GREAT BALLS OF YARN'S KNITTY GRITTY

MADELINE TOSH DK MARA SHAWL

2012-01-27T05:11:00.000-08:00

Sharing is caring and to roll out our fantastic new collection of Madeline Tosh DK we're sharing this gorgeous free pattern with you! You will love the construction and drape of this easy to knit shawl. The ribbing makes it cling so cleverly and the spin of the yarn gives it incredible drape. Designed by Amy Hendrix for Madeline Tosh. Enjoy!

Yarn: 3 skeins of Tosh DK Needles: 1 US size 7 Gauge: 4 sts = 1” in stockinette
Cast on 5 sts. Knit 2 rows
Row 1 (RS): k2, yo, pm, k1, yo, k2.
Row 2 (WS): k to end. (7 sts total)
Row 3 (RS): k2, yo, k to marker, yo, slip marker, k1, yo, k to last 2 sts, yo, k2.
Continue working rows 2 and 3 until shawl measures desired width across.
Shawl pictured on page 1 measures approx. 46 inches in width before pleated edging.
Edging Row 1 : (WS) k to end.
Row 2: (RS) k2, yo, *k1, p1, repeat from * to marker, yo, sl marker, k1, yo, * k1, p1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, yo, k2.
Row 3 : (WS) k2, knit all knits and purl all purls to marker, sl marker, k1, continue k1, p1 pattern to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 for for 1 inch.
Increase row
Row 1 : (WS) k2, kfb of every stitch to marker, sl marker, k1, kfb of every stitch to the last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 2 : (RS) k2, yo, work k2, p2 ribbing to marker, yo, k1, yo, continue k2, p2 ribbing to last two stitches, yo, k2.
Row 3 : (WS) k2, knit the knit stitches and purl the purl to marker, sl marker, k1, knit the knit stitches and purl the purl to last 2 sts, k2. Repeat rows 2 and 3 for 4 inches ending with a RS row.
Finishing : Work a decrease bind off for stretch. Starting with a WS row bind off loosely.
* p2tog , return the st on right hand needle back to left needle, rep from * to end of row.
Block lightly if desired.

JOIN US FOR A BOOK SIGNING NEXT SATURDAY IN OUR STUART STORE!

2012-01-21T14:06:00.001-08:00

We're bathing in luxury this weekend up in our Stuart store on Florida's Treasure Coast! Join us for a book signing with Robin Turner, owner of Great Balls of Yarn and author of the beautiful brand new book, Recipes from the Gourmet Knitter. We'll showcase all the desgins from the book at the store this week so you can see first hand their construction and design. With over 27 proven and popular knitting patterns as well as 18 culinary recipes, there's something inside that will tempt most everyone's tastebuds. Robin will be up in Stuart from noon to 2 and better yet, all the yarns in the Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers collection will be on sale in the Stuart store through January 28th to celebrate our book!!

FREE FUNKY MALABRIGO PATTERN!

