Lorna's Laces Sale, New Bouton D'or, Interweave

New things in the store this week...

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky yarn is 25% off. Get it while it lasts!

Two new yarns in from Bouton D'or...

New Bamboo (a beautiful silky 100% bamboo) and Mango (50% Cotton, 50% Modal) in bright springy colors. Great for your summer tank top projects.

Also, the new Spring 2006 Interweave Knits is here! Better yet, the store is listed in the Yarn Shop Directory on page 124. Yaaay.

Sale on Rowan Yarns

From now until April 30th, all Rowan "big" yarns are on sale for 25% off. The sale includes:

Rowan Big Wool
Rowan Biggie Print
Rowan Big Wool Tuft
Rowan Big Wool Fusion
Rowan Chunky Print

As always, all sales are final on discounted merchandise.

Start the new year with Class

Happy New Year everyone!

We had a very good holiday season. Lots of little balls of yarn went home with new owners and undoubtedly were transformed into scarves, hats, mittens, and other small projects for gift giving.

Now that the holidays are over, it's time to think about yourself again. It's sweater weather and we have the goods to get you fitted out in style. We have "sweater quantities" of many, many great yarns, including Aspen, Davos, Jo Sharp Silk Road, Goddess, Cool Wool 2000, Baby Alpaca, Samoa, Solitaire, Trina, Paloma, the list goes on.

If you've never knitted a sweater before but want to try, you're in luck! We can teach you how.

Speaking of classes, I've just added a new class to the schedule:

Drop-In Knitting Workshop (4 sessions for $80 or $25 per session)
Tuesdays (Feb 7, 14, 21, 28), 7 pm - 9 pm
Bring your own project or start a new one! This unstructured class is for those who need professional help on whatever they are working on. All skill levels are welcome. Whether you need to learn the basics, tackle your first sweater, or learn a new stitch, you may sign up in advance for 4 sessions at a discounted rate of $80, or you can just drop in whenever you need help for $25/session.

New: Two from Crystal Palace

We just put on the shelf two new (for us) yarns from Crystal Palace: Cotton Chenille and Party Ribbon. We love mixing ribbon with mohair for quick & elegant scarves & shawls, and Party is one of the most beautiful ribbons I've seen. We have it in solids and multis. The Cotton Chenille has been requested by several customers as the ideal "wash cloth" yarn. Yep, you too can knit a wash cloth! We have twelve colors in stock. Stop in and check them out!

Class Schedule Online

I just posted the new class schedule for Jan/Feb 2006. The link to the class schedule is on the Marin Fiber Arts home page here. I hope I didn't make any typos with the dates. Please let me know if you spot anything that doesn't make sense.

Class Schedule Is Here

Sale Yarns

We now have a 'sale table' near the rear of the store, filled with fun yarns ideal for making last-minute holiday gifts. Yarns such as Malizia, Flurry, Carioca, Fabulash, and others are discounted 20% off the regular price.

Yarn Spotlight: Linea Rossa

Recently I had the opportunity to tour the warehouse of Unicorn Books & Crafts, a major distributor of knitting & craft books (which happens to be located a mere 15 miles from my home). Unicorn also happens to be the exclusive U.S. distributor of Lana Grossa yarns. Since I was not previously familiar with Lana Grossa, I was excited about the prospect of learning about a "new" yarn company.

Apparently Lana Grossa is a major German yarn company which has only been available in the U.S. for approximately three years. They offer a wide range of yarns running from basics to foo-foo novelties. Lana Grossa also publishes a large number of pattern books per year, including a Kids issue and a Men's issue.

Lana Grossa this fall introduced a new line of yarns called 'Linea Rossa'. It's a premium line of three luxury yarns consisting of all natural fibers. Extra-fine Merino wool is used as the base fiber, which they blend with silk, baby alpaca, and cashmere to yield three splendid yarns.

I have added each of these yarns to the inventory in beautiful shades such as chocolate brown, baby blue, natural, wine, hot pink, and a rich deep aqua. In upcoming posts I will be writing more about each yarn as I swatch them up.

You can read a little more about Linea Rossa here.

Things are going well...

