We are excited to kick off our Fall 2012 events season with a celebration of all that is new for Valley Yarns on September 20th at 6pm!

Join us as we hear from some of the people who knit the garment samples you see in the catalog,

as well as from some of the designers of this year’s line!

We’ll have all of the fall garments to try on (and maybe even a little sneak peek at the garments from the upcoming holiday catalog.)

We’ll also be debuting our newest yarns, with a chance to try them out for yourself!

Join us for an informal evening of fun, snacks and yarn while finding out more about what goes into putting together a line of fun things to knit, crochet and wear.  The event is free, but we do ask that you register here.

Wet splicing is a great technique that can be used to join two pieces of yarn together. You can use it in place of weaving in ends, or if you come across a knot while in the middle of your row. 100% wool works best, but any animal fiber or any fiber that felts can be wet spliced.

Step 1: Take your two strands, and make sure your ends are frayed. If you’ve used scissors to cut your yarn, unply it with your hands. It’s easier for the wool to grab onto itself when the ends are rough. Overlap both strands about an inch in the palm of your hand.

Step 2: Take some water and wet down the yarn really well. The yarn needs heat and moisture to felt together.

Step 3: Rub your hands together quickly. You want to feel your hands starting to get warm.

Now, this acts as one strand of yarn. You might get a slight bump in the middle, but wool and animal fibers block so well, once you knit it into your project you’ll never even notice where you joined your strands.

Watch wet splicing in action by viewing the video below!

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Guest: Kathy and Betsy discuss the process of bringing a yarn to market, from sourcing and choosing fibers and color palettes, to deciding on weight/gauge and plying, as well as final presentation of the finished new yarn.

Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool Light.

Steve’s Yarn Picks:

• Euro Baby Babe Speckle
• Sirdar Folksong
• Regia Angora Merino
• Blue Sky Alpacas Royal Petites
• James Brett Marble DK
• Feza Piquant Closeout
• Feza Alp Virgin Closeout

• Our 6th Annual Bus Trip to Rhinebeck
• An Afternoon with Franklin Habit - in Store Only

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Guest: Kathy and Jeanne discuss the incredible history of the Imperial Stock Ranch and the development of Imperial Yarns.

Imperial Yarn Tracie Too pictured above.

Kathy and Steve talk a bit about last week at Stitches Midwest and the ongoing End of Summer Sale.

Steve’s Yarn Picks:

• Shibui Cima
• SMC Select Apiretto
• Valley Yarns Northampton Sport
• Manos del Uruguay Clasica Naturals – Closeout
• Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica Semi Solid – Closeout
• Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica Space Dyed – Closeout
• Manos del Uruguay Rittenhouse Semi Solid – Closeout
• Manos del Uruguay Rittenhouse Space Dyed – Closeout

• Our 6th Annual Bus Trip to Rhinebeck
• An Afternoon with Franklin Habit - in Store Only

This week, the staff at WEBS has some fantastic buzzes! A stunning Daybreak shawl by Greta, Kerry’s Smooshy with Cashmere projects, everything you need for your own Dr. Who scarf and more!

Daybreak is a wonderful semi-circular shawl pattern from Stephen West. At first I didn’t want to jump on the Stephen West band wagon, but now I’m hooked! Knitting it was a breeze and I had so much fun doing those little stripes. I used two colors of a heavy weight sock yarn I bought at Stitches, but you can use pretty much any fingering weight yarn. Try Valley Yarns Charlemont in Solids, Kettle Dye and Hand Dyes! > Greta S.

I am a huge fan of the vibrancy and variation of Dream in Color yarn, and the moment I touched a skein of Smooshy with Cashmere in the It’s a Sparkler colorway, I just had to have it! It really is SO smooshy that I wish I could make a bed with hanks of it and curl up to sleep! The colors worked up even better than I’d hoped in my shrug, and still looked great in a little knitted cuff I made out of a bit of the extra. I can’t wait for cooler weather so that I can start wearing this! > Kerry T.

I walk through the warehouse several times every day and enjoy seeing the ever-changing landscape of yarn closeouts. Occasionally a yarn in the warehouse makes me smile every time I pass, and recently that yarn has been Manos del Uruguay Rittenhouse Semi Solid.  The colors of this semi-solid yarn are just stunning.  I can’t help but stop at the shelf it is on and think about which colors I would mix together for a fun striped project!  At the moment I’m really loving the colors Thistle and Citric. But there are so many possibilities. > Tina M.