2011-12-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! Hope yours was a day of joy filled with family and friends! We fell in love with this clever and unusual design from Angela Tong. Made up in a soft, squishy hand-dye from Malabrigo in a washable yarn called Rios, this pattern is just so super cool that we had to share it with you! Enjoy! Love and Hugs from your friendly yarnistas and best wishes for a happy healthy new year ahead!
MATERIALS
2 skeins Malabrigo Rios (sample shown in Azules)
Size 8 needles
Finished length (blocked): approx 60 inches
Abbreviations: KFB – knit through front and back of stitch
MD (Make Drops): Cast on 9sts using backward loops method. K5, turn, slip 1 st knitwise, K3, turn, slip 1 knitwise, K2, turn, slip 1 st knitwise, k3 (to end). Then BO 9 sts.
DIRECTIONS
With size 8 needles, CO 2 sts. Knit 3 rows.
Row 1: K1, KFB (3 sts on needle)
Knit 3 rows.
Row 5: K1, KFB, K to end of row
Knit 3 rows.
Repeat this sequence 3 times until 7 sts are on needle.
Begin Increasing the Scarf. 
Row 1: MD, K6=7sts
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K1,KFB, K5=8sts
Rows 4, 5 and 6: Knit
Row 7: MD, Knit to end
Row 8: Knit
Row 9: K1,KFB, Knit to end
Row 10, 11 and 12: Knit
 Repeat rows 7-12 until you have 32 sts. To make a longer scarf, continue the repeats until your scarf is 50% of desired length.
Decreasing the scarf: 
Row 1: MD, K31 (or knit to end if scarf is different length)
 Row 2: Knit 
Row 3: K1, K2TOG, K29 = 31 sts (or knit to end if scarf is different length )
Rows 4, 5, and 6: Knit 
Row 7: MD, Knit to end
Row 8: Knit 
Row 9: K1, K2TOG, Knit to end
Rows 10, 11 and 12: Knit Repeat rows 7-12 until you have 6 sts total.
Continue as follows:
Row 1: K1, K2TOG, K to end then knit rows 2, 3 and 4. Repeat rows 1-4 until you have 2 sts, then bind off the 2 sts. Weave in ends and be sure to block all the leafy drops and steam gently into shape.

NEW COLOR-DRENCHED PRISM KITS!

2011-12-13T05:03:00.000-08:00

This could very well be the funnest knit I've ever made! Modeled by our beautiful NYC based babe, the lovely Miss Barbara, this colorful little number looks very complicated but I'm here to say it was a snap! I couldn't put down the needles once I started it. Called Silver Plumes and designed by Rick Mondragon from XRX, the shrug fits every body size. Really! You begin the base with five mitered squares, then the rest of the shrug is a simple 2 row repeat. We will be holding workshops in our stores to get you started and get you through, but I think you'll find the project just as easy as I did. The ever-changing colors and textures of the Prism Wild Stuff keeps the shrug interesting and imaginative. Pair it with dressy slacks or casual jeans and it will guarantee to turn heads. You'll love wearing it as much as you did knitting it!

MISSONI MANIA! FREE PATTERN!

2011-11-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

Looking for a pattern that looks fabulous, blasts your stash and can be adaptable for other creative uses? Then today's your lucky day! This Missoni-esque pattern lends itself to many uses. The key to a successful outcome is to make sure you use yarns that are all the same weight and a needle that corresponds with it. Hand-dyes and multis give the pattern even more interest! Cast on with an even number of stitches and change the yarn color every row. My next application for this easy and wonderful pattern is a blanket. While in Lake Como this summer I visited a Missoni boutique in Bellagio and found a lovely throw using this type of woven stitch. Missoni priced theirs upwards of $900 Euros. Mine will be made from a closet full of stash. Love it!
SCARF PATTERN
Sock Weight 1800 yards-Size 5 circular-CO 450 sts
Worsted Weight 1600 yards-Size 8 circular-CO 294 sts
Heavy Worsted/Chunky Weight 1200 yards-Size 11 circular-CO 196 sts
Abbreviations:
YFWD= Bring Yarn Forward to Front of Work
YB= Bring Yarn to Back of Work

Row 1 (RS): *K1, YFWD, Sl1, YB; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *P1, YB, Sl1, YFWD; rep from * to end.
Continue in pattern, whilst changing yarns every row. When scarf is desired width, BO with WS facing then weave in ends.
Choose to self fringe or pick up sts on each end with solid color and work a fold over hem in stockinette. Looks great on both sides. Bella!!

ALASKA KNITTING CRUISE WITH BARRY KLEIN and GREAT BALLS OF YARN THIS SUMMER!

