Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

I just wanted to thank all of you for a wonderful year. My dream came true and you were all a part of my dream. I have never had so much fun in my whole life having this store!

As you have all heard, Stacey is having to close her doors. I totally understand her decision and stand by her, but I'm not letting go of my dream. Now that I know I can do it, I am going to continue to do it with one of my sisters. Yes, I'm moving to Seattle. I would love all of you to come with me! I have met such wonderful people, but like Stacey, I need to move on too.
Annie, my sister, and I are so excited and we are already building a customer base there, they are needing a yarn store desperately. If only I could take Stacey with me! It is possible Encore will close by the end of February. If you need yarn or help after that, just email me at karengore@hotmail.com and come to my house! I don't plan on moving until March or April, when the weather gets better.

I will miss you all so much and I thank you for your support and helping me believe "I can do this!".

Knit Night Tuesday!!!!!!!

Join us Tuesday, downstairs anytime from 5 to 8 p.m. for something sweet, something warm

and knitting inspiration. Oh come on, bring a friend!

Are you ready for some Holiday Ideas?

Three needle felting ornament kits
Designed by my sister, Mary Triplett.

Here's your chance to get a taste of what needle felting is all about and make an adorable ornament at the same time! The eyes (which are only black straight pins) and foam are not included.


Another great gift idea for you or your sister knitter for under $20.......needle gauge necklaces. These gauges make beautiful necklaces and are also needle gauges....how cool is that??!!And don't forget........ stitch markers and small scissors are great gifts under $10.

An easy but beautiful pattern.....

A great scarf idea that takes a bit longer but turns out beautiful and doesn't look like the typical knit scarf........on one side of the scarf K3,P3 and on the other side K1,P1.
This make a beautiful patterned scarf!
Tie a small piece of different colored yarn on one side of the scarf so you don't have to guess
which side you are working on.

See you Tuesday for Knit Night!!!!!

A reason to GIVE THANKS!

Join us for our
After Thanksgiving Day Sale

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday

Spend $50, get 10% off

Spend $100, get 20% off

Spend $150, get 25% off

Spend $200, get 30% off

Spend $250, get 35% off

Spend $300, get 40% off

SAFF was fantastic!

SAFF was fantastic!!

This Alpaca has a black hairpiece!

The place was enormous, with so many things to see. The weather was perfect.

This little 4 day old pygmy goat was the hit of the show!

Eco Alpaca is here!
This is Baby Alpaca, all natural, no dyes and it is so wonderful! You have to touch it! You have to feel it! You have to knit something that can be touched at all times, so I decided to knit some mittens and cabled headband. Well, they were on display for one day.......needless to say, someone else wanted to touch it and bought the set!!

Denise Needles are in!
Whenever my sisters and I get together, which means having to fly, we always ask each other, "Did you bring Denise with you?" and we reply, " Of course!" We then proceed to shop all of the yarn stores in the area, bring back our treasures to whatever house we're visiting, and proceed to knit and talk for hours and hours and all we needed was Denise for whichever project we decide to do that day.
Denise is a pack of 10 sized needles, sizes 5 to 15, and they can be straight or circular. They are so easy to knit with and put together and I cannot imagine my knitting life without them. They will definitely be in my suitcase when I go to the Fiber Festival in NC in 2 weeks!
They are a bit pricey, but buying 10 needles comes out to far more than you would pay for Denise! They are also made in Virginia and I think are the best needle sets on the market!!!!!


Hope Everyone Has a Wonderful Halloween!!!

Yipppeee, sweater and scarf weather is here!!!!!!!!!!

New Store Mascot

First and foremost, I would like to thank my wonderful sister, Mary, for sending me this beautiful store mascot for my birthday. You can tell Mary put so much time into this. She has yarn hair, knit sweater, knit and cabled turtleneck, scarf, and shawl with beads. It is unbelievable! In her felted bag she has miniature patterns, a tiny hat in progress, a scarf in progress, and a shawl in progress. She is also carrying a little Unraveled shopping bag with yarn in it! Made with love, I will treasure it forever!

