May Trunk Shows
5. 3. 2012Our spring trunk show extravaganza wraps up this month. Check out what fab garments will be on display in the shop during May.
Surf (featuring Sprout)
May 3-12
Our favorite chunky organic cotton! The Surf pattern booklet features these designs to knit -
A Walk in the Park (featuring Solstice)
May 3-12
This organic blend of cotton and wool makes for a perfect year-round yarn. The Walk in the Park pattern booklet features these great patterns -
Peabody Path (featuring Firefly)
May 18-26
It’s easy to see why this luscious blend of linen and viscose is such a popular yarn - it is absolutely gorgeous! We sold it like hotcakes last spring and it is just as popular again this year. The Peabody Path pattern booklet offers these new designs for this fabulous yarn -
The Provence trunk show has been held over until May 12. We’ve almost sold out of Provence because of these 2 garments (but don’t worry, more will arrive). Come in, check them out and we can get whatever color you’d like on our next order. We’re here to please!
This will wrap up our spring season and that only means one thing - I’ll be talking all about fall very soon!
Cinco de Mayo
5. 3. 2012
Cinco de Mayo is this Saturday, and we just couldn’t let such a great excuse for a margarita go by unnoticed. The fiesta starts at noon and continues until 4. Join us for tasty treats and knitting fun.
Come earlier and you can crash the Bind Off class. Learn five different bind offs, many with multiple variations, that every knitter needs to know. Class is free, materials fee is only $7.50. Class starts at 10!
Next up on the class schedule is Rebeka’s Blanket. A great introduction to intarsia! Class is free, yarn and pattern must be purchased at SWAK. Saturday, May 12 from 10 to 3. The blanket takes 8 skeins of Sprout for the girly version, 9 for the boy.
Then we take a break from classes until June, although it isn’t much of a break! Don’t forget that the Knit Out is May 18-20. Sally Melville, Leigh Radford and Candace Eisner-Strick will be here. This is our 12th year, and those of you who are coming will be in for quite a treat.
We have the opportunity to do something we’ve never done before. You’ll just have to be here, that’s all I’m going to say. And if you haven’t signed up yet, do so now! It isn’t too late.
Spring-O!
4. 27. 2012
Classic Elite Yarns has another super cool promotion going on and you won’t want to miss out. Spring-O (yes, like BINGO) is a game you play to win super prizes. You simply download the official Spring-O card from CEY’s website and submit completed game cards by June 30, 2012.
The card with the most completed squares wins the Grand Gift - the entire Fall 2012 pattern collection and yarn to complete a project of your choosing. Ten additional entries, drawn at random, will receive the entire Fall 2012 pattern collection.
The rules are on CEY’s website, which in a nutshell state that the project must use Classic Elite yarns and need to be projects added to your Ravelry project page no earlier than January 1, 2012. Yes, you need to be on Ravelry to play along.
I just finished Parfait out of Katydid and wore it to the ballet last Sunday.
This sweater is SO EASY to knit. A perfect first sweater project!
I also finished this cowl/necklace out of Classic Elite’s Sanibel. It too is super easy to make. The pattern is a free download on Ravelry.
We have lots of ideas that will help you complete your Spring-O card so come on in and let us help you out!
I need a vacation!
4. 27. 2012
I don’t know about you, but I need a vacation. Things have been hoppin’ around the the yarn shop, which isn’t so unusual but it is a bit out of the ordinary to be this busy in April. (Thank you!)
UPS delivered the Petal Necklace kits for Leigh Radford’s class that’s coming up next month -
We do have a few spots left and it’s not too late to sign up.
The Striped Cube Ring kits arrived too. This class is on the schedule for June.
And Vogue Knitting just released a special collectors issue on Crochet. It is fabulous! This is a limited edition so get your copy today!
The mayor and Cindy from the city manager’s office were here Monday afternoon filming a new segment for our city’s TV station called I Love Guthrie. Ann, Debbie and I were honored to be the first “guests” for the show. We talked about our businesses, 3 Uptown Gals, and whatever else we had on our minds. It will air live Tuesday afternoon. Don’t worry, I know most of you don’t watch Guthrie’s cable station so I will post the link to the video when it becomes available.
Mason started T-Ball on Monday. I was quickly schooled on the lack of seating, potties, and that wearing white linen pants to watch his practices wasn’t a good plan.
Last weekend we had an enormous turnout for the 89′er Parade. The city estimates 30,000 were in town! Mason had a blast a the carnival and I got stuck with 2 hour parade duty because Keith had oral surgery the day before. At least it wasn’t cold this year.
The next day I drug them to the ballet to see the Wizard of Oz. It was wonderful!
Needless to say my house is a wreck, I am worn out from volunteering 10 hours yesterday at St. Mary’s Spaghetti Fest, Lori is on vacation and I have more to do than I can shake a stick at. Oh, and to top it out Mr. Cutie didn’t want to go to school so I’m doing double duty today at the yarn shop And the Knit Out is only three…weeks…away. It is going to be a long day!
