I spent the better part of the day doing the most exciting part of my job - unpacking box after box of gorgeous yarns. It’s a bit hectic around our Guthrie store, so let me show you in pictures why you need to come and see us soon….






All of the above are just a small sampling of the hand-dyed yarns we have in store for you from Great Adirondack Yarn Company.

The bathtub is overflowing with gorgeous Giant Skeins from Hand Painted Knitting Yarns.

And we think you’ll fall in love with their beautiful, tweedy sock yarn too! Excuse the mediocre photography - it’s been a trying day and I stink on a good day.

More boxes are set to arrive tomorrow, so we’re not through! Speaking of beautiful things, check out my new view…

This is the new Gallery and Glass Studio across the street - this was taken at night and it is stunning! I haven’t had a chance to venture across the street to meet the owner, but a mutual friend & customer tells me she is awesome. If I didn’t have a three year old at home I’d like to pick up that back wall and place it just like it is in my living room. Be sure to check it out next time you’re in Guthrie.

The magnificent trunk show from Hand Painted Knitting Yarns is set to arrive sometime tomorrow (Tuesday). After hosting the trunk show sneak peek I have been trying to get a post together showing all of the fabulous colors & fibers. This project was first delayed by mom’s illness. Now that she’s feeling better we sat down to review the film (the portion after we discovered we were filming with the camera OFF instead of ON). Let’s just say we had some interesting film when we thought we were off camera! After reviewing what usable film we managed to get, we decided it looked like poo and need to completely re-film. We are somehow going to squeeze this little project in over the upcoming busy weekend.

I was waiting to share these fabulous patterns with you until we could also show you THE YARN, but it doesn’t look like it is going to happen in that order. I know many of you will be descending on us soon to grab this yarn and I wanted to have these patterns up and available for you now. So without further adieu….

A Stunning Shawl

Materials:
10oz Giant Skein DK from HPKY
Size 13 needles, or size to get gauge of 10sts = 4″ in garter stitch
Finished size - 70″ across at widest point x 25″ deep

Separate giant skein into individual skeins of each yarn. Label from color A through L, as listed on label beginning with “Boucle” and ending with “Single Merino”.

Abbreviations:
CO=cast on, YO=yarn over, K=knit, PM=place marker, st(s)=stitch(es)

Instructions:
With color L, CO 3 sts
Row 1 - Knit
Row 2 - YO, PM, K1, YO, K1
Row 3 - Knit
Row 4 - K1, YO, K to marker, YO, slip marker, K1, YO, K until 1 st remains, YO, K1.

Repeat rows 3 & 4 for remainder of shawl, changing yarns as follows:
19 rows color L (beginning with row 1); 8 rows color K; 6 rows color J; 8 rows color I; 6 rows color H; 8 rows color G; 6 rows color F; 8 rows color E; 6 rows color D; 8 rows color C; 6 rows color B; 8 rows color A.

Bind off loosely with color A. For best results, lightly block.

A Terrific Throw

Materials:
16oz Giant Skein Worsted from HPKY
Size 13 needles, or size to get gauge of 11sts = 4″ in wavy ridge pattern
Finished size - 40″ x 60″ after blocking

Separate giant skein into individual skeins of each yarn. Label from color A through L, as listed on label beginning with “Traditional” and ending with “Boucle”.

Abbreviations:
CO=cast on; BO=bind off; YO=yarn over; K=knit; P=purl; st(s)=stitch(es); K2tog=knit 2 sts together; SSK=slip 2 sts knitwise one a time to right hand needle, insert left needle into front of these 2 sts from left to right and knit these 2 sts together.

Wavy Ridge Pattern:
Row 1 - Knit
Row 2 - K1, P until 1 st remains, K1
Row 3 - K1 *K2tog 2 times, (YO, K1) 3 times, (YO, SSK) 2 times; repeat from * 9 times, K1
Row 4 - Knit
Row 5 - Knit
Row 6 - Knit
Row 7 - K1 *YO, K1; repeat from * until 1 st remains, YO 2 times, K1
Row 8 - Purl across, dropping all yarn overs.

Instructions:
CO 112 sts.
Beginning with Row 1, work in Wavy Ridge Pattern for 170 rows using this color chart. Knit 1 more row with color A then BO purlwise. Block to finished size of 40″ x 60″. Note: Blocking is essential for this project!

