Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year's, everyone!! Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2009 to you all!

Now, just a heads-up. Our Winter 2009 class schedule is starting up this Sunday, with the Mosaic Knitting Pillow class from 10am-12pm. This is a really easy and fun way to do complicated-looking colorwork. And this pillow is knit in bulky-weight yarn, so it can be finished in a couple of days. Look how cool it is:
Cost is $20, and we still have a few spaces left in the class. Call the store at 215-242-1271 to sign up.

Monday, December 22, 2008

A Great 2008

It's only a few days before Christmas and I have to admit to not making many gifts this year. I got so behind in my knitting that my husband's November birthday sweater has turned into a Christmas present by default.
But it has been a great time in the store to see all the projects people have been working on. Hats, mittens, scarves. Coats and sweaters. It's been a treat.
Being in our new space has been a treat as well. Although getting used to the computer took a little time, it has made things a lot easier for the staff and we hope has made for quicker transactions for all of you.
It's been wonderful watching people accomplish their goals. Watching Sharon churn out mittens, sweaters (fair isle no less), even felted sheep (they are adorable) has been fun. You can hardly wait to see what she's done.
I give Tawana mad props for trying anything. A knitter of her own creation, she doesn't read patterns but looks at a piece and figures it out on her own; she even has her own knitting vocabulary.
We love Martha, who left us the most heartfelt thank you phone message on Thanksgiving day. We didn't erase it, but play it over again and again.
Hilda's beautiful message mittens take the cake -- done on size 1 needles yet. And don't get me started on her beaded scarf.
A shout out to all the people who came in for private lessons in order to improve their skills. Thanks for working so hard to take your game up a notch.
As we get to the end of the year I think of projects I'd like to do in 2009. But being one who doesn't care for New Year resolutions I hate to make a list. It never fails - no matter what I think I want to make, I get distracted by new designs and patterns or feel the need to revisit an old favorite.
Still this year I will be making baby things as I will be a first-time grandmother come the spring. I have saved up patterns for decades. Now comes the task of sorting through them and finding the ones that really matter. Don't know yet the sex of this baby so I've delayed starting projects. But I feel the time will start flying by and I will have to get a short list started if the baby is to have a coming-home-from-the-hospital sweater.
It's been a great year and with every hope for an even better 2009. Here's hoping that you all continue to use the Tangled Web to find the materials and tools you need to tackle all your projects.
Continue to amaze and inspire us with your creativity.
We're ready for 2009. Here's hoping you are too.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Oh dear, I've been so remiss in posting these wonderful pictures of classes and customer projects!! Following is a veritable parade of good stuff. Here goes:

This is customer Cassandra's adorable daughter, modeling her Kid's Hoody Vest, from the class of the same name earlier this year:
We've begun to accumulate a veritable menagerie of felted animals here at the store. Customer/Enabler Sharon made one of these adorable Fiber Trends felted sheep, then of course I had to make one. Fun Fun FUN! (We still have some of patterns in stock. I'm just sayin'....)

This insanely gorgeous nugget was knit by customer Betsy. It's a Log Cabin blanket, worked in Cotton Classic, and it knocked our eyes out of the sockets when she brought it in!

Look at the intensity of these knitters! These concentrating women are part of the Bead Lace Scarf Knit-Along. Lots of concentration and the scarves these knitters produced were out of this world beautiful.

Here's customer Marina, showing off her super-warm mitten from the Mohair Mittens class:

Here's a preview of an upcoming Knit-Along. This is customer Ann, in her beautifully-made Frog Tree Kimono Cardigan (TW Knit-Along for March/April), worked in Rowan Felted Tweed. Beautiful job, Ann.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Happy December, everyone!

We've been crazy-busy here since the holiday shopping/knitting season kicked off, but here's a little nugget that we're offering as a holiday present from us to you.
This gorgeous elegant sumptuous fabulous neckwarmer is knit from 2 balls of Sinsation, Plymouth's smoochy-soft, shiny, gorgeous chenille. The pattern is easy-peasy - Cast on 20 stitches on a #9 needle and knit until the yarn is gone or the neckwarmer is 20". Sew up the ends, add a beautiful shawl pin, and off you go!

Sinsation is 10% off until Christmas Eve, just in case you want to whip up a few of these. They're perfect for teacher gifts, hostess gifts, and gifts for you because they dress up a suit or make you look snazzy on your way to a festive holiday party.

We have dozens of great ideas for quick knit (or quick-to-buy) presents at the store - come on in, and we'll get you all set up!!