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.