I had the pleasure this week to speak to the Embroidery Guild in Manlius. As many of you know, I am an Asian Antique dealer and was on the board of The Asian Arts Society of Australia. With my limited knowledge, the Guild asked me to speak on Chinese textiles. My mentor, Judith Rutherford of Sydney Australia, is one of the leading textile dealers worldwide. Her expertise on Chinese rank badges is well known in the textile community. Judith graciously took a lonely American under her wing and brought her into the Chinese Arts community in Sydney.
On Wednesday, I spoke about one’s passions. Judith started as a collector, became a very respected dealer, author and even went on to be one of the curator’s of an exhibition at The Art Gallery of NSW for Chinese Robes. Judith’s mentoring not only gave me an exceptional education in her field but it also helped to shape my life.
Now, here in Syracuse, I see mentors every day at the store. I am always amazed how people are so eager to share their knowledge and expertise. Every day I see someone who takes the time to comment on someones choices of fibers or volunteers a pattern that would be perfect for that special project. I have watched people blossom into wonderful knitters and crocheters. Their understanding of fibers, color and design grows with their passion. And the community built within this fiber world is as important as any other.
I miss Judith and think of her often. But I am fortunate to have the wonderful people who are associated with the Yarn Cupboard now as friends and mentors.

How many days to Christmas?! Have you finished all the turkey from Thanksgiving? Have you done any holiday shopping? The parties are starting and I received my first Christmas card…and I have so many projects still waiting in my numerous knitting bags to finish.
Luckily there are some great small projects that should be quick to finish but look great. Our Christmasmini’s class on December 7th will have you making gorgeous ornaments from Arne and Carlos’ 55 Christmas Balls to Knit. They would be perfect gifts. I love ornaments as they are used every year and you always remember where they came from. I still have all my children’s macaroni ornaments that I hang every year. They are my favorites.
Another great idea new from Lorna’s laces is their sock kits with the new Solemate sock yarn with foot balm and soak. Solemate contains 30% Outlast which won the 2011 Techtextile Innovation Prize in the category “New Materials” for the development of the world’s first heat managing polyester fiber. Outlast® technology, developed for NASA, utilizes materials that absorb, store and release heat for optimal thermal comfort. The kits come in four colors and the balms in four scents. We have new beautiful hat kits in Touch me and Jennifer from Holiday Yarns has new retro mitten kits which have just arrived. These all would be very welcome gifts. And there are many small gifts- stick pins, shawl pins, stitch markers, pretty scissors, new patterns, magazines and books- and if you still want to make quick items- we have all kinds of ideas. Rowan’s Winter Warmers has beautiful hats and mittens that should fly off your needles.
I think I will hunt down one of my knitting bags and finished the sweater that only needs that left front. I can start those mittens tomorrow at the shop!

This has been a beautiful autumn. The temperatures are so warm that it seems impossible that snow could be in our immediate future. I personally love the change of season. As the weather cools, I get anxious to use fibers that I didn’t use in the hotter weather. The autumn and winter patterns are now out, and there are always too many to choose from. The store is full of models- Rowan has just sent a box full, the Lang trunk show is on its way and is trickling in, Tahki and S Charles have arrived, as well as Plymouth and Berroco. We have also made up beautiful sweaters in Madeline Tosh, and Filatura. And of course another of my favorites, Isager. We have a baby dress, beautiful lace scarf, and a couple other shawls in the works. And don’t forget the MaggiKnit kits and books. They are perfect for Syracuse winters.
Shopping at your local yarn shop should be inspiring and full of great ideas. All the local yarn shops in Syracuse benefit from your buying in the area. That goes for our local communities as well. So thank you for your support and I will continue to bring you the best quality yarns for every size purse. We will see you soon in Jamesville!

What a fabulous weekend. We were so lucky that Maggie Jackson from MaggiKnits was here for a Friday evening fashionshow and then Saturday/Sunday workshops. Maggie is a terrific teacher, a great storyteller and now a wonderful friend. The Yarn Cupboard will be a stockist of all things MaggiKnits–and we will continue with new events such as a trip to Maggie’s warehouse and showroom in early July next year. Maggie Jackson is a unique award winning designer who makes knitting an enjoyable experience. We will be having our first MaggiKnits Knit A Long starting this week as well as on going classes. The MaggiKnits trunk show will be here through Saturday. Please come in and have a look at the wonderful yarns, kits, and books. We wish Maggie a safe trip to Ireland tomorrow!!

This weekend Yarn Cupboard participated in the World Wide Knit in Public day on the front lawn of the shop. Wonderful Yarn Cupboard friends sat and knit to also support the Hope for Heather Foundation which raises awareness for ovarian cancer. Thank you to Susan Healy-Kribs for organizing the charity portion of the day and for inviting Freida Weeks to visit us. Freida is Heather’s mother from Liverpool and we were honored she came to meet all of us. We used teal yarn which is the color of the ovarian cancer ribbon and the finished pieces will be donated back to Hope for Heather’s silent auction.
We were also saddened this week by the passing of a Jamesville girl, Lynne Hopkins from ovarian cancer. I say girl, as we grew up together here on Seneca Turnpike. She was visiting from California last year and came for a visit to the Yarn Cupboard as this building the shop is in, is where her Grandmother lived many years ago. Lynne fought her battle for years but was always a joy to be with.
Yarn Cupboard will continue to have teal wrist bands and educational materials here for Ovarian Cancer awareness for the Hope for Heather Foundation. And we are selling a Yarn Cupboard exclusive yarn from Holiday yarns, called Hope for Heather which part of the proceeds will be donated to the Hope for Heather foundation.

