WoolWinders is pleased to introduce SCARFABLES, the perfect solution for new (or not so new) scarf knitters! Thanks to Lynne Warren, who came up with the idea (and who is holding the sign introducing our new product) , we have gone through our bins and found fabulous bargains perfect for scarves. We found novelty yarns, handpainted beauties, and the softest of merinos. We have, in some cases, combined yarns (as in the second photo below) that you can knit together for a perfect accessory. Included in the Scarfable bag are yarn and three different patterns ranging from the simplest garter stitch scarf to a more advanced drop stitch beauty. And best of all, the cost is 35% off the orginal price!

Seeking a new quick project for the beach? A brand new knitter seeking to go beyond swatches? Need a lovely gift for a friend? Check out SCARFABLES!

Nothing warms our hearts more than when customers come in proudly showing off their latest projects. Today we were treated to three: First Kim (who will soon be working at WoolWinders during the week) in her gorgeous Juliet scarf!

Next, Liz displays her first ever shell, begun in the Knitting a Summer Shell class held a few weeks ago. Liz's pattern was custom designed for her using the Sweater Wizard program we have at the store, and was done from Mission Falls 1824 Cotton!

Finally, a rather shy Sandy modelled her Schaefer Yarns Laurel in colorway Shari Lewis. Isn't it fabulous? She knit a new Oat Couture pattern calle Bistro Shirt designed for new knitters!

Thanks to all who took the time to come in and show us their finished works. We are so proud of them, and they are proud of themselves as well!

Of course we knew this would happen; Walter has brought in one box a day and is saving the nine box deliveries for our vacation which begins August 9! Today he sheepishly left one small box, but oh! what a box! Two gorgeous colors (lilac and chautreuse) of Blue Sky Alpaca's sport weight yarn. We are working with this yarn now doing a lace sweater pattern from Sally Melville. It makes us yearn for cool weather so we can feel the alpaca softness against our skin!

Also in, the new Fall Vogue Knitting. Can we all say P-O-N-C-H-O?????

We have eagerly awaited receipt of the new colorways of Colinette's popular Absolutely Fabulous afghan kits and today they arrived! These are must-sees; colors that only Colinette could conjure. We asked our staff and they came up with these descriptions: Berryville (a soft creamy mauve collection), Carnivale (bright jeweled tones), Dry Leaves (autumn rustic tones), and Denim (speaks for itself). New features include a shawl pattern along with the afghan and crochet instructions for a scallop afghan! Also received, a gorgeous coral colourway of her Point Five yarn. We can't wait to do a loopy scarf from this yarn!

We are also fully stocked with necessary notions including fork pins (great for blocking) and lock ring markers. Whether you need yarn, patterns, or notions, we are ready to help you.

Wow! We are �back to school� with enthusiasm and gusto. Fall is our favorite time for teaching; so much is going on in the knitting world!

What is back? As always, we continue to hold classes for Absolute Beginners. Our instructors are patient, funny, and love introducing the craft of knitting to newcomers. And our Knitting Safari is back by popular demand. If you are just beyond a beginner, this is the class for you! Pick a project beyond your capacity (or we will help you do so) and work with a �guide� for four to six weeks, receiving help and tips every step of the way. This is one of our most popular classes, not only for the instruction, but also for the group dynamics. Also returning, Aran Knitting (learn to make those fabulous cable/bobble/stitch designs that grace Fisherman Knit sweaters), Socks (both on double point and circular needles), and our annual Holiday Gift sessions that conclude with our wild and wooly Last Minute Gift groups. You can take one or more of these sessions and learn to make popular holiday presents for friends, family, and your favorite person, YOU!

What�s NEW at WoolWinders? We are tremendously excited about some new offerings. Join Jessica in making gorgeous Fair Isle Christmas Stockings. Lisa Twomey will lead a class �Something Borrowed� teaching knitters how to incorporate existing designs into new sweater patterns. And many of our instructors will help out with Monday Methods; quick one hour sessions that instruct those often-asked questions such as �How Do I Pick Up Stitches� or �Why do I need to learn different increases and decreases?� Check out these fast and inexpensive sessions that will help you become a better knitter. We have jumped on the Poncho craze. Join Karen Richardson in making a Weekend Poncho (not limited to wearing on the weekends, just that you can knit this in LESS than a weekend!). Finally, we introduce an oft-requested class, Knitting for Baby. Join Jacqui in making the easiest baby blanket and booties around. Great for those expectant knitters (dads, too!) and those who have friends and family due!

Complete details are available by clicking on the "classes" tab at the top of the page. Or call us to find out how to enroll at WoolWinders University!

