Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Black Friday Sale...


Save on your holiday projects with 20% off all yarn purchases on black Friday ONLY!!!  hours 10:30-4, see you there!!!!!  Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Store hours for fall...


We made some changes to the store hours...
Mon 10:30-2:30
Tues - Thurs 10:30-5
Fri 10:30-6:30
Sat 11-4
Happy Knitting!!!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Misti Alpaca...

This week we received our first shipment of Mist Alpaca Hand Paint Chunky and we've fallen in love with this yarn!!  Buttery soft, dyed in the most gorgeous colorways, it was a dream to work with.  I really wanted to knit a chunky cowl for fall, so I picked the Stockholm Scarf, which is a free ravelry download...


I used 4 skeins of Misti on a 10.5 needle (US), I love it...  We're working on getting Misti up on our online store.  In the meantime, if you're around, stop over and check it out, you'll love it too!  From now until November 31st, we're offering free shipping on all online orders, no minimums, and this includes international orders!  We're really hoping we can help you get started on your holiday knitting and save a little on shipping.  Happy knitting!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Back to work...

Well, I knew I hadn't blogged in a while, but man this HAS been a long time.  What can I say, summer took over, and I'm really glad it did because we all needed a little sun and a break from life.  We were beach bound every weekend, and didn't do much of anything craft wise.  Well, that's not entirely true, I've been throwing a ton of pottery, and I did in fact crochet a blanket which I love, thanks to Carrie, but that's about it...


In the beginning of the summer, our dear friend, Carrie came by with an idea for a crocheted granny square blanket using Tosh merino light. By the end of the week, ohhhh I don't know, perhaps there were about 20 of us crocheting this blanket!  Madelinetosh merino light flying out the door, one shipment after another, OUT THE DOOR!  We're actually waiting on another shipment right now... So anyway, my project details are up on ravelry- big thanks to Carrie, we all enjoyed this mindless, but nonetheless beautiful project!

With fall here and knitting back in full swing, I've been pondering upon what I want to knit first.  I just balled some Acadia, and am thinking about Kate Gagnon Osborn's Avery cowl.  It's a free ravelry download so check it out.  I think I need to make mine a little longer, I'll make sure I post my adjustments as soon as I get started.  It's nice to be back in knitting mode, and with all of the new yarns coming in for fall, such as Misti Alpaca Chunky and lots of Tosh, my head is spinning with ideas for new patterns.  The Rowan magazine 50 finally made it's way into the shop too and we just stocked up Rowan Lima.  Enjoy your knitting!  I need to put some new yarn away...

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

It's a button thing...

I know it's been a while since I've blogged, and so much has happened around the shop, where do I begin?  Shipments of new yarn, new patterns, and I know we go a little crazy about the buttons around here, but they are pretty fabulous if you have a button thing.  Most of our knitters have a "button thing", especially when they look like this....

Hand cut and carved buttons made of horn and bone from Nepal and beautiful hand dyed Tagua nut buttons from the Equador rain forest.  If you're curious as to what Tagua nut is and how it's used, here's a link.  You can read up on the Tagua Initiative and how it's employed so many local artisans in this region.  I love that we can support that here...


Moving Mud sent us a sweet care package this week as well, a box of hand blown glass shawl closures in a variety of sizes and amazing colors.  I had just pulled a few skeins of Fibre Company for a new pattern I'm thinking of, I think this closure might be on hold for me.  The closures make the shawl, just as the buttons make the sweater (and the shoes make the dress)...

If you've been waiting to squeeze a skein of Blue Sky Alpaca's Techo, then come on over!  I love it!!! It's a blend of baby alpaca, extra fine merino and silk... I can't wait to cast on, but which pattern, hmmm...  The new patterns from Blue Sky and Spud & Chloe are here too.  I love the Shawl Collared Vest and the Secret Garden Cardigan.  Once I finish my Madelinetosh merino light throw, which I'll be posting pictures of soon, I'll be free to start a new project, until then, happy knitting!!!



I'll be adding Techno and the new patterns to the website shortly, if you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to email me or send me a ravelry message, UN: justineanne...


Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Blue Sky Trunk Show.....


