Knitter's Magazine!

A very quick blog entry: The winter 2009 edition of Knitter's Mag has just arrived. As always, it's brimming with groovy knits and interesting write-up's! Hurry in and pick up your copy!

Hark, A Thrilling Voice is Sounding!

And it says "Addis are in, folks!" The Addi-man just came and went, and your favorite Addi needles are all in stock up on the needle wall. And just a reminder, we do indeed have the Addi Click System, the fabulous set of Addi tips with "standard" length cables. Perfect for making a smile on Christmas morning (or on Christmas Eve, whenever presents traditionally arrive at your house for distribution and unwrapping).

Harps and Handbells was a STUPENDOUS SUCCESS!

The pews in the Great Hall were packed end to end. Extra folding chairs were brought in to create more seating from behind the last pew all the way to the rear wall, aisles and even a few Dads' shoulders served as overflow seating for the crowd. They had all come to hear what a consort of six Celtic harps, a hurdy gurdy, a viol da gamba, a blockflute, a modern traverse flute, a mandoline, a 4-octave handbell choir, and a vocal trio could do in the way of fine Christmas music making. What a magical, enchanted evening it was last night at the Affiliated School for the Blind in Lafayette! Ninety minutes of fine Christmas music filled the space and invited all present to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Kudos to the Bayou Harp Circle and their director Bette Vidrine who organized us all into the evening's program. You may recognize that bearded guy chanting "Veni Emmanuel" in the photo. The generous and appreciative audience raised a sum of $1,100, all of which benefits the Affilated School to assist in their important work.

A Delightful Day!

Last Thursday, December 10, was our day-long Christmas Party at VBYC. Fiber friends were treated to wonderful Christmas music provided by Celtic harpist Bette Vidrine. We moved around our yarn bins a bit in order to provide a good performance space, then we eased into our projects and into the Christmas spirit with English, French, and German carols and songs. Throughout the day, our food table became more and more packed with Christmas goodies, as we greeted familiar faces and new ones too into the fiber circle to sit, work their projects, visit, and have a bite to eat. At the end of knit cafe, Heloise reached into the bag of tickets to draw the names for our party door prizes. Congratulations to Yvette Hanks and Jane Hebert who won project class certificates and to the grand prize winner, Jackie Cone, who is now the proud owner of the white bronze shawl pin. Thank you to everyone from VBYC for making the Christmas Party such a wonderful day! Merry Christmas to you all and best wishes for the New Year!

Say it with me: "Ma-la-bri-go". It's Spanish for "delicious".

Silky Merino and Malabrigo Worsted 100% Merino yarn. Stop in to see the new colors. Wondering what to give your favorite fiber fan for Christmas? A supply of Malabrigo Silky Merino makes a great stocking stuffer.

Limbo. The Place, not the Dance.

The Church used to call it "Limbo", that shadowy place lost souls landed when they didn't have the proper ticket up and hadn't really done anything bad enough to earn a free ticket down. At Vermilion Bay Yarn, we call it the "on hold shelf". As a convenience, we are happy as clams to hold items aside for you when you phone, or stop by, but please remember that you have done this when you do. Items that are placed on the hold shelf for a long time can start to fight and argue with other items on the shelf after a lengthy multi-week visit - mostly out of abject boredom. It's rough walking into the shop in the morning and finding out that a hank of Malabrigo had been pulling Tilli Tomas' beaded hair all night. Tilli is in tears, on-hold Brittany needles have spilled out of their cardboard envelope, a shawl pin has poked out the eye of a Frog counter, and a poor, lonely ball of Venezia has puked over the Nature Spun worsted, worried to death no one will ever return to claim her. It's a sad place, this Limbo shelf. If you have items waiting there, please do redeem them so that they, like their brethren and sistren, may soon enter into the Beatific Vision.

Opening/Closing Hours are slightly modified today and tomorrow

Today, Friday, December 11, VBYC will close 45 minutes earlier than usual: 5:15pm. Tomorrow, Saturday, December 12, VBYC will open at NOON. The Christmas Ornaments Class will take place at NOON tomorrow instead of 10.

It's a Party, Folks!

