Fun at KABH

We had our first Get a Guy to Knit day and it went really well! We had a couple of newbies and some old friends come and hang out with us.

Patrick (in the middle) took the opportunity to pick up a scarf that had been hibernating for a while, and Tim was going gang busters on socks two-at-a-time with the Magic Loop method. And of course it’s always a good time when Merry’s here!

We love when they learn!

And here’s Rich. He got hooked fast, and now I don’t think there’s any stopping him – and that’s how we like it!

More Berroco is here!

I know many of you have been waiting for Peruvia Quick, Jasper, Geode, Cuzco and Comfort to arrive, and they did! The yarn arrived today and will be on the shelves on Thursday. Three big boxes full of lovely yarn. Grab it while you can, because lots of people have been waiting!

Mascots!

Well, I don’t know if you could call them mascots, maybe spokes models. We’ve got heads! No. That sounds even stranger. If a picture is worth a thousand words, is a well chosen picture worth more, especially if the words are badly chosen?

Meet Paula and Nadine, our new store sample models! It took me a while to find some mannequins that I felt I could live with and after several trips around Ebay and Etsy, I found these ladies and decided to give them a home with knitwear. Please come say hello and help them feel welcome.

Here are some photos of projects our friends and customers have made, some of them while hanging out here in the store and having a great time!

Here is Dee in her Tahki Denim sweater. She was so happy to finish, mostly because she kept having to send her daughter into come in to buy “just one more skein of yarn”.

Here is Amy’s first sock! Yay, Amy! And since this photo was taken, she completed sock number 2, so no Second Sock Syndrome for our Amy.

Jillian made these great legwarmers from Berocco Comfort and they turned out wonderfully! Here’s a close up:

I love when people bring in their finished projects! Here is a picture from our Granny Square class a few weeks ago:

I took the class, too, but someone had to take the picture. It was so much fun and I can officially say these guys are addictive! We will definitely be having this class again. Talk about a great way to start off learning to crochet!

January 2009 Classes

Class Schedule
January 2009
Classes are $15 per hour.
Advance registration is required.
Please check the website for cancellation policy.

Beginning Knitting
Come in and learn the basics or brush up on your skills. Once the class is over, you are welcome to stay on and practice.
Every Saturday 12pm-1pm

Reading a Pattern
Ready to move on to knitting from a pattern, but it all looks like a foreign language? In this class we will be going over everything that you need to understand a pattern from the materials list, to the abbreviations, to reading a chart!
Saturday, January 10
10am-12pm

Basic Crochet
Like our basic knitting class, this is a great place to start on crochet, or brush up on those skills. Some instruction on pattern reading may be included, time permitting.
Sunday, January 11
10am-12pm

Magic Loop Hat
Magic Loop is a wonderful way to knit in the round without having to use double pointed needles. This class is a great introduction to a technique that can be used for any knitting in the round, and which is becoming very popular way to knit socks.
Saturday, January 17
10am-12pm

Socks on the Magic Loop
This 3 hours class will cover what you need to know to knit a sock. We will be using the Magic Loop method of knitting in the round and we’ll go over how to adjust traditional sock patterns for this technique as well. You should be comfortable with Magic Loop before taking this class so that we can be sure to get through all the steps of knitting a sock.
Sunday, January 18
10am-1pm

Basic Lace
This is a great introduction to lace knitting. You will work on an easy lace pattern that knits up into a lovely scarf. The pattern for the class can be knit up in several different yarn weights, so you don’t have to work with lace weight yarn, unless, of course, you want to!
Saturday, January 24
10am-12pm

Granny Squares
We had so much fun with this class last time, we decided to do it again. Granny Squares are a great way to use your crochet skills (or even learn them)! You can make so many things out of these squares and they are addictive!
Sunday, January 25
10am-12pm

Cables
Cables are a great design element and are showing up all over patterns recently! They can be basic or very elaborate, but are so much easier than they look. Come in and add cables to your knitting arsenal!
Saturday, January 31
10am-12pm

Ribbon Cutting

It’s been a year!  We opened our door on November 10, 2007 and had our Grand Opening December 1, 2007.  It’s been quite a year!  I’ve met so many great people, have had such a great time and learned so much about so many things.  Thanks to everyone who sent congratulations for our first anniversary.  To mark the occasion we are having a Ribbon Cutting sponsored by the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce on Friday December 5 at 4:30.  Everyone is welcome!

