The Gourmet Yarn Company

The other day Candy requested the shawl pattern that I had written years ago using Berroco Suede. I had long forgotten the pattern and had to search the files of an old computer to find it for her. I didn't think much more about it until we started receiving the new yarns by Lucci and I thought about how pretty they would be knitted or crocheted into a light summer shawl and my old shawl pattern would fill the bill. The next hard decision was deciding which new yarn to use. After much deliberation, I decided to go with Lucatape. Using size 17 needles, the shawl knitted up in no time. Each hank of Lucatape contains 110 yards and retails for $24. Only one hank is needed for the shawl and the pattern is free with purchase. 

We had another great Knit-In! Thanks to Taylor for taking such great pictures. You can look at pics on our Gallery page!

I love knitting with Cascade Ultra Pima Sport so I was excited that they came out with a fingering-weight version.  This yarn will be great for making those summer shawls as an accessory or for a little warmth in air-conditioner places. Fine has a soft sheen and I think the white would be so beautiful for a wedding shawl. 

Each 50gm hank contains 136 yards and retails for $5.26. We received 12 beautiful colors and have some colors on backorder. 

I've seen a lot of variations on these Yarn Turntables but I love the ones that Shirley's dad created. They have a heavier base and the spindle is a little longer to accommodate cones.  

I am having fun using mine - no more collapsed cakes and the slightest tug spins the turntable. 

Now....I think I want her dad to create ones that have 3 separate spindles on a base for Fair Isle knitting. 

Each spindle retails for $29.99. 

When I saw this yarn, I immediately though of Candy!  Candy is very creative with colors and loves finding different yarns to combine together. She also loves multiple strand knitting on large needles.  I love how Mini-Melange from Lucci Yarns does all of the work for us! All you have to do is choose your favorite color combo! Well, I'll admit, there are so many pretty ones that it can be difficult deciding. Knitted on size 15 needles, each hank will make a lovely scarf and retails for $27. 

We received our shipment yesterday from Lucci yarns! We had the spring/summer in mind when we ordered these yarns. One of the yarns we received is Cinderella. Although we stock several colors, I thought the color on the left would be great for a wedding shawl. Cinderella is a 100% nylon ribbon. A generous 140 yards per 100 grams and retails for $19.  

Tomorrow I will show another great yarn from Lucci!

Okay, as soon I saw this yarn and the pattern book, I knew I would making a sweater with this yarn. There's only one problem - I can't decide which sweater. I love all of them!

Recycled Denim Cotton is a new yarn by Lang. It's 100% recycled machine washable cotton in 8 great colors.  Each 50 gm ball contains 114 yards and retails for $8.50.

I tried to download the pictures from the pattern book (which unfortunately is on backorder) but was unable. This link will take you to Lang's page that shows the pattern book and each pattern in it. I think this will be a very popular book so if we want us to hold you a book, be sure to call the shop!  Now...I just need to decide which sweater....

It's hard to believe that Susan is not only a new knitter but a fast one also! She knitted this sweater in just a week's time. 

Susan used a Knitting Pure and Simple pattern and Berroco's Borealis yarn. Shirley and I were immediately wanting to pick out a color and start one. The sweater is knitted from the top down so once it's knitted; it's done! Susan learned the tubular bind-off on this sweater and loved the professional finished look.  

Anita knitted the Lazy Katy shawl using Crazy Zauberball yarn. Isn't is gorgeous how it stripes up? Love the beautiful lace edging. Great job, Anita! 

Thanks for sharing your projects!

Want a new low maintenance care-free pet? We have just the one for you! Our new "pets" also double as 60"/150cm tape measures. New from Lantern Moon...darling little pigs, pandas, monkeys, bears, turtles, bumble bees, ladybugs....and even sock monkeys for $10.50.

Our long-awaited shipment of Madelinetosh yarn is here! Gorgeous colors in Tosh Merino Light, Vintage and DK.

Tosh Merino Light is a single ply fingering weight 100% superwash merino wool, $18.50 for a 420 yard skein.  We have 29 beautiful colors of this delightful yarn!