Here is the Squiggle 'School Spirit Scarf' I was telling you about earlier.
It is 6" wide and 80" long!!!
The free pattern is in the store and it is so easy to make with size 13 needles!
Machine wash and dry!

Craftober!
Don't forget Craftober....a fun month of crafting. Here are the Vintage Boxes we will be making!


Five inch double point needles are in for those small Christmas knitting projects!
Great for sweater ornaments, hat ornaments, or any
tiny project to hang on the tree!

Craftober!!!! Craft Classes all Month!

October 2, 6 to 8- Make your Own Cards Class $25
October 9, 6 to 8- Vintage Memory Box Class $30
October 16, 6 to 8- Whimsical Memory Boards Class $25
October 23, 6 to 8- Recycled Frames Class $25
October 30, 6 to 8- Fabric Memory Board Class $25

Since you already have your calendar out, here are other dates to remember!
October 16 thru 19- Fall in Love with US Sale
October 28, 5:30 to 8 Knit Night, Unraveled
October 31- Trick or Treat Trail
November 15 & 16- Annual Open House Weekend
November 25, 5:30 to 8 Knit Night, Unraveled
December 1-31- Shop Late Til 8 NIGHTLY
December 6- Christmas Parade
December 11, 5 to 8- Annual Mixer

So, this is Parker Posey in her 'stuck up' haircut and she is the reason I am so late with my posting.....seems she picked up a little stomach condition and will now have to be on a special diet for 2 weeks. You gotta love them!

For the School Spirit Scarves!!!!

Squiggle is in and when you combine it with the new Superwash Wool (coming in this week, which can be washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer!!), you will have great School Spirit Scarves.

Radford High School = Black Squiggle + Gold Superwash!!
Virginia Tech = Orange Squiggle + Maroon Superwash!!


New Hours!!!

We are now open Thursday until 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5. For that restful Sunday afternoon, what better way to rest than to knit!!

New September Class Schedule

I will still have a light schedule for September because it is so beautiful outside and I know you want to take advantage of the weather as long as possible. Most classes will be scheduled on Thursday evening and Saturdays and don't forget Knit night the last Tuesday of every month at the store from 5:30 to 8:00. We will have a light snack and coffee, but you're welcome to bring whatever you would like to drink if you're not a coffee drinker. Hope to see you there!!!

September 13th from 11-12 - Stitch Marker Class
September 18th from 6-7 - Stitch Marker Class
This is a beading class but very easy to do.....these will make great gifts for your knitting friends!

September 20th from 11-1 - Socks 1
September 25th 6-7:30 - Socks 2
September 27th 11-12:30 - Socks 2
If you're ready to knit with DP needles and if you're ready to learn socks, here's the class for you. Socks 1 will be the top ribbing and getting used to the DP needles, Socks 2 will be learning to do the heel and the rest of the sock. One sock at a time, easy sock pattern, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Please don't forget to register for these classes so I can be prepared for whatever supplies you may need.

Card Making!

Don't forget....come in any time and we will show you how to make cards. They are so fun and so easy. We have Sizzix, embossers, ribbons, neat paper, punches, stamps, stickers, heat guns, glue dots, brads, rivets, buttons, every fun tool you will need to make great handcrafted cards......we provide the tools, you provide the talent!!!! They make great gifts for someone hard to buy for and they are just so fun and classy to send. My mother is constantly saying "Karen, I need more cards."

Coming soon.......Craftober!!!

Flat Feet is/are Here!!!!!!!!!

Experience this new concept in sock knitting! Knit directly from the flat. No balls, no skeins, no tangles, you can even throw it over your shoulder as you knit!!! 80% superwash merino/20% nylon. Each flat makes a pair of adult socks, use any sock pattern! These are "art socks", no two are alike and the colors may yield diagonal colors, slight striping, or just a cool pattern!

This Week Only.......10% off the new Flat Feet!