We have gotten in some great new yarn!  From Punta Yarns we have Flame and Merisoft.  Flame is a bulky, thick-thin, multi colored yarn that is great for hats and scarves.  The colors are amazing, so no fancy knitting is needed for a beautiful knitted item.  Merisoft is worsted weight merino in similar gorgeous colors to the Flame.  It is a smooth spun, single ply yarn that is a dream to knit with and would wow anyone on your holiday gift list!  Punta also has beautiful mohair yarn that is slightly thicker than our usual Mohair selections.  We have three rich colors in so far, with more to come soon.

December Class Schedule

Class Schedule
December 2008
Classes are $15/hour.
Advance registration is required.
Please check website for cancellation policy.

Beginning Knitting
Come and learn the basics, or brush up on your skills.  Once the lesson is over, you are welcome to stay on and practice.
Every Saturday 12pm-1pm
No Beginning Knitting December 6

Two at A Time Toe-Up Socks
Special Guest Instructor!
Toe-up socks are great for checking fit as you knit and letting you get the most out of expensive sock yarn while ensuring you don’t run out of halfway down the foot. This class will cover the basics of two-at-once toe-up sock construction from start to finish, including two cast-ons, two heel options, and two cast-offs, using the Magic Loop.  You will receive a pattern formula allowing you to design your own toe-up socks for any foot, and at the end of the class you will have a finished pair of baby socks ready for gifting just in time for the holidays! Saturday December 6
10am-1pm – 3 hours

Magic Loop/Basic Hat
Magic Loop is a great way to knit in the round.  No double pointed needles necessary and you can go as small or big as you need!  Choose from one of our store patterns and fall in love with the Magic Loop!
Sunday December 7
10am-12pm

Easy Shawl
Keep yourself toasty this winter and make a lovely and easy shawl.  Choose fine soft yarn or something big and chunky, any size will do.  It can be small for your shoulders or a big cozy wrap to keep your whole self warm!
Saturday December 13
10am-12pm

Granny Squares
This is great way to start off crocheting, or a new crochet move to add to your yarn and hook arsenal.  Come in and learn how to make those awesome granny Squares that can then become anything your heart desires!
Sunday December 14
10am-12pm

Pattern Reading
Know how to k. P, K2tog, PSSO?  No?  Take this class and all these abbreviations and more will become clear and patterns will no longer be intimidating.  We will go over pattern abbreviations, actual patterns and, time permitting, any patterns you have questions about.
Saturday December 20
10am-12pm

Cables
Cables are so much fun and so much easier than you may think.  Learn how to cable while making a great scarf which can be adjusted to any yarn you love!
Sunday December 21
10am-12pm

Stitch Pattern
Using your basic knit and purl stitches, learn how to make some lovely stitch patterns that will expand your knitting horizons.
Saturday December 27
10am-12pm

Easy Lace
This will be a nice way to knit in the new year. Learn an easy lace pattern that won’t even require a lace weight yarn to make a scarf.  The pattern will be basic and easy to keep track of where you are.  Come on and give lace a chance!
Sunday December 28
10am-12pm

November Class Schedule

Here’s the schedule for our November classes!  Learn a new technique or start a holiday gift project.

Class Schedule
November 2008
Classes are $15/hour.
Advance registration is recommended so we know to show up.
Please check website for cancellation policy.

Beginning Knitting
Come in and learn the basics or brush up on your skills.  Once the class is over, you are welcome to stay on and practice.  This class is also great for help trouble-shooting a project of any skill level.
Every Saturday 12pm-1pm

Reading a Pattern
Ready to move on to knitting from a pattern, but it kind of looks like a foreign language?  In this class we will be going over everything that makes up a pattern from understanding the abbreviations to reading charts!
Saturday November 1
10am-12pm

Clapotis
A fabulous pattern from Knitty.com, this popular design gives you a wrap, or scarf, and you get to drop stitches on purpose!  Check out the pattern: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATTclapotis.html
Sunday November 2
10am-12pm

Socks (A)
We’ve split it in two, just for you!  One class was just not enough.  Both classes will be offered each month, if you can’t make both this month, you can come in next month! .  This way you have time to get down with your sock self and knit the top of the sock before hitting the heel.

