Wanna taste some yarn? April 24, 2008

Have you RSVP’ed for the Spring tasting yet? We hope that you have, because all our slots for the Friday tasting are full! Oh no! You might remember previous tastings, when there was a real crush in the store. Hardly enough room to move your elbows to knit, people sitting on the floor, just too much. So, we’re trying to cut back a bit. It’s not that we don’t love you. We do. We’re trying to make the tastings better for everyone.

If you are attending the tasting on Friday, please bring a chair.  It just dawned on us that we have a limited number of chairs and the floor is concrete. Cuz we’re not Chair Depot. So if you’ve got a chair for yourself, or an extra one, please be a pal and bring it along. Thanks!

April 1, 2008

We have flat feet! Not the kind that require retro orthopedic shoes, but the new concept in sock knitting from Conjoined Creations. They started as a way to use up excess yarn in their dyeing process, so no two flat feet are alike. Still, we think that you’ll find colors that call your name. Oh, we almost forgot the best part: no ball to roll around on the floor!

March 26, 2008

Attention Crocheters and Crochet-curious: We’re having a crochet trunk show today! The Double Stitch twins will make a visit to Loopy this evening to support their upcoming book, Double Stitch. You might even get a sneak peek!

March 18, 2008

Malabrigo, Malabrigo, where are you? Don’t you know how we long for your buttery softness? Are you awaiting delivery in a lonely UPS truck, or stuck in customs near crates of spices? Please hurry, Malabrigo. We can’t wait much longer for your lace, your merinos, and hand-dyed goodness.

Spring Ahead March 13, 2008

Have you been by the store lately? Our windows have been a little bland lately, but we’ve spiced them up with new Spring features. We have an all green window for the upcoming holiday, but also to promote our Go Green events in April. You might notice a lovely, green cardigan made by Kirstin M. from Fitted Knits. Also check out the new colorway from Lorna’s Laces, Huron, and the Spring Namaste bags.

Feel like taking on a new hobby? Weaving and spinning are featured in the other window–and quite addictive! The Kirstins are totally hooked and you will be too after trying out the Ashford Knitters Loom. You might spy one of us weaving through the window.

We’re also celebrating Kirstin’s birthday for the next three days (March 13th through the 15th). Rather than the traditional birthday pinches, we’re marking her favorite yarn, Manos Silk Blend,  down 15%.

February 26, 2008

Warm, cold, warm, cold. It’s driving us crazy. We’ve decided to start putting out some of the Spring yarns to encourage warmer weather. You might have already seen the new cotton blend Noro yarn, Matsuri. It’s a cotton and wool blend best described as Noro for people who hate Noro. It’s soft and full of unexpected colors. Very Springy. Yesterday, our favorite UPS man brought us Second Time Cotton from K1C2. It’s a cotton blend yarn made from recycled mill scraps that looks like anything but leftovers. They also sent us a trunk show, which is definitely worth checking out. We’ve also snuck Cinnabar by Louisa Harding onto the shelves a little early. Cinnabar is a DK weight cotton blend with a dash of silk and linen. It’s a mouline yarn with great color presence. Might be nice for a summery top….

Vicki is hard at work on the new class schedule, which should be up soon. There are a couple of classes that have us really excited. The amigurumi class will be back. Get ready for cute overload! If you missed it last time around, be sure to sign up soon. We’ll also have a couple of different sock classes. Tired of that same old heel? Take Meg’s one week class on different techniques. Tired of dropping your dpns on the El? Take the Magic Loop sock class with Kirstin. We’re also working on a group of Go Green classes for April, like reusable market bags, a project in hemp, and more.

February 20, 2008

Hello. My name is Kirstin, and I’m a yarn addict. I have a pretty swell job, working at Loopy and being the store blogger. Since this is my regular gig, I’m kicking off our “Ladies of Loopy” series. Through the next few weeks, we’ll take turns introducing ourselves and sharing a few of our favorite things.

So, my name is Kirstin and I am a Chicago native. I’m a project knitter and have a ridiculous stash. Most of it is sock yarn, even though I rarely wear them! I’m teaching a couple of classes at Loopy and have two more planned for the Spring session, a toe-up socks class and a hemp project. I love hand dyed yarns like Manos, Malabrigo, Lorna’s Laces, and Fleece Artist. Handmade, artisanal products like Lush soaps and pepparkaka from the Swedish Bakery (only available in the winter, sigh) also tickle my fancy. I’m always looking for a good book to fall in love with, another stamp in my passport, and great music.

February 15, 2008

We’ve got the winter blahs. We’re sick of the slush, the cold, and bruised bottoms from hard Chicago sidewalks. We long for Spring. We also long for Spring yarns. We need room for ‘em! So, we are increasing the sale discount to sixty percent. Yes, 6-0.

February 14, 2008

Zoe and I are here at the store, celebrating Valentine’s Day with our true love, yarn. If you are at loose ends today and need a place to unwind, come and hang out with us. We’ll be knitting and full of sass, so feel free to bring a bottle, chocolate, unmarked bills, single men, etc. We’ll be here ’til seven.

February 5, 2008

We have a Girl Scout coming to Friday Knit Night this week. She will have cookies, so bring your wallets, ladies!