Icelandic Glitter Diva, Ragga brings a surprise for Steven and a bunch of great classes to Fiber Fest in April!

Hello fiber followers, Jeremy here!

We are all recovering from the amazing Shop Hop weekend at both stores. Thanks for your support of the local yarn shops and your generous donations to the local emergency foodshelves. When knitters unite, magic happens!

Jessie let me sleep in today and I didn't have to be at the shop until Noon, so I was surprised by lots of new samples when I got to work. Ragga (one of our featured Fiber Fest teachers) had dropped by the shop before my arrival. WOW WOW WOW! She brought her samples to show all of you prospective students what she will be teaching at the end of the month.

Check out this traditional Icelandic Lopapeysa modeled by one of our newest knitters.

 

This class is coming to the Yarn Garage on Thursday, April 26th from 11am - 3pm. You will work on your own "mini" version of this great project and learn lots of new techniques for your "toolbox".

Click HERE to learn more about the class and Register to take advantage of Feature Pricing!

Here is my favorite! You know how I love a cowl and this one is done in chunky Tunisian Crochet! 

These cute ladies from our afternoon Beginner Knitting class helped me with some modeling.

I am taking this class here at StevenBe! Join Ragga for Tunisian Crochet Reinvinted on Monday, April 30th from 11am - 3pm in Minneapolis. 

Click HERE for more info and to Register for the class!

And now for the biggest surprise of the day! Ragga brought Steven a custom Lopi Hoodie! This is definately a funky twist on Icelandic knitting, complete with skull motif and yes.... PINK SEQUINS! Steven looks smashing in his new sweater and will be modeling it tonight at the Minnesota Knitters' Guild meeting.

You too can begin to create a signature Lopi Hoodie. Register for Ragga's Little Lopi Hoodie class at StevenBe on Wednesday, April 25th! You will work on your own "mini" lopi hoodie and learn the ins and outs of steeking and more! Click HERE to get more info on the class and Register NOW for feature pricing!

Stay Tuned for more Fiber Fest 2012 updates as the fabulous samples and super swag roll in! Follow the Fiber Fest link to get in on the action. There is still time to grab a swag package too!

 

Click HERE for all of Fiber Fest 2012!

Upcoming Classes including an evening session of Magic Loop Mittens!

Reversible Fair Isle Headband with Lori Phillips at Yarn Garage in Rosemount.
This is a two session class on Monday, January 18th and 25th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  This is a $28 class with the pattern sold seperately.

If you have always wanted to try two color knitting, then this is the perfect class for you! Lori has designed this reversible headband that will teach you a provisional cast on, two color knitting from a chart, and seaming. You can pick your own motifs and use traditional or outrageous colors.  We used Misti Alpaca Tonos Worsted, but why not use Spud and Chloe Sweater or Noro Kueryon? You must come to class with your yarn wound and ready to cast on!  Click here for more details.
 
 
Baby Hat & Booties with Lori Phillips at Yarn Garage in Rosemount This is a two session class on Monday, January 30th and February 6th from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. This is a $28 class that includes the pattern.

Learn to make these adorable hat and booties! You can make them super girly with pink and white or in the colors of your favorite sports team. We have a huge selection of colors for these fun and fast hat and booties! Lori will teach you to knit in the round, increase, decrease, and short row shaping. You must already know how to knit and purl to attend this class. Please come with your pattern, yarn, and needles ready to cast on! The first session will teach the hat and the second session will teach the booties.  We suggest using Cascade Fixation as we love the colors and the stretchiness due to its cotton/spandex blend.  Click here for more details.

Toe-Up Two at a Time Socks with Lori Phillips at Yarn Garage in Rosemount This is a two session class on Wednesday, February 8th, 22nd, 29th, March 7th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. This is a $48 class with the pattern sold seperately. Note there are two Wednesday sessions that are not consecutive due to the amount of knitting needed to be completed.

Here is your opportunity to learn how to make socks two at a time while making them toe-up. This is the only way to make socks! This is an intermediate class for those who have already learned the Magic Loop knitting technique. We suggesting using some of the new Malabrigo Sock yarn or the new Zen Yarn Garden.  You must come to class with your yarn and needles ready to cast on!   Click here for more details.



Magic Loop Mittens with Lori Phillips at Yarn Garage in Rosemount This is a two session class on Friday, February 3th and 10th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This is a $28 class with the pattern purchased seperately.

