Tag Archives: Noro

Thank you!

Posted on June 7, 2012 by | Comments Off on Thank you!
One display area which includes items for sale
crocheted by Grey Havens
I want to thank everyone who came in for our Grand Opening on Tuesday.  It was great meeting the knitters and crocheters from the area and getting their input on how we're doing.  Some of you even got to meet Peanut, my very social 2 year old, who'd greet a lot of customers with a hug.  While he won't be here all day or every day, he is one of the reasons why I do this.


We were featured in the Bay View Compass, the local newspaper, which brought in even more people.


Hat made from Noro Ayatori, on display with
Noro Yarns
So, what's next?  I'm working on getting more yarn, doing more designing, and increasing the number of patterns available for purchase in the shop.  I'm also continuing to contact people for consignment opportunities and looking at getting some indie dyed yarn soon in order to continue with the boutique feel of the shop.  My husband is working on the permanent sign so that the shop is easier to find as well.


All this isn't possible without you, so again I thank you all for your patronage.


In the next blog post, I will be featuring a little blurb on the artisans whose items are now available at the shop: Giant Anteater; Knit, Nicole, Knit!; and Grey Havens.

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I Love What I Do!

Posted on March 18, 2012 by | Comments Off on I Love What I Do!

This evening while eating dinner in our office, I turned and looked at my husband and said, "This is really gonna happen..."  We were eating at the table I purchased for classes in the shop and it just hit me that starting a yarn shop was no longer a dream, it's a reality!  I have all of the larger "fixtures" for the store, and the rest will all be incidentals.  Of course, there's all that fun business stuff that needs to be taken care of before we open, but that's just a matter of time (and paperwork).

My goal is to get a lot of things second hand or "found" in nature.  I've come across things like hat boxes, interesting dress forms, some cool artwork, or even pieces that speak to me.  I a battered suitcase for decoration, a metal milk jug, and plenty of baskets.  My mother is also giving me a lot of her old baskets that she used to make when I was younger!


In the mean time, I've been knitting like crazy for both Sock Madness and what is to be the first knit along.  Round 1 for sock madness started out with a pair of socks that require a set of dice to choose at random whether or not you will C2F every 4th row.  The result is a pair of "mismatched" socks with cables randomly happening along the instep and leg.  I took (bad) progress pictures along the way and to submit at the end of the round.

I dyed the sock yarn with
Black Cherry Kool-Aid!

At the end of each day of frantic sock knitting, I'd spend my evenings "resting" by starting the All the Stops dress, a great pattern in Juniper Moon Farm's Findley Dappled booklet.  I'll be able to post a few pictures in a few days, as we've got terrible lighting in the house and pictures are not turning out quite right.  I want to be able to do this yarn justice because the variegated Findley Dappled is breathtaking, no matter what colorway you're using!  It feels like pure silk as I knit (it should, it's 50% silk and 50% merino wool).

Peanut, my son, checks out the shelves I plan
to use for Juniper Moon Farm yarns.  :)


It was first hard to imagine how this dress was going to turn out, but it became apparent quickly that the two stitches surrounded by stitch markers are where the shoulder seam is to be.  From there, you work your way down in three sections - left front, back, and right front.  I am now to where dart decreases are made.  I've sewn darts before, but have never knit darts, an interesting concept, but they serve the same purpose - to tailor the bust line. So far, it appears that I may be the only one who's documented doing this pattern (other than the tester), so I hope someone joins me in this project soon.  My dress, once complete, will be displayed in the shop and I'll also be wearing it on a cruise in January 2013, assuming I don't gain a massive amount of weight before then.

 Last, but not least, I got permission to share an appreciation photo from the layette set I designed and made for my hubby's boss.  I know I posted it on Facebook, but here's the little boy wearing the hat and socks from the set.  I was also told that they're giving me a copy of him in the whole outfit once they get the pictures from the hospital photographer.

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I Love What I Do!

Posted on March 18, 2012 by | Comments Off on I Love What I Do!
This evening while eating dinner in our office, I turned and looked at my husband and said, "This is really gonna happen..."  We were eating at the table I purchased for classes in the shop and it just hit me that starting a yarn shop was no longer a dream, it's a reality!  I have all of the larger "fixtures" for the store, and the rest will all be incidentals.  Of course, there's all that fun business stuff that needs to be taken care of before we open, but that's just a matter of time (and paperwork).

My goal is to get a lot of things second hand or "found" in nature.  I've come across things like hat boxes, interesting dress forms, some cool artwork, or even pieces that speak to me.  I a battered suitcase for decoration, a metal milk jug, and plenty of baskets.  My mother is also giving me a lot of her old baskets that she used to make when I was younger!

