Burda Verena Spring 2010

The Next time you're in the shop, be sure to pick up the latest issue of Burda Verena! Read my review of the magazine printed in the left-hand side bar of the blog! In addition to the oodles of outstanding patterns, you will enjoy the articles too! Learn about the fabrication of silk. Ever seen a silk worm? And why do women's garments button the other way around from men's things?

Endlich mal da, jene Addis....

They're finally here, those Addis. We've been waiting on this backorder for a while. Several medium sizes were stuck somewhere between the Selter Company in Altena, Germany and Skacel in Seattle, whence they come to us and into your knitting bags. At long last, the needles have arrived from Point A at Point B, and are now available to you at Point VBYC!

Semaine Sainte -- Holy Week

I posted the Vermilion Bay Yarn Holy Week and Easter schedule in the March edition of The Vermilion Bay Light, but you know, that was almost a month ago, so I'm re-printing it here as a reminder. Since this week traditionally carries much significance to many of our fiber friends, and is punctuated by back-to-back observances in the second half of the week which generally determine our own schedules, here are the VBYC opening times for the last half of this week:

Monday-Wednesday: standard opening times, including Tuesday Knit Cafe!

Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday), April 1: 10am-4pm

Good Friday, April 2: Closed!

Silent Saturday (Holy Saturday), April 3: 10am-4pm

Easter Monday, April 6: noon-6pm

A BLESSED EASTER TO YOU ALL!

Social Security

It's the hilarious adult comedy about two couples: David & Barbara -- a pair of well-heeled Manhattan art dealers, and Martin & Trudy -- stodgy Long Island suburbanites. Sisters Barbara and Trudy are forced to face facts regarding their mother, and not to mention Martin and Trudy's daughter Sarah off to college who seems overly pre-occupied with her sexlife, or is it that Martin and Trudy are the ones who are overly-preoccupied with hers? And then there's Mom. Who knew? And is gefilte fish really served any more? The play runs from April 2-May 1 on Fridays and Saturdays. Fine, but is it funny? Well, here's a hint: Jason (whom you know) and Scott (whom you probably know as a knitter and the VBYC computer guru) are both in the cast. Come to Abbey Players next month. Find out the scoop on what Sarah's been doing all day. It's quite a story. Click on the photo of the Manischewitz Gefilte Fish (found in the upper left side bar of the blog) to reserve tickets online!

A groovy WIP

What's a WIP? That's Ravelry.com slang for "work in progress". I had a Lone Ranger hank of Claudia Handpainted 100% linen in the "Moss" colorway, and figured I could use it to see what's up with the linen. And, I'm really liking what I'm getting. I chose the headscarf pattern from the book Northsea Knits. The pattern calls for a fine mohair/silk yarn, something like Rowan Kidsilk Haze, but I figured it would be nifty to create a spring/summer version of the piece using linen. I've completed the first level of the pattern, and I'm now on to the second chart, which is nested inside the first. There are three lace charts in all. This item is a triangle, worked in three sections, with a border added. If you've never worked with 100% linen fiber, it's a bit different from animal fibers or even other plant fibers. In the hank, the yarn is rather stiff, however, in the working, it becomes softer and softer and more supple. The resulting fabric is showing to have a very lovely drape, as that initial stiffness of the yarn vanishes pretty quickly. The yarn behaves quite nicely with the open work, and is giving really nice stitch definition on the solid sections. The texture here is fantastic, and the fabric is light-weight and airy. This little linen head scarf is groovy. It's wearable really anywhere you need to keep the wind off your hair -- on the beach, for example, or anywhere where the wind might be an issue. Ladies who regularly attend the Roman Latin Mass will recognize a very good use for this piece as appropriate head gear for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Who said mantillas are supposed to be black or white? Coordinate your veil to your outfit!

TILLI TILLI!

Lovers of Tilli, perk your ears! Check out the Ruby Wine and the Washington! In stock now!

We Did it!

