Wow, where does time go??? With the opening of the Quilt Shop in the back of the Yarn Basket, we have been busy with new fabrics, projects and then back to knitting and retreats and you know how it goes..... Anyway, I felt it was time to add to my blog and tell you what is in the future and what we are doing now.
Now: really fun and easy to make is the Christmas Creep scarf. Uses one skein of Twinkly Soft Chunky or Burly Spun yarn and #19 needle (called the Christmas Creep because you can still get it done before Christmas even as it creeps up on you!) Cast on 10 stitches and every row is as follows: K1 * YO, K2tog* K1. That is it. We fringed ours long with 10 inch fringes and love it.

Also now: great hats, mittens and other scarf patterns from warm to frilly.

New in yarn: If you haven't seen the Plymouth pattern for the easy shrug, then stop in. Uses bulky yarn and goes fast. You only have to knit and purl. We have one made with the new Manos Rittenhouse yarn that we doubled.
Also new: My Secret shrug (so easy that the secret is in the sewing the seams together and that is even easy) yet it looks like a very hard pattern. We have made it mostly in Alpaca with a twist's Highlander but the pattern can be used on any yarns.
Also new: big needle hats, a new kimino from plymouth and and a easy shawl from Aslantrends.

In the quilting, we are going to have classes every Sat starting the middle of January. We have mystery quilts, t-shirt, tote bag and others so stop in and check out what is happening each week.

THEN: our block of the month is Carroll County barn quilts. We have gone around the county taking pictures of quilts in Carroll county and are busy making the blocks to go with the barns. We will start in January and each month will feature a different barn block with the colors of that barn. The cost is $8 per month with includes the patten and material to make that block plus some information on the location of the barn. Then if you do all 12, you get 2 yards of 45 inch fabric free to do your choice of sashing, borders, etc. We would love to have any and everyone join us in this fun project.

We will be closing the Okoboji shop the 24th of December, open for the winter games, Fri and Sat the last weekend of January and then close until Memorial Day.
Carroll is taking the 25th and 26th of December off but open the rest of the time.


Til next time, Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Then for the

Christmas To Do List

The other day we were talking about getting organized for the holidays and someone suggested we make a "to-do" list and have a time set aside where we can come to The Yarn Basket and work on our projects. So on Saturdays from 10-12, come in and join others as we work on our list. We have patterns for all the "ideas" on the list so feel free to make these or choose your own.

We hope to make your shopping and knitting less stressful so we here is a "to-do" list for each of you to help you get started.

1. Hubby or significant other
   Idea: Wallaby Sweater
   Idea: Toe up Socks
2. Mom
   Idea: gift bag from “Last Minute knitted Gifts”
   Idea: My Secret Shrug
3. Dad
   Idea: Jared Flood’s Striped Scarf
   Idea: Jared Flood’s Turn a Square Hat
4. Dancing daughter or sister
   Idea: Leg Warmers
5. Cell Phone Daughter or sister
   Idea: Wristlets
6. College Son or brother
   Idea: Sock Hat
   Idea: “Thorpe” earflap hat
7. Teen Son or brother
   Idea: Harry Potter Scarf
   Idea: top down mittens
8. Favorite Pet
   Idea: “Fetch” bone or Catnip Mouse
9. Grandma
   Idea: One button Ribbed Scarf
10. Grandpa
    Idea: Felted Ice Mitten
11. Baby or Grandbaby
    Idea: Spud and Chole Sweater
    Idea: Heaven Ripple Blanket
    Idea: Baby Wallaby
12. Mother-in-law
    Idea: Market Bag
13. Father-in-law
    Idea: Ribbed Scarf in Blackstone Tweed
14. College Kid
    Idea: Bulky Slippers
15. Hostess Gift
    Idea: Felted Wine Cozies
16. Wine Drinking Friend (s)
    Idea: Drunken Rib Scarf
17. Crazy Girlfriend or sister
    Idea: Twinkle Twisted Scarf
18. Teacher
    Idea: Gift Certificate to The Yarn Basket
19. Sunday School Teacher
    Idea: favorite Dishcloth
20. Knitting Friend or Relative
    Gift certificate to The Yarn Basket
    
    
    The Yarn Basket 512 N. Adams Carroll, IA 51401 712-792-2890
    And 1302 N. Hwy 71 Okoboji, IA 50355 712-223-3121

Alpaca Beginners Shrug

Please ignore the person modeling our

We have created the best shrug pattern EVER and anyone from beginner to advanced can make it. Stop in or call the shop to see it and try it on. We have kits available for yarn using either Alpaca with a Twist's Highlander (model shown in Black) or Big Baby.

