Hooks & Needles Yarn Shop

SUMMER SALE 25% OFF SUMMER SALE

2008-07-08T08:09:00.001-07:00

We are having a SUMMER SALE. Everything is 25% off. Come in early to get the best selection. Sale begins on Thursday July 10th @ 10:00am. I'm not sure when it will end, so come in soon!!!

We have a great selection of Mazy, from Crystal Palace. Mazy is made of corn fiber and knits great socks, baby clothes and lots of things you need fingering weight yarn for.

Our Tofusitie selection is off the hook!! Summer is a great time to knit socks and other small light projects!

Not to mention the fabulous selection of Cascade 220 for your felting projects and Superwash for Afghans, baby - kids sweaters and much much more.

Come by soon while the supply is HUGE!

My Web Page is UP!!!

2008-05-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

Finally!!! Well it takes a 13 year old to do what a grown up can't. I am so excited to finally have my www.hooksandneedles.com domain published. I registered that name almost 3 years ago and it's up. One of the girls that comes in to my Wednesday kids group is a computer geek (she doesn't want to admit it but lets face it - she's great) and she doesn't like to knit as much as she likes to work on the computer, so I am making her a mobius shawl, now all she has to do is pick the yarn!!!

Kristy's Quest

2008-05-08T09:27:00.000-07:00

I am so honored to be a friend of Kristy's and be her LYS TOO!!! This quest of hers is so great, last night at Girls Night Out 'GNO' we took pictures of 20 hats, a couple still on the needles, that she has knit or collected so far. I'm sure she will meet her goal before she expects! The enthusiasm and support is really contagious.

As her 'Official' (I love that word) Yarn Store for her Quest, I am delighted to offer free shipping of yarn and needles for her hats. I am easily persuaded too, so if you need anything else to add to your stash or tool supply, I will pay the shipping for that as well! If you are local, I am offering a 10% discount. I'm not too familiar with shipping internationally, so that may be different. But what better time than now to get my feet wet!!

Please call or email me with any questions about in-stock colors, etc. I also can't wait for the contest rules. I love to win prizes, so giving one or two or more is going to be great fun!!!

More Superwash for the Great American Afghan

2008-03-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

Look at this pile of YARN!!! I am so excited, I got a bunch of onesies and twosies in a bunch of different colors. The Great American Afghan squares are going along great and now we have lots more colors to plan your project.

Look at all the greens and blues. There are browns, rusts and even some new greys.

I've finished some projects! Finally

2008-03-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

Well I've had a busy knitting weekend, and boy am I proud. I wove in the ends of a double knit pot holder (big deal) and got 2 Fair Isle hats finished, one was from Julies class last week and the other is a smaller version of our felt Easter Basket. The class is 3/11 and 3/18. I even knit a black and blue Hedge Hog for my son Brad. He saw the pink one Melissa just finished and had to have a boy version ASAP. I'm going to try to catch up on my February, Great American Afghan block, (#1 Socks) I think I'm the only one in the shop that hasn't finished yet. Then I've got to get #2 started, I'm not setting a very good example :) Hope to see you soon, Kaylee

Defeat the Winter Doldrums Dishcloth Swap Package!

2008-03-08T14:39:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when I walked into the yarn shop on Tuesday to find the swap package for Anita and I!!!

Criquette spoiled us SO much!!!

Here are some of the goodies she included in our package:

O my Gosh!!! Look at all of these packages!!!!!! All of the pink ones were for me and the purple ones for Anita. It was just like Christmas, even my little brother Matthew wanted to help unwrap the packages!

Here are our washcloths, mine is on the left and Anita's is on the right.

Here are Anita and I with all of our goodies, we got note pads for the fridge, crystal light drink packets, 2 balls each of Sugar and Cream cotton for clothes for us to make, Anita got sugar free candy and I got Hershey's - a hometown favorite. We also got travel size hand lotion and body wash. We really had a great partner.

Thanks again Criquette!!!!

Fair Isle Fun

2008-03-01T16:26:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you know how much fun we are having in Julie's classes. Last Tuesday, we started the Fair Isle hat. We had quite a crowd. I can't remember how many started on Tuesday for sure but I do know there was Irene, Lynn, Suzy, Robin (even though Kaylee didn't have time to help her cheat on her homework LOL) Anita, Kaylee, me ... I have a feeling I may have missed a couple but I am not sure. Here are some pictures of how we were doing by Wednesday night. Here is Suzy's hat:

Irene's hat (after pulling it out and starting over. Gotta love that gauge stuff).