Well, I’m excited about the new Classic Elite yarn line Color by Kristin for a slightly nerdy reason, and I’m not ashamed to admit it! Fans of the classic Sci-Fi TV series Doctor Who remember the Doctor’s iconic scarf, and for knitters seeking to make one of their own, matching those colors properly can be a challenge. As your lines change and companies come and go, that perfect match can be here and then gone again. This lovely yarn, a 3-ply blend of wool, alpaca and mohair, features several colors that perfectly compliment the original scarf, especially the October leaves and the Deep Forest colors as well as Yarrow and Mushroom. The Doctor Who scarf in all its various forms is painstakingly detailed season by season at www.wittylittleknitter.com if you’d like to get started on a scarf yourself. > Ashley F.

I’m very excited about Ann Budd’s newest book, The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters. This new volume is formatted in the same way as her previous volumes, The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns and The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. Designs are organized by sleeve type and accommodate a range of yarn weights from fingering to bulky. Following the instructions is straightforward and the results are always rewarding. I’ve successfully used each of these books as templates to jumpstart my own knitting designs. This volume also includes new top-down designs by several knitting luminaries including Jared Flood, Pam Allen and Veronik Avery. If you’re ready to expand your knitting skills, I think this book is a must-have for your knitting library! > Stephanie G.

This week, the staff at WEBS is buzzing about…

I  just made the new Noni Anouk felted bag for the store. I used 3 skeins of Valley Yarns Northampton. The kit comes with the pattern and all of the hardware you need to make the bag. It does not include the yarn, so you get to pick what you want! The hardware is quite nice, and the fact that it comes with all the components including feet, handle that also has a chain, a lovely magnetic closure, Noni Designs decal and a nice sturdy canvas to cut out for the inside of the bottom of the bag make it so you don’t have to hunt down each part for this bag. One stop shopping, that’s what I like! The pattern was easy to follow and fun to make. I will definitely be making one of these adorable bags for myself. > Karen M.

Kerry is knitting the Nemi Lace Cowl in Valley Yarns Charlemont Hand Dyed in color Oak Grove – This is the first project where I’ve had the opportunity to knit with yarn dyed by the Kangaroo Dyer, and I couldn’t be happier. Not only is Charlemont a pleasure to work with, but the colors are just gorgeous! > Kerry T.

I’ve been wanting to make some crochet rag rugs and was a little put off at the thought of spending my time cutting up old sheets into strips when I remembered that we carry Poppana which is essentially the same thing! I swatched on a couple larger hooks, K and N, and I’m really happy with the results. This may turn into some pretty terrific holiday gifts. > Sara D.

I absolutely love the new crochet book, Unexpected Afghans by Robyn Chacula. Her premise of using veteran crochet designers to use their specialty in crochet to design something that they would use as a piece in their homes has worked beautifully! I have begun two for wedding presents and am thrilled to be able to have so many to chose from in one book!! > Lise G.

When the “Gleener: The Ultimate Fuzz Remover” came across my desk, I was pretty skeptical. One pilly old sweater later, I’m a convert. The ergonomic handle is comfortable to hold, which counts for a lot because de-pilling a sweater can take a while. What I really like is the Gleener’s three different blades: one is coarse, for heavier gauges and aggressive de-fuzzing; one is in the middle; and one is really fine, for cashmeres and fine knits. The blades are easy to take on and off.  And after I get rid of the pills, I turn the Gleener around and brush my sweater down with the “velvet lint brush.” The lint brush gets all the little bits left over, and the sweater looks great. I plan to try the Gleener on other fabrics–fleece, boiled wool blazers, whatever needs a little sprucing up. Watch the video below to see the Gleener in action! > Kendra C.

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Guest: Andra Asars, our Berroco Yarns Rep., talks with Kathy about the new Fall yarns from Berroco.

They chat about the new engineered yarns, Cirrus and Elements as well as Boboli and Boboli Quick.  Andra mentions a pattern she’s working on from Norah Gaughan Vol. 11, and two free pattern from the Berroco website: the Checkerboard Throw and the Woodhaven mittens.

They also discuss Andra’s conversion to Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable Needles, Stitches Midwest and Kathy’s second Super-Big-Exciting announcement for the Fall schedule.

