We are well-stocked now with one of our favorite (and top selling) yarns-Manos Del Uruguay. This yarn flies out of here! Pure wool, great gauge (3.5-4 st/inch), amazing pattern support, unbelievable colors. All that, and the yarn is spun by a women's co-op in Uruguay. Can't get much better than that!

We don't post photos as often as we should, as we are technologically challenged with the uploading procedure and rely on Lew's good nature to help us; imagine our chagrin when he actually turns to his law practice and is short on time! But we persuaded him to catch us up and he did so in the break before the Dallas/Washington game last night!

First up, Jeff models the fabulous hat Lew made him. Lew is working his way through gifts for his entire law group. We think it is safe to say this may be a first at a DC law firm! Jeff's hat is from the luxurious Blue Sky Alpaca; Lew worked on this during our Alaska trip this summer. Isn't Jeff a great model?

Next, the reason we love our staff so much. One Sunday, Lynne, Brooks and Lew work hand made garments. Brooks models his sweater from Stitch n Bitch; Lynne is outfitted head to toe with scarf and socks, and Lew made this extraordinary sweater out of cotton classic. It has proven to be his favorite golf sweater.

We taught the mother/daughter team of Diane and Louisa in several classes. Louisa just finished her felted bag and scarf, while mom Diane made this gorgeous scarf.

First time knitter Elizabeth made this great baby blanket for her sister's baby. Isn't is great? She proved to be a natural, and is already on to her next project!

We like this picture of a typical Saturday at the shop, as the staff surrounds a customer in distress! Ponchos need to be fitted and sewn, and everyone pitches in!

Finally, as promised. Pat came in for her photo op to celebrate her celebrity status as the winner of our 15% off for an entire year drawing held during our anniversary sale!

and a bit of Rowan too! That's what Walter the UPS Guy brought us today! We are now fully stocked with Skacel needles (including the all important and much back-ordered 32" size 17!), Bryson notions, and fabulous swifts to wind yarn. The swifts go quickly; they are the perfect gift for the knitter in your life (yes, that includes yourself!), so come grab one to make your yarn winding easier.

Rowan sent fabulous additional colors of Polar and Wool Cotton, two of our favorite yarns. Think sweaters. They are all the rage this season.

Ted, our substitute UPS Guy, arrived at our door at 5:20 yesterday after a very long day. We were glad to see him, because he brought some fabulous things from our favorite book source, Unicorn Press. Come see the KNITTING PRETTY 16-MONTH 2005 CALENDAR.Perfect to hang on your wall for inspiration, patterns, and just eye candy for the knitter! Also in, restocks of the extremely popular Baby Blankets Two and Hot Knits.

And our first taste of the Holidays arrived! Family Circle Knitting Holiday 2004 issue is here! Wow! Guess we have to start thinking of gifts!

We have been blog-less for a few days--no excuse other than the fact that we have been incredibly busy!!!! Also, Walter the UPS Guy has been scarce around here. But late yesterday we received a big box from Dale of Norway; we are now restocked with all the colors of Baby Ull which were low in supply. This wonderful yarn does so much more than baby things. Try it for socks, gloves, lace scarves/shawls. It is washable and durable, and the colorways are fantastic!

Also for those wool averse customers, we received new stock of Stork, the baby yarn in cotton. Again, its uses reach far beyond baby clothes.

We are anxiously awaiting Koigu; hopefully today or early next week. We will, of course, keep you all posted.

Finally, please note that Kollage Yarns has rescheduled their class/trunk show for SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24. Come join Mark and Susan as they tease you with the delights of their gorgeous hand-dyed multi stranded yarns. A fun time for all.

Again on our day off we received word that LARGE boxes had arrived from Knitting Fever, the distributor of Debbie Bliss and Noro Yarns. So we just could not wait until tomorrow! And what riches were contained. We are now fully stocked with Baby Cashmerino (including the elusive white and off white!) and Cashmerino Aran, which seems to be flying off the shelves this year. We also received several colors of restocked Alpaca Silk, another wonderful choice for Fall knitting. And we were greeted as well by two new colors of Silk Garden and one of Iro, as well as a stunning white silk ribbon from Hana Silk. Come see!

