What a strange weather week...

This week has definitely been a challenge for us as we dealt with snow and ice. My grandkids, of course, loved being out of school a couple of days. Ariel could hardly stand it until she got outside to make snow angels and play in the snow. And then the ice on the trees was so beautiful...but dangerous on the roads. It made driving much more challenging for me this week. I felt I was creeping along as everyone else flew by me. Sorry, but having another accident was not what I wanted this week. I was on high alert when driving.

I wanted to share with you a finished project I completed this week. This is Stephen West's Slipped Rib scarf. I used Filatura di Crosa Aliseo yarn and it made a lovely shawlette when paired with a pretty shawl pin.

Cindy brought in several items to share. First of all, she made this sweater out of Louisa Harding Albero. The pattern is in Andra Knight-Bowman's book, "Easy Cable Knits for All Seasons.

Then she brought in a boatload of socks she had made over the summer. She used Swedish Yarns Raggi, Opal 6 ply and Berroco Comfort.

Patty's Coquille Shawl out of Crystal Palace Mini Mochi was so pretty. I need to make me one of these.

She also made a garter stitch entrelac scarf out of Skacel Opus 1. Very nice.

And Barbara's Pi Shawl from this past Summer's Lace KAL was simply breathtaking. I did the same shawl, but used a DK weight cotton. Barbara was brave and used a lace weight merino yarn.

Also I wanted to share this recipe with you. Lin brought in these yummy tasting turtles to one of the class Christmas parties. They are wonderful and quick to make. I might have to make some of these for the Gray clan this Christmas.

Sweet & Salty Turtles

Place an unwrapped Rolo candy piece on a small round pretzel. Bake for 5-6 minutes in a 175 degree oven until the rolo is melted. Place a pecan half on top of the Rolo and let it set.

And before I close, I had to share this photo of Ariel...and her Daddy...and Jasmine. Ariel had made her own set of reindeer antlers out of paper towels and a headband. I love the way she is so creative.

Hope your Christmas plans are coming together nicely and that your knitting and crocheting projects get finished in time!

Show and Tell...

Hasn't today been a simply gorgeous day! I love days like today. It makes me want to sit outside and knit all day.

But I have lots of finished projects to show you instead.

Linda made this pretty shawl out of Fiesta Rayon Boucle. The color was called "Carribean".

She also made a pair of socks out of Knit One, Crochet Too Crock-o-Dye yarn.

Marilyn made a cabled scarf out of Swedish Yarn Raggi.

Karen's sweater was made out Berroco Lustra yarn.

Peggy's hood & jacket were made out of Cascade 220 superwash.

Becky's child sweater was a free Berroco pattern. She used Berroco Cotton Twist to make it.

This was Debbie's first pair of socks. She learned how to make socks in one of our Weekly Classes. She chose Swedish Yarn Raggi to make a heavier sock first.

And lastly, we have Kristina's Echo Flowers Shawl out of Cascade Alpaca Lace.

Nice job, everyone. Enjoy your weekend!

Challenges...

I haven't been posting lately. We've been so busy with new yarns coming in that I haven't had the time to share with you some wonderful finished projects that our customers have made.

So let's get started...

Marilyn wore in her sweater she knitted with Berroco Pure Pima. I love this yarn. It's very nice to work with.

She also brought in her first pair of socks done using the Magic Loop method. She used Berroco Metallic Sox.

Julia finished her Woodhouse Knits Ribbed Ruffle Scarf out of Plymouth Baby Alpaca DK. She's done several of these scarves and each one has turned out so nice.

Kristina's German Shawl turned out just beautiful.

As did her Haruni Shawl. I really like this one.

Jayne made a UT sweater out of Tahki Cotton Classic.

Leigh made a sweater out of Berroco Weekend.

And Kemper shared with us her market bag she did in just one week.

Great job, everyone!!

Back in June I forgot to share with you that Betsy McCarthy, author of "Knit Socks", came into the shop. It was nice having one of our authors visit us.

I had another visit from a very special someone this week. My grandson came by in his Cub Scout uniform trying to raise some money for his troop by selling popcorn. Someone gave me some of the Boy Scouts popcorn last year and I've got to say, it was wonderful. So I bought a box from him and he was so excited. If anyone else wishes to buy some popcorn from his troop, just let me know. It really is great popcorn!

Jasmine has been doing well at the shop. It's hard to believe that I have only had her 5 months. She really does take her job as greeter seriously and will greet everyone who enters. I recently found her in the back office on TOP of Melissa's knitting bag. We had to laugh that she has now taken on the job of security as she was doing a great job of guarding Melissa's bag.

