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December 2012 Lorna's Limited Editon Newsletter
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| December's LLE color is inspired by the BBC/PBS series that has literally swept the US off their feet this past year: Downton Abbey. There are quite a number of Downton Abbey fans here at the shop, so we figured this would be the perfect time to introduce a Downton-inspired color - just before Season 3 kicks off on January 6th (on PBS, it's already aired in the UK). Those of us who are fans are waiting with bated breath to find out what's next in the compelling saga of Downton. |
The show centers around the Crawley family of which the patriarch is a British Lord and parallels storylines with the servants that work in their extravagant home, Downton Abbey. The drama of Season 2, which takes place during WW1, ends with a Christmas episode, which is where the inspiration for this color came from. The muted and refined palette of sage green, cranberry, pale turquoise, steely gray and dusty eggplant all pay homage to the late Edwardian period of fashion in England when Downton Abbey takes place, and is the perfect color to segue into the exciting third season! Even if you aren't a Downton Abbey fan, this color still embodies the spirit of the holidays and is the perfect addition to your LLE collection!
Downton Abbey fans will be pleased to hear that Kristen (our in-house designer and social media mistress) is planning a Mystery Knit-A-Long that will officially begin when the show starts on Jan 6th using a free pattern that she's designing using this lovely color! The KAL will use one hank of Lorna's Laces Sportmate. Be sure to check in on the JBW Blog on Monday, December 31st for details and the first set of instructions! Kristen and some of the JBW crew will be casting on while watching on Sunday evening, Jan 6th!
Christmas at Downton is available in all your favorite Lorna's yarns including:
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Jimmy's Dreamz $82.49 | As part of our Fit For a Feast, Knitter's Pride created a Limited Edition Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set. Featuring the same finely tapered tips of the Dreamz needles in US sizes 4 through 11 and multiple cord lengths, these solid, smooth wooden needle tips come in a timeless onyx color. These special sets (we're calling them "Jimmy's Dreamz"!) make wonderful gifts for beginner and seasoned knitters alike, and will be sure to get plenty of use. Only a small batch of these exquisite needles was made and once we run out, they'll be gone for good, so grab a set while you still can! |
The following kits are great gifts to give as projects to your fellow knitting friends, or as finished products to any appreciator of handmade gifts! Both Jenn and Rachel have tried making the Javori and Nelkin knitted jewelry and were thrilled with how quickly and easily these designs worked up - not to mention the gorgeous results! Slightly bigger projects such as the Noni 6-8-10 Bag kits, which can be purchased with or without yarn, include all the hardware you'll need for a truly one-of-a-kind evening bag. And don't forget to check out the Artyarns shawl kits, A Shawl For All Seasons and Every Which Way! These luxurious kits are packaged artfully in a decorative tin box and include all the yarn needed plus instructions both written and charted.
Without a doubt, one of the hottest items of 2012 has been the Original Denise2Go interchangeable knitting needle sets! These compact needle sets include the most popular needle sizes and cord lengths to make knitting on a whim easier than ever. Of course knitters can't have all the fun, so Denise has created a Denise2Go Crochet set for all you mobile crocheters out there! These amazing crochet sets come with six hooks US sizes H through M, four different cable lengths and two stoppers. Great for Tunisian crochet or just regular crochet, these nifty sets make it easy to crochet anywhere, any time! And just so nobody gets left out, Denise has also released empty Denise2Go Cases. Made specially for all of you out there with too many interchangeable knitting tips and cords already, you can still carry your favorite sizes around with you in this simple, stylish case!