Using the Magic Loop method (knitting socks on one long needle) we will go over the basics of sock construction.  It’s really a lot of fun and who wouldn’t love a pair of toasty hand knit socks this winter so they can keep that thermostat turned down!  Socks (A) will cover beginning on the Magic Loop and working down to the heel flap.
Sunday November 9
10am-12pm

Lizard Ridge/Short Rows
Learn about Short Rows and end up with a really cool scarf based on the Lizard Ridge Blanket – or make it wide and start the blanket itself.   (www.knitty.com/issuefall06/PATTlizardridge.html)
Saturday November 15
10am-12pm

Socks (B)
The continuation from Sock (A), Sock (B) will cover the Heel Flap and turn and discuss closing the toe.
Sunday November 16
10am-12pm

Lace
This is the start of a regular series of lace pattern classes.  The patterns for these classes will be good introductions to lace knitting and fun for scarves of other projects.
Saturday November 22
10am-12pm

Fair Isle Knitting
Learn how to add a little color to your knitting.  Using no more than 2 colors in a row, Fair Isle knitting is a wonderful technique to have under your belt.
Sunday November 23
10am-12pm

Entrelac
Entrelac is a lovely stitch that results in an unusual diagonal basket weave pattern.  This class will take you through the steps and you will be on your way to making a project of your choice.
Saturday November 29
10am-12pm

Mittens
What a better project for this time of year than a lovely pair of mittens!
Sunday November 30
10am-12pm

Rhinebeck and hand dyed!

It has been a while, but not for lack of things going on. There’s just been so much to take care of around here and the poor blog has been neglected.

I’ll start with Rhinebeck and try to catch up backwards. The New York Sheep and Wool Festival was a ton of fun! Saturday was crazy busy! It was the first time I had been able to go on the first day so I was surprised at how many people were there. I mean, I’d heard, but who’d've thought? I can’t even promise pictures in the future because I left the camera battery in the charger at home. It was charged, just not in a useful location.

I found the Ravelry meet-up this time around and got a pin! I also ran into a lot of friends of KABH! At the Ravelry party I got to hang out with Susan from Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm who announced the founding of Hudson Valley Fiber Farm! Go, Susan! Please go check out the sites and come in to pick up a postcard for a discount code for when you buy your share(s)! I also got the prototype for our first dyed to order yarn from Bluestocking Yarns! It’s rose and grey, my alma mater’s colors, and I think it’s gorgeous! I am going to start my socks with it tonight. We’ll have it in the store soon along with some of her other great colors.

And speaking of colors, the KABH Hand Dyed House Yarn is out! I had a great time dyeing it and love the fact that this yarn has never been outside the Hudson Valley. The yarn is from The Hudson valley Sheep and Wool Company from their own sheep. The longest trip the yarn has taken is across the Rhinecliff bridge on it’s way to New Paltz from Red Hook.  Come on in and check it out!

For those of you who like to decorate pumpkins, KABH has donated one of the prizes for The Bakery’s Night of 100 Pumpkins pumpkin carving contest. Enter a pumpkin and you can win a gift certificate to the store!

We have gotten some new books and magazines in recently. My attempts at uploading pictures has failed misrably and I am too impatient to play around with the computer right now so I just will list! First we have the special issue of Interweave Felt, It Itches by Franklin Habit (even non-knitters find this collection of cartoon hysterical), Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts, and Boutique Knits.

Harry Potter Sock Yarn is here!

It’s here! It’s here! The Harry Potter sock yarn from Opal is here and in limited amounts. Due to flooding in their warehouse in Germany, Opal has far less stock than originally planned for. But we got ours some come on in!

Upcoming events!

On October 11 from 11am – 2pm we will be having a fantastic event featuring ArtYarns fibers. The ArtYarns rep will be here to answer questions and help you choose which of their beautiful yarns is right for you. And the timing couldn’t be better because this yarn is so gorgeous that without a lot of fancy knitting, you can have wonderful holiday presents ready even before Thanksgiving! The yarns that will be featured are the Cashmere 1 ply, Cashmere 5 ply, Regal Silk and Silk Rhapsody. We will be taking pre-orders for the yarn and there are two definite advantages to purchasing your yarn at the event. First, you will be able to choose from the entire color line for each of the featured yarns. I will only be purchasing a few colors in each yarn for the store due to space limitations. Those attending the event wont be limited by my color choices. Also, I will be offering 10% off the price of all ArtYarns purchased that day. All orders must be paid in full.

We will also have samples of Woodstock Knits project kits for pre-order! Again, these are a wonderful choice for gift knitting – whether you are knitting a gift for yourself or someone else. These will be 10% during the event as well!

On October 4 the first round of my hand dyed yarn will be available in the store! I am planning on having 10 skeins each of 5 different colors. I am not sure if I will be repeating colors, or having new ones each round of dyeing, so come early so you can get plenty!

We had a shipment arrive today from Catalina Yarns! We received their wonderful 100% Baby Alpaca yarn in two weights, worsted and chunky. Yesterday, we got a lovely box from Aslan trends with more Del Cerro, Invernal and, new to us, Del Sur, a fantastic chunky yarn. I see scarves, hats and neckwarmers!

Shirra