Archive for September, 2007
Are you a technique junkie? (Meant that as a compliment!)
Do you look at complex patterns and think “I must figure out how the designer came up with that!”
If you are always looking to challenge yourself and take your knitting to the next level, then this series is made for you. Sock Knitting has a rabid following, and few designers are more admired than Cat Bordhi. She has taken sock design and construction to a new level with her book New Pathways for Sock Knitters. We will be exploring these techniques in a free knitalong beginning on October 13th. That’s every Saturday from 1 pm to 3 pm. You can see details on our class schedule or come into the shop for the latest class schedule. Please pre-register at the store (or call us) so we know how many people to expect. The book and a list of recommended sock yarns for each architecture are available at the store.
This knitalong is designed for knitters who have completed at least one pair of socks (either top-down or toe-up; any method). Due to the complexity of the construction and the comprehensive nature of the book, this is not a class for novice sock knitters. Please see the class schedule forour Socks on Two Ciculars schedule if you would like to learn the basics of sock knitting.
September 28th, 2007
Save the Dates! The weekend of October 18th – 21st is sure to be one to remember. Nine Rubies Knitting is the northern-most store of 16 stores on the Peninsula and in the South Bay (even Monterey and Carmel) that are participating in a great new event for Bay Area knitters and crocheters. You pick up a passport and get it stamped at each of the 16 stores. When you stop at a shop, you’ll have the opportunity to buy a featured yarn that comes with an exclusive free pattern.
If you are a great planner, this is the time to use your skills. Visit all 16 stores and you will have the opportunity to win a grand prize. More information will be annunced or check the website at Peninsula to Pier – LYS Shop Hop.
So, mark down the dates – Thursday October 18th through Sunday October 21st and stay tuned for more details in the weeks to come.
September 24th, 2007
The Fall Issue of Knitty just went up, and we were delighted to see that we carry the exact yarns called for in several of the patterns.
Mr. Greenjeans is a terrific (and not too difficult) cable cardigan pattern that calls for 3, 4, or 5 skeins of Schaefer’s beautiful yarn Miss Priss. We have sweater quantities of 7 colors in stock. If you are set on this particular colorway, we’d be happy to call the company and check on availability. For those of you who want to start today, the colors we have in stock offer a wide range of options.
Next up is Neiman. Not only is this one of the hottest color combinations for fall, the pattern uses two yarns that are great for this climate: the body is knit in Rowan’s Wool Cotton and the colorwork is in Debbie Bliss’ Pure Silk. We have a wide range of colors for both yarns (including the ones called for in this pattern), so you are sure to find something you like. For those who don’t want to jump in whole hog with colorwork, this pattern might be just the ticket.
Nothing beats a hat in a chunky yarn for a quick, satisfying project. If you haven’t tried Malabrigo yet, now’s your chance. We have almost 15 colors in stock, and the pattern only uses 1 skein. A quick holiday gift in a super-soft hand-dyed merino wool for around $10. Sign us up!
Of course, we got lots of substitute yarns for the other projects in this issue. Don’t forget our sale starts on Monday, September 17th, 2007 (for store members) and concludes with our Annual Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, September 22nd!
September 19th, 2007
We’ve really enjoyed the Manos Block of the Month Club this year, so we decided to run several more this fall. First up is the Secret of the Stole.
Earlier this summer, a phenomenon called Mystery Stole 3 seemed to take over the online knitting world. If you missed out on participating in that knitalong (or have no idea what we’re talking about), read on.
This fall, there is a new online knitalong called Secret of the Stole. As the name implies the final design is a secret. The first clue is drops on Friday, October 5th, and it will continue with weekly clues for eight consecutive weeks. We are so intrigued by this concept, we have decided to hold weekly meetings here at the shop on Monday evenings. from 5-7 pm. This is a great opportunity to develop your lace-knitting skills (or take them to the next level). Not only that, the design calls for beads, so we’ll be exploring that technique as well. The designer is only providing charted instructions, but one of the participants has said that she will convert that to written instructions. So, if you’ve wanted to work with charts, now you can do that and have a fall back position if you need it.
Here are the details:
Yarn requirements: 1200 yards laceweight yarn ( fingering weight can be used; the stole will be larger). Solid or semi-solid colors are recommended. We have yarns from The Alpaca Yarn Company, Baywood Yarns, Schaefer, Prism and Misti Alpaca that would all be suitable. We have the divine Malabrigo laceweight coming in mid to late September as another option. The colors will be gorgeous.
Bead Requirements: Approximately 300 size 6 or 8 beads.
Sign Ups: You need to join the Yahoo Groups (groups.yahoo.com/group/secretofthestole) to get the clues. Membership closes on October 5th. We also ask that you register at the store so we know how many people to expect.
Dates: Mondays, 5:30 – 7:00 pm, beginning October 8th and continuing for eight weeks. The last session will be Monday, November 26th.
Since the knitalong is free, we would appreciate it if the yarn is purchased at Nine Rubies. Of course, if you have yarn in your stash that you have previously bought here, you are welcome to use that. The knitalong will be lead by our delightful customer Sarah, who will be moonlighting from her job at M for Mystery, down the street. You can check out her blog at http://duckknits.wordpress.com/. Her Ravelry ID is LaCane.
There will be several more knitalongs coming later this fall, including a child-size version of our popular ribbed alapaca shrug. Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Baby Surprise Jacket and a cool scarf project with Sudha. Stay tuned for more details.
September 12th, 2007
Way back in January (can it be nine months already?) about 25 of our customers began the Manos del Uruguay Block of the Month Club. Some customers knit their versions in Manos, and other chose different yarns. It’s been so rewarding for us to see how the afghans have evolved over the last few months, and we’re sure it’s been exciting for the knitters as well. They have all created one-of-a-kind heirlooms. We’d like to invite all the members of the Block of the Month Club to come in and show us their afghans. For those of you that are not completely done, this is a chance to get re-motivated and make it across the finish line.
We have scheduled the October meeting (October 23rd, 6-8 pm) for a show-and-tell so everyone can share their creations. We know that a number of customers are curious about starting this project themselves, so this is your chance to see these gorgeous afghans in person. You’ll also have a chance to ask our afghan experts any questions you might have.
Hope to see you there! And don’t forget to bring your cameras.
September 10th, 2007
One of the most memorable days last yeat was our first Customer Appreciation Day. A great time was had by all, and we were so touched by the enthusiasm of our customers. We’re sure it was for us, and not just for the sale or the food!
We’ve decided to make it an annual event, so the official 2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Day 2007 is Saturday, September 22nd from 10 am – 5 pm. In honor of the event, everything in the store will be 15% off all day (20% for members). Store Members also have the added advantage of beginning to buy on the 17th of September. There will be refreshments served in the late afternoon on Sept. 22nd. This is a great time to get your holiday lists started and stock up on all the yarn that will be needed for those great gifts that you are going to be handing out.
And just like last year, we will be having the annual customer trunk show. Bring anything you’ve made since Nine Rubies opened and we will display it in the front window. Or just come and admire what other people have made and be inspired by your fellow knitters. Stay tuned for additional events and games that we will add between now and then.
PS: As usual we will not be winding yarn on Sale Day, but we will be happy to wind them if you bring them back to the store another day.
September 5th, 2007