Also in, Berroco Suede in the Brown and Buttery Tan. Someone already took one bag of the brown; this yarn does not stay long on the shelves!

Strap on your pith helmet, pick a project, and join us in an additional section of our KNITTING SAFARI scheduled in December. This class has proven to be immensely popular, as students work on individual projects that are beyond their current abilities, but have a class and teacher at the ready to help every step of the way. Our Safaris fill quickly; join us four Wednesdays in December (1,8,15 and 22) from 6-8 PM for this fun and challenging experience. Call or email jacqui@woolwinders.com if you are interested!

Just received word from the Kollage folks that they have to cancel this Sunday's class and trunk show due to Hurricane Ivan. Susan and Mark live in Birmingham, Alabama and have been without power for several days and cannot leave at this time. We will reschedule the event, and apologize for the inconvenience.

Yesterday Walter the UPS Guy struggled with two ENORMOUS boxes from Unique Kolours, the distributor for one of our favorite yarn lines, Colinette. We are now fully restocked with fabulous colors of Giotto (come see the cute jacket we made in hot pink!), Mohair and Zanziba, and AbFab/Vintage kits for throws and ponchos. One of our most popular (and truth be told, spectacular) items of late has been the Winterthur shawl, knit from Mohair and Zanziba. Our own Lisa Twomey worked this up in the Sahara colourways (deep oranges, greens and golds) and everyone who sees it views it as a must-have! We have her sample on display.

If you are seeking a truly unique and sophisticated gift for a loved one (yes, you can count yourself!), we will help you put together dramatic colors of the yarns. Or, if you are not sure you can wear a poncho -- or want to -- consider this shawl. The pattern is quite easy; perfect for a beginner! Guaranteed to elicit the "ooh and aah" factor!

We were delighted to see Walter the UPS Guy before we opened this morning, staring plaintively through the door. Of COURSE we would welcome him as we noticed the return sticker on one of the huge boxes he wheeled in! Yes, more Rowan has arrived. More Kid Classic, More Yorkshire Tweed DK, More Plaid, More Chunky Print, More Felted Tweed, More Big Wool. More, more, more. And the pattern support this year is simply gorgeous. Come see what you can create with these beautiful yarns and patterns.

You asked for it; you've got it! We have added TWO SECTIONS OF ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS knitting classes: Tuesday, Oct. 5 & 12 from 6-8 PM and Sunday December 5 & 12 from 10 AM-12 Noon. Please call the store to sign up! The spaces are going quickly. In addition, we have made some revisions to the Fall class schedule. To get more information, click on the classes button on the top of this page. We try to respond to customers' needs regarding classes. If you have any requests or suggestions, don't hesitate to email us at jacqui@woolwinders.com.

Speaking of classes, don't forget that Mark and Susan from Kollage Yarns will be at the shop Sunday, September 19 from 1:00-4:00 to demonstrate how to work with their fabulous hand-dyed mulit-strand yarns. Cost is only $10 and will go toward a purchase of any Kollage yarn. Mark and Susan are full of tips, techniques, and personality-you will really enjoy them!

We have carried Blue Sky Alpaca yarns and patterns since the day we opened. In fact, it was the first ball of yarn we put on a shelf (yes, you never forget your first!). If you have not worked with this extraordinary yarn, you are missing a luxurious and yummy experience. Soft, deeply hued, and easy to knit, the yarns are just a delight. We carry the yarns in sport weight, the sport alpaca/silk blend, and the bulky weight. One of our most popular patterns this season has been the Bobbi Bear, made with the bulky weight alpaca. A perfect gift, this bear stands 20" high and is adorable. We ran out of the patterns almost immediately; today we received restocks. Also in, the alpaca in lilac, red, and light blue; and the alpaca/silk in grey.

