Unwind - Knitting for your body and mind

Thursday Knit-Alongs with Stephanie and WIPS!

I have definitely been on a project-starting kick in the last few months. I can't help it when there are so many new yarns coming to the store. I want to be able to tell you all personally what I think about each and every one of them. So I start projects that span the range from lace weight to chunky. And I do love each yarn so much. I know you will too. But then the problems arise -- I start getting antsy to finish a project. Yet nothing is far enough along to be near that 'almost finished feeling."

So won't you help me get some of these lovelies completed by joining me for Thursday night knit-along with Stephanie? Not only do I promise to stay sitting and knit with you, but we can egg each other on to get some stuff finished. And if I get up to say hi to a customer or to walk with my knitting, don't hold it against me. The girl can't help it.

Here is some of what I'll be finishing come Thursday nights:

The second in the Baudelaire pair. Adapted from Baudelaire in Knitty to fit Mia's little foot.

The second in the Spring Grass pair by Craftoholic to fit my bigger foot.
Steph of Craftoholic has given permission to share the pattern with you. Let's make it the September/October Sock-of-the-Month. Mine is knit in Rowan 4 Ply Soft. What will you make yours in? Click the link for the pattern. Charts are available in the store with yarn purchase. Just ask.

I've been a fan of Rowan's 4 Ply Soft for years but never had the pleasure of wearing it on my feet. It's what I like to call merino with squish.
If you've worked with Lana Grossa Bingo or the Filatura Zara line, then you know the possibilities of 4 Ply Soft. It comes in Rowan's range of rich, earthy hues and makes your stitches look GREAT. And you must love a yarn that produces great-looking stitches.

Looks much better on "His Feet" than on mine.

The second sock of the "His Sock" pair. Ron has been waiting MONTHS for the second sock. He was skeptical about wearing hand-knit socks
(the louse) until he saw and felt the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the "Jeans" colorway. Now he's practically begging for me to finish them. If you join us for knit-along Thursdays, I'll be able to finish, and my marriage will remain intact. Plus the Lorna's colors and hand is smooth and begs to be knit. Two skeins makes most pairs of socks. We love Lorna's!

That pretty much takes care of the unfinished socks.
I'm saving a photo of the very small bit of my newest sock project for another post, lest you think me totally insane.

Thursday Knit-Alongs and WIPs MORE

But wait, there's more for these coming Thursday nights. Bring on the unfinished sweaters:

Sorrel from Rowan #40 knit from Rowan's brand new yarn for fall -- Tapestry.
Ladies and gentlemen, Tapestry is an unqualified hit. This is simply my absolute favorite new yarn for Fall 2006.
You've got to come in and take a look for yourself, because the picture just does not do it justice.

Will my Sorrel look this good?

Tapestry is 131 yards of a lightly spun, lofty blend of 70% Wool/30% Soybean Protein.
It's soft, silky, has a bit of shine, slips through your fingers and looks perfectly gorgeous knit. I'm hooked.
So as you can see, I have the back finished and about 1/2 of the front. After I complete the second front shoulder shaping, I get to pick up stitches for the cowl, knit the sleeves, and then stitch up the cleverly constructed center front panel. I'm loving this. Let's get me finished with it so I can wear it.

The completed back of the sweater!

Vegemite from Interweave Knitscene Fall 2006. I'm making mine from Rio de la Plata Twist. Oh Rio is so yummy.
So, so yummy that I requested (and received!) the chance to shop through the Rio de la Plata warehouse. Oh my gosh! Talk about hard to resist.
I bought a bunch of new colors of this spectacular hand-spun, kettle-dyed wool from Uruguay. Colorways that make your mouth water and your eyes pop. Rio yarns are so beautiful that we literally hear ecstatic sighs as customers walk by the shelves. Plus it's got some loft making it just the things for this season's highly rich fashion palette.

And lastly, let's not forget the home decor!

This is the "Softest Chunky Throw" using Misti Alpaca Chunky Alpaca. Misti advertises itself as producing the softest yarn ever, and they are absolutely right. If soft is what you want, then Misti Chunky is it -- hands down. I have never -- ever -- felt any yarn softer.
This blanket knits up fast on US 13s, and the cable is the simplest ever -- a 4 row repeat.
A new cable knitter could cable this one in their sleep -- a good thing, since you'll nearly fall asleep under this soft throw.
Just ask our cat Zoe. I had to pry her off the thing.
The Misti Alpaca yarns (including Mist laceweight) will be in the store in teh next few weeks. But come by and feel this blanket in the meantime.
Get ready to knit yourself a treat. Maybe we can finish them together.

Stitch n Pitch 2006

Nearly 70 of you joined Unwind (half on the bus and half in your cars) at the newly annualized Stitch n Pitch event. From the bus ride to the game, to the knitting and crocheting, to Dodger Dogs and a few beers, to the sale at the store, we had a blast. Thanks for all of the fantastic squares you made for our Philanthrostitch project and for waving your pink Unwind project bags with such pride.

Check out our Stitch 'n Pitch Photo Album in the left hand column to get a view of all the fun!

A Lifestyle vs. an Actual Life

Recently I've been approached about selling franchises of Unwind and opening additional locations in planned communities. The folks who brought this idea forward have viewed Unwind as more than just a store; they consider the lighting, colors, and signage as part of a "lifestyle" angle. As more and more yarn shops have opened, shop owners have looked for an angle -- a way to be different and stand out from the crowd. Best yarn, friendliest staff, community-oriented, relaxing. On and on. This is natural I suppose, to snag a claim of originality with an angle.

This makes me think of St. John Knits, the fashion design house known over decades for its classic, Chanel-inspired suits. It recently took a big -- and cynical -- gamble on "lifestyle" marketing. Angelina Jolie was hired to model an all-new look for St. John, catering to the 30-something gal with some bucks and attitude. They spent a lot of both, and love was left at the back door. The styles changed, the sizing became smaller, and St. John stopped producing the line that had made them successful. After bitter complaints and plummeting sales, they are going back to the beginning, bringing back their original designers -- and praying they will rekindle their original customers' love.

At this point you must be wondering, "what does this have to do with yarn?!" Well, I'll tell you.

I'm a curvy gal. I'm not too fond of angles. So let me be plain about what Unwind is. Unwind is yarn. Beautiful yarn that I love. If I don't love it, it's not in the store. I admit this is a bit of a change for the shop. When I opened, I was counseled by many people in both yarn retail and general retail about the 30% rule. That is, buy 30% ugly inventory, because someone will like it even if you don't.

Well the ugly is out, and the lovely is in. I mean it! Everything I bought for the fall season is lovable. I either love the way it feels, looks or knits. Or I love the value. Or I love that the sucker goes through the washer and comes out looking great. I'm a pretty normal gal, so I figure if if I love the stuff, there's a great chance you will too.

So no matter what yarn you choose at Unwind, you can know that I love it. And I'll tell you exactly why if you ask. I want a life, not a lifestyle. i presume that you do too.