The Knitting Experience Blog | The Knitting Experience Café

Chesley has a new blog!

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:20:06 -0400

The story continues at Adventures in The Life: http://thelifeadventures.us/

All inventory now 40% OFF!!

Tue, 18 May 2010 07:11:43 -0400

We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we have received in the days since we announced the closing of The Knitting Experience. My email is full of the most wonderful messages expressing how our knitting community has affected your lives. While the work at the shop has kept me too busy to properly respond, I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement!

And for your shopping!! In the past 11 days knitters have taken home many beautiful yarns, needles and patterns.

However, there are numerous treasurers still to be found. This is the time to stock up on needles, make sure you have those patterns you've been eyeing, and snag a great knitting book or two! If the past week is any indication, we do not expect our inventory to last until the end of June. Based on the incredible response we have received, we have adjusted our timetable and now aim to close at the beginning of June. Our final date will be announced as we get closer to the end of the month.

Due to the faster timeline, we are now putting all in-stock inventory at 40% off!!

We have also put many of our shop samples on sale. These items are available in the shop only, and are priced as marked with no additional discount available.

As the shop is closing, all sales are final.

Again, thank you all for your incredible support.

Difficult Decisions

Wed, 05 May 2010 21:23:41 -0400

I've written many newsletters and blog posts in the almost 5 years that The Knitting Experience has been open, but this is by far the most difficult. It is with a heavy heart that Peter and I must announce the impending closing of The Knitting Experience Café.

Despite the current dire financial times, we are fortunate to have a strong and loyal customer base, and is not for want of their support that we have made this decision. Rather, it is the personal side of our life that requires a change of focus.

Peter and I have been blessed with two beautiful boys, Connor and Alec.

They have often kept me company at the shop and know many of you by name. For all of us, the shop has become an extension of our home and our family, and for that reason, many of you already know that our family lives with autism. Alec was diagnosed with high functioning autism at around the age of 4.

Those of you who have watched him grow over the past few years have seen the tremendous strides he has made and have shared our pride and joy in his accomplishments. He continues to do very well. Yet, as he gets older and further into school, we have realized that the pressures on him, and on his older brother as a sibling of someone with special needs, are only growing. Our dream is to one day see both our boys as happy, healthy, and independent adults. With autism as part of that equation, the journey is more challenging, and at this critical stage in their lives, our boys need our time and attention in a way that we simply cannot provide while maintaining a retail business. As a result, we've decided that the best course for our family is to close the business so that I can devote my time and energy to Alec and Connor.

We realize that this announcement may seem rather sudden, but the decision was made after a great deal of thought – at times, agonizing thought – about the best course for our family. We are tremendously grateful to everyone who has helped us make The Knitting Experience more than just a successful business, but a community and a home. We are thankful for your support and your friendship. You have touched our lives more than you could ever know.

The next few weeks will be a roller coaster as we go about the work of closing the business. Our tentative plan is to officially close by the end of June.

Before that happens, we have many incredibly beautiful yarns that need to find happy homes!

Right now, we have sweater and project lots available in many of our most popular yarns. The selection of books, patterns, needles, and accessories is fantastic.

The best selection is available now, and everything in the shop is 30% OFF!!! I can't stash this much yarn in my house, so please spread the word, tell all your friends and knitting buddies!

We encourage everyone with store credit on their accounts or gift certificates in their pockets, to stop by as soon as possible.

We will no longer be placing special orders. Starting today, all sales are final and we cannot accept returns or exchanges.

Thanks again for your wonderful support!!

May Days SALE has started!

Sun, 02 May 2010 18:47:58 -0400

This weekend marked the start of the beautiful month of May. And around here, that means the start of our May Days Sale!

This is how it works:

Each week during the month of May, we will be putting a different yarn, or yarn line, on sale to help you get started on your next great project.

To kickoff the May Days Sale, we are starting with one of our most popular lines: Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud and Chloe. Starting May 1st, all in-stock Blue Sky and Spud and Chloe yarns and patterns will be 20% OFF until the following Saturday when something new will go on sale. Sale items will be available online and in our Brunswick shop.

Happy Knitting!

Lovely Knits

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:06:35 -0400

I finished my Tappan Zee!

All that remains is to find the perfect buttons.

While working on our KAL, I got a little excited about the idea of having pretty summer knits to wear, so I started a couple other projects.

First was the Ribby Shell from Chic Knits:

I can't even tell you how pleased I am with the way it knit up. I used (only 3 skeins) Cascade's Venezia so it is silky soft. The side ribbing is the best part - it provides shaping that fits YOUR body's shape. I think I may want to make the Ribby Cardigan now.

Then, a new yarn arrived at the shop, and I had to grab needles for a third project!

Introducing Canela - a cotton/rayon/nylon yarn that is incredibly beautiful when knit.

The fabric is light and soft, while the subtle thick and thin nature of the yarn makes for an interesting texture.

What am I making? The Shawl Collar Cardigan from Knitting Pure and Simple. Since each skein has 348yds, I only need 4 for the whole project. You might have noticed that Canela is a dk yarn, and this pattern calls for a worsted weight. Well, that is exactly what I wanted for this project. I envisioned a light, airy weave of the fabric to make this summery coverup. So, I am using a smaller yarn than called for, but still getting gauge.

Other knitters have also been making pretty things.

Look at Luanne's shawl out of Dream in Color Starry:

Aren't the sparkles beautiful against the black yarn?

Sarah has me thinking that it's time I knit another sweater out of Silky Wool. Look at the stunning piece she just finished:

I LOVE the ruffles, but the entire sweater is perfect. She did an amazing job!