OK, we'll be honest. We really didn't want a lot of UPS boxes today! But when Ted, the substitute UPS Guy walked in with two from Unicorn Press, we were pretty excited. Why? Because we REALLY needed the contents! You have been asking for, and now can get, Knitters Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements, Knitting on the Edge, Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, and Big Needle Afghans!

We have also had requests for more beginning knitting classes. We aim to please, so let us take a look at the schedule and see what we can alter/move around. Give us a few days to post the new schedule, as our lovely webmistresses, Stacy and Robin, live in Tampa and are not really focusing on our business what with Charley, Frances and Ivan!

The excitement in the air was palpable as the clock struck 5 PM (we have a master's degree in English, ok?). Brooks, our newest employee, reached his hand into the basket put aside for this momentous occasion. And drew out the name of......PATTY BORJA! Patty is the lucky winner of a 15% discount on all purchases through September 12, 2005! We admit to being delighted. We taught Patty to knit when we first opened, and taught her son William as well. Daughter Elizabeth is a frequent visitor when home from college. So Patty, Congratulations!! And come in soon so we can take your picture for the website.

Whew! That's all we can say about the sale weekend. We are exhausted. The store is a mess. We are so appreciative of our wonderful staff who helped out with the sale: Karina, Adrian, Brooks, Pat, Kim, Marietta, and Lynne. We can't believe that Lew and Ben found time to hook up (successfully!) the new Dell computer, which is working like a charm. And we got to see old and new friends who swung by for the terrific deals on cottons and discontinued yarns. Thanks to EVERYONE.

What will today bring? Stay tuned. Just because we are tired doesn't mean that Walter the UPS Guy is.....

How gorgeous is this? Marietta proudly models the Alchemy Yarn poncho she kindly knit for the store! The kit contains ten skeins of hand dyed yarns in colors unique to Alchemy, as well as a pattern. You can tell that Gina and Austin (who own Alchemy) have fun with their product-the kits are named after the earth's elements: Fire, Water, Air and Earth. Marietta models Fire. Water is blues, air is purple/blue, and Earth is brown/green. These kits move fast-we currently have only three left!

Day Two of our sale awaits us today. We woke early, excited and eager to lead you to our terrific bargains.

Customers waiting at the door before our 11 am opening, frantic phone calls looking for one last skein of Noro, patterns clutched in hands seeking sale yarns to match......has to be the Cotton Up to End of Summer Sale at WoolWinders! We had more fun today! And yes, the Manos Stria and Noro Big Kureyon are gone, but there are still a few skeins of Shinano and Cash Iroha around. Be sure to make time this weekend to get some great buys on cotton yarns as well as discontinued fibers we are no longer carrying. The sale runs through Sunday. Some great deals abound!

And the sale did not stop the intrepid Walter the UPS Guy. He brought us the long-awaited Wool in the Woods Scarf kits and Afghan kits; just gorgeous!!!! And we are fully stocked on the popular 2005 Pattern a Day Calendar featuring our good friend Laurie Gonyea's Turtleneck Turtle Top!

Yes, it is that time of year again! We had to do something to thank all our wonderful customers for two years in business. So beginning tomorrow, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 THROUGH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, come to WoolWinders: A Knitting Salon to enjoy 30% all cotton yarns as well as select yarns. We will have bins clearly marked for ease of shopping, and we have sale yarn at EVERY GAUGE!

4 Ply:

• Jaeger Siena


• Dale Stork

• Rowan Cotton Glace

• All Sirdar Baby Yarn


• Debbie Bliss Cotton DK


• Manos Stria


• Dale of Norway Svale

• Cotton Classic


• Cotton Classic II


• Mission Falls 1824 Cotton


• Mission Falls 1824 Wool


• Cherry Tree Hill N,. Country Cotton


• Cherry Tree Hill Cotton Boucle


• Linie Vision


• Linie Spirit


• Classic Elite Inca Alpaca


• Classic Elite Bazic


• Classic Elite Newport


• Plymouth Encore


• Muench Touch Me (very limited quantities and
  colors)


