October 8th from 10:00-5:00 with a one hour lunch.

Hand knit socks are nice by hand spun and knitted socks are wonderful. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the qualities that define great socks–soft, elastic, hard-wearing and learn how to use various fibers and blend, preparations and spinning for the socks of one’s dreams. This class is for anyone who wants to explore spinning for a particular purpose. We’ll discuss adjusting fiber preparation and spinning techniques so that, for example, a Corridale fleece can be used for soft, warm but relatively hard-wearing socks. We’ll explore the effect of twist on yarn qualities and aim for a balance of twist that produces long-wearing socks that also feel good. Students will also examine how to adjust preparation wand spinning techniques for particular parts of the socks and we’ll finish with suggestions for sock knitting techniques and the washing and care of hand spun socks.

Students should bring a spinning wheel in good working order, hand cards for wool, note paper and pen, and if on hand a flick card.

There will be a Materials packet for purchase ($10) that includes bibliography, notes on spinning for socks, assortment of wools and a small amount of blending fibers.

Experience level recommended for this class: Basic spinning experience, knowledge of hand carding, short forward and backward drafting.

This class is limited to 15 students, please call to reserve your space today! 815-282-5481.

First off, a century ago… well, more like a week and a half ago, we had a contest in honor of N.A.Schutt Design’s first year in business. On August 11th we draw our winner of a brooch of their choosing. I would like to take a moment to congratulate Pat Brannigan for being our winner and thank everyone who participated! I am honored to have so many supportive fans!

So, there have been new things popping up around the shop. Lots and LOTS of new things! I will try to go in order of all the fun stuff we have received so far…

Malabrigo Rios and Mountain Colors River Twist

First off we received a wonderful order from Mountain Colors. Do you remember River Twist from last year? Now we have a whole new barrage of twisting fabulous colors.

Next came the Malabrigo, my personal favorite… and apparently quite a few others as well. We received their new yarn, Rios, as a little taste of what we could expect from them at Stitches. Only the Chicago area shops got a hold of the fabulous new yarn. Speaking of Stitches, if you went you will also recall seeing a luscious chunky weight yarn from them called Rasta, expect to see that walk in the door next month.

Cascade Covington & Plymouth Chunky and Worsted Merino

To me this was the best way to start off the next week, UPS promising that I would have well over 160 lbs of yarn to await me the following Monday! Which brings me to the huge boxes upon boxes of Cascade and Plymouth.

Cascade delivered a number of new yarns for us, including a wonderful lace weight baby alpaca at an even better price;  Eco +, a chunky weight wool; lots and lots of 220; a beautiful heathery looking Covington that is in a lovely chunky weight; a bamboo wool mix, Lana Bambu and much more.

Cascade Eco +

Plymouth also filled our shelves with a number of new yarns. For your baby knitting we now have the Dream Baby line in stock as well as the favorite Baby Boutique. We also have a new pair of Merino yarns from them in a chunky and worsted weight.

I am sure you are all asking your selves about the headliner of the show:

Amy Butler

Amy Butler: Belle Organic Cotton Aran & DK

Oh yes, we have her wonderful line now in stock! Featuring a delightful blend of 50/50 wool cotton this yarn comes in a variety of colors to spice up your fall and winter wardrobe.

Sheepy Hollow Yarns & Roving

We also received the long awaited, much talked about roving and yarn from local fiber artist Sheepy Hollow Yarns.  She has a wide variety of fibers, textures, colors, hand spun to custom mill spun, plain to pearls… Sheepy Hollow has a delightful assortment now available!

Well… lets just say that the pictures don’t do any of these yarns the justice they deserve. Stop on in and feel how wonderful these new collections will be for the upcoming season!

Also stay tuned for information on a guest instructor, Carol Huebscher. We are hoping to have her in store for an All Day workshop in October. I will let you know as we receive more information. Also are you interested in attending? Please give the shop a call to reserve your spot! 815-282-5481.

Happy Knitting,

Nadja

The drawing will be held on August 11th and the winner gets to choose his or her favorite brooch to take home!

Also be sure to stop in and check out the new line of bracelets she is now offering. Each bracelet also features hand sewn beads and jewels on recycled fabric with an adjustable chain. The bracelet measures 6 inches from lobster claw clasp to fastening chain and can be adjusted, via chain, up to 8.5 inches. Extra links can be special ordered (at $3 a rhinestone link or $12 per beaded link) to meet your needs, just let us know!

Check for matching Brooches/Pendants to go with your Bracelets… or request a custom crafted one to match any outfit or occasion!

Six Sparkling New Bracelets!

New inventory will be added throughout the week so be sure to swing on and and check them out!

Thank you again for all your support!

~Nadja

NASchuttDesign

A little elephant poking his trunk out of the box!

Felted Swirled Hair Clips!

Also, Kiwanas Brat Days is going to be this weekend, starting on Friday we will have N.A.Schutt Design set up with all of her beautiful brooches, pins, pendants and rings. All of them come with wonderful gift packaging so they are great for birthday, holiday, hostess gifts, etc.

Beaded Brooch/Necklace Pendant only $22.50!

Mini Brooch Pins only $12.00!

Be sure to check your emails for the newsletter that just came out and see what other deals we will have to offer this weekend for the festival! If you haven’t signed up, you can do so at our website: www.uniqueyarnsinc.com or in store.

Happy Knitting!

Nadja

New Rovings from IL Wool and Fiber Mill

I look forward to seeing you there!

Happy Spinning,

Nadja

Gwendolyn's Wooly Flock Roving

Gwendelynn also included a lovely photo album of her flock, so you can see exactly who your roving came from!

Gwendelynn's Wooly Photo Album

There are also a few new brooches from N.A.Schutt Design, who was at the Edgebrook Think. Feel. Design. Art Show over the past weekend. She brought in a few new brooches and also showed us how to turn our brooches into necklace pendants by running a cord through the back!

Thread cord through back for a bold necklace!

Large Beaded Brooch on a Cord

Large Beaded Brooch

She also has a number of the mini brooches still in stock, all of them new to the shop! So be sure to check them out. They make for great gifts and all come with either a gift box or a small fabric gift bag.

Happy Knitting,

Nadja

If you would like to take part, here is what we need:

Any size, shape, color, texture, weight, knit, crochet… you name it swatches.

You may use your own stash or stop in the shop and use our stash! We have lots of yarn set out for you to use on this project!

The next due date is Friday, June 18th.

I hope you will take the few minutes to be a part of this exciting fiber installation coming to the Northern Illinois area this June!

Thank you again!

Happy Swatching!

Nadja

Swatches Due Friday, June 4th!

For those who don’t know what we have been up to the past couple weeks here’s a quick refresher. Unique was contacted by artists who were wondering if we could get people to knit or crochet swatches for a mysterious fiber art installation that will be occurring in the Northern Illinois area this June. If you are interested in helping still, we are looking for swatches, knit or crochet, of any size, weight of yarn, color, texture… you get the idea! Anything goes! These swatches will be collected on Friday and turned into a fiber arts installation later this month.  We have yarn here in shop for you to use and play with for this project or you may use your own stash scraps.

Its a mystery! Be a part of it! Bring in your swatches by Friday, June 4th to participate!

Thank you for your support and happy knitting!

Nadja

Unique Yarns was contacted by a group of Fiber Artists who need our help! They need various swatches of knitted and/or crocheted pieces for a community fiber arts installation, scheduled for the Northern Illinois Area, in June 2010. We have agreed to help by asking for volunteers to knit, crochet and collect these swatches for them at Unique Yarns, Inc.

We need knitted and crocheted swatches of various sizes, colors, weights and fiber contents by Friday, June 4th!

This promises to be an intriguing, mysterious and fun community project. If by chance you have managed to work through your stash… we have yarn donations available for you to use. Gather your friends and come “sit and knit… or crochet” anytime Monday through Friday for a creative, community fiber arts display.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Be a part of this mysterious piece!
Happy Knitting, Crocheting… Happy Fiber..ing!

Nadja

Also we had a lovely Open Spin morning on Friday. We had seven fiber fanatics show up. Wheels/drop spindles twirling and fiber was definitely flying! Susan was working on a breath taking piece, fair isle, out of 20 different hand spun yarns… amazing! We also had the few curious knitters join in on the fun! Be sure to come and spin, knit or whatever you may- with us on the first Friday morning of every month!

Well, I just wanted to touch base and tell you what a wonderful time we have been having here! We all hope to have you join us sometime!

Happy Knitting!

Nadja

PS. Don’t forget that the Edgebrook Farmer’s Market is now back in swing! Check it out on Wednesday mornings!