Stocking Stuffers...

Here are a few more gift ideas...

Shawl Pins
Add one of these beautiful shawl pins to any garment. YBD has these exquisite shawl pins available in purple, cream, black and red.



Tinseltown by Euro Yarns

Fiber: 90% Acrylic,10% Metallic Polyester;
Yardage: 44, Needle size: 6-10 US, Ball weight: 100g

Euro Tinseltown is a super fun, glitzy yarn that creates ruffles as you work with it. This yarn is sure to be a hit and would make a fun ruffled scarf that would be a great gift for the sparkle-lover in your life.

Do not forget about our upcoming 'Discount Days'
Don’t fret this holiday season.
To help you with your gift-giving this season, YBD is offering great discounted days.

Tuesday, December 20 from 10-7pm
Take 10% off all patterns and books

Wednesday, December 21 from 10-4pm
Take 10% off all fiber

Thursday, December 22 from 10-7pm
Take 10% off all accessories

All sales are final - Cannot be combined with any other offer - Sale prices apply only to in-stock items

Stocking Stuffers...

Gift Card Special

YBD is going to help you out with your shopping this year. Stop by the boutique from December 13th through 23rd, purchase a YBD gift card for $50 and YBD will give you an additional $5 on the gift card (total $55).



All sales are final - Cannot be combined with any other offer

Stocking Stuffers...

SIG'NITS - a brand-new way to put your signature on hand-knits!

Knitters love to put a personal touch on their projects - especially when it's a gift for someone special. Until now, embroidered labels were the only choice . . .

Now! There are sig'nits





What are sig'nits?
sig’nits are beads that you can knit into your project to identify creations as your own

“That baby afghan was definitely knit by Aunt Mary – she loves ladybugs and ALWAYS knits a little ladybug into her work for good luck!”

“Kathleen, you must have knit that sweater. I see the little "K" stitched into your sleeve!"

- Select a symbol to use as your personal “brand”
- Meaningful to each person: an initial, favorite animal or character
- Every time you knit or crochet something, you trademark it with your personal sig’nit.

How do sig’nits work?
- sig’nits are high quality die-cast beads made from durable pewter
- Will not rust or tarnish, long-lasting for the life of your project. Made in USA, they are safe and lead-compliant
- sig’nits are pre-drilled with a hole large enough to pull a strand of yarn, up to heavy worsted weight, through the bead using the “bead-it!” method
- For heavier weight yarn, sig’nits can be inserted by dividing fibers, instructions are included
- Each kit has enough beads for six projects, along with a fine gauge crochet hook and instructions

Visit the YBD boutique today to select from the many Sig'nits we have to choose from.

Images and text are copyrighted by sig'nits

Stocking Stuffers...

JUL Designs: Pedestal Buttons are improvisational.

These closures require no commitment, no sewing and no pre-planned button holes. Instead, pedestal buttons are flexible components that can transform garments!

We carry a wide selection of colors to enhance any garment. The images below show you a sampling of the designs and patterns (by Andrea Marquis) available at the YBD boutique.



JUL Designs work directly with clothing and bag designers to develop integral bag jewelry and accessory designs in unconventional materials. Many JUL metal designs are created by Laura Bellows(designer, founder and principal owner of JUL) in wax, cast by hand in silver, and later reproduced in US casting studios in non-precious metals.
Other designs are generated in conjunction with Balinese co-designer Agus Astradhi (designer and co-owner of JUL) and made by hand in Bali.


Pattern: Infinity Scarf designed by Andrea Marquis


Pattern: Passionvine Shrug designed by Andrea Marquis


Pattern: Cobblestone Neckwarmer designed by Andrea Marquis


Pattern: Rivulet designed by Andrea Marquis

To use Pedestal Button, unscrew the backing and remove the back disk (on the screw mechanism shank), work the shank gently in between the stitches of your knitwear from the front. Place the back disk of leather, smooth side out, over the screw shank on the inside of knitwear. Screw in the backing with your fingers to secure.

Stocking Stuffers...

Welcome to the holiday gift-giving guide from YBD. Over these next few weeks, we are going to post unique and very worth while gift ideas (for you and/or the fiber artist in your life) to help make your shopping experience this holiday season more fun.