2011-11-18T05:10:00.000-08:00

Great Balls of Yarn presents our 9th cruise...and this one will be like no other! If you've ever dreamed of visiting one of nature's most spectacular playgrounds, you will find it on our knitting cruise to Alaska. Fabulous fjords, glorious glaciers and picturesque ports await as you beat the heat of summer. Joining us is our very favorite host, the innovative Barry Klein from Trendsetter Yarns. We will depart Seattle on August 24th and begin our journey up to Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway all whilst passing through the Tracy Arm Fjord and Alaska Inside Passage. If you've never seen this part of America, you're in for a thrill! We'll also make an evening stop in Victoria, British Columbia, another amazing destination on the left coast. Barry will teach for two full days and as always will tempt you with the latest in his fall/winter line. A prolific author and designer, Barry is a patient, fun-spirited and super cool instructor. Non knitters, spouses, and significant others are always welcome! For deets, call our fantastic cruise agent Mara Hargarther at CruiseOne--1-800-2-LUV-SEA. PS We will be on the Celebrity Infinity, which right now is in dry-dock getting a complete overhaul. They call is a Solstice-izing, which means they are re-doing everything aboard the ship, including expanding the spa, adding more specialty restaurants, and renovating all the staterooms and amenities. We will be some of the first to see this ship as she debuts this summer! Dates, rates and the reservation form are downloadable on our cruise page.Rates are based on double occupancy and include all taxes and port charges for knitters. Non-knitters who join us pay a lesser rate and Mara can give you that info if you call her :)

SPARKLES, SEQUINS, AND GLITZ!

2011-11-11T05:06:00.000-08:00

Check out Miss Francesca in our new LucaTape Chanel jacket with corresponding accent purse. Perfect for upcoming holiday parties! LucaTape is a multi stranded, sequined yarn from Lucci NYC. LucaTape works up quickly on a size 8 or 9 needle and comes in a glittering array of colors. We have it in stores now with many other outstanding pattern ideas.

Also new from Lucci NYC is a bulky weight, multi-stranded mixture of glitz called Melange. One skein makes a fabulous ribbed caplet which was a popular pattern in out Stitches East booth. If you like to sparkle and shine, then stop in and see these gorgeous new yarns--they will dazzle you!

TOSH VINTAGE BABY BLANKET

2011-11-03T12:27:00.001-07:00

Another free pattern from Great Balls of Yarn! Now that Madeline Tosh has arrived in our stores, folks have been making so many beautiful projects with this "sandwashed" squishy soft superwash delight! Here's a great baby shower gift idea that's easy to knit and you'll be proud to give. Just two skeins makes an ample blanket for a very lucky baby.

MATERIALS
2 skeins Madeline Tosh Vintage
One 24 inch size 10 circular needle
GARTER and RIB PATTERN
Row 1(RS): Knit across row.
Row 2(WS): *K3, P3 repeat from *to last 3 sts, K3
CO 87 sts. Knit 5 rows. Work in two-row Garter and Rib pattern until almost all yarn is used, then knit 5 rows and BO loosley.
Lightly block to open up rib. Your little cherub will love it!

FEATHERED YARN FROM PAGEWOOD FLIES OFF OUR SHELVES

2011-10-29T05:30:00.001-07:00

What will our friends at Pagewood Farm think of next? They love to adorn yarns with embellishments like sequins, fabrics, flowers...and now feathers!! Stephi from our West Palm Beach store whipped up this fab scarf for her beautiful friend Paulette using just one skein of Pagewood Plumes. Neat-a-reeno!! They say feathers and furs are THE must-have for the season...and we agree!

SNEAK PEEK from our new book, RECIPES FROM THE GOURMET KNITTER!

2011-10-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

Are these just stunning or what? Here's a litte "taste" of what's insde our new book, Recipes from the Gourmet Knitter by Robin Turner. There are 25 more delectable designs plus 18 gourmet receipes to tempt your tastebuds! And you can make these fabulous projects! The patterns are clearly written for a newer knitter or for those who are returning to the fiber arts. Many of the patterns use exquisite luxury yarns from our Great Balls of Yarn exclusive, the Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers Collection. This season we're rolling out DELIZIOSO, a classic lana merino wool imported from Milan--the best part about Delizioso is: It's Washable!! An array of colors will dazzle you.Other yarns used in the designs come from our Yarnistas' Showcase category--you'll see easy to knit projects in Malabrigo, Trendsetter, Prism, AslanTrends and those sparkly Lucci Yarns in the the book. Divine designs! If you're at Stitches East in Hartford CT this weekend, look for three of our models on the runway at this Friday's Fashion Show. Plus, say hi to Robin at the Great Balls of Yarn booth this Saturday for our book launch and signing at Noon!! Recipes from the Gourmet Knitter will be in stores October 23rd.

