Just a quick post today to share a few photos from the past few days.  Changing out carpeting in 5,000 square feet is no small task.  Steve had a plan and my plan was to stay out of the way.  We were both right!

We started on Friday taking all of the mannequins, shop models and coned yarns out of the store.

We own a lot of coned yarn:

Once we closed on Saturday, Steve and his crew set about the task of taking as much out of the store as possible. 

Along the way we found some missing inventory and a helping hand:

Steve planned to get a solid 2/3 of the store cleaned and hoped to be done in 3ish hours.  He blew that goal out of the water:

Less than two hours later the store was empty.   Even the supervisor was pleased:

At least we know if we ever need to make a quick getaway it can be done

Steve, our team of helping hands and the carpet layers came in on Sunday morning.  Up came the old carpet

Down went the new carpet.

Then abracadabra the yarn began reappearing:

Sunday was a very long day, but so much was accomplished.  New carpeting was completely installed and more than 1/2 of the store fixtures were back in place. 

Monday (the day we swore we were going to be closed) arrived and the task of getting the rest of the store back together started.  First customers arrived promptly at 10:15.  Steve could not say no.  We had shoppers mingling amongs the shelving units being rolled back into place.  Why is it that we seem to thrive in chaos? 

Everything got put back together and I must say, the store looks BEAUTIFUL:

My pictures don’t do it justice, really they don’t. 

It’s like a brand new store.  The best part is (a) I love the carpeting and (b) the store seems BIGGER.  It’s as if we blocked it over the weekend and it’s now bigger!

Come on in and check out the new carpet, but please, don’t spill anything quite yet!

Kathy

Hi Everyone

I had the privilege to interview Debbie Bliss on this week’s podcast.  We had a great discussion about her background and inspiration.  Steve was not with me on this week’s show so our son Jackson filled in as co-host with me.  He now wants to be on the show every week! 

You can listen to Ready, Set, Knit  directly on our website or you can download it via iTunes.

Enjoy!

Kathy

P.S.  Pixie will be back this week and we’ll get the Botanica Medallion Cardigan KAL rolling!

It has been quite a week for us at WEBS.  Tuesday was our Debbie Bliss Event, last night we hosted Lexie Barnes and launched her new Classic Collection of bags, we’re prepping to replace the carpeting in the store this weekend which means everything has to be moved and we have new fall yarns rolling in like crazy (more on those over the weekend, so be sure to stay tuned!).

There was another big event this week that I haven’t really talked much about, but for me was definitely the highlight.  On Wednesday evening we held our first Expert Knitter Graduation.  Six of our lovely customers have finished the program and on Wednesday night we celebrated their incredible achievement and talent.

Let me tell you a bit about the program.  Our Expert Knitter Certification program was developed back in 2004.  Our goal has been to provide our students with the skills an Expert Knitter must possess through a comprehensive curriculum.   Our program features 15 core requirements which cover all aspects of knitting technique.  In addition to the core requirements, each student must also complete three electives, one in knitting and one each of two other fiber arts such as crochet, spinning, weaving, etc.  Once all of the coursework is complete, the student is then eligible to start their Capstone Project.  This project will require the students to utilize the skills they have acquired to design and knit an original sweater from measurements.  Each student will be assigned a mentor from the WEBS staff who will offer support, advice and consultation on the project.  Each student has six months to complete the project.  Once done, the final design is reviewed by the Capstone Committee.  Once accepted, the student is then awarded Certification as a WEBS Expert Knitter.

When we launched the program we weren’t sure how it would be received or if anyone would ever complete the program.  I am thrilled for our six graduates and all they have accomplished.   Here are our graduates, their mentors and Pixie who runs our education program:

One of our graduates and one mentor were unfortunately not able to attend.

I had the chance to say a few words and present a plaque that we had made that lists each of the graduates names and year of completion. 

This plaque will be hung in Classroom 1 at the store.  Notice there’s lots of space to add future graduates!

We then presented each graduate with a Certificate and a gift:

Here are their Capstone Project sweaters:

We will have pictures of each sweater featured in our fall catalog as well.

Congratulations ladies! 

Kathy

A big huge thanks to everyone who came out to our Debbie Bliss event and also to our staff who continues to rock the free world with their awesome-ness.  I know, “awesome-ness” is not a word but it is in my vocabulary and sometimes you just need a created word to express yourself.  At least I do.

