March will be a very exciting month for classes.

Traditional Sock Knittingwhen: Sat. March 6th, 13th and 20th
time: 10:30am—12pm
cost: $30
Instructor: Teresa Harmon This class is for intermediate knitters. We will be learning the techniques for knitting socks on double point needles. This will be a 3 session class.
Materials needed: 100g sock yarn and #2 or #3 dpn.
Maximum participants will be 6 people. Reserve your place today by calling Unwind at 342-9276

Beginning Knitting Class
when: Tue, March 2nd and 9th
time: 10:00a—11:30am
cost: $35
You will learn to cast on stitches and knit in the first session. In the second session we will touch on purling and binding off.
Materials included: Size #10 US needles and 100 g worsted weight yarn, instruction booklet, and tote.
This class will be 2 sessions.
Maximum 6 participants. Reserve your place today by calling Unwind at 342-9276.

Beginning Knitting Class
when: Tue, March 16th and 23rd
time: 10:00a—11:30am
cost: $35
You will learn to cast on stitches and knit in the first session. In the second session we will touch on purling and binding off.
Materials included: Size #10 US needles and 100 g worsted weight yarn, instruction booklet, and tote.
This class will be 2 sessions.
Maximum 6 participants. Reserve your place today by calling Unwind at 342-9276.

After Knit & Purl
When: Mon, March 15th
Time: 2:30pm
Cost: $20
So you’ve got the knit and purl stitches down. Now how do I read a pattern, or increase and decrease? What if I drop a stitch?
This class we touch on all of the above.
Materials needed: US#9 or 10 needles, 50 gram scrap yarn.

Great American Afghan Knit Along
When: Sun, March 21st
Time: 3:00pm—6:00pm
Cost: The class is free, I only ask that you purchase your materials from Unwind.
We will be knitting the Great American Afghan. This is an intermediate project. I have ordered all the yarn in the colors that the pattern book calls for and will put together kits. Each kit will contain the yarn needed to knit 6 squares. Each month we will get together on the 3rd Sunday. To complete this project in a year we will need to knit 2 squares each month. We will officially meet on the 3rd Sunday, but if you want to just come in and hang out on Sundays afternoons or Wednesday evenings. I’m here. Yarn kits should be available on Tuesday, March 2nd. Note: This is really not a class, but a knit a long. I will help you when I can, but I’m going to be learning a lot of this right along with you.
The pattern book is available for purchase at Unwind, if you would like to join the knit-along, call Unwind at 342-9276.

Everyone’s doing it!
















Michelle is modeling her first cable project, the Provence Cloche'; Pam is modeling her Flare Vest, made out of Paradise; Julie is holding the baby blanket she made using Comfort DK Prints; Cali is modeling her very first knitting project, a neck warmer with a button; and Leigh Ann is modeling her new button slippers.

Tuesday Night Mad-Hatters Group
I wanted a picture of the girls for this article, but I wasn’t able to get it. In January, I had a class for beginner knitters, that met on Monday evenings for two weeks. Only four ladies showed up for the class, Ginger Rice, Cheryl Roush, Shelly Jones and Lynne Martin. Each woman quickly caught on to the concept of knitting, either in the Traditional method or the Continental method. At the end of the second session, they were anxiously ready to start on something new and that new thing was the felted derby hat. We decided to meet again the next Tuesday night. Unfortunately, Ginger hasn’t been able to return, but we’ve picked up Freddie Gaffney who brings a lot of life to the party.
After two weeks of knitting hats and getting them ready to felt. They just weren’t ready to give up on the Tuesday night gathering, so now we are working on a Cable Scarf pattern.
The cable pattern has given them more of a challenge, but I’m sure they will do great. I’m anxious to see their progress this Tuesday night and even more anxious to see what project they add to the queue for our future gatherings.

Marble Slouche’ (slew-shay it’s French)- Pattern

Materials:
1 skein Marble Chunky Sandpiper
US #9 16” circular, US#10 24” circular and US#10 dpn
Stitch Marker
Tapestry Needle
Using #9 16” circular needle, cast on 72 sts
Join in round
Knit 2, Purl 2 rib for 2 ½ “
After rib is complete;
INC Row *K 1, M1 tbl (twisted stitch) repeat from * 31 times, K10, ** M1 tbl, K1 repeat from ** 31 times. (134 sts)
Change to #10 24” circular needle, continue knitting in stockinet stitch for 7”
DEC Row K14, K2tog, [K15, K2tog] (5 times more), K14, K2tog (126 sts)
Knit 2 rounds of stockinette stitch
K1, [K2tog across] to last 3 sts, K3 (65 sts)
Knit 4 rounds of stockinette stitch
Change to dpn when stitches are too tight.
K2, [k2tog across] to last 3 sts, K3 (35 sts)
Knit 2 rounds of stockinette stitch
K1, [K2tog across to end] (17 sts)
Knit 2 rounds of stockinette stitch
K1, [K2tog across to end] (9 sts)
Knit 1 round
Run a tapestry needle through the 9 live stitches and pull tight, weave in ends

Did I tell you I'm an author?

Lookie here! My book is being published! It will be available very soon at Amazon.com, so I expect everyone of you to go out and buy a copy!!! (if you want to - no pressure)
Some of you might not be into psycho killers, sex and nasty words, but there is a yarn shop amidst all the kaos. I think my sequel with be more involved with the yarn shop. I might even have to add myself as a character.

Let's see, what else has been going on? I've got a class tomorrow night, 2 at a time socks. It should be fun and interesting, then Tuesday we've got part 2 of the felted hat class.

