Unwind - Knitting for your body and mind

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.

Stitch 'N Pitch Event at Dodger Stadium

Many a day and many a night, I've wiled away the hours at the baseball game. Knitting. Purling.
Sometimes a half double crochet here or an ssk there. Always, I get "that look" from the mostly male crowd, saying, "Oh, her hubby DRAGGED her to the game. And will I get stabbed by those needles if I reach for that foul ball?"
Of course, they generally stop glaring once I start yelling, "Strike? That was no strike? Are you blind ump?!!!"

Well my dream to sit at the game without that glare has come true!
TNNA ( the National Needle Arts Association) is sponsoring a Knitter's Baseball Game at Dodger Stadium this season.

More than 1000 knitters, crocheters, cross stitchers, needlepointers and more will descend on Dodger Stadium on August 10 with needles, hooks and thimbles in hand to enjoy to great American past times.

We at Unwind are so excited that we are making it easy, easy to attend this great city-wide event.

Join us and avoid driving, parking at the stadium, schlepping, getting lost. Let's go together, and just have fun!

Unwind Stitch 'n Pitch Party and Shuttle

Dodgers vs. Rockies
Thursday, August 10, 2006
6:00 - 10/11:00 p.m.
$35

Meet at Unwind not later than 5:45 p.m.
818 N. Hollywood Way
Burbank
818/840-0800

$35 Includes All You Need to Have a Great Time at the Game

* Stitch 'n Pitch Dodger Game Ticket
* Seating all together with 1000+ yarn fans
* Round Trip Transportation between Unwind and Dodger Stadium, driver tips and parking
* Unwind Project Tote including Philanthrostitch Knit Kit -- yarn & pattern for charity blanket square
* Snacks at Unwind
* Prizes on the Bus
* Dodgers Knitting Gift Bag

And 20% off all day on August 10 for Stitch 'n Pitch ticket holders only

Seattle, Minnesota and San Fran have already had amazing Stitch 'n Pitch events. Let's make L.A.'s the biggest and best.

To order tickets for Unwind's Stitch 'n Pitch Party & Shuttle, call us at 818/840-0800 or purchase online at
http://www.unwindyarn.com/shop
Payment in advance by credit card or check is required. No refunds/credits once tickets have been purchased.
Upon registering, you will receive further details by email or phone. See more SnP news at http://stitchnpitch.com/

We Didn't Drink This Kool-AId

Our Kool-Aid yarn dye workshop with Pam Wheat was so much fun, I had to share some pictures!

Our first attempts were in tiny practice hanks.

We had started with Gems Merino fingering weight yarn that we soaked in a cooler.

And then Elaine, Nancy, Lynne, Mary, Camille, Sherry, Rochelle, Pam and I brushed,

dipped and squeezed,

sprinkled and painted

our way to some truly beautiful hanks. At least as much fun as getting wet and colorful was seeing the creativity pour out of one another!

And by afternoon's end, we were inspired, relaxed, excited to get home and knit our yarn, and smelling of Kool-Aid.

We're repeating the workshop on Saturday, August 19 from 1:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Check out our website for all of the details www.unwindyarn.com/classes.

Hope you'll join us for all of the fun and unwinding!

Sometimes you just gotta see some yarn!

For those of you out there who are anything like me, there are days and times when you just have to see some yarn. Breathe it, touch it, exist in its company. So for those of you who crave the comfort of "The Fiber," but can't get away today from your desk or your kids or whatever, here is some yarn. Almost as good as touching it and breathing it. Enjoy!

Rowan's discontinued yarns Yorkshire Tweed (quantities are getting limited) and Chunky Print and
the Rowan magazine, "Big Just Got Bigger" featuring great patterns using Chunky Print, Big Wool and more..

Unwind's growing sock wall at the retail store features Cherry Tree Hill Supersock -- all 30 colorways, plus 40 more potluck skeins --
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Fortissima Cotton closeouts, and great Regia self patterning yarns.

Richly colored. lushly soft cottons including Blue Sky Dyed and Blue Sky Organic Cotton, Tahki's Cotton Classic, Cascade Sierra,
Reynolds sadly discontinued yet beautiful Gypsy and more.

Knit Along with Unwind!

Spring is here, and summer is on the way. What do I knit? What to crochet?

Here are some projects that we had great fun doing up.
Join us at Unwind to make one or all at knit-alongs on Saturday afternoons from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. throughout May & June.

