FIBER ARRIVES!!!

Spinning this summer has been as hot as the temperature in Tempe. With the Spin Alongs, Expressions in Spinning and the Tour de Fleece, fiber has been flying out the door. To meet the demand, we've restock beyond any level we've had in the past. Come in and check it out.



We got some really special fibers including: Alpaca, Alpaca/Culture Silk, BFL mixed, Merino/Bamboo/Tussah, Merino/Tussah and lot and lot of Merino in a rainbow of colors.

Addi Click Accessories ARE IN!

We have added the new Addi Click Needle Tips (including the #5 that wasn't included in the set) and the Extra Cord/Connector for those of you who have the Addi Click sets.


Now is a great time to grow that set!

3/50 Project

Choose Your Own Adventure Retreat Photos

Check out the photos of all the fun from the 2009 retreat. Thanks to everyone who attended and to the Scottsdale Hotel for a great job!



Click here for the photos, or see the event photos on the right column.

Addi Clicks - Accessories Are On The Way!

Many of you have been asking about the Addi Click cord/extension pack. We should have them in later this week.


This includes three cords and one extra connector. The cord sizes are 24", 32" and 40". These are the same sizes which come with the full set.

We also have extra Addi Click Tip (needles) in a range of sizes coming in.

Watch here or on Twitter for when they arrive. If you have special ordered any of these they will be held for you.

As for more actual Addi Click set we are still on the waiting list. In talking to Skacel the hold up now is the actual box that the set comes in not the product itself.

Tour de Fleece Is Over - Now It's Time to Show Off

"Fred Fiber Fiends"- Tour de Fleece is over! Thanks to the hard work of the team members, we spun hundreds of hours and untold oz of fiber.

Along the way, if everyone had as much fun as those who came into the shop, then most likely we should have won the "Most Fun" Prize.

We want to invite everyone who can come, who participated in the "Fred's Fiber Fiends" to bring your spun yarn to the shop on Saturday August 1st at 1pm for a group picture!

Tempe Yarn & FiberCharity Knit & Crochet Projects

Sharing your knitting or crocheting talents with others is a wonderful way to make a positive impact on our community. Beginning August 3, 2009 Tempe Yarn and Fiber will be expanding our charity knitting to include a charity knit and crochet night. This social knitting/crochet group will meet every Monday evening from 6 to 8 pm to continue making items for our ongoing charity (Ronald McDonald House), and to begin our new goal of making items for a second, rotating charity that will change every two months.

We will post the selected charity, needed items, and a deadline date for collection of the finished items on the blog and in our “In the Know” newsletters. If you like, you can knit/crochet with the group on Monday nights, or you can make items on your own. Either way, we will set aside one week every two months to collect the items here at TYF before we send them along to the chosen charity.

If you would rather not participate in the current monthly project, keep in mind that TYF’s ongoing store charity, Ronald McDonald House, takes any of the following knitted and/or crocheted items year round and TYF is a drop off point for them:

washcloths, dishcloths, lap blankets, baby blankets, toys, preemie hats, infant socks, slippers (all sizes), children’s hats & scarves

To kick things off, the August-September project will benefit the Chrysalis Foundation, and participants will make and donate felted Booga Bags and/or contribute items to fill them.

For more detailed information on the Chrysalis Foundation, see below. We will knit/crochet for this charity from August 3 - September 28. We will collect the Booga Bags from September 28 to October 3. (Any items dropped off after October 3 will go to Ronald McDonald House or, if appropriate, to the charity chosen next.)

TYF and Chrysalis--Booga Bags with a Purpose

Over twenty-seven years ago, a woman opened up her home as a safe house for both women and children who had been victimized by domestic violence. Within three years, funding was received to expand these services into a 24-hour crisis shelter. The shelter was appropriately named Chrysalis – defined as the growth that creates an independent being.

Chrysalis programs now include two crisis shelters, transitional housing, outpatient counseling, victim advocacy, legal advocacy, and community education and prevention programs. Chrysalis helps close to 1,400 individuals annually.

Often, when women and children come into shelter they bring nothing more than the clothes on their backs. With the help of their dedicated and supportive customers, TYF is looking forward to supporting Chrysalis’ clients by providing the most basic necessities. Now through the end of September, we are asking interested customers to participate by creating a Booga Bag and including new and unopened personal hygiene items or small, new articles of clothing. Participants may elect to make a Booga Bag and donate it empty, make a bag and fill it, or donate items to go in empty bags.