A trunk show packed with goodies arrived last Friday, and we're all loving these pillows!  They're on the couch here in the shop, and I don't think I'll be able to send them back!  Knit out of Spud n' Chloe's Outer, they're a super wash cotton merino, and so so soft! There are a bunch of sweaters to ogle over as well, I really love the BeTween Cardigan knit from Sweater...


and the Everyday Hoodie knit from Blue Sky's dyed cotton...


In honor of the trunk show and all of their loyal fans, all of the Blue Sky Alpaca and Spud n' Chloe yarn is 10% through May!  OH ps... we're hosting our 2 Stitch n' Pitch this year on Sunday, June 12th at the TD ballpark in Bridgewater!  The game starts at 1:35pm.  Tickets are 10$ each, 2 for 18$, or 3 for 25$.  Call or come by to reserve your seat at the game, the number is 908-604-4294.   

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Thank you!

Congratulations Ellen from Westfield!!!
 
The raffle has been a wonderful success.  Our original helplessness became an idea, a action plan and implementation.  It has been a wonderful experience for us.  We learned much about one another’s strengths, kindnesses and benefits of acting as a cohesive group.  Extending that into the knitting community has been a gratifying and heartfelt experience as well.  With your helping hands and hearts we were able to raise a generous gift for Justine and her family.  Giving is a wonderful gift.  We want to extend special thank yous to our supporters …

The Designer
Prudence Mapstone, Australia - who generously allowed us to use her design to create our version of the Falling Leaves Shawl

The Shop Owners who so willingly participated and their customers who purchased..
Susan Kahn, Harriet Shafran owners of Knit A Bit in Westfield who hosted the shawl from February 27 - March 5
Jean Smalley owner of Down Cellar in downtown Basking Ridge who hosted the shawl from March 6 - March12
Helen Brennan, owner of Purl Jam hosted the shawl from March 13 - March 19
Sheila Handelmann, owner of Stix and Stitches in Montclair, hosted the shawl from March 20 - March 26
Hope and Barry Blazer owners of Accent on Knits in Morristown our shawl hosts from March 27 - April 2
Doris Jenne, proprietor of A Yarn for all Seasons in Martinsville who hosted the shawl from April 3 - April 9
And of course all the customers that came to Angelfire and first saw the shawl during the NJ Jersey Yarn Crawl and again this past week. 

Our Model
Arlynn Katz

Our Photographer
Karen Katz

Groups that bought block tickets
The Bound Brook Library Loopers
S1P1 Knitters of Basking Ridge, NJ
The Women’s Club of Farmingdale, NY
The Gates Avenue Knitters
The Long Hill Township Library Knit Group
The Bernards Township Library Knitters and Crocheters

Press Angels
Pam MacKenzie, writer for the Courier News, who wrote about our story in her blog and did a feature piece in the Courier News and even purchased tickets for out of state knitters.
Robin Fand, Editor of the Warren-Watchung Connection for publishing our story in the April Community News
Mary Beth Temple and her Getting Loopy podcast

Everyone who Purchased a Ticket

Friday, April 1, 2011

thank you lisa...


This week, our friend Lisa, came over with a few of her favorite sweaters for us to borrow and display around the shop for a little bit of inspiration.  Lisa knits so beautifully and we're always in complete awe over her work.  I had to display her Que Sera Cardigan, one of Kirsten Kapur's designs for Knitty.  She knit her sweater out of Fibre Company's Terra in Nettle, which is my very favorite color of Terra.  It's a gorgeous silk blend, so soft and perfect for a spring cardi, and the pattern is free, so you may want to stick in your que!  Look at Nettle, it's heaven!


I LOVE Lisa's Tie Sweater from Blue Sky Alpacas, it's knit out of Blue Sky Suri Merino, so obviously, it's to die for.  It's fairly simple and quick to knit.  She hasn't worn it yet, I may have to try this on for an hour or a day, just kidding- it's sooo soft... If only there were just a few more hours in the day!!!  Oh that pink cowl, btw, is a crocheted cowl I just finished, which I haven't taken pictures of, or blogged about yet.  I'll have to do that after I finish and take pictures of my New York Cardigan.  Nevertheless, for the cowl, I used 3 skeins of Malabrigo Silky Merino, and here's a link to the pattern.  Really simple and quick, if you're looking for a mindless crochet pattern, this is great and I wear it a lot.


