We returned from our vacation to all sorts of new yarns and patterns. And we know that before we get to those goodies, we have to answer the two questions on everyone’s minds about our trip:

1. What did you knit while you were away?
2. Did you find a yarn store?

1. We made a short sleeved cardigan out of PATRICIA ROBERTS DK COTTON. The pattern is one of our favorites from KIRSTEN COWAN and was a fun, easy, mock cable knit. Look for it to be hanging in the shop next week.

2. Yes, although we weren’t looking. We were on our way from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope when we spotted a small yarn shop called, interestingly enough, YARN SHOP, in Fish Hoek. Of course we had to stop in. For anyone going to South Africa in the near future, we can report that the shop was adorable, the staff kind and helpful, and we did not leave without purchasing a lovely hand-dyed bamboo yarn produced by a woman in Cape Town. We have her name and contact information.

And one more item before listing our new arrivals. We knew before we left for three weeks that we are blessed with a fabulous staff. How fabulous? We had not a moment of worry while we were halfway around the world. The store thrived, the classes and programs went on without a hitch, and even the blog was maintained. So thanks to KARINA, GAIL, RAISA, MARIETTA, JESSICA, ALISON, KATHY, and HEATHER. We hope we let you know often just how fabulous we think you are.

And now onto the goodies. Check out the new colors of SUBLIME DK and ARAN--this yarn flies off the shelves when it is in stock. We have a new color of NORO IRO along with a wonderful new book from JANE ELLISON, restocks of ADDI NATURA NEEDLES, new patterns from BLUE SKY ALPACA (including a wonderful ribbed sweater for men), the Fall issue of KNITTERS, and some new offerings from COLINETTE: tone on tone colors of JITTERBUG and CADENZA