The post-Sandy Frankensale!

I hope that you're all safe and well and managing to find some peace and fun in the aftermath of Sandy. The store is still without power, and will remain closed until further notice, (though trilliumyarns.com is still up and running!)

The good news is that after all we've been through, I've decided to treat us all to a post-Sandy Frankensale! I will be in touch soon with the details. Until then, stay safe and warm!

A few good things

Tonight's the big Friday night open house. We're always open on Friday night, so that's old news, but the rest of the house will be open tonight. That means chocolate, and candy and wine! And lovely things in Mia Dennis and Maria herself. And Bettina Bierly will be on hand. Her workshop, next to the candy store, is really something to see. 

And a little more incentive for you: I've just received shipment of a new line. Knitter's Pride, which makes all manner of gorgeous tools for knitters and crocheters at every level. Included:


Have you seen these? They are Cubics single points from Knitter's Pride. I've been hearing nothing but great things about them. I just got them yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to try them out, but I can't wait. I hear they're really comfortable to use and create very even stitches. I'm told they're wonderful for beginning knitters. Everyone I know who's used them love them. For now, I'm only carrying the single points, but I'm toying with the idea of carrying the interchangeables, too. What do you think?

I also have the Symfonie Dreamz double-points in all the sizes. Not only are these beautiful to look at, they are wonderful to work with. If you haven't tried them yet, you've got to get in here. What are you waiting for?



These wonderful crochet hooks are also from Knitter's Pride. Word is that the ergonomic handles allow you to crochet for hours comfortably. I'm working on a big project, so I'm about to find out firsthand if that's true. I will let you all know.

I've been wanting to get these in for such a long time. They are wonderful, especially for lace knitters. The small magnets hold your chart to the magnetic binder and the magnetic bar keeps your place in the chart or written pattern. Makes me want to knit some complicated lace just to get to use one of these babies.






Come on in and check these out. I'm getting a couple deliveries every day, so there's always something new.

Friday Night Open House

Heads up!

Friday night, all the shops in our building will be open. I hope you can come by to visit all of us. I have lots of new things on hand to show you, and more coming every day.

If you haven't stopped into Mia Dennis and visited with Maria, you're missing out. She has an amazing eye for new and unique clothing and accessories. I bought a gorgeous gray sequin and silk dress there last month for a special occasion. It was perfect and I can't wait to wear it again. She has so many amazing things, including some really interesting jewelry and lots of gorgeous felted bags and even some stationery.

Of course, there's the candy store and the chocolate shop, but did you know that they also sell wine? Steve will be on hand to show you the ropes, and with any luck, there will be samples!

So come a little early and grab a bottle and come upstairs to knit with us. We're rearranging the back room so we can hold the classes in there when the front room is busy, so there's plenty of space there for all of us.

Looking forward to seeing all of you there!

Louisa Harding hat patterns

Just came across some lovely hat patterns from Louisa Harding, who is offering them for a donation to MacMillan Cancer Support group, an organization that helped her family through her husband's recent battle with lymphoma. Great hats for a great cause!

This one might be my favorite. I think it would look great in Blue Sky Suri Merino or Fibre Company Terra. So far it looks like there are 7 downloadable patterns and you can donate here.

What a great idea for holiday gifts!

Happy I Love Yarn Day!

Fall Class Schedule

Announcing: the new fall class and workshop schedule. Space is limited so call and register to reserve your spot. Feel free to suggest a workshop or class for later in the fall, as well. We will create a custom class for 3 or more people.

DAYTIME CLASSES

Knitting for Beginners

with Karen Bailey
Learn the basics of knitting, including casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off. In addition, students will learn the basics of reading a knitting pattern, gain a basic understanding of a variety of yarns, checking gauge, weaving seams and learn the art of machine felting. You will complete a Felted Purse or IPAD case during class. All supplies can be purchased at studio on or before the first class for approximately $35.

4 Classes   Tuesdays, October 9, 16, 23 and 30   11am - 12:30pm   Fee: $60

Felted Christmas Stockings: AKA introduction to sock knitting

with Karen Bailey
Learn the anatomy of a sock while making a giant one to be felted into a Christmas stocking. Students will make a top-down sock, turn a heel, form the gusset and decrease for the toe, just like a regular sock, only with this one, any mistakes will be forgiven in the felting process and you will have your choice of 3 edgings at the top and learn to needle felt a name or an image on the finished, felted stocking. Start in October and you'll have one for every member of you family by Christmas!