Merry Christmas to everyone! If you receive the monthly Vermilion Bay Light, you already realize that this Thursday, December 10 is the VBYC Christmas party day from 10am-8pm. Why the 10th? Last year on this date we celebrated our official "Yarn Cutting Ceremony". Come and enjoy some Christmas treats all through the day, and around noontime, we'll be hosting Celtic Harpist Bette Vidrine who will share with us some of the beautiful melodies of the season. Drop in, even if it's only for a few minutes, and share in some Christmas cheer!

All Things Wise and Wonderful, All Markers Large and Small...

... all clips and clasps and hangy things, Vermilion has them all! It happens to everyone: you drop the dang marker off the needle, it lands somewhere under the sofa, makes its way onto the rug, blends in like a chameleon, and then gets sucked up into the vacuum cleaner. "Kiddup" it says as the Dyson makes quick work of your clever Clovers, "there goes another one...." No worries. We have a basket full of your favorite styles of markers: locking ones large and small, soft ringy ones that bounce, and nifty clippy ones that hang on. Since it is in their very nature to get lost, it's our nature to have a bushel of them.

Deco Deliciousness! The Ultimate Pin-Up!

Those of us who love knitting almost everything on those terrific Brittany Birch Needles already know the virtues of birchwood and never tire of evangelizing the uninitiated. Birch needles are delightful because of: their gentle "give", smooth finish, warm feel, and their pleasing, seductive clicking (hat tip to Robert Frost). Since a 14" size 5 is a bit long to double as anything else besides maybe a hat pin -- and does anyone ever wear...a hat? (I couldn't resist, fellow Steven Sondheim fans), Brittany has turned their famous deco needle end into an awesome accent item with a practical use: a shawl pin. You've seen them in magazines, and now you see them at VBYC. These pins are rustic and at the same time rather sophisticated. Virtuous in the knitting, virtuous in the wearing, and even more virtuous to the Christmas stocking-stuffer budget: Brittany Birch. Pin it up and look fantabulous!

Shawl Pins Are Here!

I mentioned a few days ago to watch for some fabulous glittery items -- well, now, they're here displayed perfectly on a stunning shawl (LaGran Mohair and Rowan Shimmer, if you're curious). Amazing new shawl pins in fine woods and a variety of metals: Bronze, Brass, Pewter, Sterling. Each comes in its own pouch. These pins make perfect Christmas stocking stuffers!

Mohair Mohair Mohair Mohair Mohair Mohair

Mohair is fabulous. It's days like today, when snow is forecast, the air is cold and wet that we are most thankful for things like THE GIANT MOHAIR SALE AT VERMILION BAY YARN: 25% OFF WHEN YOU BUY 10 OR MORE! Mohair is groovy because it's light, soft, and very warm. Plus, it's really easy to work with, makes sweaters FAST and looks fantastic.

Tilli Tomas and Classic Elite

The Newsletter has been sent! (please do contact me as soon as possible if you're not on the emailing list and would like to be!) And you all have read the exciting news about the Classic Elite Ariosa and Silky Alpaca Lace. Add to these two wondrous yarns a fabulously delicious new cotton yarn: Sprout. Choose sprout for your next cotton knit. It's on the heavier side of worsted, but soft and tasty as a ball of buttah! No rain on your parade for sure -- you won't be disappointed with Sprout, or any of these great new items. Now, to Tilli. If you haven't experienced Tilli, prepare yourself. Plie ("Plee-EH") and Beaded Plie are soon to be counted among your favorites. 100% silk yarn in a DK weight, one without beads and one with dazzling beads secured right into the plies. Use Tilli for your fine silken knits. She's a stunner! Add a project of Plie and/or Beaded Plie to your Christmas list this year!

Glitzy Bits, Doo-Dahs, and Girly Things

You've asked for them, and they're on their way! Shawl pins and such, cute measuring tapes, swishy deedle-dee-doo's and Seussian Fropp Zoinks with shimmering Zing-Zogs studded with Bling-Blongs and Whizzy Fizz-Fwops! The things that make us smile when we knit, and the things which make our knitting journeys glamorous. You must remember that I am a man, and by my very nature, I wouldn't generally realize the great importance of such things for my own knitting. Give me 10 balls of Alpaca, some Brittany size 7's, and send me on my way content to knit a sweater. A ball of sock yarn, 5 DPN's, and I'm captivated for hours with a pair of socks. Add to that the fact that I am a German man, and you start to understand that having a Swooshy Fleedle Zop that glitters with Dwinky Swags to make my increase spots magnificent and deliciously fab-u may not necessarily be on the top of my list. HOWEVER, for many of us, these items are fun and make projects even more fun. So, start looking for the advent of the Glitzy Bits, Doo-Dahs and Girly Things at VBYC! I thank you all for making known the things you'd like to be made available. Just ask me if there's anything in particular that you'd like to see at VBYC, I'll try my best to find it!