I just finished knitting another hat for my son, this time I used acrylic because he has the stinkiest head and wool just doesn't work well for him. This way it can be thrown in the washer whenever it starts getting rank.

I decided to model the hat since he isn't around and he is horrible with picture taking. How do you like it? It's the same pattern as the Chelsea Star hat, but I did increase the crown a little bit more so it's kinda slouchy instead of fitting like a skull cap.

Looking forward to next week, I should have lots of new yarn showing up. An order from Berroco should arrive tomorrow and maybe even an order from Knit One Crochet Too. The Brown Sheep order should arrive around Thursday. I recieved a new order from AslanTrends, Santa Fe sock yarn which is yummy!

I've started working on the Easy House Slippers by Liecel Tverli Scully that I found on Ravelry. Since I've got so many people having fun with the felted hats, I thought this might be another fun pattern for them to do. We'll see how it goes.

Geo Mitts

Materials needed:
1 skein Knit One Crochet Too Geologee in #382
1 set of DPN US #7 and US #8
Stitch holder or scrap yarn
Tapestry needle

With smaller needles cast on 32 stitches and divide evenly on 4 needles. Place marker.
Starting with the cuff: K2 P2 rib 14 rows or until measures 2”
Switch to larger needles
R 1 thru 5 knit in the round


Left mitt:
R 1: Knit to last 8 stitches, next st, knit into stitch below. Knit remaining 8 sts of the round.
R 2: K
Repeat last two rounds until you have 40 sts (7 more times)

K 36 sts, slide 4 sts before marker and 4 sts after marker onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn.
Cast on 4 new sts, join in the round. You should have 36 sts on your needle now.


Fingers:
Knit in the round for 1”, change to smaller needles and begin the K2, P2 rib for 1 1/2” Bind off loosely in rib pattern.


Thumb:
Using larger needles, Pick up 4 cast on sts at thumb and one st on each side of thumb sts. (6 sts) Place 8 sts from holder on two needles . K 7 sts, SSK 8th st and 1st picked up st. K 4, Ktog last picked up st and next st. (12 sts)

Knit 2 rounds and switch to smaller needles and begin the K2, P2 rib 1”


Everything will be the same for the right mitt except:

Right mitt:
R1: K 8 sts, k into st below 8th st. K remaining sts of the round.
R2: K
Repeat last two rounds until you have 40 sts (7 more times)

The fingers and thumb will be worked the same on both mitts.

Using a tapestry needle, weave in all loose ends.

Scoop Neck Cardigan

I finished the Scoop Neck Cardigan (finally) I had the knitting all finished on Saturday the 23rd and it took me two days to put it together. Because this is a reverse stockinette pattern, something in my brain kept telling me that the right side was the wrong side. I had the shoulder seams finished the sleeves sewn in and was getting ready to start the side seam when I realized I was stitching on the right (wrong) side. It was a real booger to get this taken apart because I did such a wonderful job weaving in the ends, I couldn't even find them. On Sunday, I started again, but this time I had my Sunday afternoon knitters visiting and about 1/2 way through the 2nd sleeve, I realized I'd done it again. After painfully tearing it apart again, I put it down and walked away. After everyone had left, I decided to give it one more go. I know it doesn't sound like it would be so hard, but it's like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time. Your brain takes over and does what it wants to do. Finally, the sleeves are in correct and I start seaming up the side, you're not going to even believe it if I tell you. The wrong side again!!!!!!! ARRRRGGGGHHH. So I threw it in my bowl, locked up and went home. Monday morning, I figure third times a charm. I'm all alone, I'm rested and ready to start the day. I pull out the cardigan and get my right (wrong) sides together and I was able to finish it up. All the threads on woven in and the buttons have been sewn on. I'm finished!

Friday night knit night was fun, there were about 8 people here for the evening. (Which is really about all my tiny space will handle.) We can drag in the folding chairs and shuffle some furniture around to accomodate more if it turns into something bigger next month.

Saturday was the 2nd session of our 1st beginners knit class. All the ladies came back (I really thought a couple would drop out). Two of them had finished knitting their scarves and were ready to bind off and start something new. One woman, Cheri, did a really good job, she bound off and added fringe to finish the scarf off. The second woman, Marth, started out with 20 stitches for about 4 inches and then grew to about 60 stitches which she continued to knit for about 8 inches then she remembered to start knitting 2 tog and got it back down to 20 stitches for the last 4 inches. She was going to rip it out, but instead we folded the widest section wrapped it around her neck and sewed a big button all the way through (since we didn't have a button hole). The yarn was stretchy enough that it will fit over her head easily. Here is her picture: This is Martha and her first knitted project.

I wish I would have gotten pictures of the entire group with their projects, but my batteries died on the camera after taking Martha's picture.

Louise knitted up a bright red scarf and was almost finished, she said she'd come back this Saturday, so I'll get her picture then. Cindy, a lifetime crocheter, did a good job on her scarf and has decided her next project will be the felted derby hat. Theresa, Betsy and Florence all ripped out their scarves and each returned with about 2 inches completed. Hopefully, they enjoyed themselves and continue with knitting.

Last night was my second beginners class, this isn't a very good picture, but you can tell they were having fun. (left to right: my sis Leigh, Ginger and Cheryl) Concentrating on what they were doing is Lynne and Shelley.

I only had 4 show up for the class last night, I was supposed to have 8. I think for my next class, I'm going to have them prepay and let them know that there are no returns, but they can reschedule for the next class if they aren't able to make it. If I had known that they 4 ladies weren't going to show, I could have called the list of people who wanted to take the class and were on the waiting list.

