Amazing Ribbon Yarns

It seems like we can't stop talking about the new yarns in the shop - I guess that's because there are always new yarns, as well as new colors of your favorite yarns. We have several yarns from Feza as well as knitted samples in the store and free patterns available when you purchase them. Just ask!

'Alp Premier' comes in a generous 200 yard skein that changes as you knit. With different fibers and colors and textures, it's great for scarves and shawls knit on big needles. Colors are exciting, with tone-on-tone reds, and greens and browns in addition to luscious jewel-tone and earthy mixes.

'Dazzle' is another combination yarn featuring eyelash, shiny ribbon, thick 'n thin, metallic and see-through fibers that combine for an effect that is... well... dazzling! Again, lots of colorful choices and put up in a 210 yard skein, so you can make your scarves or shawls quite generous.

Rounding out this offering is Feza's Tokyo. It's thick 'n' thin, this time in a single rich color. On it's own or with other yarns (think hairpin lace), this yarn adds depth and texture to your knitting.

We have lots of other ribbon yarns in stock, including the Euro line - great yarn at a lower price. It doesn't matter whether you like glittery brights, lots of texture or subtle shades, with lots of choices in every price range, we can help you put together an exciting project, no matter what you want to knit or crochet.

Sparkles!

What might these sparkly jewel colors be?

Why, it's the lovely luscious LaBoheme Starburst from Fiesta yarns, of course! It is constructed of 2 strands of yarn. One is a fluffy mohair blend that gives the yarn a wonderful body and depth. The other strand is a rayon boucle wrapped with mylar to give it sheen and sparkle. Lots of sparkle! This order just in, a full range of colors in stock right now.

Think about this yarn in an open and airy scarf, maybe combined with a solid base yarn in a hairpin lace scarf. Want to learn Hairpin lace? Drop by on Friday evening's Sit 'n' Knit for a quick lesson. Then you are on your way!

Note to shoppers: Be aware that the weekend of July 23-25, 2010 is Bele Chere, Asheville big summer street party. So while the festival is great fun with amazing music, crafts, food, vendors and lots of people, it makes driving and parking tricky. Please come down, but wear your walking shoes!

New Yarns!

In June Marie and Judy took a trip to The National NeedleArts Association trade show in Columbus, Ohio and did they bring back some goodies! Just strolling around the shop, I found any number of yummy yarns. It will take more than one blog post to tell you all about what's happening.

Two new yarns from U-Knitted Nations are Handspun Bouquet and Giant Purls. Both yarns are big fun - Quick knits on size 19 needles. Handspun Bouquet is spun thick and thin with yarn flowers and leaves built right into the yarn. There is a free pattern for a cowl available at the store with a lovely sample made up for you to try on. You know you'll want to knit one!

Giant Purls has, well, big balls of fiber tied into the yarn. Perfect for a dramatic and cozy scarf - there is a free pattern for that too.

Thanks to U-Knitted Nations for the photo of their exciting Handspun Bouquet.

Also new and fun is the 'Ripley' hat kit from Knit Whits. This cap should look good on men or women of all ages - just pick the color combination that you like the best. Although a bit more exacting knit in a smaller gauge - about a size 5 needle - this is a classic style that you'll want to knit and wear.

The packaging is lovely too - perfect for a gift to a knitter as well as from a knitter. Think of the possibilities!

I'll be back soon to tell you about the new yarns and new colors from Ironstone. Trust me - drool-worthy!

New Yarns and Colors from Ironstone

When last we met, I told you about new yarns still arriving from the fabulous TNNA show in Columbus. We can't all go, but Judy and Marie did and did they order some fun yarns. If you are an Ironstone fan, don't go away!

Well- named Ironstone Pizzaz is a multi-strand novelty yarn made up of a cotton boucle, an eyelash, and a glittery metallic. It's perfect for scarves knit or crochet in a big gauge. Super easy and quick - and - dare I say it - lots of pizzaz! Another amazing Ironstone yarn is 'Sun.' They've again taken 3 strands to make this yarn. This time it's a rayon ribbon yarn, a boucle and a metallic. Both yarns come in lovely jewel colors and generous yardages.

If it's wool you need, the shop also has 2 new Ironstone bulky wool yarns. Sherpa Wool is a big booucle wool - another fast knit on about a #15 needle. The colors are intense - lime green, magenta, red violet and a variegated that should work with either of the warm colors. Very cozy! Ironstone's New Wool is another bulky, this time a thick & thin yarn in more great colors.

Last but not least, one of this writer's favorite yarns: Sunset! Asheville HomeCrafts has been carrying it for the last few seasons, and I love it for hats and scarves. Marie & Judy have always carried a nice range of colors, but the new season's colors are even prettier. I won't try to describe them - you have to see them and pet them. Mostly mohair and metallic with a bit of wool and acrylic, this yarn adds texture and sparkle. These quick photos can't even come close to doing it justice - it's so much better in person!

