Our first month has been quite a success! I really enjoy meeting each and every one of you as you visit the Cottage. If you haven’t been here since before April, you are in for a pleasant surprise! There are lots of new yarns in beautiful colors and fibers. Everything in the shop has moved. During our Grand Re-opening we emptied out one whole room of yarn so we have kept the back room closed for a couple of weeks. This week we have been receiving yarn almost daily so we are now expanding back into that room. Bear with us as we move the yarn around yet again. Some of the shelves are empty, but not for long.

As I write this, Knit One Crochet Too Ty Dy Cotton and Classic Elite Yarns Firefly and Soft Linen are winging their way to the Cottage, as well as the Vogue Knitting Crochet special issue, more copies of Knit Noro Accessories, and Knitscene Summer 2013. We already have the Summer issue of Interweave Knits, with lots of great patterns for the warmer months (which are finally starting to show up!)

Good News!

Many of you have expressed an interest in making the beautiful Gelato Scarf that is on display at the Cottage. I ordered the yarn back in March, but it has been on backorder…until now! I got a call yesterday that the yarn company has received the yarn. They are beginning the process of dyeing the yarn to our order and it will ship by the end of next week. As long as the weather stays warm in New Mexico (so the dyed yarn can dry quickly), we will have the Gelato yarn by June 1st! I will send out a special email and post on Facebook and Ravelry the day we receive the yarn. Be sure to check the websitefor our June classes. The Gelato Scarf class will fill up quickly so stop by the Cottage to reserve your spot early. Because of the enormous interest in this scarf, the yarn will be available on a first come, first served basis only. I will not be able to hold yarn or give descriptions over the phone. You must come in to the Cottage to select and purchase your yarn and sign up for the class. You will receive the pattern in the class.

New Yarns at the Cottage

We have been quite busy the past couple of weeks, receiving and displaying new yarns. Amazing pattern designer, Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, has her own line of raw silk yarn called Shaman. Lovely hand-dyed silk softens as soon as you begin knitting it. There are 495 yards in this 50g ball.

Also in silk, Himalaya Yarns has a worsted weight 100% raw silk with 225 yards and gorgeous, saturated colors, solids and hand-painted, and a lace weight hand-dyed silk yarn that has 800 yards per skein in semi-solid and variegated colorways.

We got a huge shipment this week of Juniper Moon Farm Findley Lace in solids and variegated colors. Each ball is 798 yards of merino/silk blend. It has a wonderful sheen and excellent drape. If you haven’t seen Chloe’s top knitted in the Bittersweet colorway, you need to stop by the shop to see it! This photo doesn’t do it justice as the top just glows in person.

Long-awaited Rowan Fine Art sock yarn and pattern book arrived this week, as well. Absolutely beautiful patterns for wraps, scarves, and of course socks make this book a must have, even if it is just for the lovely photography.

Doctor Who fans (and those who just like a really long scarf) will love the selection of Indulgence 6-ply sock yarn that came in. Everyone who sees the sample showing all of the 12 colorways, wants to make the scarf. I am in the process of calculating how much of each color you would need to make it and will be putting together kits over the next week or so. I’ll post them on Facebook and include the information in the next newsletter when I get them together. Of course, you can also make socks from this yarn. As you can see, the self-patterning yarn makes up beautifully!

Knit Along

Our Sideways Garter Cardigan knit along is in full swing. Over 20 women have been attending our Tuesday night Therapy Knitting/Crocheting Group to knit the cardigan together, and even more have purchased the yarn to make it on their own. The colors they have chosen are knitting up beautifully. I can’t wait to see them all each week! In addition to knitting the same pattern, these women are making new friends who share a common interest. Some are even planning a fall retreat together! Even if you are not part of the knit along, please consider joining us on Tuesday evenings, 6-8pm, and bring whatever you are working on. It’s lots of fun!

Open Sunday

Don’t forget we are open this Sunday 1-4pm. We will be holding mini-workshops from 1:30 to 3:30 – Provisional Cast-On, Moebius Cast-On, and making and I-Cord on double pointed needles. Each one separately is $10, or attend all 3 for $25. Advance registration is required and space is limited so call the Cottage (704-545-8440) early to reserve your spot in the workshops. No walk-ins can be accepted for these workshops as there are items you need to bring with you to class. There is also open knitting/crocheting for those not attending the workshops.

June Classes

June classes will be posted on our website over the next few days. There will be classes to make the Gelato Scarf, of course, as well as Beginner Lace, Intermediate Lace, and Sock classes. We will also offer our Learn to Knit/Crochet classes every month. We look forward to sharing these skills with you!

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook and “follow” us on Twitter. Also, check out our Ravelry group at http://www.ravelry.com/groups/cottage-yarn-friends.

Can’t wait to see you at the Cottage!

Lyn