So, today is another day, Berroco Comfort is on the truck and should be arriving today. Unfortunately they are shipping it to my house instead of the shop. So, I won't be putting it on the shelves until tomorrow.

Friday Night Knit Night Tonight

I'm getting ready for my first official Friday night knit night. This has been a very busy week, so let me start at the beginning.


Saturday was our first beginners knitting class and it went really well, I'm anxious to see how their scarves have progressed this week. Hopefully, they will all return tomorrow for their lesson.


Monday, I started the Daylily Scoop Neck Cardigan. I had gotten 6 new colors of the yarn in and it wasn't moving at all. It's amazing what a sample will do, I had a lady come in yesterday and buy the yarn and pattern to make the same cardigan, then this morning I had 2 customers come in and both buy the yarn and patterns. I'm going to have to get busy knitting something else as soon as I finish the sleeves on the cardigan. This is the back and both front pieces completed. I'm making the size small which calls for 8 skeins, but I really think it's only going to take 6.

I finally finished the sweater I was designing for Hayden. I thought it was going to be huge on him, but it actually turned out really cute and he still has room to grow into it for next winter also.

I made a pair of Alice's Fingerless Mitts for Chelsea. (I didn't really follow the directions, in fact I kinda did my own thing all the way around). Here they are: well here is one of them, it's almost impossible to take a picture of your own hand. I used Knit One Crochet Too's Geologee for the mitts. Chelsea thinks they are too long and wants me to make another pair, so I guess these are going to be mine.

My next project is going to be a lace shawl using Fino (Alpaca with a Twist). I've started looking on Ravelry for a lace pattern that will be challenging for my mind, but not so crazy that if I put it down to help a customer that I'm lost forever.

I got my picture in the newspaper again! This time in the Oologah Lake Reader. Carolyn Estes wrote a great story about the shop and I've had many calls from our neighbors in Oologah.

Tuesday, I had a group of ladies come by for a knitting lesson. It was alot of fun, I had 3 of the 4 knitting within 30 minutes. I'm curious to find out if the 4th lady is still trying or if she has given up. Maybe she'll come back in a day or two and show me her progress.

Last night, one of my first students, Amy brought her home school mom's for a Mother's Night Out. They arrived around 6:30pm, picked out yarn and needles and were ready for their lesson. I'm so glad my sister was here to help out. There were 8 women, luckily three of the women had knitted as children or teens and just needed a little help back on the bicycle and they were off and knitting. Leigh helped 2 of the ladies and I helped the other 2. They invited us to join the circle and before you knew it we were all sharing our life stories with each other. The evening ended around 10:30pm and they were all so excited and ready to plan their next knitting night out. By the time everyone left and I balanced the cash register, I was exhausted. I guess I didn't think about the 12-14 hour days that would go into running a business. But I wouldn't trade it for any other job right now. Benefits and a paycheck would be nice, but I'm hoping that will come in a year or two.

I just need to gear up for tonight, I'm hoping that my first Friday night knit night will be a success. Wish me luck!

T

The article from the Claremore Progress

I want to thank Joy Hampton and the Claremore Daily Progress for allowing me to post the article from the paper. I thought it was an excellent story, but I might be a little bias. I wasn't able to get the pictures, but here's the story. Enjoy!

A place to Unwind...
Women share winter yarns, avoid unraveling during times of stress

