Doreen's Notes » Thoughts

We’re on Facebook!!

doreen — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:23:32 +0000

Come follow us on Facebook. Just enter “Needles ‘n Pins Yarn Shoppe” in the search bar and it will bring you to us! Become one of our fans to keep up to date on all the exciting things that are happening in the knit shop!

New Year…Chance to start anew

doreen — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:30:31 +0000

With the start of each new year, I always make some lists: one of all the unfinished projects that are being carried over into the new year; one of everything I hope to accomplish as far as home projects are concerned; and one of items I want to try to do better in the new year. It’s sort of time to take stock of my priorities and set some goals for myself. Now, granted, some of the projects on my list have been carried over for a couple of years and there are some on the list that probably will never be finished….I just haven’t brought myself to the point where I am willing to admit that they are permanent ufo’s and should be ripped out and transformed into something else. Last year I had over 30 projects on this list—this year only 16!!

On my list of things I want to do better is blogging and keeping my website up to date. So….I am putting this in writing to make it official and to make myself accountable. It is my plan to blog at least once a week to let everyone know what is new and exciting at the shop. Hopefully this will keep everyone more up to date on the new yarns/books/gadgets that arrive…..as well well as let you know what we are up to in our “knitting life”.

I have alot of “irons in the fire” at the present time. New book, Saturday Style, is to be published in March, plus I’m working on new designs for Cascade Yarns, Happy Hands Yarn, a 4th book, as well as submissions for the new magazine, Love of Knitting. If I could only knit in my sleep…..life would be perfect!

So…check back often. I promise I’ll do better with keeping you up to date in 2010. Keep those needles and hooks flying!!!

It’s Fondling Time!!

doreen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:35:32 +0000

We just got new shipments of Claudia Handpaints and Koigu yarns in!! We have so much fun here at the shop whenever new yarns arrive. It is just like Christmas (when we were kids) getting to open up all the boxes, seeing and touching all the beautiful yarns. Our minds start to come up with all the projects we can’t wait to start on…ah, yes, but we do have those that also need to be finished. However, seeing the new yarns and getting new inspiration also gives us the added “kick” to get those on-going projects done! At the present time our shelves are packed full to the brims of both the Claudia and the Koigu so if you had a project in mind, especially one that requires several colors, now is the best time to stop in!!

New Pattern Line

doreen — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:16:34 +0000

When my Granddaughter, Addison, was about to turn 1 my daughter-in-law asked if I could make her a cupcake cap for her birthday picture. Naturally, I jumped at the chance! However, after searching through all the pattern books in the shop, and then scoping out what was available on the internet, I just couldn’t find exactly what either of us had in mind. Some were knitted with crocheted trimming….no good. Some were done out of heavier yarn on big needles….also no good. Eventually, I just decided that I would design my own. Since many customers came in wanting to make a cupcake hat for a little one in their life, I decided that I should write down the directions and make it available. Thus……Small Fry Knits was born. Small Fry Knits is a “small” division of Needles ‘n Pins Yarn Shoppe that will consist of items for you to knit for the “small fry” in your life. I hope you have as much time making them as I have designing them!

Practice Positive Thinking

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:37:15 +0000

A lady was in the shoppe the other day who wanted to knit a sweater but said she could never do that….she could never tackle making a sweater. She had been knitting for several years but had never ventured on beyond a scarf. After a little encouragement from us, she is now knitting her first sweater. And, she is doing a wonderful job. Sure, she has had a few problems along the way…but, she has come to visit us and we had gotten her back on track each time. My point is this. We always be willing to try new things. We need to have a positive outlook. If we attack something new with the appropriate attitude…..anything is possible. As I tell my customers: If you think you can, you can! If you think you can’t….you’re probably right! It’s all a matter of how you look at things. If we only ever did what came easy to us, we would never progress in our skill level. If we try new things that actually make us think a little, then we learn things along the way!! And, should we get stuck along the way, there is always someone who is willing to help us. One thing I have noticed about knitters and crocheters..they are all willing to share their expertise and love of the arts. So…go ahead and challenge yourself this fall.

How Organized are you? In Need of Inspiration?

admin — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:25:39 +0000

A lady was in the shoppe the other day and bought yarn for several projects. When she checked out, she announced that now she had the materials she needed to complete ALL the Christmas presents she needed.

Needless to say, I was absolutely shocked. It’s the middle of summer and she is already that organized for Christmas? I can’t imgaine. I am one of those people who take the holidays as they come….which means I don’t even think about Christmas presents, let alone making them, until after Thanksgiving! I guess it’s a good thing that I am a fast knitter and work well under pressure and a deadline…..or I’d never accomplish anything!! If you want to get a head start and are lacking inspiration…..we can help you there! We have been getting in tons of new yarns for fall along with great patterns for them. Don’t know about you, but I think I am going to try to learn something from my organized customer and make a list of ideas for gifts that I can make and get started!! Who knows, I may not have to have as many late knitting nights this year!