Isn't it about time you learn the MAGIC LOOP TECHNIQUE? Not only is it easier than knitting in the round with double-pointed needles, it's more fun! Patterns are now being written specifically calling for this technique and you'll never have to worry about losing stitches or losing needles when knitting in the round again! Join JESSICA ARMSTRONG and learn the surprisingly simple secrets of  the MAGIC LOOP method this MAY on SATURDAY, MAY 10TH from 12-3 PM! The Magic Loop method of circular knitting is a wonderfully useful technique to use when knitting any item in the round including socks, mittens, hats, and sleeves. Once you try this fun new way of knitting in the round, you may never want to go back to double-pointed needles again!

 

  My theme for today: we're all in this knitting thing together. Meaning, we all share in the knitting and crocheting community to which we belong. This weekend was the kick-off for this year's annual Metro Yarn Crawl for our area and each year this special event reminds me how much we, as keepers of our craft, have in common despite our varying locales, ages, genders, etc. We are all in this together, bound together by our love of the craft and our passion for, and never-ending quest for,  fabulous fibers! And while we can't wait to see everyone at Woolwinders this week and next weekend as the crawl continues through April 13th, we also enjoy meeting new faces and learning more about what other shops have to offer as well. I, myself, went 'a yarn crawlin' today! As an avid knitter, I enjoy browsing yarn shops (other than my own) as much as the next knitterly gal, and I would like to welcome The Knot House to the fold and wish them luck. After all, at the end of the day, we all love yarn, we all love knitting, and we all should support one another and make sure that our craft lives on for many years to come because...we are all in this together! Peace, love, and knitting, friends!

  It's finally here! This year's annual METRO YARN CRAWL begins tomorrow, SATURDAY, APRIL 5TH and runs every day through SUNDAY, APRIL 13TH! Grab your knitting buddies, grab your official MYC TOTE BAG and head out for a wonderful nine days of 20% DISCOUNTS on all merchandise (sans needles) at eleven participating yarn shops in the metro D.C./Maryland/Virginia area! Here at WOOLWINDERS we made sure we still have plenty of bags left for last-minute "crawlers" if you haven't purchased your tote yet. You MUST have the tote to receive the discount. So get ready for a great weekend of yarn crawling, we look forward to seeing you at Woolwinders, your neighborhood yarn shop! Crawl on, friends!

  Our incredibly popular SAFARI GROUP KNITTING CLASSES continue to be our number one place for knitters to gather to learn new skills, enhance their present skill set, and to make new knitting friends! Thursday afternoon Safari Group members SUE DRING (left) and JO SEYMOUR (right) looked so wonderful today in their lovely handknitted sweaters I just had to snap a quick photo to share with you! Thanks, ladies, you both look wonderful in your lovely new sweaters!

  Fresh off the needles this morning! Wednesday morning safari class member ROBERTA MCCLIMENS completed this absolutely stunning feat of knitwear using STONEHEDGE FIBER MILL'S SHEPHERD'S WOOL! Her stitchwork is perfectly tensioned and her fit is just right. What a lovely job, Roberta! I am sure she will have many happy  years of enjoying the satisfaction of wearing a beautifully knitted sweater which fits her own body and was hand knitted by her own hands. Handknitting for oneself doesn't get any better than that!

 

  Every now and then we're lucky enough to find a book or magazine that seems made to order. This latest issue of KNITTING TRADITIONS MAGAZINE is that issue for me and if you like intricate lacework, flowing cables, or detailed colorwork reminiscent of the Shetland Isles, this is the issue for you too! I fell in love with this issue so much so that I cast on right away last night and began knitting the SANQUHAR GLOVES by Beth Brown-Reinsel on page 41 (my WIP is pictured above). The historical articles are wonderful and ANY project from this magazine would make a fabulous heirloom as well as a skill-building notch on any knitter's belt at Woolwinders, your neighborhood yarn shop!

  Woolwinders is CLOSING EARLY AT 3:00 PM TODAY, SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 due to inclement weather. We do not want anyone, neither our customers nor our loyal staff members, out driving around in this unexpected snow, freezing rain, and in increasingly hazardous road conditions. Please stay home and stay safe and we will see you when we re-open according to our regular business hours on Tuesday, April 1st. Stay in and knit!

Have you ever wondered why you enjoy knitting? Each of us has his or her own personal reasons, "It relaxes me," "I feel creative," "It's my me-time," "It helps me stop eating/smoking/killing my husband." The beauty of knitting is every single human being can benefit both physically and mentally from the simple act of knitting! Attached is a link, thanks to our astute staff members here at Woolwinders, which once again expounds on the benefits of knitting. Our brains, and thereby our bodies, respond to the task on so many different levels simultaneously that it is nature's perfect drug, lol! Simply twisting string around two sticks (or a hook) sets your brain to firing up all sorts of healthy triggers from improving cognitive abilities and working towards protecting against mental aging to meditative effects reducing both physical and emotional stress thereby potentially helping to reduce heart issues, anxiety, and depression. And it doesn't hurt that we get to play with pretty colors and make some fantastic creations in the process, lol! So check out the link below and get knitting friends, it's good for you!  http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/25/health/brain-crafting-benefits/index.html?hpt=hp_c2