Internet customers who are interested in any of these projects, please shoot us off an email, and we'll get you information including pricing, colors etc. We're sorry that these items are not yet on the web shop, but they will be.

This is Brigitte designed by French Girl Patterns.
Looks like crochet , but it's actual knitted from the top down on big needles. Wear it over a tank top or t-shirt with jeans or a great summer skirt.
The whole thing takes 4 - 5 balls of Rowan Cotton Braid (we've got four great colors in stock) and including the pattern costs $51.50 or less.

This is the luscious Silky Tie Wrap in ArtYarns Regal Silk and Silk Mohair. One our great customers, Krislyn, helped to finish it.
The pattern is part of an article in the Spring issue of Vogue Knitting. It's a fun piece to make, because the silk yarns slip through your fingers -- there is nothing like silk -- the play of the laceweight mohair against the silk is perfect, plus there is no sewing up.
The wrap uses ArtYarns Modular Knitting method which is fun and easy to master.

And to crochet.... one Be Sweet Ribbon Ball makes this adorable hat and scarf set!
Although those who see it always think it's for my daughter, I actually wanted it for me.
Ribbon Ball has all of those cute little ribbons tied right into the yarn.
Add a bit of yarn from your stash for the flower on the hat, grab and H hook, and you're set to go.

Crochet along this great set on Tuesday and Thursday nights in May and June from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. with Dez at the shop.
Pick up your Ribbon Ball and pattern at Unwind.

Feeding The Habit -- A Shop Owner's Works in Progress

Like many of you, I have way too many projects on my needles right now.
It's times like these when I wish I was what one of our great customers, Jacki, calls a "mono-knitter."
Jacki swears by knitting one project at a time. From beginning to end, she remains committed to and interested in her project.
I suffer from knitting wandering eye. And I'm suffering particularly awfully right now.

It all began with the Twize. I was minding my own business until I touched this yarn. I wish I could say it was an accident.
But I knew what would happen next.

Twize is an awesome new yarn from Southwest Trading Company. 100% Bamboo, it's truly soft and slippery as silk.
It has several subtle colors twizzled together. As soon as I touched it at the trade show, I knew I had to make something with it.
Southwest made up this great pattern with Twize -- an easy, drapey tank that could be worn over a button-down shirt -- so cute.
While I spent a few days deciding what color I would choose,

This arrived, and I had my project:

My Twize in color "Twey" (Twize Grey) would become the "Short & Sweet" jacket by Angela "Lavonne" Best.

I don't crochet very often, so it took me a bit to get going, but I fell in love with the interplay between the silkiness of the yarn and the openwork pattern. As you can see, I'm virtually finished. Just a few more rows to lengthen the jacket -- it's worked from the top -- lengthen the sleeves,
and presto, I'll be done. But I couldn't leave well enough alone and just finish, plus I figured I could have one crochet project AND one knitting project, so...

I started this (on left) which will become this (right):

This is the "Dining Out" Jacket from Wool in the Woods knitted from their hand dyed yarn called Double Kiss.
It's a 100% Rayon Boucle with such a fun, nubbly texture.
The rayon lends an elegant shimmer, and the Wool in the Woods gals have an amazing sense of color.

I'm all about these little jackets now. They are so perfect for our SoCal climate in Spring and Summer.
Since I never stop knitting (as you'll see), it's great to work on projects that I can wear all year round.
What you see here on the left is the back which is worked with the sleeves in one piece.
There will be little seaming as the shoulders are closed simply with three needle bind off.
It's a very easy jacket. I still can't wait to wear it, but then...

The Spring 2006 Vogue Knitting arrived with this striking and simple pattern by Iris Schreier of ArtYarns.

Karyn and I saw Iris working on the design at the trade show. I knew I would have to make one of these wraps for the shop.
The part of the wrap where sleeves would be is actually tacked down, keeping this from being a shawl you have to keep
schlepping over your shoulders.

It can be made with Regal Silk, Silk Mohair, Silk Rhapsody or a combination as seen here. I'm alternating 2 rows of Regal Silk and Silk Mohair.
I've also followed Iris' easy instructions to make the wrap larger than shown in Vogue.
The version pictured on the right takes only 1 skein of each, so you have a gorgeous piece for yourself or as a gift for about $40.
I'm using two skeins of Regal Silk and one of Silk Mohair, but still the cost is only about $60. Not bad I think for such a substantial wrap in SILK!!
We're uploading new colors of Regal Silk and Silk Mohair at www.unwindyarn.com/shop

Later in April, we're having a class to teach the modular techniques involved in the wrap.
It's such a simple technique, but it allows you to work the entire garment in one piece, without having to pick up stitches or weave in a ton of ends.
The only ends I have to weave are at the beginning and end, and the one place I added another hank!