The day was not as full-of-Bliss as we had hoped.  Debbie and Trisha from Soho Publishing encountered more than their fair share of traffic jams, accidents, irreverent police and the like that slowed their journey to WEBS.  Nobody likes to be late and I think we all have our 15 minute window of tolerance.  Yes, that was truly tested.  For those who couldn’t stay my deepest apologies and I know Debbie and Trisha join me in just feeling awful.  For those of you who had the opportunity to stick it out - what a great time we had!

Debbie truly gave a dynamic talk encompassing all aspects of her design process and experiences.

We tried on garments:

That red coat is a new design from Debbie’s Fall ‘09 Collection.  It’s knit in a new yarn - Luxury Tweed Chunky and I am so in love with it. 

Debbie fielded questions:

And signed copies of her latest book Design It, Knit It:

Don’t forget that books are now part of our discount program!

A grand time was had by all.  I’ve received several lovely emails today from customers - some who stayed until Debbie arrived and others who had to leave.  I cannot tell you how appreciative I am of our very understanding customers.

Next up is our Lexie Barnes Classic Collection Launch Event tomorrow night (Thurs 6/25) from 6:00-7:30pm.  Lexie lives locally so I am confident we want experience any delays in her arrival :)  Plus, we are the exclusive retailer for these bags for the next few weeks so if you want to be seen with one of the coolest bags of the season, you better make your way to the event or get shopping on-line!

Kathy

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Berroco contest.  I read all of your comments and appreciate the time you all took to post your thoughts on the new Fall ‘09 line.  I’ve just been informed that the pattern books have arrived at Berroco, so those will be shipping to us in the next couple of days and then right out to all of you that have pre-ordered!

But I digress, it is time to announce the winner of the contest.  This very lucky lady will receive enough Blackstone Tweed (in the color of her choice) and the pattern booklet to make Nuss:

I will be throwing in the necessary needles, etc., and even a $25 gift card from WEBS for a future purchase.  Pretty swanky prize if I do say so myself!

Using a random number generator and matching the comments on my blog to Berroco’s blog, I am thrilled to announce that MICHELLE of the blog FUN WITH KNITTING (and Quilting) is our winner!  Yay Michelle!

Please email me at Kathy DOT Elkins AT Yarn DOT  Com and you can tell me which color of Blackstone Tweed you want and we’ll figure out how much you need and we’ll get your prize out to you!  Also - do you have a preference for needles (wood v. metal, straight v. circs). 

I know many of you are sad that you didn’t win, but we have more contests in the works, so stay tuned to the blog (or better yet, subscribe to our RSS feed and we’ll just pop into your email or reader service every time I update).

Thanks again to everyone who played along and let’s all give Michelle some love in the comments!

Kathy

Hi Everyone

Just a quick post today, but one that is jam-packed with important info, so please read on!

• This Tuesday, June 23rd, we are thrilled to welcome Debbie Bliss back to WEBS!  I realize this is short notice, but these are the kind of things that happen at TNNA.    Debbie will be at the store between 12-2pm on Tuesday previewing the fall issue of the Debbie Bliss Magazine.  She will be bringing with her many of the garments from the issue for you all to see, try on, etc.  We’ll be serving a light lunch.  Come on down to the store and enjoy an improptu but spectacular event.  As always, the event is free, we only ask that you register so we have a headcount for food and seating.   We’ll have plenty of copies of Debbie’s latest book, Design It, Knit It  on hand as well for you to purchase and have signed by Debbie.  Our gratitude to the folks at Soho Publishing and KFI for making this event happen.

• Thursday evening, 6/25 we will be welcoming Lexie Barnes to WEBS!  Lexie has just launched her Classic Collection which is exclusively available at WEBS for the next few weeks.  Lexie will be at the store from 6-7:30pm to launch the collection.  We are very excited to have the opportunity to debut this stunning collection of bags from one of our most fave designers.  The shop is open until 8pm and we’ll have plenty of bags on hand for you to purchase.

• Wedged between these two rock star events, WEBS will have the distinct pleasure of recognizing some of our very own rock stars.  We’ll be holding our first “graduation” from our Expert Knitter Program.  The five ladies have completed an extensive educational program as well as a final  Capstone project.  Let me tell you, their designs are absolutely breathtaking.  I’ll be blogging more about this later this week, so stay tuned!  Congratulations to our graduates!  We are so excited to celebrate your amazing accomplishment with you on Wednesday!

