Thrifty Thursday July 6

Chloe by Alana Dakos

Hope everyone had time to enjoy our three day weekend. Don’t we wish they were all like that for the summer but it’s back to work and time for another project that will ” keep your wallets happy. Never Not Knittings Chloe is a quick top down girls cardigan ( 6 mo.’s to 10 yrs) striped up  in worsted weight yarn. The shop sample was knit with three skeins of Jill Eaton Minnow Merino. That’s only $24.00! It may not be another long weekend but this short- sleeved sweater is a super quick knit for any weekend.

As always, mention you saw this on Facebook or the blog and when you purchase your yarn for this project you will receive 15% off at checkout.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Knitting Happiness

via content in a cottage

Three cheers for our red, white and blue. Independence Day, otherwise known as the Fourth of July celebrates the adoption of our Declaration of Independence. For most of us this year, it’s just a long awaited 3 day weekend. Boston will celebrate it’s annual Boston Pops 4th of July Concert on the Esplanade culminating with a spectacular fireworks display over the harbor.

Growing up, 4th of July meant the local town parade, followed by a cookout, the fireworks later that evening, ice cream at Wallaces and if you were lucky a sleepover with friends. As I grew older I began to look at the celebrations from a grown up perspective for what it was, at least to me,  just another day in July to mark another birthday for myself and the country.

For three years now, we have transformed the shop based upon a theme each and every month, coordinating it with our monthly newsletter. This month I stayed away from the newsletter and Ellen took ”the wheel”. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but something just was not right. I usually can jump right in, sometimes hours after one has hit your mailbox, but not this time. Stars and Stripes was not happening.

Facebook, you have to love it or leave it. I float somewhere in the middle. One can rant about life, their day, their families, keep you in touch with those who are near and dear to you, but life, and several hundreds of miles took you both in different directions.  This past year I was lucky enough to find my old roomate after several long years of loosing touch. It was if we had never skipped a beat. Husbands, jobs, deaths, and our children, hers all boys and myself with one of each. As parents we have several journeys in our lives that we must take, some are beautiful rites of passage and others are a little harder to swallow. This year Vicky’s oldest entered the military. I have watched her posts as she missed her first holiday with him, his birthday and other family milestones. I see the flags and the pictures of a proud mom and dad with their son in uniform and I see the posts about being up at 3:00 in the morning not being able to sleep. I see a mother, like many other mothers, holding her breath as the phone rings, like any of us when a child is not under our wings and it hit me…..Hard! Fourth of July was no longer about fireworks, bbq’s, a weekend at the beach or knitting. This Fourth of July was about  19 year old Chuck Lomas and thousands of other sons, daughters, mothers and fathers fighting for our independence.   Fourth of July will never be the same. Bless you and please come home safe.

Proud Momma and Son

Thrifty Thursdsay June 30

Fourth of July weekend is fast approaching and just a reminder that we are closed Saturday July 2 and Monday July 4th. We know most of you are heading out for the long weekend getaway and what a better way to go then with a little project made with Joey’s Baby Silk and Rowan Kidsilk Haze. Cast on these Drops Easter Bunny Booties, free pattern available on Ravelry. They are “hoppin” adorable!

Mention you saw this week’s project on Facebook or our Blog and receive 15% off your yarn purchase when you check out.

Have a safe and Happy 4th and don’t forget your knitting for the car ride, campsite, beach or wherever this weekend takes you.

Paving Paradise

via wishflowers

Going Out Of Business (got your attention didn’t it!) signs of the time, we have all seen them. Closing after how many, 25, 30 maybe more years. Shop Local Save Gas, 40%-50%-75% off, Space for rent or lease. They say things get worse before they can get better. How much worse is the question? Times are tough for everyone and more so for the small business owner. We are living the “American Dream” where almost anyone can take their dream, rent a space and put up a sign. In a different time that would have  been all it took, not so much now. That song and dance has now morphed into a broadway musical to get you to notice us, walk through those doors, shop, come back and shop some more. Can you walk into a box store  or big business anywhere and find the service you receive at your local hometown/downtown business? Do they know your name, have your personal phone number, know if you or a loved one is sick, look at pictures of your children or grandchildren or just lend an ear when there is something hanging heavy in their heart? Are they closed on Sundays and holidays to spend time with their families, but gladly open up for you in your time of need?  Most of us grew up in times when this was how it used to be and it can still live on with your help. I admit I yearn for the nostalgia of curling up in the corner of the local bookstore or stopping by our local bakery downtown for a free, warm, out of the oven cookie. I just couldn’t imagine that my children or their children would never have this opportunity.  

A few weeks ago we joined a movement called the 3/50 project. Basically, they are trying to promote awareness to the general public about saving local brick and mortar shops and the local economy. Just ask yourself  “what local business would you miss most if they were no longer there”?  The last line in their mission statement says it all “1 the number of people it takes to start a trend”.  Recently one of our local landmarks closed after 20 plus years in the business posted on their sign “you may be next”. Not what a struggling business owner wants to see every morining on her way to work.

Ladies, we are the fastest growing demographic group entering the business world and I am asking for your help. We can manage to run a household, raise our children and work a job outside of the home and not skip a beat. All I am asking is a little help in saving our local econony. Visit your local shops on a regular basis. If you are not, ask yourself why. Is there something that would bring you back? Tell them, they want your business. They need your business.

