Hanks Yarn and Fiber

So long; and thanks for all the fish.

2011-06-21T20:55:00.000-04:00

Dear friends and loved ones;

It's been a long year since we made the decision to close the bricks and mortar shop and go online. That year has seen many new opportunities open up for the three of us. What I'm about to say will not affect the current fiber and sock clubs - those will still arrive as scheduled in your mailboxes and hot little hands - but starting tomorrow, June 22nd, we will begin the process of closing the online portion of Hanks Yarn and Fiber.

As I said, this will *not* affect your status in the current fiber and sock clubs; Sharon will continue to dye and mail the fiber clubs, and Lorena already has great plans for not only the final August installment of the sock club (you should all have hopefully received the June shipment by now) but also for more sock clubs in the future, as she will be folding her yarn dyeing activities into her current job at HaldeCraft.

Starting tomorrow, look for discounts to begin showing up on the Hanks Yarn and Fiber online shop until we close that out (after approximately July 15th, any remaining stock will be moved to Etsy). You may also contact us at the Hanks email address until then as well. We will no longer be using our Twitter feed (although, man, were there some great in-shop customer quotes on that or what?!) or updating our Facebook page.

Sharon will soon be taking on more duties at Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Shelter, where she has been working for the last year (you can also find them on Facebook). She looks forward to continuing to see people sometimes at the Sunday Stitch 'n' Bitch, or whenever there is an in-town Roller Derby meet. She will continue to dye and mail out the fiber club.

Ginger continues to work full-time at the University of Florida, and her fibery adventures can be followed over at Ewephoric Fibers, where she and Jane process some of the most beautiful fiber you will ever see and touch. You can also find them on Facebook. Ginger and Jane also look forward to the occasional Sunday SnB, and also fiber events like the upcoming Florida Fiber-in, in Orlando this coming September.

Lorena can be found where she has been for the last year, making soaps and ceramics - and now dyeing yarn - for HaldeCraft (which you can also find on Facebook). She will continue to dye and mail out the sock club, and should anyone wish to join the next sock club she will be posting information about that soon on the HaldeCraft Facebook page and her blog. She will also continue, after Hanks closes completely, to dye some of the most popular colorways in a variety of bases. She can't promise all the colorways, but previous customers looking to get another skein or two of an old Hanks colorway should definitely drop her a line -- she'll be happy to custom dye anything you need.

Ginger and Lorena encourage you to stick with them still on Ravelry, where they will shortly be changing the name of the Hanks group to reflect the two business they have started (Ewephoric Fibers and HaldeCraft). They will be sharing the group so that people interested in both of them do not have to go searching for information.

Please contact us should you have any questions, and don't forget us. We love all y'all, and Hanks couldn't have been what it was without you.

XOXOXOXO
-- Ginger, Lorena, and Sharon

Third Thursday Night Spinners

2011-02-14T09:59:00.003-05:00

Third Thursday Night Spinners will NOT be meeting this month - Wild Iris had an event scheduled that evening, so we are going to take a month off. See you solitary spinners in March!

Meet-ups and Gatherings

2011-02-10T12:43:00.000-05:00

Even though our shop is online, we love to hang in person - please join us any time!

Stitch ‘n’ Bitch is Sundays at Books-a-Million on NW 13th Street

Join this eclectic group of folks for a little crochet, knitting, and chatting about everything under the sun. Everyone is welcome!
Sundays | 2-4:30
Books-a-Million
2601 Northwest 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32609
(352) 376-6623

Third Thursday Evening Spinners is at Wild Iris Books on University Avenue

On the third Thursday of the month bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with us to do some spinning!
Third Thursday of the month | 5-7
Wild Iris Books
802 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 375-7477

In addition, there is periodically a Knit-a-long that meets on Thursday nights (unless it's the third Thursday of the month) and various social gatherings seem to have sprung up other places during the week. You can keep an eye out on the Gainesville Fiber Enthusiasts group on Ravelry, people are pretty good about posting open social gatherings there!

Coming soon... Sequoia!

2011-02-07T05:40:00.001-05:00

WiPs - St. Brigid

2011-02-04T15:19:00.000-05:00

Back in... October through December, we were doing a KAL with anything you wanted to knit (or crochet) out of any colorway of our yarn that you wanted to use. I opted for our Worsted Weight yarn in "Irish Coffee," and I started in on the sweater that inspired me to learn cables all those years ago - St. Brigid by Alice Starmore.

When I had seen this pattern years ago, I thought it was out of my league - both technique-wise and literally, as the book it was in was out of print and only occasionally able to be found on eBay for something in the $200-$300 range. I don't know about y'all, but that's a little out of my price range.

However, in September, the publisher re-released the book and I was able to get it for about $20, which is MUCH more within what I'm willing to spend.

I find the pattern slow going; not because it is hard (it's actually deceptively easy)... but because every time I finish two rows I want to hold it up and look at it for about five minutes before I go to the next row. Heh. Who knows what I'm talking about?!

Have you ever done this pattern?

Have you ever used our Worsted Weight yarn? Or what about our colorway, Irish Coffee, in any weight?

On Christmas Knitting

2011-01-26T21:38:00.000-05:00

Late, I know - I thought I had posted this a month ago but apparently I did not! Still, funny-sad, and true.

Cables and Twists

2011-01-18T07:44:00.001-05:00

Long-time Silk Hankies may remember a class we offered in 2009, to teach the difference between cables and twisted stitches. We gave copies of the pattern in the class, and also as a free pattern if you bought the yarn with which we designed the pattern; but we never offered it just as a free pattern. After numerous requests I've finally gotten the pattern up and available as a free Ravelry download - please help yourselves to Cables and Twists!

Third Thursday Night Spinners

2011-01-17T09:52:00.002-05:00

Please join us at Wild Iris Books for Third Thursday Spinners on January 20th, 2011 from 6-8 PM; bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning! Please note the time change - previously we have met from 5-7 (since when we used to meet at Hanks, we closed at 7) but since Wild Iris is open until 9 we have pushed our meeting back an hour!

Wild Iris Books
802 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 375-7477

Yarn cups

2011-01-11T11:55:00.016-05:00

We are now happy to accept special orders on yarn cups! Please keep in mind that there's only one of me, and I only have one mold - so there is a 3-week minimum turnaround on each cup ordered to allow for pouring, drying, cleaning, kiln firing, glazing, and another kiln firing. So if you order a dozen cups, it will take a couple of months - it took me three months to get the dozen that we had at Fiber-In in September. I just want to be up front and honest about the timeline, so that nobody sends an email thinking they'll be able to get a set of three by Friday. Each one is made, cleaned, and painted by hand, and as we all know as crafters, that takes time. I appreciate your patience and trust that you'll be happy with a quality product.

