Lambikin's Happenings Newsletter - Winter 2005

As the year comes to a close, it always seems like the perfect time to reflect on all that has happened over the past 12 months. News channels replay the top stories, radio stations play the most popular songs, and holiday cards get sent to friends and family with stories of what has happened the previous year. As I look back over the last year, I have nothing but happy thoughts as to all that has happened to our little yarn shop. Of course, the biggest news was back in July when we purchased our very own building. It took a lot of hard work of painting, staining, and stocking shelves to get the new location ready, but I couldn’t be happier with the results. As we enter our third year in business, moving was the biggest and greatest decision we could have made.

When we first opened, we wanted to create a store that was open, fun and inviting for knitters and crocheters of all ages and skill levels. We want every person that visits our store to be just a little happier when they leave than when they came in. It doesn’t matter if you have only been knitting or crocheting for a couple months or 30 years. We want to make sure everyone feels welcome, and most importantly, have fun!

Since moving into our new location, we now have the room to host a knit night. Starting January 3rd, Monday nights from 5-8 PM will be Knit Night at Lambikin’s Hideaway. We still plan on closing the shop at 7 PM, but we will keep the lounge open until 8 PM. The knitting lounge will be open for as big of a group that can fit upstairs. Come in and meet up with old friends, and maybe even make new ones. The lounge will also be open all day on Saturday. If you need to get away and would like to knit in the lounge any other time, just give us a call and see if the lounge is open.

We have scheduled lots of classes for the coming four months. We have fun project classes for all skill levels. For the first time, we will be offering a Master Level 1 class. Be sure to register early, as our classes have started to fill up very quickly.

New arrivals

Gift Cards
In case you haven’t heard, we are now offering both gift cards and gift certificates. Gift cards can be used multiple times until the balance has been used. They are even refillable! Give a gift card to the knitter on your gift list and let them come in and pick out exactly what they are looking for.

Handmade Stitch Markers
We are now carrying handmade stitch markers. The plain markers, with no charms, are only $5 each. Pewter markers with a charm are $8 and enamel with a charm are $9.

Plymouth Yukon
Yukon is a super bulky weight yarn from Plymouth. It only takes one skein to make a roll brim hat in just over an hour. Yukon has wool, mohair, and acrylic which makes it not only incredibly soft, but also very reasonably priced.

Adrienne Vittadini Nadia & Paloma
From Adrienne Vittadini, we have brought in these two luscious yarns. Nadia is made from 50% Alpaca and 50% Wool. It has a thick-and-thin texture and marled colors. Paloma is a worsted weight baby alpaca blend that is incredibly soft to the touch. We have a model sweater knitted in this wonderful new yarn.

Reynolds Rapture
Rapture is the new luxurious yarn from Reynolds. With 50% Silk and 50% Wool, it would be perfect for a project you want to indulge yourself with. Rapture knits up beautifully into a scarf, hat, or would make an exquisite sweater.

Customer Favorites

Misti Alpaca
In our opinion, the 100% Baby Alpaca from Misti Alpaca is softer than cashmere. Alpaca is extremely warm, without being too heavy and can be a great alternative to someone who is allergic to wool.

Colinette Point Five
Point Five has been flying off the shelves since we first introduced this yarn back in mid-summer. It is a 100% Wool thick-and-thin yarn that has simply breath taking colorways.

Muench Cleo, Fabu & Lucky
This treo of novelty yarn from Muench has quickly become a customer favorite. Cleo is a great accent metallic yarn. It is perfect as an accent or as an evening sweater. Fabu is similar to Kertzer’s Ranee, but only has a single strand. Lucky is a fun, very soft yarn with pearly eyelash and papery flags.

Classes

Here is our class schedule for January through April.

If you have a small group that would like to take a class at a different time, or that is not listed, please contact the store and we will do our best to accommodate you.

