It’s back-to-school time — the time of year that Staples and Office Max love the most. It’s also “back-to-knitting/crocheting/weaving/spinning” time around WEBS, and we have some great classes for anyone wanting to learn a new craft or brush up on a current one. When I plan the classes for each semester, I try to come up with something entirely new at least once or twice each time, something that I’d tell my friends about or that I’d want to hear about from a fiber friend. This time around I have a few that I’d love to take myself, so I’m going to tell you about them so that you’ll feel cnabled compelled to take them yourselves!

Emma Welford’s Jazerant Set was designed especially for our Fortieth Anniverary and the pattern is knit in the most beautiful Valley Yarns Northfield, hand dyed by Malabrigo just for us. We are so lucky that Emma works here at WEBS and is generous enough to teach a class to show knitters how to make this gorgeously cabled and beaded hat and cowl. You don’t have to use Northfield, of course, because no matter what you use, the end result is going to be stunning. That class starts soon, so hurry before all the seats are filled! (NOTE:  Unfortunately, this class has been cancelled.)

Another class I’d take in a heartbeat is Heather McQueen’s Tunisian Crochet Infinity Scarf class. Tunisian Crochet is so fascinating–it’s fast, like crochet, and produces a really unique-looking fabric that resembles knitting. This 4-week class will have students using up those novelty yarns hiding in your stash as well as learning some more advanced Tunisian techniques. The scarves are fast and fun, and look amazing.

I am completely impressed with myself for hunting down some great guest teachers this semester–none more so than Susan B. Anderson, who is a designer, author, knitter, spinner, and all-around-lovely-person. She’ll be here for a weekend in October to teach not only some great garment classes, but we are lucky enough to have her show her students how to make her knitted toys, which are a great holiday gift as well as ideal decor for a nursery or little one’s room.

Check out all our classes here, and just remember: Shopping at WEBS for supplies is way more fun than shopping at Staples for binders and notebook paper!

We’ve got the first three rows of the edging done! They might have felt a little difficult at times but they set up the rest of the edging so everything else moves along pretty smoothly from here.

Here we have a video showing you the key steps from Rows 4 and 5.

In Row 4 you begin to shape the edging by decreasing sections with dc3tog (double crochet 3 together) stitches, and increasing in others with chain loops. The FPtr stitches in Row 5 of the edging are worked around the FPdc from Row 3 and are a bit easier to place because it’s very easy to see those post stitches.

Row 6 will be familiar with it’s combination of dc3tog and chain loops, like in Row 4.

Row 7 has the seemingly tricky FPtr5tog (Front Post Treble 5 together) stitch, this video shows you how simple it is.

Row 8 is another combination of chain loops and bsc stitches with the added interest of a bobble at the top of each of the triangles created by the FPtr5tog stitch that you did in Row 7. Once you’ve completed Row 8 of the edging you’ll have just a bit more work to do along the top of the shawl before you’re finished.  You’ll need to thread  beads for the last time before you begin this section and REMEMBER you’ll be working along the wrong side of the shawlette for this top edge so the beads align on the right side.

Now, you’ll sc along the side of your beaded edging to neaten that edge and bring it in line with the top edge of the shawlette. Then you’ll work alternating sc and bsc along the top edge in the same way you did for Row 1 of the edging. Regular sc will be worked along the other side of the beaded edging to mirror the first side. Finally you’ll slip stitch back along this edge to finish it off.

Next week we’ll have a finished shawl and share some blocking and finishing tips. Have you enjoyed the pattern so far?

Get your copy of the pattern here and join in the CAL at any time!

Now that you’ve finished the main body of the shawl you can move on to the beaded edging.

Picking the right beads for your project can seem like a big task but you really, almost, can’t go wrong! Here you can see I’ve swatched with 4 different colors, they’re each appealing in their own way. The tonal color combo gives just an extra bit of shine, the darker amber gives more of an autumnal feel, while the iridescent green beads say Spring to me. My shawl will be worked with the grey beads, I’m on a bit of a yellow/grey kick lately.

