Newsletter and Calendar for June to September

The newsletter and calendar for the months of June to September are now available for viewing at the links to the right. There are some fun events this summer! We'll be having a Hidden Gems sale three weekends in June that feature yarns that TY employees love, but seem to stay hidden on the shelves. We also will be having a store-wide sale in July (formerly Beat the Heat).

Our spinning instructor, Lisa Rose, is ready to teach you how to spin this summer! She can teach both drop spindle and wheel methods, and you can rent one of our spinning wheels to gain confidence before investing in a wheel of your own. Just call the shop to set up a time for your spinning lesson.

Lisa also is offering a Felting Class for Kids in June and for adults, the chance to weave a handtowel on a larger loom in August. See the newsletter for complete details!

Fiber artist Gika Rector is offering her popular Nuno Felting class several times over the summer. This is a fun class to do with a group of friends!

Classes on the calendar taught by the TY staff include a Short Sleeve Summer Cardigan and Entrelac Scarf, and a new set of technique classes for different levels of knitters. The classes are focused on overcoming different fears knitters may have. For beginners, there is a Fix It class focused on reading the knitted stitches and repairing common beginner mistakes. For intermediate knitters, there is an Afterthought Pocket class in which a pocket will be added to an already knitted piece by snipping the yarn, unraveling it and picking up the live stitches. For more advanced knitters, there is a Cable Repair class involving dropping the stitches that form a cable, reversing the cable and knitting the stitches back up.

Our regular classes remain on the calendar including Beginning and Advanced Knitting, Beginning Crochet, Socks 101, Knit in the Round Hat, Rigid Heddle Weaving, and First Lace Shawl.

Remember that private lessons are always available for all knitting and crochet projects and techniques! And our Sit and Knit area is always available to you any time we are open.

New! Spinning Wheel lessons!

Look what arrived last week:

This is our new Louet shop wheel which is now available for spinning wheel lessons with Lisa Rose, our new spinning instructor.  If you've wanted to try spinning with a wheel, but don't have access to one or own one (yet!), this is your opportunity to give it a try.
Spinning wheel lessons are scheduled as private lessons with Lisa. Give the shop a call or email us to set up a time!

Two fun classes offered on April 12th!

We are offering two different and unique classes on Friday, April 12^th.

In the morning, our spinning instructor, Lisa Rose, is offering a Fiber Preparation class from 10 am to 2 pm, with a half hour break for lunch (not included). If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of a sheep to shawl project, this would be a good introduction! In this class you will learn how to prepare wool fleece to get it ready for spinning and dyeing. You will prepare and scour the fleece, then use your clean wool to learn the different methods for fiber preparation: drum carder, hand cards, wool combs, and brush. You will also learn how to prepare a dye pot with onion skins and dye your wool and you will compare and contrast different types of fiber and sheep breeds.

The Fiber Prep class is $45, includes all supplies and handouts, and you will take home your dyed and prepared wool samples. You must register and pay for this class by Friday, April 5^{th ,} and because the instructor will be acquiring the fleece and supplies based on registration, there can be no refunds.

Join us the evening of April 12^th from 6 pm to 9 pm for a Play Date with Color class. If you’ve struggled to choose colors that go well together for a project, you will enjoy this class. We will learn to combine colors using a unique color grid and then work with coloring sheets to create different color combinations. Then we’ll practice knitting colorwork swatches with supplied yarn.

The Play Date with Color class is $35, payable on registration, and includes the Color Grid, yarn for swatches, two colorwork patterns, and a light dinner. This would be a fun evening to spend with a knitting buddy!

Space is limited in both classes, so call today to sign up!

Feb to May Newsletter and Class Calendar

The Twisted Yarns newsletter and class calendar are up and ready to view from the website homepage or through the links to the right. There are some new classes on the schedule including a new beginner hat class, crochet ripple scarf project, a knitted striped scarf, a basics of intarsia class, and a baby cardigan class. There are two knit alongs on the schedule; the Wrap Me Up Shawl and the Elfe Sweater. We also have some fun special events coming up, so check out the newsletter to see what's happening at Twisted Yarns!