Tosh Vintage is 100% superwash merino wool, worsted weight, which is $19.20 for a 200 yard skein. Come check out 14 scrumptious colors!

We just received a shipment of 27 colors of Lace Merino Worsted by Ella Rae. Don't let the word "lace" in the name fool you. It is a worsted weight 100% Superwash Extra Fine Merino made in Italy. $25 for a 100g, 218 yards hank. Suggested gauge is 20 sts and 24 rows over 10cm, needle size US 7, 4.5mm.

 Lovely to touch, beautiful to look at. Pictures don't do it justice. Come check it out!

A record turn out of over 60 people! We even ran out of chairs! Some of the best food ever! Lots of beautiful projects and lots of laughs!

If you missed it, I hope it wasn't because you were sick like me. I felt so bad, I didn't even knit for a few days. For me....that's sick. :(   I'm all well now and so glad to be back at the shop.  Looking forward to seeing new and long-time friends at GYC and for sure at the next Knit-In.

Happy yarning.....Taylor

Come check out some new books that we received yesterday! 

This book was originally published in 1994 but has been updated with more information on yarns as well as modifications. 

Sweet Shawlettes has 25 designs for knitted cowls, caplets, and more! 

For the crocheter lovers, two new books on the market are Baby Blueprint Crochet and Huggable Crochet.

I watched the news this morning and discovered it was National No Pants Day. The news showed passengers getting on the subway in their bikini underwear and boxer shorts. Really? I'm trying to figure out what their point is. Of course I noticed that all of the pantless people chose to stand even though there were seats available. I am so glad that I wasn't one of those passengers that had to sit and have the view of a pantless person on eye level. 

I was busy with other things last Friday so Shopsmanservant got to meet with a sales rep.  When 5 hours had passed and I discovered that he was still ordering, I was becoming a little panic. It's not safe to leave him alone - especially with Jane nearby! The amount he told me he spent has changed a couple of times and I'm sure it's not near the proper amount. I could look at the order receipts but I guess it's just as well to postpone my stroke by a few weeks. In the meantime, I'll enjoy looking at the yarn he bought from the rep that day.  We're restocked on our Blue Heron Rayon Metallic. I have a hank that I purchased years ago to start the Clapotis. The Clapotis bored me so I put it away but now I'm thinking of dragging out the yarn to repurpose it. However there are a couple of new colors that are enticing me. Oh, decisions, decisions....

Shirley also helped shopsmanservant with his buying and thought it would be a good idea to bring back Blue Heron's Rayon Loop. The rep had a scarf knitted out of it that Shirley loved so yesterday she grabbed this color and wound it in a cake to take home. So pretty. I love seeing how the colors play against each other once it's wound in a cake. Each hand-dyed hank has a very generous yardage amount - 325 yards and retails for $40.50. 

Look for these colors and many more on our "New Items" table!

I've been a little quiet on the blog front but we've been busy in the store. It's been a real pleasure to see several out-of-state visitors returning for their holiday visit. We have also been busy updating our website. Lucky for us, Serena worked at the store during her Christmas break from college. She's enjoyed taking pictures of the store and updating many of the website pictures. Be sure to check out her talent by viewing the pictures on our about us page. I'm excited that she will continue to work for us long-distance since we have many other things planned. 

We have also been revamping our calendar page to make it easier to negotiate. We have the rough draft uploaded so you can go ahead and see the classes but we will be changing the format somewhat in the future.  In February, we have included crochet classes. In the past, crochet classes have not filled like the knitting classes but I'm hoping this will change and we will have more support for the crochet classes. 

I've been busy working on a baby sweater pattern and hopefully will be finished with it for a March class. I've decided that I will give a free class and pattern to 8 people in exchange for test knitting the pattern. The sweater is a basic top-down seamless raglan sleeve sweater. A great project for an advanced knitter (must be comfortable with the knit and purl stitch and know how to correct basic mistakes).  If you would be interested in this, send me a private message on ravelry or at my e-mail address: mg@gourmetyarnco.com