July and August Class Schedule

Summer Knit-A-Longs – Ishbel, Everlasting Bagstopper and Ditto

Meeting Dates: Wednesdays 2-4 PM, Thursdays 6-9 PM, OR Saturdays 10-12

Join us as we knit:

Ishbel by Ysolda Teague. This is an adorable lace scarf or shawl. We still have copies of Ysolda’s book “Whimsical Little Knits” or you may purchase the individual pattern at Ysolda.com.

The Everlasting Bagstopper is a great mesh shopping bag that can be found at Knitty.com.

Ditto is a versatile summer cardigan by Norah Gaughan and is a free pattern at Berroco.com.

Choose one, two, or do all three projects! Stop by to see models of the projects, and to check out all the different yarn possibilities. The official start date for our KALs is Wednesday, July 8, but feel free to join us anytime.

Check your email and the shop blog regarding Mini Workshops to be held for these KALs.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Knitting 101

Class Dates: Thursdays 7/16 & 7/23 (two sessions)

10:30 – 12:00 (Valerie)

Skill Level: Beginner

You will learn to cast on, the knit stitch, purl stitch and bind off. Start with a scarf and you will soon be able to tackle more challenging projects.

$35 plus supplies

Knitting 201

Class Dates: Thursdays 8/13 & 8/20 (two sessions)

10:30 – 12:00 (Valerie)

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

In this next level class you will learn how to combine the knit stitch and purl stitch to create basic stitch patterns such as stockinette, seed and rib.

$35 plus supplies

New Pathways for Sock Knitters

Class Dates: Saturdays 8/15 & 8/22 (two sessions)

First session: 1:00 – 4:00 (with a break), Second session: 1:00 – 3:00 (Amy)

Skill Level: Intermediate

If you have seen Cat Bordhi’s latest book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters, you know you are in for a treat if you take this class with Amy. She has already made quite a few pairs featured in the book and loves them all. Stop by and check out all her finished projects! Amy will teach you some clever techniques you may not know which will take your sock knitting to new heights!

$49 plus supplies

Socks Any Way You Choose

Class Dates: Fridays 7/24 & 8/7 (two sessions)

10:00 - 12:00 (Valerie)

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

This is just the class for getting started with socks. Working with Valerie, you will learn all the techniques

necessary to create and conquer sock construction. You will master knitting in the round on two circular

needles or double pointed needles, picking up stitches, short rows and grafting. To be prepared for this class you should be able to knit, purl and decrease.

$40 plus supplies

Beginning Crochet

Class Dates: Tuesdays 7/14 OR 8/18 (one session)

2:00 – 3:30 PM (Sandy)

Learn the basics of crochet: chain, single crochet, double crochet.

Class size limited to three students

Cost: $25 plus supplies

Intermediate Crochet

Class Dates: Tuesdays 7/28 OR 8/25 (one session)

2:00 – 3:30 PM (Sandy)

Beyond the basics: learn how to read a crochet pattern, how to use crochet to embellish knitting, how to make granny squares and more!

Class size limited to three students

Cost: $25 plus supplies

Finishing

Dates: Wednesdays 7/22 OR 8/19 (one session)

10:30 – 12:00 (Janice)

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Do you have a fear of “finishing” your garments once you have knit all the pieces? This class will cover everything you always wanted to know about finishing but were afraid to ask. Janice will show you how to give your garments a professional finish. Bring knitted pieces that are ready for finishing to class.

Cost: $25

New!!! Pattern Help

Dates: Friday 7/17 or Thursdays 8/6 or 8/27 (one session)

10:30am-12:00

This is the perfect class to take if you are completely stuck and need an experienced person to help you. We can explain unfamiliar techniques and knitting abbreviations, diagnose mistakes and help you to recover from a knitting catastrophe! If the class times are not convenient for you, please call and we can arrange a private class specifically structured for your needs.

