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Yarn Cupboard supports the Hope for Heather Foundation

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.

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Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!

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!!

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What is going on??

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.

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Great Classes at Winter Fiber Arts Retreat.

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!!

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Winter Fiber Market Open to the Public on March 26th and 27th.

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.

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Retreat continued.

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

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Yarn Cupboard’s Winter Fiber Art Retreat and Market

We are very excited to announce our retreat and market which will be held at Christ the King Retreat and Conference Center in Syracuse, March 25th, 26th and 27th.
Teachers at the retreat include Sandi Wiseheart, from Knitting Daily fame, Jennifer Van Calcar from Holiday yarns, Jill Draper from Jill Draper Makes Stuff, Lisa Ann Merian from Spinner’s Hill, Kerry Dorn from Black Sheep Woolens, Author Kristy McGowen, Cal Patch, Shannen Adams, and Beth Coye both from Yarn Cupboard.
Classes range from $35 to $100 depending on the class.
Room and board for the weekend which includes 2 nights and 6 meals is $170.
There will be an open market on Saturday and Sunday which will also include other vendors besides the ones mentioned.
This is a great opportunity for those in Central New York to have a local retreat with such wonderful teachers and market vendors.
Please call us to register. Classes will be posted under classes on the website.
I personally am thrilled we will be having such a great weekend. There will be alot of work in the next few months, but I hope to continue to have an annual retreat and market here in Syracuse which will attract the same caliber of excellent teachers yearly.

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Don’t care its snowing…My Boys are Home!!!!

Ross made it in this morning. I was holding my breath- firstly- he was traveling through Seoul and I was hoping things would calm down! And secondly- the SNOW! He is here safe and sound-as well as John who arrived last week. I feel very blessed to have the family together.
John and I were doing a 1000 piece puzzle last night and I mentioned how I could use more space at the Yarn Cupboard. Never looking up he said- “It is such a cozy cottage-with all the beautiful yarn-Its great the way it is.” Sometimes you just need another perspective. Again- love having my boys here.

For those of you still shopping for holiday gifts there are so many still available for someone special or for you! New knitting bags have arrived that are really handsome and well priced, sale on the great Sweet Life knitting bags from Amy Butler, new yarns that sparkle and shine, new sock colorway from Jennifer at Holiday Yarns-Wicked Witch which is red and black-beautiful models to inspire, spinning wheels and fiber and there is always gift certificates.

I’ll be trying to finalize all the details today for my retreat in March. There is so much to look forward to. And I look forward to being with my family tonight!

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25% off all Great Adirondack this week!!!!

I’m back from the show- and the store is bursting with yarns. All Great Adirondack yarns from the show and from Yarn Cupboard will be 25% off all week. This is your opportunity to buy some of Patti’s specialty yarn that you have had your eye on. The weather is turning—its time to get those needles out and enjoy these beautiful yarns, making beautiful projects.
Susan

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Great Adirondack at Junior League and Trunk Show

Busy Busy Busy- Finished Stitiches East 2 weeks ago representing Tahki Stacy Charles and off to Junior League on Thursday representing Great Adirondack. We are lucky in upstate NY to have Great Adirondack as one of our local hand dyed companies.  Patti Subik from Great Adirondack again has sent me beautiful yarns, kits and accessories for the show. We will have the trunk show as well next week at Yarn Cupboard. If you are at the Holiday Shoppes- come in and see me. Beautiful mohairs, boucles, sock yarn, merinos and cashmeres. And fun mugs, notebooks, cards all Sheep related!! And even handpainted clogs, scarves, and shirts! Patti is amazing.
So- if you need a gift- or a gift for YOU-have a look at these gorgeous yarns and accessories.