Cut remaining yarn into pieces 26″ long. Make 4 giant tassels using approximately 40 pieces of yarn for each tassel. Attach tassels to each corner of throw. Instructions on how to make a tassel can be found here.

We will have this trunk show in hand for about 3-4 weeks, and it will be making a trek to our OKC store before departing. So if you can’t make it this weekend don’t panic. There should be plenty for everyone!

We have three winners in our Big Cleanup giveaway!

The winner of the bag from 3AM Enchantments is . . . Sherie

The winner of the Knit ‘n Style magazine is . . . Paula J

The winner of the smudgey autographed Intarsia book is . . . Beth

Congratulations to all winners! I found more goodies while sorting through the huge stack of stuff on my desk so we’ll have another drawing soon.

We’re getting ready for the Knit Out next weekend, and before I could start gathering supplies I just had to stop and clean up this messy office -

It was becoming a bit hazardous trying to go to and fro.

We’ve also been eagerly awaiting daily visits from Steve the UPS man. He’s bringing all sorts of goodies just in time for next weekend. The huge shipments are on their way, but here’s a preview of what’s already arrived.

From Blue Ridge Yarns - Silk Shimmer a 100% silk laceweight. Absolutely gorgeous!

Also from Blue Ridge, Footprints hand-dyed sock yarn with coordinating semi-solids for heels/toes.

The Silk Shimmer is $42.00/1,000yds and the Footprints is $27.50/400yds.

We’ve also received books,

and more books,

and even more books!

We’re gearing up for book signings with Cookie A, Jared Flood & Sally Melville next weekend, but we also received a few new titles including Wendyknit’s new book Toe Up Socks for Every Body.

We also received the first of many trunk shows, including these garments from the Spring/Summer issue of Vogue Knitting.

All of this great stuff is at our Guthrie location. We have daily updates to our Ravelry & Facebook pages, or follow us on Twitter to stay in the loop.

I am happy to report that my office is no longer a disaster area. During the big clean up I found a least 4 dozen small balls (Mason), at least a dozen staple removers (have no idea why I have so many of these), and an embarrassing amount of trash near, around or even under the trash can. Looks like my trashcan basketball skills are slipping. On the upside I found -0- creepy bugs and -0- forgotten chicken McNuggets.

In the process of the big cleanup I unearthed a few items that need a new and loving home. A super-cool bag from 3AM Enchantments, an April 2010 issue of Knit ‘n Style magazine, and one of our Intarsia booklets autographed by mom, although the autograph is slightly smudged.

Here’s the deal - simply leave a comment to this post letting me know if you’d like to win the BAG, MAGAZINE, OR BOOK. You can pick one, two or all three and we’ll pick three winners this Sunday.

One good thing about living in Oklahoma is you can pretty much cook on the grill year-round. When the weather starts warming up, we cook on the grill a lot at my house and one of my favorite things to make is shish kebob. I have this annoying habit of preparing foods that go together in a rather odd fashion, like color-coordinated. I also get excited when I achieve alliteration, as in pork-chops, peas, potatoes. Weird…I know.

Today I share with you one of my favorite color-coordinated menus for summer - shish kebob & terrorist potatoes.

My middle eastern potato recipe was renamed “terrorist potatoes” after I added the turmeric when the oil was too hot and it popped all over my brand new baby-blue Juicy outfit. Miraculously I was able to get it out - think the oil helped keep the turmeric from setting. So don’t cook these in your new Juicy outfit and don’t add the turmeric when the oil is too hot!

I like to serve these with fresh corn on the cob. A deliciously color-coordinated meal!

I had hoped to post pictures of us doing our civic duty and picking up trash for LitterBlitz along Classen, but we were rained out. We’ll come up with a make up date soon, but it may have to wait until it dries out!

We’re changing things up a bit on the class schedule. As many of you already know, Sherry our head knitting teacher & my mom has been very ill. She quickly developed pneumonia and the swine flu last month, which landed her in the hospital for nearly 2 weeks. While she recovers and regains her strength we are giving her a bit of a break.

Change isn’t always a bad thing in that it is giving us the opportunity to offer some new classes, and while mom is resting she can spend some time working on some great new classes for fall. Here’s what we have in store for you!