• Finally - and this is an important one folks - WEBS RETAIL STORE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY JUNE 29TH!  That’s right!  We are closing on a regular business day.  We will be replacing all of the carpeting in the store next weekend and we know we’ll need Monday to put everything back together.  Please be sure to pass this on via your own blog, Twitter, Facebook - whatever means you have.  You will still be able to shop on-line or call into Customer Service.  It’s just the retail store itself will not be open.  If you are interested in helping us put everything back together on Monday, please email Steve.

• Oh - and just in case anyone is wondering - we will also be closed on Saturday, July 4th.

Kathy

P.S.  We’ll be announcing the Berroco contest winner tomorrow!

P.P.S.  Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads with an extra special wish for Jackson & Jonathan’s amazing Dad

I am beginning to think that maybe Steve and I should create our own reality show with the above title.  Just back from 9 days on the road with two back-to-back tradeshows.  Driving down our street late yesterday afternoon, I swear the theme music from “Rocky” was playing.

We had a great trip to TNNA.  Meetings, yarn, meetings, more yarn, food, yarn, meeting yarn. . .. .Columbus was a whirlwind.  As always, I did a lousy job taking pictures.  I do not have one yarny picture to share.  I know, I know, I disappoint you once again.  *Sigh*.  I can tell you about yarn though! 

Now, I must preface this by saying that Steve & I do the majority of our buying before TNNA.  We see all of the major lines and many of the mid-tier companies as well.  So just because I don’t mention them here is not a sign that I didn’t like their yarn or that they don’t have super cool stuff coming.  These are show treasures only. 

I have to say one of my personal faves was the new Spud & Chloe line debuted by Blue Sky Alpacas.  A collection of three lovely yarns that are machine wash & try.  Fashion meets function with this collection.  There are three weights - fine, sweater and outer and a limited, but succinct palette for each.  Terrific pattern support for each is a delight as well.  I think what I like most about this line is that it’s complete - yarn, design, packaging - everything is put together, integrated and ready to go.  I love this as a marketer who can appreciate what it takes to make this happen, but also as a shop owner who has been provided with everything I need to be excited about the brand.  The Blue Sky folks have created a wonderful story in Spud & Chloe and were smart enough to give the voice of the brand to the super-talented Susan Anderson.  It all rocks and we’ll have it in the store and on-line shortly.

Steve & I also got to meet the lovely Ron of Buffalo Gold.  We’ve never carried his yarns, but I got to *know* him in the on-line world over the past few months.  I was looking forward to meeting in person at TNNA and we had a great talk.  I’ve admired his yarns from afar for awhile, but my buddy Guido gave me the nudge I needed to really give the yarns serious consideration.  I thought this was one I was going to have to drag Steve through kicking and screaming and was pleasantly surprised when he willingly and with no pressure, not wifely glares that said “I”m buying this yarn with or without your support”.  We even brought in a brand new yarn he debuted at the show which has been hand-dyed by the fine folks at Lornas Laces.  If you click through to her blog and scroll down, you’ll see the lurvely colors.

We bought some cool new bags & accessories from Namaste, Della Q and Lantern Moon.

We hung with some old friends and made new ones.

We stayed up past our bedtime, ate too much good food but a great time.

We left Columbus and headed to Beantown for a conference of another nature.  We went from TNNA where “everyone knows your name” to an intense business conference where people wonder if anyone can actually  make a living selling yarn.  Even one of the speakers, who also spoke at the Yarn Market News Conference in March, mentioned her experience at the conference and found it rather unnerving to see an audience knitting rather than typing on their Blackberrys.  As always, we learned a lot, had some fun along the way but boy oh boy, did Dorothy get it right.  “There’s no place like home”.

Remember - our Berroco giveaway wraps up tonight at midnight.  Go to the previous blog post for the details, read all about the Berroco Fall line and get yourself in on a great giveaway!

Kathy

Hey Everyone - as we’ve been promising fall yarns are starting to stream in!  We’ve just received our entire shipment of new yarns from Berroco!  Let me just say that Norah, Cirilia and the entire Berroco team have hit a major homerun with this collection.  I’m going to give you all a quick run through of the yarns.  Pattern books will be following shortly and I’ll do another post about them when they arrive.  You can certainly pre-order the pattern books.