Please ignore the person modeling our Best Shrug ever as we were just snapping pictures and joking around. Imagine how great You will look in something that matches!!!!!

Happy knitting, Beth

Fall retreat

We are having our Annual Fall knitting retreat again on Sat, November 14th from 9-3:30. Hope to see you there. Below is a sheet you can mail in to us with your choices.


Fall Knitting Retreat: November 14th 9-3:30pm. Please mark a check with first, second and third class choices for the day. We will do our best to fill your first 2 but need to on a first come, first served basis. We are only taking 24 people (6 per class). Lunch and triple punch card good that day in the store.

Please enclose a check for $45 to reserve your place.
Name:

Address:


Phone:

First Choice
Second Choice
Third Choice
Fourth Choice

1. February sweater and Beginning Lace (learn how to read a chart, to make this fun and easy top down sweater made from worsted weight yarn)

2. Continental knitting with design pattern (We will show you how to knit continental and throw so you can carry 2 different yarns to use with colored patterns)

3. Fixing Mistakes: we will take you through the most common mistakes and encourage you to bring questions of your own

4. Seams and finishing techniques

5. Intarsia, changing yarns and beginnings

6. Top down Mittens (using semi bulky yarn, learn how to make mittens that fit)

7. Entralec: using self striping yarn, begin this awesome scarf

8. Learn to knit back words so you don’t have to purl

9. Crochet 101: basics of crocheting

10. Cables: learn to read a chart, make cables without a cable needle and how to begin and end your cable for a better look


Happy knitting, Beth

where did summer go???

How can it be almost the end of August already? It seems like we were just talking about sleeveless tops and fun airy scarves and now we need to add sleeves to those summer tops that we haven't finished yet and knit our scarves a little closer? : )

Also, since I am sooooo bad about blogging and updating my website, and we are beginning a new season, I will try and correct that. Thanks for all of you sticking with me in the process. My camera broke, my computer died (so if you have a yarn order out there "pending" we are back in business now and GREATLY appologize to you for any inconvienence) but my needles are still working. Coming soon a cabled flaired, double breasted jacket pattern that we hope to have available. Also coming soon is an out of this world shrug made with Alpaca with a twist yarn.
Stop in and inquire about either one. You will want to make both, believe me.

So thank you all for your understanding and realizing that I love to knit and procrastinate the web.
Til later, happy knitting and crocheting, Beth

What's New

All kinds of projects are in the works at The Yarn Basket. Here are 2 of our most recents favorites.

Using Heaven and a DK yarn, this baby blanket knits up very fast. Called the ripple wave baby blanket, it is soooo soft and easy to make.

I have mine started and am almost halfway. The size is about 26 x 28 when finished.

also just finished (yeah) is a capelet for fall. I used Manos silk blend and Cascade Greenland carried together. Changing needle sizes and working in the round. How easy is that?

Stop in and see what else we have in the making. We would love to see you and help get you started on that next project. Remember summer knitting is faster as we don't have to make sleeves : )

Beth

Okoboji opening

Hi everyone. We will be open for the season in Okoboji on Wed the 20th of May. Horrah!!!! Can't wait to see everyone and show you what is new at The Yarn Basket. So mark your calendars for a week from Wednesday on the 20th at 10am.

Email TROUBLES!!!!!
My email is having a hard time letting me send emails so even though I get your requests for a newsletter, I am unable to send you one. Here are just a few of the highlights we have happening now:
KAL: we are doing the Wrap me Up Shawl as a Knit along in Carroll and will have it at the lakes also this summer. Come join us on Thurs if interested

DSM shop: we will start looking HARD for a space in July for Mid Sept opening. Still looking for that "perfect" spot : ). More later on that.