In the mean time, I've been knitting like crazy for both Sock Madness and what is to be the first knit along.  Round 1 for sock madness started out with a pair of socks that require a set of dice to choose at random whether or not you will C2F every 4th row.  The result is a pair of "mismatched" socks with cables randomly happening along the instep and leg.  I took (bad) progress pictures along the way and to submit at the end of the round.
I dyed the sock yarn with
Black Cherry Kool-Aid!

At the end of each day of frantic sock knitting, I'd spend my evenings "resting" by starting the All the Stops dress, a great pattern in Juniper Moon Farm's Findley Dappled booklet.  I'll be able to post a few pictures in a few days, as we've got terrible lighting in the house and pictures are not turning out quite right.  I want to be able to do this yarn justice because the variegated Findley Dappled is breathtaking, no matter what colorway you're using!  It feels like pure silk as I knit (it should, it's 50% silk and 50% merino wool).

Peanut, my son, checks out the shelves I plan
to use for Juniper Moon Farm yarns.  :)
It was first hard to imagine how this dress was going to turn out, but it became apparent quickly that the two stitches surrounded by stitch markers are where the shoulder seam is to be.  From there, you work your way down in three sections - left front, back, and right front.  I am now to where dart decreases are made.  I've sewn darts before, but have never knit darts, an interesting concept, but they serve the same purpose - to tailor the bust line. So far, it appears that I may be the only one who's documented doing this pattern (other than the tester), so I hope someone joins me in this project soon.  My dress, once complete, will be displayed in the shop and I'll also be wearing it on a cruise in January 2013, assuming I don't gain a massive amount of weight before then.

 Last, but not least, I got permission to share an appreciation photo from the layette set I designed and made for my hubby's boss.  I know I posted it on Facebook, but here's the little boy wearing the hat and socks from the set.  I was also told that they're giving me a copy of him in the whole outfit once they get the pictures from the hospital photographer.



Don't forget: Noro Ayatori yarns are here in 6 great colors!  It's DK, 60% wool, 40% silk and absolutely wonderful. I almost felt like it was my birthday 3 months early when I got the big package on Friday.  It ships same day and you won't want to put this yarn down.

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What a Week!

Posted on March 1, 2012 by | Comments Off on What a Week!
Did you know that we ship internationally?


Pick up one of our pattern
and join in for a knit along
or get help from me on a
project!
If you've been paying attention to Ravelry, Twitter, Facebook or Google+, you'd know that today begins the second week that Midwest Yarn's website has been up and running!  We had a great first week too.


Most of the yarn we ordered is in, as well as the pattern books that support the yarn lines we carry.  Just be aware that Noro will take a little bit longer to get in, as the supplier is backordered like crazy.  Noro yarns are hand spun and hand dyed in Japan from high quality materials.  They are then shipped out of one of the few ports that were not affected by last year's tsunami.  Because of the devastation from the tsunami, it takes can take a little longer to ship Noro yarns to the US.  At least a yarn like this is worth the wait!  Especially now that we've got the Knit Noro book available to order.


Findley Dappled
pattern book
now available!
We've also been searching like crazy for store fronts for the brick-and-mortar shop that would be open to the public.  I'm happy to announce that we've found what we've been looking for and should be signing a lease soon (keep your fingers and toes crossed).  Move in would be around the first week in May and we'd like to get the shop up and running within a few months' time.


Sabine booklet
now available!
In the interim, you'll see our ads on Ravelry and Talk to the Trees blog.  Head on over to the website and pick up some of the highest rated yarns available!  Your purchases go right into making more yarn lines available and the brick and mortar shop become a reality.  A brick and mortar shop means availability for classes and more!


Debbie Bliss
Rialto Family
As we continue online, feel free to suggest patterns or ideas on our social media sites for knit alongs, etc.  Get help from each other or myself on the Friends of Midwest Yarn Ravelry group, Facebook page, or Twitter (@midwestyarn).


If you don't see the colors or pattern book you need (limited to what is available by our suppliers), email me at orders@midwestyarn.com and I can place a special order for you.  In stock items usually ship within the next business day.


Debbie Bliss
Rialto Aran

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Open for Business!

