Tempe Yarn's Customer Appreciation Card

We realize, as a small business, that every little bit helps in the economic times that we are in. So to help your pocket book and our sales (honesty in advertising), we want to reward and thank our frequent shoppers for their continued support To do this we are introducing a TYF Customer Appreciation Card.

The program is simple, for each multiple of $20 that you spend, starting on October 1st, we'll stamp your TYF Customer Appreciation Card. Once you have ten stamps, on your next purchase, you'll get a 15% discount on most any purchase (see the back of the card for full details).

Help us stay strong while shopping local.

How Do You Make That Special Gift More Special?

You've put time, money and your talent into knitting/crocheting that special gift!  Now you can add a label to help make it a memory. 

It's FALL Now (Believe It or Not), So It's Time For More Knit-Alongs!

The first, in a series of TYF knit-alongs, will be based on Yumiko Alexlander's Ripples and Waves pattern. 

This DK & fingering weight constructed vest is designed for intermediate knitters, but don't let that scare you off with a knit-along there's lots of help.

To make it easier, before she left for her trip to Japan, Yumiko selected several color / yarn combinations as suggestions for you to select from (or be wild and pick your own).

This knit-along will be on Monday evenings from 6 to 8 pm starting mid-October (watch for exact date).

NEXT we'll be doing another TYF MYSTERY Knit-Along.

The first one will be starting in November so watch here for more details (they are still secret).

Ice Cream Social Details

You know the Ice Cream Social is on October 2nd from noon till 4pm at Tempe Yarn & Fiber.

It's now time to share the full details of the Ice Cream Social. 

First, yes we'll have real ice cream. 

But equally as much fun, we'll be introducing Angelato Yarn Kits.  In addition to having the pre-packaged ice cream kits, on Ice Cream Social night (only), you'll be able to make your own kit by selecting the yarn and the beads!

What are Angelato Yarn Kits?  Read on....





Kit Ingredients:

Patterns: Each kit comes with 3 knitting patterns and 1 Crochet pattern. It also include a password that gives you access to additional beaded knitting and crochet patterns online that you can print and use in your projects.

Yarns: There are two flavors (weights) of yarn available in the kits.

: 

Gelato Yarn: • 50% Chinese Tussah Silk / 50% Fine Merino Wool; • DK, Light Worsted   Weight; • No dye lot ~ each yarn cake is unique.

Sorbet Yarn: • 100% Heathered Wool; • Sock, Fingering Weight; • No dye lot ~ each yarn cake is unique.

Beads (toppings): The kits use size 6 TOHO brand, manufactured exclusively in Japan from the finest glass and dyes.  Each bead is made of premium glass and is uniform in size, shape, and finish with large holes so the yarn won't snag or fray. TOHO beads are known for their durable quality, precision, and overall consistency.

         

                                                 

   

Needles: Big Eye Beading Needles are made from special, high-tensil stainless steel wire; the eye spans nearly the whole length of the needle, making it easy to thread the yarn through with no eye strain; the wire is very flexible so you can easily string beads onto the yarn from a tray of any size; length: 4.5 inches.

We'll have a large selection of the kits to choose from.

Here are just a few of the end products from the kits.

For more specifics check out her website.

Manos del Uruguay - Another Yarn from Heaven

Manos del Uruguay yarns are going to give Malabrigo a run for their money.  I know it's hard to believe that I'm saying this but it's true.

(I found it interesting how they bundled these yarns together)

Here are the yarn types that we got in today.

Rittenhouse Merino is a pure, extrafine merino wool in a worsted-weight yarn with an unbeatable combination of wonderful softness, excellent stitch definition, and rich color.

Manos Silk Blend Multi is a luxurious blend of merino wool for softness with silk for lustre and drape.  Perfect for indoor garments and transitional outerwear, its brilliant palette invites traditional colorwork.  The soft heathering of the fiber blend plus the gentle striations of the kettle-dyeing process also give depth and complexity to single-color projects.

Serena Multi is a lightweight, whisper-soft yarn for trans-seasonal knitting.  It combines two luxury fibers:  baby alpaca and pima cotton.  The alpaca gives beautiful drape, and the cotton year-round wearability.  Together, both fibers produce softly heathered color effects.  The supple fabric is perfect for simple shapes as well as the tucks and gathers of so many contemporary designs.

Come check it out!