Just a quick note 'cuz I haven't posted in a long while. Things are going well. The Marin Independent Journal (the local newspaper) printed a great little article about the store several weeks ago, ostensibly to publicize the Knit For Her Cure event that we held on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. The article ran on the front page (bottom) of the Home & Garden section. The phone started ringing at 9:50 am the day that the article ran. 'Where are you located? What are your hours? Etc." The previous trickle of new customers turned into a steady stream once the article ran, and it has yet to let up! Sure, we've had a slow day here and there (like last Thursday during our first big rain storm of the season), but in general sales are getting better and better as time goes on. Many, many people are very interested in classes; I am almost finished planning the class schedule for Jan/Feb. It will feature beginning knitting, crochet, socks, lace, finishing techniques, and a 'my first sweater (vest)' class taught by the lovely and talented Barbara B.

Tomorrow I'll try to take pictures of the store... quite a bit of yarn has come in during the past few weeks.

From here on in I plan on talking a lot about the yarns we have and the projects we are working on.

More to come...

We Have Grand Opened!

Yesterday was a wonderful day... many, many people came out to support us at our Grand Opening Celebration. It was our best day so far for sales, and just as importantly, we received very positive feedback on the store.

Gail provided all the refreshments, including amazing homemade brownies. Meredith provided some of her felted bags as door prizes and store samples, while Joy provided moral support and was indispensable in helping customers (Joy moonlighted at another yarn store for a short time).

And of course there was Barbara B., my left arm and right leg, whirring about helping customers and ringing up sales. Yay team!

Without further delay, here are some pics...


Mmmm.


Barbara models her newly completed vest made out of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted (hand dyed yarn). She is teaching a class on how to make this vest.


Gail


Joy


Intrepid Graphic Designer Meredith Snaps a Pic


Meredith winds yarn as Alan, Gail's boyfriend, looks on with interest. I think.


Kristine: "Hey, that looks like fun! Can I try?".
Meredith: "No, get your own winder. Someday this will all be MINE."


Finally here are some shots of the store. Nice, huh? I'm pleased.








Lots of Shoppers

Grand Opening & Classes

Our Grand Opening celebration is on Sunday November 13th from 12 - 4 pm.

In preparation for the celebration, yesterday we received the trunk show from Muench/GGH. I was expecting perhaps half a dozen garments from the good folks up at Muench in Petaluma. Instead we got a bonanza. Kirsten Muench, the owner, called to inform me that her father, Mr. Muench, would be personally delivering TWENTY sweaters featuring GGH and Muench yarns! Yay!

The very sweet Mr. Muench hand-delivered two big boxes containing a treasure trove of goodies, including: a slinky sweater made out of Touch Me, several garments made out of Goa, Samoa, Aspen, and Davos (GGH's bread-and-butter yarns), two sweaters made out of heavenly Soft Kid, and an amazing dress made out of cuddly-soft Amelie. We now need to figure out how to display them all - and we haven't even gotten the trunk shows from Lorna's Laces and Blue Sky Alpacas yet! I hope they arrive in time for the Grand Opening.

Muench also generously provided us with door prizes in the form of yarn. I aim to whip up a handful of fabulous scarf kits to give away during the event.

We have also finalized our class schedule. I don't have it in front of me (I'm writing this from home), but (from memory) we are offering the following classes: Crash Course in Knitting (1 session), Crash Course in Crocheting (1 session), Beginner's Knitting (4 sessions), Holiday Scarves (1 session), My First Sweater (4 sessions - create a stylish yet simple vest in Lorna's Laces hand dyed Shepherd Worsted wool), and Kids Knitting (1 session for ages 8-12). The 4-session classes start in about two weeks. Space is available in all classes. Class size will be kept small to ensure individual attention.

For information about any of these events, call the store at 415.459.4600.

Knit Night is Tonight

Everyone is invited to join in on our Knit Night every Thursday evening from 7 - 9 pm. There is no charge. Bring yourself and your project(s). Get to know other knitters, talk about knitterly stuff, or just show and tell. It's very relaxed, informal, and unstructured. You're also welcome to bring a snack or beverage. Poppycock and Sparkling Cider seem to be the refreshments of choice. Hope to see you here!

Day One: Yay!

We survived "Day One - Open For Business" with flying colors. Literally, there was color flying all over the store. Colors of yarn, that is.

