Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Hippity Hoppity Adorable!

For the easiest and cutest stuffed animal ever, you can't beat the Knitted Bunny Pattern from HeartStrings FiberArts - a wonderful website for lace knitters.  Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer created this pattern and has a treasure of lace creations on her website.  Don't worry - the bunny is not lace - it's as easy as knitting a swatch because that is exactly what you are doing!  

Here is a bunny recently created by Paula, one of our fabulous customers,  for her niece - isn't she adorable?

Coming and ......



Going!

This same pattern was profiled in a previous post - it really is simple and can be made in any size you wish.  The pattern is free but Jackie ES does suggest a donation of $5.00 which is well worth it to keep her site active.  


Get Your 'ZEN' On!

Another new yarn has graced our shop with it's stunning beauty!  It is Zen Yarn Garden and comes in unbelievable colorways - many of them 'one-of-a-kind' (OOAK).  Watch this YouTube video to learn about the company, fibers and how the OOAK came to life!


If you are in the area, please come meet & greet our new treasures!  

The Best Easter Basket Ever!
Color, Color, Color!



Friday, March 8, 2013

Yarn of the Week and Newsletters

We've created a new tab for all of our Yarn of the Week announcements and Monthly Newsletters.  So  if you are interested in shop news and deals, please check the tab labeled Yarn of the Week and Newsletters!  Thank you!

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Yarn of the Week March 2 through 8

Everything you need to know about the Yarn of the Week and our special arrival:

YOTW March 2 to 8

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Introducing Our New Spring Arrival!

We are very excited to introduce the beautiful hand-dyed yarns from 'All for Love of Yarn'.  Lori's is the only retailer in California to carry this yarn. These beauties came all the way from Anoka, Minnesota.  

For those of you who love the shawl designs by Romi, we have the colorway combination that Romi of Designs by Romi chose for a new shawl design.  Read more about this exciting story on All for Love of Yarn's Blog.  

Romi's Color Combination of Opulence Coyote Trail and Dawn Pink


We have six different yarns and multiple colorways:
  
Opulence - Fingering 
80% Superwash Merino Wool 10% Cashmere 10% Nylon
378 Yards 
Knits to 7 - 9 stitches per inch
Coyote Trail, Dawn Pink, Cabernet, Amidst the Harvest, Smoldering Red

Sumptuosity - Fingering (Limited Edition)
70% Baby Alpaca 20% Silk 10% Cashmere 
440 Yards
Knits to 7-9 stitches per inch 
No names given for color but they are dreamy green and grey tones

Resplendence - Fingering
50% Superwash Merino Wool 50% Silk
378 Yards
Knits to 7-9 stitches per inch
Nickel, Rio Clay

Resplendence - DK
50% Falkland British Superwash Merino Wool 50% Silk
230 Yards
Knits to 5-6 stitches per inch
Sangria

Luminosity - Fingering
70% Superwash Merino 20% Bamboo (Rayon) 10% Nylon
460 Yards
Knits to 7-9 stitches per inch
No names given but it is a beautiful purple colorway

Sublimity
75% Superwash Merino Wool 15% Cashmere 10% Silk
400 Yards
Knits to 7-9 stitches per inch
Panache



To view the colorways and find out more about these beautiful yarns, you can explore All For Love of Yarn's website

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Yarn of the Week for 23 February to 1 March

A repeat of our last Yarn of the Week sale and some additional items - read all about it!  Yarn of the Week E-mail Flyer

Much Ado About Ruffles!

Ever wonder what to do with the fun & pretty ruffle yarns?  Some of us just can't carry off an entire ruffle scarf as can Janeva - our model in a Past Post
Here are a few ideas to incorporate James C. Brett Star Lites Ruffle Yarn into a Knitted scarf, a Crocheted scarf and a Frilly Baby Party Dress.  