Current colors that we can do match our solid-color yarn line: Pretty in Pink, Vodka and OJ, Irish Coffee, Raspberry Beret, Green Grass, and Red Appletini. As of yet I have not been able to find a glaze that matches Grey Gardens, but I'm still searching and hoping to have something by the end of January. Cups are $15 each, regardless of color.

If you are interested in ordering a yarn mug, drop us a line. Please make sure to tell us what color or colors you are interested in and how many of each you would like; for example, "I'd like one cup in Irish Coffee!" or "I'd like three cups, one in Pretty in Pink and two in Raspberry Beret!". If you do have a definite date by which you need it, please let us know. Like I said above, there is a minimum 3-week turnaround for us to make and ship the mug to you but sometimes miracles do happen and I have one or two unglazed on the shelf that I can turnaround quickly.

Thanks, y'all, and I hope your week is off to a great start!

Juniper Windows

2011-01-07T13:58:00.000-05:00

After a year off to recover from that afghan, we're back into the free pattern business! Wait, is it "business" if it's free? WHATEVER! We're just happy to show you the first of six patterns we'll be releasing this year, Juniper Windows.

Juniper Windows is a fun hat with a cabled pattern I’ve wanted to try for a while; it reminds me of the 120-year-old windows of the house my husband’s family used to own in South Bend, on Juniper Street.

There are two versions of this pattern in one; for a long hat with i-cord, follow as written… and for a shorter (“normal sized”) hat simply take out the section with rows 26-61, throw a few more decreases at the top and cinch it shut rather than do the i-cord.

This pattern is charted only, and probably wouldn’t be great for a first-time hat or cable knitter, but the adventurous intermediate knitter should be able to handle it, and of course the advanced knitter should be able to whip one out.

Third Thursday Night Spinners

2010-12-09T12:45:00.001-05:00

Please join us at Wild Iris Books for Third Thursday Spinners on December 16th, 2010 from 5-7 PM; bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning!

Wild Iris Books
802 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 375-7477

Just in time for Thanksgiving!

2010-11-22T17:45:00.000-05:00

Our Indian Corn colorway is now available! Get yours now at our online shop.

Self-Striping Yarn now available!

2010-11-15T21:05:00.000-05:00

We are just pleased as punch to be carrying the self-striping yarns of String Theory Colorworks. We have several colors of three bases available. The silk blend is especially yummy! Clicky below to check it out!
http://www.hanksyarn.com/stringtheorycolorworks.aspx

Third Thursday Night Spinners

2010-11-11T12:43:00.000-05:00

Please join us at Wild Iris Books for Third Thursday Spinners on November 18th, 2010 from 5-7 PM; bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning!

Wild Iris Books
802 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 375-7477

Coming in December.... Grey Gardens!

2010-11-10T10:53:00.002-05:00

December will see the release of the June 2010 Sock Club colorway, Grey Gardens.

Normally we don't ask in advance "who wants what", but this colorway was very popular and I've heard a handful of people - myself included - state that they want a sweater's quantity in either sport or worsted. So this is an official call out - if you want us to dye up a garment's worth of either sport or worsted for you, please email hanksyarn@gmail.com by November 20th with the yarn base you want (Sock, Sport, Worsted, or Lace - and if you want sock, which base yarn you want) and how many skeins you want (for example, "I would like 10 skeins of Grey Gardens in Superwash Merino Worsted"). And we will make that happen for you in December!

Thanks, y'all!

Coming soon... Indian Corn!

2010-11-06T09:37:00.000-04:00

Right now we just have it in Sock and Sport weights, but if you want it in anything else just drop us a line!

If you're in October sock club, check your mailbox this week!

2010-10-18T16:56:00.002-04:00

Because something soft and shiny this way comes!

Third Thursday Night Spinners

2010-10-14T12:41:00.002-04:00

Please join us at Wild Iris Books for Third Thursday Spinners on October 21st, 2010 from 5-7 PM; bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning!

Wild Iris Books
802 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 375-7477

FO: Green Gable

2010-10-10T11:07:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Elsabeth Lavold Silky Wool
Needles: US 4
Pattern: Green Gable by Rachel Bishop (with slight modifications)

See you tonight?

2010-10-07T08:03:00.000-04:00

Will we see you tonight? Even if, like me, all you're doing is swatching?

---

What: a KAL/CAL, wherein you can knit or crochet any project you like, using the Hanks Yarn and Fiber line of yarns, Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye (available at our online store although you are certainly more than welcome to use anything in your stash). You can use any weight, any colorway, any project. Easy!

Where: Starbucks on the corner of NW 13th St/16th Ave generally from about 6-8 although we reserve the right to stay later if we’re having a great time or online via this thread and any blog posts (if you have a blog). Easy!

When: OK, this is the complicated part. Break out your calendars. Every Thursday barring holidays (I hear Thanksgiving is coming up in a few months? already? time flies!) and Third Thursday Spinners, as we are already committed to that. So we will be meeting on the following dates:
October 7, 14, 28
November 4, 11
December 2, 9, and the 30th if anyone is in town

Why: Besides the obvious of loving to crochet and knit, and loving our yarns, this time around we have prizes! People who finish before the end of December should send us a picture of the finished work. When everyone who has finished sends us a picture, we will have a drawing for prizes, of which there will be three. First prize is a skein of yarn in any colorway of ours that you want and a yarn mug in your choice of solid colors. Other prizes will be announced as time gets closer.

We hope that some of you will join us in person, and those of our friends who live far away will join us online!

FO: Faraway, So Close

2010-10-03T11:04:00.000-04:00

Yarn: too many to mention
Needles: US 6
Pattern: Faraway, So Close by Carina Spencer (slightly modified)

Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye October–December 2010 KAL/CAL

2010-09-29T08:07:00.001-04:00

Please join us in another fun KAL/CAL!

What: a KAL/CAL, wherein you can knit or crochet any project you like, using the Hanks Yarn and Fiber line of yarns, Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye (available at our online store although you are certainly more than welcome to use anything in your stash). You can use any weight, any colorway, any project. Easy!

Where: Starbucks on the corner of NW 13th St/16th Ave generally from about 6-8 although we reserve the right to stay later if we’re having a great time or online via this thread and any blog posts (if you have a blog). Easy!

When: OK, this is the complicated part. Break out your calendars. Every Thursday barring holidays (I hear Thanksgiving is coming up in a few months? already? time flies!) and Third Thursday Spinners, as we are already committed to that. So we will be meeting on the following dates:
October 7, 14, 28
November 4, 11
December 2, 9, and the 30th if anyone is in town

Why: Besides the obvious of loving to crochet and knit, and loving our yarns, this time around we have prizes! People who finish before the end of December should send us a picture of the finished work. When everyone who has finished sends us a picture, we will have a drawing for prizes, of which there will be three. First prize is a skein of yarn in any colorway of ours that you want and a yarn mug in your choice of solid colors. Other prizes will be announced as time gets closer.