• Noro Shinano


• Noro Cash Iroha

• Sirdar Kool Kids


• Sirdar Denim Chunky


• Berroco Pronto


• Rowan Cotton Tape


• Skacel Portofino


• Skacel Can Can


• Mondial Splendid

• Noro Big
  Kureyon

Some conditions apply, like the purchases are non-returnable/exchangeable. Best of all, while you are shopping, register for a chance to win 15% off all purchases for one full year! You must be here to register, and you must agree to let us take your picture and post it on our website as our 2004-2005 winner!

This weekend promises to be wild and fun at WoolWinders. So come out and take advantage of terrific savings.

And Walter the UPS Guy paid us yet another visit today with our Rowan Books. Come see the beautiful designs in Vintage Rowan, Yorkshire Tales, Rowan Babies, Miss Bea Series for Children, and specialty books for their Plaid, Wool Cotton, Ribbon Twist, Big Wool, Biggy Print, and Chunky Print!

We knew it would happen on our day off! When we called in at 11, we learned that Walter the UPS Guy staggered under the weight of 11 boxes! What caused this overload? Well, about half of the Fall Rowan, including new yarns for us: KidSilk Haze, Polar, Kid Classic, Yorkshire DK, and Ribbon Twist; and fabulous new colors of old favorites Wool Cotton, Felted Tweed, Biggie Print, Plaid, and Big Wool. It will take us a day or two to get these checked in and out! But Pat, Kim, Adrian, Karina and I will be working overtime to get these in front of you as quickly as possible! And when will the rest arrive? We had a chat with the folks at Rowan who assured us that another shipment will go out in a day or two.

Also in, the Alchemy Poncho Kits in Fire, Water, Air and Earth; restocks of Crystal Palace needles, and yummy colors of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece and Lamb's Pride. And oh yes, a behind the scenes gift of a new computer. Dude, we got a Dell!

OK We admit it. We completly misjudged this past weekend; thought with the lovely weather we would be cleaning bins and putting our feet up to knit all day. Not. We were blessed with numbers of marvelous customers and friends who simply HAD to load up on new fall yarns for fabulous projects. And who were willing to show off their completed works!

Martha finished her beautiful scarf in Berroco's new Lullaby:

Sidra has become addicted to sock knitting. Her latest pair in cashmerino aran:

Irene stopped by to show off her gorgeous sweater done in Svale:

And finally, Lynn helps niece Glenda fringe her Jen's Poncho from Sally Melville's Knit Stitch:

We also went through our clearance bin and Lynn came up with a terrific notion for those single skeins of Baby Cashmerino in discontinued colors: Bootie Call! We have given you several easy baby bootie patterns along with one skein of yarn; a perfect baby gift awaits!

All in all, a wonderful Labor Day Weekend thanks to our customers/friends.

A short reminder that we are closed on Monday, September 6th for Labor Day. We plan to exhale a bit and knit. This week promises to be tremendous fun as we expect a huge order from Rowan to arrive. They shipped on Friday! We will post as soon as UPS delivers it. Enjoy the holiday!

Like LANTERN MOON NEEDLES and BABY CASHMERINO! We have been waiting what seems like forever for these fabulous items and today Walter the UPS Guy walked in with a really big grin! We were all over him like a cheap suit. And with the help of the lovely Karina, everything is checked in and shelved. So come see our beautiful rosewood and ebony needles in sizes 8-17 and the gorgeous new colors of Debbie Bliss's sport weight Baby Cashmerino.

Also in, fantastic patterns from a new designer in Michigan, Marla Mutch. She has some terrific designs for shawls, ponchos, and even skirts! We love discovering the new talent out there!

Knit Whit kits give you the choice! Today we received in the Bailey Hat kit (non-felting), the Ripley Hat kit (felted) and the Carre Purse kit in greys/oranges (felted). You get to select! These kits flew out of here when we got the last batch in. They are fun and easy!