Kathy and Andra’s Yarn Picks:

• Fiber Company Tundra
• Cascade Yarns Sitka
• Cascade Yarns Venezia Sport
• Cascade Yarns Casablanca
• Euro Yarns Broadway
• Wisdom Yarns Poems Silk
• Cascade Yarns Cotton Rich DK Closeout

• Clones Irish Lace event and demonstration with Maire Treanor in store on July 28th

This week the staff at WEBS is buzzing about a beautiful, lightweight shawl that’s perfect for warm weather knitting. Also, a warm and cozy cowl for when winter finally returns! And two fantastic book reviews from our weaving expert Barbara and our spinning expert Ashley.

For my first mystery shawl KAL, I decided to be good and went stash-diving. I unearthed a forgotten skein of Ella Rae Lace Merino and gave it some love by knitting up this airy lace shawl. The Lace Merino blocks out better than I dreamed, soft and drapey with crisp stitch definition. And as luck would have it, the autumnal red tones and lacy leaf motif go together perfectly! > Emma W.

It might be 100 degrees out right now, but we can’t forget that winter will come again eventually. Cowls are my favorite accessory and I wear them outside under a warm coat, as well as around the office on chilly mornings. The Valley Yarns Bell Lace Cowl is the perfect length. I can wear it long as an accessory, or wrapped around twice to be kept extra warm. It’s knit in super soft Northfield so its perfect to be worn up against the sensitive skin on your neck and face. > Grace H.

I like to spin on my Ladybug in the summer while I sit out on the deck in the evenings and I realized the other day that all my bobbins were full so I’ve been plying up a storm! From Left to right: Creatively Dyed Yarn fiber in the colorway Goat, Optim Merino from Ms. Gusset (a gift Kirsten H. brought back from Sock Summit last summer) and a batt of mystery fiber from Kathy Elkins massive destash event back in May. Now I have 7 empty bobbins to fill with singles! > Sara D.

The weavers among us are excited about a new book that just came in. It is Custom Woven Interiors, by Kelly Marshall, a Minnesota weaver and the owner of a production company of the same name. The book is part pictures of the warp rep rugs, throws, blankets, pillows, curtains and table fabrics in her home and part instructions for those projects. The drafts are mostly for 8 shafts, with some 6-shaft and some 10-shaft projects. Because the fabrics use a lot of colors of 5/2 cotton, but not a lot of each color in the warps, this seems like a great study group project. If each participant provides a few colors, the cost can easily be shared and everyone would come out with a great fabric. Sturdy looms required for the sett of 48 epi! > Barbara E.

Entering the complex world of natural dyeing can seem daunting, but Jenny Dean welcomes her readers to the exploratory process with clear and engaging information in Wild Color. All the equipment you’ll need and how to make sure your choice of dyepot doesn’t change your color results, how to mordant different types of fiber and choose the safest one to use for the color results you want, and how to safely work with toxic chemicals and plants without worry for your family or the environment. Color modifiers, Ph charts and a cool recipe for achieving 25 different color results from one dyebath! My favorite feature of this book is the copious information on the dye plants themselves, from flowers and leaves to barks and roots, with how to grow and/or harvest for the best color results, how much plant material is needed and the many different colors that can be drawn from the same plant. Last year’s dye experiments, guided by this wonderful compendium, yielded great results. I’m already harvesting new plants to add to my dyepot and looking forward to exploring all these wild colors. > Ashley F.

This week, the staff at WEBS is buzzing about some old yarn favorites, as well as a brand new addition to the Valley Yarns line. Ashley is buzzing about the Know Your Wheel DVD and has written a fantastic review for all the spinners out there!

I am knitting a Catkin (designed by Carina Spencer) for a friend (shhh don’t tell!) in Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light colorways Wicked and Manor. This pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry, and although the length of the pattern may seem daunting, it is very well written and easy to follow. Carina Spencer has her own site with video tutorials to aid your Catkin creation. It can be worn as a shawl with the buttons down the front or side and as a cozy scarf. I had so much fun picking colors! The Tosh Merino Light is very soft and great to work with, too. > Heidi R.

Reynolds Soft Linen – This yarn caught my eye in our warehouse! This hot coral/tangerine color is very popular this season, and I thought it would be great for accessories. I grabbed three balls of it, two of which I am making a cute clutch purse with. The linen will help make this a durable bag for years to come! > Deb S.

I had a lot of fun joining westknits Earth & Sky Mystery knitalong last summer and was super excited to see there will be another mystery shawl KAL starting soon. The Rockefeller Mystery Shawl knitalong starts July 13th, so you’ll want to purchase the pattern before then. After browsing through many fingering weight yarns, I finally decided to knit my shawl in Swans Island Fingering in Seasmoke and Tide Pool. > Dena C.

