Monday, December 31, 2012

A Special Book Signing and Class


Patricia's Yarns is having a book signing & class with local author, Nikki Van De Car, author of the adorable pattern book What to Knit When You're Expecting. The book is beautifully done with 30 gorgeous patterns suitable from birth through the first year.

On January 12, Nikki Van De Car will be at Patricia's Yarns for both a book signing and a class - to start a project from the book.

Call the shop (201) 217-9276 or email with questions or to sign up.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

#26Hats for #26Acts

Patricia's Yarns will be knitting #26Hats for #26Acts.  We will give free kits complete with yarn and baby hat patterns to 26 customers who want to help.  All of the hats will be donated to charity. Ask Patricia for details.

"Some good can come out of something even this bad." - Ann Curry, NBC News


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Patricia's Yarns on TV


Patricia's Yarns is featured in a new commercial for Optimum.   Thank you Cablevision for choosing local Hoboken businesses!

There is also this new version of the commercial.

Or, check out Optimum's commercial about Patricia's Yarns.  New!



Happy knitting!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!


Once again, join us for the Twelve (weekend) Days of Christmas! From now until the day Saint Nick dons his red scarf, Patricia's Yarns will be celebrating! Every Saturday and Sunday will be like receiving a new gift in your hand-knit stocking. One Saturday might bring a sale on your favorite yarn and the next might be that perfect project you've been hoping to make. Some days we might offer sweet treats and others offer a glass of bubbly. So join us for some holiday cheer!

To sign up for our Twelve (weekend) Days of Christmas, simply "like" us onFacebook and/or follow us on twitter. We will make announcements each weekend day. We can't promise you a Partridge in a pear tree, but we can promise you purls.

Riley is ready for the holidays (above, on a hand-knit blanket) - are you?  Happy Holidays!

Love,
Patricia

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

From One Generation to the Next...


If you are a regular reader to our blog, I do not have to tell you all of the wonderful reasons people knit.  What I do want to tell you is that our knitters are starting younger and younger every year and this year is no exception. Plain and simple, kids want to knit!  And we think it is great!   Not only does it teach kids how to create with their hands (a lost art in many respects) – it also has been proven to help with following directions, fine motor skills, and even mathematics.

Over the summer, we launched an initiative to sponsor Hoboken Elementary and Middle School educators who were interested in offering knitting clubs at their schools.  Many teachers took us up on the deal – which offered free knitting lessons to the educators themselves, and a sponsorship of supplies to the schools where they teach.  

Well, I am happy to report that there are many new local knitting clubs under-way!

Below are a few pictures from one such club – taken by Hoboken Charter School Educator Courtney Leahy.  Thanks for all of your hard work, Courtney.  Your students are doing great - and we are happy to see so many smiling faces!

If you're a local teacher and would like to get involved, please contact the shop for more details.  Happy Knitting!





Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Millamia

Millamia has been a shop staple for almost a year now. It is an extra fine merino wool that is machine washable. Many people love it for a variety of projects from fair isle sweaters to baby blankets. The blanket below was knit by Jackie for her newest niece and it is absolutely gorgeous. The stitch definition is wonderful. 


It makes great children's fall/winter accessories as there are so many options with their color palette.  



The pattern books that support the yarn have numerous wonderful designs that are sized generously - many from 3 months to 7 years. A useful range of sizes and the styles are timeless. 


The Uno Cowl is a wonderful knit accessory for a boy or a girl.  We have one on display at the shop and it is a beautiful knit and the color combinations are endless. It is a super soft yarn that is sure to please every child. 

The books have something for all levels and the yarn is fantastic to work with. Did I mention machine washable? Perfect for everyone.

Friday, November 02, 2012

Helping Hoboken

Help us help Hoboken!

Starting in December, Patricia's Yarns will be raffling off a blanket made by loyal shop customers to benefit the Hoboken Homeless Shelter.  What could be better than our shop's knitting community helping our Hoboken community?  Stop by Patricia's for details or to purchase your ticket (this blanket is gorgeous!). 

Also, thank you for all of your purchases during our Shop Patricia's Yarns Event benefiting the Hoboken Boys and Girls Club!  Once the sheep purchases are tallied (see below), we will be making a large donation soon!