The Vermilion Bay Light

The December edition of the VBYC newsletter has just reached its final draft and is now ready to go out. I will be preparing the mailout this morning, so start looking for your copy this afternoon and evening! With all the preparations for the Christmas Season, I've been a bit behind my usual writing schedule, so I do apologize for the delay. Highlights in this month's newsletter: VBYC day-long Christmas celebration with Celtic Harpist Bette Vidrine on December 10, new yarn news: Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace, Ariosa, Tilli Tomas, and gift-giving tips. Check the class schedule at the top of the page for this month's scheduled classes.

Claudia Handpaints

Have you see these interesting yarns in Merino and Silk? Claudia Handpaints. Delicate, intriguing colorways for fabulous fiber projects. Don't overlook Claudia the next time you're in the shop!

Christmas Gift Idea: Make a School Scarf

Need a quick and easy knit for a very pleasing Christmas gift? How about a school scarf? Select the school colors the recipient prefers, and knit up one of these scarves worked in the round.

Worsted weight yarn in 2 colors, 16" US 8 circular needles. CO 80. Place marker at beg of rnd. Work 24 rows St. St. in Color A. Switch to Color B, work 24 rows. After having completed 17-19 stripes (odd number of stripes in order to start and finish with the same color), BO all stitches knitwise. Weave ends tog and fringe in alternating bundles of scarf colors: 11 bundles, 6 dark, 5 light.

In order to avoid the color jog, you might enjoy using this jogless jog technique: Remove marker from beg of rnd. Pull up the stockinette "V" from the st below the first st of the rnd and place on the needle. With both old and new colors, k BOTH picked up st and first st tog. Place marker and continue in new color around. Treat the "two-tone" final st as one st. Note that each stripe will start one st to the left of the previous stripe. This technique fools the eye by switching the beginning of the rounds, and squashes the spiral of rounds a bit in order to avoid an obvious color jog. When finished, tighten the color tails at the join and secure. As you knit, the joglessness of the jog might not be so obvious until you tighten the tails.

Fixing Mistakes -- Saturday!

Several have asked when we'd be offering the "Fixing Mistakes" Class again. As you all read in your newsletters, the class is scheduled for THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 at 10:00am. If you have trouble moving forward in your project because of dropped stitches, lost places, or for whatever reason, and don't know how to navigate to safety, this class is for you! Call, stop by, or just come to class to sign up! Please bring some practice yarn, the proper needles (straight or circular), and knit a small swatch in stockinette stitch -- about 4"X 4". We'll see you there!

Thank you Thank you, and yes, I'm actually 40.

Many thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes in cards, in person, on the phone, and via the internet! One of the most special gifts is hearing from one's friends.

Your Email Addresses

Each month, I update the VBYC mailing list with new addresses as well as any changes to existing addresses. If you haven't been receiving The Vermilion Bay Light each month, but you should be on the mailing list, please contact me in case there's a change to your email address. Call the shop ASAP or be sure to let me know the next time your're in, if your email or phone number has changed! If you're an out-of-state or overseas customer, please email me with your new address!

Check out the November Sales!

You'll love what you see on sale at VBYC this month. Several items offered this month below the already low Vermilion Bay Price! Check out South West Trading "Inspiration", the wonderful Alpaca and Soy Fiber blend: 20% off! Great Savings for you on this delicious yarn! There's also Lana Grossa Pashmina -- a delightful cashmere blend, Plymouth Royal Bamboo is yours NOW at an amazing 45% off!

Sweater Shavers

Need to trim the felted surface off your sassy sidekick purse or your groovy Noni bag? Sprucing up your sweater collection that you had picked up for spring and summer? You may need a sweater shaver to defuzz. We have 'em in the notions baskets at VBYC. Shave away for about $1.00!