We opened on schedule at 10:00 am and I stuck around until about 7 pm - it was hard to leave! I guess I was running on adrenalin because I did not feel tired. i had to force myself to go home.

We had quite a few people stop in to say hello, and about five people actually bought yarn. It was a good day for an unadvertised soft opening day! Thank you to everyone who stopped in! Come back often! New things will be coming in steadily over the next weeks and months. Also, please let us know if you would like to see us carry something in particular. I want to know what YOU want. I've already gotten one vote for Koigu.

We worked dilligently all day long shelving yarn. Almost all the GGH is on the shelf and boy does it look pretty. Still need to find a place for Muench's Tessin and Touch Me.

Crystal Palace is starting to get stickered and shelved. Kid Merino, Kid Merino Print, and Musique are on the shelf (and looking gorgeous). Still working on Fizz, Fizz Stardust and Squiggle.

Got some new knitting needles in: Clover Bamboo Flex needles. Sort of a cross between Straight and Circular needles. I use them almost exclusively for 15 years. Never seen them in stores in California, but I got 'em. Check them out when you stop by! You might like 'em.

The new Rebecca Baby & Kids book, hot of the presses, arrived today. It's SUPER CUTE! I have most of the yarns featured in the book.

I'm also restocked on sock needles (5" double points, sizes 2 and 3).

Let's see, what else found a home today: Broadway and Portrait by Artful Yarns.

We don't have enough shelf space for all the yarn! Need to make another IKEA run I'm afraid. Sigh.

Oh! I forgot to post the store's new phone number! 415-459-4600. If you want to stop by in the evening but can't get to the store by 6 pm, just call the store and I'll stick around. Until we determine the official hours of operation, the store hours will be rather 'flexible.'

Too sleepy to type more... thanks again for a great opening day!

Open For Business: Tuesday, October 25th, 10 am

Marin Fiber Arts will be open for business starting tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25th from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.

Directions To Store:

Take 101 to Central San Rafael Exit. If heading north, turn Left onto 4th Street. If heading south, turn Right onto Fourth Street.

We are in the big courtyard that contains Cold Stone Creamery, on Fourth Street between Lootens & A Streets in downtown San Rafael. There is plentiful metered street parking and public parking lots. We do not yet have a sign on the building, but there's a sign in the window. We are in the back of the courtyard - not completely visible from Fourth Street. Look for the water fountain. Please stop by and say 'Hi'.


Please bear in mind that we are still setting up; we aim to be finished by Sunday November 13th, which is the day of our Grand Opening.

Most (but not all) yarn is on display.

The following brands will be immediately available:

Nature's Palette
Goddess Yarns (almost all yarns in most colors)
Jo Sharp (all 'Silk Road' yarns in all colors)
Blue Sky Alpacas (all yarns in many colors)
Frog Tree Alpacas (bulky & fingering in assorted colors)
Lorna's Laces (Lion & Lamb, Shepherd Worsted, Shepherd Bulky, Shepherd Sock, & Helen's Lace in 8 colorways)
Rowan (Big Wool, Big Wool Tuft, Big Wool Fusion, Chunky Print, Biggy Print)
Adrienne Vittadini (Trina and Paloma in many colors)
Cascade (220, Sierra, Indulgence, Pima Tencel, etc., plus many novelties)
Bollicini
Dive

Yarns partially on the shelf:
Muench/GGH (Aspen, Davos, Goa, Samoa, Bali, Soft Kid, Nevada, Savanna, Amelie, Esprit, Tajmahal, Tessin, Touch Me)

Yarns in the house but not on the shelf yet:
Crystal Palace (Kid Merino, Kid Merino Print, Fizz, Squiggle)
Artful Yarns (Palace, Broadway)

Tools:
Straight and Circular Needles by Clover (bamboo), Brittany (birch), Susan Bates, & Bryspun. Sock needles. Yet to be shelved: Crochet Hooks & miscellaneous notions (stich holders, markers, scissors, etc.)

Still on the way:
Lana Grossa Self Patterning Sock Yarns

Books & patterns: not stickered yet. I have _all_ Fiber Trends patterns, plus Oat Couture, Knitting Pure & Simple, Mari, Penny Straker, Lorna's Laces, Blue Sky Alpacas, Goddess, and Nature's Palette. Pattern Books by Jo Sharp, Rowan (chunky yarns only), Vittadini, & Rebecca (GGH).