Come up and see us for the Toe Up Sock class tomorrow. Mom rarely delves into the toe up construction so don’t miss out. We still have a few spaces left so join us!
123
4. 18. 2012What is 123? That is how many years the folks in Guthrie have been celebrating 89ers Day. If you’re not an Okie or need to brush up on your Oklahoma history, that is the day Oklahoma began as a state and Guthrie was the social, economic, and cultural capital of it all.
Back before the Pollard Theatre began, it was the legendary Melba Theater. In the golden days of Hollywood, many movies premiered at the Melba. Yes, right here in little ol’ Guthrie. These are some of my favorite pictures that I have in my collection:
Yes, that is Humphrey Bogart. When he came to town in a stagecoach, he was surrounded by a mob of fans. Later he enjoyed a drink at the Blue Belle. Sitting next to him is his wife Mayo Methot and the woman in the tall white hat to the left is Jane Wyman.
Oh, and here is what a mob of fans looks like. He was bigger than Bieber, and much cooler if you ask me.
The parade starts at noon on Saturday. Downtown streets will be barricaded off, so park in the back parking lot and come in the back door. If you need us to help navigate you in, just give us a ring at 2 8 2 - 8 6 4 9. If you’d like to miss all of the hullabaloo, everything clears out after 2 so wait and come in the afternoon.
In other news….well there isn’t much other news. You might notice that I get a bit quiet around the 15th of March and again in April. That’s because I have my tax lady hat on and am churning out tax returns. No, don’t come get in line - it doesn’t work that way. You have to be related to me to get on my list.
Fortunately I’ve hung up the tax lady hat until next year and am getting ready for the Knit Out. Can you believe it is only 4 weeks away? We still have spots if you’d like to join the fun.
And it should come as no surprise but look who can knit -
I’ll be taking this little cutie to the 89′er Carnival tonight. For a full list of the activities for the 89er Day Celebration, check out their website.
Perfect First Sweaters
4. 5. 2012Springtime is perfect for beginning your first sweater. Spring/Summer sweaters are great for beginners because they don’t need sleeves, take less yarn, and are quick to knit.
Here are a few of my picks!
#1 Pebble Beach
This top down raglan is super easy to knit. If the “scarf-round-the-neck” look isn’t your thing, you can easily omit that. If you can knit and purl, you can make this sweater.
I made one last spring and love it. This is definitely one of those designs that looks best on. It has no hanger appeal, as they say in the fashion industry.
Whenever I see it on the hanger that “I Like Big Butts” song goes through my head. When I put it on, the shaping hugs my hips and looks really great. Then I strut off singing “Baby Got Back“. Now if you have no hips or butt, you would probably need to omit the shaping. But otherwise, this sweater is da bomb!
Pebble Beach is knit with Classic Eilte Sprout and is featured in the Seaside pattern book.
#2 Parfait
I’m knitting this now and it is soooo easy. 99% are knit stitches, so you only barely need to know how to purl.
Parfait is knit with Classic Elite Katydid and is featured in the Summer Flowers pattern book.
#3 Buttercup
If you can knit a scarf, you can make this sweater. It is basically 2 garter stitch rectangles, seamed together to make a sweater. For fun, they’ve thrown in a few eyelet rows but don’t let that scare you. You’ve probably already made yarn overs by mistake, so how hard can they be?
Buttercup is knit with Classic Elite Provence and is featured in the Garden Gate pattern book (although I knit mine with Katydid!)
In other news, the Classic Silk trunk show arrived yesterday. One reason we love getting these trunk shows is that invariably there are always garments that we love in person more than in the pattern book. Take Willow for example. Here it is in the pattern book…
The belt does not do this garment any favors. Now see how it looks in the shop…
Absolutely gorgeous! Come in and try it on for yourself. Willow is knit with Classic Silk and featured in the Riverside pattern booklet.
And look at these little cuties that arrived this week…
Zoo measuring tapes! Choose from a cat, frog, panda or pig.
Don’t forget our fabulous April Special that was featured in last week’s Online Newsletter. You can save 20% on your next purchase. Check out the newsletter to find out how!
7 Reasons to Come To Guthrie this Weekend
3. 29. 2012
#1 Felted Bangle Class
Easy enough for beginners, these bangles are amazingly stylish! The kit will make several bangles. Class is from 10 to 3. It’s a casual class so feel free to come and go.
#2 A Good Weekend
Our first 3 Uptown Gals event kicks into gear on Saturday at 11am, with musical venues throughout the town.
SWAK will be featuring a great R&B act, the Bruce Benson Duo from 3 to 5 on Saturday. Please join us!
#3 New Food
We have anxiously been awaiting the opening of the new restaurant across the street that serves Fair Food. They opened yesterday, and I think we were one of the first through the door.
Their burgers are AWESOME and less than $3. Imagine - funnel cakes, fried twinkles and such available every day. I think I see a Y membership in my future….
