Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you from all of us at yarn-love. We hope this year brings much happiness, good health for you and your loved ones, laugh-until-you-gasp fun, and lots of time for knitting and crocheting . Our prediction: 2010 will be a fine year for fiber crafting!

Now onto that other prediction from the Farmer's Almanac. Brrr! The 'numb's the word' prediction from the 2009 Almanac is certainly accurate here in central PA as we continue to experience colder than average temperatures that just will not go away. (The pre-Christmas snowfall in Philadelphia, forced my sweet nieces Abby and Tessa to stay longer at Disney World, much to their delight. After all, "there are SO many princesses to meet!") yarn-love's parking lot is bordered by a ridge of plowed snow—and it is not melting. But, don't worry, you can come keep warm with us.

This love note highlights things to keep you warm and winter classes. Plus, we have three things to know about the 'what's new' yarn-love blog, a February knit-a-long, and our Make Way for Spring sale. And, last, from friends of yarn-love, Shelley (shelbell77 on Ravelry) shares her review of Dream in Color sock yarns

~ pam

Things to keep you warm

We have lots of terrific yarns, from lace weight to bulky, for projects to keep you and those you love warm. A few favorite sweater and shawl projects include:

  • The oh-so-popular February Lady Sweater; ours is knit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca.
  • Amherst: several of you have knit this in Berroco Peruvia; Pam resolves to finish hers before the 'Make Way for Spring' sale (more details on THAT follow).
  • Sugar Maple Shawl is so lovely; we have two samples: in Dream in Color Classy and in Auracania Azapa. (See photo on our class page.)
  • Jane Austen Shawl is perfect for new knitters wanting to move beyond scarves; ours is knit in a dreamy marigold Azapa

Lots more project ideas can be found in yarn-love's October love note, which can be found here. (Did you know you can find our monthly love notes in the Newsletter Archive?) And, let us not forget socks, socks, socks! We've got lots of delightful sock yarns that will keep you toes toasty warm.

Winter Classes

Have you checked out our class schedule? Classes are a great way to treat yourself to 'me' time, learn something new, keep motivated on projects, and meet new people. We've got a baker's dozen plus one of offerings for you (so far!).

  • Baby Surprise Jacket – So cute and so perfect to have on hand for gift giving.
  • Composed Mitts – Color knitting never looked so good!
  • Continental Knitting – Hurry! Workshop is almost full.
  • Crochet Basics – Learn to crochet class is also perfect for knitters.
  • Felt Hat with a Brim – Keep your head happy and warm this winter.
  • Here We Go Round and Round – Learn in-the-round knitting and begin a project.
  • Knitting Basics – Learn to knit by making a cute felted bag.
  • Magic Loop Socks – Knit socks using one long circular needle.
  • Magic Mobius – Delicate and soft but will keep you warm (and looking hot, baby!).
  • No More Sloppy Seams – Good seaming techniques create professional looking projects.
  • Queen Anne's Lace scarf – Grab your hook and make this super-quick, romantic scarf.
  • Socks on DPNs – Knit socks the traditional way…on double pointed needles.
  • Teapot Mitten – Join us for a tea party! We will have the tea pots, too
  • What Did I Just Do – Learn to fix common knitting mishaps and blunders.

Three things to know about

1. 'What's new' yarn-love blog
  • Keep in-the-know by reading our weekly blog. Kristin will share all kinds of new things including new yarns arriving in the shop, hot projects, yarn-love events, and more.
  • Find our blog in two spots on yarn-love's home page: 1) the 'snapshot' view on in lower right-hand corner, and 2) the 'what's new' link on left-hand link panel.
  • Comment on a post and be entered into a monthly prize drawing!

2. February knit-along

In addition to blogging, Kristin will launch a knit-along (KAL) next month. We hope you join us whether you are near or far. Details to follow in our blog and our Ravelry 'yarn-love' group, but here's the scoop:

  • Knit your own gorgeous Citron in one of our laceweight or fingering weight yarns. (We are, quite simply, in love with this delightful curvy, ruffly shawlette!)
  • Settle in at our table and knit with us Wednesday nights at yarn-love. Together, we'll make sure this doesn't become a UFO (UnFinished Object).
  • If you're 'far,' knit with us from wherever you are and update us on our Ravelry group.

3. Make Way for Spring Sale

Mark your calendar now for our 'Make Way for Spring' sale. This is a great way to help us make shelf space for all the spring goodies we're now selecting for you.

  • Two days and nights for one big sale – Friday, February 5, 10-9 and Saturday, February 6, 10-8. (Then, you can relax on Super Bowl Sunday and begin a new project!)
  • Second sale day will have an increased percentage off. (Wow! Maybe you should mark your calendar for BOTH days.)
  • More details will be included on a note we send later this month.
  • The regular sale policies will be in place: sale on in-stock items only, no holds permitted, sale purchases are final purchases (no returns), and sale offered on scheduled dates only.

From friends of yarn-love

Dream In Color fingering weight yarn review by shelbell77

It has been a while since I have talked Dream In Color with all my yarn-love friends! It's been heavily on my mind lately as I continue to learn the versatility of the yarn. Today’s review focuses on the fingering weight Dream In Color yarns: Smooshy, Starry, and the new Knitosphy. All three yarns are a nice fingering weight, machine wash and dry, and have 450 yards to a skein. Moreover, all three feature fabulous color options. Dream In Color’s use of color, combined with the easy care is what has kept this my favorite yarn company for over two years now.

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