It looks like winter has arrived here in northern Michigan. Over the last several days, we've accumulated 6-8 inches of snow, and there's more in the forecast. Time to knit some warm mittens, scarves, sweaters, and socks!



No new yarns or patterns have arrived in the last couple of weeks. I've been working on the new class schedule and the models for the class projects. I've also been rebuilding the website, which should go "live" sometime this week. Look for the new class schedule on the new site. You will be able to link to this blog from the website.

One of our new class offerings will be the "Tech Square Afghan", using the booklet published by FiberTrends. The afghan is composed of twelve squares, each using a different knitting skill. Each month, we will offer a class to produce one of the squares. You may choose any or all of the classes, as you desire. This project is a great way to build or improve your knitting skills. In the spring, look for a similar lace knitting skill builder.

Thanksgiving is this Thursday. I wish you and yours a very happy holiday, with lots of laughter and good eats.

Well, we did it--Rory won his election for sheriff last night by a narrow margin. So now we can get back to work and play and life as normal! Thanks to everyone for your support.

We finished the chemo cap project last week. We were able to donate 30 caps to Munson's Cancer Services through the work of 13 knitters. Many knitters made caps from their own stash to contribute to the project. The value of the yarn donated by the shop was $362. We will continue this annual event.

Jan Isherwood, the former owner of the Yarn Market, is recovering nicely. She is in Cardiac Rehab, and can't wait to get done! She stops in regularly, so if you have any wishes for her, please forward them to me.

New Yarns since my last entry:

Noro's Iro--a bulky blend of wool and silk in Noro's fabulous colorways
Southwest Trading Company's Infinity--a laceweight 100% soy
Southwest Trading Company's Therapi--wool, silk, and jadeite, in a light worsted weight
Plymouth's Knitcol--a self-patterning superwash wool, light worsted weight
Plymouth's Ashton--an alpaca, wool and silk blend in a sport weight
Queensland's Bebe Cotsoy--a worsted weight cotton and soy blend

We've also received some new patterns from Cottage Creations, Nancy Lindberg, Lisa Knits, and a new designer, Jane Bigelow. We have copies of Mason Dixon's new book, Outside the Lines; Simply Shetland's book 5, Roxanna's Garden, and Melissa Morgan Oakes' book, 2-at-a-time Socks, to knit 2 socks at one time on one circular needle.

The Knitters Book Club finished The Shop on Blossom Street and is now hearing A Good Yarn, both by Debbie Macomber. For those of you who haven't heard, The Knitters Book Club meets weekly to listen to an audiobook while knitting and enjoying a light meal. The group has decided to keep this going, barring really bad weather, and avoiding holidays. We'd love to have new members, so keep this activity in mind for the long winter months. Currently we meet every Thursday evening from 5-9 p.m. The cost is $7 per session to cover the cost of the meal provided. We plan to continue with the Blossom Street series. This group is evolving as it is picking up steam, it will become what you make of it--so please join us. Be sure to let me know that you plan on coming so that I can include you in the meal count.

One class remains on this year's schedule, the double-knitted headband, November 15, from 10 am to 4 pm. It is not by accident that this date coincides with opening day deer hunting. So if you're a hunting widow, join us for this fun class! Headbands make wonderful, quick gifts! Let me know if you have any requests for the next class schedule!

I plan on updating the website in the near future, and will link this blog--making everything easier to access from one location.

As always, let me know how we're doing--Connie and I want to be your full service resource for your knitting needs!