Malabrigo Has ARRIVED!

Lots of wonderful Malabrigo Sock yarn just arrived, plus some worsted. Come check it out.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

"May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face."

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity's most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling.

The First Parade

The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.

Over the next 35 years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called "Irish Aid" societies like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.

In 1848, several New York Irish Aid societies decided to unite their parades to form one New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. Today, that parade is the world 's oldest civilian parade and the largest in the United States, with over 150,000 participants.

Each year, nearly three million people line the 1.5-mile parade route to watch the procession, which takes more than five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Savannah also celebrate the day with parades involving between 10,000 and 20,000 participants.

Source: History.com

REMEMBER THIS SUNDAY is the Evolving Stash Parking Lot Customer Exchange/Sale

Tempe Yarn is at it again, after receiving many customer requests to repeat last year's parking lot event, we've scheduled another Parking Lot Evolving Stash Exchange/Sale. This year we will be holding it on Sunday, March 21st from 12pm to 2pm (remember last year we held it in April and it was to darn hot).

If you are wondering what the heck are we talking about, read on.

What is this event?

Tempe Yarn originally held our first Parking Lot Evolving Stash Exchange/Sale in 2009 to help your stash evolve and at the same time help out our friends at Ronald McDonald House.

For a $10 fee (all of which will go to the Ronald McDonald House) those who wish to sell your pre-owned yarn and yarn related products in an area outside the shop can reduce your stash. To participate you must pre-register (it is critical that you pre-register as there are a limited amount of space available) to by calling 480- 557-9166 by 8pm on Friday, March 19th.

If you wish to grow your stash come on down on Sunday afternoon between 12pm and 2pm and look for that special treasure you need to make your stash whole. This event will end at 2pm sharp.

Why Would A Yarn Shop Do This?

We are doing this for our customers because it gives you a chance to "swap" stashes around and a great excuse to organize and review all the wonderful yarns in your lives. The bonus here is that all the "table" donations will be given to Ronald McDonald House. In addition, we will have a table set aside that day to collect small items attendees may wish to donate to RMH. For a list of items they need click here.

The shop will be open during this time in case you need something.

Here are the pictures from last year's event.

Note:

Tempe Yarn & Fiber is only providing a venue for this event. All sales are between the buyer and the seller. Tempe Yarn & Fiber shall not be held liable for any items sold and/or any sales made at this event. Tempe Yarn & Fiber is not responsible for pricing, quality, or availability of products. Tempe Yarn & Fiber, the University Plaza, and/or the Ronald McDonald House shall not be held liable for any events, actions, sales, accidents, or losses resulting from participating in the activity.

Nuno Felting Class Photos

Here are some photos from the Nuno Felting class held earlier this month.

First you layout the designs.

Next you add water and begin the felting.

The finished product is always worth the work!

Watch the here for details on the next class.

Purse Table Hanger

Don't want to put your purse on the bar floor? Here's the solution - these locally made purse hangers work great.

Color Conscience with Sam

Color Conscience, taught by our own Sam, will open up a new world of color as participants learn the basics of a color wheel, the meanings of different colors, and why various colors pull us in different directions. This is a great opportunity to experiment with color in order to bring new depth to your knitting.

You'll need to bring the following supplies to class or purchase them at TYF: Color Wheel (preferably with openings in the wheel itself to lay against colors), Scrap yarn in colors you love, and Size 7 knitting needles

If this sounds like the class you've been waiting for it is scheduled for March 18th from 6 to 8 pm and will cost $20. Call to get your seat.

Registration Starts Today for the4th Annual Tempe Yarn & Fiber"Choose Your Own Adventure Retreat"

The "Choose Your Own Adventure Retreat" has become an annual opportunity for loved ones (mothers and daughters and/or sisters and brothers) or old friends to get together and spend time focusing on their love of yarn & fiber.

We'll kick off this year's retreat on Friday, July 16^th with a Reception from 7 pm to 10pm. This will give you time to decompress before the serious fun begins on Saturday. This is an optional event with a cost of $25 per person and it will include yummy hot & cold appetizers, frosty ice tea and a No Host Bar.

On Saturday, July 17^th the doors will open at 9:00am for your journey into the 2010 "Choose Your Own Adventure Retreat." A very unstructured agenda is still in the planning stages but we have decided on a Fiesta Lunch and a mouthwatering snack in the evening. Dinner is No Host but there are lots of great places to explore in the area and a restaurant on site.