Crochet Booties
We have a new face around our Guthrie store! Anna is a multi-talented fiberista and instructor who not only knits but crochets, weaves, tats, spins, and much more. Anna also designed this cute little bootie pattern and will be teaching this learn-to-crochet class on May 8 @ our Guthrie location.

Yarn Chat
Yours truly will be making an overdue return to the classroom with this very informative class about yarn. I will share with you all of the lingo and little secrets of our trade, and help you gain confidence when selecting yarns. This class will be held @ SWAK in the City on Saturday, May 15.

Intarsia Design
Learn how to chart motifs and logos from the most prolific intarsia designer in the industry…oops that’s me! This is the one class I’m asked to teach the most often and have yet to do, so don’t miss out on this rare offering. I’ll share my techniques and tips and help you master “rectangle art”. This class will be held @ SWAK in the City on Saturday, June 12.

Fingerweaving
Learn this Native American art form from Anna, our resident weaver. A fun way to make belts, sashes & more! This class will be held @ our Guthrie location on Saturday, June 19.

Summer Camp for Kids
Join us this summer for classes just for kids ages 8-12. They’ll learn to knit, crochet and weave in this three-day camp. Parents welcome too! Camp will be held @ SWAK Guthrie June 8-9-10 and @ SWAK in the City June 22-23-24. Pre-registration required.

The Beginner Bunch continues, with classes on Saturday, May 8 & Saturday, June 5. Laura will be taking over this class while mom recovers.

Are there some non-knitters in the house? Listen up! Learn2Knit classes are offered each month @ SWAK. Don’t miss out!

Need help with a project purchased at SWAK? Laura is @ SWAK in the City every Thursday from 10-1 and will be happy to give you a hand. Knit with Sherry is taking a break for a bit, but will return later this summer. We realize that not everyone is available Thursday mornings for help, so give us a call at the shop and we will pair you up with one of our knitting or crochet pros at a time that works for you.

Download the May/June class schedule today!

Did you know that keeping track of who all works at SWAK is a bit like a Chinese fire drill most days? First of all, our website is terribly out of date if you go and check out Meet Team SWAK. I promise to work on that soon. If you get a bit confused by all of our names, let me help confuse you more.

We have Anna and Anna. Anna H is our new Anna who primarily works at our Guthrie store and is the weaver, spinner, tatter, you name it. Anna M is our long-time friend and helper who teaches the Learn2Knit classes for us.

We have Catherine and Catherine. Calling them old and new Catherine wasn’t very flattering, so we would call Guthrie Catherine “the Great” and OKC Catherine “the New”, but then Guthrie Catherine moved and is now working at the OKC store…oy!

We have Kary and Kari. They worked together last week and had their husbands quite confused too.

And we also like names that end in Y or I . . . Mary, Kary, Kari, Sherry, Amy, Keely.

Laura is the odd man out. At least we don’t have a Kelly. Now that would be confusing since most of the world thinks my name is Kelly, or Kelsie, or Kiley…just don’t ask me if my name is Kiwi like the fruit. That gets a rise out of me every time. As soon as the retreat is over, I’ll get to cracking on updating this part of our website so you can see ALL of us…I promise!

I got a wild hair and decided to totally rearrange the Guthrie store. This is one of my favorite things to do, although it is exhausting and makes a huge mess. Over the years I have acquired an impressive collection of antiques, many of which have a personal story behind them.

We probably get the most comments on our claw foot bathtub. I stumbled upon our first one at an antique shop in Guthrie. Our second one was a bit harder to locate - we had to go to a plumber’s junkyard and restore it ourselves.

I also found my theater chairs in Guthrie. They are from an old shoe store, but theater chairs are more descriptive. They are really, really comfortable to sit in too!

Our 18th century French lily baby bed was also a local find. I’ve had several people try to buy it from me over the years, but I think I like it too much to part with it. It is currently hibernating in my upstairs storeroom.

I love, love, love this dresser. I especially love the fact that it was from the original Elks Hotel in Guthrie. If you’re not familiar with Guthrie history, this is the hotel connected to the bordello that was located above the legendary Blue Belle Saloon. If the walls could talk, they would tell lots of tales of the wild west and Oklahoma history.

