The Yarn Garden Blog

Alpaca Sox Shawl

2012-01-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

Our very own Emily designed a beautiful shawl using one skein of Alpaca Sox a few months back. Classic Elite loved the pattern and published it one of their webletters! They also added a large size using two skeins.
It's now available free on Ravelry here.

Shown here in the large version using color 1823 Strawberry.

She used a sweet lacy picot bind off. I love the way it looks.

Shown here in the small size using color 1826 Pansy.

Here is the original shawl Emily made in the color 1872 Dried Herbs. The simple mix of garter and stockinette looks beautiful with both the variegated and the tonal kettle dyed.

The yarn, Alpaca Sox, is a fingering weight yarn at 8 sts/in and a soft mix of 60% alpaca, 20% merino wool, 20% nylon with 450 yards in a skein. We have so much fun using sock yarns for shawls and scarves on bigger needles. It's soft and lightweight, making this wearable almost all year round!

-Annie, Yarn Garden

Upcoming Class - Knitting Your First Sweater

2012-01-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

Are you mystified by sweater shaping? Not sure how to make sure your gauge is right? This easy pullover pattern gives you the option of a pretty color stranded pattern, color blocking or a solid color. Learn pattern reading, gauge, shaping, and seaming and feel confident making sweaters. Sign up for Mary's class online at yarngarden.net , over the phone 503-239-7950, or come in and see us!
The class is $65.00 and all students will receive 20% off class material purchase.

Class Dates and Times:
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/11/2012
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/18/2012
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/1/2012
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/15/2012
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/22/2012

Skills needed to take this class - CO, BO, knit, purl.

This sweater pattern which is available free from Cascade Yarns has instructions written to fit sizes small (medium, large, 1X, 2X, 3X).
The finished measurements for the bust are 35 ½ (37 ½, 40 ½, 43 ½, 46 ½, 49 ½)".

Here's a close up of the color work snowflake pattern that is optional.

Cascade Yarns, Soft Spun is what the sweater was made with. It's a really nice single ply, aran-weight wool with 197yds/100gm skein, $8.95 each. To make the color block version of the sweater pictured above, it would take about 7 skeins for the smallest size, 35.5" bust (2 hanks for the bottom color, 4 for the top and 1 for the snowflakes and trim) or 6 for a solid version.

Here are a few other yarn suggestions the teacher has made:

Cascade Yarns, Eco Wool is a great yarn for this sweater too. There are 478yds/250gm hank and $19.95. It would take less than 3 to make the smallest/medium size and 6 for the largest. We think it would be beautiful to make the whole body of the sweater in one solid shade and use a contrasting color for the trim and snowflakes. This yarn is wonderful to work, it's soft and has a great color palette.

A traditional red sweater with white snowflakes would be really cute!

Plymouth Earth, Homestead would be a perfect yarn too. It's an undyed wool with 191yds/100gms and $5.95. It would take 6 hanks to make the smallest size and 14 to make the largest size in a solid color, that's only $29.75 to make a wool sweater (for the smallest size)!

Fibranatura, Shepherd's Own is another all natural undyed wool that we love. I'm using this yarn for a shawl right now and love the feel of it. It's a soft 2ply, aran-weight yarn with 252yds/100gms and $7.95. Very economical and it comes in a range of naturals from creams to the dark chocolate pictured above.
It would only take 4 skeins to make the smallest and 11 to make the largest in a solid color.

All students will receive 20% off their class material purchase!

-Annie, Yarn Garden

New Year!

2011-12-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

We will be open today until 3pm so come in and pick out your project for 2012!

We are closed New Years Day and open our regular hours Monday, Jan. 2nd.

Happy New Year from all of us at the Yarn Garden!

Last Minute Shopping

2011-12-24T10:35:00.000-08:00

We're open today, Christmas Eve, from 10am-3pm. Come in for your last minute gift shopping or treat yourself to a new project to work on over the holidays. We have gift cards too!

New from Knitter's Pride is this wonderful set of Symfonie Dreamz double points made from densified laminated birch that's strong and smooth. We love that each size is a different color and they are neatly organized in a little portable pouch.

The set includes sizes US# 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 all 6" in length.

The interchangeable set from Knitter's Pride would make any knitter happy! Includes sizes US #4-11, 4 cords in different lengths, 1 set of size markers, 8 end caps, 4 cord keys and a case.

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Yarn Garden!

Gift Ideas - Gift Cards

2011-12-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

Only a few days left until Christmas and I'm sure you're all knitting or crocheting as fast as you can to finish...I know I am!
To make your last minute shopping easy, Yarn Garden has gift cards!
Perfect for any fiber lover in your life.
We ship anywhere too, so you can go ahead and add a Yarn Garden gift card to your wish list and use it on that project you've always wanted to make for yourself.
Order one online at yarngarden.net or give us a call at 503-239-7950.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Woolly Penguins

2011-12-13T16:15:00.000-08:00

We are in love with Marie Mayhew's felting patterns. We've had so much fun making these Woolly Penguins and Snowmen!

Get creative with accessories, here my mom made little ear muffs and a scarf with pom poms!

The Woolly Snowman pattern includes the corn-cob pipe, nose and instructions to make a top hat. We added a little smoke too!


We made our little penguin chicks using a skein of Cascade 220 in gray, doubled with a skein of Fresco in cream for the body and a skein of Cascade 220 in black for the head, tail and feet.

Both patterns are knit in the round on big needles. I knit my penguin in one evening and it took about a day to dry after felted.


These would make great gifts!

Come in and check out some of her other felting patterns. The gnomes are especially adorable.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Gift Ideas - Cowls

2011-12-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

Cowls have been so popular and what a great gift idea too. They keep you warm and looking stylish. There's still plenty of time to knit up some of our favorites and a couple of them in just an evening! Here are a few ideas:

The Cozy Como Cowl is a great last minute gift. Knit in the round on US #17 needles, it can be done in an evening! We used two balls of Debbie Bliss Como, a baby soft blend of 90% merino wool and 10% cashmere.
Free pattern with yarn purchase!

Refashion Cowl is knit with one skein of Refashion, a bulky weight soft and textured yarn made from recycled wool/cashmere/nylon/rayon. We used one skein of Refashion and size US #10.5 needles. A fun and unique cowl!
Free pattern with yarn purchase.

Arwen's Horai Scarf by Hiroku Fukatsu, a free pattern featured on Hiroku's blog and Ravelry.
Knit on a US 10 1/2 knitting needle, she doubled the yarn and used 3 balls of Luna in color Sunbeam #26. Luna by Stacy Charles is a lace weight blend of 71% mohair/20% silk /9% metallic making it fluffy, soft and just the right amount of sparkle.

Treat a loved one or yourself to the Cloud 9 Cowl. Appropriately named because it feels light as a feather and soft as a cloud around your neck. Knit using one ball of Superior, a lace weight blend of 70% cashmere/ 25% silk/ 5% merino on a US #9 needle.
Free pattern with yarn purchase.

Add a little glitz to your outfit with the Constellation Cowl. A squishy garter stitch cowl knit flat, twisted and seamed together. We used two balls of Lanalux, an aran weight blend of merino and nylon on US #11 needles.
Free pattern with yarn purchase.

The Burberry Inspired Cowl is a great gift idea. We had a lot of fun with this pattern last winter using different yarns and decided to revisit it this season because we love the classic pattern. This one is so soft, it's hard to take off! Knit using 1 skein of Cascade Eco Duo, a blend of 70% undyed alpaca/ 30% undyed merino wool and $12.45 a skein. It's a quick gift knit on US# 10 needles and just lovely!

Parapluie is a fabulous cowl designed by our Emilly. Knit in seed stitch with a soft cable running down one edge. It's knit flat and seamed together, making it easy to change the length. She used two ball of Ariosa, one of my favorite yarns and US #11 needles. Ariosa is a bulky weight single ply 90% merino/ 10% cashmere. The colors are all beautiful and this cowl will look fabulous on anyone!
Free pattern with yarn purchase.

Fez Cowl designed by Debbie Bliss from her booklet, Fez is a wonderfully warm and cozy cowl with a fun stitch pattern to follow. Knit with two balls of Fez, a blend of 85% merino/15% camel on US #8 needles. This is one of my favorites.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Gift Ideas - Hats

2011-11-30T17:48:00.000-08:00

With the holidays fast approaching, we thought we'd share some of our favorite patterns! Starting with hats.

Eucalyptus is knit up in a couple hours with one skein of Big Montana and US#17 needles.
Six fluffy cables come together at the top creating a little point. Very cute.
This is a free pattern with yarn purchase.

The Elf hat knit with one skein of Toboggan. This is a great last minute gift knit with size US 10 needles and chunky yarn. Adorable.
This pattern is featured in the Toboggan booklet from Classic Elite Yarns.

Voyager is a reverse stockinette hat with one beautiful cable. This is knit using one skein of Berroco Voyage.
This is a free pattern with yarn purchase.

The Alpaca Silk Slouchy Hat is perfect for anyone who's sensitive to scratchy yarns. Knit using two balls of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk, it should pass the soft test!
This a free pattern with yarn purchase.

My mother just finished the Fresco Simply Slouchy Hat . A nice stockinette hat with a rolled brim and a little bit of ribbing. This one is knit using two skeins of Fresco. I love how fluffy this yarn gets!

The Lace & Cables Beret is a sweet pattern knit with one skein of Weekend, a 75% acrylic/25% cotton blend, perfect for those with allergies to animal fibers. We embellished this one with a fun ceramic button made by One of a Kind.
This is a free pattern with yarn purchase.

Hermoine Hearts Ron is a soft and fluffy cabled hat knit with one skein of Classic Elite Fresco, a 60% wool/30% alpaca/10% angora blend. Fresco is one of our favorite yarns, it's a nice sportweight and the little bit of angora creates a soft halo.

Urchin is a beret knit sideways in garter stitch on a nice big US#10.5 needles. We used one skein of Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Chunky in a nice bright red.

Feather & Fan is a vintage looking hat knit with one skein of Baby Alpaca Grande Handpaint on US#10 needles. I love how the pattern creates a scalloped brim that perfectly covers your ears. This a free pattern with yarn purchase.

Man Hat is a wonderful pattern by Haven Leavitt using a chunky weight yarn and size US#8 needles, making a nice warm fabric. This one was knit using one skein of Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Chunky.

Here's another Man Hat knit with Me Too Print, a machine washable merino wool blend that slowly fades from dark to light. This hat is my brother's favorite!

