August 2013 Lorna's Limited Edition Release

Burning Man is a unique experience that you have to see to believe; every year at the end of August, this very special art and music festival welcomes visitors from all over the world and turns "the Playa," a large dried up lake bed in the Black Rock Desert, into the third largest city in Nevada for that one week! For many, it's the ultimate celebration of freedom of expression: You'll find interesting characters, art structures, effigies, buildings, and cars or bikes that have been transformed into driven yachts, fire-breathing dragons, space shuttles and any creature you can think of - each pumping music from all corners into the desert air. In the center of this festival is The Man, which serves as a beacon for finding your way and provides a spectacular explosion and fireworks show on the final Saturday of the event.

The festival began in 1986 at Baker Beach in San Francisco with only 20 participants and a modest 8-foot-tall man. Today over 50,000 people attend each year and The Man soars at 40 feet tall on top of a 50-foot pavilion. Burning Man exists to provide an escape from modernized life and encourages creativity in the form of handmade costumes and gifts, beautiful artwork, and great music. Some of the amazing art installations from past years can be seen in galleries in San Francisco and even around the city of Reno! It's also the largest Leave-No-Trace event in the world: the main focus is on the conservation of the Black Rock Desert, and all efforts are taken to make sure no evidence of the visitors or their activities gets left behind. Proceeds from the event are used to support humanitarian causes like Habitat for Humanity and gifting bicycles to those in need.

The Black Rock Desert itself is known for its miraculous sunsets; if you've never seen a desert sunset, let this month's color give you an idea! We've named it "Black Rock Desert" in honor of the magical colors of a summer sunset on the desert playa: rusty pink, deep yellow, sage green, and sandy gray. Whether you're attending Burning Man or just dusk in your own backyard, we hope this color says "summer evening" to you!

Black Rock Desert is available in all of your favorite Lorna's Laces yarns including: Haymarket (Lorna's newest yarn), Shepherd Sock, Shepherd Worsted, Shepherd Sport, Helen's Lace, Lion and Lamb, Honor, Solemate, and Sportmate!

The excitement of Burning Man is being able to creatively express yourself, and part of that is creating your own costumes! Here are a few of our favorite yarns to help you get started on your own Playa garb or for your next costume event:

Get ready to fall in love - celebrities like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lopez already have! The Looop is a brand-new kind of necklace from California company LaLoop: it's designed to hold your sunglasses or eyeglasses flat on your chest, so you never misplace them (or sit on them!) again! They are available in a wide variety of colors and styles so you are sure to find one that suits your taste. The stretch cords are simple and complement any outfit. For a slightly more sophisticated look, try the Link Chain or Braided Leather options. Or, if you prefer bright accessories (harder to lose!) then check out the Neon option in the Stretch Cord or the Purple Link Chain! Not only is The Looop totally functional, it's a beautiful piece of jewelry you can feel comfortable wearing all of the time!

Additionally, LaLoop created a Monocle necklace, which has the same magnification as a pair of store bought reading glasses (about +2.0). If you usually just need to take a quick peek through your reading glasses to confirm a chart symbol or your project gauge, you can do it using the Monocle instead! Wear it around your neck so it's always within reach, or attach it to your project bag for easy access when reading a pattern!

Check out Laura's video review of LaLoop's products that we carry. She is SO excited about them!

Universal Yarns always has something new and special in store for us - we just can't wait to open those boxes when they come in! This time around, we have some great new surprises to pass on to you. First of all, some beautiful new colors of the ever-popular Universal Classic Shades are here! From fluorescent Neon Kaleidoscope to bright Sailor's Delight, it's clear these new hues are on board with the current neon trend. And if you want your project to make up even more quickly, check out the Classic Shades Big Time, a super-bulky version of the original - and it's also available in many of the new colors! Both of these single-ply beauties are perfect for a variety of projects - everything from accessories to home decor!