Lavishea Lotion Bars
These lotion bars are flying off the shelf!! Our third order is on its way. We did order a couple of new fragrances (see below), just in time for the holidays. Stop by to test any of the fragrances out.

Lavishea Lotion Bars are an innovative new way to moisturize and heal dry skin. They are made with all-natural ingredients. Though it looks like soap, no water is necessary. Simply rub the bar on your skin, and the heat of your body will melt the lotion onto your skin where it is quickly absorbed.

- All bars are made using 100% Unrefined Shea Butter Fair trade shea butter handcrafted in Togo West Africa
- The shea butter used is produced under organic standards
- Unrefined shea butter has excellent anti-aging, soothing and moisturizing properties.
- Lavishea shea butter melts at body temperature, absorbing quickly into skin without a greasy residue
- Only pure, unrefined shea butter has the true healing and moisturizing properties of shea butter
- All Lavishea Lotion Bars are Gluten Free



LAVENDER
Lavender is the ultimate soothing, calming floral scent, widely used in aromatherapy for relaxation.

GINGER BLOSSOM
Soft, delicate notes of fig and green tea are perfectly blended with Siberian fir to round out the top and heart notes of this unique fragrance. Oriental notes of warm vanilla, jasmine and ylang ylang add alluring depth.

PEAR
Pear fragrance smells fruity, fresh, and sweet.

WHITE LILY AND AMBER
A soft background of white amber and musk provide a comfortable backdrop for crisp top notes of dewy cyclamen and smooth mimosa with middle notes of white lily.

New Fragrances:
CUCUMBER MELON
This sweet, refreshing fragrance blends cool cucumbers with sweet melons.

YARN BAR
This bar has a wonderful, light almond fragrance. Like all our bars, this bar will not leave a greasy residue on yarn. It is the perfect way to prevent dry skin from snagging delicate projects. Also, it helps control the drying effects of working on handmade projects.

WINTER BERRY
A blend of crisp, frozen berries combined with vanilla.

ORANGE POMANDER
A combination of orange w/spicy cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this scent is wonderfully aromatic and complex.



GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN
In producing Lavishea bars, they avoid harmful chemicals, overly processed ingredients, and environmentally damaging components. Because lotion is absorbed into the skin, it has a real impact on your body. Lavishea believes it is important to make the right choices in every step of their manufacturing process to ensure the quality of the bars and the health of our customers. Lavishea lotion bars are better for the environment, and full of vital nutrients for your skin.

Lavishea lotion bars are made ethically in the U.S.A.

Black Friday & Small Business Saturday

We want to invite you to YBD for a weekend of savings.

Join us this Friday, November 25th from 10-6pm for our Black Friday event.



November 26th marks the second annual Small Business Saturday - a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The American Express campaign urges Americans to shop small at their favorite local stores and support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.

Visit the YBD boutique on Saturday, November 26th to receive a door prize (while supplies last). Also, for every $50 you purchase that day, your name will be put into a drawing for a fiber arts gift worth over $200.

Cocoknits & Habu Textiles

Thank you...
We want to take this time to thank both Julie Weisenberger with Cocoknits and Takako with Habu Textiles for the amazing Designer Workshops they taught this past weekend at YBD.

Each and every one of us were inspired by your creations, excited by what we learned and grateful for such an opportunity.

Here are a few pictures I wanted to share from the weekend...


Cocoknits workshop 'What not to knit'


Cocoknits workshop 'European finishing techniques'


Takako taking a break from instructing 'Japanese schematic pattern reading'


Attendees trying on garments from Cocoknits & Habu Textiles.


More garments available for attendees to try on.


Cocoknits workshop 'Seamless sweater construction'


Sandy, Julie, Takako and Tamara

Thanks, again, for an enjoyable weekend!

Knit Cook Patterns

The Knit Cook patterns are new to the YBD boutique. We are very excited to share Darlene's designs with you.

