-- usually they sell out so quickly I can't get a photo of them! This time I wised up and took a picture right out of the box.



While I admit to preferring a wheel over a drop spindle, these are so beautiful that even I want them all!

These are part of our in-store only items, which means that they are not for sale up on our website. However, if you're not local and are interested in finding out more about them, please give us a call at the shop (352.338.7222) and we'll be happy to tell you what we have in stock and arrange for shipping.

Upcoming Classes

Introduction to Needlefelting
Jan. 24 & 31, 2009 (Saturdays)
10:30– 1:30 | $60 | Materials Included

Coronet: A Cabled Hat
Jan. 26, Feb 16 & 23, 2009 (Mondays)
6-8 PM | $75 | Materials Included

Soap Sweater: Intro to Cables
Feb. 11, 2009 (Wed.)
6-8 PM | $30 | Materials Included

Learn to Knit Hats
Feb. 12, 19, & 26, 2009 (Thursdays)
6-8 PM | $75 | Materials Included

2009 Afghan: February Square
Feb. 14, 2009 (Sat.)
2-5 PM | $30 | Materials Included

Introduction to Crock Pot Dyeing
Feb. 21, 2009 (Saturday)
10:30– 1:30 | $35 | Materials Included

Crochet an Amigarumi Monkey
Feb, 21 & 28, 2009 (Sat.)
2-5 PM | $50 | Materials Included

Introduction to Spinning
Feb 27, Mar. 6, 13, & 20, 2009 (Fri.)
6-8 PM | $125 | Materials Included ($200 refundable material deposit fee)

Trendsetter Merino VIII

After much discussion with the students in my January Square class, we've decided to continue using the same yarn throughout the entire year of classes (rather than our original plan of featuring new worsted weight yarns throughout the year). We will be using Trendsetter Merino VIII (also called "M8") which is the superwash version of the old Merinos Otto. Below is a selection of the colors which we currently have in stock (don't worry, we'll be adding many more colors-- this yarn comes in almost 60 colors).



You are of course able to use any yarn from your stash if you're playing along at home - or even buy some other worsted weight yarn if you want a different fiber or multi-colored yarn.

Closed on Sat., Feb 7th, 2009

Hanks Yarn and Fiber will be closed on Saturday, February 7th, 2009, for a family wedding. We will reopen on Sunday, February 8th, for our normal business hours.

How does Malabrigo Sock yarn knit up, anyway?

Beautifully!



(please ignore the cat hair on my toes)

I knit these socks over the Thanksgiving holiday, and wanted to wear them a few times before giving them an official review. Why? Because the Malabrigo Sock yarn looks beautiful, feels softer than the law should allow, and the colors are rich and deep. It seemed almost too good to be true! Fortunately, the finished object has held up to my original glee. I've washed the socks five or six times by now, by putting them in a lingerie bag and washing in the washer on warm (laying flat to dry) and they are just as soft and just as smooshy as they were when I finished knitting them. They do seem a bit denser around the heel when I've worn them all day, but the yarn has not felted at all, and looks just like new when I take them out of the wash.

No fiber in our diets this week

We're sorry if this inconveniences anyone, but all of our spinning fiber (and everything for needle-felting) has gone to Destin for the week, to play at the January Spin-in. Anything that doesn’t decide to stay at the beach will return on Sunday, January 25th!

Is there anything cuter that fruit hats on babies?

If so, we don't know what it is. Which is why two of our three new patterns are fruit and veggie hats for kids!



Ann Norling's Kid's Fruit Cap patterns take a heavy DK or light worsted yarn (or anything that gives you 5 sts/inch a US #6 or #7); Patrick's Pumpkin takes a worsted weight yarn and is sized between 19-22.5 inches; and the Ann Norling Infant Set has a cardigan, a blanket, a hat, and booties, which all knit using a worsted weight yarn.

We will be working on getting these, and other new patterns, up on the website over the next month. Until then, if you have a question about the patterns we will happily give you information over the phone (352.338.7222).

Class: Soap Sweater (Intro to Cables)

(updated post to show photos of what the finished object will look like)

Feb. 11, 2009 (Wed.)
6-8 PM | $30 | Materials Included

What is a soap sweater? Knit out of 100% wool, it fits snugly around a bar of soap and will felt and shrink as you use the soap.



What will you learn in this class?
- knitting on double-pointed needles
- knitting in the round
- cabling
- cabling without a cable needle
- increasing and decreasing
- grafting

As you can see, for such a simple project, there's a lot you can learn! If you can cast on and do the knit stitch, this is a great one-day workshop for learning new skills.

Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given.

Meet Hank!

Meet our little friend...



He's been with us about a week now, and is doing quite well. Even if he does freak me out sometimes when I forget he's there and he moves around. Of course you know we had to name him "Hank", right? Come by and meet him sometime!

Lorna's Laces sock patterns

Continuing with the theme of sock patterns for Lorna's Laces, we have... sock patterns *by* Lorna's Laces!



Is it just the geek in me, or can anyone else see a set of Gryffindor house color socks done up in that pattern on the top right?!

We will be working on getting these, and other new patterns, up on the website over the next month. Until then, if you have a question about the patterns we will happily give you information over the phone (352.338.7222).

