Let me just start by saying, "Thank goodness for Karyn!" Without her, your Unwind proprietress would be doing anything but unwinding at the NeedleArts Trade Show this past weekend in San Diego. We made our way through 20 aisles of yarn, yarn, yarn, patterns, needles and yarn, and thanks to Karyn, we picked some AMAZING yarns and projects for your knitting and crocheting enjoyment!
But firstly, for all you baseball fans -- Go Angels! -- our hotel was literally across from Petco Park! I'm not a Padres fan -- at all -- but I love ball parks, and I have to admit getting a little bit of a chill when I realized I could see INSIDE THE STADIUM from our room window at the Marriott.
The Needlearts show took place at the San Diego Convention Center. There was one other trade show at the Convention Center -- Extreme Sports/Skateboarders. Most of them were at our hotel, and apparently several rooms were trashed. When I inquired of the front desk staff whether the knitters were responsible for the $1000s in damage, the clerk just gave me a sidelong glance. :)
One of the first things we bought for the store were some wonderful yarns from Be Sweet. We purchased several colors of Be Sweet's Magic Ball and Ribbon Ball Yarns.
These are simply too much fun. One ball produces a light confection of a scarf on US 35 needles. If you've been around Unwind enough, you know how much I hate large needles and how much I never liked scarves. But I knit up a sample of a Magic Ball for the shop, and I love it. Each ball is a unique compilation of the softest angora goat mohair, mohair boucles, ribbons, wool, nubbies and more. The color play in each ball is light and frothy. Each ball makes a great gift with a pair of needles or a fun, quicky project to dress up your wardrobe.
The Ribbon Balls have hand tied bits of ribbon in each ball. They were each so beautiful, that I had a hard time choosing colors. I know you will enjoy these fun yarns!
This is Nadine Curtis, the founder of Be Sweet. Nadine had the opportunity to live in Capetown, South Africa from 2002 - 2004. There she became enamored with the handcrafted products made by women in local job creation and empowerment groups. So Nadine decided to bring their products, glorious yarns, shawls, hats and more to a wider audience. So every Be Sweet yarn purchased helps the women who spun and dyed it.
One of our next purchases was more of the great yarns from Blue Sky Alpacas. We added colors to our collection of Blue Sky Cotton. I wish I had pictures of their brand new colors, but I know you will like them all. At 4 stitches in 1", this is one yarn that literally walks off our shelves, over to the register, hops into bags and goes home with you. It's completely machine washable, soft as anything and makes perfect blankets. But the other news is how light it is, especially for cotton. You could easily make a spring/summer tank or tee and not feel weighed down.
There is another new yarn -- Blue Sky Royal -- a luxurious 100% alpaca. We picked out a delicate fingerless glove pattern that takes just one ball. Pure elegance.
And lastly from Blue Sky, we stocked up on 100% Alpaca Sportweight, because we know you will all want to knit the Spice Market Vest. And why will you want to knit the Spice Market Vest? Well, besides the fact that it's cute, soft and flattering, I designed it! Yes, Blue Sky Alpacas has made Stephanie into a published knitwear designer. That's a picture of the sample vest alongside the one-sheet from the photo shoot. I must say that I am excited. Of course I'll post when the yarns and patterns arrive. :)