Still looking for that "icing on the cake"? We've got plenty of special little somethings! As you know winter and wool can take a toll on your skin, and the gift of locally made Alsatian Knitter's Hands lotion bar tins or tubes is sure to be appreciated. Pampering yourself is of course important, but you've got to give your hand knits some lovin' too! Eucalan's single-serving no-rinse liquid soap sample packets are perfect to gift along with your hand knits to ensure they can be enjoyed for years to come. Of course you need something to wrap all that up in, why not a Jimmy Beans Wool Project Bag? These simple sacks are multifunctional doubling as fun gift wrap and a stylish, reusable project bag! |
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Creator of such staples as Baby Cashmerino (new colors are here!), it is no surprise that Debbie Bliss has released two fabulous new yarns for this winter. Our favorite here at the shop has to be Winter Garden. This thick, tweedy yarn is an unbelievably soft blend of merino, baby llama, linen and silk. The bulky weight Winter Garden knits up quickly on a US 13 needle and there is plenty of amazing pattern support in the Winter Garden book to get your creative juices flowing. Another new-yarn-soon-to-be-classic is Ms Bliss's Blue Faced Leicester wool. A timeless worsted weight wool, this simple yarn comes in a versatile rainbow of solid colors. Ideal for sophisticated knits, hats, ponchos and pullovers, Blue Faced Leicester (the accompanying pattern booklet) is brimming with stunning designs that will put your muse in overdrive.
Bacio is a heavy worsted multicolor acrylic and wool blend that works up into a gorgeous, jewel-like fabric. Another favorite from the trunk show was Summit, a light, colorful yarn that changes texture from silky shine to a soft matte finish. The drape of garments knit with this yarn is amazing!
Of course there is also a new ruffle yarn, Serpentine, which has plenty of texture and subtle color variation. Not your average ruffle yarn, the mohair, wool, alpaca and acrylic blend that is Serpentine makes for a super-cozy scarf, but also looks great as ruffled accents on cardigans, sweaters and coats. Check out the Ruffled Front Cardigan and you'll see what I mean! Another texture-tastic, though non-ruffle yarn, is Geisha. Geisha's construction is complex and unique, making it a great contrasting textural element when working with multiple yarns, as well as a one-of-a-kind medium for accessories such as hats and scarves. |
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Cricket Looms - 15" Weaving Width $169.00 | We have been anticipating the arrival of the Schacht Cricket Looms since the moment we ordered them - they are just so cool! I fell in love with all the neat projects and creations I've seen made up over the past year at trade shows using yarns we carry in the shop. If you are looking for other ways to take a chunk out of your stash, or hoping to learn a new skill in 2013, I highly recommend giving weaving a try! If you're not sure exactly where to start, take a peek at the book Simple Weaves to start building your base knowledge. |
The Schacht Cricket Looms are available with either a 10" or 15" weaving width and come with an 8-dent reed, threading hook, warping peg, table clamps, 2 shuttles, and two balls of yarn. If all you got out of that was "two balls of yarn", you aren't alone! Stay tuned as we'll be posting instructional videos and video reviews shortly to help you (and us!) expand our weaving vocabulary! If we are going to be learning about weaving, we figured we might as well learn about spinning, too - about time, right? The Schacht Ladybug Spinning Wheels are expertly crafted and ideal for beginner spinners. Easy to use and maintain, the Ladybug could very well become our next obsession. Again, please stay tuned for instructional videos and video reviews to come! For those who want to get started right away, The Intentional Spinner by Judith MacKenzie McCuin is a great place to begin. | Lady Bug Spinning Wheel $575.00 |
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| The ruffle craze is still going strong, so if you haven't had a chance to try one variation or another of this amazing yarn (or just want to grab some at a great price), check out the December Kit Of The Month -now 30% off! This featured kit uses just one ball of Katia Ondas, a fine-netted ruffle yarn that works up into voluptuous ruffles and can be knit OR crocheted! Ruffle scarves make unique gifts, and with all the color options available (both solid and print!), there are plenty of colors to satisfy a range of tastes and preferences. The pattern to make this stylish scarf is free and easy to customize -just cast on more or less stitches for a wider/shorter or thinner/longer scarf! |