Here are a few suggestions to donate or to fill the bags with: Flip Flops or Slippers / New undergarments / Sleepwear/ Books / Journals / Cosmetics / Hair products (including hair dye) / Personal hygiene items (deodorant, hair brushes, tooth brushes, etc.) / Feminine hygiene products / Over-the-counter medication

Feel free to have a good time with the bags and items. Perhaps your bag is inspired by a sunny day at the beach and the colors reflect blue skies/sun and include a pair of flip flops. Perhaps your bag is the ultimate Boy Scout and is “always prepared”. Maybe your bag will feature a needle–felted butterfly expressing the transformation that many of these women and children experience while participating in one of Chrysalis’ programs.

Why Chrysalis? Chrysalis has been serving the Valley for almost three decades; they have reached tens of thousands of lives during this time. In addition, Jodie Weisenberg, one of our TYF loyalists, has served as Chrysalis’ Special Projects Manager for over three years. We are happy to be able to support such a worthy cause and one of our very own TYFers.

Universal Yarns Introduces Phoenix, Miami & North Pole to Their Marathon Collection

Universal Yarns has added two new cities to their Marathon Sock collection, Phoenix and Miami, plus, the North Pole.

Phoenix Marathon Sock yarn is a self-patterning yarn of 75% Superwash Wool and 25% Nylon. Part of the individual yarn names are named after streets, and we had to laugh when University & McClintock (our cross streets) were used for names.

Miami Marathon Sock yarn is a 75% Superwash Wool and 25% Nylon. This yarn is self-patterns for easy knitting and looks great when made into socks.

It's hard to believe when it's 110 outside, but before you know it the holidays will be here. We just received some great sock yarn, NORTH POLE, specially for the holidays. This is a 72% Superwash Wool, 24% Nylon and 4% Metallic Thread yarn. Get an early start on that pair of socks for that special someone.

All of these yarns are 400 plus yards per ball. Check them out.

Great New Sock Yarns from Pagewood Farm

Pagewood Farm is a new product line to Tempe Yarn & Fiber. Pagewood Farm is a small company out of California started by Robin and Chuck Page’s love of fiber arts. Robin developed a unique dye process to create hand dyed yarn colors unlike any other.

Here is a sample of the Pagewood Farm Glacier Bay hand dyed sock yarn

This is a 3-ply 100% Merino Superwash that comes in 5.5 oz 450 yard skeins.

"Choose Your Own Adventure" Was Great!

Here are a few of the photos from the retreat this weekend.









WE all had a great time!

Locally Made Barbara's Buns & Fine Buns

Barbara's custom fiber bums are locally made and so soft and squeezable. We just got more in today!

Good Friends, Good Times, Good Food "Choose Your Own Adventure Underway"

The third annual Tempe Yarn & Fiber "Choose Your Own Adventure" Retreat started last night at the Hotel Scottsdale. Here are some photos from the Friday night reception.

I'm told that they have the air set at a cool 72 degrees and everyone is having a great time. For those not at the retreat, feel free to stop by TYF and keep me company.

For more pictures click here.

Fred

Jen Ward Returns to Tempe Yarn

A little surprise for Terry at Tempe Yarn today.

Jen who moved to Maryland several months ago, flew in as a surprise to attend the "Choose Your Own Adventure Retreat" this weekend.

Many of you knew Jen as a regular fixture at TYF. Please stop by and say hello to the "Great Yarn Enabler".

Special thanks to Tim & Nancy who helped make this visit happen.

"Fred's Fiber Fiends" Ride Again Tonight

Man your spinning wheels...the fiends are spinning tonight at 6pm. Come join the spinning fun as we participate in the Tour de Fleece.

Knitscene Magazine Fall 2009 Is Here& Is Full of Great Stuff

Description

Graphic Elements: featuring bold but feminine designs with colorwork, knitted lace, stripes, and texture

Contemporary Cables: cabled sweaters, socks, hats, and reversible scarves

Fall Session: classic Fall knits for coeds (hoodies, vests, mittens, scarves and…)

Unusual Wools: funky-construction wool yarns for rock-star looks

Melissa Wehrle design colletion: Knit-blogger and designer reinvents the boyfriend sweater

Learn to read lace charts and count knitted cable rows

Knitspotting: Cowichan cool: the history of the trend and how to wear it

Table of Contents

Articles

• One Cool Knitter: Melissa Wehrle (Leigh Witchel)
• Chart It UP! Reading Lace Charts
• Stylespotting with Kate Sonnick