Addi Click System at VBYC!

We've just received our periodic ration of Addi Click Systems! The sets are very popular world-wide, so their availability is limited. Our number has come up, and our sets have arrived. Since our last shipment, the set has undergone some cosmetic changes. The case is more compact and ergonomic: instead of a boxy case, the needles now come cradled in a sturdy fold-out pouch. Each set contains the needles tips you love, the cables, as well as a cute heart-shaped pin and a card that is personally signed by the industrious German worker at Addi who packed each of the components for you. Addi: Stricken mit Herzen. Knitting with a heart!

New from the Q

Della Q is way groovy, but that's not news! She's sent us more fab-o project pouches in cotton and silk, as well as more superb Priscillas. We have plenty of red Priscillas, some new brown ones as well as a few in some other colors. Check out the Della Q clothes line for your favorite Eden silk pouches (both small and large) and the retro-smooth cotton print Edens.

Zonta Club Art Bra Event

Last night was the Lafayette Zonta Club Art Bra Event at River Oaks. This was the organization's first year staging this creative and utterly fun program. The club commissioned the community to submit decorated and handmade bras for auction to raise funds for local charities that help in the fight against breast cancer. As you've all heard, VBYC submitted "Silky Merino Parrot" to the collection of 20+ bras auctioned last night. It was a handknit bra made of Malabrigo silky merino in vibrant rainbow colors (read the earlier blog post about the bra for an explanation why I chose these colors). Thanks to the event, thousands of dollars were raised for this excellent cause. The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company was happy to have been counted among those who helped.

Moorland and Inca Marl

This just in from Classic Elite: Moorland and Inca Marl. Both yarns make amazingly beautiful sweaters, not to mention amazingly beautiful scarf/hat ensembles. Moorland is a shaded merino/alpaca/mohair blend in a light worsted/Dk-ish weight (suggested on U.S. 6's). Inca Marl (with the cute alpaca on the label) is a worsted weight 100% alpaca yarn with subtile colorways twisted right into the yarn (so, no pooling, just an even distribution of wonderful color). Both yarns, Inca Marl and Moorland are perfect picks for our Louisiana "winter". Warm enough to keep out that wet chill, but light enough that you won't "smother" (as they say). Sweater quantities in stock now, just in time for Christmas knitting/crocheting. Pick up your supply today and work up a gift for someone special....or a special gift for yourself!

Did someone say BIRTHDAY??

Tuesday, October 20th was a special day for everyone at Vermilion Bay Yarn. We celebrated VBYC's turning one year old -- and we celebrated in true Acadiana fashion: with food and friends. Knit Cafe is always a special time at VBYC for folks to get together, knit, crochet, eat, and visit, but this festive day made it all the more special. Not only were we celebrating the shop's birthday, but we also were celebrating our friendships, many of which have started right here in this room. Fiber art is a unifier. It brings folks together into a community as we are engaged in creativity. The lovely items we make reflect who we are. Those closest to us, through our interaction and friendship, certainly become important components of that. Each sweater, scarf, hat, sock, and glove contains a glad spark of the joy, laughter, and life not only of its maker, but also of the community of which that same creative maker is an integral part. As a shop owner, I am of course grateful for your patronage throughout this past year, however, even more grateful am I for the friendships we have made, and for the beautiful work that has resulted from them. A toast to Friends and Fiber!

Doing what we do best: knitting and eating.

Fingers of fury: knitting, and knitting, and knitting, and knitting.....

*K1 P2, eat some soup, sip some wine. Continue from * for rest of Rnd.

Yummy goodness! By the end of the evening, the hungry fiber fans had made quick work of the potluck! Kudos to the fabulous cooks!

Claudia Handpaints

You've been wondering when they'd be arriving. Well, they did yesterday, and the hanks in the first batch are out and waiting for your needles and hooks to transform them into wonderful, extraordinary finished projects. Fall in love with Claudia Merino and Silk/Merino in unique, handpainted colorways. Each batch is a bit different, but utterly delightful!

All the Glitz, yet Tasteful and never Tacky!

Vermilion Bay Yarn knows that sometimes knitters and crocheters like to work with a little glitz, a little bling. Try a little Rowan Shimmer in your next fashion project. This "carry-along" thread will transform your already fabulous fabric into a redcarpet fashion piece guaranateeing you top billing on the A list. It's available in silver and black. Carry it along and let it sparkle! Shimmering, glittery elegance!