Posted on February 22, 2012 by | Comments Off on Open for Business!
As of today, February 22, 2012, Midwest Yarn is open for business!
Available for order now:
  • Ella Rae Classic Wool and Heathers
  • Ella Rae Lace Merino
  • Juniper Moon Farm Findley Dappled and Sabine
  • Clover Takumi Velvet Knitting Needles (DPNs, straight, and circulars)
  • Noro Silk Garden (Color - Royals)
Coming soon:
  • Crochet hooks and knitting accessories
  • Louisa Harding Nerissa, Ondine, Grace Hand Dyed, Grace Wool & Silk
  • Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo and Smiley Stripes
  • Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran
Special orders can be placed for Ella Rae, Juniper Moon Farm, Louisa Harding, Sirdar, and Debbie Bliss. Email me at orders@midwestyarn.com for a special order request.

Don't forget coupon code WELCOME20 for 20% off your first order!

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What We’ll Carry

Posted on February 7, 2012 by | Comments Off on What We’ll Carry
We're right on schedule to go live by the end of February!

I'm happy to report that our yarn and knitting needle orders have been made!  Some of the yarns I ordered are newer, meaning new lines or new colors so they will take longer to be stocked in the online shop.  Once we get a decent amount of stock in, we will go live!  But here's what you can expect to see coming soon:
  • Noro - Silk Garden and Silk Garden Lite (newer colors, so will take some time to get in).  Noro is a one-of-a-kind type of yarn.  Its lines have unique color combinations, making finished items like a work of art.
  • Louisa Harding - Ondine, Nerissa (new line), Grace Hand Dyed and Grace Silk & Wool. 
  • Sirdar - Baby Bamboo and Smiley Stripes.
  • Juniper Moon Farm - Findley Dappled and Sabine (both are new yarn lines).
  • Ella Rae - Classic Wool and Lace Merino.
  • Debbie Bliss - Rialto Aran.
We'll be sure to carry some of the books that support the yarn lines that we have coming in. 

The knitting needles are Clover.  All needles, including the circulars are bamboo.  The dpns are Takumi Velvet, an excellent bamboo dpn (have a set and LOVE them).  We'll be ordering crochet hooks soon, can't forget you crocheters out there!

I'm also starting what I call the "Wish List".  It'll be a list of the yarn lines I'd like to carry as we grow.  You can always leave comment on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Ravelry group for lines to add to the wishlist, which will be kept on the blog and updated as we get recommendations.

Check out Knitting Fever's website for free patterns and for a preview of what we'll have available (or to add items to the wish list).

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Welcome to Midwest Yarn!

Posted on February 3, 2012 by | Comments Off on Welcome to Midwest Yarn!

We will post when our website is set to go live.  It should be up and running by mid to late February.  Until then our Ravelry ads will point you to the blog.
Welcome to the Midwest Yarn blog!  Midwest Yarn, a Cherished Moments company, is a small business operated out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My name is Melina and I am the proud owner of this wonderful yarn shop.  Over the past few years, I have been operating Cherished Moments, dreaming about the many different options available for needle artists when it comes to yarn.  And then it hit me, OPEN A YARN STORE!

Our goal is to provide the highest quality yarn to knitters and crocheters alike.  There's nothing like proudly wearing a handmade garment and feeling how soft and luxurious the yarn is.  We carefully select our yarns to make sure that we only stock lines made from natural fibers. Silks, wools, cotton, and their blends make wonderful fibers to work with. 

You may not see yarns from nylon, acrylic, or polyester, but you will see high end brands like Noro, Debbie Bliss, and more. We will also carry yarn made from organic fibers and are working to find spinners and dyers who would like to sell their natural fiber yarns as well.
 
To start we will carry some great new yarns and some favorites like:
  • Noro
  • Louisa Harding
  • Sirdar
  • Juniper Moon Farm
  • Ella Rae
  • Debbie Bliss 
We will do everything we can to provide excellent customer service, support for your projects, and a welcoming environment for yarn lovers everywhere. All the comforts of your local yarn shop without having to leave your home.

If you do love the atmosphere of your local yarn shop, don't worry!  My goal for Midwest Yarn is to also open a brick-and-mortar shop as soon as possible.  Until we reach that goal, check out what we have to offer and let us know how we're doing.

I will be using this blog to support other knitters and their projects, keep you updated with what's going on with our store, and offer you special deals.  For now, make sure you follow our blog.  Ravelry group (Friends of Midwest Yarn), blog, Facebook page, or Twitter (@midwestyarn) followers receive a 10% discount - more details to follow.

GRAND OPENING SPECIAL:


Enjoy 20% off your first order using the coupon code WELCOME20 at checkout. 

Otherwise, any order over $50 shipped in the US will receive free shipping.

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