A few new things!

We've put a few new yarns on the shelf this week!
If you want to knit socks with yarn that doesn't have any wool, try the new Diversity memory yarn from Plymouth Yarns. Each skein has 420 yards of acrylic and elastic polyester yarn that knits to 8 stitches per inch on US size 2 needles. We have 7 self striping colorways!

We have a new but limited supply of Mulberry Silk yarn. The yarns are dyed and packaged by Sweaterknits from Canada. The Silk Jewel Beaded Mulberry has 225 yards per 3.5 oz and is a light worsted weight. The Silky Mulberry has 300 yards per 3.5 oz and is a DK weight.

And just arrived is Malabrigo Book 4!

And we are sad to hear that Schaefer Yarns is closing at the end of the year. We have a limited supply of Schaefer's Anne, Heather, and Nancy yarns in stock. If you are a Schaefer Yarn fan, come by and stock up before it is gone forever!

Holiday Gumball Sale Nov 29-Dec 1

It's time for our Annual Gumball Sale! If you've never joined us for this sale, here's how it works:


You bring your selection of regular priced merchandise to the counter, put a penny in the gumball machine, the color of your gumball determines your discount!

Red, Pink or Orange = 10% off

Blue or Purple = 20% off

Green = 30% off

Yellow = 50% off

White = $50 Gift Certificate!

Sale discount is for regular priced, in-stock merchandise only. Does not apply to merchandise already marked down, or to special orders (even if they are in stock). The discount is good on regular priced yarn, books, needles, accessories, bags, etc. You will also be earning points toward our rewards program!

The sale runs Thursday through Saturday, November 29, 30 and December 1. We'll be open late Thursday, 10-7, and open Friday and Saturday 10-5.

An update from our Charity Knitting event.....we are donating $130. to the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy assistance. Also please bring in your knitted/crocheted items for Star of Hope mission right here in Houston. Deliver those to us by December 1st so we can get them down to Star of Hope! Thanks to all of you for participating in helping out our neighbors, near and far.

Don't forget to let friends and family know what you REALLY want for Christmas.....a Twisted Yarns Gift Certificate!

We look forward to seeing you this weekend. We'll have a few door prizes you can sign up for as well. Don't miss out on the fun!

Charity Knitting and Crochet event this Thursday!

Join us this Thursday, November 8th, for a day and evening of fibery fellowship, and knitting and crocheting for charity. Our chosen charity is the Star of Hope homeless shelter and we will be collecting hats, scarves, mittens, and other warm items which can be for men, women or children. We will be open from 10am to 8pm that day for sitting, knitting, crocheting and shopping. We will have goodies to eat and drawings all day and evening. Finished items need to be dropped off to us for delivery to the shelter by Saturday, December 1st.

Instead of a discount on yarn for this event, we will be donating 10% of proceeds from sales that entire day to the American Red Cross to help with the Hurricane Sandy relief effort.

Hope you will join us on Thursday!

New stuff!

Some new stuff snuck in last week while we were preparing for Sally  Melville's visit! We received a resupply of Madelinetosh Pashmina...

 

KnitWhit's Freia fine handpainted fingering weight yarn...

And Lorna's Laces sent more of their Solemate sock yarn with Outlast viscose...

Doctor Who fans note the skein of Bigger on the Inside colorway for the Tardis shawl on Knitty!

And Lorna's sent the new Sportmate yarn which is a sport weight yarn with Outlast viscose...developed by NASA to keep the astronauts at a constant temperature.

 

We have the Fall issue of Jane Austen Knits magazine in stock, as well as the books Knit Red, French Girl Knits Accessories, Cast On, Bind Off, Northern Knits Gifts, and November Knits. All books are 10% off!