To aid recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy, Patricia's Yarns will also be selling sheep - not real sheep, of course, but paper sheep.  Stop in the  shop and get a cute little sheep with your name on it.  Each sheep is $1 (special sheep will be selling for $5) and all proceeds will benefit the Hoboken Boys and Girls Club which suffered extensive damage from the storm.



For more information about the Hoboken Boys and Girls Club, please visit: http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/hoboken-boys-girls-club-ravaged-by-sandy


More ways to help:

The Rebuild Hoboken Fund: To donate to this charity founded in the wake of Hurricane Sandy by a group of local organization and charities in partnership with the City of Hoboken, please visit www.rebuildhoboken.org. Monetary donations are welcome; please do not donate supplies.

Heal Hoboken: Buy customized apparel from HealHoboken, an organization founded in the wake of Hurricane Sandy by the New Jersey Tech Meetup community. All proceeds go to the Rebuild Hoboken Relief Fund. Visit www.healhoboken.org for more information. 

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey: To donate to the Community Foodbank of NJ’s Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, please visithttp://www.njfoodbank.org/, call (908) 355-3663 ext. 243, or text FEEDNJ to 80888 to make a $10 donation. You may also drop off canned food and other non-perishables to the organization's location in Hillside. Visit the website for more details.

NY Sheep and Wool, 2012

We had an amazing time at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY!  On October 20th, twenty four of us boarded a chartered bus on a beautiful day.  The annual Rhinebeck trip was filled with good friends, good wines, and, of course, beautiful fibers.  I am posting a few of the photos I took on my phone, but I assure you, they do not do this trip justice - it was so fun!  If you missed this year's trip, be sure to sign up next year.  This is an annual Patricia's Yarns Event!







Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Kelbourne Woolens & Patricia's Yarns

This weekend was so special as we had an exclusive class with Kate Gagnon Osbourne & Courtney Kelly of Kelbourne Woolens, distributors of the Fibre Co Yarns.  

It was fantastic. The class was filled with 8 enthusiastic knitters ready to learn from two of the industry's leading yarn & knitwear designers.  

We began with lots of discussion of gauge, needles, patterns and how some things just do not work out. There was swatching and re-swatching, followed by measurements and size decisions. 

It was a very successful class and everyone smiled so brightly as they left with the utmost confidence in their chosen sweater project. Having the support of each other, the shop and Kate & Courtney is the perfect formula for success. Well done everyone!  Happy knitting!



Thursday, September 13, 2012

Fall has started to arrive...

This time of year is very exciting at the shop and for fiber enthusiasts. The temperatures start dropping, you may need a light sweater for an early morning commute and new yarns for fall start rolling in.

Unlike summer when I know exactly what Danny (our UPS man) is bringing, fall brings a bit of a buzz as so many new things are coming! This week has been full of excitement.

We received some Maxima from Manos del Uruguay (1 of 2 shipments) and are very pleased. Manos del Uruguay is a company that is a part of the World Fair Trade Organization because they actively support women's cooperatives throughout Uruguay. Their yarns have the best colors and the Maxima is super soft.


Next we restocked our Shepherd's Wool from Stonehedge Fiber Mill, a Michigan made yarn. This is a soft worsted weight wool 100% USA made


A brand new line to Patricia's Yarns is Brown Sheep. A very large box came from Nebraska full of Lambs Prided worsted & superwash worsted. A rainbow of colors from American made Brown Sheep now fill their fare share of shelves.


Finally, Lantern Moon delivered some gorgeous needle cases, baskets & notions perfect for every yarn lover.

New items are arriving daily so check in often for the best selection. Who knows what will spark your next creative urge. 

Friday, August 31, 2012

Happy Labor Day 2012

What a great summer 2012 has been. In honor of Labor Day the shop will be closed this weekend from Friday 8/32 thru Monday 9/3.

We will open on Tuesday 9/4 at noon full of fall energy - what will your first project of September 2012 be? I am casting on a little number with this...


Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend & we will see you in September!

Friday, August 03, 2012

8 Wonderful Years

Recently many customers have noticed my "celebrating 8 years" sign in the window and say, "has it really been 8 years?". I can't believe it either! We then begin a trip down memory lane recalling classes, projects and yarns from the past. The years have been wonderful and hold such great memories like kids summer camp, the annual Rihinebeck road trip, wine tastings with Clark, birthday parties and customer celebrations. With much happiness our celebration begins today.