After a brief respite from boxes, we received two noteworthy deliveries today. We are now fully restocked with Schaefer's GORGEOUS Esperanza yarn, a bulky 3 to the inch handpainted beauty comprised of lambswool and alpaca. Come see the colorways we have in stock including the magnficent Indira Ghandi. This sold out in a week the last time we had it in,and if you swing by the store after Friday you will get to see Jacqui's Oregon Vest made from it!

We also are now stocked with the Frida Kahlo colorway of Schaefer's Laurel. This is the perfect yarn and color to usher in Autumn!

Also in, Fuego mohair in deep purple. Unlike most commercially produced mohair, this contains no nylon and felts beautifully. We carry Fuego in six colors!

We love the weekends at WoolWinders. People gather to show off their latest creations, chat, and knit. Even though it was a muggy weekend in July, we had a big crowd this past weekend, and thought we would share some of the snapshots with you!

Thanks to our staff members Karina and Tori, we are attracting a much younger crowd! We love hearing about the "high school hotties" that attract their attention, and love to see them progress as knitters!

And doesn't Sharessa look fabulous in her Billie Holliday (Laurel) shawl?

Sharon shared with us her beautiful summer sweater out of Classic Elite Newport

And Elizabeth, a brand new knitter, shows off her self fringing scarf from Tagliatelli. We are so proud of her accomplishment! And so is she.

In response to several customer requests, we now have in stock the Blue Sky Alpaca Bobbi Bear pattern. This adorable teddy bear requires 7 hanks of their bulky yarn and is a quick knit on size 17 needles. Bobbi stands a respectable 20" when knit. What a wonderful gift!

Also, please note that we are FILLED with poncho patterns for all levels of knitters and all weights of yarn! We even have a notebook of patterns which are FREE with the purchase of yarn. Come check out the selection.

Several customers have asked about upcoming classes. Our classes are scheduled according to the season, and as you can imagine, most of our summer classes are filled. However, we have space in three September classes that may satisfy your knitting needs.

First, we are fond of saying at WoolWinders that good finishing is the difference between your knitting looking handmade (yes!) and homemade (no!). Kathy Cea, one of our most gifted instructors, will share the basics of good finishing techniques on Wednesday September 1 and 8 from 6-8 PM. You do NOT have to bring a garment that needs to be finished; rather this is a technique class where you will learn seaming, button bands, picking up stitches etc. on swatches. This is a TERRIFIC, no stress way to learn the fundamentals of finishing. Cost? $65.00

Second, we are very excited about introducing customers to the wild world of Felting. Felting yarn is the process of knitting with 100% wool then "boiling" it in hot water and agitation. The result? A smaller, tighter object. It is very cool and a lot of fun. We will be making a market bag perfect for carrying knitting, gym clothes, or items from the farmer's market.

And the final class will be held at the instructor's house so that you can observe the actual felting technique in her washing machine! This class will be held Sunday 10-12 on September 12 and 19 with a final class for about one hour on September 26. Cost for the three sessions is $65.

Finally, by popular request, we are instituting short sessions to teach distinct knitting skills. If you have ever wanted to learn such things as Knitting in the Round, Short Rows, Cables, Three Needle Bind-off, etc., this is the class for you. Each Monday from 6-7 PM we will instruct one new technique, and send you on your way with a pattern illustrating that technque. Short on time? Monday Methods may be for you! We will hold these classes through October, when we will then switch to our popular Holiday Project classes. We have scheduled Knitting in the Round for August 30, Short Rows for September 13, and Using Double Pointed Needles for September 20. Cost is $15 per session.

To register for any of these classes, please call Jacqui at 240.632.9276. And our Fall schedule, beginning October 1, will be out in about two weeks.

Even though it is our day off, we sensed that some terrific stuff had arrived so checked in with Jessica. Sure enough, Walter the UPS Guy had brought a box from Unicorn books (and the lovely Amelia). We were particulary excited about the offerings, as two were among our most popular items that were out of stock: Stitch n Bitch and the 365 Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar. In addition, we received two incredibly clever items: a pair of inexpensive books containing perfect handmade gift patterns for little ones-Knit Baby Blankets, and Knit Baby Heads and Toes. These are adorable!

We had been on the lookout for more than a year for a Knitting Kit for adults (somehow the Dale Learn to Knit Kit with its little cardboard house just didn't cut it for the over-10 crowd). We were thrilled to find Knit Knack Kit: Simple Instructions and Tools for 25 Terrific Knitting Projects. This would be the PERFECT back-to-school gift.

Finally, a reorder of the popular book Knitting with Novelty Yarns.This has fabulous patterns making use of the yarns you have come to embrace: hand-dyes, eyelash, carry alongs, ladders, etc. You will not believe the possibilities. And don't forget that we are expecting Prism, the mother of all novelty yarns, this fall.

And yet another box from Berroco: a wonderful jewel toned colorway of Jewel FX and matching offering from Optik. Combine these two for a fabulous scarf or poncho!