So Many New Things

It has been a long time since I have last "blogged" and we have so many new and excited things happening at Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden.

Our store hours have expanded on Tuesday night until 8:30, and we host a knitting time all day on Tuesday - opened to everyone. We call it our Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden SSK - Sit, Sip and Knit. We have also expanded our knitting rooms to accomodate knitters that would like to drop by and knit with others (in addition to our already existing knitting room) - this is ongoing throughout our shop hours.

We have also decided to EXPAND with so many new lines and existing lines that you will definately see a difference at the shop...I don't know that we have the space for all this new yarn.

Classes will be posted shortly, and we are anticipating so much fun with these. Many Christmas project ideas are in the works, and we are experiencing many new SWEATER knitters. Jennifer has lots of new samples in the shop (and shes been wearing quite a few) with more samples just a few stitches away from being done. Mary Lynn has a fair share of projects in the completion stages - so come look.

We also have some exciting new things in the works: Sit n Stitch 2010 with our local Corn Belters, Helping Hands Mentoring Organization meetings, and some other things still in the works. Jennifer has been helping national pattern designers perfect their patterns and knit samples and is in the process of knitting garments for a local art show. She hopes to take her skills and be available for more knitting help at the shop.

We can't wait to see you - come in and see our new goodies.

Mentoring Program, additional classes

So much is going on at Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden.

As well as helping sponsor our local 2010 Stitch 'N Pitch event, Jennifer and Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden have been approached to help begin an area Helping Hands Foundation Needle Arts Mentor Program. Everything is still in the VERY early stages, but I will need to start compiling a list of interested mentors. Each week the mentors will spend approximately one hour helping teach the needle arts to 3rd thru 12th graders. Our first program will focus more on the 3rd thru 5th graders, with hopes of expanding upward and outward. There will be a very low student to teacher ratio, so any time will be much appreciated. This organizations motto is "Stitching Generations Together", and I am hoping this will be so successful we will have many "chapters" throughout the twin cities. So if you are interested, or know of a potential mentor, please contact me. I am so excited about these new ventures :)

We had our latest "it" sweater pattern and yarn come into the shop today. This pattern flatters so many different woman and body styles. This is something you will definately want to check out.

The entrelac class has been so popular, that we have filled both class times. So we will also offer additional classes next Tuesday and Wednesday night from 6-8 pm. Give us a call to sign up and get a supply list (very small) There are so many great projects to pick from for this addicting technique. Hope to see you soon

Tuesday Nights SSK

Tuesday, June 30, Mary Lynn's will begin staying open late. During this time, we will be hosting a SSK - Sit, Sip and Knit. If you are needing a little bit of extra help on a project, this would be the perfect time to come get some undivided attention. Look forward to seeing you next Tuesday night.

Charity Knitting

I have been inspired by Forie to knit for Operations Helmet Liners. After talking with the lady who volunteers all her spare time to make this charity a huge hit, we not only have patterns for the helmet liners, but for scarves, slippers, dickies, etc. Most of the projects need a certain color approved by the military, as well as to be knit from 100% wool, as it is a naturally wicking fiber that does not burn (which will not melt to their faces :( )

We are also going to continue "Mary Lynn's Garden" of preemie and baby hats, to be donated to local charities. This was started by a dr.'s wife, whose daughter works with high risk newborns in the Chicago area. She has become quite the expert on these little hats.

We would also like to address the women in our lives. I have an excellent pattern for falsies, and a great story to help inspire you. They sound different, but they are truly important in the healing and recovery of many woman.

And for all of the people in our lives that have been touched by cancer, we are also continuing our chemo hats knit from Berroco's Chinchilla. Recently we were further inspired when a young woman came into the shop to share her favorite chemo hats. We all enjoyed her personal story.

Important - We have patterns for all of the projects at the shop, and while we ask you to purchase the yarn from the shop, when you return the finished item, Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden will give you full credit for your purchase with an in store gift certificate.