By JOY HAMPTON
jhampton@claremoreprogress.com

If the cold weather and holiday stresses are getting you down, there’s a new place to unwind in Nemar Shopping Center in Claremore.
Teresa Harmon dreamed Unwind yarn shop into existence. It is a place where friends old and new can gather with their yarn in a unique community of knitters and crocheters.
Harmon had been unwilling to quit her full-time job with benefits to follow her dream of having a yarn shop. Fate intervened when she was laid off after 10 years on the job. A merger of two branches of the company where she was employed made her position obsolete.
“I was no longer needed,” said Harmon.
In a move as bold as some of the modern yarn colors she uses to create her many pieces of functional artwork, Harmon sunk her 401 K into starting a yarn store in Claremore. It’s not the first, Harmon says there was another years ago, but it’s the first yarn store in Claremore in many, many years.
“I sunk it all in here,” she said, and gestured at the comfy sofa and chairs, shelves of yarn, and walls of needles and other accessories. “I decided, it’s now or never.”
The yarn store opened Dec. 1 and has already become a haven for a small group of women who are ready and willing to welcome more into their fold.
Pam Cantwell loves the soft fibers, colorful projects and friendship of other knitters and crocheters.
“I come to hang out and knit and buy yarn,” said Cantwell and she loops a strand of hot pink yarn over her bamboo needles. “It becomes an addiction but it’s a fun addiction. I learned to knit about five years ago. Ever since, I’ve been going crazy at it.”
She said she likes to sit, knit, talk and unwind.
Which is, of course, the point, said Harmon.
Lynn Emanuel said she was excited to find the new store. She is rediscovering her talent for crochet. During her college years, Emanuel inherited her grandmother’s crochet items and became very involved in creating all types of projects.
“They used to call me Grandma in college because I crocheted so much,” said Emanuel.
Then, when her children came along, she found her hands too full for the crochet hook and put it down.
For a time, that old love was forgotten.
Now with her children nearly grown, Emanuel is rediscovering her lost art. And she’s also learning to knit, courtesy of Harmon who offers private and public lessons as well as tidbits of free casual advice for anyone who happens along and stays to knit.
Harmon said Emanuel’s story is a common one. Often modern women learn to knit or crochet then put it aside when life gets busy. Many are carrying on the tradition of their grandmothers, but with new, modern yarns and accessories that have revolutionized the art.
“My grandmother taught me to cast on stitches when I was three,” said Harmon. “I would cast on and take them off again.
“When I was five, she let me have two needle. I actually started knitting. At 12, I taught myself to crochet. I thought it was faster. I made baby blankets and booties and gave them to the neighbors. It was all squares.”
Harmon has always enjoyed giving her handmade products away. She says that way two people get to share in the pleasure, herself in making the project, and the recipient of her gift.
“I quit after my kids were born,” said Harmon.
Then one day she was visiting her mother in Colorado. There were knitting needles with a project started on them.
“I picked them up and just started knitting,” she said.
It turned out there was a local yarn shop in the area and her mother was taking lessons. Harmon and her sister Leigh Ann Bump rushed to the store and bought yarn.
“We became completely addicted to knitting,” said Harmon.
“My friend Terry got me excited about it again,” said Emanuel.
Harmon said the best thing about knitting and crocheting is the friendly, helpful people.
Cantwell adds that it’s therapeutic.
“It’s like a quilting bee, bringing people together,” said Emanuel.
Some days women stop by and just hang out and knit or crochet, said Harmon. On Friday evenings, she reopens the store at 7 p.m. Women bring snacks and show up in comfy clothes like sweats or even pajamas. They knit and swap stories and advice until they’re tired and go home.
“It’s almost like a slumber party but we don’t sleep here,” laughed Harmon.
Cantwell is working on a baby blanket.
“The minute I found out I was going to be a grandmother, I came right up here and bought yarn and started,” she said.
Harmon said there was a knitting revival in 2004.
“It’s not just grandmas,” she said. “I’ve got college age girls that come in here. I hear all the stories.”
Unwind Yarn Shop is modeled after the one in Colorado that inspired Harmon to pick up her art again, Edla’s Yarn Shop.
Harmon and Bump met Edla after their mother told them about the yarn shop. They still visit her regularly.
“Now she’s our Aunt Edla,” said Bump.
Edla is originally from the Faroe Islands, an island group that lies between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean about half the distance between Scotland and Iceland. Growing up in the cold farming community, female children like Edla were required to knit a sweater sleeve a day.
“They could knit while playing kickball,” said Harmon.
Knitting, the sisters believe, is in Edla’s blood. Her yarn shop inspired Harmon to create a place of peace, harmony and knitting all her own in Claremore.
Many of the yarns carried by Harmon at Unwind Yarn Shop are all natural fibers such as wool, alpaca, and cotton.
Acrylic blends are machine washable and available in a wide array of styles, textures, and colors. Some yarns are extremely soft. Some have sparkle.
Very soft, skinny thread on tiny needles is used to make socks.
Sock knitting has become popular and many want the best, softest yarns available for their feet, said Harmon. A yarn made from bamboo keeps feet from sweating, while a variety of stylish variegated colors allow the knitter to create argyle socks or socks with stripes.
Knitting and crocheting can be a solitary pastime, but it can also be about community, said Harmon. A barn raising quilt is made of different colored patches. The idea is for each person to contribute a different square, each of a designated size, to the project. The squares are then blocked and sewn together.
A traveling scarf is also a group project. Harmon has created her fair share of them with friends across the country she met online. Each knitter in the group starts a scarf then mails it to the next person on the list. Each contributes a stripe or block to the scarf. When finished, each participant has a multicolor scarf made by several people.
Harmon said she is grateful to have the opportunity to make her dream a reality. She hopes her yarn shop can be a place for people to come together and unwind from the stresses of life. She also wants to pass on her art to a new generation of knitters and crocheters.

Unwind's newsletter

I finished the newsletter and sent it out to everyone that I had an email address for. I've tried and tried to copy it into this posting, but I can't get it to work. It's in a pdf file. If anyone knows how to do it let me know.

If you would like to received an email copy of the newsletter, send an email to me at unwind.ayarnshop@att.net and I'll send you a copy.

Tomorrow marks the end of my first month in business. Bills are paid, yarns still on the shelves and I've still got money in the checking account so I think that means I'm doing pretty good!

I've got classes scheduled for beginning knitters. I had no idea how many crocheters were in Claremore. I'm going to have to work on my crocheting skills. But, I've got a lot of the crocheters interested in learning to knit.

I finally got my computer at the shop and I've been working on getting all my inventory loaded into Quickbooks. Man, that's a job and a half. Then I need to do inventory and figure out how much I have of each item and make Quickbooks do what it's supposed to do and tell me how much I've sold.

Once I get all that figured out and sorted through, I'm going to work on setting up a website. I'll have to figure out how to make a shopping cart and accept credit cards etc.

I hope everyone has a very happy and safe New Year's Eve tomorrow night. I'll probably be in bed before the ball drops.

Happy 2010!

Easy Button Scarf

Easy Button Scarf
Final measurements 28” x 5” (the ends will be 5” and the center of the scarf is approximately 3 ¾”

Materials:

#11 needles
1 skein Life DK – Copper
4 buttons 7/8”
4 stitch markers
tapestry needle

The pattern is available at Unwind for free with the purchase of yarn or if you'd like to use your own yarn the cost of the pattern is $3.99.

grrrrr

The UPS man drove right past me today. I checked the tracking and it said the packages were on the truck for delivery. My daughter called and my yarn was delivered to my house.

Now I'm waiting for grandson to wake up from a nap so she can bring me the yarn. grrrrr...

I'm getting some more chairs for the shop. They are blue and on wheels. I think they will be more comfortable around the table instead of the folding chairs that I have right now. Then I can put the folding chairs up and just get them out when I have alot of people here.