IT'S BEEN A WHOLE YEAR!!!!

Thank you to everyone for all the hearty birthday wishes, and especially for being part of this vibrant and welcoming fiber arts community! Today, October 20th marks the first year for The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company. To celebrate, stop in at the shop today for a visit...and bring your projects or start a new one and stay for Knit Cafe! We'll have our drawing for the Fiber Dream gift bag tonight -- you've seen it in the shop and you know that it's packed with goodies for fiber fans: yarn, needles, notions, etc. In Acadiana, community is important -- it's part of our way of life and reflects our unique joie de vivre. It's all about finding a connection. Regardless of whether we've lived here our entire lives or just recently arrived or returned, we find common ground and build friendships. Vermilion Bay Yarn is a meeting place of folks from all walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds, and we greet each other and welcome each other as long-time friends. Come celebrate community!

So, you love the knitting, but hate the finishing?

Are you among the many who love to knit items, but who find it terribly tedious, time-consuming, and utterly boring to block those items and weave the pieces together into the finished product? You're not alone. Many folks feel this way. Of course, we are happy to show you how to block and finish here at VBYC -- we schedule a class for that regularly, and many of you have taken it. But still, knowing how to do it sometimes just isn't the same as really wanting to do it. Lucky for you, you have options besides just letting that pile of sweater pieces, twisty scarves, and random components grow higher and higher in your "waiting to be blocked" bin. Vermilion Bay Yarn will block your garment pieces for you! We will weave them together, if you like, we'll knit on the neck and armbands, if you need. Whatever step in the finishing process you'd rather not do, we're happy to do for you and hand it back at any point along the way, or hand you back your completely finished piece. Come by the shop to drop off what you have, or give us a call and ask about custom blocking and finishing!

Cradle Purse: Make one Tomorrow, October 17

A reminder to crocheters! Come to VBYC tomorrow morning at 10am to create your own cradle purse ("church purse"), an adorable little draw-string bag, which when folded down reveals a minature cradle! What a perfect gift for a very lucky little girl! Her dolly with be snug and cozy in her cradle! A cradle purse also makes a creative gift bag for baby showers. Use it to present a fine gift to the mother-to-be. A handmade gift is always the most special! Tomorrow, 10am, Vermilion Bay Yarn!

Rowan Magazine #46 is here!

It's time to start on fall and winter knitting projects! VBYC has just received the Rowan Knitting Magazine #46. It's jam-packed with fashions in all your favorite Rowan yarns. There're even many many designs for Him as well as for Her. Also, if you like projects that knit fast, you'll be happy to find an excellent selection of patterns done in chunky weight yarn on large needles. Pick up your copy today! Colors that are "in" this season: purples, teals, and charcoals.

It's time to SAVE ZE TA TA'Z!

TONIGHT, Wednesday, October 14 is the Breast Health Symposium at the Lafayette Convention Center. Doors open at 5:00pm, the event begins at 6:00pm! Be sure to attend, listen to the speakers, and stop by to take a look at the Art Bras. Buy a vote and vote for your favorite entries! The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company's art bra is entitled "Silky Merino Parrot". Show your support! Proceeds from the art bra voting go to help persons in Acadiana who are fighting breast cancer. The Silky Merino Parrot is made of Malabrigo silky merino and is multi-colored like a rainbow. I chose this yarn not simply because I liked it, but because the colors are important and symbolic. Pink is of course the color for breast cancer awareness, but I chose to use a spectrum of colors for the VBYC entry to communicate the fact that this disease can impact everyone, regardless of gender, social status, race, etc. But at the same time, everyone, regardless of gender, social status, race, etc. can do their part to help. As numerous as there are colors, so numerous are those who can fight for a cure. Together we can make a difference!

DELLA Q IS HERE!!

The first of the Della Q fall shipment arrived this afternoon! In that batch of delicious items from "The Q" are the exquisite Priscillas we've been waiting for in the Autumn colors! Your red Priscilla is here! They're going fast, folks, so hurry in! Also, there is a selection of cotton Eden pouches in a host of very groovy retro prints (did I mention, they're retro groovy?).