#4 Seedling HP Trunk Show
Catch the trunk show for CEY’s new Seedling Handpaint Yarn. I tried on this sweater earlier in the week and it is the bomb! You really need to come and check it out, along with the other fab garments they sent out of this yarn.
Catch the show before it leaves - Saturday is the last day!
#5 New Spring Clothes
Carol Ann’s has been receiving new spring styles just about every day. She’s overflowing with new spring tops, sundresses, and a big shipment of the super comfy Jag jeans. You will want to come check these out before they are gone!
#6 A Present for You
Have you opened your online newsletter today? We have a little surprise for you inside. Come on in and use your present!
If you don’t receive our online news, sign up today and check out April’s newsletter online.
#7 Beautiful Weather
The forecast for Saturday looks like it will be a perfect day to get out and enjoy the Spring weather.
What a great day to come to Guthrie…a truly local experience!
April Trunk Shows
3. 26. 2012Our jam packed trunk schedule continues into April with more fantastic designs from Classic Elite Yarns.
Riverside (featuring Classic Silk)
April 7 - 14
This silk/cotton combination is one of our favorites! The Riverside pattern booklet features these designs to knit and crochet -
Woodstock (featuring Cricket)
April 7 - 14
We also love this tone-on-tone blend of linen and cotton. The Woodstock pattern booklet features these great patterns -
Gatehouse (featuring Provence)
April 21-28
This 100% mercerized cotton has been a consistent presence in Classic Elite’s spring line up for as long as I can recall, and there is a reason why…it is marvelous! The Gatehouse pattern booklet offers these new designs for this classic yarn -
This spring season has been so incredibly hot, that many of the yarns/colors are already sold out until next spring. I kid you not! Many of the items we’ve tried to reorder are on back order until next year. Incredible! Fear not, we still have an incredible selection of spring yarns in stock. Hurry and get your spring project now, before the choices become limited.
It isn’t too late to get in our Spring Knit-a-Long either! Don’t miss out on an opportunity to win a gift basket valued at over $100.
Speaking of hot, our pretty little flower bulbs we planted this winter are peeking out of our bathtub planter.
Come up and see us this weekend!
Our Good Weekend in Guthrie musical event is this Saturday, plus we have the Seedling Handpaint Trunk Show on hand.
Saturday is the last day to check out these wonderful garments so don’t miss out!
M.I.A.
3. 26. 2012
Wow, I just realized that I’ve been rather MIA for most of March. It’s been a bit hectic. When I last checked in, I was frantically catching up on things so I could hibernate and work on taxes. This year I had TWO set of corporate financial statements and returns to prepare by March 15, which is no big deal for someone who gets to play CPA all day long, but since I have this full time yarn shop gig it is a different story.
Then I had to turn around and get ready for this awesome event we’re having this weekend. So I shoved the adding machine aside, put on my graphic/web designer hat and created all of the print/web media for the event. (More on this in a minute)
Spring Break rolled around, but that was no exotic vacation for me. Mason & I had several fun days planned, but wound up stuck at work for most of the week because Lori had jury duty. She’s been “on call” for 2 months, and in all of our legal system’s wisdom they decide to schedule the only trial for the week of spring break. FAIL! Lori also had plans with her brother who is home for a rare visit. Neither of us are feeling the love for the legal system right now.
Monday we left a wee bit early and played in the rain. We did manage a trip to the mall to see the Lorax (a lousy movie), painted a gnome, and bought new blinkey Spider Man shoes. And yesterday we ventured to the zoo, so the entire break wasn’t a total loss.
So what are we up to this weekend? We’re hosting our first 3 Uptown Gals event - A Good Weekend in Guthrie. This Saturday (March 31) there will be musical entertainment in venues throughout the downtown area, including our store! We’re excited to be featuring the Bruce Benson Duo, a fantastic jazz/R&B group out of OKC. They’ll be performing at SWAK from 3 to 5. I recently blogged about many of the performers/venues or you can download a complete performance schedule here.
It will be a really good make that GREAT weekend to come to Guthrie!
Candace Eisner-Strick
3. 8. 2012I can sum Candace up in one word - BRILLIANT!
She designs really cool stuff…
She writes great books…
She took everything you thought you ever knew about knitting socks and turned your brain on end with new possibilities!
This retired cello instructor will blow your mind! She will also crack you up with her You Tube movies, such as this one where she cleans a pile of old sweaters she’s knit and designed out of her closet. I’m sure many of you can relate.
Candace will be one of our featured instructors at our annual Knit Out, May 18-20. Her workshops include:
•Strick-ly Shawls
•Strick-ly Socks
•Strick-ly Socks (gussets & heels)
•Kumihimo: Traditional Japanese Braiding
This will be Candace’s second appearance at SWAK. We thoroughly enjoyed her first visit and can not wait until May. Join Candace along with Sally Melville and Leigh Radford for this truly fabulous event!
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