New Yarns!

If you like Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande, you are going to love the newest version - it has sparkles!  In addition to the full line of solids & multicolors, Grande Glow is now in the building!  It's the same bulky, light weight yarn that knits up quickly into scarves, shawls and sweaters.  Grande Glow has a sweet sparkle - - the dark blue looks like the night sky!  Very pretty!  Think about a light wrap  - perfect for cool evenings even as the weather turns warmer.

New baby in your life?  Consider Candy Cane yarn is a completely washable acrylic yarn that comes in yarn big 207 yard skeins.  It's comes in pretty baby pastels - pink, blue, aqua, green, even a multicolor.  The yarn changes color subtly as the individual plies change color.  Although knitters and crocheters are making lots of different baby things with it, this knitter sees it in a baby blanket.  My favorite is the 'dishcloth' baby blanket - knit on the diagonal with a pretty eyelet trim.  Here's a link to the super-easy pattern from the Yarn Lover's Room.

There are lots of other new yarns, new colors and other goodies to tempt you.  So drop in to the shop for yarn, fiber, tools to get started on your next project.  What?  You don't knit or crochet?  That's okay.  Select from hats, scarves, shawls and other cozy goodies for yourself or others.  Check out our quilt selection too.  Remarkable fiber art that know no season!

New Viking Yarns

I'm so happy to share 2 new yarns that have recently made themselves at home at Asheville Home Crafts. From Viking of Norway, these are beautiful soft wool yarns in an amazing array of colors.

To be completely honest we have had Viking Balder for a while, but now we have greatly expanded the color palette.  Now in far more colors, we have sweater quantities available of this beautiful chunky yarn.  It's happy to be knit on size 11 needles.  There are 90 yards in a 100 gram skein, so plan on 2 skeins for a hat + scarf or hat + mittens.  Great for childrens wear - it's machine washable!

Feltmakers:  Look at Viking Naturngarn!  Same soft hand, same chunky weight, but feltable.  This 100% wool yarn is in a smaller ball - just 55 yards per 50 gram, and at a very reasonable price.  We have solids, multicolors and tone-on-tone all across the spectrum.

Even more good news:  We have several pattern books available and a couple of sample sweaters on display.  So stop by and check out the colors and soft texture of this yarn.  It's currently located on a shelf facing the color wall.  Start dreaming about what you want to knit with this scrumptious yarn.

We'll help you get started on your next project with Viking or any yarns.  Just drop by the store any time, but particularly on Friday evenings.  It's our regular Sit & Knit session and you are welcome to join - for help if you need it or conversation if you don't.  See you then!

After Christmas Sale!

For a bit of knitting or crocheting on these chilly winter days, all our kits are on sale for 30% off until January 15th.  From the silly to the sublime, think how you might save money while indulging in sophisticated or whimsical knitting.

We'll start with the fun part - KuKu Dolls!  With basic knitting or crochet skills, you can knit or crochet, then felt the sweetest little person.  Although the materials are included, you can easily make this doll your own.  There is a nice selection available, though I can't guarantee that the dolls pictured will still be there.  Don't worry though - you'll find one you like!

For the sophisticated knitter, Why not indulge yourself (or someone else) in 100% cashmere!  The cashmere scarf kits come with 7 patterns - for either men or women.  Just pick the color that you like best and start knitting.  Each kit includes 350 yards of worsted weight yarn - enough for a generous scarf in any pattern you select.   

If the cashmere is a bit out of your budget, consider the Sampler Scarf - lovely colors and patterns to stretch your knitting skills and your budget..

This is just a taste of what you might find.  If you can't decide on a kit, we also have lots of single patterns that are also 30% off.  So with the new year right around the corner, start your resolution early - Knit in the New Year!

Time for Giving

With just a few days before Christmas you have some choices: 

1. Knit or crochet something lovely - There is still time for make a hat or scarf for someone you love.  Pick a simple pattern, choose some beautiful yarn and cast on.  I selected Cascade's Cash Vero, a merino, cashmere and acrylic blend yarn in a worsted weight that is destined to be a scarf for my sweetheart.  But if the recipient was my niece, I might make a scarf of Tokyo - there are some excellent new colors that just came in.

2. Buy something already made - With the many fiber artists who make the knitwear, quilts and accessories in our shop, you can always find something that is just right.  A man in your life?  We've got some fine hats with a masculine look, in natural colors or dyed yarns.  Something for a young lady?  We can make up a hat and scarf ensemble in colors that will coordinate with a favorite dress coat or ski jacket.  A baby's first Christmas?  A handmade quilt for the wall or the crib is an instant heirloom.

3. Give yarn - Now this can work a number of different ways.  Knitters and crocheters always like yarn, particularly a unique handspun yarn or a luxury skein that they want, but hesitate to buy for themselves.  If you have a friend or relative who admires your work, maybe its time to give the gift of a lesson.  Yarn, needles and your time may be the best gift you can give.  You could be the favorite auntie by dinner time!

