New Location, May 2012

For all of our Fiber Friend followers...A lot of you have been inquiring about our new space. I thought I would share with you some photos of the work that is going on.

For the past two weeks, I have been painting (and painting, and more painting). Fortunately, it is all going well. Unfortunately, I do not see the light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel. I am going to be painting for a VERY long time! And, all of those edges. Why did I design the space to have so many? My hand is not steady for all of this detail. Note: Please do not look at the photos too closely, you will see some places that will eventually be 'touched-up'.

My husband has been super helpful. On his only days off, the weekends, he has been and will be helping me. I guess it is a good thing our winter has been mild this year. Normally, he would be skiing. Just this past weekend, he built a wall. He did not even ask for my help. Lets just say, whew! There is no way, if I was building a wall, that it would turn out looking like a wall and definitely would take longer than two days!


The beginning...


So many doors


Day one of the wall


Day two


The 'colorful' restroom

Whenever I am not at the new space preparing for our Grand Opening, Saturday, May 12, 2012, I will make certain to post new photos for you to see our progress.

Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival

Thanks to everyone whom stopped at the YBD booth this past weekend at the 8th Annual Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival! As always, my mum, Edye and I had a blast!!

We want to thank Barb and her staff for putting together a fun and eventful weekend of fiber arts here in Pittsburgh.

I did not have a chance to take any photos. Rather, I simply forgot (shame, shame). However, I do have this one to share of our booth. We were pretty excited trying out our new shelving for this event. I think it fit the space well. Also, we were able to fit a lot of different fibers on the shelving for everyones personal needs and likes.



If you have any photos from the festival, please share.

Hand Spun Bouquet

YBD is happy to announce our newest line, Pagewood Farm! Sandy made this lovely cowl (free pattern with purchase of Bouquet) in no time at all.





This new fiber, Bouquet by Pagewood Farm, will be available at YBD's booth #5 this weekend at the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival. We hope to see all of you there!!

How Pagewood Farm began:
Pagewood Farm grew from Robin and Chuck Page’s love of fiber arts. As hobbyists, they mastered the art of spinning 2-ply and novelty yarns. Selling their yarns at various venues they soon developed a loyal following. Robin studied under master spinners and dyers to hone her creative abilities and color sense resulting in completely original colorways and novelty yarns. As Pagewood Farm continued to grow Robin developed a unique dye process to create hand dyed yarn colors unlike any other. While still maintaining their handcrafting roots Pagewood Farm has expanded to be featured in yarn shops nationwide and are becoming known worldwide. Their goal, to be at the creative lead in the handcrafted fiber industry, has resulted in numerous hand dyed sock yarn and other weight yarn blends available in an ever growing list of original colorways and tone-on-tone solids. For spinners and needle felters, roving, locks and needle felting kits have been added. New fiber product ideas are a constant crop at Pagewood Farm.

New Books

Here are a few more books YBD has received by Interweave Press. Stop by the boutique to pick up your copy today!


Weekend Hats: 25 Knitted Caps, Berets, Cloches, and More
by Cecily Glowik MacDonald, Melissa LaBarre
The clever designs of Weekend Hats will have enthusiastic knitters everywhere rejoicing in year-round hat style. Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre have brought you the best in designer knit hat patterns all in one beautiful and fun-loving collection. Included are 25 clever variations on caps, berets, beanies, cloches, hats, toques, tams, and snoods ranging from feminine to sporty. This collection of unique designs makes knitting a picture-perfect hat easy-to-do, offering the best in contemporary style and customized techniques.


Knitting Plus: Mastering Fit + Plus-Size Style + 15 Projects
by Lisa Shroyer
With Knitting Plus, you'll explore basic pullover and cardigan styles, including raglans, set-in sleeves, drop shoulders, seamless yokes, and dolmans in 15 stylish projects. Knitting Plus thoroughly outlines each element of the garment, while offering key tips on sweater measurements and tailoring for a custom fit. Included throughout are simple, easy-to-use templates of each construction type to make alterations and adaptations quick and simple.


