Every three years,  TNNA conducts a very important survey called the TNNA State of Specialty NeedleArts 2013 needle artist survey.  The more responses from knitters, crocheters, needlepointers, cross-stitchers, weavers, and spinners, the better the results for YOUR needleart!  See below for official TNNA info and link to the survey…..

The 10-minute survey asks about your experiences with the needlearts you
enjoy: crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting, needlepoint,
spinning, or weaving. Let us know which types of projects you prefer, how
you like to learn, and what you’d like to see needlearts shops do better.
The needlearts community needs your advice and opinions, whether you are a
beginner or an expert! This survey is conducted every few years by The
National NeedleArts Association (TNNA). Your input is very important and
will be included in a published national report.

Your answers are anonymous. No one will use your survey responses to market
to you.

In return for your participation, you will receive valuable benefits:
. Gain a chance to win one of five $100 needlearts gift certificates.
. Ensure stores, manufacturers, and other suppliers provide what you want.
. Explore your needlearts interests.

Your valuable input will also help the needlearts community:
. Give guilds, associations, community groups, and others guidance to grow
the world of needlearts.
. Help independent retailers and family-owned suppliers succeed by giving
them the customer feedback they need.

Please complete the triennial national Yarn, Stitching, and Weaving 2013
Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TNNAfiber

Now that all the legal mumbo jumbo is out of the way….let’s celebrate!  Here are the details of our first happy hour!

Do you want to carry Plymouth Yarns in your shop? Contact us to get started today!

Joy Ruffle

Today we will cover Joy Ruffle.  With this great ruffle yarn, available in 4 solid colors and 6 multicolored shades,  you can have a scarf made in a night.  It will make the perfect teacher, coworker, hairdresser, or babysitter gift.  I made tons of ruffle scarves for the last Holiday season and tied them around the gifts for the gals in my family.

Check out some free patterns you can use with this gorgeous yarn on Ravelry!

Kelp Forest Shawlette by karinknits designs

Joy Ruffle Scarf by Plymouth Yarn Design Studio

Call your shop today to get your hands on Joy Ruffle!
 

Christmas Countdown

Courtesy of Zingerbug

It is officially the unofficial end of summer.  Labor day is one of my favorite holidays as it celebrates the American worker, which is me! A big thank you to Matthew Maguire and Peter J. McGuire,  labor union officials who first proposed the holiday back in 1882 as a day of rest and celebration for workers and their families. I’ll gladly take a 3 day weekend,  I have one UFO that needs tending to, a grill that is begging for some steaks and a blender just waiting to make some margaritas.  We always stay close to home, trying to visit our swim club as much as possible before they lock the gate for the final time on Monday 8pm.

For the first time, my son is dreading this weekend, or at least the end of it.  Now he’s a second grader, aware that back to school means homework, early bedtimes and tucked in uniform shirts.  No more weeknight outings to the movies or miniature golf.   I’m excited to meet his teacher and wondering if she’s a knitter.

Early bedtimes for the kid means uninterrupted knitting time for mommy.  My goal over the next few weeks is to master crochet.  I am a novice and I am ready to change that.  There is way too much fantastic crochet out there that I am missing out on.  I would like to replace my holiday knitting with crochet this year.  Click here for one of the many videos I will be using as guide this weekend.

Make sure you call your local yarn store this weekend too.  Many of them have received their fall orders and are having some amazing sales.  If you get to your shop, check out some of our new yarns like Gina, Sakkie and Pasea, the hottest sellers right now.

Sakkie Crochet Pattern 2364, call your yarn shop for details

http://www.accesshollywood.com/access-hollywood-live-tom-hanks-larry-crowne-knitting-prank-on-julia-roberts_video_1335958

Tom Hanks plays a knitting prank on Julia Roberts!