Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Sad news






Dear Friends of Yarn Garden,

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our owner, Linda Carter, this last Sunday night. While she had not been feeling well these past few years, her death was still sudden and unexpected. The loss will be deeply felt by her family and staff. Our current plan is for the Yarn Garden to remain open, managed by her sister and long time store manager, Jo Hartman.

Please join us for a celebration of Linda's life, complete with special knitting projects, at the Yarn Garden all next weekend December 12th thru the 14th. Come wearing a little of her favorite color, red. A special memorial will be held at the store for close friends and family on Friday, the 12th at 5:00pm.

Linda is survived by her parents, Gerald and Phyllis Williams, two sisters Jo Hartman and Connie Ellsbury, two daughters Jill Carter and Julie Painter, three grandchildren Jessica, Jeffrey and Jordan Painter and one great grandchild Rowhan Painter.

It was Linda’s love of all things yarn that gave birth to the magical place known as Yarn Garden. With Linda’s vision and business savvy, the dream of her own yarn store became a reality. Ten years ago she thought it would be a small, quiet retirement business with only a couple of employees; she had no idea that her good taste in yarns, and Portland's knitting fever would help the store grow to become one of the largest on the west coast.

Linda lived a full and vibrant life. In the 1970’s she help to found a wilderness organization, the Umpqua Wilderness Defenders, where she helped save three wilderness areas in Southern Oregon. She lived in a log cabin where she ran a farm, rode horses, grew organic vegetables, raised sheep and two children – and of course spun wool. In later years, she traveled to Scotland and New Zealand where she surveyed many a yarn mill and visited some of her favorite places on earth, pastures full of sheep.

Those who wish to donate in her honor can contribute to one of her favorite charity organizations, Heifer International (www.heifer.org). She loved the way the organization helped underprivileged families and villages around the world by purchasing livestock, especially wool-producing sheep.

You can also knit a scarf for the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project (www.orphan.org), a great charitable knitting initiative that provides warmth and encouragement to foster youth in Oregon. Red was Linda's favorite color, she had a personal collection of many, many red scarves that she knitted. She would be delighted that the project continued. The Yarn Garden will accept red scarves through the end of January.

Over the weekend we will also complete a project Linda had been wanting to do for years, which is create a knitted outfit for the little sheep mascot that has sat in the window of the store for the last few years. She had always wanted a little knitted flower garden for the sheep to graze on; she wanted him to have some socks, a little hat, a scarf, but she never had time to work on that project. Come be creative with us.

We know Linda will miss her store, the wonderful customers and her expert staff, but she is in a better place now - the big yarn store in the sky.

December 5, 2008

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Join us this Saturday afternoon....


We are excited to announce we will be hosting a representative from Hand Painted Knitting Yarns this Saturday, November 29th from 12-5pm. She will be bringing trunk show models and will be there to tell you all about this truly artistic line. In honor of this show, we will be offering 10% off the Giant Skein kits purchased during the trunk show. Come and be educated and more importantly, inspired, during this special event.



We also just received our reorder of Flat Feet from Conjoined Creations - finally! They have become so popular, we waited for them to catch up with their orders. If you haven't seen these, they are fascinating! Super-portable since you knit them directly from the flat fabric, unraveling bits at a time. We also just received their new book, Flat Feet Book One: Socks, which has some creative patterns to use with this exciting yarn.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Brown Sheep has arrived...

Ah, we now have lots of new stock of everyone's fave, Brown Sheep! We have more Burly Spun, Lanaloft Worsted and Sport, Lamb's Pride Bulky and Worsted, and Naturespun Worsted. You can now begin your holiday shopping....

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Madelinetosh Sock is here and Ozark Handspun...

We just received 31 gorgeous colors of Madelinetosh Sock - it has a rabid following and now we have it. Once you see the truly artistic colorways in handpainted multicolor, "glazed", and "somewhat solid", you will become a fan yourself.

We also just received some new colors of Ozark Handspun Opulent. We also have two trunk show models with free patterns to inspire you.

Brown Sheep reorders are still on the way - if you need a specific color, feel free to email us with your request and we can call you when it arrives.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Misti Alpaca Chunky is back....

We just received 9 colors of Misti Alpaca Chunky with 3 more on backorder. These sell out so quickly we always joke that we should just leave them in the boxes rather than use shelf space!

Last week we received an order of notions and needles from Clover, Bryspun, Susan Bates, and some rosewood double points. We also have quite a few new yarns and patterns such as....

From Handpainted Knitting Yarns: gorgeous new sock yarn Merino Tencel, lovely Merino Lace in both soft and vibrant colorways, and two new 20 oz. Giant Skein kits with a free jacket pattern. The Giant Skein kits come in a smaller 10 oz. size as well and would make a wonderful holiday gift for any yarn-lover.

From Schaefer Yarns: new "Sock The Vote" yarn in Michelle, Hillary, Cindy, and Sarah colorways. Also, some new patterns for lace, baby items, and socks.

From Nancy Lindberg: a variety of her classic hat, mitten, glove, sweater, and sock patterns. Many of them have options for more than one gauge so these are patterns you will use again and again for years.

From Berroco: we finally received our Comfort Sock - great colors, a fantastic price, and vegan/vegetarian friendly!

Coming soon - Brown Sheep reorders and some new Ozark Handspun yarns.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Interweave Holiday Issue, Rowan, New Models

We just unpacked the highly anticipated Interweave Knits Holiday Issue so come in and get your holiday gift-making started!

We have the stunning Nicky Epstein Trunk Show just through tomorrow (Sunday the 19th), we guarantee you will enjoy seeing some of the projects from this book full of creative twists on traditional motifs.

From Rowan: we have new colors of 4Ply Cotton, Cotton Glace, Cashcotton 4Ply, and Cashcotton DK. Yes, we know it is getting chilly outside but these cottons and cotton-blends truly span the seasons. Some restocks in Big Wool, Biggy Print, and Ribbon Twist arrived which are perfect for quickly finished gifts.

Some exciting new models have arrived from Lana Grossa (Arya Light and Cento), Filatura di Crosa (Superior and Aliseo), Stacy Charles (Ritratto), and Tahki (the natural Montana).

We have also switched out some of our more warm-weather choices with chill-chasing yarns so make sure to explore! Sparkle is everywhere in the fashion pages and we have something for everyone to follow that trend; whether you want just a touch of shine or full-blown glam!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Oooh, the new Nicky Epstein book Trunk Show is Here!

We have the stunning Trunk Show from Nicky Epstein's new book, Knitting On Top of the World, we only have it for a short period of time so make sure to stop by to see it!

From Lana Grossa/Muench/GGH: yummy new yarns from Lana Grossa - Aran, Arya Light, Arya Big, Cento, and Ciao. We think you will love the airy feel of Aran, Arya Big, and Arya Light, the subtle self-striping colorways of Cento, and the chunky, colorful Ciao. We have scarf models of both Cento and Ciao so make sure to check them out. We also got new colors in the ever-popular Royal Tweed and new colors in the Meilenweit sock yarns - Seta/Cashmere, Colortweed, and Missoni. We also got the rustic new Campano from GGH, the new Rebecca magazine, and new colors of GGH yarns Savanna, Aspen, and Cumba.

Our owner, Linda, handpicked some lovely sock yarn this week - gorgeous Anne from Schaefer Yarns which we sell out of quickly whenever we get it and a new, wait for it.... tweed(!) handpainted Merino Donegal from Handpainted Knitting Yarns.

From Shepherd Yarns: a 100% washable wool, Baby Wool 4Ply, in a rainbow of colors - brights and pastels. You would never believe it was a machine-washable yarn.