Come on by and see what's new!

New classes

Check out the new classes we are offering in October and November!

The Eternity Scarf/Cowl two-part class starts next week on Wednesday, October 10th and continues the following Wednesday. It also is offered the Fridays, November 2nd/9th.

This is a great class and project for the beginner knitter. You will learn how to read a pattern and a very simple chart. This cowl can be made in three basic stitch patterns and can be made in three lengths. Materials: (Short version) 160 yard of worsted weight yarn and size 8 circular needles, stitch markers. Fee: $35 – includes the pattern, Eternity Scarf by Michele Wang. Level: Advanced Beginner

 

The Entrelac Cowl class also is a two-part class. It will be offered Thursdays, October 25th/November 1st and again Tuesdays, November 27th/December 4th.

 

This is a great pattern for entrelac that is knit in the round. It is a good way to learn entrelac on a smaller scale. We’ll use Heather Cabanas’ Entrelac Cowl pattern, and a self striping yarn to really show off those triangles and rectangles. Materials: approx. 200 yds. Silk Garden or Casablanca, or other self striping worsted weight yarn, 16” circular needles in a size 7 or 8 to get gauge, tapestry needle. Fee: $35, includes the pattern. Level: Advanced Beginner (must be proficient at K and P and basic increases/decreases)

 

Learn the basics of Double Knitting as you make a simple headband. The new Double Knitting class is offered several times in October and November: Tuesday, October 23rd, Saturday, November 10th, and Friday, November 16th.

 Double Knitting is a technique for making a double layered fabric that is reversible. In this class you will learn the basic double knitting technique while making a simple winter headband. Make the headband in your school colors and have the perfect accessory for fall football games! Materials: 2 colors of a smooth worsted weight yarn, such as Cascade 220. About 100 yards of each color, 16” circular needles in size 6 or 7, ring markers. Fee: $25, includes the pattern. Level: Intermediate

 

Find descriptions of all our classes in our newsletter and the dates and times they are offered on our calendar.

Blue Ribbon Sampler Stole Knit Along

Join us this Thursday, September 27th, or Saturday, September 29th, at 11 am for our new lace knit along. The pattern is the Blue Ribbon Sampler Stole by Bad Cat Designs. We’ll meet once a month through December, and then go to every 2 weeks in January. You can choose Thursdays or Saturdays.  It’s a lovely lace pattern, and a good way to complete a bigger lace project with the help of a support group.

Pictured is Gayle's swatch knit with JaggerSpun Zephyr

Andrea’s Blue Ribbon Sample Stole pattern has 13 (!) beautiful lace sections. We will enjoy one section at a time in a long session each month. If you’ve always wanted to work a “meaty” lace project, but have been afraid to embark on your own, join us!

New Newsletter and Class Calendar

The Twisted Yarns newsletter and class calendar for the months of October through January are now available for viewing! You can access links to both on the right hand side of this page or from our home page. If you prefer pdf versions of these, you can choose that option as well from the home page. We have some fun events coming up including a Socktoberfest sale and celebration, a charity knit and crochet night, two lace knit alongs, an UnFinished Object knit along, as well as our annual Gumball Sale. Several new classes are on the calendar including an Entrelac Cowl, an Eternity Scarf/Cowl, and a double knitting class. We'll be posting pictures and descriptions of these classes over the next few weeks on this blog and our Facebook page.

Arrrrh! Ruffles!

Today we be celebratin' International Talk Like A Pirate Day! Come in and say "Arrrrh!" and get 15% off on all of our ruffling scarf yarns, including Triana, Flounce, Broadway, Joy, Frilly, Tecido Trico, Starstruck, Passion Nette, Scandalicious, Wavy, Argentina Color, and Funny. Come in with yer parrot or sportin' some pirate-y garb and receive 20% off! Stock up now for those fun holiday gifts!

Fun with Beads!