Turn A Square by Jared Flood is a unisex beanie.
We knit this one using two skeins of Tahki Rio, a thick and thin 50% alpaca/35% merino/15% silk blend and US#7 knitting needles. This is a fun hat to knit and using two contrasting colors makes it hard to put down!

These are all hung in the shop, so come in and get some inspiration and we'll help you find those perfect gifts to make!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Upcoming Class: Baby Surprise Jacket

2011-11-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

If you are knitting for babies, this fun one-piece Elizabeth Zimmerman invention is a must! It's a great class to learn shaping, buttonholes, applied i-cord and reading a pattern. This class is rated as an "Easy", the skills needed to take it are Cast on, Knit, Purl and Bind off.

Class starts on Monday, November 21st from 6:30-8:30 and meets:
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 11/28/2011
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 12/5/2011

You can sign up online at yarngarden.net or give us a call at 503-239-7950.

Michelle's Baby Surprise pictured above was knit using four different colors of Baby Cashmerino, a soft and squishy blend of merino/cashmere/microfiber that is machine washable.

This little one is knit with Kureyon Noro, a self striping wool with a beautiful range of colors.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Toboggan

2011-11-15T10:25:00.000-08:00

New from Classic Elite this fall/winter is Toboggan. A blend of 70% merino/ 30% superfine alpaca twisted into a soft, weighty skein of bulky yarn. It's one of the coziest bulky yarns and comes in 16 beautiful colors. A staff favorite.

The booklet for this yarn is full of cute, simple garments and accessories that are quick to make and perfect to wear! Here's a look inside:

Elf is a pointed hat with instructions for two sizes pictured with Rosebud, mittens worked with an after-thought thumb. Both projects use one skein each. Shown in color Garnet, 6758.

Sleigh Ride is a top down raglan cardigan with a ribbed yoke and garter stitch edging. Shown in color Honey, #6750.

Bobsled is a cabled hat with 2 strands held together on the crown for extra warmth. Shown in color Eggplant, #6795.

Flexible Flyer shown in color Teal, #6746. This warm and fuzzy cowl uses two skeins.

Mogul Run is a cute fitted cardigan with big squishy cables. Pictured in color Emerald, #6794.

Here is our Elf in color Fuchsia, #6732. Just took one skein and knits up quick on size US #10 knitting needles. This hat is my favorite, a cute little pointed top will make any cold rainy day fun.

Sprite is another one skein hat with a garter stitch brim that can folded up. Shown in color Periwinkle, #6731. These two hats are hanging up in the shop, come in and try them on!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Upcoming Class: Double Knitting 101- Portlandia Hat

2011-10-27T13:58:00.001-07:00

Hat pictured in Berroco Vintage DK, Navy and Split Pea Melange. Just one skein of each color.

There's still time to sign up for the Double Knitting 101-Portlandia Hat class. You'll learn to make and shape a completely reversible fabric by knitting a double knit hat. The perfect gift for your loved ones to keep warm while learning a new technique!

Skills needed to take this class:
knit, purl, cast on, knit in the round.

Here are the dates and times for this class:

Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 11/3/2011
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 11/10/2011
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 11/17/2011

Here is the hat turned inside out, a nice light background with the navy for the bird. It looks so good both ways!

Here you can see the magic reversible fabric it makes. "Put a bird on it!"

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Andes Scarf

2011-10-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

We love revisiting yarns around the store and coming up with new ways to use them. Andes has always been a staff favorite because of how soft and silky it is and the jewel toned colors are just perfect. My mom played around with it in my favorite mustard yellow and came up with this beautiful scarf that really shows off the yarn.

A simple garter stitch scarf knit from end to end using two skeins of Andes shown in the color Mustard. It's one of the softest scarves I've ever felt, everyone should have one around their neck!

This is a free pattern available with yarn purchase.

The Yarn:

Andes by Debbie Bliss is a blend of 65% baby alpaca/ 35% mulberry silk. It's a single ply dk weight yarn with 110 yards per 50 gram skein. Here are the colors:

Fuschia, Red and Dusty Pink

Denim, Eggplant and Mauve

Salmon, Moss Green and Mustard

Light Sweet Pea and Aqua

Black, Tan and Off White

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Kidsilk Haze Creation Scarf

2011-10-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

New from Rowan is Kidsilk Haze Creation. We are in love with it.
This dreamy scarf is knit using only one skein and an easy technique that will fly off your needles in less than an hour!

Kidsilk Haze Creation is a net tubular yarn made from Kidsilk Haze, a 70% mohair/30% silk and $24.95 per skein. It's a limited edition yarn that comes in six beautiful colors with lovely names like dewberry and candy girl.

This will make the perfect gift!

Kidsilk Haze Creation colors: clockwise from top left: Cream, Candy Girl, Dewberry, Smoke, Trance and Jelly.

Kidsilk Haze Stripe

We also received Kidsilk Haze Stripe! A self striping version of Kidsilk Haze in six beautiful colors put together by Kaffe Fassett in a 50gram ball with 460 yards.
The scarf pattern pictured above comes on the yarn label and just uses one ball of yarn to make!
Another great gift idea.

From left to right: Sugar, Cool and Forest

Circus, Twilight and Frost

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Arwen designed this cowl in honor of Kimberly Swartzlander, a Yarn Garden family member, who just completed her radiation treatments. Many of you have never met Kim because she is working behind the scenes keeping track of all the yarns coming in and out of the shop and making sure the yarn on the floor is in the best possible place. Kim is the cornerstone of Yarn Garden, who's memory and knowledge is put to the test every day when customer's call looking for one more skein of a yarn they purchased from us eight years ago!

The Kimberly Cowl pattern is free with purchase of yarn and Yarn Garden is donating $2.00 for each ball of Kid Seta purchased to breast cancer research.

Materials: One ball of the light and airy Kid Seta by Cascade Yarns in color# 838 rose pink.

Upcoming Class: Easy Baby Cable Knit Hat

2011-10-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

There's still time to sign up for the Easy Baby Cable Knit Hat class!

This is a great class for knitters who are comfortable knitting and purling and want to learn some new skills. The hat will introduce you to a very simple cable pattern. Cables are a lot of fun and provide endless variety! You have the choice of doing this hat on double pointed needles (no seaming!) or on straight needles.

Pictured above is little Jimmy in his cabled hat knit with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.

The fee is $45.00 and the class will meet Thursdays, Oct. 13th, 20th & 27th from 6:30-8:30pm.
You can sign up online at yarngarden.net or give us a call at 503-239-7950.

This hat makes a perfect gift - once you knit one, you'll want to knit more!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Upcoming Class: Top Down Vest

2011-10-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

Learn how to knit a simple and stylish sweater vest in Mary's Top Down Vest class.
Knit from the top down so there's no seaming (yay!) and it's easy to try on as you knit to get the perfect length.
The class starts Wednesday, October 12th at 6:30pm and meets the following two Wednesdays.
You can sign up online at yarngarden.net or give us a call at 503-239-7950.

Pictured above is a warm and toasty version of the vest knit with one skein of Cascade Yarns Eco Wool in color #9408.

This vest was knit using 3 skeins of Malabrigo Twist in color Lettuce.

Shown here with a cute wooden shawl stick.

The class will be using Knitting Pure & Simple's pattern, Cap Sleeve Cardigan Vest. We love their patterns.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Upcoming Class: Retro Gloves

2011-10-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Pictured above: Knit with Noro Retro in color Majestic Purple

There's still time to sign up for Emily's Retro Glove class which starts Monday, October 10th. Made in a worsted weight yarn, they are fairly quick to knit. You will learn how to make fingers and cables! These would make great gifts for the holidays too.

This is an intermediate class. The skills needed to take this class: knit in the round, purl, cast-on, bind-off. The class fee is $45.00.

The class will meet the following dates and times:
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 10/10/2011
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 10/17/2011
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 10/24/2011

She will teach you how to make them with or without fingers for indoor or outdoor wear!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Honey

2011-09-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

We now carry Honey Worsted from Shalimar! Zoe Sock and Breathless have been so popular, we couldn't wait to get in this squishy beautifully hand dyed superwash worsted merino!

Pictured above in my favorite color, Slag.

Honey has a generous 250 yards per 100 gram skein and has a gauge of 4.5-5sts/inch on a US 7-9 knitting needle. It's 100% superwash merino wool and $17.95. Each hand dyed color has subtle tonal changes that would make a simple garter stitch scarf look wonderful and because it is machine washable, it could be used for babies and children too!

Clockwise from top left: Bark, Curry, Sapote and Tequila Sunrise

Clockwise from top left: American Beauty, Byzantium, Concord Grape and Passionfruit

Clockwise from top left: Bluecrop, Black Truffle, Slag and Thistle

Clockwise from top left: Loden, Scarab, Juniper Berry and Sequoia

Clockwise from top: Waterchestnut, Oyster and Porcini

Try out one skein of Honey Worsted in your favorite color making these Jo March Mitts! A very cute pair of fingerless gloves with little cables running all the way down. Shown here in color curry. This is a free pattern from Shalimar and can be downloaded here!

Come in and check it out!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Fall Favorites

2011-09-22T13:08:00.001-07:00

With fall almost here, (tomorrow!) we are all starting to plot and cast on for holiday gifts. We thought we'd share some of our favorite patterns, each knit using a yarn by Cascade Yarns. All of their yarns are favorites around here because of their wide color ranges which are always so consistent from dye lot to dye lot, yardage and price. It's always a pleasure to knit with their yarns and it was fun to highlight a few!

The Burberry Inspired Cowl is a great gift idea. We had a lot of fun with this pattern last winter using different yarns and decided to revisit it this season because I love the classic pattern. This one is so soft, it's hard to take off! Knit using 1 skein of Cascade Eco Duo, a blend of 70% undyed alpaca/ 30% undyed merino wool and $12.45 a skein. It's a quick gift knit on US# 10 needles and just lovely!

Shown here in color #1705, vanilla.

It was hard to capture the color in a picture, but here you can kind of see the very subtle color changes. Long stripes from creme to a warm toasted vanilla.

You might remember Mary's Eco Duo scarf from last February. Another great gift idea using only 1 skein. You can read more about this scarf here.

Jared Flood's Noro Striped Scarf has been a popular and easy free pattern for every knitter. It's also the perfect gift for the holidays. You can have fun with colors or go simple with shades of grey. This one is made using one skein of Cascade 220 in color # 8011, aspen heather and 2 balls of Tonalita in color #2397, smoke & ash.