Ok, off to knit my cardigan, happy knitting on this snowy April day!!!

Friday, March 18, 2011

madelinetosh merino dk...


With every shipment of Madelinetosh, comes a wave of inspiration and new ideas for projects!  Thanks to our ingenious friend, Kpoz (ravelry name), we're continuously being introduced to the patterns we must have missed while on our quest to fill up our ques.  One cardigan she pointed out to me, which I really like, is the New York Cardigan.  It's a top down sweater (I think) which means it'll be a quick knit, and it's perfect for spring either out of the suggested Blue Sky Alpacas Silk or Madelinetosh merino dk,  you can find the pattern here on ravelry.  Another cardigan idea is the Abalone, which is a free pattern btw...  It's a toss up, maybe I need both, and these amazing colors make it really hard to choose.  I love the two colors I posted above: Clover and below: Thoreau...

We're also restocked on One World's gorgeous hand carved horn and bone buttons, as well as new shawl closures and notions from Lantern Moon.  I love their new Knit Out Boxes, we have them in every color.  I haven't had a chance to get them on the website, so if you have any questions about ordering, feel free to give the shop a call and we'll have one out to you right away.  Happy knitting everybody!!!
 

Thursday, March 3, 2011

7 YEARS!!!!!

Join us this weekend as we celebrate 7 amazing years together!
Saturday 11-5 & Sunday 12-4
All yarns including the sale bins are 20% off.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Stratum...



A few weeks ago, a customer came into the shop wearing the most adorable beret that her grandmother had knit for her years ago.  She didn't have the pattern, so the hunt began.  Hmmmm well wouldn't you know, it exists indeed and it's the Stratum Beret from Kelbourne Woolens (of course)!  It took 2 skeins of Terra, and knit up in a couple of days.  I've been in love with their new colorways, and my daughter chose Sorrel weeks ago for a hat, so that was that!  Courtney Kelly of Kelbourne Woolens, just had her latest design, the Lace Cardi in Vogue Knitting, did you see this ?  I need to knit this asap, I can't wait.

I just ordered Savannah today in every color, it's a gorgeous Dk blend of wool, cotton, linen and soya- perfect for spring.  Now I just need to decide on a color...

Yesterday, we received a rather large shipment of Madelinetosh merino light and merino dk.  I don't really need to tell you how absolutely stunning these colors are, I actually grabbed 2 skeins of tosh merino light in Well Water and Amber Trinkett for a change since I keep missing out on it.  I'm going to try my best to get it up on the website, but it's flying out the door so fast. By the time I'm done shooting the pictures, there won't be much left.  I'll attempt that tomorrow, today I'm busy thinking about patterns for my tosh merino light...

Friday, February 18, 2011

the countdown begins...

For the first Northern New Jersey Yarn Crawl...  There's a scavenger hunt, raffles to everyone who makes a purchase for one of our amazing door prizes from Blue Sky Alpacas, Spud & Chloe, and Tilli Tomas.  Incredible company with Courtney Kelley & Kate Gagnon Osborn and their new book packed with beautiful designs, Vintage Modern Knits, and our oh so talented friend, Kirsten Kapur with a trunk full of her breathtaking samples and patterns!  With all of the stress I've had this winter, I could use a little fun right about now.

It's no secret that we as a knitting community at large look out for one another, it was recently brought to my attention that some of the ladies from the local knitting area, so generously created a knitted and crocheted piece to raffle off for my family.  Since my husband's tragic accident in September, it has truly warmed my heart to feel the love and concern from so many knitters I've come to know over the years.  Here's a little bit of information that was sent to me regarding the raffle for this one of a kind shawl inspired from the Prudence Mapstone's Falling Leaves design (pattern available on Ravelry)...

