KnitSimple Fall 2012 Preview featuring StevenBe Ponchini!!

We are so proud to announce that Steven's Ponchini design has been featured in Fall 2012 Knit Simple magazine.  Stop into Yarn Garage or StevenBe to get your copy today!  Maybe you can even get Steven to sign your copy!  

Many of you have made the Ponchini, but for those of you who have not yet experienced the fabulousness that is the Ponchini, pay attention!  First of all, this is NOTHING like those ponchos you bought on Spring Break in Cancun.  It is not even close the fringed, acrylic ponchos from the 70's.  A fiber fusion of Be Sweet Bamboo and Extra Fine Mohair create a look that is chic and versatile.  

                                                                       

 Now, I know you have heard me sing the praises of the Ponchini before, but I just can't get enough of it!  We have kits and classes available.  Two of our Wild Women of Wednesday were seaming theirs together last night!  We shall see how many ways they can come up with to wear their fabulous creations!

Stephen West Mystery Shawl Knit-A-Long

Get ready for a summer shawl KAL, Westknits style! Join the group at the Yarn Garage as we discover a new clue each week. Our expert staff will be knitting along with you every Friday a clue is released. Visit us for an exclusive color consultation and we will get you set up with everything you need to join the fun. 

SCHEDULE at the Yarn Garage:  

Join Michelle for the following KAL dates! 

Consultation and Yarn Selection July 9 - 15   

Clue 1 - July 15 (KAL circle 1 to 3PM)
Clue 2 - July 22 (Skype date at StevenBe 1 to 4PM)
Clue 3 - July 29 (KAL circle 1 to 3PM)
Clue 4 - August 5 (KAL circle 1 to 3PM)

Learn MORE about WestKnits and this year's Mystery Shawl by joining the group on Ravelry HERE.       

SPECIAL EVENT! - Skype Date with Stephen West at StevenBe...Sunday July 22nd
1 to 4PM at StevenBe 

Reserve your spot for this special addition to our Knit-A-Long month. We will do a live Skype chat with the designer himself. Show off your progress on the Mystery Shawl and participate in a Q & A about upcoming designs, patterns, and books! This is your V.I.P. access to hip!Present your offer, ensure it is specific, and includes a call to action and time frame.

Learn More and Register NOW...

Introducing the highly anticipated addition to the Yarn Garage

The Yarn Garage and StevenBe welcomed Cameron David Andrs into our fiber family on 

Saturday, May 26th.  He was 8 pounds 13 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long.     

Here he is 3 days old and modeling his first Malabrigo sweater with owl buttons.  

Lori came to visit and he had to show off the hat she created for him.

  

Formerly known as the Brimmed Baby Beanie class, Lori is teaching Cameron's Cap on Monday, June 11th from 10:30-12:30 at Yarn Garage in Rosemount.  Click here for more information.

We thank everyone for their love and support!  Visit often as you never know when Cameron will make an appearance at either shop.  He may just be the new face of StevenBe Baby.

NEW NEW NEW at StevenBE. Take a look...

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Shepherd's Harvest!

It is that time of year again when Steven ventures to Lake Elmo for Shepherd's Harvest!  Mother's Day weekend is perfectly spent roaming through the barns taking in all the amazing fiber and other delights!  My favorite part is watching someone spin directly from an angora rabbit.  Those rabbits are the cutest!!

Look at those ears!!  Be warned!  I know a couple customers who walked away with Angora Rabbits as they could not resist their charms.

Steven and Jeremy are loading up the U-Haul on Friday night and unveiling all the StevenBe lovelies on Saturday and Sunday.  They are in the normal spot so make sure they are on your list of MUST SEE booths.  Check out Jeremy's spoiler alert on Ravlery.  Here is a tidbit - we just got the new Signature Needles size 10!!!  The boys will have them at the booth, so go see the new size 10 needles for yourself.

SOCKS! SOCKS! SOCKS! 
Due to overwhelming demand, Lori is once again hosting her Two-at-a-Time Toe Up Sock class at the Rosemount location on Wednesday, May 16th, 30th, June 6th, & 20th 10:30am-12:30pm.

Click here for more information!

PONCHINI!   PONCHINI! 

Steven's FAMOUS Eyelet Ponchini is now being taught in Rosemount!  You may have seen it featured by Be Sweet in their April 2012 newsletter.

It will also be featured in the Fall 2012 edition of Knit Simple magazine!  This class is your chance to make an amazingly versatile garment!  Wear it as a poncho, a cowl, or a scarf!  

As a ponchini

As a cowl

This is the perfect project if you haven't made a garment before.  There isn't any shaping, but you will still learn about fitting and finishing.  The combination of Be Sweet Bamboo and Extra Fine Boucle make this garment perfect for all seasons.  Click here for more information on the class! or
click here to purchase the pattern immediately!

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.