If hand-painted-style yarns are your thing, we've got something new for you, too: new Infusion Handpaints! This DK-weight wool blend is absolutely saturated with color, and each 100-gram skein is a generous 291 yards, meaning it's great for everything from shawls to sweaters. Try it for the Top-Down Drape Front Cardi from Knitting Pure and Simple! Or, how about the Jubilation Kettle Dye Worsted yarn? It's a vibrant, 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool yarn that's been expertly dyed to colorful perfection. Each skein is bright and beautiful, great for any project where you really want to make an impression. We like the fun Basic Hat and Mitten Set - you'll definitely stand out from the crowd!

Katia Roma, Funny, and Ondas - 50% - 70% off! Whether you're creating a costume or just getting a head start on your Christmas gifts, don't forget about our popular ruffle yarns! Roma is a wide ribbon-construction yarn that comes in beautiful, muted colors reminiscent of a desert sunset. Knit along one edge just like the mesh ruffle yarns, it works up into wide, fluffy ruffles. Funny also has a flat ribbon construction, but the resulting ruffles have a unique woven look with subtle stripes throughout. Try folding it in half lengthwise and knitting through both edges for a tubular ruffle! Lastly, Ondas is a classic small-mesh yarn that comes in a plethora of colors!

Trendsetter Bacio and Marrakech - 40% - 50% off! We have some incredibly fun Trendsetter yarns on sale - perfect for all of your one-of-a-kind projects! Bacio is a heavy worsted multicolor acrylic and wool blend that works up into a gorgeous, jewel-like fabric. It has a strand of sparkle throughout that really shimmers in the light! Marrakech is a wild and colorful eyelash yarn that would add a fantastic fashion statement as trim to any garment - gloves, hats, jackets, purses, you name it! And don't forget Incanto; this beautiful cotton blend in subtle colors is woven with a strand of Lurex, a sparkly and reflective fiber. It has great drape for garments or accessories!

GGH Amelie - 68% off! GGH Amelie has to be one of the softest, silkiest novelty yarns out there! In both bright and subdued colors, this amazing eyelash yarn just begs to be made into a scarf or collar and worn next to the skin. You can also use it for trim on cuffs, hems, socks, and more - let your imagination be your guide! You can even knit a fuzzy sweater out of it. Imagine the splash that would make at your next get-together!

Lorna's Laces Black Sheep: 50% Off! This durable wool and viscose blend is a Jimmy Beans exclusive, dyed especially for us by Lorna's Laces in some of your favorite color ways. This unique yarn has a subtle thick-thin texture and features two plies, one solid black, the other colorfully dyed, for a sharp contrast of colors that works up into a one-of-a-kind fabric of depth and distinction. Use Black Sheep for hats, cardigans, mitts or a simple cowl! Here are some of the current most popular colors!

Check out Kristen's Sparkle Bear hat using Berroco's new yarn Brio and a pair of Lux Fur Pom Poms from Universal for the ears! Skye cleverly used Trendsetter Bodega yarn to make a very simple pair of arm and leg warmers - no knitting or crocheting required since the yarn is already in a tube! Using SMC Bostonand Circulo Tecido Trico Abstrato, Heather created an adorable crocheted ruffled skirt. Check out all these and more for simple and quick ideas on how to accessorize for Burning Man on our Playa page at www.JimmyBeansWool.com/playa!

And believe me, she's taking full advantage of the brightest and most sparkly yarns we carry! Even before Burning Man, she was no stranger to dressing up - as First Runner Up in the Miss Nevada Pageant, she and her mother deconstructed a full-size ball gown and turned it into a one-of-a-kind dress for her to wear in the competition!

Cass loves Burning Man because there are no judgments and no expectations there; she doesn't bring a mirror or a watch. She also loves the tradition of giving handmade gifts to fellow Burners - in years past she's received everything from handmade jewelry to fur coats! Her favorite, though, was a clay magnet with the Burning Man symbol made and given to her by a little boy she met; it's a priceless memory that still has a place of honor on her fridge. We can't wait to hear her stories when she comes back from this year's festival!