Sunday, January 30, 2011

Vandalism Hits Yarn Garden




This is on the window of our main entry. It's ugly and ruined.
These are just some photos of the damage. Many more windows were ruined.

Friday morning I arrived at the shop to find many of our windows assaulted with graffiti. Looking at all that damaged, I felt violated, and burst into tears. Eight of our windows were tagged with acid. That means they can't be fixed, each one has to be replaced. As a small business owner, I don't have a sack full of money stashed in the closet to pay for these types of expenses.

I called the police, Officer Sothern arrived and took information and photos to file a report. Due to the replacement cost and lettering on the windows (estimated cost $10,000) this incident is a felony.

The increase in graffiti on Hawthorne is disturbing. Many of us have already tried to lessen the problem by keeping lights on and my neighbor even had cameras mounted on his building.

If you become a victim of graffiti please report it to the police and fill out the online graffiti report at http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=46186&a=286366 and if you need emotional support give me a call.


The acid close up. It spreads and etches the glass, ruining it.

-Jo, Owner

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Pub Night 1/21/11


Yarn Garden Pub Knitting last Friday was so much fun!
Thanks to all our Pub knitters and crocheters for coming!
Show off your "Love Neckwarmer" on our Ravelry group!




Next Pub Knitting will be Friday, February 18th from 7-10pm. Email sales@yarngarden.net or call 503-239-7950 to sign up!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Pub Knitting Tonight!


Yarn Garden Pub Knitting. We take over half the bar!

Join us tonight for our monthly Yarn Garden Pub Knitting at Barley Mill on SE Hawthorne Blvd from 7-10pm.
Bring your knitting, crocheting, friends and have a drink with us!

Sign up to come by emailing sales@yarngarden.net or call us at 503-239-7950 and let us know how many people you'll be bringing.
We're going to be giving out special Valentine's gifts to all our lovely Pub Knitters tonight! We don't want to run out of gifts so make sure to sign up.

See everyone tonight :)

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Coffee Beenz


Brand new from Plymouth Yarn, (maker of Encore) is Coffee Beenz. The name fits right in with us coffee lovers and the tweedy colors are yummy.
This yarn is soft to the touch, machine washable, 75% acrylic and 25% wool with 214yds per 100gm ball.

It knits up as a worsted to heavy worsted getting 4.5 sts per inch on a US #8 needle.
This yarn is perfect for heavy boot socks, afghans, sweaters, hats, scarves and more!


Color 9456, Russet shows the plies of the variegated strand with the solid.



Great colors!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Stay Warm


Just felted and finally dry, these simple, striped arm warmers really keep you warm and look super cute too! Felted with Studio by Lang, a 87% Merino, 12% Polyester aran weight boucle, it's soft and light in the ball and even softer when felted. Emily designed these inspired by a Lang pattern. They are perfect under a coat or inside!
The pair uses 1 ball of each color and the pattern is free with the purchase of the yarn!


I love these for computer work to help stay toasty.


The boucle felts into a fun curly fabric.


Studio, "Wool for felting."



I'm thinking a teal and grey pair...


Also, another fast knit are the, "It's Too Late Wrist Warmers" designed by Rosemary Drysdale using Savoy by Tahki Stacy Charles. It just takes 1 ball of this splendid merino, silk aran weight yarn. The colors are jewel toned and just beautiful.
This is a free pattern here.



Savoy by Tahki Stacy Charles.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Seattle To Portland Yarn Train...

All of us at Yarn Garden wanted to say a big Thank You to the Snohomish Knitters Guild for putting together such a great event!

For those of you who don't know, every year the SKG plans a Seattle to Portland Yarn Train and does a yarn crawl by bus, cab or foot.
We were happy to see so many Seattle faces make it to our store even though we had such heavy rains. (You know you're a true North Westerner when 3" of rain doesn't effect a yarn crawl.)
In preparation, we put together little gift bags with a Yarn Garden pattern and ball of yarn to make a sparkly knit or crochet little coin bag and made sure we had hot coffee and tea. Shortly into the day our shop was filled with fabulous yarn crawlers.
We had so much fun meeting everyone and can't wait to see you all again next year!

Thanks again!