From Universal/Fibra Natura/Wisdom: a host of new yarns - Classic Worsted Tapestry - washable wool/acrylic blend that self-patterns in Fair Isle, Cobblestone - another washable wool great for thicker socks, Boston and Los Angeles - two of the Marathon sock yarns in exciting colors, and in keeping with our interest in natural/non-dyed wools; Shepherd's Own - an Aran/Worsted weight in 10 colors of solids, heathers, and marls at a very reasonable price.

From Clover: we got an order just yesterday of needles and notions - remember the notions are still on the wall but needles are behind the counter now, just ask and we will pull them for you - we hope you will enjoy not having to look through full pegs of needles as you try to keep them from falling on the floor!

The new Vogue Magazine is here, some old favorite books; gorgeous Sasha Kagan, sweet baby and children's books, probably some titles you have always meant to pick up and just haven't gotten to yet.

Coming later next week we have some Rowan cottons and a few restocks of winter yarns (yeah!) and a little more Muench.... We literally have stock arriving every day!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Berroco, Denise, Brittany....

We got the large order from Berroco that we hinted at last update. We now have 27 colors of Peruvia, 44 colors of Ultra Alpaca, 20 colors of Ultra Alpaca Light, and 8 colors of Ultra Alpaca Fine with 30% nylon - we have this one on our sock wall but it could easily be used for any fingering or lace weight project. There is something so special about the Peruvia and Ultra Alpaca line colorways - they need to be seen and definitely petted to truly appreciate them. We also got a huge stock (40+ colors!) of the economical, vegan-friendly, and truly wonderful Comfort Worsted in beautiful solids and variegated. We have Comfort Sock on order but it has been backordered for now so watch this space for it's arrival. We did get some lovely new colorways of Berroco Sox, charmingly named for UK locations.

Our Denise Needle order came in: lots of the original blue and Breast Cancer Benefitting PINK kits as well as 3 colors of their soft-sided organizers - both would make wonderful gifts for the quickly approaching holiday season.

We also got a large order of Brittany white birch needles both in the two straight and three double point sizes.

Rio de la Plata sent us some gorgeous winter semi-solids and colorways in their 100% Merino sport-sock weight yarn.

Last but not least, we got more stock of the wildly-popular Taos from Tahki as well as their Taos Collection booklet that has the pattern for the Chunky Vest we have as a store model.

We have more yarn coming from Muench/Lana Grossa, Malabrigo, and Universal very soon....

Friday, September 26, 2008

Delayed Update

Sorry it has been so long since a store update! We have been busy, busy here - had a great time at the Knit and Crochet Show and our new classroom space is nearly finished. Knit Night is starting back up as well - Wednesdays until 9pm.

We have quite a bit more new stock as well...

From Skacel: Addi Turbos, Lace, crochet hooks, and double points

From Brown Sheep: their new yarns Lanaloft Sport and Lanaloft Worsted - single ply in deeply saturated colors of 100% Wool.

From PolarKnit: new PolarKnit fleece yarn - 6 great colors in a bulky yarn with free patterns available for adults and children and 4 designs in their Yarn Dots - little buttons that attach between stitches in your knitwear - we have Devil Yarn Ball, Skully, Born To Knit, and Knitters Unite.

From Knit One, Crochet Too: Ty-Dy Socks, long stripes in 6 gorgeous colorways.

From Plymouth Yarns: yarns from their Plymouth Earth line - Mainland, Ranch, Rainshadow, Homestead, Ecco Baby Camel, and Oceanside Organic (DK weight cotton). New yarns Royal Llama Silk, Cotton Kisses, and Happy Feet. Also, Baby Alpaca Brush is back!

From Noni Designs: the new Fall patterns are here - garments for children and adults have been added to their line with a few new bags as well.

From South West Trading Company: new Jezebel fingering / lace weight yarn in 100% Merino Wool - 11 beautiful colors.

From Marie Mayhew: darling new patterns including a class we are offering, Woolly Gnome. We were all squealing when we saw the new designs!