• Sign-up sheets for all classes are in a binder at the store.
• Class times and days are firm. Please verify you will be able to make it to all class times and days.
• A 50% deposit is required with registration. The balance of the class fee is due at the time of the first class. We will accept cancellations up to 5 days prior to class. Refunds will be given in store credit only.
• You can either register by phone or in person at the store. If you register by phone, we will accept a credit card over the phone, or you can mail a check.
• Class cancellations due to insufficient students will be announced 3 days before the first class date, and fees or deposits will be refunded.

To make sure you will not be bored or in over your head, we are putting a scale in place to rate the difficulty of each class.

	Level 1 - Beginner
	Level 2 - Advanced beginner
	Level 3 - Intermediate
	Level 4 - Advanced

Beginning Knitting  
We are still offering beginning knitting as a one-on-one class. We want to make sure you get the individual attention you need when first learning how to knit. Please call or stop by the store to arrange a class.

Felted Bag  
Session 1: January 26th 6-8 PM
Session 2: February 17th 9-11 AM
Session 3: March 22nd 9-11 AM
Session 4: April 20th 6-8 PM
Cost: $15
Description: Felted bags are so easy and fun to knit. This is just a one-time class. You can make your bag as simple or elegant as you want.

Masters - Level One  
Session 1: January 5th, 19th, February 2nd, 16th, March 2nd, 16th 6-8 PM
Cost: $60
Description: This class is for those of you who would like to complete the Masters Hand Knitting program that is through the National Guild. At signup for this class, you must pay a fee for membership to the National Guild and for your level one packet. This class will assist you through the first of three levels of the Master’s Program.

Socks on Double Point Needles  
Session 1: January 25th, February 1st, 8th 6-8 PM
Session 2: March 17th, 24th, 31st 9-11 AM
Cost: $40
Description: For those that have never made a pair of socks, this class will teach you all the techniques needed to knit a pair of socks. Socks can be made from any number of yarns, including: Opal, Sockotta, Fixation, Jubilee, or even Galway for thicker socks.

Cables  
Session 1: January 20th, 27th 6-8 PM
Cost: $40
Description: Cables can be intimidating, but we will work with you to show you everything you need to know to conquer cables. For this class, you to make a bag made with different swatches of cables.

Home Decor  
Session 1: April 5th, 12th 6-8 PM
Cost: $30
Description: For those of you who want to knit for your home, this is the class for you. Pick from a blanket, pillow, or rug to accessorize your home.

Sweaters for Beginners  
Session 1: January 18th, February 1st, 15th, March 1st 9-11 AM
Cost: $45
Description: When you are ready to tackle your first sweater, this is the perfect place to start. You will learn all the basics of knitting a garment as you knit a basic sweater.

Entrelac Sweater  
Please contact the store about setting up times to take this class.
Cost: $65
Description: This is an intermediate sweater class. A finished example of this sweater is available at the store. Entrelac is a wonderful technique that is visually striking and really shows off the colors of the yarn.

Square of the Month  
2nd Wednesday of each month 5-7 PM
Cost: $10 each, or $100 for the whole year
     (Sampler Afghans by Leisure Arts Required)
Description: Each month you will learn a different technique to create a design on each square. Once you have enough squares, they can be joined to create an afghan.

Technique Classes

Technique classes are short, focused classes that only meet once. They are normally 2 - 2 1/2 hours long and teach a specific technique.

Finishing Techniques   
Session 1: January 29th 9-11:30 AM
Session 2: February 26th 9-11:30 AM
Session 3: March 26th 9-11:30 AM
Session 4: April 30th 9-11:30 AM
Cost: $40
Description: Come and learn tricks to make this part of your knitting more enjoyable. Seams, picking up stitches and buttonholes will be covered.

Shadow Knitting  
Session 1: February 12th 9-11 AM
Cost: $30
Description: First you see it, now you don’t. During this class, we will show you a fun new technique that will add interest to any project. Illusion knitting is a way to work designs, shapes, or even words into a pattern that is visible from one direction and can’t be seen from another.