Six months from now, a year from now I don’t want to be a statistic. I want to be posting on our sign with a tear, “CLOSING AFTER 20 YRS. FRIENDS THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES, HEADING TO VERMONT”

Kniterature

via tinywhitedaisies

We brought you new fiber vendors, new hot designers and now for your  reading enjoyment the newest, soon to be released, “Kniterature”. I have mentioned before, my obsession for knitting bags, knitting gadgets and “bury me wrapped in” fine luxurious fibers, but I neglected to mention my extensive collection of knitting publications. Not only do these line the shelves in both the front and back of the shop, but occupy several shelves in my knitting room at home. Hey, I know, I have a little, OK, a BIG problem. The kind TLC makes reality programs about.  I think they will call it “Yarn Porn”.  I tell Mr. In The Loop that my accountant and I call it “Tax Deduction”. Finding a great book, whether fiction, non-fiction or how-to’s, excites the soul, the same way the perfect knitting project does when you cast on.

Take a little peek at the new releases to be arriving over the next few months, wrapped in brown paper of course, to the shelves at In The Loop. Did we tell you we are on a first name basis with our UPS man.

Sock Knitting Master Class

Sock Knitting Master Class from Ann Budd  Release Date July 2011

“Showcases the methods of 16 top designers for creating original and artistic socks”. See works from “the most inventive and exciting designers”, like Cookie A, Kathryn Alexander, Nancy Bush, Cat Bordhi, Pricilla Gibson-Roberts, Anne Hanson, Melissa Moran-Oakes, Meg Swanson, Anna Zilboorg and much more.

Custon Knits 2

Custom Knits 2 by Wendy Bernard  Release Date September 2011

Wendy Bernards second book to the bestselling Custom Knits. “2″ takes us to a new level for tricks, techniques and formulas, for making that perfect sweater with or without a pattern.

Weekend Hats

Weekend Hats by Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre  Release Date September 2011

25  head toppers from the feminine to the sporty, for all skill levels including tips and tricks from such designers as Jared Flood, Connie chang Chinchio, Kate Gagnon Osborn, Courtney Kelley, Kristen TenDyke, and Cirila Rose.

Socktopus

Socktopus by Alice Yu  Release Date October 2011

“Socktopus is ideal for the aspiring knitter in search of the perfect sock”. Techniques and tips to allow “knitters to adapt and create their own designs”.

Finishing School

Finishing School A Master Class for Knitters by Deborah Newton  Release Date October 2011

We all dread it, well at least most of us do. All that knitting and now you have to put it together. Some put it in their basket hoping that it will get finished by the “knitting elves” others work through it, not quite sure of the finished product. Deborah takes her students “through the ins and outs of blocking, seaming, edging and embellishments” to take you to the final step, a “professional-looking” knitted garment.

Knit Local

Knit Local by Tanis Gray  Release Date October 2011

What knitting publication haven’t you seen the works of Tanis Gray in? Find her on Ravelry, in Vogue, Knit1, Knitscene to name just a few and she has designed for Tilli Tomas, Be Sweet and Alchemy. You are sure to find something to catch your eye.

60 More Quick Knits

60 More Quick Knits in Cascade 220  Release Date November 2011

You will soon be able to find Cascade on our shelves this fall and what a better way to introduce our newest line then with their new book. Cascade 220 Sport, one of the most popular, versatile and economic of the Cascade brand is highlighted in this new release following in the footsteps of their previous success, 60 Quick Knits and 60 Quick Baby Knits.

Textured Stitches

Textured Stitches by Connie Chang Chinchio  Release Date December 2011

Connie “debuts a brand-new collection of 22 knitwear designs showcasing texture”. Cardigans, jackets, gloves, pullovers, hats, scarves are fun knits mixing basics with textured stitches.

Eight new releases that will take us into the new year and another fall season of knitting. We try to advise our knitters that the best way to approach a book is the rule of three. If you can’t say that there are at least three projects in the book to make it to your “must knit” list then maybe the book is not for you. So grab your cup of tea, snuggle up in a cozy corner and let’s do some reading.

* quotes in italics were taken from the book’s previews on the Unicorn Books site.

Thrifty Thursday June 23

In The Heat

These Thursdays seem to be coming a little faster each week, but we are prepared. This weeks “wallet happy” project is Talitha Kuomi’s “In The Heat“, using  about 165 yards, this versatile lace pattern scarf can be knit with just about anything that strikes your fancy.  We knit the shop sample with Bashful Bags and Fibers mohair, but why not try Classic Elite’s Firefly or Magnolia, Rowan Savannah, Nashua CF Linen or Louet Euroflax Linen. With or without beads, pocket or no pocket, dress up or dress down, this scarf is pure elegance. Everyone will be asking you for one of these.

Just mention you saw this weeks project on Facebook or the blog at checkout and you will receive %15 off your yarn purchase for  “In The Heat”. 

Now that summer is in full swing, school is out and you want to stay out of the heat, come join us on Saturdays for “Happy Hours”. Sit in the air conditioning, join us at the table, make some new friends and enjoy 15% off any purchase while you stitch with us from 10:00 – 12:00.