Coming soon....
More Denise Needle stock and a BIG order from Berroco.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Notions, Needles, and MORE Yarn!


We got a large supply of notions, accessories, and needles in last week. Most of the needles are now behind the counter, just ask staff for the size you need and we can pull it for you.

Also new in the store...

From Reynolds: new Andean Tweed and Hopscotch, new colors of Odyssey, Whiskey, Play Time, Wash Day Wool, and drum roll.... 29 colors each of Lopi and Lopi Lite!














From Jo Sharp: new colors and restocks of Classic DK, Alpaca Kid Lustre, Silk Road DK Tweed, Silk Road Aran Tweed, and Silk Road Ultra.

From Artful Yarns: 9 colors of Reality.














From: Tahki/Stacy Charles/Filatura di Crosa: new colors of Pasha, Multicolor, Batuffolo, Batuffolo Print, Shannon, New Smoking, New Tweed, Baby, and Baby Tweed.

From Plymouth Yarns: new colors of Plymouth Tweed. More restocks and new yarns, including Plymouth Earth organic choices later this week.

Friday, August 22, 2008

We are bursting with new yarn and books!


We have even more new things this week and it just keeps coming! I think the staff is most excited about our new Rowan stock - including the new Eco yarns: all colors of the renewable resource British Sheep Breeds and 5 colors of the new organic Purelife Wool; each with their new pattern books. As well as the new Fall Rowan Magazine celebrating their 30th Anniversary, 26 colors of Kidsilk Haze as well as the Kidsilk Dream book, 16 colors of Felted Tweed, 25 colors of Creative Focus Worsted Superwash, 17 colors of Wool Cotton, 14 colors of the new Pure Wool 4Ply, and 27 colors of Creative Focus Worsted are on the sales floor now.

Also out now....

From Prism: 4 colors of the new Gossamer, with 6 more colors on order - a lush kid mohair and nylon lace weight with fantastic yardage, new colors of Angora, 10 colors of new Andee, with 6 more colors coming - half alpaca, half wool in solids and variegated. There are a few more new yarns that should be arriving sometime soon.

From Classic Elite: Brand new Fresco (shown on the back of Interweave Knits magazine), as well as gorgeous new colors of Wool Bam Boo, Princess, Duchess, Desert, Alpaca Sox and Alpaca Sox Multi, Bazic Wool, Inca Alpaca and Inca Marl, La Gran, Miracle, Waterlily, Lush and all their new pattern books for this fall.














From Tahki/Stacy Charles/Filatura di Crosa: new yarns Aliseo and Taos, new colors of Bunny, Zarella, Zarina, Ritratto, 127 Print, as well as the new books for fall are out now. Also, the new cashmere/silk blend luxury yarn, Superior, and the new eco-friendly Montana. Also, more new colors and restocks still coming.

Also coming soon: Lopi and Lopi Lite as well as new yarns and restocks from Reynolds, Jo Sharp, and Artful Yarns.

Whew! Make sure to stop by and see us soon to become inspired by the multitude of colors, textures, and designs!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

New Fall Yarns Arriving

Sadly, the Alchemy trunk show left us this week but we have loads of new yarns arriving almost daily....

From Muench/GGH/Lana Grossa: new colors of Bel Air, Aspen, Savanna, Royal Tweed, Touch Me, Big Baby, Tessin, Meilenweit sock yarn, and Cumba as well as new yarns Vision, Silky Tweed, and the amazingly soft acrylic microfiber and nylon blend, Family. We also have new sew-in labels for gifts from Soak.

From Trendsetter: new colors of Tonalita, Dune, Journey, Super Kid Seta, Cashwool, Madison, and Blossom as well as new yarn, Tempo. More Merinos Otto and Merino Sei (now Merino VIII and Merino VI) are coming soon.

From Jade Sapphire: more gorgeous patterns and new colors/stock of Lacey Lamb.

