VBYC, YOUR Local Yarn Shop: The Fiber Arts Trendsetter in Acadiana!

21oo Verot School Road, Suite 8 Lafayette, LA 337-216-4564
To send email, write to: vermilionbayyarnco at Yahoo

M: noon-6pm; T: 10am-8pm; W: 10am-6pm; Th: 10am-8pm; F: 10am-6pm; S: 10am-4pm; Sun: Closed

Classes


Beginning Knitting and Crochet: Beginning classes for knitting and crochet are scheduled one-on-one at your convenience during business hours. You may schedule lessons just for yourself, or for yourself and a few other friends. In beginning knitting, you will learn your stitches while you create a beautiful chunky yarn scarf. At the end of your mastery period, you'll have a fabulous accent you can actually use!

Classes a la carte: If you weren't able to attend a specific class, or you missed out entirely on one, here's your chance! Simply schedule the class topic of your choice at the time that's convenient for you.

How Much Do Classes Cost? At Vermilion Bay Yarn, we're all about getting you moving on your fiber projects and getting you going with new techniques. All classes (including beginning knitting and crochet) at VBYC are $20 plus materials. You do not pay each time you come in to continue the same class.

What's Available At Vermilion Bay

The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company is your local source for the fine yarns of Rowan, Classic Elite, South West Trading, Cascade, Plymouth, Schaefer, Malabrigo, Muench, GGH, Brown Sheep, Lana Grossa, Tilli Tomas, Universal, and many others! We offer high quality needles and hooks from Addi, Chiaogoo, Hiya-Hiya, and Brittany. Vermilion Bay Yarn (YOUR local yarn shop) is YOUR one stop for all your knitting and crochet notion needs: counters, holders, markers, darning eggs, tapestry needles, etc.

Knit Cafe: The Evening Fiber Art Group meets on Tuesdays from 6pm-8pm at the shop. Bring your project(s) and sit for as long as you like. Food, coffee, and soft drinks are always provided, and everyone is encouraged to add to the buffet.

Need something repaired? Favorite sweater with moth holes? Heirloom lace with a snag? Bring it in for an estimate.

Don't have time to knit or crochet it? The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company is your only local custom fiber art source! Please visit the shop for an estimate.

Knitting Parties at VBYC: Gather together 10 of your friends or colleagues and set a date/time for a knitting party at Vermilion Bay Yarn! Beginners and seasoned knitters can participate in the same party! Folks who've never knitted before will learn how and the experienced knitters work their own fun project! Contact the shop for details!

Our Return Policy

Now and then we purchase a bit too much, or decide that a different yarn might be better for a project than the one we selected. Here's how VBYC accomodates merchandise returns. This policy is also clearly displayed in the shop by the register. Thank you for your business!

Merchandise purchased at The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company may be exchanged/returned for shop credit only. No cash refunds. No exhanges/returns on special orders. Gift Certificates may not be redeemed for cash. Yarn presented for exchange must be odor-free and in new condition with the yarn band intact. Yarns wound into skeins are not accepted for exchange.

Knitting Rescue and Project Help

We are most willing to assist YOU, our customers, with quick help or to fix minor blemishes in your fiber work at no charge. As I see it, that's all part of what YOUR local yarn shop is about, especially if your project originated from VBYC. If you find yourself in need of frequent coaching on a particularly challenging project, or if you require detailed assistance with a project obtained elsewhere, we encourage you to make that project into a class ($20 fee applies) for the duration of your work.