In an earlier post, we shared a picture of the dyed silk cocoons and hand painted cording we are stocking for your crafting and creative fiber arts needs. Our clever Eve has been creating jewelry using the cocoons and cording, and beads from our friends at Spring Beads in Old Town Spring.

What a unique gift for someone on your Christmas list!

It must be time to start getting the needles and hooks moving for the holidays...the holiday knitting and crochet magazines have been arriving at the shop!

The afghan, shawl and scarf kits from HPKY (Hand Painted Knitting Yarns) have arrived. Be sure to take a look at the Operetta Shawl kit which alternates rows of lace weight kid mohair with a silk and merino bulky weight yarn for a beautiful textural effect, as well as the Yarn Ribbon scarf which uses six different yarns and ribbon to create a  stunning scarf.

Jade Sapphire's new cashmere yarn, Brigadoon, is now in stock at the shop. This worsted weight, 100% cashmere yarn comes from Scotland and will make a luxurious gift for someone special! Pictured are patterns for a cowl and for fingerless mitts using the oh, so soft and lovely Brigadoon yarn.

We are working on our newsletter and calendar for October through January. Look for it to be posted here and on our website the last week of September.

Sally Melville workshops October 12-14

Sign ups have begun for a series of 4 workshops by knitting author and instructor Sally Melville the weekend of October 12th to 14th. On Friday night, October 12th, Sally will be at the shop for a chat on "Why We do What We Do" and a book signing. The event is free, but because space is limited, you must sign up to attend.
On Saturday, October 13th, there will be a morning workshop on Borders and Buttonholes. The afternoon workshop is Knit to Flatter and Fit.
Sunday morning, the workshop offering is Essential Skills to practice the many techniques knitters need to know. The afternoon workshop is on Emergency Measures to remedy some of the disasters that can happen as we knit. Each workshop is $50.
Follow this link to the Sally Melville workshops for more detailed information! Call the shop today to sign up!

New Rowan yarns now in stock

A large shipment of yarn from Westminster Fibers arrived last week. Sidney the Sheep is helping to take a look at what was in the boxes!

Rowan's Kidsilk Haze Stripe arrived along with a pattern book for making beautiful, lightweight mohair sweaters in lovely striping colors. The Kidsilk Creation Stripe is a preknitted tube of mohair that comes in the same colorways to make scarves or other accessories.

We've been stocking Rowan's Tweed yarns in the fingering and DK weights. Now there is an Aran weight version in the same great colors for thicker mittens, hats and sweaters.

Stop by the baby yarn section where we've stocked Rowan's Baby Merino Silk DK yarn. This superwash merino and tussah silk yarn comes in both soft baby colors and bright kid's colors. It is really soft and springy to knit with at 5 1/2 sts per inch on a US 6 needle. We also have new pattern books in crochet and knitting from Rowan.

Rowan's Pure Wool Aran is a heavy worsted superwash wool that knits at 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 sts per inch on a US 7 to 8 needle. Great basic colors in a slightly heavier weight than we've had before; perfect for knitting up a "Houston coat" (that is, a winter sweater).

Also new is Rowan's Colourspun yarn, a wool, mohair and polyamide blend in nice fall/winter colors. It knits to 5 1/2 sts per inch on a US 6 needle. Need to make a quick pair of mitts or a hat for gifting? This yarn is perfect!

Another idea for a fun, fast gift is a scarf knit with SMC's Argentina, one of the new ruffling yarns.

From Denise Needles comes this very portable interchangeable needle kit that can travel easily with you in your purse or knitting bag. Called Denise2Go, this kit contains needle tips in US size 5 to 10, a size "G" crochet hook, 3 cords in 14", 16", and 19" lengths, 2 end buttons, and 1 cord extender. The cotton case and the accessories are all color coordinated in pink, lavender and green! Always be ready to cast on when a yarn ball beckons!

The kids are back in school and September is a week away! Come on by and plan your fall knitting projects while all our fall yarns are in good supply!