In this issue:
- We're going to Hollywood!!
- Limited Edition Sock Yarn - Cherries Jubilee
- Monthly Pattern Contest - July's Winner
- August Kit of the Month: Grayson E Sunset Boulevard Purse Kit
- The Organic Corner
- Just Arrived :: Jo Sharp, Southwest Trading Company and Ilga Leja Designs!
- August - Cashsoft DK 40% Off!
Click on any highlighted text to view the item in our online store!
Watch Out Hollywood, Here We Come!!
If you've noticed that we're all going crazy lately, it's because we are! After our article in last month's Fortune Small Business and our recent participation in Stitches Midwest, we've had little time to do much other than work. We literally got back from Chicago (and Stitches Midwest) last Tuesday morning at 1am, then woke up at 7 to go back to work. My little brother (he's going to be a senior in high school) arrived from Austin 36 hours later and I immediately had to put him to work - sorry Sam! Sam worked all day friday and saturday, unpacking and pricing the new Jo Sharp and Rowan yarns that had arrived. On Monday, our return shipment (including the new SouthWest Trading Company stuff) from Stitches arrived - 3 pallets of yarn and needles. Let's just say it was quite exciting!
So what does that have to do with Hollywood, you ask? Not much, I guess, other than the fact that i'm rambling... :) On Tuesday, after we had returned from Chicago, the owner of Madison and Mullholland called up and said that she had read our article in FSB (actually, her husband had read it first and then forwarded it over to her). She told me that she's a huge knitter and loved the article and our website. She also said that she was responsible for putting together the 'Ultimate TV Nominee SwagSuite celebrating the 2007 TV award season' and that she'd like us to participate!! (Now, this event is not officially affiliated with the Emmys (apparently none of the swagsuites can, due to tax and legal issues), but it is being held for 3 days prior to the awards.) Um, YES!! It took us about 30 seconds to agree to go - and to provide Hollywood celebrities with knitting gift bags. So, in honor of the upcoming tv awards, we're creating a go green knitting event, inviting celebrities to learn how to knit - and to grab one of our 2 Organic Gift Bags!! The event is being held in mid-September, so we'll be sure to share all of our photos with you in the next newsletter... wish us luck!
Organic Dishcloths
Knit these dishcloths and use them in the kitchen instead of paper towels! The idea is that you make 7 different cloths - one for each day - and that you just throw them in the wash at the end of the day. This project is perfect for beginners and would make a great gift for someone.
Organic Market Bag
We're using the new Nashua organic wool to make a felted market bag - a bag that the celebs can knit and then felt - and then can take to the grocery store (instead of using plastic grocery bags). Again, we're using organic fibers to create something reusable.
Contents of the bag will also include:
Limited Edition Lornas Laces Sock Yarn - Cherries Jubilee
The September color is almost here!! For September 2007, we came up with the color Cherries Jubilee.
With summer coming to an end, we find ourselves already missing those warm nights with ice cream in hand. I know the green in this yarn doesn't really have anything to do with ice cream, but the pinks and browns reminded us of that favorite ice cream cone. I hope you like it - we should receive the shipment around September 1st and will start shipping then!
And remember, we're only producing enough for about 2 pair of socks per U.S. state, so the likelihood of you seeing someone else with the same pair is pretty doggone low. And once we sell out, we're sold out - no one in the UNIVERSE will ever be able to get more. Lornas has promised us that they will destroy each month's secret dyeing algorithm, so if you love socks - and if you love Lornas Laces (who doesn't?) - then you might want to grab a few hanks right in the beginning. And don't worry - we're going to make things easier on all of you sock fanatics by creating on an automatic shipping program - I know I said that details will come in the next newsletter, but we haven't had a chance to put it together yet - i'm sorry!! In the meantime, you can preorder Cherries Jubilee here.
Pattern Design Contest Winner: Melissa Thetford
Please help us to congratulate Melissa for her prize winning pattern!
Knit with 3 hanks of the Malabrigo Worsted Merino, you'll be able to finish it up in a couple of evenings. And it's a great bag for around town or at the beach...
We received many great submissions, and chose Melissa's "Slant Pocket Bag" for July's winner. Judging took place (as described on our pattern contest page) based on originality, clarity and thoroughness, aesthetic appeal and overall quality.