Berroco’s Fall 2009 Collection features 4 brand new yarns, two line extensions to existing yarns and lots of great new colors in their continuing lines.

First up is Lustra.  Lustra is a 50% Peruvian Wool/50% Tencel blend. 

The Tencel provides a nice sheen to the finished yarn.  Lustra knits at 4.5 sts/in on a #7 needle and each 100gm hank has 197 yards.  That is not a typo - 197 yards per hank.  It’s available in 16 colors and a great value at $9.00/hank considering the amazing yardage.  Lustra will have a dedicated pattern book.

Sundae is a big, thick, loosely spun yarn with gorgeous colors.

It’s 50% Wool/50% Acrylic and the plies are different colors and spun together very loosely.  The fiber content and roving-like finish means this chunky yarn will be light and lofty.  Sundae knits at 2.5 sts/in on a #15 needle.  We’re talking fast projects - great for accessories but Norah and Cirilia have also designed some great garments as well.  Sundae comes in a 100gm hank which has 62 yards.  Hey - that’s the life of a chunky yarn - shorter yardage.  There are ten gorgeous colors and cost is $9.00/hank.

Next is Blackstone Tweed.  I know, I know, you’re thinking “great, another tweed”.  Just hang on a second.  This is a tweed you definitely want to check out.  First, the fiber content is very cool - 65% Wool/25% Super Kid Mohair/10% Angora.  It’s not shed-y nor will it’s fibers get up in your face and make you all sneeze-y.  The blend is soft - unlike many tweeds which are traditionally crunchy and rough.  You can wear Blackstone Tweed next to your skin. 

It knits at 4.5 stitches/in on a #7 and has 130 yards on a 50gm ball.  There are 12 colors, a dedicated book that you will want to own and it retails for $9.50.

The fourth new yarn is Vintage Wool.  Folks - just hang on while I tell you about this yarn.  Trust me when I say it is going to become your go-to, workhorse, worsted weight yarn.  Vintage Wool is 50% Acrylic/40% Wool and 10% Nylon.  I’m sure many of you just thought to yourself “yuck” or “ick”.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.  Remember Comfort?  Remember poo-pooing it because of it’s fiber content and now how much you love it?  Vintage Wool feels like a fancy Extra Fine Merino.  Vintage Wool is like scoring a great cashmere sweater at Marshall’s for a steal.

It knits at either 5 sts/in on a #7 or 4.5 sts/in on a #8.  It comes in 100gm hanks.  Are you ready for the yardage?  2-1-7.  Yup - 217 yards per hank.  Colors?  Thirty two beautiful colors.  Price?  Go ahead - guess.

Nope, not $9.00.

Not $8.00.

$7.00 - still too high.

Vintage Wool is $6.00 per hank.  SIX DOLLARS PER HANK.  SIX tiny little DOLLARS for 217 yards of gorgeous yarn.

Did I mention it’s machine washable???  AND there’s a dedicated book.

Last but not least - Pure Merino is now available in 8 lovely Chine colors (pronounced shin-ay).

The Comfort line now has 12 yummy heathers as well.

All of this and we haven’t even talked about NGV5 or NG Men’s.  You can check those out at berroco.com and pre-order any of the patterns here.  The pattern books will be available in about 2 weeks - so say the fine folks at Berroco.

As if all of this wasn’t faboo enough, there’s one more thing. We’re having a contest.  Here’s how it will work - very easy and straightforward.

1.  Leave a comment here on my WEBS blog, on this post, about which yarn or design you are loving from the Berroco Fall 2009 Collection.

2.  Go to the Berroco Design Studio Blog and leave a comment for Norah and Cirilia with the same info.

3.  Next Friday we will select a winner at random from everyone who comments on BOTH blogs. 

4.  The winner will receive the a complete kit to create Nuss:

Nuss is made with Blackstone Tweed and is one of my favorites of the collection.  The winner will get enough yarn to make their size, they can choose their color, the entire Blackstone Pattern booklet will be included and I’ll toss in the appropriate needles and any other tools the pattern calls for.  Heck - we get enough blog love I might even throw in a WEBS gift card to boot!

I hope you love the line as much as I do!