We met at the Heymann Center parking lot at the crack of dawn to meet our friends and join the some 10,000 person crowd who were convening with a common purpose: to celebrate life and to support our neighbors. What an inspiring event! The morning began with the survivor ceremony, the presentation of the survivors, each holding a pink balloon. A chance for reflection in thanksgiving for those who have won their battles, and in remembrance of those whose valiant fights have ended. The eyes of thousands watched as the pink balloons were released and drifted heavenward. Peace.

And the thrill of standing at the starting line with everyone...and off! Many thanks to the walkers in our team, those who supported us, and thanks to our extended VBYC family who helped the cause with their generous gifts.

Everyone needs a little pink!

Two new stupendous colors of Claudia Handpaints 100% linen arrived this morning and are patiently sitting in the bins awaiting your visit to VBYC! "Maple Leaf" is a striking multicolor yarn with pinks and other cheery spring colors. The second is "Sand in your shoes" a light neutral earthtone. Both are perfect for this season's garment projects -- fine choices for either lace pieces or more "standard" knitting projects. Each hank of Claudia Haintpaints linen offers you 270 yards of exquisite sport-weight yarn, a really good supply on each hank, which means you'll require fewer hanks for a complete garment. Thumb through all the knittable and crochetable patterns in this season's Vogue Knitting and pair them with this handpainted 100% linen from Claudia!

Run/Walk Schedule for Saturday!

If you still have not signed up for the VBYC run/walk team for the Komen run/walk this Saturday, hop to it! Click on the logo in the upper left of the blog and join!!

For those of you who have already joined, here's the plan for the day. The opening ceremony begins at 8am according the Komen website schedule. I've emailed the organizers regarding where to park at the park (always a good question). The UL parking tower will be closed for the event (yes, closed. No comment.), however the event planners indicated that UL parking lots are fabulous this time of year. I suggest arriving early to claim a spot on the blacktop, as parking real estate around Girard on Saturday morning will be sought-after. Folks who have participated already have informed me, that the event usually starts winding down around noon. So, after everyone has returned to the fold, we'll caravan over to the shop and work on a few pink chemo caps to finish off a wonderful day! See you Saturday!

Pottery Buttons Galore!

I've just set out a new supply of those fantastic pottery buttons and closures! In this collection, you'll find beautiful butterflies to use as purse closures or on shawls and scarves, as a pendent, or just as a doo-dah to sew on and look fabu. Also, there are geometric pieces, squares, triangles, ovals, with various patterns: sea shells, leaves, etc. Several of you asked whether button sets were available for cardigans or anything needing a set of buttons. YES! I have a number of matching button sets in stock. These pottery items are no heavier than buttons made in other materials, so don't worry that they may be too heavy for your garment. Each singular piece and each button set is unique, made by a local artisan in her Lafayette studio exclusively for Vermilion Bay Yarn. Come by and check the selection. Singular pieces and button sets will add a striking bit of zip to your finished work. Consider accessorizing your garments with locally created pottery buttons and closures.

Lenpur Linen, Denim, Kid Silk Haze

Lenpur.... Lenpur.... Hmm... a city in India? An Island in the Pacific? A Middle Eastern kingdom? Some place described in the Bible? Lenpur is a man-made fiber that is created from the branches of certain trees. That's right. It comes from wood cellulose that is used to produce an amazingly soft and fabulicious yarn. The sheen on this stuff is amazing! Combine this interesting fiber with linen (another plant fiber), and you get Rowan Lenpur Linen! All made from completely renewable resources. Fantastic! And, with the warmer temps approaching, this is something that you're going to be interested in for sure. It's a light-weight yarn perfect for our climate. Consider it for your next project! Lenpur Linen. Wow!

Rowan fans: if Lenpur weren't enough, here's something else! The Rowan Magazine #47 is in stock now. Come pick up your copy today -- all spring and summer fashions (mostly women's. Sorry fellas, but as a consolation, there ARE 3 cotton sweaters in there for us bearded types who look not-so-dainty in Kid Silk Haze).