Random acts of kindness account for much of my antique stash. Many years ago my dad took in a man who was down on his luck. His wife died leaving him with two young children and he was barely able to take care of himself. Dad put him to work and took him under his wing for many years, despite his difficulties, expecting nothing in return. One Christmas he made us an ornament for the tree and the whole family felt rewarded enough. So we were quite surprised to discover upon his mother’s death that he was from a well-to-do OKC family. His mother was an art dealer and collector. As a thank you for befriending his son, his father gave my family several fabulous antiques and sold them many more at bargain prices. We also acquired dad’s “woman” that watches over our Guthrie store, this fabulous barrister’s case, and many, many more great pieces.

Many of you have heard my tales of Bruce, our upstairs tenant that came with the building. He passed away a few years back, and his family recently left me all of his furnishings. Buried behind the piles of papers and “junk” were hidden these two little gems. I tried to sell them and received no bites, and now that I rearranged the store I am so glad they didn’t sell. Don’t think I can part with them now. They are custom made slipper chairs from the 1940’s.

Several pieces have family sentiment. My modest little bookcase belonged to my grandfather. He purchased it at auction when they remodeled the original State Capitol Building, so it has a bit of Oklahoma history attached to it too.

My collection also includes my bedroom furniture from when I was young. We purchased it at a little antique store that was behind the Edmond post office when we first moved there in the early 80’s. I prepared myself for every single event of my life at this old dresser up until the time I moved into Keith’s house. You can still see where the finish is worn off from nail polish accidents & such. I still have my two antique chest-of drawers as well.

I also have a huge collection of small containers and such. I have a weakness for antique toolboxes. Not only do they make great yarn displays, but I come from a long line of construction folk. Whenever I see one for sale, it is hard for me to pass them up.

Last, but not least is my most cherished find - the old mail sorter that houses our needles at the Guthrie store. I saw this sitting on the porch of a house on Noble for many, many years. I would come up with crazy scenarios in my mind as to how to “rescue” it from the elements because it deserved a loving home, but it’s a bit hard to “rescue” something this large. Years later it showed up in one of our antique stores. Only problem, they wanted nearly $2000 for it and that was more than I could justify spending. I’d check on it from time to time, but the price never dropped below $1500 and I eventually forgot about it. Years later an antique store across the street from the store was going out of business. It was the very last day so I ran over to see if they had anything I couldn’t live without, and there she sat in the very back of the store. I snatched it up for a mere $250. Well, I didn’t exactly snatch. I had one hour to get it out, my guys were all MIA, so I nabbed a few customers out of class and we wheeled it across the street, which was no easy feat. It was so dirty I think it took us a week to clean it up. It is from the old Guthrie post office, and still has some of the original markings.

Come up to Guthrie and check out our new arrangement! All of these pieces are at our Guthrie store, with the exception of the dresser from the old Elks Hotel. It is currently residing at our OKC store.

I leave you with a parting shot of my little assistant, who hopped in front of our needle case to say “cheese” while taking pics for you guys.

SWAK has teamed up with OKC Beautiful to help beautify our neighborhood. They kicked off the annual Litter Blitz campaign April 1st, so we decided to pitch in and help. We’ll be picking up trash along Classen Boulevard between 30th & 36th Streets. Would you like to come and help? All volunteers will receive a complimentary SWAK tee.

Litter Blitz
Sunday, April 18th @ 1pm

The Memorial Marathon is the following weekend, so I thought it would be nice to have our part of the hood looking nice and clean for the event. If you would like to come and help, meet up at SWAK in the City. We’ll have all the necessary garb (including gloves) there for everyone. Hope you can join us!

Happy April Fool’s Day! It is a special day here at SWAK. Thirteen years ago today we opened our doors to the public, and the following year I met Keith on a blind date. So we have a double celebration going on today. Last month we had our “official” birthday and began our 18th year in business. Can you believe it?

Today’s post will be a bit brief. Those of you who hang with us on Ravelry or have been in the store lately may already know this, but mom has been very sick with pneumonia and the flu. She is finally home from the hospital, but will be out awhile more while she recovers. On top of this I decided to totally rearrange the Guthrie store, so it’s hard to sit down and be chatty when the store is a mess. I’ll be back to my routine soon, I promise.

We have a winner of the March Madness drawing for the $20 gift card. Congratulations Regina Fitzgerald!

Happy Passover to our Jewish friends, and an early Happy Easter to the Christian folk. We will be closed this Sunday for Easter.