We hope that some of you will join us in person, and those of our friends who live far away will join us online.

Thanks, y’all!

FO: Welt Fantastic

2010-09-26T11:02:00.001-04:00

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in "Woodlawn", and Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye in "One Hit Wonder"
Needles: US 3
Pattern: Welt Fantastic by Charlene Schurch

Yarn club reminder

2010-09-22T17:27:00.000-04:00

For the next four days, you can still head on over to our online shop and sign up for one of three sock clubs and our new lace yarn club! Returning subscribers won't want to miss any of Lorena's fabulous hand-dyed sock yarn, and newbies will finally be able to get that yarn that you've been lusting after as soon as it's available. And lace! Maybe sock yarn isn't really your thing - so by popular request we've got a lace club this time around as well!

2010/2011 Sock Club:

There are three options for the 2010/2011 club. Please read the options carefully and choose the one that best suits your wants and desires. If you are leaning towards the three-month option, please note that Option 2 is for semi-solid yarns (such as our colors Irish Coffee, Green Grass, and Grey Gardens), and that Option 3 is for multi-colored yarns (such as our colors The 80's Have Called, Sock Monkey, and Sweet Baby James). The prices for all options include shipping.

Option 1 –
$155
You will get six 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of October, December, February, April, June, and August. This must be paid for by September 26th, 2010.

Option 2 -
$80
You will get three semi-solid 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of October, February, and June. This must be paid for by September 26th, 2010.

Option 3 -
$80
You will get three multi-color 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of December, April, and August. This must be paid for by November 15th, 2010.

And now, the pinky swear: we promise to send you hand-dyed sock yarn and we promise to do our best to produce a quality product. We promise that the color for each month will not be for sale in our shop until six months after the month that we send it to you. We understand that the colors we choose to dye may not wind up being your particular favorite; we ask that just as we are not selling that color in a retail setting for six months, that you also do the same and promise not to sell anything you don’t like until after the six month mark.

2010/2011 Lace Club:

We are doing a very limited lace club! There is one option for this club:

Option Only:
$90
You will get three semi-solid 1300-yard skeins of hand-dyed lace yarn, one each during the months of October, February, and June. These will be the same colors of the corresponding sock club. This must be paid for by September 26th, 2010.

This club comes with the same pinky swear: We promise to send you hand-dyed lace yarn and we promise to do our best to produce a quality product. We promise that the color for each month will not be for sale in our shop until six months after the month that we send it to you. We understand that the colors we choose to dye may not wind up being your particular favorite; we ask that just as we are not selling that color in a retail setting for six months, that you also do the same and promise not to sell anything you don’t like until after the six month mark.

FO: Central Park Hoodie

2010-09-19T11:00:00.001-04:00

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted Weight in Verde Adriana
Needles: US 7
Pattern: #13 Central Park Hoodie by Heather Lodinsky

What's the oddest thing you've crafted with?

2010-09-15T11:10:00.000-04:00

Because here's someone demonstrating how to knit with Ramen Noodles.

Eight reasons why you should come to Fiber-In this weekend

2010-09-13T18:37:00.000-04:00

Look for our booth!

FO: Celtic Spirit

2010-09-12T15:33:00.002-04:00

Yarn: Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye in Superwash Merino; the June 2010 club colorway, "Grey Gardens"
Needles: US #1, DPNs
Pattern: Celtic Spirit Socks by Judy Alexander

Third Thursday Night Spinners

2010-09-09T12:40:00.000-04:00

Please join us at Wild Iris Books for Third Thursday Spinners on September 16th, 2010 from 5-7 PM; bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning!

Wild Iris Books
802 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 375-7477

I was hoping this would be funny, but...

2010-09-08T10:47:00.000-04:00

Clearly, the person who drew this Venn Diagram on Cardigans is not a knitter.

Still time for yarn clubs!

2010-09-07T09:08:00.000-04:00

There's still time for you to head on over to our online shop and sign up for one of three sock clubs and our new lace yarn club! Returning subscribers won't want to miss any of Lorena's fabulous hand-dyed sock yarn, and newbies will finally be able to get that yarn that you've been lusting after as soon as it's available. And lace! Maybe sock yarn isn't really your thing - so by popular request we've got a lace club this time around as well!

2010/2011 Sock Club:

There are three options for the 2010/2011 club. Please read the options carefully and choose the one that best suits your wants and desires. If you are leaning towards the three-month option, please note that Option 2 is for semi-solid yarns (such as our colors Irish Coffee, Green Grass, and Grey Gardens), and that Option 3 is for multi-colored yarns (such as our colors The 80's Have Called, Sock Monkey, and Sweet Baby James). The prices for all options include shipping.

Option 1 –
$155
You will get six 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of October, December, February, April, June, and August. This must be paid for by September 26th, 2010.

Option 2 -
$80
You will get three semi-solid 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of October, February, and June. This must be paid for by September 26th, 2010.

Option 3 -
$80
You will get three multi-color 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of December, April, and August. This must be paid for by November 15th, 2010.

And now, the pinky swear: we promise to send you hand-dyed sock yarn and we promise to do our best to produce a quality product. We promise that the color for each month will not be for sale in our shop until six months after the month that we send it to you. We understand that the colors we choose to dye may not wind up being your particular favorite; we ask that just as we are not selling that color in a retail setting for six months, that you also do the same and promise not to sell anything you don’t like until after the six month mark.

2010/2011 Lace Club:

We are doing a very limited lace club! There is one option for this club:

Option Only:
$90
You will get three semi-solid 1300-yard skeins of hand-dyed lace yarn, one each during the months of October, February, and June. These will be the same colors of the corresponding sock club. This must be paid for by September 26th, 2010.

This club comes with the same pinky swear: We promise to send you hand-dyed lace yarn and we promise to do our best to produce a quality product. We promise that the color for each month will not be for sale in our shop until six months after the month that we send it to you. We understand that the colors we choose to dye may not wind up being your particular favorite; we ask that just as we are not selling that color in a retail setting for six months, that you also do the same and promise not to sell anything you don’t like until after the six month mark.

Florida Fiber-In

2010-09-06T15:38:00.000-04:00

Y'all do know about Florida Fiber-In, coming up soon now? If you're in the Orlando area on or around September 17-19th, come see us! We'll have a booth there! And we'll be bringing not just fiber, but our yarns, and a couple of other surprise goodies!

FO: Indian Penny

2010-09-05T12:32:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye; Cash Sock in "Indian Corn"
Needles: US 1
Pattern: Copper Penny Socks by Nancy Bush

FO: 2009 Afghan

2010-08-29T12:29:00.001-04:00

Seriously? I didn't post about this yet?