Cost: $25

NEW!!! Oops Clinic Hours

Meeting Times: Every Monday 1 – 3 PM OR Thursday 5 – 7 PM

Do you have a dropped stitch, minor mistake in your work, or are confused by pattern symbols or knitting lingo? Then this clinic is for you! Stop by during these times for FREE knitting help. If your situation calls for more involved help, please consider our Pattern Help class.

FINE PRINT:

Payment is accepted at the time of registration. All classes take place at Bloomin Yarns.

Materials must be purchased from Bloomin Yarns.

Minimum class size is 2 people, maximum is 6. Bloomin Yarns reserves the right to cancel a class due to lack of enrollment. There are no refunds on classes unless cancelled by Bloomin Yarns. If you are unable to attend your scheduled class, you will be given a store credit. There are no make up sessions except in the case of inclement weather or instructor illness.

Any yarn requiring winding should be brought in at least 2 days prior to your class.

Private knitting and crochet classes are available for $25 per hour, per person.

We can accommodate groups of 3 or more and design a class specifically for you.

Call 724-942-1025 for details.

Last Week's Newest Arrivals and a few FO's!

Our new shipment of Namaste Bags arrived on Thursday! Two big boxes full of these:
Zuma, a "must have bag for the fashion conscious" and the Buddy Case who will hold all of your little stuff and features magnetized interior walls. All of these Namaste products are made of animal-friendly faux leather.

The newest addition to Namaste's Cali Collection is Hermosa. Super sturdy construction, Hermosa will hold it all!
Hermosa comes in five perfect colors for fall:

We also received two Needle Binders but, they left the store soon after being unpacked. Go check them out at Namaste's site (click on the link above). We'll be ordering more and would be glad to reserve one for you! Just give us a call.

Laguna organizes all of your craft, work or kid stuff perfectly!
The Mini Clutch has a detachable shoulder strap and comes in five great colors. Perfect for a night out, a crochet project or maybe a sock in progress.

Here also, are some more Buddy Cases.

We now will also be carrying a wider assortment of bead colors. These arrived on Friday and haven't even been priced yet!

Remember the Dream In Color Smooshy I told you was on it's way? Here they all are:

This yummy color, Spring Tickle, is just asking to be a pair of Embossed Leaves, a sock pattern in the book " Favorite Socks". Well, that color talks to me, anyway! Do colors speak to you?

Now, some Finished Projects!

Here is Judy and her finished Shetland Triangle Shawl!!!! What an accomplishment!

Linda wore her cute "Flow" to the store on Friday! Love it, Linda!

Look at the great shawl Peggy made with cottony soft and nubby "Popcorn". Really easy with stunning results!

Happy Summer! New Arrivals!

Happy Summer to all!

We have gotten in a ton of new things that I need to share with you.

One of the most exciting are the newest Amy Butler Bags. Beautiful fabrics, impecable construction. You can tell these bags were designed by a woman and a crafter!

This is Sanibel, Amy's largest bag that has a place for everything. Pockets galore!

Look at the huge interior....more pockets and zippered compartments, even a little notions bag!

Hampton.....more compartments and zippers. Keep ALL of your necessities contained!

Diana Sling could be used as a purse and/or a knitting bag. She has the look of a great purse with many compartments.

Amy's newest design, Pearl, is perfect for one or several little projects. For more information and photos check out the Amy Butler Sweet Life site here.

If you love bags like we do then you'll have to come see what's arriving on Tuesday, June 30th!

Shhhh....could be from Namaste!

We've restocked tons of shawl pins from Annie Adams (her newest ones are coming in July) and sticks from Foofaraw and Himalaya. A large variety in a wide range of prices!

A few weeks ago Mr. UPS brought us a fun box from ArtYarns! About 40 pairs worth of super squishy Ultra Merino 4 Sock Yarn in tonal and multi's. Only two of each! You have to see them all!

We've had our lovely Malabrigo sock yarn for a couple of months and this is all that's left of thier uniquely dyed superwash merino sock yarn......

Have you seen Dream In Color's Starry? It doesn't show well in the photo below, but there's a thin sparkly strand of silver throughout. A small box of Smooshy arrived today containing one pack of their 300 series, meaning one hank of petal shower, chinatown apple, dusky aurora, gothic rose, cocoa kiss, black parade, cloud jungle and good luck jade! If you're like me and adore their colorway called Spring Tickle, then you'd better hurry in. Three hanks of it came as well!