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This holiday season, consider teaching your kids, grandkids, friends, or family members how to knit or crochet -it's the gift that keeps on giving! For kids especially, knitting or crocheting helps promote creativity and cultivates fine motor skills, which in turn has been linked to improved math and reading skills. Who knew sitting down with a ball of yarn could do all that for your brain?! If you need some help on ways to teach loved ones, you can check out our instructional videos on How To Knit ( English Style and Continental) and How To Crochet. Here are some great products to help you share the joy of yarn craft! Craft Kit $12.99 | Knitter's Pride knows knitting and crochet, and this fun, simple kit supplies you with everything you need to get started learning both! Each Craft Kit includes a set of US 7 straight acrylic knitting needles, a US G aluminum crochet hook, a small pair of scissors, measuring tape, tapestry needles and a birch knitting dolly. All you need is the yarn! We suggest a ball of Cascade 220 Superwash or Plymouth Encore Worsted. | Linos Single Point Needles $9.95 | Ideal for young soon-to-be knitting fiends, Addi Linos Circular and Straight needles are crafted especially for those with smaller hands. The circular needles feature shorter and different color tips for easy learning. The straight needle shafts feature a special coating to give them just a smidgen of friction that will keep stitches from sliding off unintentionally, without slowing down a new knitter's rhythm. |
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Lace Superwash - 247 Whales Road $12.50 | More Malabrigo Lace Superwash yarn is here! If you didn't see your favorite color(s!), check again, as it may have arrived in our most recent massive shipment. If you haven't yet had a chance to look at the Lace Superwash, let me tell you -it is gorgeous! A ridiculously soft superfine merino lace, it is hard to believe this yarn is 100% merino and machine washable to boot. Available in limited quantities and exclusive to Jimmy Beans, we now have 50 glorious colors in this sumptuously soft lace. |
Zephyr Cove Shawl $48.00 | Romi Hill's much anticipated second installment in her Shawl Series, Home Is Where The Heart Is, is now available! Zephyr Cove, named for the Washoe Valley winds that whistle through our neck of the woods, uses two complementary colors of SweetGeorgia's Tough Love Sock yarn to create a uniquely shaped stripy shawl. Several color combinations are available as kits, but don't think you need to stop there -the color combos are endless! |
Brett Bara Clever Crocheted Accessories $22.95 | Need some crochet gift inspiration? Look no further than Brett Bara's book, Clever Crocheted Accessories! With 25 amazing projects, it is hard to know where to begin. Hats, cowls, shawls, socks, mittens - the designs in this book are varied and stylish. Not to mention they use all types of yarn! Quick chunky cowls and lacy, delicate socks -this book seriously has it all. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned pro, there is something for everyone in Clever Crocheted Accessories! |
Karbonz Single Point Needles $11.95 | Nearly impossible to break, Knitter's Pride Karbonz needles are a sleek, lightweight option for knitters who prefer those smaller needle sizes. Made from light-bodied carbon fiber, which has a very high tensile strength, it takes more than being a tight knitter or an encounter with your puppy to put a dent in these needles, let alone break them. Available in US sizes 000 through 4 in Circulars, Double Points and Straights, these needles feature finely tapered brass tips that seam flawlessly to the carbon fiber shaft for quick, smooth, snag-free knitting. |
Ruched Scarf & Wrap $5.00 | The designers at Churchmouse have been busy, busy, busy this fall to bring us an amazing collection of new patterns to enjoy knitting and crocheting this winter! Of course there are plenty of wraps and cowls, such as the elegant Smoked Lace Wrap and Shrug, simple Crocheted Moebius, colorful Magic Three Yarn Scarf and Wrap, and cozy Inside Outside Cowl. But don't get overwhelmed by all the neck warmers! There are also plenty of other new designs such as the Cozy Boot Cuffs, Ferryboat Mitts and most importantly for those cold winter nights, a Hot Water Bottle Cozy! |
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We have so many wonderful yarns (and fabrics!) on sale, but here are just a few of our favorites...