Yarn: too many to mention
Needles: US 8
Pattern: 2009 Afghan by Lorena Haldeman and Sharon Emery

Friday Photo: Third Thursday Spinners

2010-08-27T10:31:00.000-04:00

FO: Iris the Gourmet Monster

2010-08-22T12:24:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Green Line DK in "Zombie BBQ"
Needles: US 4
Pattern: Iris the Gourmet Monster by Rebecca Danger; a kit from Lorna's Laces

Friday Photo: Sample Cards

2010-08-20T09:56:00.000-04:00

G-ma's Candy

2010-08-17T09:02:00.000-04:00

Also coming soon to our shop, the February 2010 sock club colorway, G-ma's Candy. Right now we only have it in Cash Sock, but later it will be available in our other sock bases as well. Due to the nature of this colorway - 300 yards of semi-striping and a smaller 100-yard skein of a solid color - it most likely will not be released in Sport and Worsted weights.

Superwash Merino Worsted restocks

2010-08-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Coming this week - Superwash Merino Worsted restocks!

Sock and Lace Clubs have arrived!

2010-08-15T19:41:00.005-04:00

Head on over to the website and check out the front page for the sock clubs and our new lace yarn club! Returning subscribers won't want to miss any of Lorena's fabulous hand-dyed sock yarn, and newbies will finally be able to get that yarn that you've been lusting after as soon as it's available. We still have spaces left in the Fiber Club too!

2010/2011 Sock Club:

There are three options for the 2010/2011 club. Please read the options carefully and choose the one that best suits your wants and desires. If you are leaning towards the three-month option, please note that Option 2 is for semi-solid yarns (such as our colors Irish Coffee, Green Grass, and Grey Gardens), and that Option 3 is for multi-colored yarns (such as our colors The 80's Have Called, Sock Monkey, and Sweet Baby James). The prices for all options include shipping.

Option 1 –
$155
You will get six 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of October, December, February, April, June, and August. This must be paid for by September 26th, 2010.

Option 2 -
$80
You will get three semi-solid 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of October, February, and June. This must be paid for by September 26th, 2010.

Option 3 -
$80
You will get three multi-color 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of December, April, and August. This must be paid for by November 15th, 2010.

And now, the pinky swear: we promise to send you hand-dyed sock yarn and we promise to do our best to produce a quality product. We promise that the color for each month will not be for sale in our shop until six months after the month that we send it to you. We understand that the colors we choose to dye may not wind up being your particular favorite; we ask that just as we are not selling that color in a retail setting for six months, that you also do the same and promise not to sell anything you don’t like until after the six month mark.

2010/2011 Lace Club:

We are doing a very limited lace club! There is one option for this club:

Option Only:
$90
You will get three semi-solid 1300-yard skeins of hand-dyed lace yarn, one each during the months of October, February, and June. These will be the same colors of the corresponding sock club. This must be paid for by September 26th, 2010.

This club comes with the same pinky swear: We promise to send you hand-dyed lace yarn and we promise to do our best to produce a quality product. We promise that the color for each month will not be for sale in our shop until six months after the month that we send it to you. We understand that the colors we choose to dye may not wind up being your particular favorite; we ask that just as we are not selling that color in a retail setting for six months, that you also do the same and promise not to sell anything you don’t like until after the six month mark.

FO: Zanzibar in Red

2010-08-15T12:20:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in "Ravelry Red"
Needles: US 1
Pattern: Zanzibar by Cookie A.

This pattern was crazy easier than it looked; however, if I were to do it again I would make the top a bit longer and throw in some extra ribbing that would decrease into nothing before turning the heel.

Friday Photo: August Sock Club is ready!

2010-08-13T10:02:00.001-04:00

Third Thursday Night Spinners

2010-08-12T12:38:00.000-04:00

Please join us at Wild Iris Books for Third Thursday Spinners on August 19th, 2010 from 5-7 PM; bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning!

Wild Iris Books
802 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 375-7477

August Sock Club is ready!

2010-08-11T21:53:00.000-04:00

Please enjoy this black-and-white teaser photo -

If you’re in the sock club and if it’s being mailed to you, start looking in your box by early next week.

If you’re in the sock club and usually pick up, I have a couple of options for pick-up.

- I will be at the Stitch ‘n’ Bitch at Books-a-Million on NW 13th Street this Sunday, August 15th, from 2-4:30.
- I will be at Wild Iris Books on University Avenue for Third Thursday Night Spinners a week from tomorrow, August 19th, from 5-7 PM.
- If neither one of those times/locations are good for you, please drop me a line with your address and I will happily put it in the mail for you.

And stay tuned for information next week on the next upcoming sock - AND LACE - clubs!

FO: Feather by the Roadside

2010-08-08T12:16:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in "Roadside Gerry"
Needles: US 1
Pattern: Generic toe-up with a feather&fan stitch pattern

Friday Photo

2010-08-06T08:29:00.002-04:00

Here's a teaser for those of you in the sock club...

I was hoping to have Sock Club finished and ready to distribute this weekend, but it's taking me a little longer than I thought; so if this is usually mailed to you I will get it out by the middle of next week, and if you usually pick it up I will be bringing yours to Stitch 'n' Bitch (at Books-a-Million on NW 13th Street from 2-4:30) on Sunday, August 15th. Of course if you usually pick it up but would like it mailed, drop us a line - we'll be happy to do that!

FO: Cable that Bag!

2010-08-01T12:12:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Trendsetter Merinos VIII in "Martini"
Needles: US #7, double-pointed
Pattern: Cable That Bag! by Chrissy Gardiner

More sock restocks!

2010-07-27T09:04:00.000-04:00

I know last week I said there would be worsted weight, but I'm still working on re-winding it; so this week there is both Bamboo Sock and Superwash Merino sock. It'll show up on the website shortly -- enjoy!

FO: Lonely Vera

2010-07-25T12:09:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in "Vera"
Needles: US #3, two circulars
Pattern: was just a lonely pair of toes for the longest time; eventually settled on Kaiso by Judy Sumner

Hanks 2010 Fiber Club!

2010-07-22T08:59:00.000-04:00

I'm kind of excited! And I hope you are too. Check out the details for our new fiber club!

Coming soon - sock restock

2010-07-21T11:16:00.000-04:00

Coming this week - a few restock colors in both Cash Sock and BFL Sock. Expect Bamboo Sock and some Worsted Weight next week!

Friday Photo: Spinning at Wild Iris

2010-07-16T07:08:00.000-04:00

How many feet do you recognize?!

Ye'kwana Basket Weaving

2010-07-15T12:36:00.000-04:00

I got this in an email from our former neighbors (whom we still love dearly!), Alternatives, and thought I'd share it in case anyone was looking for something fun to do this weekend. Many of you have baskets from Alternatives for your yarn - you might really appreciate this event!