Festival This Weekend!

It's festival time in Lafayette. This weekend, take part in the local cultural activities planned at Girard Park -- music, dancing, food, and crafts! If you're new to our area, be sure to stop over at the park and enjoy a big dose of Acadiana Joie de Vivre! I'll be there with friends later Saturday afternoon and on Sunday! I'm looking forward to my annual Gator-on-a-stick! Good Eats! See y'all at Girard!

Pfeiffer Falls!

It's a scarf with a hood! Very practical in our climate. Just need a little scarf with a comfortable hood? This is it. It's a clever knit that looks great and is fun to make. The shop model is made of SWTC "Inspiration", an alpaca and soy fiber blend -- light-weight, yet cozy comfy. Of course the choice is yours for your own Pfeiffer Falls. Our hooded scarf knit-along starts Saturday. Join many of your friends in making this nifty project at the same time. The pattern is downloadable from Ravelry or from Interweave. KAL participants are asked to go ahead and download the pattern themselves (there's a modest fee involved, around 5 bucks or so), either at home or here in the shop. Don't worry if you can't make it Saturday for the KAL orientation. Schedule that whenever you'd like. We're flexible. Most of the knitters are meeting Saturday, but there are a few who have already scheduled other days to start. On Saturday we'll start the project of course, but we'll also talk about various options you have to alter the garment to reflect your own needs/taste, and I'll give you a few tips to make the knitting a bit easier. Very often, patterns are just like recipes: they can be tweaked and altered however the cook likes. This is one of those. We'll see you on Saturday!

U Needa Knit Kit!

They're back, folks. The famous and very useful Knit Kits! Just a note to the KK community: the original model in white and pink has gone the way of all flesh -- so if you have one of those, you have a collector's item. The black and white model is the main model now, and they're here! Perfect for birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, little thank you sussies, as well as a gift for yourself just for being so darned creative! Hurry on in and pick up yours! You deserve it!

SAVE ZE TA TA'Z!!

The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company is proudly showing its support by participating in the Art Bra Event sponsored by the Zonta Club of Lafayette. What's an art bra? It's a special work of art in bra form. Many of you have seen the Vermilion Bay Yarn art bra on display in the shop (Suzie Q the dressform has been wearing it for about two weeks). The piece is made of Malabrigo Silky Merino and is entitled "The Silky Merino Parrot". The art bras will all be "revealed" on Wednesday, October 14 at 6:00pm as part of the Breast Health Symposium at the Lafayette Convention Center. Attend the symposium and purchase a token (or several) to place a vote (or several) for the Silky Merino Parrot. Each vote costs a dollar, a dollar well spent to support local breast cancer charities. But that's not all. On Monday, October 26, starting at 6pm, come celebrate with us at River Oaks for a mix and mingle and participate in the art bra silent auction. Our emcee for the evening will be TV 3's Kate Mundy. Come out and place a bid on the Vermilion Bay Silky Merino Parrot and support a number of organizations who help local people fight breast cancer.

Lana Grossa Arizona

Alert, Alert, Sock Knitters! We just received a nice supply of Lana Grossa "Arizona", the incarnation of Meilenweit that contains Aloe Vera. As I'm typing this, my feet are enjoying my own pair of socks made up in LG Arizona. The Aloe really does make your feet feel great, makes the yarn even softer than it already is, and plus, the great feel the Aloe imbued in the yarn stays in the socks, even after washing. And yeah, you can toss these socks into the machine and dry them as well...worry free. I don't sort my LG Arizona socks out of the dryer load. They just tumble with the rest. VBYC has several great varigated colorways suitable for everyone. The sock yarn tree also offers a couple bins of solid Meilenweit (pronounced "MILE-en-vite"). The name is German for "miles wide"...which means two things: there's plenty of yarn on each ball, and also you'll be able to walk literally for miles and miles in the super comfy and stylish socks you will produce with Lana Grossa Meilenweit on your needles. Hurry in and start your Arizona socks today! Your feet will thank you!

What a Fabulous Sweater!

Suzie Q, our VBYC dressform, is sporting a jaunty new sweater made of Rowan Big Wool. This is a vintage yet, timeless pattern that features a giant cable twist emerging from a seedstitch background with the same styling repeated on the stunning boat collar. Kudos to Yvette Hanks who recently finished this wonderful garment -- it's her first sweater project, and her second knitting project. Excellent work, Yvette!