Lori's Subtle Ruffle Scarf adapted from
Mystery of Marie Roger Scarf by Denise Dalton

Frilly Baby Party Dress adapted from
Baby Dress by Beverly Button
Pictured version HERE



Zig Zag Vanilla Sparkle Crocheted Scarf adapted from
Berry Compote Scarf by Lion Brand Yarn
Pictured Version HERE

Here are two short videos demonstrating how simple it is to crochet and knit with Star Lites
If you are interested in any of these projects or seeing a real life demonstration of either technique - please ask when you are at the shop.  We are here to help you!


Friday, February 15, 2013

Yarn of the Week for 16 - 22 February

Here is the latest flyer for our Yarn of the Week at Lori's.  We are thinking spring colors this week!

Yarn of the Week Flyer

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Afternoon Delight Event

We had a wonderful turn out for our 'Afternoon Delight' event.  People snapped up the savings on Red, White and Pink yarns.  Everyone who attended 'The Love Triangle' shawl class got a great start on their project and from what I could see the finished products will be beautiful.

Check out this Smilebox Photo Creation of the event.  It takes a few moments to load but worth it!

We are in the planning stages for another event so stay tuned by signing up for e-mail notifications of new postings or become a follower of this blog.  Either option is available on the right side of the page.  

Have a great day and don't forget your fiber!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Cascade Sport and Superwash Sport Yarn of the Week!

Read about this week's Yarn of the Week and our special Valentine's event today - Afternoon Delight!  

Here is the link.....

Have a great day!


These cute gems are crafted using the pattern 'Felted Heart Milagos' by Mags Kandis  from her book 'Gifted - Lovely Little Things to Knit and Crochet'.  A free version is found at Knitting Daily
Embellishments assisted by wonderful embroidery tutorials from Mary Corbet's Needle'nThread

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Another Month of Sundays

The Valentine's Cloth is complete and now it is on to March's selection from KrisKnits.  I plan to knit up several large cloths and smaller cloths.  Lovely patterns and easy too!



As each month progresses, I will be updating this post.  So stay tuned!

Anyone interested in knitting these cloths is welcome to stop by Sunday afternoon at the shop and get started!

Shamrock Cloth Progress
The Shamrocks are starting to magically appear!
Shamrock complete despite some Leprechaun Mischief!
Another Kris Knits charmed pattern!
Now it's on to an Easter themed cloth!


A beautiful lace egg washcloth pattern by Obsidian Kitten
Oh such Hippity, Hoppity Fun!  Enjoyed this lacy knit so much I've made two in short order.  There is plenty of yarn left to make a set of four. Learned some interesting new stitches - a 4 stitch decrease, a 3 stitch cluster and a new way to knit an M1 (make one - a 1 stitch increase).  



After completing this set, it will be on to April's selection in a nod to Arbor Day -  Twining Trees by Sarah Bradberry.  Cables will be the lesson here. As soon as I select the yarn, I will post a picture of the start.

The Easter Set is complete so there was still time to make some more Shamrocks!  I used KrisKnits St. Patrick's Day pattern in the smaller cloth size and they make excellent coasters.  A very quick knit and I should have a set of four ready to use on the big green day!




Enjoyed a wonderful St. Patty's Feast of Corned Beef Brisket and the fixings and still had time to start one last cloth for March.  I chose a spring theme - a butterfly floating over a field of lacy eyelet.  This pattern is by Rachel van Schie and this and other lovely patterns can be found HERE.  You can just see my butterfly starting to take flight - she should be ready to set free at the end of the next 'therapy' session!


My completed Butterfly took flight in the garden!


I will be continuing this monthly series but not on this blog.  You can follow my Month of Sundays on Lori's Frames, Fibers & Frills Forum under the discussion thread titled 'A Month of Sundays (Wash Cloth Therapy).

Monday, February 4, 2013

Too Much Yarn?


