2018 Steel Valley Yarn Crawl

It's that time of year again! Clear your calendar and clear some space for a fresh yarn stash- the yarn crawl is here! This year we welcome 3 new shops participating, and said a sad farewell to 3 that closed. We get a lot of questions about the crawl, and I am here to answer a few! 

@yarnsbydesign

A full shop for the SVYC

What is the Steel Valley Yarn Crawl (SVYC)?

The SVYC is an event hosted by 11 local yarn shops in the great Pittsburgh area. We welcome crafters into our stores from August 3rd - August 12th 2018. To participate, you purchase a bag and passport ($12) and travel from shop to shop getting your passport stamped. Bags can be purchased through the participating shops. Once your passport is full, you leave it with the last shop you visit and it is put towards the grand prize raffle baskets! 

Each participating shop will have 3 raffle baskets as well! You are given tickets with your bag and passport to use towards these baskets. You can also make purchases in order to earn more tickets to use towards the raffle baskets at the shop you are visiting! Every shop will also have a pattern to hand out when getting passports stamped (knit and crochet). 

@yarnsbydesign

One of last years YBD raffle basket winners! 

Who are the participating shops?

Bo Peep Fine Yarns (Ligonier) 

Darn Yarn Needles & Thread (Harmony) 
Dyed in the Wool (McCandless/Ross Township) 
Kathy’s Kreations (Ligonier) 
Kid Ewe Knot (Bridgeville) 
McWalker Yarns (Millvale) 
Raggz Fiber Art (Forbes Road/Greensburg) 
Ross Farm Mercantile (Washington) 
Sewickley Yarns (Sewickley) 
Tonidale Yarn & Needlecraft (Tonidale) 
Yarns by Design (Oakmont)

Is there anything special this year for the 5th anniversary?

YES! This year we have included a SVYC Carabiner with your bag! The shops will be handing out stitch markers to hang on the carabiner. 

@yarnsbydesign

THE BAG????

This years bag has been my personal favorite so far! A mini tote with a pocket on the front, makes for the perfect project bag! 

@yarnsbydesign

What are the grand prizes?

2018 grand prize structure as follows:  THREE prizes - first prize valued at over $500, second prize valued at over $300, and third prize valued at over $200! Each store contributes to the raffle prizes! 

What are the rules?

-Passports must be purchased from one of the participating yarn stores.
-Each participant must have their own passport. Only ONE passport per person.
-Each participant must fill out the contact information on the passport PRIOR to your first stamp. Please print clearly - we need this information to be able to contact you!
-Each participant must be present at each yarn shop to receive their stamp (i.e., no proxy crawling).
-Each participant must be at least 18 years of age.
-All completed passports must be turned in by the end of business on August 12th, 2018 to the last store you visit.

We are getting really excited to meet new friends, and to see some old! This is such a fun event, and we wouldn't be able to do it without all of you! Stop by and get your bags today! 

Now at YBD: Fringe Supply Co.

You have the tools, notions, yarn and patterns but need the perfect tote to carry them in...not to worry! Fringe Supply Co. bags are now available at Yarns By Design. These fun and functional totes are sure to bring a smile to your face while carrying all of your project needs. 

Woollelujah for Fringe Supply Co. bags!

We couldn't be more excited to now be a Fringe Supply Co. stockist. The company was established in 2012 and is located in Nashville, TN. As owner Karen Templer notes- their products are built to last. 

The Knitting Necessities bag is a necessity. 

Currently we carry three totes to choose from-all made of 100% cotton and made and printed in the USA.  The "Knitting Necessities" and "High Fiber" totes are a standard size of 18"wide x 13" high x 6" deep. 

The high-fiber tote. 

The "Woollelujah" tote is for those you you who don't like to pack lightly- this bag fits it all. It is 23" wide x 13" high x 9" deep.  Check out how much our manager Natalie totes around in her bag! 

This bag fits everything.

If you are looking to add a little flair to your bags, we also have Fringe Supply Co. knitmoji enamel pins. Choose from the sheep, the heart-eyed sheep or the frog. Add one (or all) to your jacket or handmade item and these make great gifts for your fiber loving friends. 

Perfect little pins. 

Stop by today to get your Fringe Supply Co. fix!

Warmly,

Sarah with YBD 

sarah@yarnsbydesignpa.com

The countdown to World Wide Knit in Public Day

If you are a knitter, you probably already pack your yarn and needles with you wherever you go. Whether you are waiting for your child's practice to be over or you are sitting patiently at the doctor's office, you can't wait to fill that down time with squeezing in a few more stitches. If this sounds anything like you, join in on the World Wide Knit in Public fun in just 5 short days.

Join in on June 10th, 2017. 

What is World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIPD)? It is a community of knitters that started in 2005 and is held on the second Saturday of each June. The founder Danielle Landes wanted a way for knitters to get together and…well, knit. Each year, participation grows and this year is sure to be the biggest one yet. So far, 47 countries have signed up! From Turkey, to Guinea, to Slovenia to just down the street from you-knitters will be out and about with yarn in tow.

Knitters often find themselves knitting alone. It can get a little secluded. This special day will give fiber artists the opportunity to get out and show off their skills, meet new people, share tips, trade their yarn and maybe even teach some non-knitters how to get started.

Sandy with YBD knitting in public at the Pirates game. 

Check out the WWKIPD website and Facebook page for more details. You can also host your own local event. Click here for the Pennsylvania events to find your nearest host.  For the crocheters out there, don't feel left out. You'll find most of these events are NOT exclusive to knitters. I, as a crocheter will be keeping an eye out for a knitter in public and perhaps use the opportunity to start learning.  Don't forget to thank the volunteers, the entire day is volunteer run!

Need a stylish way to tote your yarn around for the big day? Stop by the Yarns By Design boutique and check out our fun selection of project bags.

Knit in public in style. 

Be sure to share your World Wide Knit in Public Day experience with us. Comment below, we'd love to hear from you.


Warmly,

Sarah with Yarns By Design
sarah@yarnsbydesignpa.com