The celebration is complete with a sale (all yarns on sale 15%-50%) and raffle prizes from a few of our favorites like the Fibre Company, Blue Sky Alpacas, Spud & Chloe and Soak.


Thank you to all my amazing customers for eight wonderful years. I look forward to what the next eight will bring & look forward to celebrating with everyone this weekend.

Thursday, July 05, 2012

Fibre Company's Tundra

One of my favorite booths to visit at the needle arts trade show (TNNA)  is the Fibre Company. It is always great to see owners Kate and Courtney and being surrounded by every color of their beautiful yarns is a sight to behold. 


Fibre Company's new yarn for 2012 is Tundra. It is a "2-ply bulky weight blend of soft baby alpaca, bouncy merino and shiny and drapey silk". It will be arriving for fall but I have a few samples if you need a sneak peek. 



Pictured is the darker color Taiga and the lighter blue hued Glacier. I am currently knitting this up for a shop sample. Drop by to see it and touch it for yourself.  In typical Fibre Company fashion, this yarn is super soft, heavenly luxurious and a dream to knit with. What will you be knitting using Tundra?

Knit, crochet, create!

Patricia

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

TNNA here we come...

For the 9th year I will be attending the TNNA yarn market trade show in Columbus, OH to pick out amazing new products for Fall, 2012. I'll have Margaux (aka Tentenknits) joining me for the 4th year in a row and I am so excited.

I look forward to catching up with my best knitting friends and indulging in some Jeni's ice cream at every opportunity (a legendary ice cream spot).

I can't wait to see (in no particular order):
Beth, Michael and Amanda at Lorna's
Taiu & Rhichard at Koigu
Jacque at Soak
Stacy Charles... You know who he's with
Kate, Charlotte & Courtney at Kelbourne Woolens
Amy at MadelineTosh
Everyone at Blue Sky Alpacas
Lisa at Fairmont Fibers who bring us beautiful yarn from Manos del Uruguay
Clare at Erika Knight... (Oh yes- she has started her own line and we will have it for Fall 2012).
Juanita at Misti Alpaca
Donna at Skacel
and Della at DellaQ

And then there are so many booths with fabulous new things that will bring wonderful knit-inspiration to us! It is really exciting.

I will be sure to tweet & update Facebook from Ohio so you can follow the adventures of TNNA! It is going to be great!

I am looking forward to bring back many wonderful products just for you. Happy Knitting!


Thursday, June 07, 2012

Great Opportunity for Local Teachers



Patricia's Yarns would like to sponsor Hoboken Elementary and Middle School teachers who are interested in offering knitting classes to their students. Over the summer, Hoboken teachers can take free beginner knitting lessons and receive free materials to teach knitting to students during the 2012-2013 school year.

Knitting is a great hobby that teaches kids mathematics, repeated patterns, following directions, fine motor skills, and how to make things with their own hands.

Teachers must work in Hoboken Schools. Interested teachers can call the shop for details 201.217.9276. This opportunity is first come, first serve and space is limited.  

Friday, June 01, 2012

Visit Hoboken


The following post was written for Summer, but Hoboken is a great place to visit all year round.  Due to strict parking rules, the best way to visit is to park in one of our municipal garages.  There is one just down the street from Patricia's Yarns (entrance between Clinton and Grand on Fourth Street), and if you eat at Grimaldi's Pizza, they validate parking!  So come to Hoboken and have fun - and Knit, Crochet, Create!  - Happy Knitting, Patricia (Sept., 2012)

Do you come to Hoboken solely for Patricia’s Yarns?  If so, we’re flattered, but you might be missing out. 

Here are a few of our favorite spots in town if you find yourself in "The Mile Square":

Start your day uptown.  Los Olas Sushi Bar and Grill (14th and Washington) is a great spot for a light summer lunch.  They have a beautiful open patio in the back or you can sit out front and see the passer-bys on Washington Street.  Order the fish tacos; they’re amazing.   And the best part, it is owned by a fellow knitter - be sure to ask for Jessica.


After lunch, walk two blocks south to the best bakery in Hoboken.  Forget that guy at the south end of town (what’s his name, Cake Boss?), Hoboken’s first family of baking is found at Georgios.  OMG – their pine nut cookies… you’ll thank me later.