Thoughts on Yarn and Life by Siouxsi



I often hear knitters say things like, “The last thing I need is more yarn, right?” and “oh, I have way too much yarn right now… I really shouldn’t buy anymore until I have used up what I have.”
To be frank, I’ve never been able to fathom such thoughts. In that instance, if you substitute the word ‘yarn’ for ‘canned foods’ I could see the sense in it. However, I don’t look at yarn as a disposable consumable on a weekly grocery list. Rather, it is a medium between our soul and our creativity.
Take for example, Mr. Vincent Van Gough. Imagine walking into his studio. Do you think you would find ONE paint brush, ONE set of paints, ONE canvas, and ONE easel? No….. his studio would have been brimming with canvases containing both finished and unfinished works alike. Dozens of paint brushes and other utensils; paints galore in all the shades he could get his hands on, and any other object of beauty that would have given him much needed inspiration.
THAT, my fellow fiber artists, is how I look at yarn, patterns, and notions. Knitting is a journey; a process, and every now and then, we actually complete a project that takes our breath away. I used to feel guilty about all the UFOs (unfinished objects) I had. However, I have rid myself of that negative line of thinking and now choose to look at them as works of inspiration. I remember the excitement I felt when I purchased a particular pattern and the yarn to go with it. How awesome it was to cast on those first few rows on a brand new set of needles, freshly out of their plastic package…. And even the questions and comments from knitting friends who might ask what I am working on; where did I get the pattern; what kind of yarn am I using, and maybe they will make one also.
Some knitters refer to this phenomenon as ‘starter-itis’… people who get excited about starting a project but never finish it. While I can admit that this condition exists, I don’t see a problem with it. Periodically, I will go back to my UFOs and decide whether or not I will one day finish them, or, if I have lost interest completely, I will ‘frog’ the yarn (unravel what I have already knitted) and either use the yarn for something else, put it to the side for a future project, or donate the yarn to a friend or charity. I fail to the see the harm in any of this.
Another way I look at yarn is how I look at fashion trends. Each year, new designers come out with beautiful creations. Each year we buy clothes. Some pieces change each year and are simply out of style within a season or two (kind of like the whole Fun Fur thing), while other pieces remain timeless classics (like a beautiful Aran sweater). I don’t know about you, but every now and then, I will go through my closet and weed out clothes that no longer fit; I no longer want; or ‘what was I thinking when I bought that?’ and I donate them all. Does this mean that I stop buying new clothes? Not at all. This same process is used with my yarn. 
Finally, I want to touch on the subject of ‘guilt’ when it comes to buying yarn. As women, we have been groomed over the centuries to feel guilty about just about everything; wanting to be considered equals; voting rights; wanting to work; choosing not to marry and/or have children; and even the remote possibility that we may actually enjoy and initiate sex, outside of procreating. (Yes, I went there….) We chide ourselves about not being skinny enough; pretty enough; young enough; smart enough; not as good a parent as so –and-so’s mother; or … we eat too much; drink too much; weigh too much; work too much, and the list goes on.
I have spent a lifetime feeling guilty over just about everything on that list, and I have even engaged in far worse ‘addictions’ than knitting and buying yarn. For the remainder of this oh so short journey I have left here on earth, I refuse to apologize for my yarn ‘collection’. I make no apologies when it comes to admiring and coveting the beautiful works of other knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners. And I definitely make no apologies for the amounts of yarn, fabric, roving, needles, books, and patterns, I have acquired over the years.
I may have made messes in my life as far as certain relationships, career decisions, and even raising kids, are all concerned…. (one can only live, learn, and move on). But as far as my love for and my relationship with, all things fiber is concerned… there are no mistakes; no regrets; and definitely no apologies. There is only the freedom to create; the desire to commune with other fiber artists, and the overwhelming consumption of every ‘fiber’ (pardon the pun) of my being to be a part of such an amazingly creative and gifted community.



A Month of Sundays

One month into the New Year I’ve finally decided on a knitting resolution for this year -  knit up at least one themed washcloth a month knitting at Lori’s on Sunday from 2 PM to 4 PM.  So in a month of Sundays, one washcloth is certainly plausible.  I find this kind of knit very relaxing and I love to watch the pattern develop so quickly plus there are so many cute and fun FREE patterns available.  

