Donate a Square...

If you would like to participate in a group that is knitting squares to be sewn together into afghans for people in nursing homes, just go to this link!

We Have Kits!

Kits are a great way to get going on a project like this one, that uses a varietyof types of yarns. We've done the work for you, as far as picking everything out and it comes with a pattern for the project. We have shawl kits in a variety of colorways as well as afghan kits and stuffed animal kits. The retail values of all of our kits are discounted. Plus, you can break up the kit and use it for whatever you want, too! Come in and grab one before they're gone!

Berroco Sale!

We are having a buy one get one free sale on all Berroco yarns until October 31st! Your second skein (of lesser value) is our gift to you, and there's no maximum! We have an entire table of new yarns as well as our old favorites like "Softy" and "Plush". It's a great time to stock up on Fall and Winter knitting and crochet supplies.

Have you seen Berroco's website yet? They have tons of great free patterns. Just click here!

A County Fair Winner...

Many of you know Jill Sanders; she's a knitter, seamstress, weaver, spinner, and she dyes her own wool. These are only a few of her many skills. She's also a sewing teacher and designs her own knitting projects, like the felted "Vessel Purses" you may see her with. This is a photo of a felted mushroom Jill had in the County Fair. The red top opens to reveal a little family of handknit people that were made from wool that Jill had dyed and spun herself. She won best of show for a rug she made, and won places for other works of her art as well. What I admire about Jill is that she does the work from start to finish, rather than submitting something made from a pattern that someone else designed, using yarn that someone else had spun and dyed, (which is fine, but like this, the finished product shows just how talented she is). Congratulations Jill! You are an inspiration!

The "Nicole Scarf"!

Here is our lovely young knitter, Nicole, wearing a scarf made from Noro "Silk Garden". Nicole was one of our Summer Kids' Knit Club members and is now continuing her knitting knowledge with her next project: a Karabella "Aurora Bulky" hat! We're so proud of you Nicole!

If you would like to make this scarf, please let us know and we'll get you started with a free pattern!

New Techniques for Fall Knitting

Customers have been asking me: "What's new in the knitting scene for fall?" Well, knitters who think all they can knit is a scarf are learning techniques by taking classes and discovering all kinds of amazing books with beautiful projects that are just a little bit challenging. The new yarns are soft and smooth, in smaller weights than last year, in order to show off these stitches and techniques. The eyelash yarns and "fluffy" stuff are loosing popularity to the natural, classic look of worseted and dk weight wools and wool blends. We have a lot of self striping yarns if you still want a unique look for your project.

Intermediate and adavanced knitters are getting inspired by designers like Jane Ellison and Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, combining cables and body-shaping sweater patterns, getting really technical with detailed lace shawls knit on tiny needles... the sky's the limit!

Trying out lace knitting is a great way to gain some new skills. Our Lace Knitting class will meet on the following days this fall: Thursday evening, Oct. 26 at 5:30-7, Friday evening, Nov. 17 at 5:30-7, or Thursday afternoon, Nov. 30 at 3:30-5. The class meets once and is $15. You can take it as many times as you like, of course. Another fun class is our "New Stitches for Intermediate Beginners".

See our current schedule for a list of all our classes.

SALE FOR OUR BLOG READERS (and their friends)!!!

To participate in this weekend's sale, simply copy, paste, and print the words from this post. Bring in this "coupon" this Saturday, September 16, to get 30% off your entire purchase: EVERYTHING you buy will be 30% off! Clearance items, too! Have a friend who doesn't use a computer? We know there are still those who don't choose to use email and read blogs, so print them a coupon, too, and get down to Luminous Threads and SAVE!!! Stock up on your Fall and Winter Knitting Supplies!!! See you Saturday!!! Thanks for reading our blog!

This coupon can not be combined with a full "punch card", but we WILL punch your card for your Saturday purchases.

Hours on Saturday: 11am-5pm

Fall Knitty Is Up!

Click here for this pattern on Knitty! Also check out the new sweaters, hats, and felted bags! There's a great men's zip up sweater. If you've never visited Knitty before, you'll have to go through all the archives of creative and unique patterns.

For the DIE HARD Knitter...

This photo is from Stephanie McFee's blog: the Yarn Harlot. Check it out! If you enjoy her humor you will love her books: "At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much" and "The Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter". Stephanie says that you know you knit too much when: "without your knitting, you feel lonely" and "there is a knitting project in every room of your house, including the bathroom."

Does anyone relate?

Dishcloths Anyone?

If you want to knit dishcloths in a variety of patterns, just go to this site and you will find a multitude of free patterns! They are rated from easy-difficult. We suggest using Cascade "Sierra" cotton which we carry in many colors. Dishcloths are a great way to try out a new technique. And your friends and family will be surprised by your generosity and creativity!

Lace Knitting

Go to this website to find the free pattern for this beautiful lace scarf! Also look for the "Tiger Eye Lace Scarf", also gorgeous! We have a lace knitting class at the shop if you don't know how to read the pattern. We'll help you explore the world of lace knitting! There are so many possibilities!

Kids Crowns to Knit

What a quick, fun project to knit for your little prince or princess. The pattern is free right here!

Let us know if you need help getting started.

Baby Sweaters!

Susy Trower, one of our new "Luminous Helpers" at the store, made this CUTE baby sweater in our class called: "My First Baby Sweater" using machine washable "Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran". The pattern is from the book: "Baby Knits for Beginners". She even personalized her sweater with a little duck! This class meets 3 times: Thursdays 9/14, 9/21, 10/5 or Fridays 10/13, 11/10, 11/24. This is a beginner's class. I've even taught people how to knit using this project! You will learn how to seam your pieces together and add a design on the front if you wish to. Call the store if you would like to sign up!