And now for a more thoughtful moment. Every day of our life we face challenges...some great, some small. But each day we live we will be faced with decisions to make. Sometimes we make the wrong decision...and have to face the consequences of that decision. Other times we make the right decision...but can't take credit for it because a higher power guided us along the way. Not sure why I'm being so pensive today, but I am. The past year has been hard on me...both physically and mentally. I've come a long way physically since my car accidents a year ago in June. But I still have lower back pain and I don't think it will ever be going away. It's very frustrating for me to not be able to do the things that I used to do before the accidents. Mentally I've made great strides as well. I no longer panic when getting into a car. But daily I am faced with dealing with the stress of the possibility of getting hit again. I've seen a wonderful psychologist for almost a year. She has helped me tremendously in dealing with my post-traumatic stress disorder. But she tragically died about a month ago from a horrible disease. I didn't know her medical issues were life-threatening until it was too late to have the chance to say thank you for all she did for me. So I feel like I am floundering a bit. I keep pushing forward because that's who I am. And yet something feels missing...out of place. So I'm going to take a break and go to the beach for a week with a dear friend. We're going to stop along the way at some other yarn shops to get some new and fresh ideas. And we're going to talk about 2011 and make some plans for events for our wonderful customers. And we're going to rest, and knit, and read books, and watch movies, and just sit and watch the ocean waves come in and go out. Call it a mental health vacation if you will. Sometimes we just need to get away and take time to rest. The shop will be left in the excellent hands of our staff. I know they will be able to help you find whatever it is you need. And hopefully, when we return, we'll come back refreshed and ready to take on the challenges that face us in the upcoming year.

Show and Tell Saturday...

All day yesterday I kept thinking I was forgetting something. It wasn't until today that I realized that I had forgotten to do Show and Tell yesterday. Well, Saturday's as good of a day to share with you some finished projects as Friday. So, today I'm going to share with you some finished socks.

Kori made a pair of socks from Swedish Yarn Raggi. This is a great yarn to use when making thicker socks because it has nylon added.

Aggie made TWO pairs of socks. One from Berroco Comfort....

and one from Lang Jawoll yarn.

Kim made some socks with a lacey design out of Cascade Sock yarn.

And Jennifer made her very first pair of socks out of Opal yarn. She learned how to make socks in Mimi's Weekly Class.

Didn't everyone do a good job! We don't believe in second sock syndrome here at The Yarn Haven!

Show and Tell Friday

I have lots of show and tell items for today!


First off, we'll start with Kristina's shawls. I believe she has gone on a finishing frenzy lately and brought in 3 shawls that she had finished. I'm afraid the photos don't do them justice. They were really all very lovely. The light aqua one was made with Malabrigo lace yarn.

Kristina also brought in a pair of the Komet socks. She used the Mountain Colors Bearfoot for this pair. Very nice!

And then Tracy brought in a mosaic bag that she had made. I love the design, Tracy! Great job!

And finally, Karen finished her Wonderful Wallaby. It's made out of Swedish Yarn's Vinga yarn. I believe her little girl is enjoying wearing it, don't you? You did great, Karen!

Well, this will probably be my last blog before Christmas, so I hope you and your family have a wonderful celebration together. May 2009 bring many blessings your way.

Show and Tell Saturday

Yesterday was soooo busy that I never found the time to do show and tell. After we closed the shop last night all I wanted to do was go home and put my feet up. What a fun day...but a busy one! My daughter, Sarah, got to come and spend some time with me at the shop. It was a treat having her here. Unfortunately, I had to wear my boot most of yesterday. I'm concerned because I don't think my foot has made much improvement. I know that it takes time to heal these types of injuries, but I'm not a very patient person when it comes to physical problems.

Well..on to show and tell. Melissa brought in a pair of socks she made out of Crystal Palace Panda Wool. She used the free pattern from Ravelry for Komet socks by Stephanie van der Linden. She also showed me a sock she had made for her son out of Crystal Palace Panda Cotton and Brown Sheep Wildfoote. She said her son had been wearing the first sock even before the 2nd one has been completed.

Ann finished her sweater from the Weekly Class. Lisa helped her make up the pattern out of Noro's Silk Garden. The buttons she added were the Tagua Nut ones we had here in the shop. Didn't she do a nice job!

Missy just got a refresher course in crocheting about 2 weeks ago after years and years of not crocheting. Her first project was to crochet this darling baby blanket out of Cascade 220 superwash yarn. The pattern is in the Hooked Throws book that we have here in the shop. She had this blanket finished in less than a week. Way to go, Missy!

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. If you need ideas for gifts for Christmas, I hope you'll come to The Yarn Haven for all your knitting and crocheting needs. Let the shopping begin!!

Show & Tell Friday

Socks and sweaters are the focus for today's Show and Tell.


Melissa brought in a pair of mystery socks that she is almost finished with. She made them out of Crystal Palace Panda Wool. I don't know if you can tell from the photo, but the patterns are opposite images of each other. Very cool design.








Kay took our "Knitting Socks" class a while back and brought in her socks to show me. It's just a basic sock pattern out of Plymouth Sockotta. But she did a very nice job for her very first sock. Way to go, Kay!






Pat has been going to town in knitting up sweaters. And I can tell you her favorite yarn must be alpaca because a couple of these sweaters were made out of Misti Alpaca Suri Silk. She did a gorgeous job on all of them.
































Keep those finished items coming in so I can show everyone your wonderful works of art!