Come to the Yarn Garage on a Friday night to learn the Magic Loop Mitten with Lori! This is the first and only evening session we will have for this class. You must already know how to knit, purl, increase, and decrease. You also need to come to class with your gauge established, your yarn wound and needles ready.

Lori has written this pattern with four gauges and four sizes.  Please come to the shop to pick your yarn and knit a gauge swatch prior to class.  You can use Malabrigo Rasta, Cascade 128 Superwash, Plymouth Select Worsted Superwash, or Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk D.K.  Click here for more details.

Lori's Favorite Seams at Yarn Garage in Rosemount This is a one session class on Wednesday, February 20th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  This is an $18 class.

Seaming got you down? Don't be frustrated with finishing anymore! Come to this class to learn the mattress and kitchner stitches. You will forever have perfect seams!  Click here for more details.

knit, Swirl trunk show!!!

Our first knit, Swirl trunk show has arrived!  It is currently being featured at StevenBe in Minneapolis.  Attend an Urban Knitters on Sunday 1-4pm or a Thursday luncheon lounge 12-4 to get the full trunk show experience.  Or, just pop in to see what the fuss is all about! Sandra McIver's garments are clever, unique, and universally flattering.  I swear!  They look amazing on ANY figure.  Come on in to see for yourself!  We have this trunk show until December 31st.  We will be getting another trunk show in the Spring, but this one is not to be missed!

Ruffle yarn, ladder yarn, and Zen Yarn Garden

New Ruffling yarns have finally arrived along with some of your previously sold-out favorites!

Kidsilk Creation from Rowan is the newest limited edition arrival on the ruffle roster. This gorgeous yarn is a net, tubular construction made from Kidsilk Haze which is 70% super kid silk Mohair and 30% silk. The colours have been selected from the favourite shades of Kidsilk Haze cream, dewberry, trance, candy girl, jelly and smoke. One hank creates a heavenly scarf for you or a gift.

Katia Triana and Triana Lux are back! This favorite bouncy ruffle is back in stock in limited quantities after a short hiatus. Visit us at the shop for the best selection before is sells out again!

Steven has located ladder (trellis) yarn!  It was not in production for quite awhile, but we always had a supply.  It has recently become quit popular for necklaces or accessory scarves.  Steven has located some vendors that are carrying it again.  We have fabulous colors.  Some even have glitter!

Add this to any yarn to give it that StevenBe touch or make crochet necklaces!  Steven held it with the Misti Chunky Alpaca for a beautiful vest.  Use it with wool and add some extra color to your felted purse!  The necklaces are so popular as they are so easy and fast to make!

Brand new yarn that Steven just had to have is the Serenity from Zen Yarn Garden.  No, this isn't the name of Steven's latest venture.  There is not a knitting spa in the works - Wouldn't Zen Yarn Garage work, though?!  I want to go somewhere, get a facial, take a yoga class, and learn the German Double Cast On all in one place!  Instead,  Zen Yarn Garden is a little yarn company in Canada that produces this delicious blend of cashmere, superwash merino and nylon.  The colors are so fantastic that you have to come in and see them.  My photography is pretty outstanding, but the photo does not do the colors justice.

And, don't forget the Soak!  If you have taken all that time to knit or crochet an item, then you better take good care of it!  Then, pick up your favorite scent of rinse-free wool wash.  Just a teaspoon or so in lukewarm water with your hand knit will block it to perfection or make it look just like new!  There is a new scent that is Lovey!

New Classes at Yarn Garage!

Fast, Fun Classes for November and December!

The Inca Hat class is a two session class, Monday, November 21st & 28th from
10:30am - 12:30pm.  You will learn to make two earflaps at once, knit in the round, change yarn, and decrease.  Pick any worsted weight yarn for this hat.  We used Malabrigo Worsted because we liked the hand-dyed effect.  You could also use Dream in Color Classy, Manos Wool Clasica, or Araucania Toconao Multy.

You can make it in sports team colors or use angora and sequins to make it really girly.  $28 covers your two class session registration.  Click here for more information: Inca Hat Class


If you register for all three classes-Braided Headband, Holiday Bottle Cozy, and Rasta Scarf, you receive all the classes for only $42!  Come into the shop to receive this special pricing.