Also, in my Free Pattern File is a super easy sock pattern that I found and revised a bit (I like about 5 inches of ribbing). I will be happy to help you when needed, but there will be a 2 part sock class coming up in September if necessary.

Beautiful lace yarn is in for you lace knitters.......this stuff is so fine (and I'm talking texture) and the colors are beautiful!

As of September, I will be off Sunday and Monday.....just doesn't feel like a day off when it's in the middle of the week......so....don't look for me on Monday. I am working hard on classes and trying to think of things you can make as Christmas gifts. Please give us a call and register for these classes, there will be an 8 person limit. There will be a fee for the Stitch Markers and Needle Felted Critters.

Needle Felted Critters
Baby Hats
Fingerless Gloves
Stitch Markers
Easy Socks
Easy Felted Purse

Getting Ready for Fall!!

Can you believe it? Can you feel it? Summer flew by and I'm preparing for the fall, working on a class schedule, and ordering, ordering, ordering!!!!!

Check out the little girl dress I made out of Silk Garden Sock Yarn (which is new for fall and we got it in early!). The pattern is from the book One Skein Wonders and it took a little more than one skein (since I increased the size) but I'll still have enough for a pair of socks too!!

The Peace Fleece stash is replenished this week and it gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing you're buying wool from a company who trades with the Soviet Union in hopes that through trade they can help diffuse the threat of nuclear war. The colors are beautiful.

This week, Berroco's Ultra Alpaca is in. This is a balance of luxurious alpaca and soft wool and the new fall colors are absolutely wonderful!!!

Also, Ultra Alpaca Light for the knitters who prefer lacier and lighter weight projects.

Oh how Sweet- Be Sweet arrived on Monday!

Artistic Yarn with a Conscience. That is the best way I describe this line of new yarns we got in Monday. The Magic Ball is our favorite with delectable colors and textures... almost like buying 5 skeins at a time!

Be Sweet offers shoppers true beauty. Proceeds from our high-quality handcrafted yarn and accessories fund a variety of projects, from supporting high school training programs to empowering disadvantaged South African women, with a world of compassion in between.

Get your Fix while you still can!

Our Cascade Fixation Yarns

are flying out the door like hotcakes.

Perfect for baby hats and socks this cotton yarn should be on your next shopping list!

Do not worry, we have ordered more... more colors and more of the same!

We're Not Trying to Pull the Wool over your Eyes... Promise!

But we do have new LOPI Wool that has arrived today.

Now equipt with Yummiest colors, they are just screaming for us to start felting!!!!

Shop from new colors including Chocolate, Celery, Maroon and Orange (Go Hokies), Navy and Golden Yellow. Hope you are feeling inspired...

Still Room in Kids Camp Next Week!

Kid's Camp is up and running! Today we made Monster Puppets and tomorrow we will enter
the world of beaded cameleons... Watch Out!

We are doing a replay next week and we still have room. Kids Ages 4-12 are Welcome!
Classes are $25 a day or a week for $75.

It was great meeting everyone at my Open House....I have come to find out (after years of being a non-social knitter, happy in my own home knitting into oblivion) that knitters are such friendly people!!!


Anyway....I am going to give you some 'Food for Thought". Think about getting away near the end of October, staying in a cabin in the middle of the woods with fellow knitters, good companionship, good food, and knitting, knitting, knitting...away from family, home, work, and the daily stresses. During the day visiting the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair, taking classes (if you want) or just wandering around the booths.....and then coming back to the cabin to relax, eat, and knit! We could rent a cabin in Black Mountain (on the outskirts of Asheville, they have great cabins to rent because I've done it!) and head down the road to the SAFF.

http://www.saffsite.org/

Check out this site and let me know what you think. I am going anyway, but thought it would be fun to have a group of knitters! Let me know if there is some interest and we'll do it!



Here's the little guy we will be needle felting on Monday, July 14th from 6-8 and Saturday, July 19th from 10-12. The kit will be $15 and will contain everything you need to make this guy. Please register for the classes if you're interested!

Bring some band aids!!!!!!