Started working a new project this weekend. I was planning on making the Kertzer, Easy Hoodie using Marble yarn in the ocean blue color. But I'm improvising the pattern so much that it won't even be the same hoodie when I'm finished. I decided to make it in the round instead of front and back and I'm adding a raglan sleeve. I've taken pictures but I forgot to bring my memory card thing to download the pictures. I'll do that later.

I've had quite alot of people in today, which is good, because last Monday it was pretty slow.

Ordered more yarn!

I've got an order from Berroco coming in on Monday if the UPS guy will stop this time. I spent all day with Betty from Brown Sheep. Got lots of stuff from Brown Sheep and Knit One Crochet Too.

My sis and Pam showed up this afternoon and they helped me pick out some stuff. Oh, I also got some great needle holders for dpns and circular needles.

My Amy Butler bags sold today and I've got more on the way. I'm going to have to hold one back for myself this time.

I left Chelsea in charge of the shop for about 15 minutes today and when I came back the front room was full of little boys and a dog. One of my new friends Amy, who I taught to knit last week brought in her boys, three of them. I taught the 10 and 7 year old to knit and they are doing a good job. The 10 year old is making a pillow cover in Orange for the Oklahoma Cowboys and the 7 year old is making, well, I'm not sure what he's making. Oh and the dog is theirs also. Apparently the dog was attacked by a big dog today and they were making sure he was okay and didn't want to leave him alone. Sweet puppy. Then another new friend, Kim came in with her son and she shopped while all the boys played. Thank goodness I've got a little coke crate wagon with some of Hayden's toys in it, that kept them all busy while Moms shopped.

The day flew by today, I hope tomorrow is as good as today was.

I just found out that my computer has now been delayed until January. It's hard not having a computer at the shop. There would be so much more I could get done if I just had a computer with me during the day.

Why won't the UPS man come see me?

He was in the parking lot, I was standing at the door like a kid looking in the window of a toy shop. Sending the UPS man the strongest vibes I could send. "Bring me my stuff!" I said in my mind hoping the telepathic waves to reach him. I watched him get in his truck, put on his seatbelt, pull the gear shift down to drive. Here he comes!!! I thought to myself as a huge smile spread across my face. Then I watched him drive right past my door. The smile turned to a frown. Why won't the UPS man come see me????

Oh well, I've got an order coming in on Tuesday according to the tracking. But I want the stuff that was backordered!!!

It's been slow today. Maybe 4 customers sales under a $100 so far, but I've still got 2 hours and 45 minutes left today so maybe someone will come in and suprise me.


I'm trying to get my class schedules set up. Looks like the majority on class suggestions was a beginners class and magic loop. I might try and do a beginners class before Christmas, but then again this month might just be too busy.


Have I said that this is the best job ever? As long as I can pay the rent and the shop bills and replenish my stock, I'm happy. I'll let the rest of the family worry about the household bills right now.

I meant to post this yesterday, but as I was typing, I had several customers come in and then I just didn't get back to writing.

Saturday, November 5th

I'm getting ready to head to town, got to run by Wal-Mart before I go to the shop. I forgot to pick up my blood pressure medicine yesterday, so I've got to take care of that first thing.

I'm expecting to be pretty busy today. I had several people tell me they were coming back on Saturday so I hope they really make it back in to see me. Even if they don't it gives me an excuse to finish knitting the 2nd Susie Hoodie. I've finally reached the hood part and this hoodie is actually going to fit her this time. Since I'm up to the neck she was able to try it on yesterday. It would be nice to get it finished today and then block it tonight and display it for a few days in the shop before I have to wrap it up for Christmas.

Time to head out, I'll talk to you all later.

Unwind is OPEN!!!!

Wow, the past two days have been alot of fun.

On opening day, Tuesday. I woke up at 3am and couldn't go back to sleep. My mind was reeling with things I needed to do before I opened the shop to the public for the very first time. You know how first impressions are and I wanted mine to be perfect.

The first thing on my 3am list was to go to the bank, because I completely forgot about getting change for the cash register. I guess since I rarely carry cash and use my check card everywhere my mind just assumed everyone would do the same. duh... but the bank didn't open until 9am. Also on my list was getting the table set, vaccuuming again, clean the windows and door just to make sure they were really clean. Get the apple cider in the crockpot and started heating. I left the house at 7:15 (I don't open until 10) got to the shop at 7:25 and started my chores which were all finished by 8 o'clock. I straightened the shelves just to make sure every skein looked it's best and then sat down and started knitting until 9, so I could go to the bank. Between 8 and 9 I probably had 6 or 7 phone calls from sales people wanting me to buy their credit card terminal. Left the shop, got the change and came back. Decided to put on a pot of coffee. At 9:45 I saw a car pull up and two people got out. I recognized Rebecca and her daughter from Ravelry. I opened the door and the day began. It was soo much fun!!!

People signed my email list so as soon as I get my computer I can start sending out emails to everyone. I also made a class suggestion list. It looks like most people want a beginners class and magic loop class, so I'll get those going as soon as I can.

Yesterday was a little slower. I had about 7 people come in and only had 1 actual sale. It was a teenager wanting to make a scarf. She spent 11.00. Luckily my buddy morgaine from Ravelry called bought a $50 birthday gift card for Amber, another Ravelry buddy. So my total sales for day 2 was 61.00 (about 7 times less than day 1). So here's hoping that today will be better than yesterday. My goal is $1000 this week, let's see if I can hit it.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend

We sure did. Mom and Dad were here, the family was all together at my sister's house and it was a housefull.