What else is new? Lots! Check back to this blog as there are still even more yarns to tempt you with. Better yet, drop by the store where there's always something new.

Summer is for Sock Knitting

Socks are such a delight for travel knitting, for hot weather knitting and for gift knitting. I love to knit socks. They are interesting enough to keep your attention but small enough to finish, even if the pattern is a bit tricky. Now you do have to knit the second sock and that is sometimes more difficult than it sounds.

Right now we have an excellent array of sock yarns for you to choose from in self striping or faux Fair Isle, solids or semi-solids or just about anything in between. Here are just a couple...

Plymouth's Happy Feet is a great yarn in 90% superwash merino and 10% nylon for added strength. It comes in semi-solids and multicolors and knits up quickly, even in a tiny gauge. The yarn itself is nicely spun, so you can knit by touch alone - great for socks in a simple pattern. The socks shown here were knit by one of our customers.

Berroco makes wonderful sock yarns too and we have a very wide selection. Both Berroco Sox and Metallic Sox come in just about any color combination that you feel like knitting. These are also a washable wool/nylon blend that is as easy on the eyes as it is on the pocketbook.

For even more color and fiber choices, we carry a number of Schoeller & Stahl yarns in their Fortissima and Mexico lines, cotton blend sock yarns and lots more. The sock yarn wall seems to get bigger and bigger and the color and fiber choices just keep expanding. These few are only the tip of the iceberg!

Last, but certainly not least, we have a selection of hand-dyed sock yarns from an indie dyer right here in Asheville. Bright colors or subtle shades, AnneMarie (aka Smoky Mountain Fibers) has fun tending the dyepots. Look for some new green and blue yarns coming your way!

So if the heat makes sweaters seem superfluous and cozy baby blankets just too, well...cozy, it may just be the summer of socks! Small, lightweight, a little bit challenging and so appreciated when the cooler weather comes back!

What's New?

As we go into our summer season, quilts take center stage. With wall quilts, table runners and crib quilts, the quilters of Western North Carolina run the range from very traditional to well... kind of wild.

Frances Owl Smith lives in Waynesville, North Carolina. She is the embodiment of modern quilting in our area. Her piecing is superb; her freeform quilting fits the space beautifully. But what makes Frances's quilts really stand out is her sense of color. The greens, the teals, the purples, the blues - they all work together to make a magical quilt that would be at home in your home.

Quilted table runners are a great way to dress up your table. Change your runner to fit the season, to match your dishes, or just to fit your mood. Affordable works of art, our selection changes all the time. Stop by and see what's new.

Many of our quilters will be happy to custom make a bed-size quilt for you. Stop in and see Judy or Marie; they will be happy to help you.

We always welcome visitors to our store. Friday evening Sit and Knit will find any number of knitters and crocheters making socks and hats and scarves. Judy and Marie, as well as experienced knitters assist newer knitters as they cast-on for the very first time, turn the heel of a sock or make baby booties. Bring your current project or start a new one from the always-changing yarns you'll find in our store.

New Yarns!

Asheville Home and Crafts has even more fun yarns for you to enjoy as we slowly move into spring. We have a lovely new Super Cotton from Schulana that is very soft and pliable. We also have two new yarns from the Queensland Collection - Sugar Rush and Haze. Sugar Rush, appropriately, is made out of %100 sugar cane! However, we do not recommend chewing on it if your project is not going well. :) Haze is a variegated cotton/corn viscose fiber, in a great selection of colors. In addition we have a new yarn from Linie, "Toledo", which is smooth with a great sheen - perfect for projects where you want to show off little details. Canela has a new hand-dye rayon, acrylic, and cotton variegated yarn in even more fabulous colors. We also just got in more Eco-Wool - Peruvian highland wool - in natural and dyed colors. A great value at 478 yards for only $15.
We also have a new local artist who is bringing us hand-painted silk roving. It feels amazing, and the colors are bright and vibrant. Perfect for spinning or needle felting!

You don't have to stop knitting just because the weather is getting warmer! We have many non-wool yarns that you can use all year round. Also, a great project for warmer weather is the Hair-Pin Lace Scarf. It's a great way to use embellishment yarns (of which we always have a great selection), and is light and cool for spring. All you need is a hair-pin lace tool, only $8 in our store, 70-90 yards of fun yarns, and a crochet hook. Even if you've never crocheted before, we promise you can learn! We'll happily give you lessons and a free pattern.

The first Asheville Art Walk of the season is Friday, April 2. A great way to see the galleries of Asheville, nibble on yummy finger food, and appreciate great art. We'll be open late, so come by and see all the new yarns, as well as our hand-made hats, shawls, quilts, and other goodies. Also on that and every Friday is our Sit & Knit session. Everyone is invited to come by and knit or crochet with us. You can ask questions if you're stuck, or even learn how to knit and make your very first project. All are invited for the fun! Until then, happy crafting!