28 April 2011

Knitting the Rowan Blithe Jacket

This design is just gorgeous. No doubt about it. It's the Rowan "Blithe" jacket from the spring/summer 2010 magazine. It's done in Summer Tweed -- an awesome silk and cotton blend. I am currently working up this design for a custom knitting client, and since the pattern is so exquisite, and so wickedly challenging, I thought I'd share some thoughts about knitting it. Not only in case you too would like to create it yourself, but to help you with other projects with similar challenges. First off, I am indeed using Summer Tweed for this project. It's a textured yarn that tends to stick up on bamboo, wood, or the old fashioned metal needles. I've knitted Summer Tweed on metal needles -- the worst knitting experience of a lifetime -- very slow going since the yarn adheres to the shaft of the needle. Most of the time you're prying your stitches along. If you're using this yarn, I highly recomment an Addi Turbo nickel-plated needle. The stitches will slide with ease, worry-free. That way you focus on your work and not on making your stitches behave. So now, the Blithe. The entire piece is open work. The pattern for the fabric is not written out. It's charted. Unlike a lace panel for which you'd follow each stitch on every chart row, a garment chart for open work will customarily indicate sizing. This means, you'll be reading only the portion of the chart that applies to the size you're making. This design includes sizes Small to XXL. I'm making the Medium. Folks doing the XXL have an easier row to hoe: just work the entire chart. My size is right in the center of the spectrum, so this means I start about a third into the chart and finish about a third before the end. The right side of this is where the action takes places. There isn't even one plain knit stitch here. It's all either yo's or some sort of decrease operation. Each block of the chart contains a symbol, but in each of the RS rows, the symbols come in a prescribed sequence. The wrong side is a purl back row. When working a chart like this, you have to pay attention. It's reuthlessly jealous. And in an open texture like this, there's no hiding errors. It's either right or wrong, and seeing a stitching mistake in this thing is just as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. Learn the chart symbols like you'd learn to read alphabet letters and words, so that when you see the symbol you know exactly what it means. Being able to read a chart like you read a book makes following it much easier. Luckily most symbols are universal and don't vary much from chart to chart. Next, study the chart apart from the knitting. Identify the pattern sequences for each row and form the single sequence into a sentence such as "double decrease, skp, k2tog". Having a mantra like this will help you keep the sequences straight as you work them. It will also help you check your work after the row to make sure everything's there that needs to be there before you set the purl back row on top of the lace work. I find it helpful to nickname the symbols -- this might sound silly, but it works for me. It may work for you, it may not. But this is what I do. Some operations have long names like "slip knit pass" or "slip 1, k2tog, psso". The SKP is noted with a left leaning slanted line. Come up with a name for the symbol itself. The goofier the better. I've been calling the SKP symbol a "chut-chut" (a cajun slang word for a tab or something that sticks out) -- no reason why I chose that name. It just came to mind first. The SKP is a decrease operation, and with lace, remember, every decrease is paired with an increase. So for me, the "chut-chut" includes the SKP and the YO. A double decrease is most often noted with an inverted "V" symbol. I just call it a "tee-pee". Included in "tee-pee" are the two YO's required to make up for the two decreased stitches. So "YO, Sl1, K2tog, PSSO, YO" is all compounded into one concept: "tee-pee". A K3tog is another double decrease. It's noted by the same inverted "V" but has a vertical line from the point to the bottom. I call it a "Wigwam". The K2tog symbol is a right leaning slanted line. I've been calling that "right". The goofiest of all these is the double yarn-overs, which I've called "diddle diddle". So, one of the sequence sentences that I use to remember what I'm doing across the row might go something like this: "Tee-pee, right, right, diddle diddle, chut-chut." So much easier. Of course doing this requires understanding from sight what the symbols mean and knowing how to work the operations automatically.
Now, the math. Since I'm working in the center of the chart and not from beginning to end, this means that my row starts mid-stream. The hallmark of what makes lace lacey is is the pairing of increases and decreases. It's like tempo rubato in music: whatever you take away you have to give back somewhere. Every SKP has a yarn over. Every K3tog has 2 yarn over's. In order to start in the middle of the chart or to accomodate the garment shaping, identify what increases go with what decreases and replace them with a simple operation that fills the stitch requirement (an SKP may just become a K1, for example). It's a matter of adding and subtracting in order to keep the stitch count constant, but at the same time, keeping the pattern correct. If you add one, you have to subtract one, but if you add one on the edge of your chart thats been subtracted beyond the boundery for your garment size, the add one (yo) will more than likely just be a K1. As you make the modifications to the sequence on the boundaries of the chart portion you need, make notes to help you make further accomodations along the way when it's time for the shaping. The Blithe Jacket is a math puzzle. It's a fun math puzzle, and the result is fabulously beautiful. Be patient with it, and enjoy it!