Kathy

P.S.  For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you know I’m here at TNNA and sporting a very special, yet to be seen by anyone else, bag.  I’ve been told I’ll be able to blog about this lovely bag very, very soon, so stayed tune!

The newest issue of Knitters Magazine is out and it’s a great edition! 

I sometimes find Knitters a hit or miss for me personally.  As I flipped through the summer issue there were a number of projects that jumped out at me.

First is Kathy Zimmerman’s designed Point Set Match is a beautifully feminine cardigan.

I love the stitch pattern and the point detail along the collar, cuff and hemline.  Knit in Nashua Handknits Creative focus Silk the cardi is offered in five sizes up to a 2X and requires anywhere from 14 to 20 balls.  Not a small project by any means, but fabulous just the same.

Next up is Vanilla Leaves is knit in Rowan’s Lenpur Linen.  a cotton/rayon blend that was introduced in Spring 2009, the yarn is the perfect choice for the it’s great stitch definition and cool feel.  It also provides the right amount of drape for this stylish tunic - knit using a different blend or 100% cotton, the look and fit would not be the same.

I love the leaf motif that forms the bands around the bottom of the garment hem and sleeves.  Also designed by Kathy Zimmerman, Vanilla Leaves is offered in 6 sizes and requires 10 to 17 balls (though if you are knitting the largest size I’d buy one extra as the yardage is too close for comfort in my opinion).

Now, to my absolute fave - Sine-cosine.  This is one of those designs that I would buy in every color if I saw it in a store. 

Designed by Ginger Smith, this breezy, sophisticated tee has more to it than you might think at first glance.  According to the magazine, this garter stitch top is brilliant in that “Diagonal knitting merges traingles into miters that then grow into a lovely play of texture and color”.  Berroco Latitude is the yarn of choice for this project.  A stunning yarn that was introduced in Spring 2009, Latitude has a slight tonal color variation and just a hint of texture.  Sine-cosine is designed in 4 sizes and requires 7 to 11 balls.

Last, but not least is the darling Party in Pink.  I don’t have any little girls to knit for, but if I did, this one would definitely be on my list.

Designed by the Knitters Design Team, this adorable jacket utilizes simple slip-stitch stripes to achieve the smock-like top.  I love the colors they used.  Party in Pink is knit in Palma from Tahki/Stacy Charles which is their 100% Organic Cotton.  Offered in children’s sizes 2(4, 6) you will need between 7 and 10 skeins.  

There’s plenty more packed into the summer issue - these are just a few highlights.  I hope one of these projects makes it onto your summer knitting list and I’d love to see pictures when you’re done.  I’d also love to know which patterns you like best from this issue - let me know in the comments!

Kathy

Dear Blog - it’s been 12 days and 12 nights since my last post. . . . . where has the time gone? How has this happened??  How have I allowed this to happen??

Answer:  Life.

My apologies all around for being a bad, bad, blogger.  I know, a slump for me and this blog is not uncommon, but I’ve really tried to be frequent and consistent as of late. 

Sometimes being a Mom supercedes being a blogger and even a business owner. 

Since I last left you the boys have finished school and headed off to Washington DC with family for the first of many amazing summer excursions.

As the year ended we had the insect fair:

A very special ground breaking at our boys’ school:

We had our WEBS Field Day and Cookout!

We love Lexie:

We had great games including the YARNPUT:

We even had an unexpected guest appearance at Field Day:

‘Cuz stuff like this only happens in Northampton!

Great fun was had by all those that attended and those that didn’t - well - we have ways to deal with folks like you

Yeah - we’re tough - here’s the day after for the “non”-participants:

Grillin’ the next day out in the parking lot to use of the rest of the food and make sure everyone got at least a small taste of Field Day!

Then - onto the last day of school:

Graduation:

There was the  last of little league game for this year which I didn’t photograph (bad mom, bad, bad, mom).

Here they are heading off to Washington DC with family for a trip I’d kill to go on:

They wrapped up the school year with a vengeance and we are now the proud owners of 3rd and 5th grade boys.  How fast it all goes even when it feels like it’s operating at a snails pace.

As the boys are off experiencing an amazing adventure, Steve and I are prepping for TNNA.  I have lots to chat about so stay tuned this week!  You especially don’t want to miss an awesome giveaway that will start this Friday!

Kathy