Wildhorse Farms Designs

We're working on getting new and different patterns in the shop, and one of the lines that we're starting with is Wildhorse Farms Designs (link to Ravelry information).



Wildhorse Farms Designs does sock patterns, using Lorna's Laces yarns-- in the last three weeks they've already become a hit with our customers and we're already on our second order of patterns! We will be working on getting these, and other new patterns, up on the website over the next month. Until then, if you have a question about the patterns we will happily give you information over the phone (352.338.7222).

What's on your needles?

If you've been in the shop any time over the last couple of weeks, you know that Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn (Ravelry link) is the topic of choice around here right now.

I've got a pair of socks on the needles right now from that book, the Herringbone Rib Socks (again, that's a Ravelry link, so you must be logged into Ravelry to see that). To make these socks I am using the most recent colorway from Lorna's Laces, Roadside Gerry (in Shepherd Sock). Here are pictures of the yarn and the socks--





As you can see, this is just about the perfect marriage of yarn and pattern.

What's on your needles this week? Anything that you're just as happy with? Or are you maybe even doing something from this book?

Malabrigo restock!

We haven't had time to blog about it until now, but almost two weeks ago (where does the time go, anyway?!) we got a shipment of Malabrigo--

Lace-

Sock -

Worsted -

But we have to warn you– the sock yarn is going fast!

January Classes

Just a reminder about the classes we're having this month; spaces are still available but they're going fast!

Introduction to Knitting
Jan. 8, 15, 22, & 29, 2009 (Thursdays)
6-8 PM | $100 | Materials Included

2009 Afghan: January Square
Jan. 10, 2009 (Saturday)
2-5 PM | $30 | Materials Included

Introduction to Dyeing
Jan. 10 & 17 (Saturdays)
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | $70 | Materials Included

Knit a Monogrammed Sweater
(In the style of a “Weasley Sweater”)
Jan. 12, 19, Feb. 2, 9, March 2, 23 (Mondays)
6-8 PM | $80 | Materials Not Included

Introduction to Crochet
Jan. 17, 24, & 31, 2009 (Saturdays)
2-5 PM | $75 | Materials Included

Introduction to Needlefelting
Jan. 24 & 31, 2009 (Saturdays)
10:30– 1:30 | $60 | Materials Included

Coronet: A Cabled Hat
Jan. 26, Feb 16 & 23, 2009 (Mondays)
6-8 PM | $75 | Materials Included


Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. Individual classes/lessons available by request (prices may vary)

New happy Prism goodness

We got a small shipment of Indulgence and Saki (new, crazy-soft base!) today. Nobody does color like this!

Class: Learn to Knit Hats

Feb. 12, 19, & 26, 2009 (Thursdays)
6-8 PM | $75 | Materials Included

Learn to knit hats using an easy, basic pattern; after you learn the basics you can use the same pattern to make a variety of hats using a variety of different weight yarns and needle sizes.



Our shop model has stripes, but for the class we will be making a solid color hat. Once you learn the basics of knitting in the round and decreasing, you can add your own stripes, change colors, throw in a rib... be adventurous!

Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given.

Class: Soap Sweater (Intro to Cables)

Feb. 11, 2009 (Wed.)
6-8 PM | $30 | Materials Included

What is a soap sweater? Knit out of 100% wool, it fits snugly around a bar of soap and will felt and shrink as you use the soap. We don't have any photos of our pattern yet, but if you are on Ravelry you can see the Soap Sweater project page here.

What will you learn in this class?
- knitting on double-pointed needles
- knitting in the round
- cabling
- cabling without a cable needle
- increasing and decreasing
- grafting

As you can see, for such a simple project, there's a lot you can learn! If you can cast on and do the knit stitch, this is a great one-day workshop for learning new skills.

Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given.

The January Newsletter

Most of you who read this are on our mailing list and know this already; but the January Newsletter is up.

In addition, we've been working on a page about shopping locally. This includes both lists of things that we carry at the store level but don't sell online, and also some of our favorite locally owned places that should you be traveling to our area, we'd like to recommend.

Class: Coronet (a knitted cabled hat)

Jan. 26, Feb 16 & 23, 2009 (Mondays)
6-8 PM | $75 | Materials Included



Think that hat knitting might not have anything to teach you? Here are the skills you can learn during this class:
- provisional cast-on
- cables
- cabling without a cable needle
- grafting
- picking up stitches evenly around
- decreasing
- knitting in the round

Not to mention having fun, and having this fantastic hat when the class is over!

Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given.

Discussion of the Month

Who in your life, or what events in your life, inspired you to pick up your favorite crafty endeavors? Was it a parent or grandparent who taught you so long ago you don't even remember learning? Was it a particular thing that you saw or that happened to you that inspired you to learn from a book or find a teacher?

Class: Introduction to Needle Felting

January 24 & 31, 2009 (Saturdays)
10:30– 1:30 | $60 | Materials Included

Been nervous about learning how to stab wool repeatedly with sharp needles in order to shape anything from an animal to a vegetable? No need to be nervous any more! This two-week class will teach you the basics of needle felting. Using the cutest pattern in the world, you will learn to make a small sheep using only your hands and sharp needles.

Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given.