Next, walk off your lunch by heading south on Washington Street.  Forget what those people in Cooperstown say, Hoboken is the home of baseball!  The Knickerbocker Club played the first game of baseball on Elysian Fields.  There is a monument commemorating the historic event at Eleventh and Washington Streets. 

After you check out the birth of our national past-time, be sure to stop by venerable rock club Maxwells for a pint of Old Speckled Hen.  Hits the spot on a hot Summer day.  Plus, you’ll be standing in the same rock club where Bruce made his “Glory Days” video, and where Nirvana, REM, Sonic Youth, Husker Du, the Red Hot Chili Peppers (I could go on…) all played.   

  
Continue south on Washington St. checking out all of the great boutiques.  There are so many small independently owned shops in our Mile Square Town – catering to everything from children’s clothes to running shoes.  Remember to help support small business – wink, wink.

By the time you get to Fourth Street, you might be hungry again (yes, I’m serious. It’s a long walk.) So, if you haven’t eaten all of your pine nut cookies, stop into Ben and Jerry’s.  Yes, it’s a chain.  But, it’s also delicious.  And it, too, is owned by a fellow knitter who is committed to helping our community.  So show some love with some Chunky Monkey. 

Turn left on Fourth Street. Yes, walk away from Patricia’s Yarns.  Why?  Because you will stumble across the most incredible little league baseball field in America.  Remember, Hoboken is the home of baseball, and this field is an amazing tribute to the city’s history.  Fold-down seats, a turf field, and the best view of New York City is only half the attraction – the little leaguers in this town can actually play some pretty good baseball.  Maybe you’ll catch a pop fly!

Have you seen Pier C yet?  Hoboken’s newest park stretches out into the Hudson River and has views from the Verrazano to the GWB – amazing.  Take a nap in the grass.  It’s better than the beach and there won’t be sand in your pants.


You’ll wake up refreshed and ready to shop.  Walk west on Fourth, past Lepores chocolate, past Patricia’s Yarns.  Stop in Empire Coffee for a large iced coffee or a “sexy tea”.  It will wake you up and taste delicious.

Visit Patricia’s.  Nuff said.

Finally, grab a box of dark chocolates (insert Forrest Gump joke here) from Lepores next door.  Mario Lepore has been making chocolate in this town for over 30 years - after he learned to be a chocolateer (word?) in France.

And then head to the best pizza place in Hoboken, in New Jersey, on the planet. Grimaldi’s Pizzaria is your final stop on our tour.  Order a large with pepperoni and mushrooms.  Mmmmm.

If you feel you’ve eaten enough today, don’t worry, you’re still ten blocks from your car, and you still haven’t seen all the great pubs on first street.  Oh, and get yourself some "mutz" and fresh baked bread while your in town as well.  I guarantee you can’t find it as good as it is here.  

Other favorites… Hoboken Hot House (btw First and Second on Wash.), Vito’s Deli – for Mutz (between 8th and 9th on Wash.), Antique Bakery – for bread (between 1st and 2nd on Willow), Mulligan’s Pub (First St. between Bloomfield and Garden), Louise and Jerry’s Tavern (between 3rd and 4th on Wash.) and Carpe Diem Pub (14th and Grand). 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Presenting Churchmouse Patterns

A little birdy named Clare suggested strongly that I look into knitting patterns from Churchmouse - I had seen some before, like the Koigu Linen Stitch Scarf... 




and knew that they were very pretty, classic patterns. So I took her advice and ordered a bunch of different patterns. Good advice little birdy. 


The first pattern that I made into a shop sample was Barb's Koigu Ruffle Scarf. 


It was a very quick fun knit that resulted in a very ruffled scarf that looks great with a fitted jacket.  


Keeping with the Churchmouse pattern scarf theme I cast on the Bias Before & After scarf which I am thoroughly enjoying as it is knit with lace weight yarn and I am using the Fil Royal from Zitron which is a gorgeous 100% baby alpaca yarn. 



The pattern, in typical Churchmouse fashion, is so well thought out and written clearly that you are pretty much guaranteed success and a beautiful accessory upon completion.  I look forward to posting my finished "Bias Before & After Scarf" but here it is in progress. 


Happy Memorial Day Weekend. 

Monday, May 14, 2012

More Fibre Co. L.O.V.E.

It's clear Fibre Co. Yarns are a shop favorite. Frequently people make multiple projects out of the same yarn like Road to China Light or Acadia because they love working with the yarn so much. When they come in for the next project they say "I need to try something different" and end up picking another Fibre Co. yarn as they know they will not be disappointed.