Cascade 220, one of our all time favorite worsted weight yarns is a 100% wool and doesn't break the bank at $6.55 a skein. It's great for sweaters, felting, hats and everything else you can think of with a whole wall of colors to choose from.

Tonalita, also a worsted weight yarn is a blend of wool and acrylic. Each self striping colorway makes any projects exciting.

Lavalette shawl designed by Kristen Kapur is a wonderful lace project that looks so airy with alternating sections of openwork and stockinette. This was knit using 1 skein of Cascade Alpaca Lace, a 100% alpaca with 437 yards/ 50 grams and $7.15 a skein.

Shown here in color #1434, mystic purple.

It knits up very quickly from the top down on a US #7 needle. The alpaca really blooms on the big needle making a fluffy, lightweight shawl.

The perfect little shawl for fall.

The Cable Lovers Pullover is a classic pattern available free from Cascade Yarns here. Knit using four skeins of Ecological wool, an aran to bulky weight 100% undyed wool, $14.95 a skein. The range of natural colors are beautiful with tons of gorgeous solid and heathered colors in the Eco+ (the same wool, but dyed).

Shown in color #8010, ecru. What a cozy sweater!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

The colors of Kauni

2011-09-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

New colors of Kauni Effektgarn arrived today! Each one is so beautiful and looks so different from ball to ball. To capture how much the colors can change inside the ball, I took a photo of two balls of the same color next to each other.

Color EN; white, beige and tan.

EB; grey, brown, black and rust

EE; hot pink and white.

EY; magenta and purple

EH; tan, brown and light blue. I love this one!

EZ; shades of turquoise and teal green

Here you can see how the yarn slowly fades into another color when knit.

We also got in a few more of their wonderful patterns:

Farwell Jacket is a Portland staple. This is knit sideways, making the width of the body easily adjustable.

Prospect Cardigan looks like a fun pattern. Knit in pieces and seamed, so the color fades turn out mismatched and very cute!

Humboldt Scarf is knit using two different colors.

Newton Scarf is a free pattern that can be downloaded here. It's a simple lengthwise knit scarf with dropped stitches that uses one ball of the Kauni Effektgarn. A simple way to show off a beautiful yarn.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Upcoming Class: My First Lace Shawl

2011-09-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

This shawl is an easy first lace project and I definitely recommend it. Knit using a worsted weight yarn and bigger needles, it goes by very quickly and makes a warm shawl. You'll learn to follow a pattern, yarn overs, short rows, double decreases and Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off!

Michelle's shawl is knit using 2 skeins of Malabrigo Rios in color Solis. I love the mix of the lace with squishy garter stitch.

This pattern really shows off a hand dyed yarn well.

The class begins Monday, September 19th from 6:30-8:30 pm and is $45.00. Sign up online , over the phone at 503-239-7950 or stop by and check out the class samples hanging in the shop for inspiration!

Class Dates and Times:
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 9/19/2011
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 9/26/2011
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 10/3/2011

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Upcoming Class: Cozy Portland Vest

2011-09-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

Conquer your fears of knitting a sweater with Emily's Cozy Portland Vest class!
Quickly knit using only a few skeins of Debbie Bliss's Donegal Luxury Tweed Chunky on a US # 10 1/2 needle.

Learn short row shaping on these cute cap sleeves.

Emily's vest shown here is knit in color #04, purple.

I was so excited when I saw Emily designing her sweater for the class, I had to make one too! I've been on a sock kick this summer, so casting on a bulky weight vest was quite a change. I quickly knit this over a weekend and had so much fun.
This is a longer version without a button to be worn open. Her pattern is easily adjustable to add or take away length.

Even with the extra length, I only used 3.5 skeins of Donegal Luxury Tweed Chunky in color #03, navy. I love the way it turned out and can already see that I will be getting a lot of wear out of this.

Sign up for her class which starts next Monday, September 19th at 6:30-8:30 online at yarngarden.net or by calling us, 503-239-7950.
The class fee is $45.00 and meets three times. You will learn how to follow a pattern, measure gauge, short rows, seaming, picking up stitches and will have a lovely vest to wear this fall and winter!

Here is a list of all the times the class will meet:

Class Dates and Times:
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 9/19/2011
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 9/26/2011
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 10/3/2011

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

Summer is getting to and end and so is our 12th year anniversary sale. We have lots of beautiful yarns on sale up to 75% off that would make fabulous scarves, hats or sweaters for Christmas gifts! We've put out a few more yarns in our sale room and most are discontinued, so make sure you get enough for your projects.

Here are a few of my favorites on sale right now:

Above, clockwise from left: Eros, Novum and Gypsy.

Eros is a great railroad yarn with lots of yardage and colors. It looks great by itself or paired with another yarn for a little extra color.

Two beautiful Prism hand dyed yarns, Quadro at 75% off (top) and Collage, 60% off.

Clockwise from top left: R2 Rag 75% off, Victoria 60% off, Celeste 60% off and Cotton Braid 75% off.

Here's a cute little crocheted basket we made using the R2 Rag and a big hook. A very quick project!

Here's a cute scarf using 1 ball of the Cotton Braid and size 17 needles. We cast on 8 stitches, knit every row and got a nice long (80") skinny scarf with lots of texture.

Colinette Silky Chic, a hand dyed furry yarn is 75% off.

Playful Weekend, a 100% silk ribbon yarn is 60% off.

Firenze and R2 Paper, both 75% off.

We've been keeping busy with our new fall yarns coming in daily and getting our fall class schedule ready to go. We will be open our regular hours (11am-6pm) Labor Day, September 5th so come on in and see what's new!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Chicory & Clover KAL

2011-08-17T10:31:00.001-07:00

Everybody in the Chicory & Clover knit-a-long group finished and the results were beautiful! We put the names in a hat and drew Carol's name. Here she is with her wonderful gift basket from Classic Elite Yarns and other sponsoring companies. I spied a gorgeous skein of Alpaca Sox in the basket which would make a very pretty Alpaca Sox Shawlette.

Here's a cute shot of Liz, Lois, Jennifer and Carol wearing their Chicory & Clover scarves and cowls during Knit Night. Each one turned out lovely.

Thanks to everyone that participated that are not pictured above: Nancy, Liz R and Donna, and to Classic Elite Yarns!
Stay tuned for our next KAL.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Sock Summit & 12th Year Anniversary Sale!

2011-07-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Above: Our yarn displayed underneath the Hawthorne Bridge (a big thanks to my Brother and Sister-In-Law for making this) with our socks walking across it!

Come by and see us at Sock Summit today through Sunday! We are located in booth 319 ( look for the big Yarn Garden sheep). Entry is $5.00 or $12.00 for the whole weekend.

We have limited sock and lace yarn exclusively hand dyed for us by Sara Hartman, a wonderful artist and part of the Yarn Garden family.
Each color was inspired and named after six of our favorite Portland bridges and each color comes with a free sock pattern that the Yarn Garden staff had fun designing and knitting!
These yarns will only be available at Sock Summit.

Yarn Garden Sock yarn hanging, I'm in love with every color! YG Sock is 75% superwash merino wool/ 25% nylon. We all loved working with it.

Our very own Yarn Garden lace, called Reflections which comes in the same colors as the sock but with a "reflected" look.
It's 100% alpaca, soft and luxurious!

Here are our socks:

Steel Bridge designed by Mary, is knitted cuff down with purl stitches creating X's around the cuff.

I knit Hawthorne using Arwen's awesome toe up formula and added a sweet, vintage inspired folded picot hem.

Fremont, by Arwen is knit toe up with ribbed stitches and connecting cables on the cuff.

Burnside, by Emily is knit toe up and has a cable running all the way to the cuff.

Broadway, by Jo is a sweet and simple toe up rolled cuff ankle sock. We weighed out the yarn after knitting the pair and found that we can get two pairs from one skein!

Morrison, by Michelle is knit cuff down with watery cables running down the sock to the toe.

12th Year Anniversary Sale!

July 29th - September 4th

Kick-off your fall knitting season by joining us for our extraordinary 12th year anniversary sale! Novelty yarns galore will be back by popular demand, at 75% off!

Many, many more yarns will be added to our sale each day.

Hours:
Mon - Fri 11-6 • Sat 10-5 • Sun 12-5
Join us for Knit Nite every Tuesday from 6:00- 8:00

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

More Brown Sheep, Please...

2011-07-22T15:00:00.001-07:00

Our shelves are stocked to the ceiling with Lamb's Pride Worsted, Bulky, Lanaloft Bulky and Sport!

There are some beautiful new colors and lots of old favorites.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Summer Project #2

2011-07-10T09:26:00.001-07:00

Garter Stripes is a simple little triangle shawlette knit with Kirameki in garter stitch, letting the self striping colors really show. The yarn is a lace weight 60% rayon, 25% nylon, 10% wool, 5% cashmere with a range of beautiful colors. I love easy to memorize projects like this that you can pack up and take to the park.

Knit on a size US 2, using one ball of Kirameki. The finished shawlette size is 58" wide and 23" long after blocking. The pattern is available free with yarn purchase.

Kirameki by Noro has been very popular. With 495 yards/50 grams, a one skein project is easy to achieve.

The colors:

Each ball has such a unique change of colors.

Shown in color 156

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Sale!

2011-06-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

New yarns will start arriving before we know it, so we put some yarns on sale to make room!

Emily in her latest sweater, Breezy Cardigan holding Mountain Colors, Weavers Wool Quarters which is 30% off. This yarn makes the best boot socks.

Brown Sheep, Legacy Lace is 30% off!

Rowan, Ribbon Twist is 30% off. A super bulky wool/acrylic with a ribbon twist. This yarn is discontinued, so make sure you get enough!

Here you can see the variegated ribbon twisted with the wool.

Punta Yarns, Mericash Thousand Colors is 40% off! A luxurious blend of merino and cashmere. This is one of my favorite yarns.

Sirdar, Crofter DK is 30% off. A machine washable, wool/acrylic/cotton blend that makes a fair isle effect.

Here are some patterns from the Crofter booklets 349 and 365 that I just love:

Open front short sleeved cardigan. A sweet summer knit.

Boot socks using 2 balls of Crofter DK.

These wrist warmers are so cute! Such a great easy pattern that really shows the fair isle effect.