Amanda's Squatty Sidekick

Ever felted? Here's a little project that's quick and easy: all knits and purls, then pitch it into the washer, take it out and POOF! Instant felted purse. Nothing special or complicated in the knitting, but when you take it out of the machine, it's a mighty special cute item that can go with almost any outfit! The model Squatty Sidekick we have here in the shop was made with one hank of Malabrigo worsted in "American Beauty". The purse will also work up nicely in Boku! Give it a try! The pattern can be downloaded for FREE at KnittingDaily.com!

Swifts and Winders!

A great Christmas gift for a fiber fan is a swift and a winder. The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company has them! Easy to use, and extremely practical for winding yarn that comes in hanks. No more recruiting of human swifts to sit with hands extended holding your newest groovy hank while you furiously wind it into a ball -- and pray that nothing tangles. These swifts require no feeding, no conversation; they don't complain, and they won't run from you and hide the next time you unpack 12 hanks of yarn from your knitting bag! Having a swift at home also gives you a chance to meet your yarn for the first time and get to know it a bit better before it lands on your needles, or travels over your crochet hook!

Newsletter Highlights

I just finished up the final draft of the October edition of The Vermilion Bay Light! It's our Anniversary edition, folks, and it will arrive in your email inboxes on October 1, as well as at our website! Next month we will look back on a whole year of successfull, dedicated service to the fiber fans and friends of Lafayette and Acadiana (and beyond...as far away as Ireland and Sicily!). Be sure to celebrate with us all month, and especially on Tuesday, October 20th, the official 1 year date! Knit Cafe that night will be quite special for everyone. We'll also have an anniversary drawing for a fabulous VBYC gift basket of items useful to any fiber fan: notions, patterns, needles, and yarn. The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company offers everything that any fiber artisan needs, but it's also so much more. It's a community of diverse, friendly, and welcoming people who are eager to make friends and to connect with others in a unique, open, stress-free, and life-filled atmosphere. Come in, sit a spell, work on your project, catch up with friends, unload, and relax!

Hightlights from this month's VBL: Christmas gift project classes! A delicious hooded scarf: the "Pfeiffer Falls"; a cute cute crocheted sussy: a Jojoland cradle purse; Something every knitter should know how to produce: gloves -- and in the perfect weight for our area using sock yarn. Also, read an update about the Knitter's Cruise next October, find out about new yarns now in stock and ones making the journey to us, as well as amazing sale prices on many of the yarns you all love!

DREAM BIG!

Got Bulky? We do! Want a project that knits up fast? Well, then it's time to DREAM BIG! We have several colors of the superwash bulky yarn from South West Trading: Dream Big! Good yardage on the hank, too. And who said dreams never come true? How about this bonus: there's a free pattern printed on the back of the yarn band. If you can't dream what to use your size 15 needles for, here's your answer: Dream Big! In the bins now at VBYC!

The Ciao has arrived!

Lana Grossa Ciao fans! The day has finally arrived. The yarn has made its way from its source to the U.S. Lana Grossa headquarters and now to Acadiana! We've been waiting a while to receive our shipment, and it's here! And just in time for all the Christmas gift knitting and crocheting season! A fantastic Ciao scarf requires three balls of your favorite colorway, size 17 needles and only a couple hours. Hurry on in and stock up on Ciao!

A cute little gift!

Crocheters! Make this cute cradle purse! The project uses one ball of Jojoland Rhythm. Both the yarn and the pattern are available at VBYC!

Beatrix Potter fans! We've just received more of this wonderful colorway in Schaefer Laurel!

Just something funny

All he needs is a fair isle ski beanie and scarf! A friend of mine sent me this picture of a pig-shaped Steinway with the headline "for musicians who like to hog the spotlight". What does this have to do with knitting, crochet, bobbin lace, fiber? Absolutely nothing. It's just intriquing, and just a little hilarious.

It's A Great Season For Teal!

It's a popular color this season -- Teal. We've just received a shipment of teal in Classic Elite Miracle! Also, there's the same wonderful shade in Classic Elite Le Gran mohair! It's time to start making garments for Christmas gift giving! We have the colors and the yarns you'll need!