RECIPES FROM THE GOURMET KNITTER by Robin Turner to Debut at Stitches East

2011-10-08T11:38:00.001-07:00

Great taste and fashion come together in this large collection of both knitting patterns and cooking recipes direct from the test kitchen of South Florida’s couture knitting boutiques, Great Balls of Yarn. In Recipes from the Gourmet Knitter, you’ll discover 27 stylish and relatively easy knitting patterns, coupled with 18 proven culinary delights that even the most discriminating palate will savor. Cooking and knitting are the kissing cousins of the domestic arts and this book brings the two together through vibrant, crisp photography and clean, easy-to-read instruction.

Feel comfortable and confident right away—the patterns are designed especially for newer knitters, or those recently returning to the fiber arts. Most patterns are fairly straight-forward without complicated stitches or difficult charts. An added bonus, many of the designs feature yarns from the Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers luxury collection as well as a few "showcase yarns," those special yarns we treasure from Malabrigo, Trendsetter, Prism, Lucci and AslanTrends. Retails for $19.99.

FREE PATTERN DAY! CLASSIC FORKED CABLE HEIRLOOM SCARF IN OUR LOVELY BOLIVIAN ALPACA

2011-09-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here's another heirloom project...and just in time for holiday gift making. Whipped up in our gorgeous Bolivian Alpaca from our exclusive Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers line, this luscious scarf will make a cherished gift that's suitable for either a gal or a gent. Choose from a variety of vibrant colors like this Cornflower Blue or opt for a more subdued hue in our neutral range. Either way, you'll enjoy knitting it as much as the recipient will enjoy wearing it. Bon Appetit!

MATERIALS
2 skeins Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers’ Bolivian Alpaca
Size 7 needles and a cable needle
DIRECTIONS
With size 7 needle, CO 39 sts. Work 10 rows garter stitch.
On Row 11, set up for cable rows as follows. K3, P3, K7, P3, K7, P3, K7, P3, K3.
Row 12: K3, K3, P7, K3, P7, K3, P7, K3, K3
Row 13: Repeat row 11.
Row 14: Repeat Row 12.
Row 15: K3, P3, C3B, K1, C3F, P3, C3B, K1, C3F, P3, C3B, K1, C3F, P3, K3
Repeat Rows 11 thru 15 until desired length.
Work 10 rows garter then BO loosely.
Weave in ends and gently block.

PS To all our treasured Jewish friends and families: L'Shanah Tovah!! xo

ENGLISH GARDEN STOLE

2011-09-21T07:34:00.001-07:00

Are these colors magnificent or what? When knitting on all these beautiful Trendsetter Yarns all I could imagine was a stroll we took through London's Green Park this summer. The olives, pinks, fucshias and mixture of colors in Trendsetter's Dune carries me back to that crisp summer day in July. We had a terrific time with Barry on our cruise to Bermuda--where we had a chance to play with all his new yarns from Trendsetter's fall collection--many of which are in this stole. Ask us for the pattern and we'll share this palette of color with you or you can create your own! Cheerio!

