Today, June 20, in addition to being the first day of summer is West Virginia Day.  In 1963, on this day, West Virginia (WV)  became the 35th state.  It had an unusual beginning by seceding from the State of Virginia during the Civil War.  Today it has a population of 1.8 million.  Although I wasn't born in WV, my family is from here and I have always considered WV my home state.  I remember as a child celebrating the 100th anniversary of statehood in a very big way.  There was a special train that traveled around the state and there were all sorts of special events, including art contests, oldest person in each county, and so on.  My mother entered the art contest and we were all upset when the West Virginia Moon won.  My great grandmother was the oldest person in my county.  She was our entrant in the Grand Belle contest at one of the summer festivals. My grandmother was chair person for most of our counties special events and she went all out.  One of the ways she celebrated was by having my mother make centennial dresses for me and each of my female cousins.  My dress was in West Virginia's state colors--old gold and blue. My I felt special when I wore it and thought about what it signified.  We curled my hair using the old fashioned rag method and I must say my hair looked better than it did before or since.   I still have the dress and the bonnet that goes with it.
To celebrate WV Day, all old gold and blue yarns will be on sale--20% off today through Saturday June 23. 
Happy Birthday West Virginia!

Noro is now publishing a magazine!!!  Oh, Wow!  What a great way to get new patterns with gorgeous photos and excellent instructions at a great low price--35 projects for $7.99.   That comes to approximately $.23 per pattern. 

The photo to the right is the cover of the first magazine, and as the cover says there are some knock out knits in this issue.  However you apply the term knock out, these patterns fit.  If you are one of those knitters who want to knock out a project in record time there are some small projects--hats, scarves and the like for you.  If you want a beautiful sweater to knock out the visual senses there are some lovely choices!  There is a beautiful textured sweater jacket pictured on page 7 that I can hardly wait to make.  There are some stunning patterns for men, including a lovely sweater that any man should be proud to wear.  AND, there are patterns for socks and fingerless mittens--practical and lovely in beautiful Noro yarns.
Pictured below are two lovely items featured in the magazine.  Noro knitting magazine is another Noro treat for the senses, especially for those of us who love and appreciate color!
Noro Knitting Magazine is here in stock at the store, ready and waiting for you, right now!

Our sales rep for Queensland yarn visited this week and had some interesting news.  The first item is that Queensland will no longer be producing pattern books.  So many people are getting their patterns free off the interent that Queensland has decided to join the trend.  It wasn't clear to me where the patterns would be posted, but I assume that they will be available when you search under Queensland yarn patterns and perhaps under Queensland or Knitting Fever on Ravely.  We will have to wait and see.  Apparently this is an experiment and if yarn sales continue to do well, more and more companies may decide to go in this direction.  I think it is great!  It will save consumers money and space.  You won't have to spend a lot of money on a book just to get one pattern and your house or project room won't be cluttered up with books and magazines.  Patterns will also be easier to catalogue and store electronically.  Of course, it will be hard on customers who don't have a computer or internet access and for those of us who collect books, especially knitting books!  What could be more beautiful or thumbed through more than a much loved pattern book.  Just think of all the dreaming and  planning that goes with a book.  Many people do get the same satisfaction with a surfing session on the internet, so hopefully, we will continue to be able to enjoy both worlds!  Queensland pattern books are quite beautiful and they have always had a wide variety of patterns in each book.  My only concern is that they continue to create the number and quality of patterns thay they currently provide.

The second news worthy item is that Queensland Kathmandu in all weights is being discontinued.  My understanding is that this is due to price fluctuations.  I am very disappointed as Kathmandu is one of my favorite yarns.  The only sweater I have made out of it is getting old, so I guess I will have to get some more yarn and make a new one.  I know many of you also love this yarn as it is one of the shop's best sellers.  A June special will be 25% off all Kathmandu yarn and Queensland pattern books.  There isn't a lot left and there will be no special orders--so hurry in!  Even if there isn't enough for more than a sweater or two, there is plenty for hats, scarves, mittens and maybe even some vests!