Kristen Knits is a site I found through Ravelry that is extremely creative.  She offers free patterns and sells some wonderful assortments of cloth set patterns at very reasonable prices.   I will be knitting several of her designs including a mystery Halloween cloth.

Here is my Month of Sundays Schedule and the completed projects pictured which illustrates that anybody can do this!

February: A KrisKnits Valentine Surpise Cloth 



March St. Patrick’s Day (a KrisKnits shamrock pattern) Washcloth & Coaster


KrisKnits Small Shamrock Cloth/Coaster
'Coasting' until the Big Day!

March Easter (a lacy creation by ObsidianKitten)



March Bonus Pattern: Lacy Butterfly Dishcloth by Rachel van Schie 
Butterfly beginning to take flight!

April Arbor Day (a beautiful twining tree pattern)
May (A Field of Flowers KrisKnits Cloth)
June (A Father’s Day KrisKnits)
July 4 (A patriotic knit not yet selected)
August (A Dog Days of Summer Dog Day Print Cloth)
September (An Autumn Equinox Moon & Star Illusion Cloth)
October (KrisKnits Mystery Cloth)
November (Happy Turkey Day Cloth)
December  (A KrisKnits selection)

I welcome company and will keep you posted on each cloth -

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Ellen

Saturday, February 2, 2013

February Newsletter & Yarn of the Week

The Latest Yarn of the Week Announcement and our February Newsletter!  Be sure and read about 'The Love Triangle' shawlette class in the newsletter.

Yarn of the Week

February Newsletter




Wednesday, January 30, 2013

DIY Valentine's Card

The time to exchange Valentine's Cards is almost here!  For those intrepid do-it-yourselfers, I found a cute pattern on Ravelry that provides the card template and a quick to knit up heart.  All I needed was my trusty printer, card stock, scraps of fingering weight yarn, googly eyes & glue.  

For the pattern template and instructions in PDF format follow this Ravelry Link (you must have a Ravelry account but that is super easy - it is free to sign up!)   

Click HERE to view details of my card on Ravelry
I love to play on my computer and am contemplating changing up the greeting to several possibilities: 'I Appreciate You this Much' or 'Come get a hug - my arms are ready!' or 'Thanks this much!' or 'I'm so proud of you - I could just HUG you!'  This little guy is too cute to limit him to one special day!  Remember to just have fun!

Ellen

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Swans Island Shop Samples!

Since we last posted  about our beautiful newcomer to the shop - Swans Island Yarn - two shop samples have been completed.  If you are wondering how lovely the Swans Island yarns knit up, you need to come see the shop samples on display.  Lori completed the Anna Cowl in Beetroot.  Jeanne completed the April Mitts in Winterberry.  Both patterns are available for purchase.





Saturday, January 26, 2013

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Another DIY Project Idea

Just saw this on another blog and had to share with you - a double pointed needle project holder that you can make yourself from elastic and pencil toppers.  
Cute, Practical, Easy - Who could ask for more?

Friday, January 18, 2013

Yarn of the Week Sale

Another week has passed and that means another yarn is featured for this weekend through next Friday!  We have chosen all James C. Brett yarns in the store for a 20% discount.  Here is the excerpt from our e-mail flyer listing all the yarns available and color codes.  Click HERE to access the flyer and you will have all the links describing the yarns and view the colors available.  

We hope to see you in the shop!  Remember that you are always welcome to sit a while and knit or crochet on any project.  The weather should be nice enough to sit outside on the patio!


Thursday, January 17, 2013

Swans Island Yarn

Lori's has a small selection of the beautiful organic hand-dyed worsted weight Swans Island Yarn.  You can read the Swans Island Yarn story here.  The yarn is absolutely gorgeous especially my personal favorite: Beetroot - a purple tonal yarn.  Four patterns from Swans Island are available as well and three of them only require one skein.  A quick look on Ravelry revealed so many positive remarks about knitting with this yarn.  So drop on by to see and touch for yourself!