There is also a stitch marker class on Saturday, July 19th from 1-2, in case you're interested.
You will also need to register for this class.

Don't forget the Card Workshop on July 12th. Learn to use all of the tools necessary to make amazing greeting cards for yourself or friends!
10% off on that day!

So check out the new knitting needles at Unraveled!!
Handcrafted in Southwestern Virginia, painted with flowers, polka dots, and swirls!
The perfect gift for the 'hard to buy for' fellow knitter!

And don't forget the decorative stitch markers!
Frogs, angels, turtles, flip flops......cute little markers to replace the ugly plastic rings.
KNIT IN STYLE!!!!

Here is a great place to visit to check out a unique way to knit varying colors with
NORO SILK GARDEN

Got to http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2007/04/noro-scarf.html for a picture.


Looking forward to meeting you Saturday!
Free gift with every yarn purchase!

NORO Sock yarn is in!

And the colors are yummy!
Summer is a wonderful time to do light projects like socks.
Stay out of the heat and pick up those double points!

NORO Silk Garden is in!

How about another 'light' project for the summer!
Yes, it's another scarf, but it's silk and angora, let's start on those gifts early!

Upcoming classes and materials needed:
Monday: 6/16/08 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 6/21/08 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cotton Baby Hats
You will need size 4 or 5 double point needles and, if you prefer
knitting with circular needles, 16" size 4 or 5 circular needles also.


Monday: 6/30/08 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Stitch Markers
This is actually a beading class but it's related to knitting and will add classiness as you knit!
$10.00 supply fee for 3 stitch Markers

Don't forget open house on June 28th and Knit Night
at the Coffee Mill June 30th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.!

New Class Schedule!!!!

Click to download the latest schedule for June!

New Owner! New Classes! New Stuff!

Hello Knitters!
Boy do we have news for you...
The bad news is.... Jill left us in May. The GREAT news is that I, Karen Gore have purchased
Unraveled and have lots of NEW ideas and merchandise perfect for all you knitters!


Owning a yarn shop is a dream come true for me. Of course, my dream was supposed to be shared with my sisters... but one is in Seattle and the other in Salt Lake City. The commute would be impossible! My one sister, Mary Triplett, is a pattern designer and I am carrying her unique patterns in the store. I am hopeful that one day she will make a guest appearance and teach some classes! I can hardly wait!

It's only been one month but we have lots of things in store for you:

Open House- June 28 from 10-5
Join us for a sale, refreshments and lots of knit talk.
See our new products, new samples and, of course, meet me!

Free gift with each purchase! (In conjunction with Annual Sidewalk Sale!)

New Product

We have new products arriving daily including:

NORO

Debbie Bliss Tweeds

Denise Needle Kits

New Sock Yarn

Cascade Fixation- a must have for baby hats

. . . and much, much more.

*Please let us know if there are certain yarns, needles and books you would like to

see us carry... we are open to new lines if it means you'll buy them :)

New Classes
I will be emailing a class schedule in the next week or two, but here is a
preview of what we will be offering:

Cotton Baby Hats

I am the creator of the cute baby hats you see all over Encore.
NOW, you can pick your colors and create them yourself! The yarn is here,
the needles are here and the freepattern is in the store at this very moment.

Reversible Cable Scarf

Needle Felting

Stitch Marker
Make your own stitch marker. The "in" thing
for knitters. Create classy stitch markers out of
colorful beads. A quick and easy class.

Baby Sweaters

Learn to knit a cute baby sweater from the neck down
with no seperate piecing.
For the intermediate knitter, the surprise jacket.
Lots of increasing and decreasing and when you're done, it looks

like an old wash rag. Fold it right, sew shoulder seams and wala,
you have a cute baby sweater!

Shadow Knitting

Entrelac Knitting

Socks, Socks and more Socks!

I will be available in the afternoons, except for Wednesdays.
Please feel free to stop in with questions, suggestions or just to knit (or shop)!

Can't wait to meet you all,
Karen
karen@unraveledyarnradford.com

Knit for Pink!

