Last Class of The Season, New Malabrigo Yarn, More

This is a photo of a new felted bag I just finished (minus the handles). The idea came from a new book we received called "Knit and Felt Bags". It has some of the most innovative and up to date felted patterns I have seen in a long time. My bag used 4 colors of Galway, one skein each and one skein of Dawn (bobble yarn). Total retail cost - $30.00 and it was knit in 2 days. It went very fast because it's done in the round on a size 15 needle. It was huge before felting and shrunk down to a very nice knitting tote size. This would be a great holiday gift and there is plenty of time to knit one.

Here is another idea for a holiday project. This scarf, done in seed stitch, used 2 skeins of Lumina and one skein of Kid Seta mohair (held together). Knit on a 7 or 8 needle, you can get this done quickly. Total project cost -$28.00. We have about 8 color combinations.

Here is the yarn we have been waiting for. It's from Malabrigo so you know it is soft. This beauty is called "Twist" because it is plied and twisted together, unlike their worsted. It contains 100% baby merino and 150 yards. It knits up as a heavy worsted or aran, about 4 stitches per inch, although you can go smaller or larger. There are 16 beautiful colors to choose from. You need to really feel this yarn to believe it.

Here is a photo of our last class for 2009. This scarf is knit with fine mohair in an original lace pattern and beads are attached in the center of each medallion. Class will be held on Saturday, November 21st from 3:00-4:30PM. Class fee is $39.00 which includes the yarn, pattern and beads. You would bring your own needles (size 7), steel crochet hook (size 10) and a magnet board. Also bring yarn and needles for practice. You can register online at http://www.needlenookatlanta.com/ or in person or by phone.

Stop by the see all the quick and easy gift projects have on display. Ideas include hats, purses, wrist warmers, scarves, shawls, shrugs and more. We have all your knitting needs in one convenient location.

Hope to see you soon.

Shop Hop Winners Announced

And the lucky winner is:

DIANE MELTON

Other winners of prizes donated by Needle Nook are:

• Christina Whitehead - Bag of Malabrigo Chunky yarn valued at $120.00
• Beth Horack - Afghan Kit valued at $110.00
• Marsha Sussman - 3 skeins of Ella Rae Merino Lace valued at $69.00

See www.shophopatlanta.blogspot.com for a complete list of winners from each shop.

Thank you for participating-we hope you enjoyed the hop.

Photos and Stuff

First photo is the entrelac shawl class we will be holding on Nov. 14th & 21st. Class time is 11AM-12:30PM and fee is $30.00 plus supplies which include pattern and Rhythm yarn.

Next come some new books and leaflets we have been waiting for including the Brooklyn Tweed, Noro, Alice Starmore and the beautiful Swing, Swagger and Drape by Jane Slicer Smith.

There are lots more books and new yarns also, so drop by to see all the new items. And don't forget the shop hop starts Sat. October 3rd.

Bits & Pieces

Thought I would just tell you about some of the new items we have received recently. Here they are:

• Noro book 26 - great new patterns including a fabulous coat and swingy skirt.
• Noro - The Man - Interesting tales of Mr. Noro and his company - including some new patterns and old patterns revisited - by Cornelia Hamilton.
• Noro Mini book - small items for quick knits.
• Jenny Watson Araucania book - new patterns for new yarns.
• More new colors of Toconao - this yarn is featured in Jenny Watson's book.
• Debbie Bliss Fall 2009 magazine.
• New shipment of Knit Witch sock yarn, including some Sock Summit colors.
• Shop Hop passports - get em while they're hot!
• Coffee mugs with knitterly sayings on them.
• Project bags from Hiya-Hiya and Lantern Moon.
  
  There is more but that is all that I can think of now. I am posting some random photos of new items in the shop. And one adorable baby, Sayde Elizabeth, granddaughter of former employee Cindy A. Come visit when you can.

Arlene

Shop News and Classes

We will be holding classes and events during September, October and November. Here is a listing of what is on the schedule for now:

• Sept. 12 - Slip Stitch class - learn color knitting the easy way. 11AM-12:30 PM. $15.
• Sept. 12 - Fast and Fun Holiday Gifts - Fee of $10.00 allows you to choose up to 12 free patterns with yarn suggestions. These include hats, scarves, mittens, dishcloths, wraps, wrist warmers, golf club covers, felted child's purse and more. Spend $25.00 on yarn for these projects and receive a $10.00 store credit for future purchases. 2-4 PM.
• Oct. 17 & 24 - Learn to make socks. Two week session with homework. $30 + supplies. 11AM-12:30PM.
• Oct. 31 & Nov. 14- Learn to make a Tam. In this class you will learn provisional cast on, shorts rows, three needle bind off and picking up stitches. $30 + supplies. 3-4:30 PM.
• Nov. 14 & 21 - Learn Entrelac. This popular technique is easy to learn and will bring a new dimension to your knitting. Add it to shawls, scarves, hats and more. 11AM-12:30 PM. $30 + supplies.
• Sept 21-Oct 12 - Knitting 101 Monday evening sessions-7-8:30PM. Get help with your projects from Linda. $60.
• Sept 22-Oct 27 - Beginners Knitting with Linda. 5 weeks and you will be knitting. $125.
• Morning Knitting 101 is ongoing. Call for dates and availability. Wed, Thurs, Sat. AM.

All classes require pre-registration so call us if you have an interest in any of these. Fall is a great time to learn a new technique or get help with that new stitch. Many of the patterns for our Fast and Fun Holiday Gifts can be done in a evening or two and use 1 or 2 balls of yarn. We have models at the shop for many of the class projects. Come join us for some fun.

Shop Hop - October 3-11, 2009

The 2009 Atlanta Shop Hop is approaching fast. This year the event will be held from Saturday, October 3rd through Sunday, October 11th. Passports ($1.00) go on sale September 3rd. Visit each of the 10 participating shops and you could be eligible for the grand prize of $1,000.00 in gift certificates. If you don't win the grand prize, you could still win one of 30 other prizes donated by the 10 shops. You can find all the information you need at www.shophopatlanta.blogspot.com. Hope to see you then.

New Yarns Are Being Shelved

Our blowout sale was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who came and purchased and helped us make room for the new stuff. We have started to put out what has already arrived and here is a list of some of them:

• Bariloche, Los Andes and Santa Fe from Aslan Trends. These 3 yarns are all dyed in the same colors so you can coordinate your project. The yarn comes in bulky, worsted and sock weights and the colors are gorgeous.
• Coliumo and Toconao from Knitting Fever. Beautiful semi solid wools for winter knitting.
• Lustra and Blackstone Tweed from Berroco as well as the new pattern books.
• New colors in Mini Mochi and Mochi Plus.

Today we will be stocking more new yarns as space permits. We have also added more sale yarns to our empty playpen ($3.00 per ball), so bargains are still available.

Come see all that is new for fall.

Arlene