Linda offers some great advice in the pattern that directs you to string only as many beads as you’ll need for a particular row. This way you don’t have over 600 beads that need to be pushed down along your yarn as you work the edging, 150-200 beads at a time is much more manageable.

We’ve put together a quick video showing you the bsc stitch from Row 1 and how to transition to Row 2

The edging is worked along the bottom of the shawl and Row 1 is worked with the wrong side facing you. It’s worked this way because when you bring up a bead for the bsc, beaded single crochet stitch, the bead sits on the back of the stitch. I like to work with about 10 beads at-a-time in my left hand, then I can get a bunch of stitches done before I need to dip down and grab more beads. You’ll cut the yarn and fasten off at the end of Row 1 and rejoin your yarn at the other end to begin Row 2,THEN you’ll turn the work over and work in the opposite direction for Row 3.

Here we also have a video showing the FPdc stitch and how to keep track of it’s placement in Row 3.

Next week we’ll tackle Rows 5-7 of the edging. Have you done any beading with your crochet?

Get your copy of the pattern here and join in the CAL at any time!

It’s the first week for our CAL (crochet-a-long)! We’re extending some of the love from National Crochet Month in March into April!

Everyone was very excited when we saw Linda’s Sugar Sparkle Shawlette so it was an easy decision.

For the CAL you’ll need:

* 775 yards of a light Fingering weight yarn: the pattern calls for Malabrigo Sock, but you could also use Valley Yarns Charlemont or Valley Yarns BFL Fingering. I’m using a coned wool that I’ve had in my stash for a few years but the color makes me happy and I’m getting gauge!

* US size D/3.25mm and US size C/2.75mm hooks, I’m using the Addi Color coded hooks. You won’t need the smaller hook till you get to the border.

* 675 size 6/0 seed beads.  If you’re lucky enough to be local to our store the Northampton Beadery has a great selection of colors in this size!

* you’ll need a beading needle and a yarn needle, for weaving in ends.

I’m also going to suggest locking ring stitch markers, it’s always a good idea to have a few of these around.

The main body of the shawl is worked sideways from point to point with all the increases, and subsequent decreases, happening along the same side. You may want to place a marker, every couple rows, on the side with all of your increases. It can be easy to loose track of which side that is when your work is just a few, short rows and it will remind you what side the decreases will happen on when you get to them! You can also keep a small notebook handy and tick off each increase/decrease row as it’s made.

Here you can see my shawl, Mary’s(Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock in Raspberry), and Tina’s(Valley Yarns Charlemont Kettle Dye in Purple Passion), all just beginning the decreases.

This center section is fairly easy and moves along quickly. Next week we’ll look at bead choices, stringing your beads and working the first 2 rows of your border.

What yarn will you be using?

This week’s knitting tip comes from knitwear designer Laura Nelkin.

Ever wonder how to add beads to your knitting? In this video I teach you a trick for adding beads easily with either a crochet hook OR a piece of Super Floss!

Adding beads to your knitting gives it weight, flare and a bit of bling. You can take a simple design and really help it shine! I’ll be coming to WEBS to teach for my first time later this month and look forward to sharing more of my beading techniques with you all…can’t wait!

If you’re interested in learning more about how to knit with beads, Laura will be teaching two classes in a couple weeks at our store. Follow the links below to find out more.

 Advanced Lace with Beads April 21st

 Butin: A Beaded Necklace April 20th

Hi Everyone

I am very excited to share some important news with all of you.  As many of you may be aware, way back in 2008, Steve and I bought ourselves a little bead store.   It was a business that had been in Northampton under a different name for many years and we were proud to become the new shepherds and continue to have a local bead store in our community.

I am a firm believer in fate – it’s how we came to own a bead store and it’s how we have come to the place we are now.  As of this Saturday, April 9, 2011 we will be closing WEBS – America’s Bead Store.  This is not a time for sadness in any way, shape or form.  I could write a short story about our experience with this venture but in a nutshell, we just weren’t having very much fun.  Truth be told, if I’m in a 900 sq ft space full of gorgeous sparkle-y beads, semi-precious stones and the like and not having fun, then something is definitely wrong!  Steve and I made the decision it was time to close and move on and that’s when fate stepped in once again.