There is also a kids wrist warmer pattern. How cute!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Summer Project #1

2011-06-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally here! It's time to grab your knitting or crochet and take it outside.
Lightweight portable projects are perfect for warm weather so we thought we'd start to hopefully inspire by sharing a fun project idea each week.

Shawlette's have been so popular and such a great way to knit with sock yarn at a looser gauge making a soft, lightweight fabric.
Emily designed this very cute Alpaca Sox Shawlette using just one ball of Alpaca Sox by Classic Elite Yarns in color dried herbs. Knit from the top down with a random mix of garter and stockinette rows, finished with a picot edge. The pattern is available free with yarn purchase.

I really like the way the picot edge adds a little "girlie" flare.

Here you can see the fun she had with alternating garter to stockinette.

The yarn, Alpaca Sox in color dried herbs. A fingering weight yarn at 8 sts/in and a soft mix of 60% alpaca, 20% merino wool, 20% nylon with 450 yards in a skein.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Pub Night 6/17/11

2011-06-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

Last week's Pub Knitting was so much fun, my mother and I are always looking forward to it. I love seeing what everyone is working on and just the sight of that many knitters and crocheters taking over the bar is amazing! Thanks to everyone that came and thanks Barley Mill for being so wonderful to us every month!
The next Pub Knitting Night will be Friday, July 15th at the Barley Mill. (Always the 3rd Friday of the month)
Give us a call, 503-239-7950 or email sales@yarngarden.net to sign up for the next date!

Here are some pics from last week:

Raffling off some goodies!

Deb's work-in-progress using Fez yarn by Debbie Bliss. So soft!

Knitting and a couple of reading lights.

Raffle time!

Jared, our wonderful waiter. We love him!

Michelle looking wonderful in her knitted Firefly top!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Pub Night!

2011-06-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

The third Friday of the month is here at last!

Join us tonight for Yarn Garden Pub Knitting at the Barley Mill located on 17th & Hawthorne from 7-10pm.
Bring your knitting or crochet and have a drink and some laughs.

If you haven't signed up yet, shoot us an email sales@yarngarden.net or give us a call 503-239-7950 to let us know you're coming so we can reserve enough space.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Yarn Garden Love

2011-06-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

I was happy to find that ball hank n' skein had written a lovely review about us on her blog.

"I ended up going to the most amazing yarn shop ever - the Yarn Garden in Hawthorne!!! Huge selection of tons and tons of great yarns at all different price ranges and really nice sales people. People from Portland are probably tsk tsking me right now for not having gone sooner, I have heard that it is great, but seriously I didn't know that it would be that great. Worth crossing the river for this place."

Thanks for the nice words!

Here's a pic of her project, the beginnings of a meditation floor cushion requested from one of her Etsy customers crocheted using the soft and squishy Cascade 128 wool. Love the colors.
Can't wait to see the finished pillow!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Progress

2011-06-11T11:50:00.001-07:00

Donna, one of our lovely customers, came in today and I got a peak of her progress on the Christie short sleeved cardigan she just cast on. I love the color she chose, Blush. It's kind of a muted rose with a light tan plied with it, giving the fabric a subtle tweedy look. I got a pic of her work-in-progress next to the model we have in the shop, pictured above. She also had some other fabulous projects I should have snapped some pics of.

Everyone here loves to see what everyone is making, it's probably the best part of working at Yarn Garden, aside from being surrounded by beautiful yarns all day.

Thanks for bringing in your projects today Donna!

Christie cardigan from the Classic Elite Yarns booklet, Cricket.

Cricket has become a staff pick for summer yarns around here. It's soft and has a wonderful drape and the colors are wonderful.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Marina is Back!

2011-06-10T17:50:00.001-07:00

Marina is back in stock after completely selling out of every color!
If you're not familiar with this popular yarn, Marina is a net yarn that easily and quickly knits up into layers of ruffles! We have easy instructions on how to cast on with this yarn and create a fluffy boa scarf using just 1 ball!

Rozetti's Marina is a 100% acrylic webbed ribbon yarn. 4-5 sts/in on a US 7-9 knitting needle and 2.75 - 3.50 sts/in on a I-K crochet hook. There are 33 yds per 100 grams.

On the needles, the fabulous spring boa scarf in the color Spectrum.

We have the new colors as well as old favorites.

Clockwise from top left: Halloween Glam (new!), Blue Monarch, Galaxy (new) and Aquarius (new)

Clockwise from top left: Blackjack (new), Opal, Vineyard (new) and Blue Monarch

Clockwise from left: Spectrum, Masquerade (new), Halloween Glam (new) and Poppies

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

More Colors Please

2011-06-10T16:02:00.000-07:00

More wonderful colors have arrived from Malabrigo and Classic Elite! A few new ones and a few that were back ordered. All beautiful.

Silky Merino

Cumparista, a mix of reds and purples

Malabrigo Rios

Archangel (one of our most popular colors) and Solis

Purpuras and Piedras

Malabrigo Worsted

Polvoriento (my new favorite color) and Uva

Nostalgia and Tuareg

Navidad and Rich Chocolate

Classic Elite Yarns - Sprout

New colors arrived in Sprout, from left to right: Mint, Wisteria and Glacier

Sprout is a wonderful bulky weight 100% organic cotton yarn with a wide range of beautiful colors. It's one of the softest cotton yarns I've ever felt!

We all fell in love with Parker the Frog when he arrived at our shop for a recent Classic Elite Yarns trunk show featuring all the garments and toys from the booklet Wee Ones. Parker is knit with 3 skeins of Sprout in color Galapagos Green.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Cricket Trunk Show

2011-06-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hanging in the shop right now is the Cricket trunk show from Classic Elite, featuring all of the garments knit from the booklet Cricket and each one is beautiful.
Cricket, a 60% cotton/ 40% linen, worsted weight yarn has been so popular with the weather warming up.

Christie is my favorite. A simple cap sleeved cardigan, worked in one piece with sweet little pockets and a shawl collar. I love the texture, the fit and especially the color (daffodil)!

Hope is a another summery short sleeved cardigan with lace detail and ribbed shaping.
Pictured here in color Natural in a size small.

The button band is knit using a simple eyelet pattern. Very cute.

Shanda is a two color square neck pullover with 3/4 length sleeves. I like how the designer took a simple shape and had fun with color (shown in colors Manzanilla & Teal Blue). This has a great fit too!

Faith is a reversible leaf stitch wrap worked from side to side, shown in color Celadon.

Last is Carina, a tank top with rib and leaf detail on the front and back knit in color Budgie. The perfect summer top.

We love Classic Elite's pattern and it's even more exciting to see them knit up in person, so come in and check them out! We will have them hanging in the shop until the 13th, then even more CEY summer trunk shows to follow.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Liberty Wool & Blocking Kits

2011-06-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

The new Liberty Wool colors have arrived for the month of June and they're wonderful.

In case you haven't been following, we have a subscription to receive 2 new Liberty Colors from Classic Elite each month before they are available in the fall! Kind of a sneak preview. We've fallen in love with every colorway and get so excited to see the next.

Pictured above is color Red Rock Canyon, #7812. A mix of violets, pinks and tans.

Pictured above: Starry Night, # 7811 is a mix of blues, greens and that bright chartreuse that's so popular right now.

Molly is a fun and frilly scarf that really shows how the colors change as you knit with them.
This is one of six really cute patterns featured in the Classic Elite Liberty Wool booklet.

I think the Liberty Wool prints would be really fun to use for the Chicory & Clover KAL.

Blocking Kits!

We also received some handy blocking kits. This cute tote is filled with everything you'll need to block your recent FO. Until recently, I would block my scarves, shawls and sweaters on large beach towels laying on the floor of my tiny apartment. My straight pins wouldn't stay put in the towel and my cat would make the wet garment his new bed. The blocking kit changes everything!

The kit includes an instruction pamphlet, 12" square blocking tiles, T-pins and a lint-free pressing cloth made of 100% Egyptian cotton all packed in a sturdy and stylish reusable bag. Who could ask for anything more?

-Annie, Yarn Garden

In Vogue

2011-06-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

The new Vogue Magazine, Early Fall 2011, arrived today!
It has some great patterns and articles on fabulous designers.

This Pompom Capelet, featured in the new Vogue, will be a perfect knit for fall.

Also, if you haven't already picked up your copy of the Interweave Knits summer 2011 issue, you must!
It's full of great lace projects and a couple of my favorites below.

Emily (pictured above) just cast off the Cat's Eye Tam, featured in the new Interweave Knits , designed by Mary Jane Mucklestone. I love Emily's colors and isn't her Hedgehog Sweater the cutest?! It's the Paper Dolls pattern, but with hedgehogs! Both knit with St. Denis Boreale.

The Hourglass Lace Socks are also a great summer project. They'd be perfect our new favorite sock yarn, Zoe Sock by Shalimar Yarns.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Knit Night

2011-06-01T15:44:00.001-07:00

Quite a few people have been signing up for the Chicory & Clover Cowl Knit-a-long we're hosting and it's fun to see the progress!
Here's a few pics from last night's Tuesday Knit Night:

Lois is knitting hers in color Venice in the yarn Firefly by Classic Elite.

Here's a Chicory & Clover Cowl that will be cozy all year round using 2 skeins of Alpaca Sox yarn by Classic Elite in a teal and granny smith green.

Another cowl using Firely in a bright red!

If you'd like to join the KAL, come in and register and we'll help you find a yarn that will work and the cowl pattern or a pattern from the 2011 spring collection. More info about the KAL on our blog post here.

You have until July 31st to finish your project, so there's still lots of time! Then we'll pick a winner that will receive a $100 valued gift basket from Classic Elite and friends.

Here's a few more pics from Knit Night:

Katie's silky cowl is knitting up beautifully.

Joanne's mosaic socks are so cool! I love seeing what colors she's using.

Join us every Tuesday evening for our Knit Night from 6-8pm. We have champagne, employees to help you with projects, a great group of regulars and newbies and it's free!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Yarn Garden Key Chains

2011-05-28T14:10:00.001-07:00

Show your love for Yarn Garden with our new limited edition key chains! We only had 20 made in a variety of colors, so pick one up for yourself and get happy finding our sheep in the bottom of your purse wrapped around your keys.

Handmade right here in Oregon by One of a Kind Buttons, maker of our favorite buttons. Each key chain and button is made from ceramic and glazed to perfection with an assortment wonderful colors. The ceramic makes even the largest button lightweight, perfect for a one-button closure cardigan, a felted bag or hat!

Some of the many great buttons!