-Yarn Garden Staff

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Kauni Effektgarn


We are happy to introduce Kauni Effektgarn from Denmark. Kauni is a plied 100% wool, sport weight yarn with long striping effects. It has a nice traditional feel to it with a gauge of 6-7 stitches per inch on a US 2-6.
Each ball has yardage from 569-700 depending on the grams.
We are excited for the possibilities and just love the colors!








We have great patterns using the yarn too!

The Humboldt scarf uses 2 balls of Kauni in 2 different colors to create the color fade and stripe.

I love the Farwell Jacket. Using 3 balls of Kauni, the gradual change in color is gorgeous!

Knit flat and sideways in garter stitch, the Cramer Hat only uses 1 ball of Kauni.
I like the simplicity of the hat, it really shows of the yarn.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Tonight's Knit Nite Cancelled

Due to the dreaded ice storm we’re scheduled to get tonight, we’re canceling Knit Night.
Sorry for any inconvenience!
We’ll be there in spirit, knitting away at home.

Stay safe tonight!

Knit Night will be back on schedule next Tuesday, January 18th and Pub Knitting will be at Barley Mill Friday, January 21st.

Pub Knitters and Crocheters: email sales@yarngarden.net to let us know you’re coming or give us a ring at 503-239-7950.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Vintage DK


Our Berroco order has arrived and with it, Vintage DK! We have just loved using Vintage and Vintage Chunky, so we were thrilled to hear they were coming out with a DK weight.
Vintage DK is a machine washable blend of wool, acrylic and nylon with 288 yards and $6.95 a skein!

We have stocked our shelves with all 22 beautiful colors and can't wait to see what you make with it!





The pattern book, Berroco #308 is filled with wonderful sweaters, hats, scarves and more using Vintage and Vintage DK all designed by Cirilia Rose.
There is a really cute seamless striped sweater, Jidai, using 2 colors of the Vintage DK that I can't wait to make!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Friday, January 7, 2011

Some New Favorites

We get in so many new yarns it's hard to post them all so I thought I'd pick some of my favorites this week to share.

Supersocke Comedy Color

From ONline, Supersocke 100 Comedy Color is a fabulous self striping wool/nylon machine washable sock yarn. The colors just blow me away! They are so fun and bright, the simplest sock pattern shows them off perfectly.

This sock is in color #1282


So many beautiful colors! One ball makes a pair.

Nuna

Another favorite by Mirasol is Nuna. A sport weight blend of 40% silk, 40% wool and 20% Bamboo. The silk and bamboo give it a really pretty sheen. This would be lovely for any against the skin accessory because of its softness. I'm thinking a slouchy hat?...

Fabulous!

Sugar Rush

We have loved working with Araucania Ruca, a dk weight 100% sugar cane yarn, that we decided to bring in Queensland Sugar Rush. Also made of 100% sugar cane, this fingering weight summery yarn has 137 yds and comes in a variety of solid and jacquard colors. I think this would be a great yarn for color work, baby projects and lightweight tops.


Excited to use this one!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Upcoming Classes

Brooklyn Mittens
Keep your fingers warm and in style with Jared Flood's lovely mittens! Knit these from an especially cozy yarn because you will want to wear them all the time! Students in this class will be able to purchase Made In Brooklyn for a discounted price of $10.


These mittens were made using Classic Elite Princess, a lovely blend of merino, viscose, cashmere, nylon and angora. This worsted weight yarn comes in a range of colors from beautiful jewel tones to earthy naturals.

Class Dates and Times:
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/19/2011
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/26/2011
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/2/2011


Sign up here or over the phone 503-239-7950



Felted Scuffs

Tuck your toes into these easy to knit felted scuffs and curl up with your knitting. Easier to knit than many felted footwear patterns, these are the ultimate quick gift. We'll try some embroidery too!


Martha used Reynolds Lopi for these cute Scuffs, a traditional Icelandic wool that felts up very nicely to create a warm and sturdy fabric. I want a pair!

Class Dates and Times:
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/20/2011
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/27/2011
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/3/2011


Sign up here or over the phone 503-239-7950.
Check out our other fun classes for Winter 2011 here: Yarn Garden University

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff