When you really want something special on Valentines Day ... it's okay to let your valentine know what it is.  So remember that you can register on-line or in our store with your favorite gift ideas or even just ask for a gift card.  It's a great way to insure you get the special gift you want ... and he'll appreciate your making it easy for him.

Do you need an idea yourself?  Here's one.  How about a skein of Noro Kirameki lace yarn for the Annis Shawl and one of our new shawl sticks from Foofaraw by designer Lindsay Gates.

Photo is Annis Shawl, the pattern is found on Knitty.com and is knitted out of Noro Kirameki lace yarn.














Photo is Annis Shawl, the pattern is found on Knitty.com and is knitted out of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn.

Foofaraw shawl sticks by designer Lindsay Gates 

If you saw the Annis Shawl project that we mentioned for Valentines day and you loved it, but are thinking your skills don't match up with the project ... then you  are in luck!  One of our February classes (being offered twice: in the afternoon & evening) is the Annis Shawl and it is a great skill building class for intermediate knitters wanting to learn beginning lace and "short rows."  Here is a list of our February classes, but you should check out the WEBSITE for all the details:

• Two-at-a-time socks on Magic Loop:  Saturday, February 12th, 19th, & 26th; 1-3 pm.
• Annis Shawl Project Class:  Thursday, February 17th & 24th; 6-8 pm.
• Annis Shawl Project Class:  Monday, February 21st & 28th; 1-3 pm.

UP-COMING MARCH CLASSES:  Keep checking the WEBSITE as we will soon be adding these classes:

• Cables Made Easy:  beginning cables including chart reading.
• Domino Knitting:  taught from the book "Domino Knitting" authored by Vivian Hoxbro.
• First Sock Class. Sign-up for this class is now available, call for details.
   

*NOTE:  Please call or stop by the store to register for classes as we do not take registration via e-mail and our website is not wired to handle this task.

Ravelry is definitely the coolest place on the internet for knitters.  Often referred to as the Facebook for knitters, this analogy actually sells Ravelry a bit short ... if you're already on Ravelry, then you know what we mean.  If you're not a Ravelry member you should plan on attending and be opened up to a whole new world of ideas and information about knitting.

For those of you who love Ravelry and spend countless hours searching information and chatting up friends in this cyber-world ... here's what you can look forward to at the 'FNKC'.  Because many of you use fictitious names and photos on Ravelry for your personal profile, you may not even be aware of the identity of some of the people you are in contact with on Ravelry.  That is why we will wear Ravelry buttons that will divulge this information. 

One example of being connected to people worldwide in the virtual world could be following someone like ... 'Hey Jen Renee'.  Did you know that 'Hey Jen Renee' is one of the most popular designers in the "new and popular" section of Ravelry?  That would certainly single her out from  say, a million people. Did you also know that the photo of 'Hey Jen Renee' wearing the Chorley Wrap she knitted out of Rowan Big wool featured in one of the Rowan Magazines is the #1 clicked on photo of that project on all of Ravelry.  Did you also know that 'Hey Jen Renee' has also been featured in at least two articles last year in the Des Moines Register, telling of her designs and how she sells them?  Want to know who is going to be here at Knitted Together to introduce her brand new design before it even goes on Ravelry?  The answer is ... 'Hey Jen Renee'.  Yep, 'Hey Jen Renee' lives in this community and loves to shop at Knitted Together and now you can meet the "artist" and be the first on your block to try her newest design.

Check it out girls, a Ravelry party with a brilliant young designer who lives right in town.  Now mark your calendar for February 25th, 6pm-8pm and be sure to stay tuned to your email and look for the RSVP from us the week of the 21st with all the details.  This is gonna be a really fun party!

We can't wait to see you there.

After seeing the feature of Noro Kirameki and Noro Silk Garden Sock in the Valentine section, you may think you have already seen the featured yarn ... and we wouldn't blame you.  Both yarns are truly beautiful.  However we have a very new yarn that we recently brought into the store that was brand new for fall from Elsebeth Lavold.  If you are already familiar with the Silky Wool, you will love the new Silky Wool XL.

• Elsebeth Lavold, Silky Wool XL:  XL means you use this for an aran to a chunky weight.  This 80% wool, 20% silk yarn is fantastic for sweaters.  The gauge is 15-18 stitches = 4 inches on a U.S. 7-10.  Where the DK weight Silky Wool has a lighter and softer color palette, the XL yarn is offered in deep stunning colors as shown here below.  Silky Wool has long been one of Nancy's favorites and she is so pleased to offer this new treasure to you.
   

Many people seem to think that here in the upper midwest that we simply lock down with some yarn, needles and a warm fire, while we hibernate through winter.  Don't get us wrong, we're totally into great yarn, fast needles and a hot fire ... we just don't see any reason to stay at home alone to enjoy it.  That's why here at Knitted Together we're constantly coming up with new reasons to bundle up, brave a little weather and experience a knitting community extraordinaire.  With events like Super Bowl Parties, 'FNKC' Ravelry style, Exciting Classes with fun projects and yarn ... yeah, GREAT YARN ... you know, not the kind you can find just any place else, and a fireplace to meet your friends by ... why would you want to hibernate ... NOT!

So COME & SEE  what we're up to and why February is a HOT time to get out.  We look forward to seeing you soon!