27 April 2011

Mother's Day is Sunday May 8th!

In two weeks, we celebrate our moms! Many of them are fiber artisans, and many of our moms enjoy receiving and using, and wearing the fabulous fiber work we create. If your mom is a fiber person, consider a gift basket with all sorts of groovy notions, a collection of pattern books, or some terrific knitwear accents -- use a Della Q Priscilla bag instead of a basket or a gift box. A nifty bag from Namaste makes for a super-duper Mom's Day gift. Have you ever considered a VBYC gift certificate good for the purchase of supplies for a complete garment? If you're not a knitter or crocheter, you can obtain a certificate for a custom piece and have her come in to select the fiber, yarn, and color, and to be fitted for the garment of her choice! Fibering Moms, listen up! As you might know, most men need some suggestions when preparing for Mother's Day. They're all good guys, sure, but they're not mind readers! Tell them that VBYC will make their shopping quick and easy! Whatever they find at YOUR local yarn shop, you'll certainly use and enjoy! Happy Mother's Day, y'all!

22 April 2011

Stella & Dot is coming May 22!!

The Stella & Dot trunk show has been set for Sunday, May 22 at 2pm at The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company! To see the fantastic jewelry collections, click on the logo or the display photograph in the upper left corner of the blog! Also, I have several look books available to you in the shop to preview the show! Now that you've been working on all your terrific spring/summer knitwear, it's time to accessorize with equally stylish accents to finish your look! Spread the word about the Stella & Dot trunk show! This is a major event for The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company and especially for YOU! Don't miss out!

20 April 2011

Della Q Theo

New and improved Theo circular cases keep your needles in their places. The Theo is a reinforced, silk sided needle case with organizer pockets inside. Each pocket is labled for needle size and has a flap that keeps your tools from migrating. Tie the whole thing up into a neat bundle. Various colors available! The Theo makes a perfect Easter gift!

19 April 2011

Holy Week and Easter Schedule

The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company, YOUR local yarn shop will be OPEN all this week! VBYC will be closed Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Here's the day by day breakdown for this week. Stop in and select your next spring/summer project! Tuesday, April 19: OPEN 10am-8pm (Knit Cafe starts around 6pm!) Wednesday, April 20: OPEN 10am-6pm Thursday, April 21: OPEN 10am-6pm Friday, April 22: OPEN 10am-6pm Saturday, April 23: OPEN 10am-4pm Easter Sunday, April 24: Closed (No Sunday Tea) Easter Monday, April 25: Closed Please know that I appreciate your business and support of The Vermilion Bay Yarn Company. Without your support, VBYC can not exist. Vermilion Bay Yarn is always here for you, 7 days a week with supplies, materials, class offerings, encouragement, inspiration, and welcoming friendship! Be sure to stop in for a visit, to see what's new, and to challenge yourself with new and exciting fiber projects! A Happy Easter to all of you!

15 April 2011

Too cute!

Like ladybugs? They're so adorable! Fun Tapes are here: Ladybugs, Frogs, Puppies, Cats. Tape measures with plenty of personality! Need something for the Easter basket? Here you go! Need something for your knitting basket? Right here. The ultimate Easter sussy. Get one of each!