Entrelac Class

In addition to the 8 + new techniques class coming up, Look for a new class on Entrelac. Our Boku yarn is due to arrive any day, and there will also be accompanying shop models of our Lady Eleanor Entrelac scarf (not the stole yet) as well as and Entrelac headband. These projects are sure to excite you and create a desire to knit even more entrelac projects.
This project is Quant, and is a headband for all the stylish people in your lives. It keeps the top of their head warm (and ears) while also keeping their hair stylish. Quant was knit out of Poems, 100% wool.
Jennifer is working hard on the shop sample of her new class - FREE - where she will teach over 8 new techniques, that are new to her, as well as many others. Stay tuned for a list of what each new technique is....and the class will meet two times and will be offered during the day and the night.

We are always signing up new beginning knitters, so give us a call if you know someone interested and we can let you know the day and times of future classes.

Jennifer is challenging herself to trying to complete a garmet a week...some may be for infants, but many will be for us hard to please ladies. So far she is 3 for 3.

New shop models, new yarn, new class

YEAH - lots of new yarn, new shop models and an exciting 2 classes.
I have found a great hat pattern, using dk weight yarn, where you will learn at least 8 new techniques...not have to worry so much about gauge, and if your really adventurous, we will do our hat on one circular needle, 2 circular needles, 4 double points or 5 double point. I will be setting 2 different class times for this class this week. If you are at all interested in this fast and very insightful class, let me know what times would work for you in June. The second class will be another ongoing afghan/learning class. We will meet bi-monthly to learn a new stitch or technique. So stay tuned.

Cookie A

Cookie A patterns (individually) have been in the shop for a couple weeks. And today, the wonderfully informative book arrived. Guess we can all start using up the sock yarn :)

Knitting Nights, New Samples and New Yarn

Our knitting nights have been fabulous...Stay tuned for more dates.

We have several new samples in the shop lately... My Berroco Peruvia Quick, Nimbus project moved along so fast. I added 3 inches to the total length, now I cannot wait to find the perfect button...it also only took 5 skeins of yarn.

I also finished the wonderful "sock yarn" tshirt. It is actually the tofutsie tee, and it was also relatively quick (although ripping always adds a fair amount of time :)) This t-shirt is long and will look fabulous with jeans, shorts, white pants, khakis.... There are so many yarn options to choose from, come in for a quick peek. The pattern is available for free from Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden with yarn purchase.

There are so many new knitting pattern books...they are brimming with new ideas. They have been so popular that we have already had to reorder. Just in on Friday, 3 more new Lang pattern books.

Berroco has been sending a steady stream of yarn, the latest arrived on Friday. A lot of new sock yarn, Comfort Chunky, Comfort DK, Comfort, Touche, and Pure Pima. I currently have a new Touche and Pure Pima project on the needles, so stay tuned for their arrival at the shop.

Tahki Cotton Classic has also had a considerable number of new colors added to our collection. There is also the new Ambee Babies collection.

If you haven't been up to "The Garden" in awhile - things are starting to bloom.

Social Event and Classes

Classes are filling fast - love that my love of knitting is expanding to even more knitters. We are now looking to add an entrelac class, a finishing technique class and an additional two - handed knitting class.

YEAH - for the SUPERBOWL. We will be hosting a Potluck Superbowl Knit in on Sunday from 2-6 (February 1st). We would also like to invite you to bring your yarn stash, as you might be able to trade away some of those extras. Additionally, I have a wonderful scarf pattern that will use up all your stash - and you will walk away with a fine looking product.

Can't wait to see everyone

Jennifer

Additional Class

Our Two-handed Knitting Class has been so popular that we are going to add another class. If you are interested, please give us a call to find out more information. This class is an excellent skill builder for every knitter. You will be able to successfully knit fair isle items, as well as take away a technique to help your everyday knitting.

CLASSES CLASSES CLASSES

It is never too late...

Next week we have 2 more people that will be joining the Great American Aran Afghan Class. This is an on going class, featuring 20 to 24 cable squares that we will finish into a wonderful afghan. It is never too late to join - and many are building wonderful afghans and wonderful friendships thru this class at the garden.

We still have a few openings for the Beginning Knitting class on Thursday, January 22, 2008 from 6 to 8.

We are also going to have a SUPERBOWL Party at the YARN GARDEN. Details are still being worked out, but stay tuned, or give us a call at the shop.

Stay warm and keep knitting :)