About the Designer:: Hello there, my name is Melissa and I am an obsessive knitter. I currently live in Olympia Washington, working as a youth-at-risk counselor and attending school full time with the intent of becoming a teacher. I will be leaving the country in September to do some teaching (and knitting) in South America, learning the techniques of Peruvian tejadoras, but you can keep an eye on my current projects at my weblog, procrastaknitter.blogspot.com.
Thanks to all the entrants of this month's contest, and remember that your pattern will automatically be included in the next two months' contests. For those who didn't make it this month, check out the full pattern contest details. The prize pack is currently valued at over $450! The deadline for this month's contest is August 31st, 2007.
Spread the word! Do you have a knitting related website or blog? You can use the following image and sample link to create a link to this page:
(Right click and save it, then post it up to your site.)
Sample link:
<a href="https://www.JimmyBeansWool.com/freePatternContest.asp">Jimmy Beans Wool Pattern Contest</a>
If you have problems or questions about creating a link to this page, email us at contest@JimmyBeansWool.com!
Kit of the month!
Every month we feature a new yarn + pattern combination at a special kit-of-the-month discount...
With sleek leather handles and an adorable leather flower, this month's featured kit is the Sunset Boulevard Purse Kit. The kit contains 4 Balls of Gigolo, 4 String of Pearls, 5 Touch Me, 1 Leather Flower, 1 Leather Bag Handle, & the Pattern - all wrapped up and ready for gift giving. (I'm thinking of making this for my mother-in-law for Christmas... I hope she'll like it!)
On Sale for $150 (with the pattern), you're saving 30% off the original price of $214.55.
This kit will be available at the sale price through the end of the month (sale ends August 31st, 2007).
The Organic Corner
It seems to me that the real story behind Organic Yarns is much bigger than just knitting with them. It is about using organic yarns to create something reusable - something that won't just get used once and then thrown away. But whatever your reason for choosing organic yarns might be, we hope to provide you with quality choices in your quest for fiber. Feel free to browse around this corner of the shop!
Here are some of the organic yarns we currently carry:
Projects using organic yarn
These days, many expecting mothers are embracing the idea of organic baby gifts... gifts knit using organic cottons or wools that are friendly to newborn baby skin. And with an ever widening selection of 100% organic cottons, you can knit something that will also be easy to care for. See! Going Green doesn't always mean you have to take the hard road! Note that although the projects below were specifically designed for organic yarns (cotton and wool), don't forget that you can take any standard pattern and substitute one of the yarns above for the yarn suggested.
For more yarns and project ideas, visit the Organic Corner.
TEAM JIMMY BEANS...MEET DIANA
Employee of the Month :: Diana
Diana started with us this past winter and typically works the weekends (and I have to say that i'm very excited to start working with her! Since Rachel is due to give birth anytime now, i'll be in the store on saturdays. Diana and I would love to have you come visit us!). An aspiring expert knitter, we think she just enjoys having a day or two a week surrounded by yarn & adults! :) Currently, she's following Jeanne's lead and is knitting a beaded scarf - we can't wait to see the beautiful results!!
Just Arrived :: Jo Sharp, Southwest Trading Company and Ilga Leja Designs!
Jo Sharp Yarns
What can I say about Jo Sharp other than I LOVE IT! We received the shipment last week and have madly been trying to take photos and put together kits, but have fallen short because of everything else that's been going on (did I mention that we almost had to evacuate yesterday because there was a fire just over the ridge behind our house?). Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know that we've added Jo Sharp to our collection, as well as one new Adrienne Vittadini yarn, Lisa. Keep your eyes peeled for photos and kits - we'll have them up within the week (and hopefully I can start knitting with them shortly after)!
SouthWest Trading Company
Southwest Trading is another well respected and loved company that we've recently picked up. In fact, we had them send our initial order directly to us at Stitches Midwest in Chicago - the response was amazing! For what it's worth, people gravitated towards the Bamboo and the Karaoke, but were also intrigued by the crab-shell threaded Tofutsies sock yarn. To round out our collection, we have the 100% Soysilk Pure and their 100% Corn yarn, aMaizing. Kits and better pictures are coming soon!