Balls Hanging Loose?

Don't you hate it when your balls get tangled and knotted in your knitting bag? Unfortunately, it's a common problem and is often the cause of much frustration and exaspiration, which can both lead to profuse swearing and general upset. Use a YARN BRA and tame those balls! These little plastic net boulder holders keep things in place, out of trouble, and prevent unwinding and tangling! Bras come in a packet of assorted colors! Light, Easy, Fashionable, and Smart. The Yarn Bra. Available at VBYC!

Fair Isle Woes No More!!

Those of you working on Fair Isle projects will enjoy these little Norwegian notions! If you have trouble with tangled yarns around your hand while sorting out colors, this thimble is for you! Pop it on your finger and hook each color in place! It's especially helpful for (us) Contintental knitters who traditionally lace the colored strands through through the left-hand fingers. But, British knitters: fret not! The thimble fits just as well on the right hand and is useful just as well for the same purpose!

The Hiya-Hiya Project Pouch!

These wonderful items are brand new to the Hiya-Hiya line! And they're here at Vermilion Bay Yarn, folks! The new Hiya-Hiya project bags! Choose yours in RED and BLUE, or take home one of each! Each is neatly lined and has an interior zippered pocket. The whole bag zips closed by the handle. When closed, your Hiya-Hiya project bag can be carried by the loop or double as a clutch. The bottom is oval and stands on its own. Big enough to carry a project, but smart, classy and elegant enough to compliment your ensemble for a night on the town: take out your knitting, throw in what you need for the evening and go!

ENTRANCE TO THE SHOPPING CENTER

The construction has advanced to the ditch in front of the Bridge Plaza where our shop is located. In order to drive into the parking lot, turn onto Digby (the next light after the Bridge Plaza, coming from Pinhook/Camillia or the light right befor the center coming from Youngsville) and use the driveway into the complex from Digby.

The Vermilion Bay Light

The final draft of the VB Light, our monthly newsletter, is done! Look for your copy in tomorrow's email! If you do not receive The Vermilion Bay Light and you'd like your own, personal copy, please do contact me ASAP to be included in our mailing list! If you'd like to read the newsletter, but not necessarily your own, personal copy, please visit our website by clicking on the shop logo in the upper left corner of this blog, then click on newsletters at the homepage. There, you can also read back-issues of the VBL!

Highlights this month: Info on the Knitter's Cruise in October 2010, new yarns arriving at VBYC, Classes a la Carte, and what's all ON SALE in September!

Classic Elite Yarns, Folks!!

The first load of brand new yarns from Classic Elite arrived on August 27th! Just in at Vermilion Bay is the wonderful Egyptian Cotton many of you have been awaiting: Provence. Each hank has 205 yards of exquisite gorgeousness! Use it to make almost anything to create a striking, cotton fabric suitable for anyone. Louisiana knitters are always in search of lighter weight yarns wearable in our quasi tropical climate. Provence fits the bill! Another great Louisiana wearable in the bins now is Miracle, a lovely alpaca and tencel blend. With a sheen like this, you’d swear it’s silk! And sister, is it soft! Knitters of women’s tops, consider Miracle for your next projects. Its smooth lightness makes for a luxurious finished garment. Come in and check out the autumn colors! Your wardrobe has been lacking one thing: a smart and stylish garment hand knit of Classic Elite Miracle. Isn’t time to fill the void? Have you been looking for a delightfully cozy mohair yarn that’s hefty enough to knit singled stranded without using a microscopic gauge? No other beats Classic Elite Le Gran! Use it in combination with other textures, or just by itself in its comfortable mohair deliciousness! Choose Le Gran this season to step up your style with posh and pizzazz!

What a smile! What a hat!

It's done, folks! Mark's first ribbed hat! And it coordinates well with the Graphite and Apple Green Malabrigo double-faced scarf! I can't wait for it to get a bit cooler so I can wear the ensemble outside, however, I might just have to turn down the A/C in the shop a bit so I can enjoy the Malabrigo Merino softness even in August! Regulars to the shop will know that Mark just recently learned how to purl, having completed some 15 or so school scarves with utter perfection. Congratulations on the purling, and thanks for making me this wonderful autumn/winter hat. Don't let that scowel fool you. Mark really does love to purl!