What's New: 2.24.10

Amazing Threads has been notified by several of our vendors that we are one of the top 50 shops with whom they do business in the USA. Translated that means that we buy alot of product from some of our major suppliers which I am sure makes them very happy. I know it's not like top hospitals or top doctors. But, I have to admit it is flattering. We all want to be the best. That concept got me thinking about our shop and our customers. We do not offer punch cards, but we do track sales of knit club members (KCM) AND those non-KCM's that patronize this local yarn shop. WE have great sales and events. We reward KCM's with extra coupons, discounts, and lots more, but we have never had a CUSTOMER APPRECIATON EVENT.

Customer Appreciation Event
Saturday, February 27, 2010
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Food, fun, prizes, discounts, & more. This is an event not to miss. We will be well staffed to help you find a new knitting project. Grab your patterns and come to be inspired.

It's time to THANK our customers for their LOYALTY and PATRONAGE. We are a small business that can only survive if we meet our customer's needs, provide great product and good service.

All customers will receive 10% off their purchases of in-stock, non-sale product on Saturday. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts.

We will have coffee & sweets for our morning customers & pizza and snacks for our afternoon customers. Ross, my wonderful massage therapist will be available on Saturday from 1-5 pm to provide hand massages to all our knitters. Register to win door prizes to be given away each hour. We are notifying our top 100 customers via US Mail that they receive Reward Dollars. Reward Dollars provide additional dollar discounts from $10 to $50 to our top 100 customers. Reward Dollars come in 3 levels: Gold, Silver & Bronze. Yes, I know that is not original but it does tie into the Olympic Frenzy! Watch the mail for your Reward Dollars Notice.

Mother Nature is trying to remind us that it is still winter in Minnesota. I think the Olympics does that for us, too. Those of you participating in our Olympic Knit Along are reminded that I will need a picture of your completed project within 4 days of the closing ceremony to be eligible for the Colonial Bamboo Interchangeable Knitting set we are giving away.

What's New?

Tina and staff have started to move the floor around as we anticipate spring. Cottons & spring yarns have been moved to the front of the store and it creates a bright welcome as we continue with our Minnesota winter. We have a great stock of new yarns as well as wools and wool blends. New books have arrived from many vendors including Rowan, Kertzer, Classic Elite, Berroco, Plymouth, & Nashua.

Tahki has sent us a little sister to Maya, that wonderful thick/thin cotton called Mia. Mia is knit at a smaller gauge and more garment friendly. Great pattern support and a quick knit.

Rowan Hand Knit Cotton is new to our shop. Great hand and great pattern support from Rowan. This light worsted yarn has a soft touch and knit.

Knitters Spring Magazine & Interweave Knits are HERE.

Class Openings:

2 spots remain for Mittens Your Way with Lindsey on Wednesday, Feb. 24 @ 6:00 pm.

2 spaces for the Nora sweater class with Yvonne starting Thursday, Feb. 25 @ 6:00 pm. This sweater was featured on the cover of Interweave Knits Magazine. Great fun to knit with Yvonne.

Guys Who Knit Group-I have had several inquiries from guys who knit that would love to get a group started once per month. If you are out there and want to be part of a Guy's knitting group, please email me and let me know what days/nights work best for you. Also include contact information.

Resources & Freebies

Nicky Epstein provided her Friendship Slouch Hat Pattern for Gilda's Club Twin Cities, via Mary Taylor. Mary dropped patterns off at our shop and knit a sample in Comfort. You can access a PDF of the pattern courtesy of Mary. We will collect the hats and get them to the Twin Cities Gilda's Club. The Gilda's Club is an organization named in memory of Gilda Radner who died of ovarian concern in 1989. Visit www.gildasclubtwincities.org for more information and to offer your help.

Sign up for the Classic Elite Web Letter for pattern ideas. It is sent weekly. This weeks pattern is a great cable hat perfect for our winters and the slopes.

Tahki has a great selection of free patterns at their web site.

Recently posted is a great hat and cowl knit in worsted weight yarn. I might recommended the new Plymouth Worsted Superwash Merino, or Trendsetter Meino 8 or Berroco Pure.

I have spent the week knitting a version of one of the many Ralph Lauren US Olympic hats that have drawn our attention as we knit along with the Olympic events. At least two are available on Ravelry. Cid Hanscom, a gifted designer who shares her knowledge and skills with us at Amazing Threads, also grafted the moose hat that I am doing. Mine will not look as good as hers. Don't check it line for line.

The hat worn by Lindsey Vonn when she won her first Gold is available. The Olympic rings and USA are done in duplicate stitch which makes it a snap to knit.

Helen Bristow designed her version of the Fair Isle hat complete with the Polo label.