Universal Yarns Classic Chunky: 50% Off! It doesn't get much better than $2.50 a ball. Classic Chunky, a versatile acrylic and wool blend from Universal yarns, comes in over 70 colors! This machine washable yarn knits up quickly on US needle sizes 9 through 11 making it ideal for last minute gifts and instant-gratification projects. Perfect for just about any project, consider Classic Chunky for head and hand warmers like the Knitting Pure and Simple Hat and Mitten Set, simple top down sweaters like this Men's Pullover, or blankets such as the Brooklyn Tweed Wool Leaves pattern! The coolest part about this yarn? We've filled our empty hot tub (yes, we have a hot tub) to the brim to create the most amazing yarn pit ever! Don't worry, orders will not be filled with yarn from the hot tub. :)
Namaste Closeouts: Starting at 43% Off! Stylish gifts at a great price! These first quality closeouts make great gifts for anyone - yarn-obsessed or yarn-oblivious. Leanne fell in love with the Hip Holster several months ago and highly recommends it as the perfect small purse to carry all your essentials. However, if we're talking knitting essentials, the Buddy Case and Mini Cozy are a good way to keep your notions and needles organized and close at hand. And don't forget the Wallets! Several of the gals here have at least one and love that you can fit everything - phone, cash, coffee punch cards - in this fabulous clutch.
Flannel and Fleece: flannel and fleece in some amazing and unique prints that are definitely worth curling up in! Some of the shop favorites include the Karavan Collection by Valori Wells, as well as her Bliss flannel prints and of course Brandon Mably's Rings Micro Fleece!
Regia Sock Yarn: 50% Off! Stock up on sock yarn! Fantastic self-striping and print sock yarns from Regia are here! Print styles such as Nautica, Concerto and Arabesque come in 100g balls (over 450yds!) which is plenty for a regular pair of adult socks! The 6 ply Tweed, which is a little thicker (DK weight) and comes in 150g balls, is perfect for those in search of a more understated yarn for socks or other garments. Looking for something lighter than sock yarn? Don't miss out on the Regia Lace! These gorgeous hand-dyed-esque colorways are stunning, and the silky wool/polyamide blend results in a beautifully soft fabric.
SMC Yarns: 50% Off! Wool usually reigns supreme during the winter, but for those who live in warmer climates, or are knitting/crocheting for someone with sensitive skin, we've got plenty of other options! In fact, all of the SMC yarn currently on sale contains 0% Wool! We love the silky smooth texture of Cotton Bamboo, a DK weight yarn available in Solid and Batik colorways. If you appreciate 100% organic cotton, SMC Down To Earth Cotton is definitely worth working with. Last but not least, Micro and |
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| For those of you who have fallen in love with this month's LLE colorway, Christmas At Downton, you can thank Gina May - she designed it! If you've ever given us a ring, there is a good chance you've had the pleasure of chatting with Gina May. There are a lot of J/G names here (Jeanne, Jenny, Jenn...), so Gina usually just goes by 'May' to keep things simple. A prolific knitter (I swear she finishes at least one project a week!), Gina enjoys talking to customers on the phone about anything and everything involving yarn. |
Her new favorite yarn is currently Wolf Creek Wool's Luscious (a sumptuous lace-weight yarn that lives up to its name) and Gina, like many of us, has fallen head over heels for the Kollage Stitch Red Double Point and Circular needles. The DPNs are great for hat and glove knitting!
When she isn't knitting, hiking, or hanging out with her husband up at Lake Tahoe, Gina is hitting the books. She is scheduled to graduate from UNR (University of Nevada, Reno) this coming May with her Bachelor's in Speech Pathology. Once she has graduated, she is hoping to get into the UNR Speech Pathology Master's Program, a highly competitive program that is ranked one of the best in the nation - we are sending positive vibes her way and keeping our fingers crossed she'll make it in!
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There are many ways to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Jimmy Beans Wool!
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Jimmy Beans Wool
4850 Joule St. Ste A1
Reno, NV 89502
Toll Free (877)JBW-KNIT (529-5648)
Phone (775)827-9276
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