We're Going to Have to Book You...

Jessica Knits and Crochets is holding its First Book Sale and Book Drive this week from Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31. We have some really amazing pattern books and individual patterns. Don't start your knitting season without some inspiration. Come in for 25% off ALL of our books, patterns, and magazines. That includes stuff that is already on sale for unbeatable prices. As a bonus, if you bring in books to donate for the local Scottsdale library (any books in good condition - fiction or non-fiction) you can earn additional discounts. Bring in up to 5 books and get an additional 10% off of one item. Bring in more than 5 books and you'll get the 10% off an additional item, PLUS you'll get to choose a free item from a wonderful selection of pattern books (including some publications by Louisa Harding, Noro, Tahki Stacy Charles, and Colinette).

All of our books have been reorganized for your viewing pleasure. Remember - this sale includes all books in the store, including the highly collectable Rowan pattern books. Get some books for yourself and stock up on some holiday gifts for the knitters and crocheters in your life.

See you at the sale! You'll be hooked on our books.

Rowan with the Current

You want Rowan? We got Rowan! Our shipment is in, and we've been working non-stop to get all of the latest Rowan lines out onto the floor for your knitting and crocheting pleasure. Kid Classic, Colourspun (so new, it's not even on the Rowan website yet! simply beautiful), Fine Lace, Big Wool, Shimmer, Colourscape Chunky, British Sheep Breeds Boucle, Drift, Silk Twist, Renew, Cocoon...we've got it all (and in quantity!). In fact, the photo above doesn't even do it justice. And you don't have to worry about patterns, either. We got a new shipment of Rowan books in as well, to fill our our already plentiful stock (don't forget our big sale event - Jessica Knits First Book and Pattern Sale next weekend, July 29, 30 and 31). If looking at all of the new Rowan and the amazing new display of Madeline Tosh doesn't fulfill your yarn craving, some of our other lines have come in, also (I said we were busy!). Check out Silly Stripes for some of the cutest children's garment designs and yarns (it's right next to our new selection of Ty-Dy by Knit One, Crochet Two). Or the all-purpose, washable, versatile Zara, Zara Plus, and Zarina lines. Plus we have some gorgeous glitzy yarns on display for your holiday knitting.

So come on down, check out the new stock, peruse the August class offerings, hang with us for a while, and take some time for yourself at Jessica Knits and Crochets. It's the coolest place to be this summer.

Be Classy

Our August class schedule is here! We had such a great time teaching everyone in July (thanks to all of you who participated in the classes), and we've learned so much too. You showed us how eager you are to learn new techniques, to perfect your craft, and to get started in new fiber frontiers. You are yarn pioneers! We've created a schedule of classes that we know you'll love.

You'll find beginning knitting classes (in fact, we're offering a night class for those of you who have busy daytime schedules), an intermediate knitting class where you learn more stitches, and the ever-popular sock class (if you've never worn a handknit sock, you are in for a treat). The Everyday Market Bag class will have make you the envy of all your shopping friends (look! isn't it cute? And look at our new Rowan pattern book section in the background).

The crochet class in August is the Striped Tote. This fun, quick and easy project is sure to be one of your favorite accessories. For your more formal events, the Larch Shawl class will help you create an elegant and useful addition to your favorite outfits.



And in August, we're introducing a new concept in classes. Our Project Workshop lets you decide what you are going to work on. We provide the guidance and help and support to get you through the project you've always wanted to make.

Look for our new class brochure. We'll send you a copy online. Or better yet, stop by the store, take a look around, talk to us about the right class for you, and sign up! These classes fill up quickly and space is limited. So be classy at Jessica Knits and Crochets.

Web Spin

Jessica Knits and Crochets is all about putting a new spin on things. In our quest to make your fiber experience easy, friendly, and useful, we are updating our website with a new, clean look (check it out). We are also getting in some of the leading yarn designers in the industry, revamping the store, and offering some amazing deals on yarn, needles, books, and patterns. Never been in? Come on in and see what we have to offer. We have extended hours to fit your busy schedule. Were you in last week? Come in again - we promise there will always be something new to catch your eye. It's a new look, a new owner, a new attitude at Jessica Knits and Crochets. Discover what we have to offer, and you'll find a new you.

Oh My Tosh!