Here is Anita working on her hat:

Here too is Deb's hat. I have about one inch left to knit before decreasing as of lunchtime Friday.

Lest you think that hats were all that was happening on Wednesday, here we have Linda and Judy working on jackets

while Kaylee, Suzy, Julie,Jean and Rose have serious and not so serious conversation!

Last, but definitely not least, Irene, Lynn, Loretta and Denise (great picture of her back, don't you think?)

As you can see, we have a great time both in class and at Girls Night Out. Come on down and join us!

New Calendar for March

2008-03-01T14:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I've gone back to the tried and true way of a calendar for our monthly classes and projects. Here is what we have planned:

Every Tuesday at 11:00 we are working on the Great American Afghan, March is block #2. Block #1 was great fun, we are just 'tinking' along. Julie Thompson offers her classes from 4-6pm (see below for a list of projects) Kaylee repeats her classes on Friday mornings at 11am. The fee is $25.00 per project. You are welcome to come in anytime for help between classes.

Wednesdays are when we have our Groups. From 11-12 we have a group of Seniors that are refreshing their skills. At 3:30 the young kids come in, our beginners work (talk) from 3:30 to 4:30 and the Advanced kids knit from 4:30 to 5:30. The fee is $10.00 for 4 one hour sessions. And in the evening, from 7-9 we have Girls Night Out, bring a project and join the fun. There is no charge it's just fun to share stories and laugh.

Thursdays Kaylee is offering a Technique of the Week. The fee is $10.00 for 30 minutes of instruction. These lessons are on a drop-in basis, so no appointment is necessary. Some lessons have homework, homework should be done with worsted weight yarn on size #8 needles, so please check below for more information.

3/1 & 3/8 Linda Casey will teach Crochet Socks from 10-12 and Knit Socks from 1-4. She requires a minimum of 4 students to hold her class, so please sign up 1 week in advance. $25.00 per project, plus pattern and materials.

3/4 4:00-6:00 Julie Thompson will do class #2 of the Fair Isle hat. We had a great time last week and it will be fun to see how everyone is doing.

3/6 Picking Up Dropped Stitches - Homework 20x20 swatch and crochet hook.

3/11 & 18 Fair Isle Felt Easter Basket.

3/13 Kitchner Stitch - 2 swatches, different colors, 20 sts X 10 rows, darning needle

3/15 Knit Pattern Reading 2-4 $15.00 What do those letters mean??

3/20 Basic Cables - Cast on 28 sts, knit 5 rows, cable needle

3/22 - 24 Closed for Easter

3/25 & 4/1 Entrelac Head Band

3/27 Toe Up Cast On - 2 #6 circular needles and Worsted yarn

3/29 2-4 Mini Bird Houses - Fiber Trends pattern $25.00 project fee, plus materials

Thank you again for your interest in our shop. It is a great pleasure to work with our current friends and if we haven't met yet, come on in! TTFN (Ta Ta For Now - Tigger says that)

Stitches West was a blast!

2008-02-26T09:19:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone who wanted to got a chance to make it over to Stitches. It was amazing, as usual. Don't forget to bring your goodies on Wednesday night to show everyone what you came home with. I seem to have an overabundance of sock yarn even though I keep saying I don't knit socks! I do know that two of the skeins are going to make a lovely pair of fair isle wristwarmers. One of those two has 350 yards on it and I only need 175 yards for the wristwarmers so maybe I will make some anklets. Then there is the 1100 yards of fingering weight cotton, and the Mountain Colors sock yarn I got at the banquet and ... Oh well, it's all pretty and I didn't go completely bankrupt so that's a plus. The next Stitches West is the last weekend of February next year so write it down now. There, no excuses! It's already in your appointment book so you know not to make any other commitments on those dates. See you Wednesday night at GNO. I'll be the one lugging in two bags instead of my usual one.

New Extended Hours - YES!!!

2008-02-14T12:31:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to report that I will be here in the shop full time now! I love it here and I love the friends I've made and now I get to be here all the time!