Darlene started Knit Cook as a way to share her passion for the good life - at least her version of it - one that is rich with creative possibility. The Knit Cook patterns are simple yet slightly sophisticated wearable knits. Darlene also likes to share some ideas about her other two passions, cooking and gardening. Her hope with Knit Cook is to inspire you to get out your knitting needles, get into the kitchen, and out to the garden - even if your garden is just a pot on your balcony - and create something wonderful.

Below are a few of the patterns we have available at the boutique. Also, Darlene will be sending a handful of her beautiful creations with Takako, from Habu Textiles, for our upcoming Fall Fashion Show on Friday, November 11th (call to pre-register).


FAMEUSE
Fibers: Habu Textiles A60 - Shosenshi Linen Paper, Habu Textiles N75 - Fine Merino

Named for a french cider apple, this elegant cardigan is as versatile as it is easy to knit. The body is made in one piece using a striking but deceptively simple stitch pattern, while the garter stitch collar is worked separately.

This pattern includes a recipe for Brandied Cherry Ice Cream.


CORTLAND
Fibers: Habu Textiles A174 - Cotton Gima

A crisp tailored cardigan has a place in everyone's wardrobe. The top part of this cardigan is worked from sleeve to sleeve, with the peplum picked up and worked from the bottom of the bodice, so seaming is minimal. The buttonholes are added after the knitting is finished.

This pattern includes a recipe for Pea Pod Salad with Almonds.

Show & Tell

The YBD staff would like to thank all of our guests who attended our Show & Tell event this past Sunday, October 23rd at the boutique.

We had a blast seeing each of you and your finished projects this past weekend. Not only were we excited to see all of our fibers knitted/crocheted into something beautiful, but you all inspired us.

To name a few...Michelle's knitted garments for her grand baby that is on the way, Carol's moebius, Pat's knitted hats and socks, Virginia's Flow tunic, Jackie's rugs, Cathy's Loop-D-Loop skirt, Rebecca's lace work, Natalie's rug knitted out of sheets, Debbie's cardigan and favors, Robi's first cardigan, Cathy's linen projects, and many more.


A few of our guests get excited by all of the lovely projects.
Tamara showing off her crocheted wine bottle gift carriers.


Mother and daughter, Diane and Devon, spinning outside in the gorgeous weather.


Amanda's weaved scarves, shawls and wall hangings. By the way, did I mention, Amanda, I really want your brown and teal wall hanging!!

Thanks to everyone whom made this a very exciting, encouraging and fun-filled event!

Customer Appreciation Day: October 20th, 2011

Roses for Rosa Scarf by Judith Durant
Knitted with Noro Kureyon Sock
Fingering / 4 ply
70% Wool, 30% Nylon
462 yards
Gauge: 30.0 sts = 4 inches
Needle size: US 1½ - 3

Sandy knitted this fun and colorful scarf using Noro Kureyon Sock from the Roses for Rosa scarf pattern out of Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders book. On Thursday, October 20th from 10-7pm, receive 20% off Noro Kureyon Sock for Customer Appreciation Day. Note: All sales are final. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns That Go Way Beyond Socks!
Every knitter understands the allure of sock yarn. It slips easily into a handbag, comes in endless variations, and represents a dazzling array of possibilities. Best of all, it "s relatively inexpensive, making it an affordable splurge. As a result, many knitters find themselves with veritable collections of sock yarn in their stash. Fortunately, sock yarn can be used for more than simply keeping toes toasty. In Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns That Go Way Beyond Socks! veteran knitter Judith Durant has chosen not simply inventive sock patterns but also more than 5 dozen inspired patterns for other items that can be created from a single skein of sock yarn. Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders offers one-of-a-kind patterns for baby clothes, mittens, scarves, hats, jewelry, cozies, bags . . . even a dog sweater and a lamp shade! Knitters of every skill level will find tantalizing challenges; some knit up in fewer than three hours, others make creative use of sock yarn leftovers, and several make heirloom-worthy gifts. Collectively, these patterns bring out the best of sock yarn . . . whether variegated or solid-colored, self-patterning or hand-painted. With this book in their knitting bags, needlecrafters will take their stash of sock yarn well beyond stockinged feet to a delightful world of possibility.