Its looks like we are going to have a beautiful weather this weekend. And don’t we deserve it! It’s Friday- and I am just starting a mobius for my Mother in Great Adirondack Cashmere. This mobius uses Cat Bordhi’s cast on technique. Now I have to FINISH it!!!

I have been busy with my reps ordering for Fall. Prices almost across the board will be going up for wools and cottons. So you may want to think about what you may need for your next few projects. Prices seem to be going up at least 10% and up in some cases by 30%. However, that said, Rowan’s pricing will be staying the same at the moment.

There is still time for gifts for Mom or someone who may be graduating soon. Gift certificates, Great Adirondack shawl kits and cashmere mobius kit, Maggiknits trellis shawl kits, the Sassy Skein child’s sweater kits and dress kits, Jill Draper double sided cowls, and Colinette afghan kits. Anyone would be happy with one of these gifts.

I will keep you posted about Mom’s mobius. Luckily she only reads my blog when I remind her too!!

Rain, gas prices, tornadoes, nuclear melt downs…its enough to go to the bottom of the garden and eat worms. (that’s what we say in Australia.)

Thank God we have our knitting and crochet. It soothes the soul. Its meditative repetitive movements calms us and keep us in the zone. And the outcomes are beautiful, surprising and satisfying. These hours of enjoyment help to make it a positive experience. So what if there is a left slanting decrease where a right handed decrease should be. Or that you knit one stitch instead of purling it. You made it. It is a testimony to your perseverance and skill. So, as we continue to enjoy these beautiful fibers and fulfill our creative impulses, we are also relieving stress and calming our minds. So enjoy knitting this Spring/Summer with gorgeous cottons, linens, hemp, ribbon with great patterns from Rowen, Tahki Stacy Charles, Plymouth, Gedifra, Nashua, Blue Sky Alpaca, Spud and Chloe, MaggiKnits, Berroco and Lang. Or if you choose, continue with beautiful wools,alpacas,blends,tweeds, mohairs, silks for the holidays will be here before we know it!

As you may have heard- wool and cotton prices are rising with prices of food and gas. I am doing my best to secure yarns at the best prices possible. I will continue to strive to give you a wonderful selection of yarns with the best possible quality and pricing available.

There is still time to register for our wonderful classes at the Winter Fiber Arts Retreat. Jill Draper and Cal Patch are teaching classes for us that will be taught at much bigger venues/festivals later in the year. Jill’s Reknittable heels and toes is one of these courses that everyone should have under their belt. And Cal’s classes Crochet for Knitters, and Embroider your knit and Crochet (fabric) are those unique classes that need someone of Cal’s artistic ability to show you the multitude of possibilities for your projects. Sandi Wiseheart, or as I call her the guru, has been very generous to the Yarn Cupboard. Her classes on Fit and Sweater Triage are classics. Her expertise is priceless. And Jennifer, our local independent dyer, Holiday Yarns, will be teaching paint dyeing. This is your opportunity to ask her all those dyeing questions you have had for years! We are also very lucky to have Kristy McGowen, author of Modern Top Down Knitting, who is teaching from her book and doing book signings at the open market. And of course Lisa Ann Merian from Spinner’s Hill. Her two extensive felting classes are,  architectural or sculptural and the other on silk. Lisa Ann is a master and we are very fortunate she will be participating. If you have always wanted to try felting, Lisa is the teacher to have. Kerry Dorn will also be with us teaching us rug hooking. Her beautiful materials will inspire you as well as the vintage designs. Marcela Hanford, local artist, is teaching a color theory class and  Yarn Cupboard’s Shannen Adams and Beth Coye  teaching as well.  Their expertise in knitting and spinning is well know by many of you. Don’t hesitate to call if you think you are interested in any of our classes. More details available under classes on the website.

Thank you for being part of the first Yarn Cupboard Winter Arts Retreat and Market!!

The Winter Fiber Art Market is open to the public this coming weekend!!!!! Vendors include Holiday Yarns, Jill Draper Makes Stuff, Melissa Jeans Buttons, Yarn Cupboard and More!! Classes are open through the week for registration. Photo is for the toe up fair isle sock class. Reservations also still available to stay at the retreat/convention center. It will be a wonderful weekend. If you can’t stay, please come by. Wonderful vendors, book signings, and great company.

Things are shaping up quite nicely. We have been fortunate to acquire prizes, raffle and goodie bags. Some of our companies are generously sending us some lovely samples. We are having guest lecturers, wine tasting, yarn tastings, open market and a tutorial after dinner!
I personally am looking forward to seeing good friends and meeting new friends. Sharing a passion with others makes these sorts of weekends very special. And having the wonderful teachers and vendors attending is that added bonus.
Please call us to reserve your place at the retreat and for the classes you will be attending. Numbers will be going in soon.
Regards,
Susan Miller