Join us in a celebration of Ye'kwana Basket Weaving

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and Earth Bound invite you to a special event
Meet the artisans: Aurora Rodriguez and Simon Caura from the Orinoco of Venezuela
Reception: Friday, July 16, 7-9 PM
Weaving Demonstration and Exhibit of traditional and contemporary baskets
Where: Kanapaha Botanical Gardens; 4700 SW 58th Drive (admission is free). For further information contact Alternatives at 335-0806 or visit Kanapaha.org.

Event is co-sponsored by Earth Bound, Kanapaha, and Alternatives.

The new dye bar

2010-07-12T12:02:00.000-04:00

If you're local, you know we used to dye the yarn at the shop, in the dye bar/bar bar/kitchen. What with no longer having the bricks-and-mortar portion of our shop, obviously that had to change -- so let me show y'all what my fabulous husband did in our house, in a small room at the back of our house that really had no other use other than storage.

1. Not your ordinary 2x4 - I love what Tim did here with rounding off the corners. It's a small detail, unlikely to be noticed unless you're looking up; but it makes it classy and impresses those who notice.
2. Shelves, stocked with dye - And room to grow! The shelves are deep enough to hold two (one in use, one backstock) and ultimately should be able to house all of the available colors. Which means lots of new colorways! Whoot!
3. Crock pots a-ready - I have base yarn on the way, and these should start seeing use by the end of next week!
4. Standing in doorway, looking to left - We debated putting doors on the shelves under the sink, and decided not to; eventually, though, the shelves under the crock pots will have doors in order to keep backstock protected. Notice also the small bar above the sink; this'll be great for moving yarn from the crock pots to the sink without having to take them off the hangers.
5. The drying rack - Looks remarkably like the drying rack from the store... probably because it is. Tim cut the middle shelf out (the one that all the African Violets were on) to make it shorter so that it could fit in the smaller room.
6. View outside over the crock pots - maybe this view every day will inspire me to rip down some of that crazy ivy. That bar, by the way, is on an adjustable chain; so if I need to make it higher or lower it's going to be incredibly easy to do so.
7. View outside over the sink - I can not wait to have time to do a garden this fall; my poor vegetable gardens have been unused the last three years because I knew I didn't have the time to devote to caring for a vegetable garden. I can already taste next spring's tomatoes...! Which has nothing to do with dyeing yarn for y'all... unless I put in some flowers that one can make natural dye from. Hmmmmm!
8. Lovely gift from Beth - No reason really to include this, other than our friend Beth did the macrame herself, and I feel like it's a good luck piece.
9. Standing at back door - I don't know that the winder is going to live there permanently, blocking the coffee mugs and taking up valuable table space.

So now when you get our yarn, you kind of have a vision of where it was dyed!

FO: Slipped Angel

2010-07-11T12:07:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in "Archangel"
Needles: US #1, double-pointed
Pattern: Slip-Stitch Cable Socks by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott

Friday Photo

2010-07-09T08:27:00.001-04:00

After this photo, Ginger put his seat-belt on so that he'd be safe.

Sunday Stitch 'n' Bitch

2010-07-08T19:05:00.000-04:00

Don't forget that starting this coming Sunday (July 11th), Stitch ‘n’ Bitch will be moving to Books-a-Million on NW 13th Street!

Join this eclectic group of folks for a little crochet, knitting, and chatting about everything under the sun. Everyone is welcome!

Sundays | 2-4:30
Books-a-Million
2601 Northwest 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32609
(352) 376-6623

Third Thursday Night Spinners

2010-07-08T11:35:00.000-04:00

Please join us at Wild Iris Books for Third Thursday Spinners on July 15th, 2010 from 5-7 PM; bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning!

Wild Iris Books
802 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 375-7477

Prize winner!

2010-07-05T21:16:00.000-04:00

Lucy Day won Sunday's webstore door prize! She'll receive two skeins of organic worsted weight yarn in the Hanks colorway of her choice. Who will be tomorrow's winner? It could be you! Be the first person to spend $100 or more (After the 25% discount) and you'll win a $50 gift certificate to Hanks Yarn and Fiber. What could be more fun than winning yarn (Or sock blockers or soap!)!

FO: March 2011

2010-07-04T12:06:00.000-04:00

Consider this a teaser...

We'll be doing another afghan in 2011, and here's a sneak peek at March's square.

Tonight's the night!

2010-07-03T08:25:00.005-04:00

We are all geared up for the launch of the website tonight! Join us around midnight for our big sale and contests, detailed below.

A note for our returning customers: If you have earned a frequent customer discount, you will continue to receive it on our webstore after the opening sale! Your discount will not appear on your first order, but leave a note in the comments section of the order form and we will adjust your total when we manually approve the sale.

Our opening sale runs from Sunday, July 4^th to Wednesday, July 7th, with 25% off everything in the shop! We’ll have the Hanks line of yarn, hand-dyed by Lorena, in lace, sock, sport, and worsted weights, along with our lovely goat’s milk based soap. We also welcome the return of Sock Bones in all sizes from teeny to tremendous.

There will be free shipping on orders of more than $50, and contests as well: The first person to spend $100 (pre-tax and post-discount) on Sunday will receive two skeins of organic worsted weight yarn dyed in the Hanks colorway of his or her choice; the first person to spend $100 on Tuesday will receive a $50 gift certificate. Stop on by www.hanksyarn.com over your long weekend and see what we have to offer!

Our webstore will re-open soon!

2010-06-29T22:26:00.002-04:00

Celebrate the birth of our new shop while celebrating the birth of our nation! Hanks Yarn and Fiber is happy announce the grand opening of our bright and shiny new webstore.

Things will take off like a Roman candle from Sunday, July 4^th to Wednesday, July 7th, with 25% off everything in the shop! We’ll have the Hanks line of yarn, hand-dyed by Lorena, in lace, sock, sport, and worsted weights, along with our lovely goat’s milk based soap. We also welcome the return of Sock Bones in all sizes from teeny to tremendous.

There will be free shipping on orders of more than $50, and contests as well: The first person to spend $100 (pre-tax) on Sunday will receive two skeins of organic worsted weight yarn dyed in the Hanks colorway of his or her choice; the first person to spend $100 on Tuesday will receive a $50 gift certificate. Stop on by www.hanksyarn.com over your long weekend and see what we have to offer!

