Time to try something new?

We hope you've had a relaxing and happy holiday season; somehow managing to finish all of your gift projects in time. If not, maybe you're done with them by now and ready to move on to some "me" knitting and crocheting. Learning a new technique or trying a new yarn is a great way to indulge yourself after the marathon knitting season has past.

Our class schedule this season focuses on just that--learning new techniques and perfecting the basics. Knitting is much more enjoyable when one doesn't have to dread seaming, fret about gauge, or decipher an unfamiliar stitch pattern.

Many of our classes have yet to start and still have space (the Beginning Knitting on Tuesdays 2/9 - 2/23 and Stitch Sampler for Beginners classes are both full). Please drop by or call to check availability.

A few of our winter arrivals are perfect for such technique sampling. Nordique by St. Denis comes in a great range of colors, is 100% wool and is a great choice for color work and textured fabrics that include cables or lace. We also have the premiere issue of St. Denis Magazine, which features 16 patterns for Nordique from designers such as Veronik Avery, Pam Allen and Jared Flood.

From Kelbourne Woolens we also have Terra and Canopy Fingering. Both yarns are interesting blends of fibers and come beautiful pallets. As you try a new technique, consider one of the accessory patterns from Kelbourne Woolens. We have a binder with pattern support for Terra and Canopy to browse, but they aren't for sale--you can download the patterns directly from their web site for free!

As always we have many magazines as they become available, including the new Vogue Knitting, Knit Scene, Knit Simple and Debbie Bliss magazines.

We hope to see you in the store soon. Until then, happy knitting and crocheting!

A poll and free store patterns

Here at the store, "new arrival" season is over and we're hunkering down for the winter. Our shelves are full of new yarns, colorways and plenty of old favorites. When choosing a new project, many people work to balance yarn budgets with the yummiest yarn possible.

With that in mind, we would like to know:
What would you knit with a $25 yarn budget? (vote on our blog)

(poll closes at 11:59 PM on Monday, November 23)

In the coming weeks we will be featuring store patterns that work up for under $25. Each of the hats below is an A Good Yarn original free pattern and is on display at the store.



Peruvia Hat

Yarn: Berroco Peruvia

Skeins: one
Sizes: adult small, medium, large (shown in large)
Cost to make: $8
With a large pallet of colors, this is a great hat for either men or women. This Peruvia hat is worked in a simple rib with a folded up brim.

Alpaca Cotton Toboggan

Yarn: Rowan Alpaca Cotton
Skeins: two
Sizes: small (white and black), large (brown and black)
Cost to make: $25
This lightweight hat has two brim options and is knit at a dense gauge for warmth. The two sizes (done by changing needle sizes) are appropriate for children and adults.

Silk Garden & Cash Iroha Hat

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, Cash Iroha
Skeins: one of each yarn
Sizes: one
Cost to make: $24
Fans of Noro yarns will enjoy choosing a solid color to complement one skein of Silk Garden for this hat. Make a complete set with our matching Silk Garden scarf pattern that is knit lengthwise.

Blizzard Cap

Yarn: Malabrigo Aquarella
Skeins: one
Sizes: one size
Cost to make: $14
This stockinette cap is quick knit on size US 13 needles--perfect for beginners and those who want to enjoy a skein of hand painted yarn.

The above patterns are available at the store, just ask! Other yarns can be substituted for these patterns as long as their gauge is appropriate.

Our fall classes are almost over and a new schedule will be published in January. As always, the new list will be available on our web site and will be sent to all of our mailing list and/or blog subscribers.

Thanks for reading and happy knitting and crocheting!

Get a head start on holiday knitting

A bit of a chill in the air is a great reminder to start gift knitting early. Just in time, we have plenty of new patterns and yarns for small (and quick!) projects. For inspiration, stop by to browse the new Interweave Knits "Holiday Gifts" 2009 magazine, Vogue Holiday 2009 magazine, or Cat Bordhi's new book Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters.

We also have new needle cases from Della Q, "Switch" interchangeable circulars from KA, and a new selection of Christmas Stocking kits from Accessories Unlimited.