Ilga Leja
When Ilga Leja herself sent me an email last month, I wasn't quite in the 'looking for new patterns' frame of mind. In fact, I knew that we had about 50 boxes of new yarn on its way to us, and all I could think about was where in the heck are we going to find room for this! I was thinking the last thing I needed is MORE STUFF! Well, I reluctantly went to her website and checked out the patterns she had written. Let me tell you, after browsing for a total of 30 seconds, I had already written a reply and asked her to send us copies of ALL of her patterns - I love them (and have already knitted the one on the far right - click here to see it)!
AUGUST SALE - ROWAN CASHSOFT DK - 40% OFF
Rowan Cashsoft DK is 40% off - until we run out of our current stock. After extensive fiber testing, Rowan discovered that the percentage of microfiber to merino wool was off by a couple of points (the cashmere content is correct) and sold us a bunch of their remaining stock at a discount. The yarn is labeled with the correct content and is definitely a deal - any way you slice it!
We have many more wonderful items for sale now in our sale outlet! Our sale items change frequently, so come back often to see if something catches your eye!
Upcoming Classes
Drop-In Sessions
Join us at our Reno location for 2-hour long drop-in classes. These can be whatever you would like to make of them! Come in for help on a project, to learn a technique or just to socialize with other knitters. Allison will help you fix mistakes, answer your questions, teach you any aspect of the craft, or get you going on your next project.
Days and times:Please call ahead to ensure that a session hasn't been cancelled! 827-9276
Tuesday afternoons: 11am - 1pm
Wednesday: 3:30pm - 5:30pm and 6pm - 8pm
Cost:All classes must be pre-paid, and there will be no refunds. Extensions granted in the event of cancellation by the instructor or Jimmy Beans Wool.
1 class: $20.00
2 classes: $35.00 (must be used in 4 weeks)
3 classes: $50.00 (must be used in 5 weeks)
4 classes: $60.00 (must be used in 6 weeks)
We know it can be difficult to make it to every class in a session and we are providing this schedule to give you flexibility!
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Sock Basics with Jeanne
Sock Basics will take you from cuff to toe by taking the stress out of knitting socks. You will learn the anatomy of a simple sock, how to turn a heel, complete the heel gusset and a simple toe finish. Even if you have made socks before you will want to take this class, as the secret to knitting a pair of socks on two circular needles will be revealed for those who suffer from 'second sock syndrome'. This technique allows you to knit two socks at once.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: You need to be able to knit and purl in relative comfort.
Feel free to stop by or call to get the information sheet for this class and sign up by paying the deposit of $25.00 with the balance of $20.00 due by class time.
Cost: $45. $25 deposit required to reserve your spot.
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Basic Knitting with Hannah
In this class, you'll learn the following skills & techniques: How to cast-on, knit, purl and bind off. You will also learn 2 different increases and decreases (and why we need these different techniques), changing yarns, washing and blocking methods, how to deal with those pesky seams, pattern reading will be discussed, as well as what information is on a ball band that will allow you to substitute yarns for any given pattern. Hannah will guide you in picking out a project, or help you along with a project of your choice.
Level: Beginner - Advanced Beginner
Prerequisites: None
Materials: A smooth, preferably light-colored yarn and needles appropriate for that yarn to practice on, scissors, Knit Chek stitch gauge, tape measure, stitch markers and other various accessories as needed. If you start a project, you will need the yarn, pattern and needles for that project. Supplies can be obtained before or during the class.
Dates: Session 1 -- Saturdays from September 8th through September 29th.
Session 2 -- Saturdays from October 27th through November 17th.
Times: Two classes will be offered: one from 10 - Noon, and the other from 1pm - 3pm.
Cost: $60 for 4 week session. 50% deposit required to reserve your spot. Class size is limited to 8. Please call to sign up.
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Easy Lace Workshop with Hannah
Lace is really big right now. A lot of new books have been coming out this year all about lace and lacey little gifts. Have you wanted to try knitting lace, but feel stumped by the seemingly complex charts and directions? Well, worry no more. This is your chance to learn all about those charts, how to read them, how to make the directions seem less intense, and also how to create your own lace scarf. In this 4-hr workshop you will learn all that and probably more!
Level: Advanced Beginner
Prerequisites: Know how to knit and purl
Materials: When signing up, you will be given a list of supplies needed, you will be supplied the pattern on the day of the workshop.
Dates: Saturday October 6th from 10am - 2pm
Cost: $60 for 4 week session. 50% deposit required to reserve your spot. Class size is limited to 8. Please call to sign up.
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Thanks for reading and Happy Knitting!
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