The lovely Heather Black, our current Asst Store Manager, approached us about buying the store.  Heather is a gifted artist and a warm and caring person.  The stars aligned themselves and Heather will be assuming ownership of the Bead Store.  I am happy to introduce all of you to Northampton Beadery:

Northampton Beadery will open on Friday, April 15th.  Check out the website for the specials Heather has planned.  She will also be offering a wonderful line-up of classes, Wednesday drop-in will be continuing and I’m sure there’s even more plans in the works!

Our e-commerce site has been disabled.  We are not taking any further on-line or phone orders.  Heather has decided to honor any outstanding WEBS Beads gift cards for six months – cut off date is October 15, 2011.  I’m sure you will see her put her own personal stamp on product but I know she is committed to continuing to support the seed bead needs of our fiber fanatic customers.  Thanks Heather!

Whether you are one of our local customers or travel to visit us, I hope you will take the time to pop into Northampton Beadery when you are in the area.

We wish Heather and her team the best and we know that Northampton Beadery is going to be a wonderful place for everyone who loves beads.

Thanks to our wonderful customers who support WEBS – America’s Bead Store.  We appreciate your patronage and it has been our absolute privilege to be a part of the beading community.

Cheers!

Kathy

Hi Everyone

As you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  During each of the last 4 or 5 Octobers we’ve held a Knit for a Cure Event in partnership with Cancer Connection.  This year we included our Bead Store in the mix and had a lovely event.  I wasn’t able to make it down to the store – too many boys going in too many different directions all at the same time.  Yet the importance of this event is not lost on me – especially this year.

A good friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of last year.   For those of you who read this blog regularly, you will remember that I was in a very dark place back then.  My friend’s news simply validate my view that the world was completely upside down and backwards.  Why were bad things continuing to happen to good people?

Yet, over the coming months I watched my friend work her way through chemo and radiation with strength and grace.  As worried as I was about her and despite still being overwhelmed by the tragic death of a dear friend in December, I started taking great comfort in her ability to face her situation head on and just decide that this was not going to define her.  She’s always quick to point out that I helped her from afar during this time but what I don’t think she realizes is how much she helped me.

We had a lovely turnout for our event.

We knit hats for the folks who rely on Cancer Connection to help them through their difficult days.

A staff member from Cancer Connection was on hand to remind everyone how much they appreciate the event but to also emphasize the importance of self-checks and mammograms.

WEBS Beads designed bracelets that we offered as kits.  I don’t care how badly you feel, everyone deserves a little bling:

It seems like the folks at Classic Elite were on the same wavelength.  This week’s e-newsletter featured a lovely write-up from the owner Betsy Perry and a wonderful set of scarves – all knit with someone in mind they themselves loved and cherished and had battled this terrible disease.

Thanks to everyone who made it to our event and contributed a hat.  My heartfelt thanks to Linda Pratt of Westminster Fibers for donating some of the yarn that we used for the hats.

As Oprah would say – what I know for sure is this:  I’d love to eliminate this event from our annual schedule because it was no longer needed.

Kathy

Hi Everyone

We have just launched a great new promo that I wanted to share with you!  For the next week, if you place an order of $25 or more at websbeads.com AND place a yarn order of any amount at yarn.com BOTH orders will ship FREE!

This only applies to customers who order $25 or more worth of beads AND place a yarn order.  If you order only yarn – no free shipping.

Just follow the steps below to receive free shipping on your bead and yarn orders:

1.  Go to www.websbeads.com and place an order for at least $25.00.

2.  Go to www.yarn.com, order ANY amount of yarn you want and use code BEADS10 at checkout.

3.  Wait patiently at your mailbox for your combined order to arrive!

HERE’S THE FINE PRINT:

A.  Offer valid through 9/27/10.

B.  Offer valid in contiguous U.S. only.

C.  You must place a bead order of at least $25.00 and a yarn order of ANY amount.  A yarn order alone WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR FREE SHIPPING!