Here are two of my favorite buttons, a cloudy city scene (very Portland) and a big chrysanthemum-like flower!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Join our KAL and Win!

2011-05-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

Chicory & Clover cowl version in colors Cyprus and Brittania.

Calling all knitters! Join us for our Classic Elite Knit-a-long and win a $100 valued gift basket!
The rules are simple, each person chooses any project from the 2011 Spring Collection requiring 2 or more balls of any CEY brand yarn and finish by July 31st.

We went ahead and picked a project we thought everyone would love but also something small and portable for easy summer knitting. The pattern is the Chicory & Clover cowl or scarf, pictured above, featured in the booklet Meadow. It's knit using Firefly, a viscose/linen blend.
Join us at Knit Night, every Tuesday evening from 6-8pm to work on the KAL. If you can't make Knit Night, just shoot us and email, sales@yarngarden.net or call us at 503-239-7950 to give us your name and the project and yarn you're going to use.

Remember, you don't have to knit the Chicory & Clover cowl or scarf to join the group, just as long as you're making something from the 2011 spring booklets with a Classic Elite yarn!

Here is the Chicory & Clover scarf version in colors Linum and Capri. So summery and cute!

Pattern Booklets from the 2011 Spring Collection:

Wee Ones is filled with adorable baby projects that only use around 3-4 balls of yarn & High Seas has some wonderful shawl and scarf patterns in lots of different Classic Elite yarns.

Seaside is the new booklet featuring Sprout, an organic cotton yarn & the Cricket booklet has four beautiful patterns using Cricket, a linen/cotton yarn.

Rocky Coast features the yarn Solstice, a wool/organic cotton blend perfect for the northwest. Shoreline is also a great summer booklet using Allegoro, an organic cotton/linen blend.

Meadow has four sweet patterns using Firefly.

Here's a pic of the basket you could win! It's filled with sweet swag from Classic Elite's gracious friends at companies like ChiaoGoo, Soak, Della Q, Namaste, Eucalan, Lantern Moon, Designs by Romi, Paradise Buttons, and Buttons Etc. All of the baskets are a little different, the picture is an example of the great stuff you could receive.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Upcoming Class: Pick Your Own Project

2011-05-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

"Have a project you'd love to start but think you'll need help? Afraid to tackle a new pattern on your own? Then this class is for you! You'll get help in reading your pattern, as well as instruction with technique." - Michelle

One of my favorite classes is starting this week and there's still room to sign up!
It's Michelle's Pick Your Own Project, a 3 class series that's all about making that project you've wanted to make but need some help with.

This class starts this Thursday, so hurry and sign up online at yarngarden.net or give us a call at 503-239-7950.

Class Dates and Times:
Thu. 6:30pm - 8:30pm 5/26/2011
Thu. 6:30pm - 8:30pm 6/2/2011
Thu. 6:30pm - 8:30pm 6/9/2011

Skills needed to take this class: CO, k, p, BO

This cropped cardigan with leaf ties from Knitty Spring 2007 would be my pick if I took this class. Lots of shaping, folded pico hems, seaming and knitted on i-cord ties. Quite a few things I still need to learn!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Lacey Days

2011-05-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

With the sun finally making an appearance, it's all about summery lace projects.
I'm a big fan of Classic Elite patterns, they're timeless and contemporary. We have a fabulous selection of their Silky Alpaca Lace and just introduced the new handpaint colors. A free pattern from Classic Elite's web letter, the Silky Alpaca Lace Scarf, by Tonia Barry is a simple openwork lace scarf knit with just one skein of Silky Alpaca Lace, shown here in color Tropical Fruit.

The finished measurements are 10.5" wide and 52" long.

The Yarn:
Silky Alpaca Lace is the perfect spring/summer yarn with 70% alpaca/30% silk.
Each 50 gram ball has 440 yards and gives a gauge from 17-32 stitches per inch on a US 2-9 knitting needle.
Solid colors are $9.95 each, handpaints are $11.95.

From top to bottom: Desert Flowers, Tropical Fruit, Cosmos and Turquoise Shadow.

Top to bottom: Midnight Forest, Antique Kaleidoscope, Sunlit Grotto and Wheatfield.

Shown here: Sunlight Grotto. The colors really pop with the 30% silk!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Pub Knitting

2011-05-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

Pub Knitting is tonight! We'll be at Barley Mill, located on 17th and SE Hawthorne Blvd from 7-10pm. Give us a call at 503-239-7950 or email sales@yarngarden.net to let us know if you're coming so we know how many tables to reserve.

See ya there!

Summer Shawlette

2011-05-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

I was really excited after we received the new Shalimar Yarns that I immediately cast on the Holden Shawlette using Zoe Sock in color Curry. It was a pleasure to knit with and the subtle stonewash color changes made even the stockinette section look stunning! The yarn is soft, squishy and blooms on a bigger needle.
It turned out so lovely, it's my new favorite shawlette!

The pattern, by Mindy Wilkes, is a free Ravelry download. It has easy to follow written and chart instructions and is knit from the top down so you can easily add or shorten the length or add more lace sections.
I used exactly one skein of the Zoe Sock yarn, 450 yards total.
The pattern called for a US 6 with a sock weight yarn which makes a wonderful lightweight spring/summer fabric, perfect for shawlette.

Zoe Sock in color Curry.

The hardest part was picking one of the fifty gorgeous colors.

I think Breathless, also from Shalimar Yarns, would make the perfect shawlette too! With 75% merino/ 15% cashmere/ 10 % silk and 420 yards, you could easily make a beautiful one skein summer shawl or top.
This yarn is the staff pick right now and located right on the wall when you first walk in so you have to pet it!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Nautika

2011-05-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

New from Knit One Crochet Too is Nautika!
This yarn is soft, has a wonderful ply that gives off a gorgeous sheen and great stitch definition.
Nautika knits up at 4.25 stitches per inch on a US 8 needle, is machine wash and dry with 98 yards per 50 gram ball.
It's a blend of 85% microfiber/15% nylon and $4.75 a ball!

This yarn is perfect for babies, hats, summer tops and more.
The colors are wonderful too!

Clockwise from top left: Natural, Barely Blue, Pistachio, Olive, Pearl and Cafe Au Lait.

Clockwise from top left: Chalk, Petal, Maize, Pistachio, Hibiscus and Marine.

Here you can see the beautiful luster.
Excited to use this yarn!

Also in stock:

The new Knit & Spin arrived with a great article on washing wool.

New Interweave Knits Summer 2011 is here too! There are some beautiful lacy tops and shawls in this issue.

Also, Oregon's own Black Sheep Newsletter, issue 147, has arrived!

-Annie

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day shopping? We have gift cards!

Let your mom treat herself to that yarn she's always wanted, a class from our spring schedule or maybe a swift and ball winder so she doesn't have to hand wind those big hanks of yarn anymore.

You can purchase a gift card on our website here: yarngarden.net or give us a call at 503-239-7950. If you don't live in the area you can buy a gift card and have us hold it for your mother to pick up.

We will be open Mother's Day our regular hours, 12-5pm.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Welcome Shalimar!

2011-05-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

The two yarns that we mentioned in our E-news letter have arrived!
The new yarns by Shalimar are inspired from the changing seasons and subtle-colors and hues associated with their rural farm life in Maryland. They offer 50 signature stone wash colors, giving you a wonderful and diverse palette to create your work of love.

Breathless is a fingering weight, 3-ply superwash blend of merino, cashmere and silk with 420 yards per 100 gram skein. It will make the perfect light weight sweater or shawl!

Great colors! This yarn is absolutely gorgeous.

Zoe Sock is a 3-ply fingering weight, 100% superwash merino wool with 450 yards per 100 gram skein. It's so soft and squishy, it would also make a great shawl or sweater!

We have all 50 colors in of the Zoe Sock!

Here's my pick: Zoe Sock in the color Curry. I just love it. Soon it will be a shawl!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Sale!

2011-04-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

We've added a couple sock yarns to our sock yarn sale and also some heavier winter yarns too!
Berroco Peruvia and Blackstone Tweed are 40% off starting today!

Peruvia, 100% Peruvian Highland wool is an aran weight feltable yarn.
40% off 8.95

Blackstone Tweed, a 65% wool/25% mohair/10% angora is a worsted weight super soft tweed.
40% off 9.50

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Upcoming Class - Basic Toe Up Socks

2011-04-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

Learn to knit socks from the toe-up with Arwen!
This sport-weight sock will take you through all the steps of toe-up construction. Students will discover a unique cast-on, investigate short rows, and learn how to adjust a basic formula for the perfect fit at any gauge. Bottoms up!

Knit to fit!

Class Dates and Times:
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 4/25/2011
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 5/2/2011
Mon. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 5/9/2011

Skills needed to take this class - CO, knit, purl, BO, comfortable working in the round with smaller needles. Sign up here.
This is an intermediate class.

Arwen's lovely red sock was made with 2 skeins of Cascade 220 Sport Superwash, color 893.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Spring Sock Yarn Sale!

2011-04-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

A few favorites that are 40% off. Clockwise from left: Ty-Dy Socks, Sox Appeal, Summer Sox, Summer Sox and Tofutsies

We have to make room on our sock wall so we have selected some sock yarns to be discounted 40%. These discounted yarns will make great sock projects to take with you on vacation or quick weekend hops to the coast.

The new yarns by Shalimar are inspired from the changing seasons and subtle-colors and hues associated with their rural farm life in Maryland. They offer over 50 signature stone wash colors, giving you a wonderful and diverse palette to create your work of love.

We will be carrying all 50 of these gorgeous colors in Zoe Sock! My favorites are Byzantium and Curry.

Zoe Sock is a 3-ply fingering weight, 100% superwash merino wool with 450 yards per 100 gram skein.

Breathless is a fingering weight, 3-ply superwash blend of merino, cashmere and silk with 420 yards per 100 gram skein. It will make the perfect light weight sweater or shawl!

Spring Classes!

Be sure to check out our new spring class schedule on our website. We’re offering quite a few sock classes, along with technique workshops and summery projects, get creative this spring! Sign up on-line or by calling the shop at (503) 239-7950.

New from Plymouth, Rosewood Interchangeable needle sets! (I love these!)

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Liberty Wool April Colors

2011-04-12T17:02:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and so are the new colors of Liberty Wool prints for April! Back in February we signed up for the Liberty Wool Subscription Program so that we get two new colors each month until June, and as subscribers we're the first to get the colors in stock!. So far the colors have all been beautiful!