As many of you have heard, we have a passion for pink in the store right now! Stacey and I are walking 60 miles for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. You can visit our team page to read about our training (and aches and pains :-)) or donate to the cause at:

http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/WashingtonDCEvent?team_id=38150&pg=team&fr_id=1192&et=pzBU_jPJa9oQjWnT1TXZzA..&s_tafId=6388

We have some light pink saucy yarn in now that would make a great dishcloth for someone you know that may have been affected by breast cancer. The link for the pattern is: http://knitwits-heaven.tripod.com/breast_cancer_awarenesst.htm

Felted Fortune Cookies!

http://indigomuse.blogspot.com/2006/01/felted-fortune-cookies_30.html

Check out this cool pattern for felted fortune cookies from Indigo Muse Knits Blog. Michael's in Christiansburg sells the Chinese take-out containers....I have some scraps of Cascade220 in a light ivory I think I will try with this pattern. I also have some dark brown alpaca, but nobody likes burned fortune cookies!!!!

New Berroco Sox yarn is in!

Check out this pattern from Berroco for their new Sox yarn. You could also make this in all white as a tree topper for the holidays. We have some new colors of Sox in (some are Hokie colored!). I am starting a pair of ankle socks...pictures to be posted soon!

http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/celestine_sox/celestine_sox.html

Knitting---my outlet for procrastination!

My most recent knits used 1 skein of Classic self-striping worsted yarn from Universal. One skein for $7.50 made two fingerless gloves and one hat. Talk about value!

Knit Night at the Coffee Mill is Monday, Feb. 26th 5-7. Opps! I got so busy talking and knitting last time that I forgot to give out the knitting prize! No worries! Coupons for all Monday night to make up for my forgetfulness!!

Another one skein wonder!

Check out this adorable bear made with 1 skein of plush yarn by Berroco.

Saucy Spa Cloths!

Indulge your Valentine with hand knit spa cloths! Red, pinks, & chocolate cotton yarn is in!

Tulip Toes!!!

Here's the link to the pattern for tulip toes that many of you have asked about. I used Berroco Comfort yarn from the store and knit these adorable booties up in just hours! Now I just need some cute baby feet to put them on............

http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTtuliptoes.html

Your patience has been rewarded!

Thanks for being patient with us as we waited for our new year's yarn shipments to arrive. Over 20 new yarns arrived today! Check out this new sock yarn! There are over 12 colorways to choose from to warm your chilly toes this winter! New to socks? We have open class time every Saturday from 10-noon to help you on any knitting project. Come by, say hi, & check out the new yarn!

We really do LOVE our customers! As part of our fall in love with knitting sale (Feb. 11-15th) send us an email (or post to this blog) with a photo of something you've knitted with yarn from Unraveled. We'll post your submissions to our blog to inspire other knitters and send you a coupon for additional savings during our February Sale! (send emails to Jill (jrex@vt.edu)).

Upcoming events!

Mark your calendars for our fall in love with knitting sale!! Februrary 11-15th. Buy 2 get 1 FREE on all knitting supplies, even sale items! Knit night is Monday, Jan. 28th from 5-7pm at the Coffee Mill. Come early to check out the new yarns at the store. Check out this new self-striping acrylic yarn! Great for hats, socks, scarves, and sweaters. We also have several fiber events coming up at the store. More information to come....when the dates and times are finalized.

Next knit night at the Coffee Mill

Knit Night at the Coffee Mill, Monday, Jan. 28 5-7pm. Free knitting prize given away each time! Come join us!

Websites to share...

I stumbled across this website today and thought I would share. Warm woolies knits for those in need and has a good selection of free patterns.

http://www.warmwoolies.org/index.html

Also, for those of you who aren't sick of the holidays....get started on next year's gifts with these elf inspired patterns!

http://droppedastitch.blogspot.com/2006/10/knits-for-elf.html
http://childrensbooks.suite101.com/article.cfm/easy_knit_elf_slippers


Have a favorite knitting website? Share it with the group by posting to this blog! Can't wait to hear from you!