Edie Eckman Is Coming to Tempe Yarn

Who Is Edie Eckman
A former yarn shop owner, Edie has her hands in many aspects of the fiber arts-teaching, writing, designing and editing. Her designs are contemporary classics accessible to the average knitter or crocheter; they have appeared in many yarn company publications, magazines and pattern leaflets. Edie travels extensively teaching at conventions, shops and guilds (i.e. New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, Stitches East & West, Vogue Knitting Live). She enjoys sharing in that “aha” moment when her students grasp a new technique.
Edie is the author of Around the Corner Crochet Borders, How to Knit Socks: Three Methods Made Easy, The Crochet Answer Book and Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs, as well as many other books and pattern leaflets.

When Will She Be Coming/What’s She Teaching?

Friday, November 5

Math for Knitters - Where Do They Get Those Numbers?  (10:30 am to 1:30 pm)

This class will take the mystery out of those pesky math calculations you have to do when designing or altering a sweater. Math-phobics are welcome, and you don’t have to raise your hand in class.  We will draft a basic sweater and discuss calculating yarn amounts, V-neck shaping, rates of increase/decrease, stitch pattern placement. It will NOT cover sleeve cap shaping.

UnLearn to Knit (3:30 pm to 6:30 pm)

You learned the rules: Put your needle in this way, wrap your yarn that way. Now unlearn those rules to gain control of your knitting. No matter how long you've been knitting or what your knitting style, understanding the structure of the knitted fabric and how the stitches are related to one another is the key to becoming an expert knitter. We'll have fun exploring what it really means to take a length of string and turn it into a fabric. You'll leave class with the confidence and ability to fix mistakes, take shortcuts, and be the master of your stitches.

Edie Eckman Book Signing (7:00 pm to 8:00 pm)
Edie is the author of numerous books including: Around the Corner Crochet Borders, How to Knit Socks: Three Methods Made Easy, The Crochet Answer Book and Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs, as well as many other books and patterns.  We'll have a limited support of her books on hand to purchase.  You can also bring in your copies of any of her books to have her sign. 

Saturday, November 6

Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs (10:30 am to 1:30 pm)

Crocheted motifs are fun, portable and quick to stitch, but granny squares are so passé. Using basic crochet stitches, we'll explore less common shapes and techniques while making a variety of contemporary designs. See how three-dimensional stitches, unusual colorways and yarns can combine to create eye-catching designs, and learn techniques to improve the look of your motif.

 

Go Bi-Textural (3:30 pm to 6:30 pm)

Break out of your knitting rut by blending techniques. We'll combine the best properties of knitting with the best properties of crochet to get designs that wow and knits that fit! See how to use crochet techniques to make your knits fit better, create the perfect buttonhole, insert a crocheted motif into a knitting fabric, and other tips.  

    

Sunday, November 7

How to Say It - Technical Pattern Writing for Knitters & Crocheters (10:30 am to 1:30 pm)

 If you have a design you’d like to get published, or even if you just want to share your design with other knitters or crocheters, you need to be able to write it so others can read it. Learn how to craft a well-written pattern, avoiding typical mistakes along the way. Explore the joys and pitfalls of describing grading for a number of different sizes, and pick up tips for getting your designs accepted for publication. Go home with a pattern template you can use for writing your own patterns. This is NOT a pattern drafting (number crunching) class, but a class in technical writing.

Packs & Sacks (3:30 pm to 6:30 pm)

From tiny amulet bags to giant totes, knitted bags and crocheted bags are fun and fast. They are a great way to use up small amounts of yarn, and the design possibilities are endless! You’ll learn basic construction techniques for a variety of bags and tips to make your bag practical to use. Design and make your own bag or backpack and see how to turn your swatches into one-of-a-kind designer bags.  A small amount of homework is required.

When Can I Sign Up For Classes?
Sign up is NOW open!  November will be here before you know it so don't wait to sign up and miss out.

What’s Up With All The National Teachers?
Edie is the third nationally known teacher that Tempe Yarn & Fiber has brought to the Valley of the Sun over the past year. It’s our belief that these teachers bring an experience and talent level that allows our customers the opportunity to take their skills to a higher level. This is good for both our customers and our business, and keeps the fiber arts growing.

JC Briar's Classes Were Great

WRAP UP: It was just like attending a Stitches regional conference, less the travel, hotels and hundreds of other people.  JC's classes helped to enhance the knitting excellence in the Tempe area as she shared her knowledge and skills.  We are happy to have sponsor her visit and most pleased to get such positive feedback.

Class: All Thumbs
Mittens are great portable projects and don't require much yarn. The only tricky part is the thumbs. Learn a handful of thumb options in the All Thumbs class. Skills required: experience working in the round.

