A Good Yarn in Brookline, MA - your local yarn store

We hope you've had a relaxing and happy holiday season; somehow managing to finish all of your gift projects in time. If not, maybe you're done with them by now and ready to move on to some "me" knitting and crocheting. Learning a new technique or trying a new yarn is a great way to indulge yourself after the marathon knitting season has past.

Our class schedule this season focuses on just that--learning new techniques and perfecting the basics. Knitting is much more enjoyable when one doesn't have to dread seaming, fret about gauge, or decipher an unfamiliar stitch pattern.

Many of our classes have yet to start and still have space (the Beginning Knitting on Tuesdays 2/9 - 2/23 and Stitch Sampler for Beginners classes are both full). Please drop by or call to check availability.

A few of our winter arrivals are perfect for such technique sampling. Nordique by St. Denis comes in a great range of colors, is 100% wool and is a great choice for color work and textured fabrics that include cables or lace. We also have the premiere issue of St. Denis Magazine, which features 16 patterns for Nordique from designers such as Veronik Avery, Pam Allen and Jared Flood.

From Kelbourne Woolens we also have Terra and Canopy Fingering. Both yarns are interesting blends of fibers and come beautiful pallets. As you try a new technique, consider one of the accessory patterns from Kelbourne Woolens. We have a binder with pattern support for Terra and Canopy to browse, but they aren't for sale--you can download the patterns directly from their web site for free!

As always we have many magazines as they become available, including the new Vogue Knitting, Knit Scene, Knit Simple and Debbie Bliss magazines.

We hope to see you in the store soon. Until then, happy knitting and crocheting!

Here at the store, "new arrival" season is over and we're hunkering down for the winter. Our shelves are full of new yarns, colorways and plenty of old favorites. When choosing a new project, many people work to balance yarn budgets with the yummiest yarn possible.

With that in mind, we would like to know:
What would you knit with a $25 yarn budget?

In the coming weeks we will be featuring store patterns that work up for under $25. Each of the hats below is an A Good Yarn original free pattern and is on display at the store.

Skeins: one
Sizes: adult small, medium, large (shown in large)
Cost to make: $8
With a large pallet of colors, this is a great hat for either men or women. This Peruvia hat is worked in a simple rib with a folded up brim.

Alpaca Cotton Toboggan

Yarn: Rowan Alpaca Cotton
Skeins: two
Sizes: small (white and black), large (brown and black)
Cost to make: $25
This lightweight hat has two brim options and is knit at a dense gauge for warmth. The two sizes (done by changing needle sizes) are appropriate for children and adults.

Silk Garden & Cash Iroha Hat

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, Cash Iroha
Skeins: one of each yarn
Sizes: one
Cost to make: $24
Fans of Noro yarns will enjoy choosing a solid color to complement one skein of Silk Garden for this hat. Make a complete set with our matching Silk Garden scarf pattern that is knit lengthwise.

Blizzard Cap

Yarn: Malabrigo Aquarella
Skeins: one
Sizes: one size
Cost to make: $14
This stockinette cap is quick knit on size US 13 needles--perfect for beginners and those who want to enjoy a skein of hand painted yarn.

The above patterns are available at the store, just ask! Other yarns can be substituted for these patterns as long as their gauge is appropriate.

Our fall classes are almost over and a new schedule will be published in January. As always, the new list will be available on our web site and will be sent to all of our mailing list and/or blog subscribers.

Thanks for reading and happy knitting and crocheting!

Get a head start on holiday knitting
Saturday, October 17, 2009

A bit of a chill in the air is a great reminder to start gift knitting early. Just in time, we have plenty of new patterns and yarns for small (and quick!) projects. For inspiration, stop by to browse the new Interweave Knits "Holiday Gifts" 2009 magazine, Vogue Holiday 2009 magazine, or Cat Bordhi's new book Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters.

We also have new needle cases from Della Q, "Switch" interchangeable circulars from KA, and a new selection of Christmas Stocking kits from Accessories Unlimited. Continuing with the trend of previous weeks, we also have new yarns:

In addition to the above yarns, we also have stocked up on a few favorites including Lamb's Pride (bulky and worsted), Socos, Malabrigo Aquarella, Cascade 220 Superwash, and Eco Wool--each of which will make a basic hat with just one skein!

As always, we have plenty of yarns on sale to browse, such as Naturwolle by Muench. It is spun in the Black Forest in Germany, 100% wool, 110 yards, and knits up quickly at 3-3.5 sts/1" on US #10 needles. One skein is enough for an adult hat, mittens, a crochet child's hat, or a narrow scarf.

Finally, a few of our fall classes have not started and still have a few spaces left:

Please drop by or call to reserve your space and bring your materials to the first class.