Lots of new books arrive all the time. One of our favorites is Breeze, another collection of patterns by Kim Hargreaves. You can see the patterns from this book here.

Here are a few other recent arrivals:

Cute polymer clay buttons from Zecca:

One of our most fun finds at TNNA recently were these buttons. They're made of jewelry grade epoxy resin by a woman in Kentucky. SWEET!

Berroco is on top of FALL this year!

We placed our order on Monday before TNNA and it arrived on Friday. There's a lot to be excited about this year! Berroco has four new yarns and you can see them all at Berroco.com. Vintage Wool and Sundae have already arrived. Blackstone Tweed will be coming closer to Fall.

You'll be amazed with Vintage Wool! 217 yds superwash wool for only $6! It's worsted wt. and is available in many solids and heathers. If you have wool issues, Vintage Wool is only 40% wool and is super soft, so now you can wear wool!

Sundae is a chunky wool/acrylic blend, perfect for quick knits!

Berroco's pattern books finally arrived on Friday! We couldn't wait! Norah Gaughan and the Berroco Design team have done a great job. Norah even has designed an entire book for MEN!

And, finally for pure silly fun, you have to come meet our Trio of Chickens! That's right, Janice, Amy and I have knitted some chickies and you can too! They're in the Rowan Purelife Organic Kid's book. Yep, they're organic chickens!

Ysolda Teague visits Bloomin Yarns!

We had such a great time having Ysolda visit Bloomin Yarns last Saturday, June 20th! If you've never heard of Ysolda Teague, she deserves your attention! She's a creative, smart young woman from Edinburgh, Scotland who designs and writes very well thought-out knitting patterns. And, she is making a living doing it! There are so many free patterns available online these days. They're not all bad, but Ysolda is just one example of getting what you pay for. Let's support her and others like her!


Here we are at TNNA(The National NeedleArts Association)on Monday June15th meeting Ysolda for the first time. The next time you're in, ask about how we met her....it was destiny!

We so appreciate that she was kind enough to offer to squeeze us into her busy tour of the US. If you want to see where else she's been, go check her website, linked above!
She brought lots of copies of her sweet little pattern book "Whimsical Little Knits" and samples of all the projects in the book plus most of the others that are available or have links to on her website. Go check them out! I have made her Liesl which I'm wearing above and have started Ishbel. This week, Valerie made an Ishbel and a little mousie. Can you find Ysolda's mousie in the photo below?

She's just as sweet as she looks!

Michael and Julianne brought their beautiful Ishbels!

Here are Peggy, Colleen and Betsy....

Mary and Mindy....

We had goodies galore! Mmmmmm!

Ysolda chatted with everyone and patiently signed books!

Here's Cosy and Ana...

Valerie, Amy and Janice (wearing her Liesl).....

Mary is trying on one of Ysolda's cute hats.....

Lot's of knitting and socializing! Here's Sarah, Laurie and Sara.....

Luma and her whole family stopped by. They came all the way from Arizona (well, not just to meet Ysolda, but we're glad they came anyway!)

We have a few "Whimsical Little Knits" left. Stop by and pick one up before they're gone!

Thank you Ysolda.

We were all happy to meet you!

A Gallery of Finished Objects

Blogger is making me crazy and won't let me rearrange the order of pictures :(

So, here we go in no particular order.....

Have you met Valerie yet? She's the newest member of the Bloomin Yarns staff and is a joy to work with. It's a real treat to watch her knit as she is from England and learned to knit with one needle held in her armpit. The advantage is that this allows her to be super speedy! You'll soon realize this by the amount of her projects shown in this post! She's wearing a very simple shawl in a lovely yarn called Silk Puff. The pattern and yarn are from ShibuiKnits.

A sweet summer cardi by Janice in Sublime Soya Cotton....Here's Valerie in a cute cabled cardi in Farmhouse Yarns' Cotton Blossom.