4 Classes   Tuesdays, October 9, 16, 23 and 30   11am - 12:30pm   Fee: $60

4 Classes   Tuesdays, November 6, 13, 20 and 27   11am - 12:30pm   Fee: $60

Crochet for Beginners

with Karen Bailey Learn the basic stitches including: chaining, single crochet, double crochet and more. Students will learn to: read a pattern, read a chart with universal symbols, check gauge, weave end, and finish the project. All supplies can be purchased on or before the first class for approximately $35. 

4 Classes   Thursdays, October 11, 18, 25 and November 1    11am - 12:30pm   Fee: $60

Introduction to Top Down Triangular Shawls - with Japarta's Journey by Nimara & Japarta

with Karen Bailey

Take the mystery out of those beautiful triangular top down shawls you've seen and learn how it's done. From the center cast on, through the beautiful rice pattern stitch to the simple lace, you'll learn how to read a pattern's written instructions and charts. The talented designer of this shawl will be here during one of the classes to lend a hand! All proceeds from the sale of this pattern (and all of her others) go to the Minoru Hokari Memorial Scholarship Fund to help those studying Indigenous Australians as her brother did.

4 Classes   Thursdays, October 11, 18, 25 and November 1    1pm - 2:30pm   Fee: $60

EVENING CLASSES

Crochet for Beginners 

with Carolyn Hanson

Learn the basic stitches including: chaining, single crochet, double crochet and more.Students will learn to: read a pattern, read a chart with universal symbols, check gauge, weave end, and finish the project. All supplies can be purchased on or before the first class for approximately $35. 

3 Classes   Thursdays, September 20, 27, October 4   7:00-9:00pm   Fee: $60

Knitting for Beginners

with Carolyn Hanson
Learn the basics of knitting, including casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off. In addition, students will learn the basics of reading a knitting pattern, gain a basic understanding of a variety of yarns, checking gauge, weaving seams and learn the art of machine felting. You will complete a Felted Purse or iPad case during class. All supplies can be purchased at studio on or before the first night of class for approximately $35.

3 Classes   Mondays, September 17, 24, October 2   7:00-9:00pm   Fee: $60

WORKSHOPS

Introduction to Spinning: Drop Spindle

with Deborah Castellano

Learn to spin your own yarns on a drop spindle. All materials may be purchased here before class, so plan to arrive about 15 minutes early

Saturday, October 13 1-3pm         Fee: $20

Plying on the Drop Spindle

with Deborah Castellano

Step 2: Now that you have some beautiful singles, learn to combine them on the drop spindle, for a beautifully plied handspun yarn.

Saturday, October 27 1-3pm         Fee: $20

Introduction to Spinning on the Wheel

with Deborah Castellano

Now that you're hooked on spinning, let's step it up a notch and try spinning on the wheel! 

Saturday, November 17 1-3pm         Fee: $20

Introduction to Dyeing 

with Deborah Castellano

Let's take that lovely undyed fiber and turn it into something really spectacular. Whether it's fibers you'll be spinning and plying or a couple skeins of undyed yarn to knit with you'll really make that fiber your own when you dye it yourself. 

Saturday, December 1 1-3pm         Fee: $20

Emily's Hats for Hope Hat-a-thon!

Emily, a high school senior from New Jersey, has been making a difference throughout the United States, one hat at a time. In December 2011, Emily, 17, realized she could help the homeless and working poor in her community by knitting warm winter hats for them and Emily's Hats For Hope Initiative was born. In less than a year, Emily's group has knit and collected thousands of hats, and has inspired many 'spin-off' groups in 15 states and in Canada!

Please join us in helping her reach her goal of 3,000 hats by her 18th birthday (in December). Trillium Yarns is delighted to be hosting Emily's Hats for Hope Initiative's first Hat-a-thon of the season, Sunday, September 23rd, 2012, from 11am to 6pm (drop in anytime and stay as long as you like). Cost of entry: one canned food item, and/or something warm to donate.) Weather permitting, we will be outside, so bring a lawn chair!

This kicks off a weekly Sunday knitting group at Trillium Yarns to make and collect winter hats, scarves, afghans, gloves and other warm things for the homeless and working poor in the United States with Emily's Hats for Hope Initiative. This season, the hats collected will be going to the people living in Tent City, in Lakewood, NJ.

Join her on Facebook.