The Braided Headband class introduces a  new pattern.  Lori transformed our favorite cable into a headband!  This class will teach you how to create this deceptively easy cable!  With Lori's help you will master this technique in this single session two hour class.  If you don't want to make a headband, you can make a scarf with the same cable!

Lori used Spud & Chloe's Sweater yarn for the headband pictured above.  The pattern allows you to choose between three weights of yarn.  The sample on display at the Yarn Garage was made with Amy Butler's Sweet Harmony yarn.  I think Malabrigo Rios would be a divine option, or Schulana's Angora Fashion for a truly luxurious headband.  Add buttons for flair or weave hand-dyed silk ribbon through the cable.  Make it your own!  The pattern comes free with your $18 class registration!
Click here for the Monday, Dec. 5th Braided Headband Class or here for
Wednesday, Dec. 7th Braided Headband Class.


The Holiday Bottle Cozy Class is a great hostess gift!  Wrap up your favorite wine, olive oil, sparkling cider in this knit bottle cozy for a original gift.

Lori will teach you the magic loop method so you don't have to use double points.    Use Plymouth Select Worsted Superwash Merino and add Angora for a furry trim!  Try Noro Silk Garden for a striped effect!  The pattern comes free with the $18 class registration.
Click here for the Monday, Dec. 12the Holiday Bottle Cozy Class or here for the
Wednesday, Dec. 14th Holiday Bottle Cozy Class

The Rasta Scarf Class will teach you this fun 20 minute scarf!  You can make two or three in this single two hour class session.  

The original was made with Pagewood Farms Lana Grande.  We have also made it with Malabrigo Rasta, Cascade Magnum, and Twinkle Soft Chunky.  You can also add in some sequins, fur yarn, or beads!  This is a great last minute gift!  The pattern comes free with the $18 class registration. 
Click here for the Monday, Dec. 19th Rasta Scarf Class or here for the
Wednesday, Dec 21st Rasta Scarf Class.


See you soon! 

New Pretties for Winter

Hello to all! 

It is Amy Butler madness!  She has launched a line with Rowan.  We have her Sweet Harmony 100% merino wool.  This is a chunky yarn perfect for Lori's new Braided Headband or our Baguette Cabled scarf.

The colors are true to the Amy Butler sensibility.  Of course, there is a fabulous pattern book to go along with the yarn.  Farmhouse Knits features sweater, hats, afghans, and other fabulous pieces.

I love this Bobble Hat from her book.

This is also a great Crochet Scarf.

We also received the new Kidsilk Haze Stripe yarn in colors picked by Kaffe Fassett.

A single skein makes the scarf pattern that is free on the ball band.  The colors are typical Kaffe Fassett and are a pleasure to work into a lovely scarf for a friend or yourself!

Fall Tune Up at Yarn Garage

We kick off our Fall Tune Up with an Intro to Needle Felting.  Some of you took Christy Binoniemi's class at StevenBe.  Come to Yarn Garage in Rosemount for continued instruction on Saturday, September 10th from 2:00pm - 5:00pm.  Or, if you missed the first class, come and learn this fun technique!  Christy will show you how to take wool and transform it into art!  Click here for more information and registration.

Lori is kicking off her Fall Tune Up class schedule with Magic Loop Mittens!  Take this two session class and learn how to knit in the round without double points!  Lori has created a pattern with four different gauge options and four different size options.  Your choices are almost limitless!

Lori's mitten class will be held Monday, September 12th & 19th at Yarn Garage in Rosemount, MN.  It will be 10:30am-12:30pm.  Click here for more details.

Ready to jump into spinning your own yarn?  Devin Helmen will teach Intro to Spindle Spinning Saturday, September 17th 2:00pm - 5:00pm at Yarn Garage in Rosemount, MN.  Click here for more details.

Does the idea of knitting a sweater intimidate you?  Don't be afraid!  Come to Lori's Knit-in-a-Snap class and knit this fashionable yet cozy vest.  It is a perfect project for an advanced beginner!  Lori will walk you through the construction and take all the guesswork out of garment making.

This class is a four session series on Wednesday, September 14th, 21st, 28th, & October 5th from 10:30am-12:30pm.  Click here to reserve your seat!

For those of you who just need casual knitting help, then join Lori for her Study Hall, Mondays & Wednesday 1:30pm-3:30pm.  We also have knit nights, Wednesday & Friday from 6-8pm.  Click here to see the calendar and to save your seat!