I made broccolli rice casserole, candied yams and my daughter made a green bean casserole (her father-in-laws recipe) We had enough food to feed 20 more people. My sister made 5 or 6 pies, I'm really not sure how many we had but they were good. Actually, I did pretty good, I only had 1 slice of chocolate cream pie and then a bite of cherry pie. After we ate and ate, we decided to go out for our traditional after the food movie. That tradition started many many years ago, when the men would sit around the TV with their pants unbuttoned watching football, Mom would take us to a movie and the tradition continued. This year we didn't have all the kids with us because the babies are too little to sit through a movie. The attendees were Mom, Leigh, Chelsea, Alyssa and me. We decided to go see A Christmas Carol at the IMax in 3D, but unfortunatly it was sold out, tried to see Blindside, also sold out. We settled for New Moon. Chelsea and Alyssa had already seen it and wanted to see it again. It was okay, but I just haven't been able to get into the whole Twilight scene.

We got home, fixed everyone a plate full of leftovers and headed to the house. All in all it as a great day.

Friday, Chelsea and I decided to brave the stores. We weren't as crazy as my sister. She got up and left her house a 3:30am. There just wasn't anything that I thought I needed that badly. We hit Wal-Mart at 7am and got the few things we were interested in. But we missed the $88.00 battery powered jeeps.

Today, I got the shop ready for opening day on Tuesday, passed out fliers and met the neighbors in the shopping center. Everyone I've talked to is really excited about the shop and the classes.

I got the class schedule worked out, December will only have 2 classes because I'm sure lots of people will be busy getting ready for Christmas. The Friday knit nights will start in January. I made up my business cards and some gift cards. Set an appointment with Berroco for tomorrow at 2:30. I told her I had cheated a little bit and ordered some Berroco yarns from a friend. I thought she would be upset with me, but she told me since I'd already placed an order and Berroco shipped it directly to me, I wouldn't have to meet the $1500 minimum now. I can order whatever I need to order now. It makes me wonder if thats a company rule or a rule for the sales reps? hmmm.

I'm tired, going to bed now. I'll keep everyone posted and let you know how opening day goes. Wish me luck!

2 more days

We are closing in on opening day. I've got 2 whole days to finish up the little details to get the shop ready to open on Tuesday. I hope I get another shipment on Monday to fill the shelves.


Mom and I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and bought a bunch of stuff to decorate the shop for the Holiday season. I went with silver and turquoise decorations. Mom made the bows and we hung silver ribbon and turquoise beads above the windows with a little greenery in the middle. It turned out really pretty. I've also got a little Christmas tree in front of the window.

The guys doing the signs haven't finished yet. My sign on the roof isn't hooked up to the electricy yet and doesn't turn on at dusk like all the other business in the center and I don't have my decals for the windows, but Chelsea used window paints and wrote on the windows for me.

I'm going to have some cookies and other goodies for opening day, hopefully people won't get chocolate on the yarn.

Did I tell you my brother-in-law and Mom went in halvsies and bought me a new computer!!! I was shocked. It should be in next week.

Tomorrow, I'm going to get some fliers ready and go out and hang them up everywhere I can so everyone will know I'm opening on Tuesday. I've got to get my class schedule made up and I'm going to make up some gift certificates in case someone wants to buy one for a Christmas present.

The shelves are filling up

One week from today and the doors will be officially open for business. I received 13 boxes of stuff today. 12 were full of yarn and 1 had some notions.

Chelsea and I saw the UPS man in the parking lot today and we stood at the door waiting to see if he was coming to our door. He got in the truck and drove over to our side of the parking lot. Then it looked like he was going to leave, but he stopped and backed in. When he did that we knew we had alot of stuff coming. We must have looked like little kids waiting for a big suprise because he saw us and smiled. He brought one box out and sat it down, then went for another and another and another. Then I noticed the numbers written on the side of the boxes 1/10, 5/10, 8/10. I held the door open for him and he said "I've got 13 boxes for you today!" YIPPEE!!!!

We got right to work, opening boxes, checking off the product from the packing slip and labeling each skein by hand. Yes, I said by hand. Apparently, the pricing gun I bought wasn't the right one to buy. I can only get orange and yellow labels for it and everyone who I've told has said that orange and yellow are for discounted product. I need white labels. Guess what, the manufacturer is out of inventory and there is no eta of when the white labels will be in. So, we went to Wal-Mart and bought 2500 little white labels and wrote the prices on each one and stuck them on ourselves. Chels did most of the labeling while I put the yarn on the shelves. Yes, I've got pictures. Here they are:

I received a partial order from Kertzer, part of the back ordered order from Alpaca with a Twist. Tomorrow I'm hoping I'll get my Aslan Trends and Berroco. I don't think I'll get the Regia and Nashua until Monday.

I made my first unofficial sale today and got my first dollar bill which is signed and on the wall. My sister Leigh and friend Pam couldn't wait until opening day to start buying. Thank God for family. It was probably good to have some sales before opening day just to be able to practice with the cash register and the credit card terminal.

The phone is now turned on and if anyone wants to call me the number is (918) 342-YARN (9276). The fire marshall came by today and did his inspection. I've got to get the EXIT sign fixed, probably just a battery; my number 917 on the door and the fire extinguisher checked or charged and hung up. I've got to remember to call the fire extinguisher people tomorrow.

Now I need to get the computer (my mom brought me one of her computers and my brother-in-law is going to had memory, a bigger hard drive and Microsoft Office and Quickbooks to it for me. Mom is also buying a 20" flat screen monitor for my Christmas present. I need to get all the inventory into the computer so I can keep track of what I've got and what I need to reorder.