Designer's Workshops at YBD

Join YBD on November 12th and 13th
We have invited two very exciting and talented guest designer's to YBD. The workshops held will be by Julie Weisenberger of Cocoknits and Takako of Habu Textiles. The exciting line-up of workshops offered are too good to miss out on. Do register today!

Click here for details to the Designer's Workshops schedule and registration.

Here are a few samples of their talented designs:


Weekend Wrap by Cocoknits



Katarina by Cocoknits



Yvonne by Cocoknits



Sea Tangles by Knitty
using Habu Textiles Fiber




Infinite Loop by Habu Textiles

Click here for details to the Designer's Workshops schedule and registration.
Click here for details to our Annual Fall Fashion Show held on Friday, November 11th.

Note: Pre-Registration required / Cash or check only / Space is limited / No Refunds

Register for the Fall Fashion Show and two or more Designer’s Workshops to receive 10% off total.

Quick Projects: Scarves

Dolce Vita by SMC Select
Available in a 100 gram (3.5 ounce) ball.
Contains approximately 5.5 metres (6 yards.)

Dolce Vita by SMC is a bulky, loopy yarn, which can be finger knit or crocheted into a 5 foot long (1.5 metres) scarf. The instructions are on the ball band, and it is very easy to do. We made a scarf in 5 minutes! The yarn is 95% wool and 5% polyamide.



Link by Berroco
50% Wool, 50% Acrylic, 32 yds, 50(US) needle

Huge and colorful, Link is full of character. Instantly gratifying when worked on size 35 or 50 needles, this yarn creates eye-catching accessories.



Flamenco by Trendsetter
100% Acrylic, 40 yards, 13(US) needle

A flouncy styled ribbon that when spread open, looks like a fisherman's net, Flamenco is a truly unique yarn. By knitting the top edge, it opens up to about 3 inches and creates beautiful openwork ruffles. A scarf takes about 1 or 2 evenings to make on size US 8, 9 or 10 needles. Stop by the boutique today to pick out your new 'quick knit' project!

New Arrival: Cortina Nuvole

Skacel Collection: Cortina Nuvole
• 70% Merino Wool - 30% Nylon
• 55 yards per 50 gram ball
• 12 mm (approx. US 17) needles
• Approx. 2.5 sts per inch

Cortina Nuvole is mottled in color. Just like Cortina, it is created with an air-infused nylon core that is encased within fine Merino Wool, making it unimaginably lightweight while still having that great wool feeling. But with Cortina Nuvole the infused core is undyed while the merino surrounding it is colored. The voluminosity of the yarn allows you to knit complex stitch patterns quickly at 2 ½ stitches per inch, without adding extra weight to your garment.



Schulana Crealana 27
Sandy knit this beautiful jacket using the above fiber. For all of you who have been waiting patiently, the yarn has arrived, so stop by today to pick out your color. We have two more additional colors ordered that are on backorder.

New arrivals at YBD

Techno by Blue Sky Alpacas:
68% baby alpaca / 10% extra fine merino / 22% silk
We are excited to announce the arrival of the long awaited Techno. A modern take on 1970’s neon and natural, the line includes seven groovy pop colors perfectly balanced with six granola-lover neutrals. Modern technology makes Techno a feather-weight genius: baby alpaca is blown into a mesh tube of silk for really fast knitting with literally no splitting.



Worsted Cotton by Blue Sky Alpacas:
100% organic cotton
This candy shop of color tempts with an array of sweet treats ranging from rich and creamy neutrals to scrumptious saturated hues. The palette is created with low impact dyes, and a funky twist gives our 100% certified organic cotton a light and lofty hand.



Fine and Sweater by Spud & Chloe:
Fine: Made of superwash 80% wool/20% silk, this sock-weight yarn is ideal for Fair Isle and detailed work—and of course, some pretty fancy footwork.

Sweater: Made of superwash 55% wool/45% organic cotton, it’s a worsted-weight yarn for everybody.



Naturally Soft Merino by MillaMia:
100% extra fine Merino Wool
Its supersoft feel makes it ideal for babies and young children, and the lovely twist on the yarn means that the resulting knitted fabric has a great stitch definition. Produced in Italy.