Cash only:  $5 / 3 for $10  
Start:  Friday, February 18 at Angelfire Studios, Basking Ridge, NJ
Raffle Drawing:  Saturday, April 16 at 3pm at Angelfire Studios
Prize:  Free Form Knit/Crochet Shawl – Dimensions 72” x 18”
Materials – The Fiber Company: Terra & Organik, Manos Silk Blend, Bonnie’s Bamboo (value $475).
The shawl will be available for view and ticket purchase at the following LYSs over a eight week period according to the schedule below.  Visit the shops and show your support.
Rules:
Purchase tickets at participating LYS or ticket seller
Do not need to be present to win. 
Winner will be notified by email &/or phone on Saturday, April 16 after 3pm
Arrangements for pickup and delivery can be made by contacting Angelfire Studios and presenting the winning ticket, or winning email notification and proof of identity. Winner’s first name and town will be posted at www.angelfirestudios.com. 
Here are the locations and dates for where the shawl will be displayed:
Angelfire Studios: Fri, Feb 18 – Sat, Feb 26
Knit a Bit : Sun, Feb 27 – Sat, Mar 5
Down Cellar: Sun, Mar 6 – Sat, Mar 12
Purl Jam: Sun, Mar 13 – Sat, Mar 19

Friday, February 11, 2011

Northern New Jersey Yarn Crawl...

Just a reminder, we're a week away from the Northern New Jersey Yarn Crawl.  It's going to be a fabulous weekend!  Here's what we have planned for you...

Saturday, the 19th, Courtney Kelley & Kate Gagnon Osborn of Kelbourne Woolens will join us for the day to meet our knitters and sign copies of their new book, Vintage Modern Knits. We have tons of books here, the book signing will be 12-5.  I can't wait to see all of the samples and meet the girls!  It's going to be a really great day...


Sunday the 20th, Kirsten from Through the Loops will be here for the day with a trunk full of designs to share with us, her patterns are incredible, there's simply not enough time in the day... agh!  You won't want to miss this!



I'm really looking forward to this weekend, we have door prizes from Blue Sky, Spud & Chloe, Tilli Tomas and more...  Hope to see you there!

Friday, January 28, 2011

koigu on a cold winter's day...


In the blink of an eye, I ordered it, and it came.  Where we're putting this amazing shipment of kpm and kpppm, I have no idea.  Perhaps I'll just leave it all over the table and stare it for a while, or maybe I'll actually start crocheting the most gorgeous blanket on the planet.  Either way, I'm always so happy when we get a shipment of Koigu.  Love through color for sure.  We had a lot fun shipments this week, Namaste sent us a batch of their ingenious circular needle cases (pictured below), Bitty Bags, and mini pouches (which are adorable).  I'm in the process of getting them up online...

Our dear friend Kirsten, swung down for a visit (of course I missed her) to stock our Through the Loops binder full of fabulous patterns.  I neeeeeeed to knit an Ida's Kitchen really bad.  For the past few weeks, I've been filling a ton of online orders for Blue Sky sport weight, and feeling a little jealous.  It's my favorite hat right now, it would be nice if I actually had one!


Let's see, what else, oh um just a couple of baskets full of Jade 2-ply cashmere, here's a little handful of the colors we got in last week.  They look really pretty together.  I love Tea Leaves...


It's a little dangerous owning a yarn store, as you can only imagine!!! You see a sweater you'd love to knit, but of course you can't just knit it out of the bajillions of different yarns you already have in your store, you need to order all new yarns in a ton of new colors.  So I ordered a bunch of 2-ply, I have some Tosh Merino light set aside along with Kidsilk Haze, and I still can't make up my mind.  Here's the sweater, isn't it great?  It's in the Helga Isager's book, Strikketoj, it's the Dropped Stitch Sweater and I really need to knit it!


Alright, back to being indecisive about colors and yarns, too much to choose from I guess.  Happy knitting everyone and remember free shipping through January is coming to a close in a few, take advantage of this great deal!!  oh ps...  Vintage Modern Knits by Courtney Kelly & Kate Gagnon Osborn just walked through the door, we'll pre-sale only a handful, the rest is for the book signing on February 19th.  Stay tuned for more on this fantastic book and event!!!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Free Shipping!

Now through January 31st, we’re offering free shipping on all orders! It’s freezing, some of us are snowed in, and we want to make sure you have plenty of yummy yarn to knit with!!

We're in the process of updating a few products on the website, like the new designs from Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud & Chloe as well as the latest in needle cases and knitting totes from Namaste...

There's another shipment of Madelinetosh Vintage due to arrive this Friday, so I'll make sure to add the new colors to the website right away (after i grab a few for myself)!  Happy Knitting!!!