Everyone has been asking about a new calendar of classes, and I am changing the format a little. Instead of a calendar I will put out a monthly newsletter that will highlight our projects, etc. This is a rough outline of what we will be doing:

Tuesdays:

11:00 to 12:30 We are doing a Knit-A-Long (from now on, I will lovingly refer to it as a TINK-a-long) of the Great American Afghan, XRX Books. The 25 block patterns have been redone in Cascade 220 yarns. We are going in order as they are presented in the book, so February is #1, March #2 and so on. At this rate, it will take 2 years - I love it!!! But of course, members can knit at their own pace, in the colors they chose doing the blocks they want.

4:00 - 6:00 Julie Thompson will teach class. $25 per project + materials
2/12 & 2/19 Double Knit - Heart of Hearts Pot Holder.
2/26 & 3/4 Faire Isle Hat
3/11 & 3/18 Double Knit - Four Leaf Clover

Wednesdays:

11:00 - 12:00 Beginning Knitting for Adults, $10 for 4 sessions
3:30 - 4:30 Kids Club, Beginner childrens class, $10 for 4 sessions
4:30 - 5:30 Kids Club, Advanced Knitters, $10 for 4 sessions
7:00 - 9:00 Girls Night Out, Bring a project and "Come In and Unwind"

Thursdays:

Kaylee will teach a technique of the week through out the day. $10.00 for a 30 minute class.

Fridays:

11:00 - 1:00 Kaylee will repeat Julies Tuesday class of the week!

Saturdays:

3/1 & 3/8 from 10 - 12 Linda Casey will teach Crochet Socks
3/1 & 3/8 from 1 - 4 Linda will teach Knit Socks

Please sign up and prepay for all classes and get a materials list and homework assignment if necessary.

Private Lessons and/or dropping in for help is welcome when we don't have a class scheduled. The first 5 minutes of help are free, then the fee is $10 for up to 30 minutes.

Also this month, we will be closed on Friday and Saturday 2/22 and 2/23 so we can attend Stitches West. See you there !
Thank you so much for reading all of this, I hope to meet you in the shop soon. TTFN

Christmas Gifts

2008-01-30T16:58:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year I gave a several of gifts to my family.

The first one, was a pair of socks for my grandpa. They were my second pair of socks and they gave me a little bit of trouble, but they turned out great!

My grandpa loved them and he wears them a lot!

The second one, was a felted hat for my grandma. It was very fun and I knitted it up very quickly!

She was so surprised and she loved it.

Everybody was thrilled and really appreciated my hard work.

Panda Silk Contest

2008-01-19T17:07:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I've been blogging (I know, finally) and I saw that Straw.com the web page for Crystal Palace Yarn is having a contest on their Socks and More Blog to win some Panda Silk. Please go to their web site and log in to their blog and post a comment and you are entered. Too easy to pass up. Here is the link to the Crystal Palace Yarn site. We will have Panda Silk in the shop soon but this is a chance for a sneak preview.

Also, the new Knitting Calendar (in the box) has tons of patterns using Crystal Palace Yarns. I am planning on selecting at least one a month for a class or a knit-a-long depending on the size of the project.

Dishcloth? Facecloth? Dishrag?

2008-01-18T16:40:00.000-08:00

Does it really matter?

I call it a washcloth, it washes everything! I think that a facecloth is specifically for your face and a dishcloth/dishrag is for dishes and they are more heavy duty.

Though, I can see how people can get upset when others call their work a dishrag when you put all of the work into it.

Dishcloth Gift Exchange

2008-01-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

Anita and I have entered a Dishcloth gift exchange and here is our questionnaire:

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? Knit

2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths?Bamboo and Wood

3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Is there any that you've been wanting to try? Cascade, Sierra, Cotton Chenille and want to try Sugar and Cream

4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)? Bathroom- white and blue But I like pink!

5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? Least favorite? Favorite Pink and purple Least Fav. Green and Yellow

6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends? Love Winter but really love Spring!

7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps? Spend Time with my husband and or friends and a GOOD CUP OF COFFEE! Also, ofcourse knitting and reading!

8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when your down in the dumps? A good strong cup of coffee w/ a little whip cream on top. Love hot chocolate with whip cream.--- Please no sweet coffee!

9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa? Coffee and Tea and Hot Chocolate

10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do? I'd go see the Grand Canyon or maybe Hawaii or take a cruise to Alaska. Also go on a trip to Europe!

11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of? Anita is Diabetic.