From K1 C2: new colors of 2nd Time Cotton, Paint Box, Babyboo, Soxx Appeal, and Douceur et Soie.

From Tahki/Stacy Charles/Filatura di Crosa: new colors of Donegal Tweed with many new yarns and restocks within the next week.

We recently got a great selection of a light worsted/dk weight superwash yarn called Karisma, many more colors of Drops Alpaca, Eskimo, a chunky weight in subtle as well as vibrant colors, and many new colors of Highlander, a lovely chunky brushed boucle wool blend.

A large order of Classic Elite and new Prism yarns should be here this week as well.

Come by and the staff will be happy to direct you to all our new goodies! Remember that we are air-conditioned too! Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Destination Alchemy

We are blessed right now with a gorgeous trunk show from Alchemy Yarns. Some of you may remember the elegant "Origamist" wrap jacket from our last trunk show - it was a big hit!
As you can see, we have several great sweaters this time.














Also on display are some of the most luxurious accessories imaginable.



















The textures and colors of these silk and silk-blend yarns are like nothing else. You have to see and touch to believe. We only have the show for a limited time (and then it's on to the next lucky store) so don't miss it! Come in and fall in love.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Yummy Yarns & Pointy Things


The wait is over! We received our long anticipated order of Malabrigo this week. In addition to the marvelous Merino Worsted, the versatile Aquarella, and the heavenly lace-weight, we also received two new yarns. Gruesa is a thick and thin chunky kettle-dyed wool. Silky Merino (left) is a delectable 50/50 blend of silk and merino in Malabrigo's unbeatable colors. You have to feel it to believe how soft and light it is.
An order of Skacel's Addi Turbos and Addi Lace Turbos has come in! We've got all lengths and sizes so come and get 'em while they're hot - these guys go fast - especially in those popular sock sizes.
The June Limited Edition color of Southwest Trading Company's incredible sock phenomenon "Tofutsies". We love belonging to SWTC's Sock of the Month Club. Every month, we get a box from them with a unique new color of this fabulous yarn along with an exclusive pattern designed to compliment it. This pattern is free with your purchase of the Limited Edition color, so be sure to check it out. This yarn is a great blend of wool, cotton, soysilk, and chitin (a product of crab and shrimp shells that acts as a natural antibacterial) perfect for lighter weight socks, and such fun to knit with.
See you soon!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

We have Blog Lift-Off!


It's about time we started a blog, isn't it? From now on, you can get updates about new stock, fun events, and what we've got on the needles.

Spring is a great time to get organized and start new projects. We're doing a lot of both here at Yarn Garden. That little taste of summer last weekend has us looking forward to breezy summer knits and fun, portable projects. We just received a great pattern for Mother Earth Knitted Bags - three versions of a string grocery bag. Two sizes call for just around a hundred yards of cotton, hemp, linen, or other durable fiber.
Our Free Tote offer is back! Spend $100.00 or more and you'll receive a free natural, woven jute tote with rattan handles from Terra Totes. Perfect for decorating, these totes have a water resistant lining. They make great project bags and are roomy enough to carry everything you need for a little knitting in the rough. Supplies are limited and they're going fast, so don't wait!
World Wide Knit in Public Day is coming Saturday, June 14th! We're planning a big party, so stay tuned for the exciting details. You can get more information about the WWKIP phenomenon here.
In other news, the Sipperie has closed. It is going to be our new classroom, but it will also always be a great place to hang out with friends and grab a now complimentary cup of tea.

1 comments:

pdxknitterati said...

Soooooo close! I spent $90 the other day. Oh well. Sorry to hear about the Sipperie; I had a special place in my heart for it. My uncle used to have a hair salon in that space in the 60's, named for me: Michele Beauty Salon. More recently, I used to have tea there while my son has his guitar lessons down the street. But classrooms are good, too.

Welcome to the blogging world!

Cheers, Michele (MicheleLB on Ravelry)