7807 Campfire

7806 Reflecting Pool

"Much like the month of their release, our April colors represent cool and warm. First, there is Reflecting Pool, a blend of greens, blues and white, with a splash of lavender thrown in. Next is Campfire, a hot mix of reds, oranges, browns, and blues with an inspired electric purple stripe." - Classic Elite

Double Thick Socks to wear with boots or around the house, knit in color Campfire.

The Easy Baby Sweater, pictured in color Reflecting Pool, is a simple cardigan knit from the top down written for sizes 6months-2years.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Malabrigo

2011-04-05T16:58:00.000-07:00

Today we received a shipment of Malabrigo Worsted, Rios, Lace, Sock and Silky Merino!
The shelves are stocked and the new colors are gorgeous.

Malabrigo Lace, color Frank Ochre (my favorite!)

So many pretty Malabrigo Lace colors!
One skein has plenty of yardage for a shawlette too.

Silky Merino, color Pradera

Lots of Silky Merino in new colors.

Here's a pic of the Pt. Reyes Mitts I made using Silky Merino in color Topaz.
Just took one skein and the pattern is free from Classic Elite!

Malabrigo Sock, color Archangel.

Malabrigo Sock now comes in Ravelry Red!

Rios, color Arco Iris

We received a few new colors of Rios.

Malabrigo Worsted, color Mariposa

Fully stocked on the Malabrigo Worsted. Love it.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Spring Hours

2011-04-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

Our Spring hours will start tomorrow, Monday, April 4th:

Mon-Fri 11-6pm
Sat 10-5pm
Sun- 12-5pm

New From Classic Elite

2011-03-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

New from Classic Elite is Cricket. A 60% cotton, 40% linen worsted weight yarn with a gauge of 5 sts/inch on US 6 (4mm) needles.
With 105 yards in a 50 gram ball, $6.50.
Cricket has a unique tweed look with it's tone on tone colors and with the blend of cotton and linen, it should have a nice drape.

CEY Cricket booklet has five beautiful spring patterns.

Christie is my favorite! Knit in color Daffodil #3950.

From left to right: Daffodil, Manzanilla, Natural and Blush.

From left to right: Celadon, Sky, Teal Blue and Navy Blue.

From left to right: Pumpkin, Cardinal, Bright Cerulean and Budgie.

We added a few new colors of Solstice by Classic Elite.
It's a blend of 70% organic cotton and 30% merino wool. It's so soft and the new colors are wonderful! We also got the latest pattern booklet using this yarn.

CEY Rocky Coast features four cute patterns using Solstice.

Daily Catch from the Rocky Coast booklet is the perfect summer cardigan with sweet lace detail.

CEY Shoreline features four designs using Allegoro, a sport weight 70% organic cotton, 30% organic linen. We added the new spring colors to the collection and they're beautiful!

CEY High Seas features 9 patterns using Silky Alpaca Lace, Pebbles, Firefly and more!

The Parkhurst shawl in the High Seas booklet is to die for! Knit with Silky Alpaca Lace, 1 ball each of colors Lake Chad and Cameroon.

Appledore, also from High Seas is a sweet shawl with a ruffled edge knit in Firefly, color Venice.

CEY Meadow is the new Firefly booklet! There are five cute summer patterns inside.

The Chicory & Clover cowl is adorable. What a perfect summer scarf. A quick lace knit and picking two colors to go together will be so much fun since with the addition of the new colors!

Firefly was probably our most popular yarn last summer so we were very excited to get the new colors this season! It's a sport weight 75% rayon, 25% linen that knits up to 24 sts/inch on a US 5 needle and is $8.50 a ball.

From left to right: Chicory, Hyacinth, Sour Apple, Cyprus, Sicily, Corsica, Capri and Linum.

From left to right: Crimson, Delos, Padua, Pink Petunia, Thistle and Brittania.

Here's my Firefly Fringed Scarf from last summer in color Hyacinth.
The pattern is from the CEY booklet Picnic. I love this scarf and made three different colored ones for myself!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

101 Hats!

2011-03-22T11:16:00.000-07:00

Today we sent out 101 hats and 5 cowls all hand knitted and crocheted for the Transitions Project! That's a lot of hats!
A BIG thank you to everyone that found the time to make a warm item for the homeless.

If you're interested in charity knitting/crocheting we are currently taking donations for the Transitions Project, Project Lighthouse, Preemie Beanies and Chemo Caps. We have free patterns for the charity projects on our website yarngarden.net

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

New Spring/Summer Yarns

2011-03-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

Our spring and summer yarns have started to arrive! Here are a few that I just love...

Stacy Charles, Crystal is a lace weight yarn studded with shimmering sequins. It's a blend of 75% polyester/25% cotton with a gauge of 8-12 sts/in on a US #2-7 knitting needle and 144 yds per 25gm ball and is $29.95.
Who doesn't love a little glitz?

From left to right: Sunbeam, Silver Mist and Milky Way.

The Elsa Lace Scarf pictured here is currently on my mom's knitting needles and only uses one ball of Crystal. Each side of the scarf is knit separately then seamed together in the middle so the lace pattern falls the same on each end. It's just gorgeous! Can't wait to post pics when she binds off.

The Elsa Lace Scarf is one of many cute patterns in the new Tahki Stacy Charles book, Knitscape.

Tahki Stacy Charles, Ripple is a worsted weight thick and thin 100% mercerized cotton yarn.
With a gauge of 4.5 sts per inch on a US 7 knitting needle or a H-8 crochet hook and 142 yds per 50 grams and is $8.95 a ball.

Really excited to use this. The texture will make the simplest stitch look really neat!

From top to bottom: Driftwood, Sage, Fog and Pearl

From top to bottom: Ebony, Ocean, Coral and Sunshine

The Warren 2-way jacket in Ripple shown here worn in the short version can be flipped and worn as a longer jacket too.

Urban Renewal from Tahki Stacy Charles features the Warren 2-way jacket among other lightweight Spring knits.

From top to bottom: Geisha, Ginger Lily, Avocado and Pagoda

Sublime Yarns, Bamboo & Pearls DK is a blend of 70% bamboo/30% pearls. The pearl fibre in this yarn is made by using a viscose yarn blended with pearl powder during the spinning process. The pearl powder is from natural pearls, raised in rivers or lakes.
There are 104 yds in each 50 gram ball with a gauge of 5.5 sts/inch on a US 6 knitting needle and $8.95.

The yarn has a nice drape and beautiful shine.
Would make the perfect summer scarf!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Sparkling Halo - Staff Favorite

2011-03-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

Arwen recently finished the Horai Scarf by Hiroku Fukatsu, a free pattern featured on Hiroku's blog and Ravelry.

Luna, color Blue Moon #25

The Yarn:
Luna by Stacy Charles is a lace weight blend of 71% mohair/20% silk /9% metallic making it fluffy, soft and just the right amount of sparkle. Each ball has 232 yds with a gauge of 23 stitches per 4 inches on a US 4 knitting needle or a size 2.75mm (C) crochet hook. Luna is $13.95 a ball and comes in beautiful colors.
We all love this yarn!

The Cowl:
Arwen changed the pattern a bit to make the scarf into a cowl, knitting it flat then seaming it together at the end. Knit on a US 10 1/2 knitting needle, she doubled the yarn and used 3 balls of Luna in color Sunbeam #26.

It turned out lovely!

© EmilyDevlin

Emily also used Luna recently for her New Year's sweater. The pattern is called Lalou by Rosemary Hill.
She used color Stormy Skies #23 along with beads. It's such a beautiful sweater.

© EmilyDevlin

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Marina

2011-03-08T11:12:00.000-08:00

New and already very familiar is Marina by Rozetti. Much like Triana, Marina is a net yarn that easily and quickly knits up into layers of ruffles! We have easy instructions on how to cast on with this yarn and create a fluffy boa scarf using just 1 ball!

On the needles, the fabulous spring boa scarf in the color Spectrum.

Rozetti's Marina is a 100% acrylic webbed ribbon yarn. 4-5 sts/in on a US 7-9 knitting needle and 2.75 - 3.50 sts/in on a I-K crochet hook. There are 33 yds per 100 grams and are $11.95 a ball. We have every color in stock and are just in love with this yarn!

Clockwise from top right: Poppies, Bronze Age, Carnivale and Spectrum

Clockwise from top right: Blue Monarch, Opal, Pink Pearl and Garden Path.

Clockwise from top right: Creme, Bright White, Classic Film and Noir.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Raffle Winners

2011-03-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

Amee, the winner of the big basket!

The Portland Yarn Crawl came and went this past weekend.
We had so much fun meeting new people, hiding the scavenger hunt cowl, drawing the winning raffle tickets and seeing so many hand knits and crochets!

We drew raffle tickets for each day of the Crawl and handed out gift baskets with hand dyed sock yarn to Devon Burton, Niki Steckley and Debbie McKenzie. The final drawing at the end of the weekend for the big raffle basket put together by all the sponsoring companies went to Amee Pacheco. Congrats!

A big thank you to everyone that Crawled and to the sponsoring companies!

Can't wait for next year!

Friday raffle winner Devon Burton.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Portland Yarn Crawl March 4-6th

2011-03-03T17:48:00.001-08:00

The Portland Yarn Crawl begins tomorrow through Sunday and we're excited!

Come by Yarn Garden or any of the 20 participating yarn stores and sign in. Signing in will enter you in the drawing for one of the giant prize baskets put together by the sponsoring companies. The more stores you sign in at the better your chances are of winning one of the baskets!
There will also be a scavenger hunt! It's free to join the Yarn Crawl. More info on the Crawl here: portlandyarncrawl.com

On top of the big prize baskets, we will also be giving away Yarn Garden prize bags each day of the Portland Yarn Crawl, so don't forget to sign in when you arrive. There are 3 bags, so remember to sign in every day you come in...you may win more than one.

We will have complimentary coffee, tea, patterns and magazines in our classroom. The free patterns and magazines are first come first served; take as many as you like. Our sale area will be restocked each day with new bargains! We're putting lots of delicious yarns on sale up to 50%off.

Since the crawl scavenger theme this year is cowls, the shop will be filled with these fluffy delights and many of our cowl patterns are free with yarn purchase. Good luck finding the right cowl!

Can't wait to see everyone!

In our pattern room you'll find lots of great yarns like Vivaldi, Dove, Ranco and many more on sale up to 50% off!