Sunday Photo

2010-06-27T19:01:00.000-04:00

FO: Learning Log Cabin

2010-06-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Aslan Trends Glaciar Del Cielo and South West Trading Company Vickie Howell Craft in a variety of colors
Needles: US #3, four circular needles
Pattern: A few months ago I decided I wanted to learn the log cabin technique, and to see at the same time how it would work by keeping all four sides "live" rather than binding off and picking up stitches. I didn't have a pattern, I just sort of... talked to other people who have done log cabin and just... went at it. It didn't turn out badly, but it wasn't the most fun thing I've ever knit. I would probably recommend following a pattern if someone were to want to jump into this - and even though cotton doesn't weave in very well, I would also recommend for those, like me, with a short attention span, a washcloth over an afghan.

Sunday Stitch 'n' Bitch

2010-06-26T16:50:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow, Sunday June 27th, will be the last Stitch 'n' Bitch at the shop.

Starting on Sunday, July 11th (we'll be taking a week off for July 4th), Stitch ‘n’ Bitch will be moving to Books-a-Million on NW 13th Street.

We hope to see you in the shop tomorrow. This will be our last day with doors open - don't forget that anything with a bar code will be 50% off, and anything else for sale will be priced as marked.

We hope that you'll stick with us online and in person on Sundays at Books-a-Million!

You guys are awesome (part three)

2010-06-25T07:28:00.001-04:00

Superwash Merino Sport - sneak peek!

2010-06-24T17:51:00.002-04:00

Available online July 4th!

Meet-Ups and Gatherings

2010-06-23T12:48:00.003-04:00

We have some great news for meet-ups and gatherings!

Stitch ‘n’ Bitch will be moving to Books-a-Million on NW 13th Street!
Join this eclectic group of folks for a little crochet, knitting, and chatting about everything under the sun. Everyone is welcome!
Sundays | 2-4:30
Books-a-Million

2601 Northwest 13th Street

Gainesville, FL 32609

(352) 376-6623

Edited to add that SnB will not be starting in the new location until Sunday, July 11th, as the previous Sunday is July 4th (yay, picnics and fireworks!).

Third Thursday Evening Spinners will be moving to Wild Iris Books on University Avenue!
On the third Thursday of the month bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with us to do some spinning!
Third Thursday of the month | 5-7
Wild Iris Books
802 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 375-7477

FO: I want candy!

2010-06-20T11:57:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye (Cash Sock) in "G-ma's Candy"
Needles: US #1, two circular needles
Pattern: generic toe-up with a short row heel, sort of made up as I went along.

Finished objects for sale

2010-06-18T16:11:00.000-04:00

We are selling some finished objects; priced as marked, no other discounts apply.

Third Thursday Spinners

2010-06-18T11:04:00.002-04:00

We had an absolute blast last night - if you didn't come by, you seriously missed a party.

1. Everybody in the front, 2. Everybody in the back, 3. Spinners, and a class, 4. Spinners, 5. Ginger on her Golding, 6. Me on the Golding, 7. Becca on the Golding, 8. Spin, Rachel! Spin!, 9. Sneaking a photo, 10. Spinning wheels, 11. Friendly faces, 12. Greg and Caitlin, 13. The Golding, 14. Greg on the Golding, 15. Caitlin on the Golding, 16. Sharon on the Golding, 17. Sharon on the Golding, 18. A room of happy, 19. Group shot, 20. Happy birthday, Caitlin!, 21. The fun begins, 22. Oh yeah, and we have shop models for sale, 23. The painted lady, 24. Happy wheels

We are working hard to line up a place to still have spinning on the third Thursday of the month; it may or may not be the same place we have Stitch 'n' Bitch on Sundays - please stick with us as we work on this, and keep checking back here because we will post when we find a place!

Superwash Merino Worsted - sneak peek

2010-06-17T09:10:00.000-04:00

If a picture is worth 1000 words, here's 2000 worth -

You guys are awesome (part two)

2010-06-17T07:38:00.000-04:00

You guys are awesome (part one)

2010-06-16T07:37:00.001-04:00

Thursday Night Spinners

2010-06-10T13:45:00.000-04:00

Don't forget that on the third Thursday of the month, from 5-7, you can bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning! This gathering is great for spinners who work or go to school during the day and can't get to the morning gathering.

See you on June 17th?

Class: Intro to Knitting Continental Style

2010-06-10T08:51:00.000-04:00

6/17/2010 (Thursday) | 6:00-8:00 | $25

Do you knit English style - holding your yarn in your right hand? This is also sometimes referred to as "throwing".

If you already know how to knit, and are interested in learning how to knit Continental style - holding your yarn in your left hand, also referred to as "picking" - then this workshop is for you!

Please read the following Class Policies, as some have changed:

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

June sock club

2010-06-09T22:11:00.002-04:00

How about a not-spoiler, sepia-toned, teaser photo of the June sock club?

The June sock club yarn is ready! If you’re in the area, please swing by and pick yours up any time - and if you’re not in the area, start looking in your mailbox by the weekend!

We'll be starting signups for the next sock club in a few months... if you've liked what you've seen so far, you won't want to miss next year!

The one where the fat lady cleared her throat as if to sing and we punched her in the face and stole her stupid Viking helmet.

2010-06-08T16:31:00.004-04:00

Dear wonderful, supportive fiber enthusiasts; this is a hard post to write.

Hanks, as you know it, is going to be undergoing some pretty dramatic changes in the next month -- we're going to have to close the doors to the bricks-and-mortar portion of our store, and go to online shopping only.

- Starting on Wednesday, June 9th, everything in the shop (excluding items we'll be selling in the online shop, which we will squirrel away in order to sell online) will be 20% off. That pricing structure will run through the 14th.

- Starting on Wednesday, June 16, everything remaining in the shop will be 25% off. That pricing structure will run through the 21st.

- June 23rd - 30% off.

- June 24th - 35% off.

- June 25th - 40% off.

- June 26th - 45% off.

- Sunday, June 27th will be our last day with doors open, and everything in the shop will be 50% off.

Please don't wait hoping to pick something up at 50% off if you really want it - we can not hold items for anyone. Speaking of hold, if you have items on hold, please pick them up during the 20% off week; on the 16th everything in the office will be put on the sales floor.

-Non-barcoded items, such as the furniture, will be priced as marked.
-All sales are final.

-Returns on merchandise purchased before Wednesday, June 9th will be accepted until June 23rd. All other return policy requirements will be in effect. No returns will be accepted at all after June 23rd.
-We will maintain our regular hours throughout the sale: Wednesday through Monday, 10am-7pm.
-Discounts do not apply to phone, internet, or email orders unless you are using a gift certificate.
-Gift certificates will be honored for all merchandise and 'garage sale' items until closing. We plan to convert existing gift certificates into online gift certificates but we won't know how that will work until we get the new webstore in place.
-Any special orders that you've placed will be handled on a case by case basis. There will be no discount on these special orders other than the normal frequent customer discount that you may already be receiving.

