Good Things to Come

This weekend marked the beginning of a lot of work for me and my family.  I signed the lease to our retail space, started Sock Madness (a fun sock knitting competition on Ravelry.com), started planning the first knit along, and met with another yarn rep.

The future home of Midwest Yarn!

The retail space should be opening to the public in June as long as there are no hiccups along the way.  Currently, there's a lovely little art boutique there.

I've started collecting furniture and other pieces for the shop, which will have a modern day country cottage/rustic feel to it.  I plan on having artwork and other vintage/antique items on display to decorate the store.

So why am I doing Sock Madness in the middle of this busy time for Midwest Yarn?  I promised myself last year that I'd join the competition, especially since I'd missed last year's by a few days.  It's a great way to learn new knitting skills and have fun talking to over 100 other people knitting the exact thing you are.  I learned Judy's Magic Cast On and Jenny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off both of which were easy techniques to pick up.  I'm in the midst of round 1, so wish me luck!

I'll be hosting our first knit along on Ravelry.com.  This will start as soon as there is enough interest in the knit along.  In fact, I'm starting on my pattern early because I couldn't resist the piles of silky soft Findley Dappled yarn.  I'm knitting the All the Stops Dress, featured on the cover of Juniper Moon Farm's Findley Dappled booklet that was just released.

To get ready, stop by Midwest Yarn's website and pick up the yarn and pattern books for a Juniper Moon Farm project.  I have Findley Dappled and Sabine yarn/booklets in stock for the projects and can order more if there are enough people interested.  Special orders for Yearling and Yearling Booklets can be made too.

You can use the Grand Opening coupon code WELCOME20 for 20% off yarn, the booklets, and other supplies you'll need for the knit along.  Then follow here or on Midwest Yarn's Ravelry.com group (Friends of Midwest Yarn).  Don't forget to email me if you have questions or need help with your project.

Coming soon...I just ordered fingering weight/sock yarn in 13 colorways from Claudia's Hand Painted Yarns.  They'll be available for purchase as soon as we get them in!