In the classroom we've filled the table with free patterns and half off balls of yarn and in the cotton/baby yarn room we have patterns on sale 60% off!

The BIG basket raffle prize! Full of fabulous yarns, books needles and more from all the sponsoring companies.

Yarn Garden's raffle prizes for each day of the Crawl!

Here is a map with Yarn Garden, our favorite spots to eat and bus stop information. If you are bicycling, SE Salmon St is a designated bicycle street just a few blocks north of us. We have bicycle parking in front of the shop! Ride safe.

View Yarn Garden in a larger map

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Eco Duo Scarf

2011-02-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

We've all been fondling the soft and fluffy Eco Duo alpaca yarn from Cascade and were happy to see that Mary had made herself a scarf using it!

The Pattern
One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee aka the Yarn Harlot. It's a free pattern on her blog and we love it! Mary used only 1 skein of Eco Duo in color Storm #1703 and the scarf turned out long enough to wrap around once.

The Yarn
Cascade Yarns Eco Duo is an aran weight, undyed blend of 70% alpaca, 30% merino.
There are 197 yds/100 gr in a skein with 4.5 sts per inch on a US 8 knitting needle for $12.25 per skein.
The natural undyed colors are beautiful and the yarn is as soft as it comes.

The undyed colors are so rich.

Here you can see how the yarn slowly fades into different shades.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Charity Knitting

2011-02-17T13:57:00.001-08:00

Roseanne, a dear customer of ours is involved with Project Lighthouse and we thought we could help her get some hand knit/crochet donations from all our wonderful charity knitters and crocheters!

"Project Lighthouse is a grassroots organization whose purpose is to provide new winter apparel to elders, children and others on Native reservations, especially the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. A wonderful and welcome accompaniment to donated new coats and blankets are hand-knit or crocheted scarves, hats or mittens. All colors and sizes are welcomed.

Recipients include elders, young children and everyone in between. This is a great opportunity to try out that new pattern or technique and give your new creation a good home!

All items will be wrapped with a ribbon and have a tag with your name. When you drop off your item(s), please include a note with your name legibly written. You may include a brief note of greeting. These are more than donations – they are gifts from one person to another!

Suggested yarn would be DK/sport weight or heavier. Washable yarn, especially for children’s items is also a plus. Some brands: Cascade, Berroco, Plymouth Encore."

For more information about Project Lighthouse, please contact Rosanne Paulson @ roseladypdx@comcast.net and indicate Project Lighthouse or PLH in the subject line.

Favorite Shades of Gray

2011-02-14T09:30:00.000-08:00

More Jarbo Garn Gastrike 1-ply yarn has arrived! This is one of my favorite lace yarns because of the traditional sheepy feel to it and the colors, or lack of colors. I grew up in overcast Seattle and this yarn fits right in with its shades of grays.
I love each one from charcoal, heathered light gray, creme and black.
This would make a beautiful Annis shawlette.

Gastrike 1-ply is 100% wool with 660 yards/ 100 gm skein for $7.95.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Staff Pick: Noro Kirameki

2011-02-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Freya, 1 ball of Kirameki in color 164

Who doesn't love Noro? They're famous for their beautiful self striping colors used in hats, sweaters, scarves, socks and now lace!

We received Kirameki, a lace weight 60% rayon, 25% nylon, 10% wool, 5% cashmere and fell in love with it. There are 495 yds/50 gm ball with a gauge of 8-10 sts/in on a US 0-2 needle.
The yardage is perfect for lace shawlettes and the color changes make the simplest stitch fun.

Lace yarn isn't just for lace anymore either. We've been using it for lightweight cardigans, baby sweaters, airy hats and many more garments. That's why this yarn is so exciting...we can't wait to see how you use it!

Spring colors. I love the mixtures of burnt oranges with pinks.

Warm neutrals

Blues!

The latest from Noro, Noro Love (book 10) features the little shawlette pattern Freya along with drapey short sleeved cardigans, sweaters, hats and cute little toddler sweaters.

Freya shawlette from the book.
They used 1 ball of Kirameki color #158.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Good Things

2011-02-10T12:41:00.001-08:00

It's still chilly outside and what better way to keep warm than with a super soft baby alpaca cowl? This cowl was knit using one skein of Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky in color 562 Monterey Bay. The pattern knits up quick on a US 11 in the round with a fun 5 row pattern repeat. It's available free from Cascade Yarns here.

Baby Alpaca Chunky is 100% baby alpaca with a gauge of 3.5 sts/ inch on a US 10 and 108 yards per 100 gram skein. This yarn is so soft and squishy. The colors are beautiful, from hand painted to heathered solids.

I think everyone needs one of these cowls.

New Colors of Liberty Wool for February!

We received the two new colors of Classic Elite Liberty Wool this month and they're gorgeous!
This is Ultra Violet Autumn #7890.

Pictured here is North Sea Whitecaps, #7891.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Class Spotlight: Quincy Hat

2011-02-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

There are still a few spots open in the Quincy Hat class that starts tomorrow evening. Quincy, designed by Jared Flood is a unique addition to every knitter's hat collection. It looks good on everyone, is knit in chunky yarn so it's quick, and has clever construction that will teach you to knit built in i-cord, pick up stitches, and graft.

The class will be taught by our very own Emily Devlin.
Class Dates and Times:
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/10/2011
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/17/2011
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/24/2011

Sign up online here or over the phone: 503-239-7950.

Also, students in this class will be able to purchase the Made In Brooklyn booklet for a discounted price of $10. (normally $16.95) The booklet is filled with wonderful patterns including the Grove Mittens which we taught in January.

Here you can see the unique design with the i-cord edge.

Stop by the shop to see the bubble gum pink sample for this new class. (Don't you love Emily's matching pink mittens and her lovely cabled coat?!)

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Portland Tweed Trunk Show

2011-02-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

Today we received a Classic Elite trunk show featuring booklet, Prairie #9127. All four garments are made with Portland Tweed, an aran weight 50% Wool/ 25% Rayon /25% Alpaca with 120 yards per 50 gram ball. The little flecks of tweed make each color interesting. I love the way this yarn has a traditional woolly feel and look but also has a soft halo of alpaca hairs.
Each pattern is simple and classic with little details like smocking and cables.

We will have these garments in the shop until Feb. 21st.

Portland Tweed, color Tidal Foam (#5004)

Tumbleweed, a fair isle yoke pullover worked in the round from the bottom up.

My favorite, Thistle. A cable and ribbed slouchy hat. This hat uses two balls of Portland Tweed. I already have a color picked out! I'm going to use Sulfur #5075. (pictured below in the Barley cardigan)

So pretty.

Sarsparilla, shown here in color Rosewater #5052.
A simple garter stitch shawl with a cabled edge and fringe.

The fringe is created by dropping stitches.

This wonderful cardigan is called Barley. A simple shawl collar with smocking shaping the waist and cuffs and a simple tie closure. This is one of those patterns that you don't need to change. Everything is perfect, even the color, Sulfur #5075.

Come in and check them all out!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Vandalism Update

2011-02-04T09:47:00.000-08:00

Good news! A local company called Glass Magnum saw the graffiti all over our windows and stopped by the store to tell us about their services. They do glass repair and can actually get rid of acid etched vandalism without replacing the windows and save us a lot of money.

They came by yesterday and did one of our windows and it was truly magic! They worked on the glass very carefully until the acid was gone and even some really old graffiti scratches. They also offer window guard installation on the glass to protect it from any future vandalism.
They did an excellent job, they're really friendly and there is hardly any waste involved in their services.
Replacing old windows can be a very difficult job and makes for a cold, loud and unpleasant shopping experience for our customers as well. So, we highly recommend Glass Magnum for any glass repairs.

Here are the before and after pics:

Before. This is our main entrance window, acid was right in the middle and
there were also some old graffiti scratches in the glass.

After! No traces of the acid or scratches! I warned them that they
would be dreaming of red socks that night after working on the Valentines window.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Red Scarf Project

2011-02-02T08:53:00.001-08:00

We counted 52 red scarves yesterday! Powerhouse picked them up and soon they'll be keeping college-bound foster youth warm and feeling extra loved!
Thank you to everyone that took the time to hand knit/crochet a scarf for a kid who will really appreciate it.
We will be taking donations for the Red Scarf Project again next winter with the deadline of Jan. 31st.

If you are interested in charity knitting/crocheting for other causes, we are currently taking donations for preemie hats, chemo caps and warm garments or accessories for the transitions project. More info and patterns on our web here.

Thanks again!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Vandalism Hits Yarn Garden

2011-01-30T12:31:00.001-08:00

This is on the window of our main entry. It's ugly and ruined.
These are just some photos of the damage. Many more windows were ruined.

Friday morning I arrived at the shop to find many of our windows assaulted with graffiti. Looking at all that damaged, I felt violated, and burst into tears. Eight of our windows were tagged with acid. That means they can't be fixed, each one has to be replaced. As a small business owner, I don't have a sack full of money stashed in the closet to pay for these types of expenses.

I called the police, Officer Sothern arrived and took information and photos to file a report. Due to the replacement cost and lettering on the windows (estimated cost $10,000) this incident is a felony.

The increase in graffiti on Hawthorne is disturbing. Many of us have already tried to lessen the problem by keeping lights on and my neighbor even had cameras mounted on his building.

If you become a victim of graffiti please report it to the police and fill out the online graffiti report at http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=46186&a=286366 and if you need emotional support give me a call.

The acid close up. It spreads and etches the glass, ruining it.

-Jo, Owner

Pub Night 1/21/11

2011-01-26T13:37:00.001-08:00

Yarn Garden Pub Knitting last Friday was so much fun!
Thanks to all our Pub knitters and crocheters for coming!
Show off your "Love Neckwarmer" on our Ravelry group!

Next Pub Knitting will be Friday, February 18th from 7-10pm. Email sales@yarngarden.net or call 503-239-7950 to sign up!

Pub Knitting Tonight!

2011-01-21T13:14:00.000-08:00

Yarn Garden Pub Knitting. We take over half the bar!

Join us tonight for our monthly Yarn Garden Pub Knitting at Barley Mill on SE Hawthorne Blvd from 7-10pm.
Bring your knitting, crocheting, friends and have a drink with us!

Sign up to come by emailing sales@yarngarden.net or call us at 503-239-7950 and let us know how many people you'll be bringing.
We're going to be giving out special Valentine's gifts to all our lovely Pub Knitters tonight! We don't want to run out of gifts so make sure to sign up.