Projects

• Carnaby Street Pullover (Melissa Wehrle)
• Berkshire Dolman Sweater (Melissa Wehrle)
• Balmoral Vest (Melissa Wehrle)
• Emerald Isle Cardigan (Melissa Wehrle)
• Hollywood Herringbone Pullover (Kate Gagnon)
• Swoop Cape Cardigan (Marie Connolly)
• Indigo Banded Cardigan (Cecily Glowik Macdonald)
• Offset Lace Tunic (Kristin Omdahl)
• Caterpillar-Stitch Pullover (Kathy Zimmerman)
• Crochet Bobble Beret (Robyn Chachula)
• Lace Twist Mitts (Debbie O’Neill)
• Dagger Lace Scarf (Lisa Shroyer)
• Chevron Trinity Cardigan (Katya Wilsher)
• Maximum Stripe Pullover (Katie Himmelberg)
• Flourish Vest (Katya Wilsher)
• Valentine Cables Hat (Cassie Miller)
• Cecile Pullover (Mathew Gnagy)
• Freshman Cable Socks (Star Athena)
• Cabled Kanga Tunic (Deborah Newton)
• Pale Skies Cowl (Sarah Barbour)
• Remy Reversible Scarf (Anne Kuo Lukito)
• Crochet Coed Vest (Robyn Chachula)
• Rugby Pocket Scarf (Helene Rush)
• Heather Hoodie Vest (Debbie O’Neill)
• Neutron Mittens (Rebecca Daniels)
• Sub Rosa Hat (Cirilia Rose)
• Twickenham Hoodie (Susan Power)
• New Motorbike Jacket (Rebecca Daniels)
• Eyelet Corset Pullover (Lisa Shroyer)

No Sew Purse Part Time Kit from artfelt by Skacel

No Sew Purse

Can't find a purse to match an outfit? Make one! With this kit you can create a purse in any design you dream up.

Supplies included in this kit:
• Roving
• Artfelt® Paper
• Two barbed needles
• Plastic for felting
• Instructions

Say "Hello" to artfelt®

Just Arrived at Tempe Yarn:
These are kits in various colorways to help you get your feet wet and your creative juices flowing with Artfelt®. These kits include all the basic items necessary for creating the particular project (though some kits will require you to provide certain tools and/or notions).

Once you see how easy it is to create beautiful items with Artfelt®, you’ll be hooked!

Mini Catch-all

Credit cards, receipts, folded money. All are good items to put into this small felted piece that you can artfelt® in 100% Merino wool. Using only standard roving, this kit can be made up in about an hour, and dressed up with a special button, it becomes a stylish addition to your purse.

Wrist Cuffs

Cuffs can be a fashion statement, and especially when you make them yourself out of luxurious 100% Merino wool pencil roving. Add your own button to compliment the colors in your kit and wear them with gloves, long-sleeved shirts, or with bare arms.

Coasters

Coasters are a quick and easy project in this mini artfelt kit that are great to keep or give as gifts. Each kit has enough 100% Merino wool pencil roving to do a set of four 4-inch coasters in a single colorway, but because the pencil roving variegates so much, you end up with different colored (but coordinating) coasters!

Phone/Camera Case

This kit makes use of both standard and pencil roving in 100% Merino wool. It comes in two colorways, and is the perfect fit for your small electronic devices, such as phones and cameras.

Buds and Vines Eyeglass case

Flowers abound on this felted eyeglass case that you make with artfelt paper and our amazingly soft 100% Merino wool standard and pencil roving. Kits come in three colorways, allowing for red, plum, or yellow flowers.

All kits include:
• Roving
• Artfelt® Paper
• Two barbed needles
• Instructions

Team "Fred's Fiber Fiends" Goes Into It's Second Leg on Saturday

The fearless "Fred's Fiber Fiends" will be at it again on Saturday at 1pm. Members, spinners or those who just want to watch spinning, feel free to stop by and be part of the Tour de Fleece by Ravelry.


For Tour de France standings click here.

Grand Post Remodeling Opening Is Saturday 7/11

If you haven't stopped in to see how "your yarn shop" looks after the remodeling, please swing by on Saturday and check it out. We think you will be really pleased.

Tour de Fleece / Tour de France Updates

Tour de Fleece - Fred's Fiber Fiends
The first "official" meeting of "Fred's Fiber Fiends" was tonight.

The team cheerleader, Sam, prepared a roadmap to track our progress (be it oz or yards).


Come be part of the excitement and help Fred's Fiber Fiends spin to victory (whatever that is).

Here are some pictures from tonight.

Theresa has the "Yellow Shirt" of our pack.

Tour de France Update:
The early 2009 Tour de France standings were led by Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara in the first few days. Lance Armstrong was behind, but had established himself in a good position. In today's fourth stage, Armstrong moved up a little early, and nearly took the yellow jersey away from Cancellara.