I'm so close to being finished. All that's left is to bring the left shoulder down across the front to form the other tie.
Weave in my three ends. That's it! But did I finish. No! Why?

Because a new sock yarn arrived! It's absolutely amazing, so of course I had try it out RIGHT AWAY.
The yarn takes the dye in such a way to make me think of the most comfy pair of faded jeans.
My pictures are so bad, and I'm sad the you can't see the gorgeous colors. Come by the shop!

This is my first toe-up sock. Mia wanted knee socks, and I figured if I start at the toe, I can simply knit until I run out of the 175 yards in the hank.
That should be a long enough knee sock for the rascal. :) I'm doing a mock cable switching off with an eyelet every four rows.
You can't see the eyelets in this photo, but Mia likes them -- she thinks they will keep her feet cool.

But what is this yarn, you ask? I can't tell you. Not yet.
I'm working on a very special negotiation to get an exclusive on this great sock yarn, plus an breath-taking silk lace weight from the same artist.
I will keep you posted. I promise. I hate keeping great yarn to myself.

But why, do you ask, have I only done about 3" of sock?

Because I have absolutely reached my multi-project threshold! If I don't finish something RIGHT NOW, I'm gonna blow!

As is my habit at these moments, I find myself so exhausted from all of the projects, that I can't possibly finish any of these.

So I start another! But it has to be one, that I can finish in one week. It has to be a project that I will complete without picking up any other yarn.

And here it is!

The "Polly" sweater from Rowan Classic Yarns book, "Classic Bambino."

If you haven't had the pleasure to work with the RYC cashmere blend basics, you are missing out. At the shop, we carry Cash Soft (superwash wool, cashmere and nylon blend) in 4ply, DK and Aran weight. We also carry Cash Cotton (cotton, angora, cashmere and nylon) in 4 ply and DK weight.

These yarns a well priced and soft as that baby's behind. Completely washable, we've made blankets, baby clothes, housewares, and adult garments.

Polly takes 4 balls of Cash Cotton DK. Here is my progress as of Tuesday afternoon.

Last night I completed the sleeves and started the trim, so I will actually be finished tonight. Completely finished. Finally.
Mia will look beautiful in this aqua color. And she can wear the top to her preschool graduation later this year.

Finishing this "Polly" will get me into a finishing mode. And here is the plan:

POLLY - finished Wednesday
ART YARNS WRAP - finished by Monday
SHORT & SWEET JACKET - finished by the next Friday
DINING OUT JACKET - finished by the next Friday
SOCK - kept in my handbag for traffic knitting, bank line knitting, etc.

Of course my eye is already on my next swath of projects. But I'll spare you now, and just let you know if I'm meeting my deadlines. Wish me luck!

One Skein At A Time

Rochelle was working at Unwind one day, minding her own business, and then...

ONE SKEIN has inspired me.

It’s been awhile since I was truly inspired. After finishing a particularly large afghan last month, I’ve been dragging my feet over finding new projects. I wasn’t burnt out, just not quite sure where to begin again.

When ONE SKEIN came in this month, though, I hit inspiration pay dirt—tons of truly great projects. Some were practical, some were innovative, some were simply fun, but all were exciting. Best of all, the idea of “one skein” means affordable!
I flipped through the book saying to myself, “I want to make this and this, I need to make this and this, and I absolutely must make this and this and this,” knowing that I had the means, the ability, the time and the desire to do so. Naturally I immediately began work on no less than four new knitting endeavors.
My current queue of projects include:

1) Fabulous Cabled Footies (which is my first foray into the cable world) using 1 skein of Lorna’s Laces shepherd worsted;
2) Felted Bowls using 1 skein of Cascade 220 (yes, I said felted bowls);

3) Two baby hats using 1 skein of Rowan Cashsoft DK; and
4) The knitted Labyrinth Circle Rug using all my worsted weight stash yarn and remnants.
And I’m knitting them at the same time!

Honestly, I’ll work 10 rows on the footies -- enough for two complete cables -- then switch and knit a few stripes on my rug, then a few rows of the hat or the bowls, then start all over again. I already have one footie done and am starting the second!