This pattern is called "Cool Hemp Ponchette" but Vicki made this pretty one in Nashua Ecologie Cotton.

Drum roll, please! Check out Nicole's bed jacket from the book Romantic Style in Rowan Kid Classic. Nicole is hoping this will become a family heirloom. I'd say it already is on it's way. Isn't it beautiful! And, here's another summer cardi. This lovely one is by Vivian. It's in Nashua's Sonora.

How about this manly little cardi Tiffany made for one of her lucky little boys!

Molly, who's hooked on lace, bought us her Icarus made in Neighborhood Fiber Co.'s Penthouse Silk Lace. It is so light and airy!

Valerie whipped up this Cardigan made with a new yarn from Geidfra called Milena for us to use as a shop model.

Aren't Tiffany's little felted mobius Easter baskets just the sweetest? Cel brought in this vest she made with a giant 800 yd. hank of Karen's Kolorway's fingering wt. yarn. Wish you could have seen it in person!

And she was wearing this darling shrug done in Noro Kureyon.....

Here's Melony's February Lady Sweater in Dream In Color Classy. Sorry it's taken me so long to get this posted, Melony! It's great!

Valerie also loves knitting lace. Here's a shawl she made in Berroco's Seduce.

This is Lucy modeling her Clapotis done in Dream In Color Classy!

Michele made this sweet baby sweater for her neice's baby. Sweet it is!

And, here's our Janice, head included, in her Surplice Lace Top made in Nashua Ecologie Cotton:)

Valerie, again, in a shrug-like cardigan by Kim Hargreaves. Valerie used Jo Sharp Soho Cotton DK.

I think Anna just might be our youngest knitter. She takes a kid's knitting class every once in a while with Sue. Her project choice last class was this poncho. Way to go Anna! Our Amy is decked out in her super easy vest made in Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Dyed Cotton. Love it, Amy!

Here's another of our young knitters, Meredith, with her cute little felted bag!

It's so much fun to see what Valerie cranks out over a weekend. I've lost track of how many times she has made this simple shawl pattern but it turns out a bit different every time. This one is in Katia Colibri. It's so light and perfect for a cool summer evening!

Shetland Triangle KAL Update!

Finally!

Photos of some of our gorgeous Shetland Triangles!

Here's Chris.....

and Clara....This is Vicki's (unblocked)....Our Ravelry friend "barbskates" from Boston cranked out another....
Here's Sue's third....

And this is Michael wearing her's and Julianne with her shawl before blocking....

Here's Mindy's:
This is Lisa wearing her Shetland Triangle:

And, Dara!

This is Janice wearing her ST......

I made another....this time with beads!

You are ALL doing a fabulous job!

I know there are a few more finished that I haven't gotten to photograph. Please bring them to the shop so we can photograph them and show them off!

Way to go EVERYONE!

Class Schedule - April thru June

Spring Knit-A-Long – Shetland Triangle

Meeting Dates: Wednesdays 2-4 PM OR Thursdays 6-9 PM. Join us either day, or both, if you'd like!

Join us as we knit one of the fabulous Evelyn Clark lace patterns, Shetland Triangle. It is really a very simple pattern that is easy to memorize and works up quickly. Check out the samples in the shop. There are so many yarn possibilities for this project.

The “official” starting date for our KAL is March 19^th, but feel free to join us later.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Quick Start Knitting:

Class Dates: (one session) Mondays 4/13, 4/20, 5/4, 5/18, 6/8 & 6/22 OR Saturday 5/23

10:30 – 12:00

Skill Level: Beginner

Join us if you would like to get started quickly. This session will teach you how to cast on and the knit and purl stitch so you can begin a project right away.

$25 plus supplies

Knitting 101 – NEW!

Class Dates: Thursdays (three sessions) - 5/7, 5/14 & 5/21

10:30 – 12:00 (Valerie)

Skill Level: Beginner

A three session class where you will learn to cast on, the knit stitch, purl stitch, bind off and much more. Start with a scarf and you will soon be able to tackle more challenging projects.

