New Knit-A-Long -- Don't Miss Out

We have started a new monthly Knit-A-Long (KAL) that you won't want to miss!  We will be walking you through a new pattern every month from Cascade Yarn's new 60 MORE Quick Knits, using sport weight yarn.  Each month Janet or Mary will pick a pattern from the book and step through the process in one two-hour class.  of how to complete it.

Next:  Pattern #21 Fingerless Mitts -- Monday, March 5, 11am - 1pm

Join us to go through some fun patterns in this book and get a head start.  We'll be here to help if you run into questions as you knit-a-long.

Super Sunday Sale!

Come join us this Sunday before the Super Bowl for a special sale!  We will be open on Sunday, February 5th, from 12noon to 4pm.  We will be offering 15% to 40% off -- draw your discount and save on everything in the store (classes excluded).

We're now open the first  Sunday of EVERY month.  Come and "hang out" with us and check out the latest yarns, books, and new project ideas!

Don't forget to check out our new class schedule on http://www.quilterscupboardiowa.com/knitting-next-door---ankenys-best-yarn-shop.htm

Look on the left side of the page.  Go to Calendar, and then go to View Entire Calendar.  Classes for both Quilter's Cupboard and Knitting Next Door (KND) are together on the calendar.  Look at the classes that start with KND.

We hope to see you soon!

Eat your Turkey, then join Knitting Next Door for a big sale!

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and/or friends.  Be sure to eat early, so you can join us for our annual Thanksgiving night sale.  We'll be open from 6-9pm, Thursday, November 24.  Come in, draw your discount from 15% to 40% to be used on all items except classes, then shop and find some great buys, maybe even a few Christmas presents or projects.   If you can't make it on Thursday night, we will be offering 15% off all yarn on Friday, November 25.  Put Knitting Next Door as a stop on your shopping list for Black Friday.  

We can't wait to see you.  Don't forget to stop by when you have some free time to sit and stitch with us!

A Big Thank You! Charity Knitting. UFO this Friday.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all you wonderful fiber artists (knitters, crocheters and more) who worked so hard to produce 184 purple hats for Blank Hospital's Period of Purple Crying Campaign!  184 hats!  We have such an amazing community!


Our next charity project is Drake-Knit for the Needy.  This is a winter project for Iowa Homeless Youth Shelters founded by a Drake University student.  Come in and see the details and help the youth stay warm this winter.


Don't forget to join us for the UFO Knitting Night this Friday, October 28, 5:30 - 8:00pm.  I have my UFO and costume ready.  How about you?

Upcoming Events at Knitting Next Door

Come join us!  We've got a lot going on!  


UFO Night - Friday, October 28, 5:30 - 8pm
Join us for a fun night to catch up and bring that unfinished project you stashed in the back of your closet.  Stop procrastinating and join everyone else who have unfinished objects (UFO) to complete.  Feel free to bring a snack and/or drink, and come in costume (optional) to celebrate the Halloween holiday.


February Lady Sweater KAL
Join us the 2nd & 4th Thursday of October, November and December as we make the February Lady Sweater.  The knit-a-long (KAL) is from 5-7pm.  Come and start anytime. We can all help each other along to completion. We will end with a February Lady Sweater party in February - must come with sweater on! Time to be announced. 


November classes:  We still have room in our November classes!  Check out our newsletter at http://www.quilterscupboardiowa.com/knitting-next-door---ankenys-best-yarn-shop.htm  and sign up today!

New Yarns Are Arriving

If you haven't been in the store for awhile, it might be time to make a trip to visit and knit. We are receiving new yarns weekly. The latest? Madeline Tosh Pashmina and Madeline Tosh Merino Light. Hurry in. It's going fast. We also received more specialty scarf yarn. We have three colors of Katia Rizos, and the Katia Triana in the blue/green is back, and Tinseltown. We have also recently received Cascade 220 Sport weight yarns in 12 colors and the early-release of the accompanying book, "60 More Quick Knits". Araucania Yarns has shipped us Panguipulli in several different colors that look like they're just waiting to have a sweater made with them. More Lana Bamboo arrived in new colors this year. Also, Queensland CaraCara is a beautiful mohair style yarn that would make a luscious shawl or wrap.

We'll hope to see you soon. Come in and sit and create for awhile.

Jodi’s Story – The Legacy Continues

Jodi wandered into our yarn store one day.  She had a beautiful, unfinished pastel yellow blanket in her hands and a look of sadness in her eyes.  Jodi’s story did not begin on a happy note.  She explained to the employees that her sister was pregnant.  Her mother was knitting this lovely baby blanket for the new arrival, but was unexpectedly taken from this earth, leaving the blanket still on the needles with more stitches and love to be put into it. 

Jodi felt overwhelmingly compelled to finish the blanket for her mother.  There was only one tiny problem.  She didn’t know how to knit. 

Jodi showed up at Knitting Next Door, mom’s needles and the unfinished blanket in hand.  She spent the next several days into weeks traveling to the yarn shop.  She gradually added stitches, then rows, sometimes with laughter and sometimes through tears.  I’ve never seen anyone as determined as Jodi was to complete a project.  She is an amazing woman!

Of course, this story does have the happy ending you were hoping for.  She finished the blanket in time for the delivery.  There were lots of tears, both happy and sad when Jodi presented the blanket to the new arrival, little Makenna Lin.

Jodi’s mother must have been an amazing woman, also.  She gave two gifts after her passing.  She gave the blanket to her daughter, Jill, for her new arrival, and the gift of knitting to her daughter, Jodi.  Jodi continues to knit today.