I have yet to place my book order. I will have a modest selection at first.

I am on Sabbatical until Tuesday

By the time 4 pm rolled around on Friday, my left eyelid was fused shut. It wouldn't open. My speech was starting to slur. Walking became shuffling. Getting up from a sitting position required herculean effort.

I. Was. Tired.

Therefore I am officially on sabbatical until Tuesday. No yarn store. No work. All I'm gonna do is sit, eat, cook, watch the sunrise and sunset, maybe hike a little, maybe knit a little. Read. Hang out at cafes and bookstores. Watch some TV. Chill.

See you all on Tuesday!

Final Peek (Part III)

In our travels around Bay Area stores, Barbara and I stumbled upon a humble little metal bowl that is brilliant. It has a simple, pure, yet beautiful shape. It has become our symbol - our mascot, if you will.

Enjoy.

A Peek at the Final Week, Part II

Barbara demonstrates Knitting As Yoga


Serenity


Cash Wrap

The back wall, separating the sales floor from the back room, is made of paper. Designed a high-end design firm out of Vancouver, B.C., this marvel is a portable, foldable wall that's 6.5 feet high and up to 20ish feet long. Eventually it will be lit from behind, making it glow with a soft light that will fill the back of the store.

A Peek at the Final Week, Part I

Cascade


More Cascade


OK, I have a lot of Cascade


Unpacking Jo Sharp


Lorna's Laces

We Did It

Barbara and I achieved our goal of being ready to open by end of day Friday. We will be open for business starting this coming Tuesday, October 25th, at about 10:00 am. We are nowhere near finished setting up, but we are 'set up' enough to do business. Most of the yarn is on the shelf; most of the needles are on the shelf. Cash register is up and running. Floor is swept. Furniture is in place.

What is not yet ready: patterns (not yet priced). Books (no inventory yet). Miscellaneous notions (stitch markers, row counters, etc. - not yet priced). Crystal Palace yarns (kid merino, kid merino print, fizz, & squiggle - not yet priced). Lana Grossa self-patterning sock yarn (no inventory yet). All of this will fall into place during the next few weeks.

As far as hours go, we will be in a transitional phase during the next few weeks until the grand opening, meaning we will be open 10 am - 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. In other words, hours will be a bit limited. During this time we will continue setting up and refining our procedures. This is called the 'soft opening'. I'm sure there will be kinks and glitches the first week or two. Once we have our Grand Opening (Sunday, November 13th), we will move into our standard hours which have yet to be finalized. Most likely we will be closed Mondays.

A huge thank-you to all the painters (Meredith, Joy, Barbara K, Sue, Angela, Carol & her husband Jerry (hope I got your name correct!), and Kristine. Thank you to Gail for schlepping with the SUV and assembling furniture. Thanks to the knit night folks (Sue & Carter, Adrienne and Angela) for stickering yarn. And of course an whopping thank-you to Barbara B. for being my right hand and left leg.

Next post: wads of pictures from the past week.

We Passed Final Inspection

yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay

"We did not pass inspection..."

Those are words I have been dreading. Those are words I heard today. I was at IKEA with Barbara picking up various things for the store. While eating lunch, I got The Call from the property manager. The sidewalk outside the store passed with flying colors. The Inspector, however, found something else wrong that he apparently did not notice before. The concrete floor _inside_ the door is too low compared to the door threshold. It does not pass ADA requirements. Fortunately the property manager was on the ball. She got someone out within a couple of hours to trowel in some cement to create a 'ramp' leading from the threshold down to the floor. The 'ramp' is about 3 feet in length. Looks pretty good (except I'm gonna have to stain it eventually). The Inspector is coming back tomorrow morning to hopefully give the green light.

Barbara and I finished hanging the slatwall and finished assembling the cash wrap furniture. I began installing the POS hardware (computer, cash drawer, recpt printer, etc). I hope to have everything working tomorrow. Need to download a driver for the recpt printer.

Barbara continued shelving yarn. Mmmmmmmmm it looks goood. Still got a ways to go.

Did I mention that Barbara is fantastic? Somehow the universe knew exactly what kind of employee/right arm/left leg person I needed and delivered her to me on a silver platter. Thank you!