I think I've got the Plymouth lady coming next week and Knitting Fever has been calling to make an appointment. I would love to get some Noro for the shop, but I've heard really bad things about Knitting Fever and their pressure sales and customer service. If anyone has any good info to give me about them I'd love to hear it. I'm not real good with pressure sales. Guess I'm going to have to become a hardass when it comes to dealing with sales reps.

Weekly Update - 11 days till we open!

Here are a couple of pictures of the front room of the shop. Got the furniture moved in, now I'm just waiting on all the inventory to show up. This week I received more needles and notions, books and some patterns, one Amy Butler bag and half my order from Alpaca with a Twist. Let me just say Baby Twist is my new fav, it is soooo scrumptous. I can't wait to start knitting something with it. Hopefully, the rest of the yarn shows up early next week because Thanksgiving is on Thursday and I doubt UPS delivers on Friday because of the holiday. I only have the following Monday left and then opening day is Tuesday, the 1st.

This is a picture of what will be my office, and that's just one of the baskets of my own stash that I'm going to sell for 1/2 off.

This is a picture of my coffee/tea bar.

David got the other peg board hung today and installed several new outlets and a light switch for me, killed a GIANT fiddle back spider that was hiding inside the wall when he was cutting the holes for the outlets. It was 1/2 the size of a 2x4 board. He's now dead and hopefully he wasn't a she with little fiddle backs hiding somewhere.



What else, one of the most important things that happened today was Hayden turned 2 years old. We are having a birthday party for him tomorrow at Pizza Hut. He had his first "real" haircut yesterday. Really it was just a trim because he wasn't too sure about the lady holding the scissors. Mom and Dad are arriving from Colorado tonight and will be here until the 30th, unless I can talk them into staying one more day for the opening. They are bringing me a computer for the shop.

I can't fit my dining room table in the back next to the coffee bar, it's too wide and will block the exit door. Which reminds me, I've got to call the fire marshall and get my inspection taken care of before I open. My channel letter sign for the roof should be installed Monday or Tuesday and the decals for my windows are being created. I'm sure there are many more things that I need to take care of but I can't think of them right now.

It's been a busy week

Let's see. Monday night I went to the auction with my sister and our friend Pam. It was alot of fun, I ended up getting a couple of orange retro looking chairs for the shop for only $20.00, a little tikes desk for Hayden and a Sony digital camera and tripod for $35.00. They failed to mention that the camera was the kind that take the little CD's, I don't even know if they make them anymore.

Tuesday, my buddy Michelle and I went to the Oklahoma Tax Commission's workshop on business taxes. Thank God, I went. I didn't realize that once you had your company name and had formed an LLC that you had to trademark your name and logo. The guy teaching the workshop said that people will go online and search company names and if they haven't been trademarked, they will steal your name and then call you and say that they have the name trademarked and you can buy it from them for $10,000. I freaked and ran home as fast as I could to work on my logo and get it finalized. I've filed the name Unwind, A Yarn Shop LLC and the trademark is now mine. Whoo, that was stressful. I could only image someone calling me and wanting a butt load of money to buy back my company name.

I got the carpets cleaned on Wednesday and you would never believe a motorcycle shop had been in there before. All the stain came out and it looks pretty good for old carpet.

Yesterday, I met with the guy who represents Crystal Palace, Classic Elite, Nashua, Jitterbug and a couple more that I can't even remember right now. It was a very stressful day. Have I mentioned that I don't like salesman very much, so pushy. Telling me that I need to have this or that and if I don't I shouldn't even go into business. I'm trying to do this on a shoestring budget, but still make it really nice. I want a good variety of stuff, but I can't afford to pay a $1500 opening order to all the different companies. So, I doing it the sneaky way. I've got a good friend who owns a yarn shop and she is letting me buy the yarn through her for right now. Hopefully, the shop will be a success and I'll slowly be able to get my own account with these companies.

Today, I cleaned up the dining room furniture that I'm taking to the shop. My Lantern Moon needles came in today. I've got them hung on the peg board and they look so pretty. The credit card machine also arrived today. I've been playing with the cash register so I don't look like a fool when I'm trying to ring up someone's purchase. My sister came by and brought some baskets and a vase with some of her old needles in it, I also have a big vase with needles, so I should have plenty for people to use or practice with. My daughter brought Hayden up for a little while and he liked his new desk. Then my niece showed up with her son Asher. The kids played for awhile, pushing around the baskets and the little coke crate wagon. Then Pam came in with her daughter and two of her grandkids. I realized quickly that 600 sq feet can get full really fast.

Tomorrow's plan, well, I don't really have a plan right now for tomorrow. I need to set down and figure out what my hours of operation will be, work up a class schedule, and do some paperwork. Sunday, we are borrowing my son-in-law's father's truck to move the furniture in. I can't wait to see what it looks like with stuff in there. I hope the yarn starts arriving soon.

Only 18 more days till I open.

Monday morning

It's 7:00am, and I'm sitting here thinking about everything that I have to do today.

1. Grocery Store
2. Come home unload groceries
3. Go to Unwind
4. Touch up paint in bathroom
5. Help David build the checkout counter
6. Call the carpet cleaner and reschedule
7. Call the OK Tax Commission and make sure I'm registered for the class tomorrow.
8. Get all the building supplies out of the shop

I'm sure there are a ton more things to do today, but those are the ones I've got to get taken care of.

I've been playing with logos for my shop window, but I don't really have any software for graphics except paint. Here's one, let me know what you think. Can you tell it is the word Unwind written with the yarn? I hope so, because that's what I was going for.