I don't want to make a hat for my big brother, but

2008-01-15T16:49:00.000-08:00

Hi I'm Melissa, and I am a regular here at Hooks and Needles. I first came into the shop in May '07 with my Girl Scout Troop. I hardly knew how to knit or purl and Kaylee taught my troop how to make a washcloth. Since then, I have made a varaity of projects, including: 2 pairs of socks, a hedgehog, a ton of hats, and many other things.

Getting back to my brother, he is a soldier in the Army, and at Christmas he asked for a bright red hat with a big pom pom on top. I used the Stitch n' Bitch Nation Basic Cable Hat pattern with Cascade 220 and he loved it. Now, he wants me to make him two more.

So I've got to get to knitting, more later!

GNO

2008-01-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

It was a quiet time last night at GNO. Notice I said GNO, not Girls Night Out. That's cuz we had a guy! Ken and his wife Laura started knitting just last Saturday. He is knitting a hat for her and she is knitting a scarf for him. Isn't that romantic? We should have taken pictures. Not only were Ken and Laura going great guns, Sarah was putting together a gorgeous sweater she made from Knit One, Julie and I were both working on Jeanie from Knitty.com and there were several others working on new projects. Oh, and the quiet, that's cuz we were actually knitting!

Janurary's Calendar

2007-12-14T00:21:00.000-08:00

Janurary's calendar is ready but could possibly be subject to change. Just keep checkin it. ;)

Jan. 1~Closed! Happy New Year!
Jan. 2~Kids Klub Beginners 3:30-4:30
Advanced Kids 5:00
Girls Night Out 7-9
Jan. 4~Felt-o-rama *$5 a tub
Jan. 5~Fix-It 2:00 * Homework: Knit swatch 30 sts X 20 rows
Jan. 6 & 7~ Closed
Jan. 8~Irish Hiking Scarf 5:00-6:00
Jan. 9~Kids Klub Beginners 3:30-4:30
Advanced Kids 5:00
Girls Night Out 7-9
Jan. 10~Toe Up Socks Class #1 5:00-6:00
Jan. 11~Teddy Bear 4:00-6:00
Jan. 12~Basic Crochet 10A-12P
Reversible Cables 1:00-4:00
Jan. 13 & 14~ Closed
Jan. 15~ Valentine Scarf 4:00-6:00
Jan. 16~ Kids Klub Beginners 3:30-4:30
Advanced Kids 5:00
Girls Night Out 7-9
Jan. 17~ Baby Cardigan Class 1 5:00-6:00
Jan. 18~Socks on 2 Circular Needles 4:00-6:00
Jan. 19~Basic Crochet 10:00-12:00
Reversible Coats 1:00-4:00
Jan. 20 & 21~ Closed
Jan. 22~ Wrist Warmers 5:00-6:00
Jan. 23~ Kids Klub Beginners 3:30-4:30
Advanced Kids 5:00
Girls Night Out 7-9
Jan. 24~ Toe Up Socks Class #2 5:00-6:00
Jan. 25~ Mini Bird Houses 4:00-6:00
Jan. 26~ Knitting with Beads 3:00-5:00
Jan. 27 & 28~ Closed
Jan. 30~ Kids Klub Beginners 3:30-4:30
Advanced Kids 5:00
Girls Night Out 7-9
Jan. 31~ Baby Cardigan Class 2 5:00-6:00

All Classes are $10 an hour plus materials.

Please call to make sure the calendar has not been changed before you come.

Don't forget to check out the rest of December's classes below, and check out our wonderful teacher Linda Casey's upcoming classes!

Linda Casey's Classes

2007-12-13T23:50:00.000-08:00

Linda Casey is quite a fixture in our shop. She's taught many classes and she's been coming to GNO (Girls Night Out) forever. She's teaching a couple classes in the next few months in our store.
*Some classes are going to be on the same days as others*

Basic Crochet Class from 10a- 12p
Dates:
1-12-2008, 1-19-2008, 2-2-2008, 2-9-2008

Reversible Cables from 1p- 4p
1-12-2008

Reversible Coat from 1p-3p
1-19-2008

Crochet Vest from 1p-4p
2-2-2008, 2-9-2008

Crochet Socks from 10a-12p
3-1-2008, 3-8-2008

Knit Socks from 1p-4p
3-1-2008, 3-8-2008

Don't forget all classes are $10/hour plus materials

December's Calendar

2007-12-11T13:44:00.001-08:00

Come join us for our wonderful classes. There's on almost everyday. Also don't forget about our Girls Night Out on Wednesdays from 7-9. Check out all of our classes