We also have supporting patterns for all lines. Stop by today, browse through the wonderful designs and we'll help you get started for your next project!

Finished objects: Peggy's Casey stole and Ilene bag!

Peggy B. recently completed the Casey stole, a pattern from Louet's Trudy Van Stralen. Peggy used Louet's Euroflax 100% Wet Spun Linen Fine/Sport Weight in color 2364, Natural. With her yarn leftovers, Peggy also knit up an Ilene Bag (pictured below). This handy bag, designed by Hannah Ingalls, is a perfect catch-all for the market or anywhere! Well done, Peggy!

Reminder: last day to use your YBD Groupon!

Thank you to all of the wonderful customers who visited us with a Groupon over the past few months. If you haven't made it in yet, please be reminded that this is the last day to use your Groupon. The boutique will be open today from 10am-7pm.

The Groupon experience has been great, and we've enjoyed seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones! Over the next few weeks, we will be filling our shelves with new fall and winter inventory and some good stuff that we found at TNNA, so be sure to stop in and see us again soon.

Also, we have an exciting weekend of events coming up this November. Kicking off the weekend will be our second annual Fall Fashion Show on Friday, November 11 at the Oakmont Country Club ($10/person, cash/check only, limited space, reservation required). On November 12 and 13, we will be holding workshops from two very exciting guest designers (TBA) at the boutique. Watch your email and this space for more information to come!

Finished object: Gretel!

Tamara recently completed the Gretel tank, knitting it up with Habu's Cotton Gima in Charcoal. Designed by Julie Weisenberger of cocoknits, this easy and flattering tank uses just two to four skeins of Cotton Gima, making it an excellent value as well. Cotton Gima is a unique 100% cotton yarn that feels like paper. "Gima" literally means "fake linen" in Japanese, and it feels like paper. Stop in today to see our selection!

Finished Project: Lolita

The flattering drape and light weight of Lolita, a design by Imagine Knit Designs, works on any body type and for any season.

Tamara knit this project with Rowan Purelife Revive (color 466, Marble), a blend of recycled silk, recycled cotton and recycled viscose. She used only four balls for the size small on a US 8 needle. Tamara made the pattern her own by making modifications to the back. If you would like to hear more information about the changes she made or view this swingy vest pattern, stop by the boutique today!

Finished object: Debbie's Sassymetrical!

We were thrilled when Debbie C. brought in one of her latest finished objects - the Sassymetrical cardigan, designed by Gay Schiff. Debbie knit this swingy cardigan out of Nashua Handknits Daylily yarn in the "Pastels" colorway, and the sweater is held closed in the photo by a beautiful Annie Adams pewter shawl pin. Great work, Debbie!

Join YBD for Oakmont's annual sidewalk sale and our birthday celebration!

Join Yarns By Design for some great deals on Saturday, July 30 (10am-4pm) at Oakmont's annual sidewalk sale! The YBD booth will be located on Allegheny River Boulevard, across from Citizens Bank. Please note that we would prefer cash for all sale items.

The boutique will also be open for regular business hours (10am-4pm) on Saturday, so do stop by for some cake to celebrate our 6th birthday! We want to thank each and every one of you for supporting us and welcoming us into your creative lives.

Finished object: Holden Shawlette!

Jen recently completed the Holden Shawlette by designer Mindy Wilkes. This pattern (available as a FREE Ravelry download) calls for just one skein of Malabrigo Sock (see our previous post for colors currently in stock), but Jen substituted Ella Rae Lace Merino in color 119 for the Malabrigo and notes that any fingering weight yarn would do. With a stockinette body and an easy to memorize lace pattern, this pattern is perfect for a first lace or shawl project. Stop by the boutique today to try on this shawl and browse our selection of fingering weight yarns!

Malabrigo Sock restock!

Our latest shipment of Malabrigo Sock has finally arrived! Now in stock are Tiziano Red, Cordovan, Arbol, Terracotta, Turner, Caribeno, Eggplant, Velvet Grapes and Chocolate Amargo. These colors are going fast, so visit the boutique today to pick some up!