Cedar Balls

It's getting warmer in South Louisiana and that means all sorts of insecty sort of flying creature bugs. The one thing that fiber folks hate more than anything else is moths. Moths love to munch on natural animal fibers. We know this because around October time when we take our sweaters and such out of the summer storage bins, we find little holes in our favorite fabrics. That's also around the time when I get a marked upswing in sweater repairs, almost always due to moth damage. Care for your natural fiber garments and store them in a cedar chest or in a drawer with cedar balls. Just a few will do the trick. Let them roll around freely in the drawer or wherever you store your items. Moths hate cedar. We've known it for centuries, but you know how we moderns can be: we often forget the low tech natural way from way back when in favor of the high tech chemical approach. Use natural cedar balls instead of those moth balls. Cedar has a pleasing scent. Moth balls: mega nasty stench that lingers even after weeks of airing out. YOUR local yarn shop has cedar balls for your summer time sweater pack up! Arm yourself this season against the pesky pests that spoil your favorite threads! A couple bucks for 20 cedar balls sure beats 50 bucks for a sweater mend!

13 April 2011

Fabulous Flair for Spring!

The spring 2011 Burda Verena is here! Cool, Classic, Edgey. Regardless of your personal style, you'll find several designs to add to your springtime wardrobe choices! Crocheted dresses and tops are majorly in this season, and as always, Verena is on the same page as fashion! In keeping with the vision of Burda's foundress, Verena makes the best of European runway fashion available, wearable, and creatable by everyone. The pattterns featured in Verena are top-notch designs, but hardly out of reach to knitters and crocheters. The all-inclusive approach of Verena adds to its appeal: terrific items for men, women, and children. Be sure to pick up your copy! Be inspired by Europe's top fashions.

08 April 2011

Knit Kits are on sale!

A Knit Kit is an all-in-one fiber work tool kit that contains the basic tools every fiber artisan uses daily: scissors, needle tips, markers, tape measure, yarn snip, counter, darning needle, doubled ended crochet hook for stitch drops. They're on sale at a great price at the moment: $17.50. Do the math: by obtaining a knit kit, you come out better price-wise than if you'd buy each of those notions separately. Plus, the Knit Kit keeps all these items neatly stored and easy to find in your knitting bag. At at this price, and with Mother's Day coming up, you really need several to give as gifts. It's a sale on a really useful item -- sales like this don't come around often, so be sure to take advantage of it!

07 April 2011

The April VBL

The Vermilion Bay Light will be mailed out today! I have one final edit to make this morning, and then it starts flying out and into your email inboxes! You'll enjoy highlights of new yarns as well as some old standards we often take for granted. New books, bags, and bling! And of course there's the advice, tip, and encouragement articles -- and each of us needs those things just as much as we need yarn and needles. Regardless how long we've been knitting or crocheting, there's always something new to learn, try, or improve. In fact, one of the knitters came in the other day and showed me a "new and improved" SSK,. I have to say, I like it (Thanks, Laurie!), and I've been using it. Anticipate your newsletter's arrival today! See you soon at the Bay, YOUR local yarnshop!

04 April 2011

Sari Ribbon:
When Fiber Daredevils
get
bored
with Cashmere.

01 April 2011

Reuse it!

It's the recycling age, and Rowan is with it! This is one of their newer yarns, "Revive", spun of recycled silk and cotton in a DK weight. You get all the benefits of silk and cotton -- perfect, I might add, for our Louisiana climate -- with the added perk of a really intriguing and beautifully tweeded fabric that comes from recycled silk. Mill ends and such are transformed into a tremedously gorgeous, upscale yarn. With approximately 135 yards per ball, there's good yardage too for fewer yarn joins throughout your garment. Our supplimental spring Rowan box arrived yesterday packed with new colors of Revive. I'll tell y'all this now: I have a hard time keeping Revive in the bins. And some of it didn't make it into the bins yesterday -- straight from the box to the knitting bag. Hurry in today to plan your garments using Revive! Reuse it!

The Independent Weekly!

Read about us HERE in the Independent Weekly. Many many thanks to writer (and knitter) Erin Bass who began visiting VBYC last January in preparation for this excellent article!