Knit Edgings & Trims: Harmony Guides
by Kate Haxell
One of the greatest challenges you can face is finding the perfect edging or finishing for a project. With Knit Edgings and Trims, you have an abundance of edgings to choose from, including some never-before-seen edgings new to the updated Harmony Guides. Whether you're looking for a highly textured lace edge or to revamp a basic sweater silhouette with a unique edging, Knit Edgings and Trims is the perfect portable one-stop source for stitch inspiration.


Lace & Eyelets: Harmony Guides
by Erika Knight
Lace and Eyelets features a Falling Leaves pattern with a hint of texture perfect for an afghan and Little Flowers adds femininity to a set of winter accessories. From a Butterfly Lace to Knotted Openwork to Open Diamonds with Bobbles, this collection is designed to revolutionize the way you think about stitches. All swatches are worked in updated yarns, beautifully photographed and accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions. This all-in-one stitch guide fits perfectly in the knitter's travel bag, and design tips featured throughout will make it an invaluable resource to novice and skilled knitters alike.

New Crochet Books

YBD received a huge shipment of books by Interweave Press. Below is a sample of some of the new crochet books that arrived. Stop by the boutique to pick up your copy today!


Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques
by Robyn Chachula
Unexpected Afghans presents 29 innovative interpretations of a favorite at-home crochet essential. From best-selling author Robyn Chachula comes an in-depth look into crocheting traditional afghans using contemporary techniques, colors, and patterns.


Wrapped In Crochet: Scarves, Wraps & Shawls
by Kristin Omdahl
With Wrapped in Crochet, you'll create stunning crocheted scarves, wraps, and shawls using clever stitch motifs, innovative and traditional shaping, and a variety of crochet techniques and embellishment ideas. These one-of-a-kind pieces invite you to take your crochet to the next level. Project details include unusual edgings and motifs, color work, lace, ruffles, and tiers, and more.


Crochet So Fine: Exquisite Designs with Fine Yarns
by Kristin Omdahl
Kristin Omdahl's Crochet So Fine takes crocheted clothing from fussy to fashionable! By working with thinner yarns and more flexible stitches, crocheters can produce garments that are stylish and comfortable, figure-flattering without being form-fitting and great for layering. And just because the yarn is thin doesn't mean crocheters need to use the smallest of hooks, fine crochet can be quick and easy, too.


Baby Blueprint Crochet: Irresistible Projects for Little Ones
by Robyn Chachula
Visual crocheter Robyn Chachula is back, this time with a collection of bright, fun, and fashionable projects to crochet for little ones in Baby Blueprint Crochet. The 19 kid-friendly projects showcase Robyn's easy-to-read stitch diagrams, from clothes for boys and girls to accessories and toys. The designs are modern, cheery, and useful. And as a new mom herself, Robyn understands that parents want crocheted garments that launder easily with no extra frills or fussy materials.

Robin Hood by Grace Akhrem

The Robin Hood hat by Grace Akhrem is a unique, beautiful design and a quick knit. Sandy has made a couple already! Unfortunately, the samples have only encouraged our customers to love it, that we have sold out of all of the patterns. Fortunately, more are on there way to the boutique (arriving any day now)!!


Short Description: Slouchy Hat
Materials Used: 2 skeins Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran, 4 buttons
Needle Size: 8 US dpns, 8 US 16" circular, 7 US 16" circular
Skill Level: Advanced beginner

Blue Sky Alpacas Aprés Vest

Aprés Vest
Designed by Olga Buraya-Kefelian

Stop by the boutique today to see our sample made up in Techno, Club Grey (1975)


A ruching stitch created with alternating needle sizes offers a funky quilted effect in this light weight layer. It’s an easy one-piece knit with a simple snap tape closure.


experience
Advanced Beginner
materials
• Blue Sky Techno (50g/120yds): 5 (6, 6, 8, 9) hanks
• Size 7 (4.5mm) 32" circular needle
• Size 10½ (6.5mm) 32" circular needle
• Waste yarn
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders
• Tapestry needle
• 1 yard ¾" wide snap tape in matching color
• Sewing needle and matching thread


techno
68% baby alpaca / 10% extra fine merino / 22% silk
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.
details
Weight: 50 grams
Approx: 120 yards / 109 meters
Needle Size: 10.5 US / 6.5 mm
Gauge: 3-5 sts/inch or 2.5 cm