Tiny Empress Set

Blue Sky folks are marketing geniuses.  Honestly, their packaging and presentation are absolutely irresistible.  I ordered the Tiny Empress Set patterns along with some yarn.  Enclosed in the box was a stiff 3 1/2" x 4" envelope.  And I thought, oh, geeze ... they forgot the patterns.  I opened that little envelope, and what did I see .. the patterns!  They are only 3 1/2" x 4".  They open like a tiny book with two pockets.  On the left side is a pull-out photo of the most darling baby alpaca and on the back is information about cria, baby alpacas.  On the other side, is this Japanese type paper that, unfolded, is the two-sided pattern. 

And, the pattern!  Well, see for yourself.  Have you ever seen a cuter home-from-the-hospital baby set?  I doubt it!  This sample will be at the Grove tomorrow, September 5th. Seaglass is on the shelf and the other colors have been shipped today from Minnesota with promises that they'll be here by the weekend.  Also, on route are the fingerless mitt patterns, the man's hat and other exciting patterns knit in Royal Petite's.
Royal Petite is made from the finest alpaca in the world and in a blind test, you would not be able to tell the difference between this alpaca and cashmere.  The 100 yd. balls retail for only $14.50, making accessory projects more than affordable!  

Pretty Darn Cute!!!

Oh hell!  That's all I can say about this darling little skirt!  It's knit out of one skein of Jelli Beenz, a new washable wool blend by Plymouth Yarn Company that retails for $8.25.  Jelli Beenz has great yardage.  It took only one ball to knit this Scattered Notions Skirt, a free pattern on Ravelry.  It's as simple as making a hat.  Instead of decreasing for the crown, you just knit one eyelet row to form the waist band and ba da boom....you're done!  Except for adding all the cute finishing touches, of course.   

Gradient is GREAT!

I am continually impressed with Skacel's yarn, especially the Schoppel yarns from Germany.  This yarn is called Gradient which has a "great long gradual colour exchange".  It is a slightly felted 100% virgin wool that is hand-washable.  It is as soft as alpaca but in a more substantial way, if that makes any sense! 

Our rep, the famous Mona Lisa, showed us a beautiful Wingspan made out of this yarn.  It was so inspiring that I ordered two balls immediately to make up a store sample.  And even though it's way hot here in San Diego, nothing could deter me from knitting with this scrumptious yarn.  The way the color changes fall into this pattern is remarkable!  I haven't planned any of this, but doesn't it look like the color changes lined up with the short rows are intentional?  Crazy, right?

This is just one of several new yarns we have ordered for Fall.  We will be bringing them into the shop gradually starting September 15th.  If you would like to start knitting with Gradient before then, just give me a call and let me know which colorway you want and I'll have it sent earlier!

Gone Fishing

The truth is, I haven't actually gone fishing but I'm sort of on vacation the month of August.  I'm not teaching or putting out a calendar.  I will be in the shop August 8 - 15th and August 23rd-29th though so I am available then for knitting purchases and questions.  

Our treasured intern from Arizona Sate University, Megan, will be heading back to school soon.  Her last day working at the Grove is Friday, August 10th.  She will be greatly missed but we wish her every success in completing her Fiber Arts bachelor's degree in 2013! 

Pasadena Bead Show

The Pasadena Bead and Design Show starts this Thursday, July 26th and runs through Sunday, July 29th.  The Grove's judipatuti will be a vendor and yours truly will be helping her sell her fun and colorful bead mats, thread catchers, and totes.  We had such a good time at the Tuscon Bead Show, we couldn't resist exhibiting at one that was so close by (well, sort of close!).  So if anyone's up for a road trip, come see us!  It's known to be an excellent show and there will be plenty of inspiration. 

When the Pasadena show ends, we'll head over to the L.A. Gift Show with Christmas purchases in mind.  By that time, we'll be pretty "showed out" and happy to return to San Diego.  Megan, our fiber art intern from Arizona State will be covering for me with the help of Melody, Jo, and Julie so even though I won't be at the Grove until August 1st, your knitting needs will still be met at the Grove.

Torrie Rises To The Top!!!

I've met a lot of wonderful people at the Grove and Torrie Dunlap is at the top of the list! She's neighborhood for one thing and felt like family right away to me and David. Everything she creates is beautiful from handmade cards, dinner to go for Joe (who was undergoing radiation treatments) to darling knits for the treasured loved ones in her life. Thursday we attended a party for her at Wine Steals in Liberty Station (very cool place, BTW) in honor of her being named the CEO of Kids Included Together (KIT).  There was so much joy that evening, it felt like a wedding!  Torrie, who has spoken several times at the Pentagon about KIT, gave a brief but rousing speech saying she believed KIT could change the world.  If Torrie says so, I believe it!  CONGRATULATIONS, Torrie!

P.S.  Check out KIT's website and the fundraiser they're having on August 18 where you can repel 33 stories down the face of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the tallest waterfront hotel in downtown San Diego.  Torrie's mom and her uncle are doing it together representing the over 60 participants! 

Ribbonwork Gardens

Ribbonwork Gardens by Christen Brown is a masterpiece publication that will inspire even the least crafty folks to try their hand at making their own ribbon garden.  The beauty of her book comes as no surprise since Christen's work has always been breathtaking.  The photographs in the book do her work justice.  You feel as if you could just reach out and pick one of her flowers.  Her directions are clear and easy to read.  This would make a great project book for craft groups to use!

We were so pleased to have Christen do a book signing at the Grove yesterday where she demonstrated her craft to the delight of the crowd.  Signed copies of her book are now available at the Grove.  And we have a beautiful selection of double satin ribbons that are perfect for growing her beautiful flowers so do stop by and take a look!