Valley Yarns Buckland – I am absolutely smitten with the newest addition to our Valley Yarns line. Buckland features the same fiber content as our Charlemont but rather than being plied, Buckland has a chain construction which creates a light, lofty fabric. It has 109 yards in a 50-gram skein and knits at 4.5 sts on a #7. My head is spinning with ideas for this yarn! > Kathy E.

I always forget how much I love Valley Yarns Amherst. Right now I’m working on a project for Kirsten for our next catalog out of Amherst and it’s incredible. It’s easy to knit with and super soft. I think it’s time to dig the Amherst out that I have in my stash and make something for myself! > Mary K-H.

Know your Wheel DVD with Alden Amos and Cindy Lair with Linda Ligon - This two-disc set is chock-full of amazing spinning wheel knowledge, from master wheel maker Alden Amos, who talks with Interweave’s Linda Ligon on the first disc, which will delight tinkerers, wheel makers and aficionados of antique double drive wheels as well as new spinners wanting to really dive into the mechanics of this fascinating tool. The second disc features Cindy Lair of Schacht Spindle Co., sharing copious wisdom on the best ways to set up your wheel, its lubrication needs, and how that applies to many different types of commonly produced modern wheels. Both discs feature tips, tricks and hints to help better understand your wheel and alleviate any trouble you might be experiencing while offering new and experienced spinners the maintenance know-how to enjoy a lifetime of worry-free spinning! > Ashley F.

It’s been a very busy start to the summer here at WEBS! We’ve just moved into our new warehouse, and we’re working on getting everything settled. Fall yarns are already starting to arrive, and the staff at WEBS is buzzing about some of the new goodies we’ve received so far. Amy learned a new skill and managed to turn her first project into a fantastic zippered bag! Kathy’s buzz reminds us of why we love our Knitter’s Pride Dreamz needles and Dena shares one of her favorite new books.

I had the privelege of taking LA’s weaving class this winter. Our second project was a twill sampler out of 2/10 Merino Tencel.  I was not happy with mine until I realized I was weaving cloth that could be cut up to make things like zippered bags.  (I can be a little slow sometimes) I made seven bags out of my sampler and have plans for many more! > Amy S.

Frog Tree Ewetopia – As a spinner, I love to examine the new yarns and how they are constructed, and this one caught my interest. One single strand of superwash treated Merino wool is plied with a single of untreated Merino wool, giving a slightly marled quality to the yarn as both plies have absorbed the color a little differently. The superwash treated ply has a subtle shine against the matte quality of the untreated wool. The different treatments will add a unique texture to this yarn after blocking and the finished fabrics it works into will have a lovely squishy softness. A really interesting yarn, and I’m looking forward to seeing some of the amazing projects folks will create with it! > Ashley F.

Imperial Yarn Columbia 2-Ply - I am in love with this yarn! The big 4oz hanks are so squishy and soft, I can imagine knitting a sweater I’d have forever. And I really like the fact that this yarn is from American wool, spun on old-school mule spinners, in a tiny town in Oregon. Imperial Stock Ranch is dedicated to sustainable land stewardship, so this yarn reflects my values. The colors are great, too– most of them are subtly heathered, and deep. I want a sweater in every color! Maybe it’s time to learn fair isle… > Kendra C.

I am so excited that our new 5/2 Bamboo has arrived! This yarn will be great for weaving all sorts of projects. The colors are vibrant and shimmery and the hand is soft and fluid. I think it is going to make wonderfully drapey fabric and can hardly wait to get it on my loom. I have been planning a rigid heddle project – a scarf with some lace details, I think. And speaking of lace, I think this will knit up into some beautiful lacework. The colors choices are incredible. > Leslie Ann B.

Dreamz Needles from Knitter’s Pride – We’ve had these needles for several months but after using them for my latest project I was reminded how great they are. These beautiful wooden needles are smooth and the yarn slides easily along and over the joins. I love the points – not to dull but not too sharp. If you’ve yet to try these needles, consider them for your next project! You can also check out a great video review here. > Kathy E.

I was impressed by how much information was packed into The Handknitter’s Yarn Guide book – all things yarn weights, yarn fibers, and yarn construction. If you enjoy shopping our yarn closeouts or are curious how different fibers such as camel or alpaca will knit up, this book is the perfect guide to helping you make yarn substitution decisions when choosing a yarn for your next project. > Dena C.