Speaking of the hazy, a couple new colors of Kid Silk Haze are here -- spiffy spring colors for happy projects. "You got that Denim, Jason?" Sure do. Light and Dark Blue (Memphis and Nashville) and the White (Ecru). Rowan Denim is jeans in yarn form. It's a great material. Look this week for what's new from Plymouth! Must be spring!

Shell KAL Notes Update

Those of y'all working the Scalloped Shells KAL on Saturday afternoons are invited to read the latest of the KAL notes which appears on the lower right-hand side bar of this page! I am intrigued how these scarves are all turning out. Each one in a different yarn, many in different weights, almost all in different colors, but each reflects the creativity of its maker. Very groovy, that. If you'd like to join the KAL, there is no deadline. Join us! Saturday afternoons 1pm-4pm.

Understated, Elegant, Unique

Sometimes you need some bling that blings, sometimes you need some bling that's more demure, laid back, a little less glitzy. On shawls, wraps, and scarves, just a little zip is just the ticket. Try one of these new and unusual wire shawl pins in aluminum or copper to accessorize your favorite hand-made garments. Hurry in and check out the selection!

Containing All Sweetness Within It...

We all have several projects going at once. From time to time, some get placed on the "back burner" in favor of other projects. I do the same. I have some projects for myself on the needles that I set aside when I have custom orders. I recently caught a break between custom projects and rediscovered my own sweater project -- the (now infamous?) green tweed braid sweater, whose front, back, and half a sleeve have been sitting on my desk in knitter's limbo for several months. Sleeve #2 was finished just moments ago, and now it's time to weave in the ends and then off to the blocking board. The thing is made of Rowan Scottish Tweed Aran and is quite a beefy garment. I'll certainly model it in the shop as soon as it's completed -- regardless what the weather is doing. Most everyone has made that new year's resolution to finish projects -- and I'm doing the same!

Buttons old and new!

Buttons in bone, wood, and glass. Elegant, whimsical, unique, whatever your flair. The new collection of modern, classic, and antique buttons now available at VBYC will finish off your hand-made items to create exactly the look you've been dreaming of. Whether you're knitting a man's garment, children's wear, or something dainty and feminine, we have the button(s) that will compliment your project! Check out the 1930's buttons from Czechoslovakia -- stunning art deco pieces. Vintage, yet timeless. Available in sets, some in singles. In addition, take a look at the new aluminum and copper shawl pins. Musicians will appreciate the G-clef pins!

Dumpling Anyone?

Holy Silk Dumplings, Batman! Those things are cute! And they're practical too! The nifty and utterly groovy and splendidly excellent Hiya-Hiya dumpling pouches are back, after a lengthy backorder. This batch of colors is tremendous: greens, purples, reds, whites, lavenders... A number of you had asked a while back about these colors, and this time, it looks like our number came up. Look for them in the Chinoise bowl on the desk.

Spring/Summer Vogue is here!!

If you've read your Vermilion Bay Light this month (they were sent out this morning!) you saw the bit about spring and summer knitting with open work and airy fabrics. That article comes just in time for this season's Vogue Knitting, which features page after page of just that sort of thing. Fantastic summer shells and jackets. Plus, folks, this: summer scarves are in! Check out the host of breezy summer scarf patterns inside! What a bonanza! Sip champaigne fireside on the beach and watch the sunset while you're wrapped in one of these lovely items! Also, Project Runway fans will recognize a familiar face from season 6 of the show. Gordana Gehlhausen is featured in this season's issue. Did you know that besides her trendy and amazing designs in fabric, she is also an avid knitter and knitwear designer? Read the captivating interview with Gordana. And....simultaneously with VBYC's adding the Namaste line of bags and accessories, Vogue features a wonderful informational article about the company. Read up on the company that brings you these outstanding bags! Vogue Knitting is available NOW at VBYC. Pick up your copy the next time you're in!

Namaste, Namaste, Namaste. What will they think of next? Need a stylish way to tote your needle collection? This is it, folks: the Namaste circular needle case. It's a hard-sided, leather case with pockets inside. The case has a jaunty ring closure and a sassy handle. Pair your new needle case with a Monroe bag!