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Where did March go? We are already in the second quarter of 2008, if you are
the kind of person who pays attention to that sort of thing, and Twisted
continues to change and grow. We have an amazing spring coming up - many fun
and varied events, new products sailing in, and an embarrassing number of
must-knit items on each of our queues. Ah, well, what knitter isn't a bit
self-delusional about what she or he can accomplish?
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SPRING YARNS
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With spring allegedly just around the corner, we have reorganized the shop to highlight our spring-y and summer-y yarns. From Debbie Bliss, we have Prima (Bamboo-Wool Blend), Cathay (Cotton-Silk-Microfiber), and Pure Cotton. From Sublime, Soya (Soy-Cotton Blend) is in the house. Noro's newest yarn Taiyo (oh, Eisaku Noro, how we LOVE you) is 218 yards of pure loveliness in a Cotton-Silk-Wool-Nylon blend. We also have a fantastic new book from Jane Ellison highlighting Noro Yarns like Taiyo, Silk Garden Lite and Kureyon Sock Yarn.
And then there is the Louet Euroflax. We have had the Euroflax Sport since opening, but recently received 16 colors of the Euroflax Worsted, as well. We have a sample knitted up of the Zephyr Gals' Rusted Root in the shop, so come on by and see how great Euroflax is as a garment!
Finally, let's talk silk. Pure Silk from Debbie Bliss (DK weight),
Andrea from Schaefer Yarn Company (hand-dyed lace-weight), and our new favorite, Silk Lace from Claudia's Handpaints (also a hand-dyed lace weight). We have a sweater in the shop knitted out of this - oh, what a perfect sweater it is! Knitted on size US1 needles, it wouldn't be a fast knit, but would be an easy one. Imagine knitting your summer away on the softest silk yarn, with the end product being a top you can wear with anything...
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OTHER YARN UPDATES
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Our Malabrigo area is growing and growing, despite Shannon's best attempts to knit it all up. We have also recently gotten in more Dream in Color Classy, all the new Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Colors, lots of Chewy Spaghetti sock yarn in both fingering and sport weights, and all colors of Farmhouse Yarn's new Fannie's Fingering hand-dyed sock yarn. Are you surprised we have more sock yarn? Yeah, we didn't think so.
We also have in a very popular yarn and pattern from Bergere de France. Magic is a 50/50 wool/acrylic blend - machine washable and dryable, knitting up at 4 stitch per inch. It's a wonderful yarn and a good price at $9.25 a 50g/80m ball. The sweater pattern we have to go with this yarn, though, is beyond wonderful and into the realm of absolutely out of this world. The "Trapeze Jacket" uses between 10 and 13 balls of Magic, depending on size. It has great details, a stylish fit and seems to flatter everyone who tries it on.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
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Sox Hot Spot. Have you heard about this yet? Knitter's Magazine, XRX Books, Skacel, Cherry Tree Hill yarn, Addi Turbo needles, and many other sock-yarn-related companies are coming together for a great new contest - Think Outside the Sox! If you've always wanted to be a sock designer, then now's your chance. The winning sock designers are going to win prize money AND get the chance to be featured in Knitter's Magazine as well as in an upcoming book from XRX Books. As an official Sox Hot Spot, we're here to offer you help designing, knitting and entering your sock in the contest. So come on down to Twisted and pick up an official contest entry form, or check it out at the Think Outside the Sox website.
Larissa Brown Booksigning and Event. Thursday, May 8, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, we're hosting a get together with Larissa Brown to celebrate her new book, Knitalong. Larissa will be signing books and showing us how to put together one of the "Knitter's Magic Ball" - a yarn ball wound with notions and treats. It's an easy and thoughtful project for non-knitting friends, partners and children to make for the the knitter in their lives. Perfect for Mothers' Day!
Fiona Ellis Reception. Friday, May 9, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Twisted is thrilled to be partnering with Blue Moon Fiber Arts for a part of their Fiona Ellis Weekend. That evening, renowned author and designer Fiona Ellis will be at Twisted for a reception and lecture. Space is limited, so please pre-register by calling us at 503.922.1150, or by logging on to the events page of the Blue Moon website.
Lantern Moon Trunk Show and Sale. Friday, May 30 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm, the wonderful folks from
Lantern Moon (based here in Portland, you know) will be showing off their complete line of bags, baskets and knitting-related wares here at Twisted. The trunk show is open to all, no reservation needed. We'll have treats to nibble and sip on and, best of all, all Lantern Moon products will be discounted during the event!
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NEW CLASSES
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Our spring class schedule is brimming with fun, new classes. If you haven't taken a look at it yet, download yourself a copy and flip through today!
We're very excited to welcome Sara Lucas, author of several knitting books including the adorable and practical Holiday Knits. Sara will be teaching a Fix-It workshop on Saturday, May 10 from 12:00 - 2:30 pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn tips, tricks and hints from an expert about ways to fix common mistakes in your knitting.
Another fun class from a local crafty celebrity is Leethal's Short-Rows Wavy Hat with blogger and indy zine author Lee Meredith on May 4 and 11 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm. If you thought hats were boring think again! Lee's hat is knit flat from side to side (not bottom to top) using short rows for shaping and increasing and decreasing to create spiraling stripes.
The Zephyr Style (another Portland company) pattern Rusted Root is one of the season's favorites, so we're having a class on this quick and stylish top down short-sleeve shirt on Sundays, June 1, 8, and 29 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.
Finally, check out our new class on learning to knit with beads to make a beaded wristband on May 22 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. The product is adorable, easy, and quick to make.
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REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS
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Movie Nights. We are taking a hiatus from Movie Nights, to recommence in the fall. So, check the blog come September and we may have some updates for you.
Open Crafting Night. This staple continues to be a fun and fiber-filled evening. Come on by Tuesdays from 6-ish till 8:00 pm and knit, crochet, or embroider the evening away.
Twisted Stitchers. The yoga-loving folks of the Twisted Stitchers have changed their meet-up day and time to every other Wednesday. Upcoming dates are: April 9 & 23, May 7 & 21, June 4 & 18, from 6:00-8:00pm. Come on by, knit a few rows, and discuss your love of Yoga.
Queer Knitting. After a schedule-conflict-filled March, Queer Knitting is back on track with an every-other-Sunday flava. Upcoming dates are: April 20, May 4 & 18, June 1, 15 & 29, from 4:00-7:00pm. The group often has dinner together afterward, too.
Blue Moon Rockin' Sock Club Knit Night. Our newest group welcomes members of Blue Moon's sock club to come and work on their socks together every other Wednesday night. Upcoming dates are: April 24, May 22, June 5 & 19, July 3 & 17 & 31.
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HAIKU CONTEST
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Last month's haiku winner on the theme of crafts for your pets was a group effort from our Sunday studio class. It pokes a little fun at Emily since, as the saying goes, the cobbler's children have no shoes... or in this case, the yarn store owner's dog has no hand-knit sweater. Check out the sordid details here.
This month's haiku contest theme is crafting and the weather. Does it inspire you? Thwart you? Lure you outside in the summer? Trap you indoors in the spring? Click here to enter your best haiku. This month's prize: The book Knitty Gritty Knits, by Vickie Howell.
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Bucky's sweater rocks.
What about his naked friend?
Carat needs a dress!
-Alessandra, Faye and the Sockettes
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