$59 plus supplies

Knitting 201 – NEW!

Class Dates: Thursdays (three sessions) - 6/4, 6/11 & 6/18

10:30 – 12:00 (Valerie)

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

In this next level class you will learn increases, decreases, cabling, knitting in the round, pattern reading and much more!

$59 plus supplies

New Pathways for Sock Knitters:

Class Dates: Saturdays (two sessions) - 4/18 & 4/25 OR 5/9 & 5/16

First session: 1:00 – 4:00 (with a break) Second session: 1:00 – 3:00 (Amy)

Skill Level: Intermediate

If you have seen Cat Bordhi’s latest book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters, you know you are in for a treat if you take this class with Amy. She has already made quite a few pairs featured in the book, and loves them all. Amy will teach you some clever techniques you may not know which will take your sock knitting to new heights!

$49 plus supplies

Knitty.com Project:

Clapotis

Class Dates: Wednesdays (one session) - 5/20 OR 6/3

10:30 – 12:00 (Sue)

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

This is a very popular Knitty.com pattern. This can be made as a scarf or a wrap in many different yarns, so no two are alike. Cute and easy (and free) patterns from Knitty.com, these are great projects for on the go (Lose your pattern? Just print another). Learn some new techniques and make some great gifts for family and friends.

Please print your pattern prior to class!

$25 plus supplies

Socks Any Way You Choose:

Class Dates: Fridays (three sessions) - 4/17, 4/24 & 5/1 OR 5/15, 5/22 & 5/29

10:00 - 12:00 (Valerie)

June Class Dates: Saturdays (three sesions) - 6/6, 6/20 & 6/27

2:00 – 4:00 PM (Amy)

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

This is just the class for getting started with socks. You will learn all the techniques

necessary to create and conquer sock construction. You will master knitting in the round on two circular

needles or double pointed needles, picking up stitches, short rows and grafting. To be prepared for this class you should be able to knit, purl and decrease.

$55 plus supplies

Kid's Knitting:

Class Dates: Saturdays (two sessions) - 4/25 & 5/9

10:30 AM -12:00 (Sue)

Specifically designed for kids aged 8 and up, this class will teach the knit stitch, purl stitch, casting on and binding off. Our project will be a scarf, hat, or item of your choosing.

Class size limited to three students

$25 plus supplies

Beginning Crochet:

Class Dates: Tuesdays (one session) - 4/14, 4/28, 5/19, 6/23 OR Friday 6/19

2:00 – 3:30 PM (Sandy)

Learn the basics of crochet: chain, single crochet, double crochet.

Class size limited to three students

Cost: $25 plus supplies

Intermediate Crochet

Class Dates:Tuesdays (one session) - 4/21, 5/5, OR 6/9

2:00 – 3:30 PM (Sandy)

Beyond the basics: learn how to read a crochet pattern, how to use crochet to embellish knitting, how to make granny squares and more!

Class size limited to three students

Cost: $25 plus supplies

Finishing:

Dates: Wednesdays (one session) - 4/22 OR 5/6

10:30 – 12:00 (Janice)

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Do you have a fear of “finishing” your garments once you have knit all the pieces? This class will cover everything you always wanted to know about finishing but were afraid to ask. Janice will show you how to give your garments a professional finish. Bring knitted pieces that are ready for finishing to class.

Cost: $25

FINE PRINT:

Payment is required at the time of registration. All classes take place at Bloomin Yarns

and materials must be purchased from Bloomin Yarns.

Minimum class size is 2 people, maximum is 6. Bloomin Yarns reserves the right to cancel a class due to lack of enrollment. There are no refunds on classes unless cancelled by Bloomin Yarns. If you are unable to attend your scheduled class, 24 hour advance notice is required in order to receive store credit. There are no make up sessions except in the case of inclement weather or instructor illness.

Any yarn requiring winding should be brought in at least 2 days prior to your class.

Private knitting and crochet classes are available for $25 per hour, per person.

We can accommodate groups of 3 or more and design a class specifically for you.

Call 724-942-1025 for details.