Remember: All classes are $10 per hour plus materials

Date, Class, and Time

Dec. 1 Linda Casey Crochet Hat 11-1
Dec. 2-3 Closed
Dec. 4 Mini Sweater 4-6
Dec. 5 Kids Klub Beginners 3:30-4:30
Advanced Kids 5:00
Girls Night Out 7-9
Dec 6 Beginners Washcloth 5-6
Dec. 7 Hedge Hog 4-6
Dec. 8 Felt-o-rama *$5 a tub
Dec. 9-10 Closed
Dec. 11 Rolled Brim Hat 5-6
Dec. 12 Kids Klub Beginners 3:30-4:30
Advanced Kids 5:00
Girls Night Out 7-9
Dec. 13 Drop Stictch Scarf 4-5
Dec. 14 Mini Bird Houses 4-6
Dec. 15 Socks on 2 Circular 2-4
Needles
Dec. 16-17 Closed
Dec. 18 Fiber Trends Mini Oranments 4-6
Dec. 19 Kids Klub Beginners 3:30-4:30
Advanced Kids 5:00
Girls Night Out 7-9
Dec. 20 Broken Rib Scarf 5-6
Dec. 21 Mini Sweater 4-6
Dec. 22 Felt-o-rama *$5 a tub
Dec. 23 Closed
Dec. 24-25 Closed :)Merry Christmas!!!:)
Dec. 26 Closed
Dec. 28 Fix it 4 pm *Homework: Knit Swatch 30sts x 20rows
Dec. 29 Kool-Aid Yarn Dying 2 pm *$10 + Materials
Dec. 30-31 Closed

Don't forget to check out Janurary's calendar.

Happy Birthday to Kaylee!

2007-12-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

Kaylee's birthday was today! She had a gaggle of kids in the shop this afternoon for the Kids Klub. Look two cakes!

Later on tonight for the Girls Night out we had MORE cake and more partying. Note: The champagne on the table. OH YEAH! The little blondie on the right is Kaylee's son Brad.

Ellie's Scarf

2007-12-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

One of our people we knit with on our Girls Night Out left to San Diego for a new job so we made her a scarf and I think she liked it.

I've been here all along, honest!

2007-11-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

I've been so thrilled with the lace mystery knitalongs and the anticipation of the new clues each week that I have been knittin' and cussin' and not blogging. That is about to change, at least the not blogging part. As you may have read on ravelry or on Deb's blog, we are having a contest for the Secret of the Stole KAL. For every 25 rows completed on the stole, the participants get a raffle ticket. On December 5, we will draw for a $50 gift certificate for the shop! You don't even have to be finished the stole in order to get in the drawing, you get tickets for as much progress as you have made. I am knitting too and am currently at the end of row 117(again). Here's the picture to prove it.

Here's another shot, showing a closeup of the motif with the beads. What do you think it is? It kinda looks like a crab to me and since DK is the Nautical Knitter ....

We have more fun stuff planned for the shop and will let you know more as things develop. In the meantime, please drop by on Wednesday Nights for Girls Night Out. We have more fun than probably should be allowed and sometimes we even manage to knit a row or two.

We're back!!!!

2007-08-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Knitters and Crocheters!!! We are back from our week off. We missed you all and hope to see you soon. Hooks & Needles has been moved around a bit, including a new 'class sign up wall'. See you all very soon!!! :)

--Rachel

2007-06-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hi I'm Rachel, I work at Hooks & Needles yarn shop on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I 'm 17 and started knitting two years ago when Kaylee had her knitting group at my parents Ice Cream shop in Knights Ferry. I love to knit and am learning new stitches; so I can help you fix mistakes and what not. Hope to see you soon!

--Rachel

Hi !! I'm Anita

2007-06-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

I work at Hooks & Needles Yarn Shop!!!! We have a great shop, with loads of yarn. AND, we have girls night out. So come and have fun with us on Wednesday nights from 7-9 pm. Sometimes we get serenaded by a rock and roll band. We have a blast.

Now Aboard the World Wide Web

2007-06-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

What's better than a blog to hold my place on the internet until we get the website going?