New yarns and fun patterns for summer knitting are in. Favorites this week are Berroco's Seduce for a great summer tank or vest, Trendsetter's Segue Scarf in a Feather and Fan pattern, and Blue Heron's Rayon Metallic in a Feather and Fan Shawl. Call us and we can tell you more.

The Addi clicks are again back ordered and will be here in late July. IF you want on the list, call and we will reserve a set for you. Those of you who have them already (lucky you), they are going to have the extra cords available in late June. 712-792-2890 for more information or to get your name on the list.

So, we are scrubbing and stocking the lake shop this week and will be ready for you next. Til then, happy knitting and crocheting, Beth

Fresh from the Basket Open House

We want to thank all of you who came out over the Easter holidays to help celebrate our "Fresh from the Basket" open house. Here are a few of the pictures we took. Below are our new projects before the doors opened.

















This is Amy modeling our rectangle shawl made with Cascade's Venezia Bulky in red. Same shawl in Cascade Venezia bulky in white is on the maniken. Doesn't Amy look cute?

This next one is of our Feza shawl. 1 skein of Alp Premier is all you need and the yarn comes in so many Gorgeous colors! (that's Beth's back : )



















Just a few of the people who joined us. On the right are Carole and Heather, both who are part of the Yarn Basket Staff.

We got to meet Dianne and her daughter Julie and they were nice enough to pose for a picture for us at the door prize table.

And of course, you must meet Matt. He is in the process of learning about The Yarn Basket and is working on the online shopping part of our website. If you are around the lakes this summer, stop in at the Okoboji shop and meet him. He is learning to knit and will then be part of our Des Moines shop this fall.












So thanks again and til next time, happy knitting and crocheting, Beth

Winter Snow

April fools or April 5th??? As we are preparing for our Spring Open house this week, it not only snows but we have a blizzard. Wow. They say the snow will be gone soon as we are expected to have temperatures in the 50's.

So please mark your calendars for this weekend for our first ever "Fresh from the Basket" open house. Great door prizes, awesome yarns and fun and practical projects for you, plus chocolate and cookies and a wonderful punch (non alcoholic).

Til then, happy knitting and crocheting.

We Invite You

In case you haven't heard, we are getting ready for our first ever "Fresh From the Basket" open house. We want YOU to join us on April 9-11th (Easter weekend) where we will unveil 14 new projects/items for Spring and Summer knitting.

Also, sign up for free goodies and enjoy treats made just for you. Please plan on joining us and bring a friend. You won't be disappointed.

Til then, Happy knitting and crocheting, Beth

Spring

We are getting ready for our spring yarns, and so much fun to see them coming through the door. Blue Sky Alpaca's cotton, in all the colors and alpaca silk have arrived and wow, are they nice to knit with. We have a model of each for our "Fresh From the Basket" wall debuting April 9th. Feza's Alp Premier also is here in all the colors and we are working on a model, also, that takes 2 skeins of this awesome yarn.

Still to arrive are Berroco's new yarns and some from Rowan. These wonderful companies have also donated books and yarn for our door prizes. It is going to be great!

Stop in and see us and til then, happy knitting and crocheting, Beth

New Website

Hi everyone. We are in the process of having a website that will better serve you and let us show you what is going on at The Yarn Basket with pictures. Thanks for having patience with us as we get this going.

Our most exciting event coming up is an open house over Easter Weekend. We are having treats, door prizes, and unveiling our new spring summer yarns and projects. We are calling it "Fresh from the Basket" and hope you will be able to attend.

"Fresh from the Basket" is going to be Thurs through Saturday at the Carroll shop on April 9-11 during regular shop hours.

Classes are up on the class page and if you have anything else you would like to see listed, please call us or email and we will put a class together and see if others want to join you.

til next time, Beth

New Website

This is my first blog of my new website. Check back VERY soon for blog updates!