A note about current Classes: As a matter of accident, classes on our current schedule run through the end of June. Anything that will get canceled will only get canceled because not enough people sign up. There won't be another schedule (unless maybe in the future we can find a place in which to hold classes) and for that we are deeply sorry. As an aside to teachers - we totally love you gals; you have absolutely rocked our worlds with your endless wells of talent and patience and creativity. Our classes have the great reputation they have because of you.

A note about Sunday Stitch 'n' Bitch - if anyone has any ideas about where it might be able to be held, speak up! So far the only idea we've come up with is at the new cafe being built in Book Gallery West across the parking lot from us (and we haven't even spoken to them about it, so no guarantee). From what I understand, libraries are out of the question as you can only reserve one room per month (unless you want to travel to different libraries, but that might get too confusing to keep the group together).

We *will* still be selling online (local delivery/pick-up is not out of the question), so keep your eye on the website to catch our big 4th of July sale! We'll be selling spinning fibers from Holly Birch Fibers and Ewephoric Fibers, Holly Birch Handspun, Haldesoap, Haldespun, and of course Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye -- in fact, there's REALLY good news about that because we'll be branching out almost immediately into sport and worsted weight yarns (special orders are welcome!) in addition to the sock and laceweights. We will continue having a sock club (so don't worry if you're expecting yarn in August - you'll still get it; and we have big plans for 2011 colorways!), and we're also going to be introducing a fiber club and a special surprise birthday club (more on the last two things later).

While some of the vendors we love do not sell to shops that are only online, there are some that do so we might not have many of them at first, but we do plan on building back up as much as we can. We hope that our fiber fiends, I mean, fiber FRIENDS, don't give up hope on us having access to those even if it does take a couple of months to get back into shape. And we hope to have tables at GLAM, Florida Fiber-In, and other reasonably local shows (SAFF, the Destin Spin-In). We will continue to be active on Ravelry, Facebook, and our blog (and hopefully with many of you in person) and we hope that you'll continue to comment on our posts, laugh at our jokes, and talk back to us on Twitter.

Class: Spin the Weight Yarn You Want

2010-06-07T10:48:00.000-04:00

6/14/2010 (Monday) | 6:00-9:00 | $30
Students should bring their own wheel or drop spindle

Spinners must have some experience in spinning; while you don't have to be a graduate of one of our spinning classes, previous spinning experience on either a drop spindle or a wheel is required. Students should bring their own wheel or drop spindle - please call at least 48 hours in advance if you will need a wheel or spindle provided, so that we can reserve a wheel or spindle for you (there will be a small additional fee).

What you need to know how to do:
- have at least a rudimentary understanding of spinning

What we'll teach you how to do:
- techniques to improve your handspun
- how to plan your spinning to fit a specific weight yarn you are aiming for

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

Raspberry Beret

2010-06-06T17:02:00.000-04:00

Six months ago in the sock club, this colorway was introduced in a sport-weight alpaca base; sadly we weren't able to get any of that base in time to debut the colorway for sale this month. Right now we have it in our Superwash Merino sock base - and I must warn you, this colorway is proving to be slightly persnickety. We can only guarantee a close color match for skeins dyed together in the same pot. One skein will make an average pair of socks (they are 400 yards) but if you are looking to make more than one pair of socks and you want them to match, we advise buying both skeins at the same time. We can't guarantee that the next batch will match 100%!

FO: Pink Coronet

2010-06-06T11:54:00.000-04:00

Yarn: GGH Tara
Needles: US #7, double-pointed
Pattern: Coronet by Alexandra Virgiel

Superwash Merino restock

2010-06-05T15:55:00.000-04:00

Sorry about the trash can in the photo there... I guess I didn't plan that out too well.

For the last couple weeks I've been madly dyeing up Superwash Merino, and it is now done! June sock club is coming up soon... so expect a notice about that next week. Also, do you notice a new colorway in that pile? More info on that in a day or two!

Class: Toe Up Socks on Two Circular Needles

2010-06-05T08:45:00.001-04:00

(See this pattern on Ravelry!)
6/12, 6/19, 6/26 (Saturdays) | 10:30-1:30 | $80

New to socks, or want to learn how to knit toe-up? Or want to learn the two-circular technique? This is the class for you!

During the three weeks of this class, a sock will be made using two circular needles, toe-up, with sport weight yarn.

Week one will be casting on, learning how to handle the circular needles, and knitting the toe (homework will include knitting the foot of the sock to the length you need).

Week two will be working the heel flap and turning the heel (homework will include knitting the leg to the length which you would like).

Week three will be continuing with your sock, the cuff, and binding off.

What you need to know how to do:
- cast on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch

What we'll teach you how to do:
- how to knit on circular needles
- basic sock construction
- how to knit socks

What materials are included:
- the pattern
- a skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport
- appropriate needles

Homework is required in this class, so be prepared to spend some time outside of class knitting!

Please read the following Class Policies, as some have changed:

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

Class: introduction to Spinning on a Drop Spindle

2010-06-03T08:42:00.000-04:00

6/10, 6/24 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $55
And please join us on 6/17 (5-7 PM) for Thursday Night Spinners (it’s free!)

Have you been curious about spinning, but are reluctant to jump in with both feet and get in front of a wheel? Consider the drop spindle! In one workshop you can learn the basics of spinning your own yarn on a drop spindle.

What you need to know how to do:
- nothing!

What we'll teach you how to do:
- spin with a drop spindle

What materials are included:
- drop spindle
- appropriate fiber for spinning

Please read the following Class Policies, as some have changed:

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

Class: Intermediate Lace Knitting - Clothilde

2010-06-02T10:57:00.000-04:00

(See this pattern on Ravelry!)
6/9, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30 (Wednesdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $100

New to lace knitting and ready to get into a more intermediate-level project? This is the class for you!

What you need to know how to do:
- cast on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch
- increases and decreases

What we'll teach you how to do:
- how to strengthen your lace-knitting skills

What materials are included:
- the pattern
- one skein of Malabrigo Sock
- appropriate needles

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

Monday Morning Spinning

2010-05-31T16:10:00.000-04:00

Don't forget that on the first Monday of the month, from 11-1, you can bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning! This gathering is great for spinners who work at night and can't get to an afternoon or evening gathering.

See you on June 7th?

FO: February 2011

2010-05-30T11:51:00.000-04:00

Consider this a teaser...

We'll be doing another afghan in 2011, and here's a sneak peek at February's square.

Friday Photo

2010-05-28T12:07:00.000-04:00

Class: Cable That Bag!

2010-05-28T10:50:00.000-04:00

(See this pattern on Ravelry!)
6/4, 6/18, 6/25 (Fridays) | 6:00-8:00 | $80

New to cables, or want to learn how to in the round? Ready to take on a deceptively simple project? This is the class for you!