See everyone tonight :)

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Coffee Beenz

2011-01-20T12:55:00.001-08:00

Brand new from Plymouth Yarn, (maker of Encore) is Coffee Beenz. The name fits right in with us coffee lovers and the tweedy colors are yummy.
This yarn is soft to the touch, machine washable, 75% acrylic and 25% wool with 214yds per 100gm ball.

It knits up as a worsted to heavy worsted getting 4.5 sts per inch on a US #8 needle.
This yarn is perfect for heavy boot socks, afghans, sweaters, hats, scarves and more!

Color 9456, Russet shows the plies of the variegated strand with the solid.

Great colors!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Stay Warm

2011-01-18T17:26:00.001-08:00

Just felted and finally dry, these simple, striped arm warmers really keep you warm and look super cute too! Felted with Studio by Lang, a 87% Merino, 12% Polyester aran weight boucle, it's soft and light in the ball and even softer when felted. Emily designed these inspired by a Lang pattern. They are perfect under a coat or inside!
The pair uses 1 ball of each color and the pattern is free with the purchase of the yarn!

I love these for computer work to help stay toasty.

The boucle felts into a fun curly fabric.

Studio, "Wool for felting."

I'm thinking a teal and grey pair...

Also, another fast knit are the, "It's Too Late Wrist Warmers" designed by Rosemary Drysdale using Savoy by Tahki Stacy Charles. It just takes 1 ball of this splendid merino, silk aran weight yarn. The colors are jewel toned and just beautiful.
This is a free pattern here.

Savoy by Tahki Stacy Charles.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Seattle To Portland Yarn Train...

2011-01-18T17:13:00.000-08:00

All of us at Yarn Garden wanted to say a big Thank You to the Snohomish Knitters Guild for putting together such a great event!

For those of you who don't know, every year the SKG plans a Seattle to Portland Yarn Train and does a yarn crawl by bus, cab or foot.
We were happy to see so many Seattle faces make it to our store even though we had such heavy rains. (You know you're a true North Westerner when 3" of rain doesn't effect a yarn crawl.)
In preparation, we put together little gift bags with a Yarn Garden pattern and ball of yarn to make a sparkly knit or crochet little coin bag and made sure we had hot coffee and tea. Shortly into the day our shop was filled with fabulous yarn crawlers.
We had so much fun meeting everyone and can't wait to see you all again next year!

Thanks again!

-Yarn Garden Staff

Kauni Effektgarn

2011-01-13T12:56:00.000-08:00

We are happy to introduce Kauni Effektgarn from Denmark. Kauni is a plied 100% wool, sport weight yarn with long striping effects. It has a nice traditional feel to it with a gauge of 6-7 stitches per inch on a US 2-6.
Each ball has yardage from 569-700 depending on the grams.
We are excited for the possibilities and just love the colors!

We have great patterns using the yarn too!

The Humboldt scarf uses 2 balls of Kauni in 2 different colors to create the color fade and stripe.

I love the Farwell Jacket. Using 3 balls of Kauni, the gradual change in color is gorgeous!

Knit flat and sideways in garter stitch, the Cramer Hat only uses 1 ball of Kauni.
I like the simplicity of the hat, it really shows of the yarn.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Tonight's Knit Nite Cancelled

2011-01-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

Due to the dreaded ice storm we’re scheduled to get tonight, we’re canceling Knit Night.
Sorry for any inconvenience!
We’ll be there in spirit, knitting away at home.

Stay safe tonight!

Knit Night will be back on schedule next Tuesday, January 18th and Pub Knitting will be at Barley Mill Friday, January 21st.

Pub Knitters and Crocheters: email sales@yarngarden.net to let us know you’re coming or give us a ring at 503-239-7950.

Vintage DK

2011-01-10T15:55:00.000-08:00

Our Berroco order has arrived and with it, Vintage DK! We have just loved using Vintage and Vintage Chunky, so we were thrilled to hear they were coming out with a DK weight.
Vintage DK is a machine washable blend of wool, acrylic and nylon with 288 yards and $6.95 a skein!

We have stocked our shelves with all 22 beautiful colors and can't wait to see what you make with it!

The pattern book, Berroco #308 is filled with wonderful sweaters, hats, scarves and more using Vintage and Vintage DK all designed by Cirilia Rose.
There is a really cute seamless striped sweater, Jidai, using 2 colors of the Vintage DK that I can't wait to make!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Some New Favorites

2011-01-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

We get in so many new yarns it's hard to post them all so I thought I'd pick some of my favorites this week to share.

Supersocke Comedy Color

From ONline, Supersocke 100 Comedy Color is a fabulous self striping wool/nylon machine washable sock yarn. The colors just blow me away! They are so fun and bright, the simplest sock pattern shows them off perfectly.

This sock is in color #1282

So many beautiful colors! One ball makes a pair.

Nuna

Another favorite by Mirasol is Nuna. A sport weight blend of 40% silk, 40% wool and 20% Bamboo. The silk and bamboo give it a really pretty sheen. This would be lovely for any against the skin accessory because of its softness. I'm thinking a slouchy hat?...

Fabulous!

Sugar Rush

We have loved working with Araucania Ruca, a dk weight 100% sugar cane yarn, that we decided to bring in Queensland Sugar Rush. Also made of 100% sugar cane, this fingering weight summery yarn has 137 yds and comes in a variety of solid and jacquard colors. I think this would be a great yarn for color work, baby projects and lightweight tops.

Excited to use this one!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Upcoming Classes

2011-01-06T20:16:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn Mittens
Keep your fingers warm and in style with Jared Flood's lovely mittens! Knit these from an especially cozy yarn because you will want to wear them all the time! Students in this class will be able to purchase Made In Brooklyn for a discounted price of $10.

These mittens were made using Classic Elite Princess, a lovely blend of merino, viscose, cashmere, nylon and angora. This worsted weight yarn comes in a range of colors from beautiful jewel tones to earthy naturals.

Class Dates and Times:
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/19/2011
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/26/2011
Wed. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/2/2011

Sign up here or over the phone 503-239-7950

Felted Scuffs
Tuck your toes into these easy to knit felted scuffs and curl up with your knitting. Easier to knit than many felted footwear patterns, these are the ultimate quick gift. We'll try some embroidery too!

Martha used Reynolds Lopi for these cute Scuffs, a traditional Icelandic wool that felts up very nicely to create a warm and sturdy fabric. I want a pair!

Class Dates and Times:
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/20/2011
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 1/27/2011
Thu. • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm • 2/3/2011

Sign up here or over the phone 503-239-7950.
Check out our other fun classes for Winter 2011 here: Yarn Garden University

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Auld Lang Syne

2010-12-30T13:47:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 31st we will be closing early for New Years Eve.
Our hours will be 10am-4pm.
Come in to pick out your 2011 project!

Happy New Year from Yarn Garden!

DIY glitzy pom pom sparkler!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Red Scarf Project

2010-12-29T18:09:00.000-08:00

We've been rounding up all the scarves, knit or crocheted, that have been donated to us for the Red Scarf Project. Look how lovely they are!

If you are new to this project it was started in 2005, by Orphans of America (OFA). They launched a unique initiative to warm the hearts (and necks) of college-bound foster youth. They began taking donations of handmade red scarves to put into their Valentine's Day Care Packages.

We have been participating since it started and have had wonderful results thanks to all of you!

This years deadline for Red Scarf submissions is January 31st.

For Red Scarf guidelines click here.

Just got in a donation of wonderful hand knitted warm cowls too!

Thank you and continue to drop off your scarves at Yarn Garden until January 31st.

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

We're Open Christmas Eve!

2010-12-24T11:35:00.001-08:00

Each stocking was designed by one of our creative Yarn Garden employees!
Patterns available free with purchase of yarn.

Today we're open from 10am-4pm. We will be closed tomorrow, Christmas Day.
Come in and we'll help you pick out the perfect gift or find that extra ball of yarn you need to finish your project.
Happy Holidays from everyone at Yarn Garden!

Sock herd coming through...

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Gift Idea - Ball Winder & Swift

2010-12-23T12:35:00.001-08:00

To our amazement, we received ball winders and swifts, just in time for the holidays!
A Christmas miracle!
These are on so many wish lists this year so we ordered a ton of both. No more tangled skeins of yarn or hand winding balls with the yarn wrapped around your feet.

The swift is a light weight, collapsing metal umbrella that attaches to any table or bookshelf, vertically or horizontally and winds from a handle on the top. It's very easy to use and when closed, fits in the smallest spaces.

The ball winder is made of plastic and adjusts to fit onto any table, bookshelf or even a chair. One end of the yarn is placed through the metal loop hole for tension and then fit into a slit on top of the winder. This winds yarn into a great ball that is flat on the bottom with the end pulling from the middle of the ball so it doesn't roll around.

One of each, please!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Gift Ideas - 1 Hour Scarf

2010-12-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

I've been saving this one for a very last-minute knitted gift. It's the One Hour Scarf by Sirdar.
A super soft, super bulky chenille, 100% nylon that literally does knit up in one hour on a size US 15 needle. The finished scarf is nice and long, about 8 ft, so you can wrap it around your neck a few times to stay warm and cozy.
This scarf only uses 1 ball and the pattern comes with it, printed on the yarn label.

This would also make a great gift for any knitter!

We have the pink and purple made up in the shop hanging on our "Gift Ideas" wall.

I love how soft this is!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff

Gift Ideas - Gift Cards

2010-12-21T18:21:00.001-08:00

Gift Ideas- Staff PIck Gift Bags

2010-12-18T08:57:00.001-08:00

For anyone trying to find the perfect gift for a knitter or crocheter, we've put together a few gift bags based on our own personal favorites.

In the Crochet Kit there are 2 skeins of Lush, a very soft wool/angora yarn,
1 birch wood Brittney crochet hook and a really cute hat pattern by Classic Elite.

In the Sock Knitters Bag there is 1 skein of Alpaca Sox Kettle Dyed yarn, a set of Brittney birch wood US 1 sock sticks, sock and lace ring stitch markers and a sock pattern.

For the lace lover we have a Lace Knitter's Deluxe Gift Bag. This has 1 skein of hand dyed Mountain Colors "Winter Lace" yarn, US 5 24" Addi Turbo Lace needles and sock and lace ring stitch markers.

Each one comes in a beautiful silk Lantern Moon bag with a blank gift tag, wrapped and ready to give!

-Annie, Yarn Garden Staff