Class: Bind Off Bonanza
Take this class to learn about supple and seamless bind-offs for sock tops, bind-offs that blend into ribbing, and decorative bind-offs. Skills required: basic knitting experience.

Class: Get Twisted

Learn how to make turn cables and other twisted knitting stitches easily, while creating a sampler that you can later turn into a drawstring tote bag. Skills required: basic knitting experience.

Class: Chart Reading
The symbols of a chart take the place of written instructions. But a good chart does so much more, showing you what the knitted fabric should look like. In this class, you'll learn to read charts, making sense of their symbols and using them to keep your knitting on track. Skills required: basic knitting experience.

Class: Chart Writing

Being able to read charts is only half the story. In this class you'll learn to write charts; to visualize written instructions, to convert between flat and in-the-round knitting, and to plan shaping. Skills required: ability to read charts.

October Classes & Events

We've added some new classes for October.

Variations on a Twill Weaving: This sampler project will introduce several twill variations based on different treadlings for a threading provided by the instructor. In the process of creating the sampler, class participants will learn to create and read drawdowns for centering weaving designs and determining ideal color changes in warp and weft.

Warp Once, Weave Different Fabrics: Warping the loom is the hard part. Why not just do it once and make several pieces that look totally different? Learn how to plan and weave different fabrics from just one threading. At the end of the workshop you will either have 2 different scarves from one warp, or many smaller samples showing how this technique works.

Plus all of regularly scheduled classes like: Learn to Knit, Knitting Help, Crochet Clinic, Adult Socks, Seaming Things Together, Let's Dye Yarn, Colro Conscience, Exploring Free Form, Make A Bucket Bag or Booga Bag, Spinning, Lace Sampler Scarf, Fixing Knitting Oops, Continental Knitting Clinic, Spinning Luxury Fibers, Fair Isle and Moebius Scarfs.


Here are the schedules for Classes and Events.

Skacel Ovarian Cancer Sock Kits

Unfortunately cancer will most likely touch everyone who reads this posting at some time in their life either personally or through a family member or friend.

Skacel is again sponsoring a fund raiser for the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research (marsharivkin.org) with the introduction of the “Egg-stra” Special Sock Kit. The Teal color of Trekking XXL in this kit is the official color designated to ovarian cancer, and has been specially dyed just for this cause. Every design aspect of this sock, from the cuff to the toe, is a reminder to us that ovarian cancer can be beaten if we unite. Skacel will be donating $15.00 for each kit sold, to the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research (www.marsharivkin.org). Their goal is to raise $100,000.

Tempe Yarn & Fiber is most happy to be part of this effort by offering a limited supply of these sock kits (plus we can do special order for addition kits until Skacel runs out).

Message from Skacel:
"I would like to personally thank everyone in advance, who may purchase one of these kits, for helping Skacel in this campaign to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and help further the search for an early detection test as well as a cure. If you are unable to participate, perhaps you would be willing to help educate your family and friends on the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Please remember, one of the biggest misconceptions is that your annual gynecological visit includes a test for ovarian cancer! This is not so. If any of the following symptoms are NEW and PERSISTENT for 2-3 weeks, please contact your doctor: abdominal bloating, discomfort or pain, lack of appetite, frequent urination, constipation, lack of energy, vaginal bleeding, nausea and diarrhea. Many of these symptoms seem to be every day occurrences with women, and that is why ovarian cancer frequently goes undetected in it’s earliest stages. Be aware of your body and when in doubt, contact a doctor!"

New Spin-Off Magazine Fall 2010

Dyeing Basics: An introduction to natural dyes by Dagmar Klos; Core spinning: Adding to your spinning repertoire by Jacey Boggs; Friends Shawl by Joan Sheridan

FEATURED

Behind the Scenes: At Earthues
by Leslie Ordal

Armchair Traveler: The Netherlands
by Jacey Boggs

Your Yarn: Colors Blended by Hand

A Handspun Gallery of Natural Dyes

Spinning for Crochet: Does twist direction matter?
by Maggie Casey with Margaret Tullis

Teach Me, Grandma
by Midori Lee Wagner

HOW TO:

Spinning Tips: Self-ply by Carol Huebscher Rhoades Spinning Basics: Debunking the wraps-per-inch myth by Amy Tyler Dyeing Basics: An introduction to natural dyes by Dagmar Klos Dyeing with Black Walnuts by Elizabeth Fahey Core spinning: Adding to your spinning repertoire by Jacey Boggs Fiber Basics: Corriedale by Carol Huebscher Rhoades