Week one will be casting on, knitting the bottom of the bag, picking up stitches and beginning the cabled chart.

Week two will be continuing with the cabled chart, knitting the bag in the round.

Week three will be finishing off the bag, making the drawstring, and showing off your fabulous project!

What you need to know how to do:
- cast on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch

What we'll teach you how to do:
- how to knit in the round
- how to do cables
- how to do cables without a cable needle
- how to read charts

What materials are included:
- the pattern
- two skeins of Trendsetter Merinos VII
- appropriate needles

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

Upcoming Holiday Hours

2010-05-27T13:51:00.002-04:00

Hanks Yarn and Fiber will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 31st. We will reopen for our regular business hours on Wednesday, June 2nd.

Poll results are in, and as far as driving to the shop goes...

2010-05-26T10:59:00.001-04:00

The poll results of the last two weeks have been added up, and here are the results:

When driving to your shop I primarily...

turn in off of 43rd 1 (4%)
come from the west and turn in by making a right 2 (8%)
come from the east and make a left turn in at the light at GCP 0 (0%)
come from the east and make a left turn in at the big median between you and Fresh market 12 (50%)
come from the east and make a left turn in at the small median close to the Kangaroo 9 (37%)

There's a new poll on the sidebar - check it out!

Class: Spinning Silk Caps, Hankies, Rovings, and Blends

2010-05-26T10:43:00.000-04:00

6/2/2010 (Wednesday) | 6:00-9:00 | $30
Students should bring their own wheel or drop spindle

Spinners must have some experience in spinning; while you don't have to be a graduate of one of our spinning classes, previous spinning experience on either a drop spindle or a wheel is required. Students should bring their own wheel or drop spindle - please call at least 48 hours in advance if you will need a wheel or spindle provided, so that we can reserve a wheel or spindle for you (there will be a small additional fee).

What you need to know how to do:
- have at least a rudimentary understanding of spinning

What we'll teach you how to do:
- techniques to improve your handspun
- techniques specific to spinning silks and silk blends

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

String Theory Colorworks self-striping yarns

2010-05-24T14:19:00.003-04:00

Have you been looking for a true self-striping yarn? One that gets at least 6-8 rows of one color before switching to another color? Look no further, for Hanks is now stocking String Theory Colorworks!

Right now we have their Superwash Merino, which comes in skeins of approximately 400 yards/100 grams, and retails for $25.

Many of you have already swung by the shop to drool over this in person, but feel free to give us a call (352.338.7222) if you need more information about it!

FO: Orange Blossom Washcloth

2010-05-23T11:48:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Aslan Trends Glaciar Del Cielo in "Calabaza"
Needles: US #4, straights
Pattern: Bathtime Blossoms (224x) by Evelyn A. Clark

Class: Introduction to Knitting

2010-05-22T08:33:00.000-04:00

5/29, 6/5, 6/19, 6/26 (Saturdays) | 2:00-5:00 | $100

This class will be for those who have never knit before, or perhaps learned years ago but set it aside and feel that they need a refresher from the beginning steps.

Week One: Learn about different weights of yarn and the different projects they can be used for; how to read a yarn label; tools of the trade; casting on; the knit stitch.

Week Two: Refresher on casting on and the knit stitch; the purl stitch; the difference between garter and stockinette.

Week Three: Ribbing; increases and decreases; changing to a new ball of yarn; changing to a different color.

Week Four: Symbols and charts; the importance of dye lots; yarn substitution; cables; binding off.

What you need to know how to do:
- nothing!

What we'll teach you how to do:
- about knitting in general (what is yarn? How do you care for it?)
- about the tools used in knitting
- casting on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch
- simple patterns such as ribbing, garter, stockinette
- binding off

What materials are included:
- "How to Knit", the TNNA book
- needles appropriate to yarn
- Lorna's Laces AHAH yarn
- a tool kit including stitch markers, needle gauge, tape measure, row counter, tapestry needles, stitch holders, and more

Please read the following Class Policies:

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

Class: Knit an Entrelac Dishcloth

2010-05-20T08:20:00.000-04:00

(See an example on Ravelry from a previous class!)
5/27, 6/3 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $45

During this class we will get you started on a washcloth that will be made using the technique called Entrelac. Entrelac is used to create a textured diamond pattern that looks like basket-woven strips of knitted fabric; however, it's actually knitted with interconnected squares and diamonds on two different orientations.

What you need to know how to do:
- casting on
- binding off
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch
- increasing and decreasing
- picking up stitches

What we'll teach you how to do:
- create a textured pattern with the Entrelac technique

What materials are included:
- pattern
- needles appropriate to yarn
- one skein of Aslan Trends Glaciar Del Cielo

Please read the following Class Policies, as some have changed:

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

FO: Celtic Blues

2010-05-16T11:46:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in "Impressionist Sky"
Needles: US #1, double-pointed
Pattern: Celtic Braid Socks #157 by Lynda Gemmell

Class: Beaded Faux Cable Anklets

2010-05-15T08:56:00.000-04:00

(See this pattern on Ravelry!)
5/22, 5/29, 6/5 (Saturdays) | 10:30-1:30 | $95

If you have knit socks previously, and are wanting to learn more about making fancy beaded socks, this is the class for you.

This might not be the best class for a first-time sock knitter; but if you have previous experience knitting socks and are familiar with basic sock construction, this is the class for you (even if you've never knit lace before).

What you need to know how to do:
- cast on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch
- you should have some previous sock knitting experience

What we'll teach you how to do:
- add beads into your knitting
- incorporate twisted stitches into a sock pattern

What materials are included:
- pattern
- needles
- appropriate yarn for a pair of socks

Please read the following Class Policies, as some have changed:

PAYMENT: Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first).

CLASS SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: All classes limited to five people. 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 the class and a full refund will be given.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES: Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: When we publish our new class schedules, we have made an obligation to our teachers and we take that responsibility seriously. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy: If you miss the first class in a series you will be dropped from the remaining classes, receive a 75% refund on the class, and have the opportunity to purchase the class materials at retail price. You must contact Hanks within 48 hours after the missed class to receive your refund. If any other class in the session is missed without prior arrangement with the teacher, the student may set up a one-on-one makeup class with Sharon or Lorena at the regular price of $25 for two hours.

Friday Photo

2010-05-14T07:03:00.002-04:00

Ysolda Red is in the house!

2010-05-13T13:51:00.002-04:00

We have the latest in Lorna's Laces Color Commentary series, Ysolda Red, in the shop in Shepherd Sock. A number of people have been asking for this, and I have to say that the photo doesn't do it justice - this colorway is beautiful!

Swing by the shop to drool over this in person, or give us a call (352.338.7222) if you need more information about it (and don't forget that we can order it in any of the Lorna's yarns, if you want it in something other than Sock).