Did you enjoy Valentine's Day yesterday???

February 14 is a special day in the Gray family. Not only is it the day to express your love for the special ones in your life...but it's also my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's anniversary. It was #24 this year and we hope they have many more wonderful years together.

Jasmine and I came into the shop yesterday for 2 reasons. One, I had a class to teach. And secondly, Jasmine wanted to show off her new Valentine's dress. She looked so adorable. It got me to thinking of why I would spend my time making her an outfit that was not intended for warmth, but just to see how cute she would look. I think part of the reason is because I love that little girl. She means the world to me and that's one way I can show her how much I care. Some people might argue that dogs don't really know that you are expressing love to them by making them garments. But I somehow feel like she knows why I do it. She really is a smart dog, you know. Anyway, she'll probably be wearing her Valentine dress for at least the rest of this week. So if you'd like to come in and see for yourself just how cute she looks, she'll be glad to prance around in it.

And my sweet husband sent me a potted plant of miniature red roses. I put them in the display window so they could get some sun. I love to stop and "smell the roses". And if I don't kill them, then maybe Paula's husband will show me how to take care of them in the yard. He grows LOTS of rose bushes and would be just the person who could give me some help.

Last week's Super Ball Party was so much fun. I think everyone enjoyed searching through the many skeins of yarn for just the right colors for their Magic Balls of Yarn. Then we sat down and learned about different joining techniques to make our Potpourri Scarfs. And AnnHara won the Magic Ball with all of the prizes inside. Here's a photo of my Potpourri Scarf.

Melissa made this wonderful taco dip that I just had to share with you. She slimmed down the calories, but I sure couldn't tell. It was yummy!

Skinny Taco Dip

8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese

8 oz. reduced fat sour cream

1 packet taco seasoning

16 oz. jar of mild salsa

2 cups shredded lettuce

2 large tomatoes, chopped

1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese

Black olives, sliced

Mix together with an electric mixer the cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa with the taco seasoning until well blended. Spread this mixture in bottom of glass cassarole dish. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese & black olives. Serve with chips. Enjoy!

Well, I hope you have a wonderful week enjoying all of this nice weather. And feel free to stop by The Yarn Haven any time to "feel the fiber".

We're 4 Years Old Today...

Today on our 4th Anniversary, I'm announcing our "Knitter of the Month" for February...Marilyn Dunn!!

Marilyn made a couple of projects this past month. But the one that earned her the title of "Knitter of the Month" was a cardigan she made for her husband. She used Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool to do a pattern out of Knit 'N Style magazine.

She also finished this fan and feather shawl using Berroco Sox Metallic. She found that placing markers between each pattern really helped her.

So congratulations to Marilyn! She wins a $20 gift certificate as our first "Knitter of the Month". Be sure to bring in your projects as you finish them each month. You, too, could be our Knitter of the Month!

We also had others share their projects. Ellen made this scarf using Louisa Harding Merletto yarn. She used our "Open Twisted Rib Scarf" pattern. Ellen found this to be a quick lace project.

She also brought in this afghan using 3 colors of Plymouth Encore held together. She found the pattern in the Quick Knitted Afghan book.

Sarah brought in her Dancing Leg Warmers. She also used Plymouth Encore. She suggests that you be sure to check your gauge. You can adjust your cast-on number to fit your upper leg...and then decrease to make the ankle more snug. Sounds like a good suggestion.

Pam's "Silk Fountain Hood" was gorgeous out of Malabrigo Silky Merino. She got the pattern from the Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders book.

And Mavis made herself a car coat out of some yarn someone gave her. But I wanted to take her picture to show you what the buttons looked like. I hope you've seen these buttons we have with all the holes in them. You take your yarn and make designs in the buttons. They really pop on her coat.

It's hard to believe that just 4 years ago we were opening the shop for the first time. The shop looks so different today than it did back then. I found some photos that I took on that first day.

That was then...

This is now...





That was then...

This is now...

That was then...

This is now...

That was then...

This is now...

Here's something else that's different...we now have Jasmine, our shop dog.

I hope you'll come visit us and sit by our fireplace for a spell to take in all of this wonderful yarn.

Thank you to everyone who considers The Yarn Haven their local yarn shop. I appreciate your support!! Here's hoping that the next year will be an even better year for learning new skills, sharing with each other, and being creative!!