Continuing with the trend of previous weeks, we also have new yarns:

• Rio by Tahki: 50% alpaca, 35% Merino, 15% silk; 3.25-4 sts / 1", US #11; 87 yards


• Kami Bison by Fibre-Isle: 60% bamboo, 30% Merino, 10% bison; 2 ply, lace weight; 440 yards


• Pearl Bison by Fibre-Isle: 65% Merino, 20% seacell, 10% cashmere, 5% bison; 2 ply, light sport weight; 220 yards


• Mochi Plus by Crystal Palace Yarns: 80% Merino, 20% nylon; 4-4.5 sts/ 1", US #9 - 10.5; 95 yards; superwash


• Mini Mochi by Crystal Palace Yarns: 80% Merino, 20% nylon; 7-8 sts/ 1", US #1-2; 195 yards; superwash


• Merino 5 by Crystal Palace Yarns: 100% Merino; 5 sts/ 1", US #7-8; 110 yards; superwash

In addition to the above yarns, we also have stocked up on a few favorites including Lamb's Pride (bulky and worsted), Socos, Malabrigo Aquarella, Cascade 220 Superwash, and Eco Wool--each of which will make a basic hat with just one skein!

As always, we have plenty of yarns on sale to browse, such as Naturwolle by Muench. It is spun in the Black Forest in Germany, 100% wool, 110 yards, and knits up quickly at 3-3.5 sts/1" on US #10 needles. One skein is enough for an adult hat, mittens, a crochet child's hat, or a narrow scarf.

Finally, a few of our fall classes have not started and still have a few spaces left:

• Beginning Knitting: Tuesdays 6:15 - 8:15, November 10-24


• Socks From the Toe Up: Tuesdays 6:15 - 8:15, December 1-15


• Gloves/Glovelets: Wednesdays 6:15 - 8:15, December 9 - 16

Please drop by or call to reserve your space and bring your materials to the first class.

Shop Update & "Cookie's Deep Dark Secret"

The flow of new arrivals has begun to slow down, but this week we do have new colorways and patterns from Elsebeth Lavold, Schaefer Yarn Company, Tahki and Jenny Watson to name a few.

Fans of Shepherd Sock by Lorna's Laces will be interested in the brand new colorway called "Cookie's Deep Dark Secret," which is a nearly-solid, dark blue sock yarn designed by Cookie A.

The release of this yarn coincides with the new issue of Knitty that includes Clandestine, a sock pattern also designed by Cookie A.

We do have the "Cookie's Deep Dark Secret" color of Shepherd Sock in the store. The pattern, however, must be directly downloaded from Knitty (link to pattern). The above pictures are courtesy of Lorna's Laces and are used with permission.

We also have a few new arrivals:

• Meilenweit Men by Lana Grossa: 80% wool, 20% polyamide; 7 sts = 1", US #2; 460 yards; superwash
• Big Baby by Muench: 100% acrylic; 2.5 sts/1", US #13-15; 49 yards; superwash
• Teddy by Lana Grossa: 100% acrylic, 5 sts/1", US # 6-7; 175 yards; superwash
• Gnocchi by Lana Grossa: 100% microfiber, 1.25 sts/1", US # 10 - 11, 27 yards

Today we also received a large shipment of needles and notions from KA, Prym/Inox, and Susan Bates. As always, we hope you'll stop by to touch a few new yarns and see the new colors and patterns.

Happy knitting!

More New Yarns and a Featured Pattern

Continuing with the trend of previous weeks, this week we received a large shipment from Berroco. We now have many new colors of Ultra Alpaca (worsted, light and fine), Peruvia, Peruvia Quick, Pure Merino, Berroco Sox, Berroco Sox Metallic and Jasper.

Many people have already signed up for fall classes. Both Beginning Knitting (Tuesdays, September 22 - October 6) and Beginning Crochet (Wednesdays, September 30 - October 7) are starting soon and each have a few spots left. Call or drop by to sign up for these or any other classes.

A few other arrivals this week include Interweave Knits Weekend magazine, the new Spin Off magazine, Knit Simple Holiday 09 and the Original Knitter's Block kits (complete with interlocking blocking squares, T pins and pressing cloth).

If you've been by the store recently, you may have seen our Embossed Leaf Beret by local designer Amy McElwain. Now we also have the matching Embossed Leaf Cowl pattern:

The beret uses about 200 yards of worsted weight yarn and the cowl uses about 260 yards of either worsted or DK weight yarn. Both patterns include written instructions, matching charts, and detailed stitch keys.