I met with Stephanie, the yarn rep yesterday. She was great, I ordered Alpaca with a Twist and way too much from the Kertzer line. We never even made it to the AslanTrends because it took over 4 hours to just go through those two lines. She is planning on coming back through on 11/18 so I'll probably go ahead and get AslanTrends taken care of on that day.

Oh, I just remember something else to add to my to do list... #9. Take the Notions application and fax it this morning.

I've got to head out to the grocery store now and get my day started.

23 days before opening

Did I say I was tired? I don't think I've worked this hard in a long time.

Let's see, the plumber came and fixed the Tidy Cat Liter mess. He couldn't believe that they had it hooked up like that. So that's taken care of and we don't have to worry about the little hot water tank anymore. The only thing is that the tank was still too big to fit under the vanity. That was really a bummer because I didn't want it just out there. Dave build a little shelf to go around it, but it doesn't have a front cover because you have to have access to the valve or screw thing, but it looks better and it gives me a little counter top to put the Kleenex box and maybe a candle or something.

He is so handy to have around, the last tenants had the phone line running down one wall about midway and then looped around the corner and up another wall to their phone jacks. Dave cut the wire and ran them through the walls. No more ugly phone lines stapled to the wall.

He built a couple more shelves for me and hung the over the john cabinet in front of the breaker box to hide it's ugliness. Today we are going to hang the peg boards for the needles and notions. I hope I have enough materials. We had gone over to Lowes to pick up the peg board stuff the other day. The board comes in a 4' x 8' sheet, so we had them cut it down into 4' x 4' so it would fit in the back of Dave's BMW. Well, we should have had them cut in 4' x 2' pieces because they wouldn't fit in the back seat so we put them in the truck, but they were hanging out a little bit. I said "Will they break if you don't have the trunk lid tied down?" (because we didn't have any straps, rope, yarn or anything in the car to tied down the lid.) His response, "No, it will be okay." So we head down the road, it's probably only 2 miles if that. Get to the shop and guess what? The boards are broken. So now I'll have a peg board wall covering about a 4' x 6' area. I'm figuring thats probably okay for now.

I also bought a couple of 1" x 4" boards to have him cut into 2' sections. I want him to drill holes and glue wooden shaker pegs into the holes and I'm going to hang hanks from them. I though it would be cute.

I received my color card book from Plymouth last night. It's huge. Worked on my order with Lantern Moon, now I know why the minimum order is only $200. They don't want to intimidate newbies with a huge opening order, because they know you'll place a big order anyways. Has anyone every used any yarn from AslanTrends? I'm going with them also, I haven't felt their stuff, but it is really pretty online. I need to get a fax machine so I can get all these orders turned in.

Well, it's about time to head back to the shop, talk to you later.

27 days left before opening day

I've been a busy bee! First let me thank my wonderful ex-husband David, he's been a real trooper, building, installing, and doing everything I ask to get this shop ready in time. Everything is painted, the toilet and vanity/sink is installed. The 3 wall units are built and secured to the walls.

I've got several appointments scheduled. Sunday, I'm meeting with the rep from Rowan, Regia, Alpaca with a Twist, there are several more that she represents, but I can't remember them right now. Monday, the carpets are being cleaned. I hope and pray that the oil and grease comes up. Did I mention that someone who would repair motorcycles on carpet must have a screw loose? Tuesday, I have a class at the Oklahoma Tax Commission for Businesses, then I'm meeting with Plymouth Yarns at 2:30, Wednesday is a free day (so far), Thursday, I meet with Crystal Palace. I've got the order forms for Lantern Moon, Malabrigo and Berroco. I really want to get in with Blue Sky Alpacas and get some Spud and Chloe' but theres a waiting list and a $3000 opening order. YUCK!!!

I went shopping last night at my friend Pam's barn. She's got tons of shabby chic stuff. I got an old red desk that I'm going to use as my checkout counter, a coffee table, and drop leaf table, and little hutch and a cool lamp. I'm using my grandmother's dining room table and hutch that have been in my garage for a couple of years, my kids have a couch and chair that looks like it's from the 70's with rust, beige and brown vertical stripes. I'm hoping to give the place the look and feel that you can come in relax, kick off your shoes, shop, knit and Unwind...

I got my big sign for the roof...I got so lucky! The first bid I got was for the word YARN in big red letters. It was a bid for $2200 which didn't include installation, tax or permit. The total cost was $3395. I felt sick, until yesterday when the other company called and said they had just taken down a sign that was left by the previous owners and being a channel letter sign (that means the letters are all seperate and screwed onto a raceway) he could take it apart and it just happened to have the letters Y A R N in turquoise with a deep red trim. I went by today and looked at the letters. It's in great condition and he said he could build it, install it and everything permit, tax and all for $1472. I paid 1/2 down today and it should be installed the week of Thanksgiving.

I spoke with Edla (from Edla's Yarn in Walsenberg, CO) today and she has some yarn that she is willing to sell me at cost, so Mom is bringing it with her next week when she comes down for Hayden's 2nd birthday party. Edla gave me alot of tips on where to get this and that.

I've still got to get my credit card processing stuff and shopping bags (I may have to use all the Wal-Mart bags that are stuffed under my cabinet). I think I've got a cash register. I really want to get all the credit card and cash register stuff on the computer along with Quickbooks so I'll be able to keep track of inventory, but right now I don't have enough in the budget to get a new computer, so I'll do it the old fashioned way and handwrite tickets. Unless, I'm just super busy, which I hope is the case.

Well, I've got to get up early and get to the shop in the morning to meet the plumber to fix the little hot water tank/tidy cat litter box issue.

I'll update more soon!