Terra is one of my favorites. I recently revisited the Poplar Cowl pattern and decided to cast on for it. I chose to go with three brighter colors and get started. What a fun quick knit. It felt so good to work with the alpaca, merino & silk blend. I am so pleased with this finished project and although warmer temperatures are here it will be well worn come fall.



It is a really cute cowl and the stitch is so easy and fun its a great quick knit. 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

New from Ysolda Teague

Ysolda Teague is a great knitwear designer who devotes her energy to ensuring that "your valuable knitting time is well spent". Recently two new books were released, Whimsical Little Knits 3 & Saturday Treat.

                                

What a treat indeed! Both are in stock and full of wonderful knits that have made many customers say "I will have both!" as deciding on only one is not that easy. Come see and be inspired. 

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Fibre Company L.O.V.E

The Fibre Company produces some of the most unique blends of fiber - which absorb dye in a very distinctive way that is so beautiful, every stitch is gorgeous.  


Below are new colors from the Fibre Company for Terra, which, at Patricia's Yarns, is frequently compared to knitter's heaven. It is one of the softest yarns that feels just as amazing to work with as it is to wear.

The next photo is Acadia yarn, another Fiber Company favorite that has amazing colors.  The silk picks up dye and gives you flecks of color that can be unexpectedly beautiful additions to hand knits.

Kate and Courtney, the wonderful owners of Kelbourne Woolens, the distributors of Fibre Company Yarns, are very skilled at matching the gorgeous yarns they distribute to wonderful projects - many of which are shop favorites and great knits for spring. 
Above is the beautiful Springtime Bandit which is pictured in Terra, and makes for a very cozy shawl to wear on a cool spring night. 

If you are looking to knit something on the smaller side, then the Avery Cowl is for you. It is designed in Acadia and is a great little cowl for all occasions. 

The stitch detail is so gorgeous and the flecks of silk are amazing - adding great texture to this beautiful project.
Come by and see for yourself why Patricia's Yarns loves the Fibre Company. We have plenty of yarns and patterns to choose from.


Happy Knitting!


Friday, April 20, 2012

Earth Day

Let's celebrate together!

To celebrate Earth Day, I have been thinking a lot about reusing and recycling. As knitters we can do our part.  Let's knit some reusable items... coffee sleeves, market bags, produce bags.  We can all do something small...

Here are some photos to get your creative-juices going...


The above photo is one of our favorite patterns for a shopping bag. It is the stow-away shopping bag from Oat Couture.  It knits up great in any worsted weight yarn and holds everything you need for a trip to the grocery.

Below are some coffee cup sleeves, there are hundreds of styles that you can do.

Or , how about that perfect sweater, cowl, or hat that you will use again and again?  What will you be knitting for Earth Day?

Knit, Crochet, Create! - Patricia

Friday, March 16, 2012

Presenting Juju's Loops


A gorgeous little pattern book arrived recently and I am in love with it. There are 14 brilliant patterns in this pretty little book and I am having difficulty picking which one to knit first.

The Oak Knot Hat is perfect. The pattern is so smartly written and it looks like a wardrobe staple.


The Prairie Shawl is a gorgeous project out of lace or fingering yarn. We just received super soft and pretty lace yarn from Skacel fin royal that is 100% baby alpaca.

It is over 650 yards and the color palette is lovely. Not to mention all Skacel yarns are the "yarns of the month" so it is 15% off this month!

Friday, February 10, 2012

New Yarns & New Patterns = Happy Day

A shipment of gorgeous yarns from Millamia has arrived and the colors are fantastic. It is a sport weight yarn that is 100% merino from Sweden and is machine washable.

The pattern books are written for children but this yarn is great for everyone. One of the pillow cover patterns is a beautiful cabled pattern that would look great in almost every home.
Another shipment that arrived is from Never Not Knitting Patterns from Alana Dakos. Playful Stripes is a yoke construction cardigan which would just happen to work perfectly in Millama:

One for the ladies, Cedar Leaf shawlette that is done in one piece and has a great border - perfect for spring.

And finally a wonderful option for a little girl in Spud & Chloe Sweater, aptly named Chloe by Alana is a great little ruffled bolero.


Stop in and see all the beauty for yourself.