Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend - Big Sock

Over the past month, we've had over 200 people knit on the Big Sock as we've added 19 inches to the overall length.

The range of ages of those who knitted on the sock was from 4 years to 80+ (we don't ask ladies their real age).

We had people from California, Colorado, Tennessee, Utah, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Washington, Kansas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Florida, Kentucky and of course Arizona who knitted on the sock while it was in the shop.

We had several newspapers run stories, plus two televisions stations visited the shop.

The sock became a focal point for discussions, laughs, learning and good old fashion fun! Plus there was sense of pride that we were participating in something bigger than own lives and would be part of a world record.

We want to thank Joanna Ratcliff who started the Big Sock. We also want to thank everyone who worked on the sock before us and those who will continue after us. It has been a blast and really felt great. We also want to send a special thanks to Skacel who donated both needles and yarn.

Goodbye old friend, continue putting one foot in front of the other until you become the biggest sock!

Eight Week Spin/Knit Along

We've never been afraid to try something new. So when Barbara di Jeanne approached us about doing a spinning / knit along we said "sure." Barbara will lead a Spinners Simple Shawl Spin/Knit-along starting on January 27th. The shawl will be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. There are two versions, a top down triangle or a center out 3/4 square that can be made into a shrug.

For the spinners, the first 4 weeks (January 27, February 3, 10 and 17th) will be spent spinning the yarn for your shawl. Four ounces of fiber will yield enough yardage when spun from lace weight to fingering - depending on the size of the shawl desired.

On the fifth week (February 24), you will decide on the style for your shawl and begin knitting. At this time any non-spinners that want to join in on the Knit-along part can select their yarn and sign on.

The shawl is a very quick knit when minimal lace inserts are used and everyone should be able to complete it within four weeks (February 24, March 3, 10 and 17th) even if complex stitch patterns are selected.

There are samples of the shawls at Tempe Yarn. For more information or to sign up call or stop by Tempe Yarn. There is no fee for this event and you will be provided with a pattern written by Barbara.

Tempe Yarn's Knit a Project a Month Dodecathon*

Are you a process knitter?

Or a product knitter?

No matter which one you are - come be a PROJECT KNITTER!

- Join the "TYF Knit a Project a Month Dodecathon"* for 2010 - ~ TYF-KniProMoDo ~

The goal is to choose a project per month - something challenging like a sweater or a lace shawl - or something more relaxing like a pair of socks - or start on a personal "Mount Everest" that might take a few months, with a few little projects interspersed along the way as relaxation. At year's end - you will have 12 completed projects!!

The inspiration was the Ravelry Group, "2009 NaKniSweMoDo" (National Knit a Sweater a Month Dodecathon) - Jenn Ward and Nancy Logan took up the challenge for 2009 and finished the year with 12 completed adult sweaters (vests and tees counted too). It was great fun, mildly competitive, and extremely satisfying. Nancy loved working through the 2009 NaKniSweModo and wants to do it again for 2010 (what a good excuse to buy a bit more stash).

So we are launching the TYF version for 2010 - TYF-KniProMoDo. Nancy will be the local cheerleader. The group will meet on Monday evenings to plan, cast on, encourage one another, work on our projects, and get help - and of course, to do some bragging as those stitches and projects pile up!

It's fun - you can have one project on the needles at a time - or several. What do you want to plan for your 2010 knitting? Give yourself a personal challenge - an Everest - maybe from handspun, or something with cables, or intarsia, or fair isle, or lace! Or a baby sweater? A shawl? Gloves? A pair of socks using a new technique? Inventory your stash, thumb through your magazines and pattern books, figure out what you could make from that yummy yarn you've been ogling, plan ahead for Christmas and birthdays, or envision yourself in a gorgeous new cardigan....

So please come play! The first session is Monday January 4 at 6:30 pm - we'll talk about goals and hopes, stashes, and patterns, and start our individual project lists! See you there!

* Latin, from Greek dōdeka-, dōdek-, from dōdeka, dyōdeka, from dyō, dyo two + deka ten : twelve <dodecaphonic> ; combined with "marathon" - a long-distance race:

2009 Was Had Its Ups and Downs, But Was Another Great Year!

With 2009's economic conditions impacting a lot of good folks and small businesses alike, it was hard at times to find something to be happy about. However, we survived and made it through the year thanks to our customers loyalty, laughs, encouragement, participation and business.

Now let's take a minute to reflect back on some of the fun events of 2009.

-Mystery Knit/Crochet-alongs had everyone playing Sherlock; here are a few: Mystery Blanket, Mystery Shawl Crochet-along, Mystery Rug, Crochet-along Market Bag, Magic Hobo Bag and the Holiday Gift Mystery Knit-along.

-Big Sock came to Tempe Yarn and we helped make history.

-This one really touched a lot of customers and the results show their dedication to making a difference in other women's lives with over 40 Booga Bags made and collected for the Chrysalis Women's Shelter

-Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reefs raised awareness and created something beautiful. Check out the collection party and the display in Scottsdale.

-TYF participated in the Cactus Needles Knitting Guild Shop Hop and got to meet a lot of new folks from around the state.

-Fred's Fiber Fiends had a great spinning in the Ravelry Tour de Fleece

- Jen Ward, a long time TYF enabler, moved to Maryland despite our best efforts to dissuade her.

-We held an "Evolving Stash" (Customer Parking Lot Sale - why would a yarn shop do this?) to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House.

-We had a Yarn Night On the Town special yarn tasting.

-Love grew and a marriage (Candy & Will) occurred - Romance At Tempe Yarn

-Our Halloween Costume Contest brought out the stranger side of some customers

-We held our third annual Create Your Own Adventure Retreat

-The free patterns for dishcloths proved to be one of most popular posts of the year.

-Customers really supported the Ronald McDonald House Hedgehog project and made a real difference in the lives of over 30 kids.

-We raised awareness and got support from lots of customers with the 3/50 program

-Support the Military charity knitting was another success.

-The Knit in Public photo contest was fun, as always.

Finally thanks to all our customers. Without you there would be no Tempe Yarn & Fiber.

Photo Op for Big Sock

Saturday (1/2) @ 2pm, we'd like to get as many people as possible who have knitted on the Big Sock to come to TYF for a final group picture.

Saturday will be the last full day that we will have to work on the sock.

Here are a few pictures made over the past few days:

New Year's Day Party

We had a great group that started off 2010 at our New Year's Day party. Thanks to everyone who joined us!

Tempe Yarn will continue our long standing tradition of being open on New Year's Day. We will be open from 2 pm till 8 pm so that everyone who wants to start off the new year doing what they enjoy most (knitting / crochet / spinning) has a fun place to do it.

Bring your favorite dish to share at the potluck and spend the day with us.

Merry Christmas

Business Has Been Great This Week

But we still have lots of wonderful yarn and supplies for those last minute shoppers. Addi Clicks are in stock, as well as Denise Interchangable Needle sets, plus stocking stuffers from counters to tape measures to Knit Kits, and of course gift cards. Don't be left empty handed on Christmas morning.

Wednesday we'll be open normal hours (10am till 8pm) and on the 24th we'll be closing at 3pm so our employees can be with their families.

We wish you all the best and wish for you the spirit of the season.