We apologize, but we are closed until further notice.  Please sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about when we will re-open.  We hope you will show your support for our store by participating in our Ravelry group contest to finish up some UFOS!

You know its real when your LYS closes temporarily...

Is this the time we all have joked about?  Natalie instantly remembered the excerpt from The Yarn Harlot about why knitters have such a big stash:  "Then, after the yarn shop riots, when we struggled to defend our meager rations against the crochet marauders, because they ran out a yarn first because crochet is so fast. There's all of us, a whole generation of knitters just ripping and re-knitting and ripping and re- knitting, struggling somehow to make knitting possible in a mad maxesque, wool free, post apocalyptic world. But I think everybody worries about that..."   In years past, whenever there was a threat of a blizzard, we have been swarmed with knitters preparing for a few days at home.  For most, the LYS is just as essential as, dare we say it.. toilet paper.  This time things has been different; , there has been no mad rush to the yarn shop over the past 10 days.    This morning, Natalie thought about arriving early to steel herself for hoards of knitters who needed to beef up their yarn stash, but instead it was a very low-key day.  After reading countless posts and emails about shops closing, we are too, but  DON'T PANIC not for good!   Rest assured we will be here once things get back to normal!  Financially,  after being in business for almost 14 years, we are in a good spot.  What can you do NOW while we are closed to ensure we are here for many more years?  We have a plan!  We have a contest with prizes!  Of course, if you would like to order something from our online store you can here, or if you see something cool in a magazine in a yarn you know we carry, send us an email at knittingoffbroadway@hotmail.com or message us on facebook and we can make your yarn dreams come true.  We hope to try something new and feature two digital trunk shows next week AND we will announce a new Rowan Blanket KAL that we have decided to participate in.  When we heard many businesses going to online ordering only, we thought, hmmmm our customers love to come in and be inspired by whatever is new, or whatever the staff is knitting now.  You love to be absorbed by the shop and you never know what project or yarn will grab your attention next.  You love seeing what other customers are working on, you love showing the staff how much knitting you got done over the weekend, you may need a quick fix on your project... these are the reasons why we came up with a contest each and everyone of you can do from home!   We all say, "I have so much stash I can't buy anymore yarn till I knit some of it up" or "I have too many UFOs so I can't start something new".   We challenge you to finish at least one project (or heck start and finish) and with each project you finish made out of yarn from our store, you can enter to win one of 3 prizes.  Not all finished projects will be awarded the same number of entries (now is a great time to finish a Marie Wallin project or another old KAL project like this sweater). The deadline for the entries is April 6th, as of this date; however, it may be pushed back depending on when the store re-opens.  If the deadline is April 6, we will have the drawing on the 7th.  Entries must be submitted through our Ravelry group here, which is also where you can find details about the contest.  Stay safe, stay sane, stay healthy.  Thank you for your continued support!   We can't wait to see all of your finished projects!  Put  your money where your stash is and KNIT IT!!!!

So many knits to choose from!

It is hard to decide what we feature in our store, but we are thankful for who all helps us make it possible!  Our immense rotating sample selection insures that there is something for everyone to enjoy.  
 
Amber by Quail Studios for Rowan is an updated cross between a poncho and sweatshirt.  This season, Rowan came out with even more shades of their classic yarn; felted tweed.  We decided to have Brenda, one of our customers and sample knitters, knit it up for us.  To dress it up, we've added the Victoria scarf knit by one of our customers, Christy.  This scarf uses two skeins of a limited edition luxury yarn from Rowan made of silk and cashmere.  This yarn is truly a tactile experience, complete with either rabbit, or faux fur, pom poms!  Also, a thank you to her for adjusting the gauge to make it work!      

This newsletter is going to be a little different- it is featuring all the latest samples and trunk show pieces we have in the shop right now (but honestly, there were about 20 more we wanted to feature but didn't want to overwhelm you)!   Customers are always impressed and amazed at the mountains of knitwear and the constantly changing samples in our store.  We encourage customers to take photos of samples they like, because often, the sample will no longer be in the store the next time they visit; or, we won't know what they are trying to describe.  Natalie usually changes the front mannequins weekly, and sweaters in the shop may have a different scarf on them daily!   

If customers are not asking who knit all of the gorgeous samples, then they will ask if the items on display are for sale.  This is usually asked by new or non-knitters and our response is, "they can be, but in general they are for inspirational purposes only since most enjoy the  process of the making".   If the sample is one of Natalie's, she is happy to figure out a price for you which will include the cost of the yarn and a price per yard of knitting.  If the sample is older, or less complex, the price will be less than say a new Fair Isle sample.

 
Natalie had a great time knitting Odense, and Randers.  Both used slip-stitch techniques for fun, yet easy, knitting that makes a cozy statement.  

We also hear on a weekly basis, "I can never knit things that look as good as your samples".  Our response is, "yes, you can!!"  Number one: use the recommended yarn(s),  We do not recommend using cheap yarn for practice.  The bad thing with lesser quality or synthetic yarns,is that they will not block out (become more even and smooth once washed as the final step), and the process of knitting isn't as enjoyable, so you may never even finish, or when you do, it may not look it's best.  Your time is limited, and good yarn can be ripped out several times without compromising the quality.  Besides, knitting is all about enjoying how every stitch feels.

 
One of our regular customers, who loves Churchmouse patterns, knit  this sweater as soon as she saw it.  A few years later, we found the "perfect" yarn for it (QIng Melted Suri); now we have two of these pullovers on display.   The Riverine Scarf has been so popular all year long, yet Donna knit hers several years ago.  Sometimes things really need to sink in before we are ready to knit!   

  We  provide knitting classes (both private and group), and all of our staff love to knit.  They can answer quick questions, and help you select your next project.  If you purchase your supplies from us, our motto is 5-10 minutes of help is free (time permitting), but if you need more than that, please schedule a private lesson for $15 per half hour.  Most people improve by popping in and asking a few quick questions.  The more you knit, the better you will become.  It is like reading:  challenging at first, but in a year or so, it will be so easy that you will hardly remember what it was like before.  We also love "show and tell".  Not only is this is a great way to spotcheck your knitting, but it really does inspire us.  We can't knit everything, and it's fun and helpful to see what others are making.   

 
We are amazed at how well the Mistral wrap fits, and we love the over-sized pockets that hold modern day cell phones!   Denise (a long time customer who recently has become a sample knitter) knit this for the shop in one of the newest colors of Shibui, in their newest yarn, Nest.  If you are more inspired by wild knits, then the Jigshawl Brenda is letting us borrow is one for you to stop in and see!   

The trend is for simpler projects with amazing yarns.  Most people knit to relax!  We encourage you to try one or two new techniques per project, and in no time, you will be a proficient knitter!

 
Sometimes Natalie just wants to knit up something new and fun, like the Ms. Royalty and Stardust hat.  We have known Pam Powers for years, and we are thrilled with her new yarn line, Ikigai (Icky-guy).  We are thrilled with our biggest selection ever of both real and faux fur pom poms which  complete your project!  

We are in love with all the new Atenti knitting fabrics, bags, and baskets! Stop in often to see our rotating selection!  We have 3 more fall shipments to come!  You never know which fabric will call out to you!      The Bonnie shown on the left is a cute taller, narrower version of the classic overnighter shown on the right. Shawl Cuffs    Stop in and see our large selection of scarf/shawl cuffs!  We have many different metal and leather color combinations in four styles.