4. Give yarn and a promise - If you are a knitter who is out of time, why not give a heart-felt promise?  A pair of socks will be every bit as welcome in February as they are on December 25th - maybe even more so.  After all, it will still be cold long after the holiday hubbub dies down.  Choose a bright color!  In the gray days of winter, it will be just what the knitter - and the recipient - will need.


5. What about a Gift Certificate?  I know that some people think that gift certificates are impersonal, but I choose to differ.  A gift certificate at my favorite store - a yarn shop - means that I get to pick my own present.  I can get a head start on the sweater I want to knit, pick out a hat that is perfect for me, or even knit something for someone else.

What ever you choose, it's hard to go wrong.  We are well-stocked with yarns and beautiful hand made things.  Drop by and finish up your shopping by supporting local artists and crafts people.

We Wish Ewe a Merry Christmas

If you are doing your holiday shopping for the knitters or non-knitters on your list, you can find a little something at the shop these days.  Of course you can knit scarves or hats or socks for your family and friends, and knitters never mind getting yarn or a great book, but you can also purchase a fun gift from our collection.

Sending Christmas cards?  This is what my friends and family will see when they open their envelopes.  Irish illustrator Thomas Joseph gives us whimsical sheep on cards as well as on mugs for drinking that steaming cuppa.   There are also some fun kitchen sets - towels, oven mitts & potholders also with whimsical sheep motifs from Wacky Woolies.

If wearables are more to your taste, our local fiber artists are knitting, crocheting and weaving hats, scarves, shawls, accessories and more.  Our selection is excellent right now ranging from sophisticated to funky, classic to modern.  And you'll know that there won't be another hat just like yours.  Support your local artists - they put love and care and fine craftsmanship into every thing they make.

We're open late Friday and Saturday evenings so drop by.  On Friday night bring your yarn and needles and join us for sit and knit.

Staying Warm

As the weather turns chilly, here in Asheville or wherever you may live, it's time to stay warm in a cozy hat or scarf.  With a number of talented knitters and crocheters in our region, we can offer you some terrific choices.  Wild and crazy?  We've got that.  Playful?  We've got that too.  Subtle and sophisticated?  Well, I could go on and on, but I'll spare you.

I will say that the array of hand made hats and scarves grows everyday as the talented artisans deliver their most recent creations ready for you to select a gift for yourself or the people you love.  And we can just about guarantee that you won't see a dozen others just like it next time you are out and about.

If you're rather make your own accessories, we can help you select a pattern and yarns to make something uniquely yours.  We carry a number of new books as well as patterns from our own designers.  Some yarns include a free pattern with purchase. 

A new yarn in the shop, that will make a lovely hat, scarf or even mittens is Viking Balder.  All wool, it's soft and gently variegated and it comes in a big hank - 137 yards.  Two skeins would make a hat and very generous scarf.  The brown or gray colors would work nicely for men or women and the bulky weight makes it a quick knit.

Drop by on any Friday night to sit and knit. We'll be happy to get you started on a new project or bring whatever you're knitting right now.

Mmmmm...Mohair

OK, I admit it.. I love mohair.  The way the halo surrounds the knitted piece - hat, sweater, scarf - it doesn't matter what.  Could be a throwback to my childhood when my teenage babysitter wore a pink mohair sweater that I truly coveted.  Sadly (or not), they were out of style when I reached adolescence, so I never had my chance. 

Luckily for knitters, mohair is back and it's not quite the same.  Asheville Homecrafts was some sweet mohair in stock right now.  New to the shop is Karabella Verona.  It's a big loopy boucle - it will knit up as a bulky yarn.  Available in a couple of muted variegated colors (I love the autumn medley!), I can see this as a long skinny scarf.  Cast on say 9 stitches on about a size 13 needle, knit every row, then cast off when you have about a yard left.  You're done! Buy one in every shade and your holiday gift knitting will be done and the recipients will look fabulous!

That's not the only mohair selection on the shelf.   Also new in the shop is Mohair Royal from Plymouth Yarns in lots of pretty colors.  Eighty percent kid mohair with a nylon binder, I like this on it's own or as a carry-along yarn.  Cleckeaton Studio is a mohair/acrylic blend that is soft and lovely and comes in a number of colors. 

For pure luxury, pick Kid Seta.  Mohair and silk, this soft, luscious yarn is a delight to wear next to the skin! It is light and airy, yet surprisingly warm and it comes in a ball with great yardage.  I bought a solid color to combine with a tweedy yarn for a tone-on-tone, texture-on-texture look.  I'll try to post a picture once the hat makes its way out of my imagination and onto the needles.  I've got plans for Kid Seta.

These are just a few of the mohair yarns - there are lots more.  Look in the mohair section - opposite the sock yarn in the sections arranged by color.  Then sit down and knit (or crochet) with us on any Friday night.  Mohair is optional; fun and good company are always in good supply.