So, if I were to participate this is what I would do

i.  I would order some of our large hole beads, just like the ones you see at the mall but ours are a fraction of the price.

ii.  I would then cruise over to the semi-precious stones and add a couple of goodies to my cart.

iii.  You all know I have no resistance to sparkle, so I’d have to check out the Swarovski Crystals.  I’m rather partial to the cubes.

iv.  Then I’d cruise over to yarn.com and stock up on yarns I need for my holiday shopping!

Enjoy!

Kathy

Hi Everyone

Just a few things to share today.  This is been a crazy week at WEBS – both yarn and beads!

1.  I came across this great “yarn bombing” on Craftzine.com:

The photo was taken in Rome by Flickr user Start The Day.  It is just so cool and I love that it’s crochet!  No more tea cozies – it’s a car cozy!  This smart car looks adorable.  I don’t think my SUV would look nearly as darling and think about how much yarn I’d need!

2.  We recorded this week’s episode of Ready, Set, Knit and our guest is our lovely Berroco rep Andra.  She did a training session this morning for the staff.  The best part is getting to see many of the garments in person and to try them on.  While at the shop she picked buttons for a darling sweater she knit using Remix:

It’s on the cover of the dedicated Remix pattern book #303:

Andra owns her individuality with a fierceness I just love.  Here’s her “stamp” on this sweater:

I only wish my boys were small enough to wear it!  The buttons are from JHB for anyone who is interested.

3.  We’ve added a great selection of large-hole beads to the bead site.  These will fit perfectly on those cool bracelets that everyone is sporting these days and they are MUCH more affordable – only $6.99 each!  Be sure to check them out!

Enjoy!

Kathy

Hi Everyone

I’ve been quietly alluding to this for a few days.  We made the announcement on the podcast (see what you are missing if you don’t listen!) and have been dipping our toe into the various methods of communication we have with all of you.  WEBS – America’s Bead Store is now on-line and open for business!

We are very excited!  Launching this website has been one of those projects that should not have been difficult.  We used the same infrastructure we have for yarn – all we had to was add beads, shake and go!  Heh – it’s just never that easy and it’s usually for many, many reasons.  For anyone who has been through a home renovation – large or small – you know EXACTLY what I mean.

Well, the pain is nearly forgotten (I emphasize nearly) and we are just thrilled that our bead store is up and running.  We’ve so enjoyed having the brick and mortar store and will of course continue with that.  The reality is in this day and age of retail – on-line cannot be ignored.

Here are a few highlights of the new site:

1.  It’s very similar to yarn – the general look, navigation, etc., should all be familiar to those of you who shop on-line for yarn from us.

2.  It is an independent site.  At this point we cannot “officially” combine orders but if you email us – we’ll make it happen behind the scenes to the best of our ability.

3.  Same great discounts apply at Beads!  Save 20% on bead & book orders of $60.00 or more and 25% on bead and book orders of $120.00 or more.

4.  At this time, yarn and bead orders CANNOT be combined to achieve the discount.  I know, I know – we hear you.

5.  You can create a wishlist and share it on the new websbeads.com

6.  You can share a page through a myriad of social networking platforms.

7.  We’ve launched the site with some great products but trust me when I say there is more.   Lots more.

You can follow Webs Beads on Twitter and Facebook.  You can sign up for our emails blasts and just like with yarn – we never share or sell our customers’ information .  By signing up you’ll get advanced notice of specials, sales, events. etc.

Lastly, from now until July 15th – we’re offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $25.00.  Spend $60 and you’ll get discount (must be qualifying product) AND FREE SHIPPING!

Yes, I am excited.  I love our bead store and I want you to love it too.

Enjoy and let me know what you think.  Please pass the info along to any of your beading friends – whether they use them in fiber creations or jewelry creations!

Kathy