Clearly I can’t help but gush my affection for this book. Luckily, Unwind is having a ONE SKEIN-along every Saturday in March, so I cannot only gush with fellow ONE SKEIN-aholics over this great book but also be inspired by fellow knitters.
Can’t wait to see you Saturdays!

- Rochelle

Of Knitted Babes and Little Girls

Oh Little Girls!

Doesn't seem to matter how much of the tomboy factor exists in any of them; if you show them a doll, they're hooked.

The other day, my four and a half year old daughter, Mia, picked up her first Barbie doll. Upon successfully ripping off all the creature's designer duds, Mia says to me, "Mommy, where's her baby-hole?"

I beg your pardon? I realized quickly that Mia may be ready for Barbie and all of her nearly anatomically correct parts, but I sure as shootin am NOT! So what does a mommy who is a knitter and yarn shop proprietress do? I bring Mia to Unwind and show her some Knitted Babes.

Thank goodness for the babes and their handcrafted loveliness. They seemed to erase any desire for questions about ladies' parts. What a relief! Of course, now I feel required to make her one...or two. :)

These simple beauties are very easy to knit. And what an amazing gift for the girl (of any age) in your life. The Babes have been visiting Unwind, and even though they are leaving soon and continuing their tour, Unwind is still in full Babe mode. Our first Knitted Babe workshop was a ton of fun. Students gathered together to work through the beginnings of constructing their Babes. Picking yarns, choosing wardrobes and more.

If you'd like to join in the fun, drop by Unwind to pick up the Knitted Babe pattern book. Or buy it online at www.unwindyarn.com/shop. And if you're interested in joining in another Knitted Babe Workshop, let us know at info@unwindyarn.com. We'll be happy to set one up.

And for those of you who wonder about my delightful girl, here is Miss Mia's first trip to the snow! Literally 15 minutes spent of the highway to Mt. Pinos along Interstate 5. She's trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue. Of course, you can tell it is Los Angeles, as someone left a Doritos bag in the background. It wasn't us!

Passion or Obsession

So this is Odessa. A one-ball wonder made in one of my favorite yarns -- RYC's CashSoft. One of our great customers, Barbara, showed us the pattern, designed by Grumperina. You can find the pattern on Mag Knits. You could also make a fabulous Odessa with Optimum DK which we've got on amazing closeout on the web shop at www.unwindyarn.com/shop

As soon as I saw it, I had to start knitting. No matter that I am in the middle of one of my over the top, too many projects at once modes. And I had been so good for awhile. Besides, Odessa would take me one evening to make, and then I'd have a cute hat for my new longer hair. I spent short breaks during the madness of Unwind's No Football Super Bowl Party fondling all the Cash Soft in the store. I settled on a deep wine color that Rowan calls "Opulence." So this would be my reward for a successful Super Bowl Party. (By the way, hope you gals all had fun. It certainly looked like you did. :) )

So I get home with my Opulence and my 16" size 6 circs. And I start knitting.

Now this is where we can question whether we're dealing with passion or obsession.

As many of you know, I do my best to relieve you all of the guilt of what you like to call your yarn obsessions. You'll come into the store, sneaking around, trying not to touch anything. And then you admit your "obsession." I almost always attempt to reframe that as your "passion."

Of course, now I'm caught myself, being obsessive over this darn beautiful Odessa.

Too tired after the long day of the Super Bowl Party, I really only got an inch or two done that first night. But the next day --oh the next day! I'm knitting along as my hubby and I are driving to an appointment. Nearly 5" of the hat is finished. The end is in sight. I can pop this thing on at any moment now. And then, NOoooooooooo. I forgot to bring the double points! And the scissors! And the yarn needle!!

My inner knitter won't stop chanting,"must finish hat, must finish hat, wear hat now, wear hat now!"

So, have you ever tried to turn a 16" circ into a magic loop? You should have seen me. Twisting and turning that silly needle, trying to work the decreases. Please, please, please can I finish.

We stopped to get coffee. Could I break some drinking straws, and use those as double points?! I looked around to see if anyone had noticed that I was losing my mind. Can you believe that I managed to use that darn circular all the way to the end of the hat?

Then the blasted scissors. I rummaged around in the glove box for anything that could cut the end of the yarn. Aha!! Plastic knife. Gnawing away at my beautiful yarn and finally the plastic broke through. Wove the end in with my fingers, and voila!

So the top of my hat is a bit gnarly. It's still a beautiful hat. And I still say I'm a passionate person, not obsessed.

But you be the judge.

Back From the Trade Show with Goodies

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. :)