We're always striving for something new and better at Jessica Knits and Crochets. We're changing the store to better suit your needs, we've extended the hours, and we're offering a great selection of new classes to enhance your skills. So what else could be new? Well, let's start with the Madelinetosh yarns that just arrived yesterday. The first thing you'll notice is the exquisite colors. Check out these blues:

Then you'll just have to touch one. Maybe the Madelinetosh Silk, or the Madelinetosh Pashmina. Good luck resisting these sought-after yarns. Probably, you should just resign yourself to surrendering and get on with the task of deciding what to make first:

We've dedicated an entire area to Madelinetosh. And you know what would go perfectly with one of these luxury yarn projects? A new project bag from the designers at Atenti. They combine old world elegance with modern styling, and come in a wide assortment of styles and patterns. Get one for yourself or buy someone special one of these unique and fashion-forward bags. Here's just a sampling of what came in (we were still unpacking them when we snapped this photo):

We'll spare you the wordy descriptions of everything else that is arriving (new shipments are coming in all the time - Filatura di Crosa, Zora, Lantern Moon, to name a few), and we'll probably babble about them soon enough (we're like children opening gifts - our excitement is endless), but here are a few more photos to tempt you:

Dealing You In

While the rest of the shop is being spruced up to show off the beautiful new yarns, books, and products that we have available, one spot at Jessica Knits has been added as a convenient, one-stop, shop-'til-you-drop area: our new sale section. No more hunting for bargains. We've put them all (for the most part) in one place. Louisa Harding, Gedifra, Torino Bulky, Noro, Alchemy, along with other exquisite yarns, needles, notions and purses (wow! Namaste is on sale!), at prices you won't believe. And unlike most yarn store sales, we have some of these sale items in quantities that could easily handle a large project. All of this, combined with the fact that we are open on Sunday from noon until 5:00 p.m. means that there is no excuse for not starting that long-anticipated project you've been putting off. So *buy, save* and repeat from * at Jessica Knits and Crochets!

Tote-ally New

We've retired our metal buckets. Well, at least for shopping purposes. From now on, when you come into Jessica Knits (and crochets!), you can grab a stylish Lantern Moon woven shopping tote with beautiful wooden handles. You can choose from cherry, lime, tangerine, or aqua, and if you fall in love with it, we've got some extras to sell. They are lined in a matching polka dot material so your precious alpaca won't snag and your needles won't poke through. It's the perfect summer project tote. So hurry down and be the first one in your knitting group to flaunt one of these delightful summer confections.

Dust Ruffle

I can't remember the last time I had to pull off of the road because driving conditions were, to say the least, nonexistent. What an unbelievable storm! So I sat in a parking lot and grabbed my knitting while the dust blew through the Valley. My go-to car project is an original scarf design that is a geometric pleat (it's a man's scarf so it's kind of a masculine take on a ruffle). Sounds complicated but it's a simple six-row repeat and I can always find some time to complete a set (I had plenty of time - the dust was unrelenting). I'm working the scarf in Rowan Lima, in a beautiful deep jade color that I would never have noticed had we not rearranged the yarns at Jessica Knits.

Which brings me to the morals of this story (there are two - there was only going to be one, but then the dust storm hit). The first is that it pays to look at things a little differently now and then, so we are moving yarns around in an effort to inspire and awaken your ideas about color. Our lines are being presented vertically when possible with an eye towards color groups and combinations. Silks, mohairs, merinos...they are all being presented to show the colorways off in their best light.

And the second moral? Always have a project in the car. In fact, just keep a small piece that's easy to pick up and remember in the car at all times. It's metropolitan Phoenix. We practically live in our cars. Inevitably we end up sitting in our car waiting for something to happen (or, in the case of the storm, to stop happening). So come in to Jessica Knits and we'll get you set up with the perfect car project - yarn, needles, patterns, project bags. When the next storm hits, you'll be prepared.

p.s. Just stepped outside. There's a lot of dust out there. Good thing I just crocheted a dust chamois cloth out of a yarn called PJ's that's on sale right now. It is just the thing for cleaning and polishing furniture and only took about an hour to make. We can show you how!

Declaration of Yarn-Dependence

That's right. Today, I officially declare my dependence upon yarn. Those of us who knit and crochet just can't get enough of it. Sure, we like a good needle (you should check out Jessica Knits' supply - we have a full assortment of Lantern Moon, Brittany, Pony and Skacel needles in addition to several other brands). But let's face it. It's the yarn that gets us every time. Right now, I'm working with Rowan's Lima and I'm not sure how I got by without it. It is spun happiness. I'd use every one of the beautiful colors, but I don't know how long I can wait before using Melange by Blue Sky Alpaca. I'm knitting as quickly as I can.

I'll probably stop just long enough to enjoy some barbecue on the Fourth of July. Besides, it will help me pass the time until Jessica Knits opens on Tuesday and I can see what other fiber is deserving of my affection.

Happy Independence Day!