On Sunday, July 19^th your journey will continue at 9:00am and end at 2:00pm. A Deli Lunch buffet will be served to keep you going to the very end.

Registration for this year's retreat, which will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton in Tempe, begins on March 15 and runs through June 1st. The cost of the retreat will be $175 per person (including a $25 non-refundable deposit due at registration). If you choose to attend the Friday night reception there is an additional charge of $25. The hotel rates are $75.00 (plus tax) per night for a room. Lodging is NOT included in the Retreat Fee.

I always get the question "why would someone go to a hotel in town for a yarn retreat?" The answer is simple. This allows you to escape from the real world, immersing yourself in something that you are passionate about, while being with others who "get it" about that skein of yarn, project, fluff of fiber or pattern. It's uninterrupted time to "be" with your projects and share in the energy of having that many fiber people in one space.

Here's some photos from last year's event.

Important info:

1. The non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration

2. All retreat payments must be made by June 1^st, 2010

3. No refunds will be given after June 1^st, 2010

4. Lodging is not included in the retreat fee.

5. Hotel reservations must be made by July 1^st, 2010. To make your hotel reservation (there are special rates for our group), call 1 800 368 7764 and ask for the Tempe Yarn group rates.

6. Participants may choose to attend the retreat only-hotel lodging is not required

This Exciting New Concept Starts Monday - Beginning Knit Sweater with BevA TYF “Just Do It” Class

IT's crunch time....the classes start Monday and Tuesday for learn to knit by making a sweater.

Whether you have some experience knitting or have never knitted before, this six week series of classes is designed to teach you knitting by making a baby sweater. Yes, you can learn to knit and make a baby sweater at the same time!

We have designed this class with a step-by-step pattern (included in the class fee) and two hours of instruction per session. In six weeks, you will learn to cast on, knit, purl, rib, work in stockinette, measure your gauge, increase, decrease, knit in the round, pick up stitches, do two different bind-offs, seam, and read a pattern.

When you are done, you will have a sweater to fit an 18-month old. (If you don't know a child who could use it, then you can always donate it to the Ronald McDonald House, or another worthy organization.)

In March, we'll have an evening class (6-8 pm) starting on March 15th and a day class (10:30-12:30 pm starting on March 16th. The cost of this class is $120.

"Spring Training Baseball" Is In The Air

Walking down Mill Avenue this morning I saw an array of baseball caps from the Spring Training teams.

What goes better than hotdogs and baseball? For the dieharded knitters/crocheters it yarn and basebase.

If you are in town for the Spring Training games and need yarn or supplies, Tempe Yarn & Fiber is ready to help you get your yarn fix while in the valley.

New Yarn Alert "Cotton Twirl"

Cotton Twirl is an aran knitting weight blend of 90% Cotton and 10% Elastic Nylon in 92 yard balls. 4-4.5 sts/inch / 7-9 US needles.
This yarn is sure to please.

More Mini-Mochi Arrived Today

Last time we received this product it sold out in two day. We just received another shipment of this great limited supply yarn. Come check it out on the way home.

Crystal Palace Yarns
Mini-Mochi

80% Merino Wool/20% Nylon
195 yds/50 gr ball

a Slow Striping fingering weight, single ply yarn
Perfect for any fine knit projects: baby, socks, lace, scarves and more.

"Brown Bag Special Becomes Gourmet" - Some Samples of Completed Items

Here are some examples of creations made from the Brown Bag Specials. Want to be part of the mystery and challenge - pick up one. Read on for the details.

Here's the background, inside each Brown Bag Special there are three skeins of beautiful yarn. They may be different in color, texture and content or they maybe all the same. You don't know because you can't see inside the bag. Your goal is to create a unique project out of these three skeins of yarn.

Happy Hour Stitch Markers

Paige of Happy Hour Handmade Glass Beads has joined the Tempe Yarn family of local artists. Paige uses her handmade beads and sterling silver wire to make these unususal stitch markers.

Laughing Cloud Trunk Show Continues Through Saturday

The Laughing Cloud Trunk show will be at TYF through Saturday. Her yarns and fibers are simply lovely. Stop by and check them out.

Sunday's Nuno Felting Has 1 Space Left

This workshop teaches the basics of nuno felting (a wet felting process). In this class you learn to combine merino wool top and sheer silk fabric. The class is $90 and will be held on Sunday March 7th from 10 to 5:30.



There is only ONE openings left for this class. To sign up for this class call Tempe Yarn at 480 557 9166.