Finally, a quick reminder that we're now open on Sundays 1 -5 and select sale yarns, usually 25% off, are now 40% off of the original price when you buy six or more.

As always, thanks for reading!

Welcoming in the fall with more hours, discounts and classes

Starting next weekend we will be open on Sundays from 1 - 5 for fall hours. All other shop hours remain the same. Also, last week we announced our fall class list (view or download it here).

To continue to make room for new fall yarns, select sale yarns that are usually 25% off are now 40% off when you buy six or more. Similarly, buy one knitting bag at 25% off and get a second bag at 40% off. All discounts apply to original prices.

We've also officially switched from our old e-mail list to a newer, more user-friendly system. To subscribe to the new newsletter, simply visit this page on our web site and follow the instructions. The newsletter is separate from this blog and will only be sent to announce new classes, sales and other occasional events.

New arrivals last week include:

• Alpaca Cotton by Rowan: 72% alpaca, 28% cotton; 4 sts/1", US #8; 140 yards; machine wash gentle / cold
• Lima by Rowan: 84% baby alpaca, 8% Merino wool, 8% nylon; 5 sts/1", US #9; 109 yards
• Como by Debbie Bliss: 90% Merino wool, 10% cashmere; 2.5 sts/1", US #15; 46 yards
• Donegal Luxury Tweed Chunky by Debbie Bliss: 85% wool, 15% angora; 4.5 sts/1", US # 10.5; 110 yards
• Fez by Debbie Bliss: 85% Merino wool, 15% camel; 4.5 sts/1", US #7/8; 110 yards
• Sitar by Nashua: 51% wool, 49% acrylic; 3.5 sts/1", US #8-9; 82 yards
• Lustra by Berroco: 50% wool, 50% tencel; 4.5 sts/1", US #7; 197 yards
• Sundae by Berroco: 50% wool, 50% acrylic; 2.5 sts/1", US #15; 62 yards
• Bonbori by Noro: 94% wool, 6% nylon; 3sts/1", US #10.5; 88 yards

We also have new patterns for the above yarns. Drop by to see these yarns and new colorways of a few of our old favorites including Kureyon, Cashmerion Aran, Cashsoft DK and Felted Tweed.

We hope you drop by to see our new arrivals for yourself!

More fall arrivals and a Monday KAL

A bit of a cold spell has us all thinking about knitting for the colder months. This week we received a variety of new yarns, patterns and colorways.

We have also been preparing a fall/winter class list which we will post here on our blog and on our web site in the classes section when it is finalized.

In addition to classes, our very own Paula is hosting an experimental knitting group on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month from 6:00 to 8:00 here at the store. Unlike classes, you do not need to sign up. It costs $10 to drop by with your project, knit with the group, and get help with the occasional problem. If you plan on attending, please let us know so we can ensure there is enough space for everyone.

If you do not have a current project, Paula and a few others will be doing a KAL (knit-a-long) with the Central Park Hoodie from Interweave. The pattern is written for many different sizes and knits to 4.5 sts/1". Please note that you will need to purchase the pattern online from Interweave.

New arrivals this week include:

• Portland Tweed by Classic Elite: 50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose; 4.5 sts/1", US #7 needle; 120 yards
• Rustic Wool DK by Queensland Collection: 100% wool; 5.5 sts/1", US #6; 131 yards; superwash
• Kathmandu Aran by Queensland Collection: 85% Merino wool, 10% silk, 5% cashmere; 4.5 sts/1", US #8; 104 yards
• Grace Hand-dyed by Louisa Harding: 50% Merino, 50% silk; 5.5 sts/1", US #6; 110 yards
• Colora by Lang Yarns: 55% wool, 45% acrylic; 3.5 sts/1", US #8-10; 137 yards, machine washable
• Filz-Wolle by On Line: 100% wool; 2.5 sts/1", US #13, 55 yards

In addition to these new yarns, we also have new colors of Ariosa, Baby Llama, Bearfoot, Inca Alpaca, Lush, Silky Wool, Socos, Tinkerbell and Wool Bam Boo.

New patterns this week include a large selection of Fall '09 booklets from Classic Elite and the new Debbie Bliss Magazine. We also received errata for the Made in Brooklyn booklet.

As the days get cooler we expect more new fall arrivals. Once again, please check back as we will announce fall classes soon and let us know if you plan on dropping by for Paula's Monday group.