HEAVENLY HOLIDAY ANGORA SCARF

2011-08-31T10:02:00.000-07:00

Spoil yourself or someone you love with this luscious angora scarf--just perfect for the holidays, easy on the pocketbook and so so nice to knit. This pattern works up over a multiple of 3 stitches so you can easily transform the diagonal pattern into a super soft, scrumptious shawl. Enjoy!
MATERIALS:
2 balls Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers’ Heavenly Angora shown in Red (scarf).
1 set size 7 needles
GAUGE:
Gauge is not crucial but is 20 sts = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
DIRECTIONS:
Loosely cast on 24 stitches. Work 5 rows in garter stitch (knit each row).
Begin working lace pattern:
Row 1: K3, *YO, S1-K1-PSSO, K1* 6 times, K3
Row 2: K3, P18, K3
Row 3: K4, *YO, S1-K1-PSSO, K1* 6 times, K2
Row 4: Repeat Row 2
Row 5: K5, *YO, S1-K1-PSSO, K1* 6 times, K1
Row 6: Repeat Row 2
Repeat Rows 1 through 6 until scarf is as long as you desire.
Work 5 rows in garter stitch.

FINISHING
Bind off all stitches loosely. Weave in ends. Fill wash basin with lukewarm water and a dash of hair conditioner. Agitate very gently. Roll up in a dry towel. Lay flat to dry in shape. Angora will blossom and you will love it!!

POSTCARD FROM OUR FIELD TRIP TO "DYE" FOR--VISIT TO PRISM!

2011-08-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

What an incredible "Field Trip to Dye For!" Our crew of 45 ladies and one gent rolled out of West Palm on a coach to lovely St. Petersburg, located on the west coast of Florida. Everything went off without a hitch...including the air conditioner After a quick change into a newer, cooler luxury bus, we were on the road, knitting, chatting and enjoying the landscape. . Nice friends, an exchange of patterns and ideas along the way...we landed at the beautiful St. Petersburg Yacht Club where we enjoyed a delicious meal and fashion show while overlooking the busy marina. Laura and her team from Prism wowed us with her fall collection of stunning new hand-dyes.
A popular favorite, Delicato, flew off the shelves in a variety of hues. Laura's Delicato swing jacket, perfect for our Floridian climate was a hit!! Super easy to knit, flowing with drape, and luxurious to wear, it was no wonder we snatched up almost every skein she had set aside for our group. After our lunch, we journeyed over to Laura's studio where we gave us a tour and explained her dying process What a treat--we all felt so special--Laura doesn't open her doors too often. Her business is bustling and we were delighted that she chose to share this time with us. While inside it was like Loehmann's on Black Friday--the crowd jammed the warehouse, with the girls trying on all kinds of beautiful sweaters, shawls, and accessories. The color? Everywhere and simply intoxicating!!
What a fun and exciting day we had. Special thanks to Laura, Matt and their welcoming staff for graciously hosting this most memorable event. Really a special day! PS--If you're interested in seeing more photos from our trip, Friend us on Facebook at Great Balls of Yarn.

THE SUMMIT SHAWL--INSPIRATIONAL PATTERN

2011-08-14T06:26:00.000-07:00

The team at Great Balls of Yarn constantly scours the marketplace for the latest and greatest in yarns, patterns and ideas. Recently, Mandie Harrington's Summit Shawl design captivated us with its unusual structure, drape and versatility. Right now it's on my needles as I work it up in Madeline Tosh Pashmina. I'm using the color pecan and am just delighted with the results. We placed a ginormous order with the folks from Madeline Tosh and expect to have the Pashmina and Sock delivered in a few weeks.
We think that a Great Balls' favorite, Blue Heron's Rayon Metallic is another fabulous choice for this pattern, adding a glint of sparkle and gracious drape. This pattern is a keeper and it's free to download from the Knitty.Com e-based magazine. We'll be conducting workshops on this project in the fall so if you have an interest in it let us know!

FREE PATTERN DAY--GORGEOUS LADDERED SLIP STITCH SCARF

2011-07-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

This is one lovely and versatile pattern that works beautifully on any hand-dyed or spaced-dyed yarn. As you can see from the picture, the front is as pretty as the back of the work too. We used Malabrigo in the colorway Snowbird to create the lovely scarf pictured in red to the right; but really, the pattern lends itself for baby blankets, shawls or even sweater knitting. Prism, Schaefer, and Lorna's Laces all produce ideal yarns for this. Simply follow the pattern exactly as it's written and if you choose to enlarge it, simply use a multiple of 6 with 3 selvedge stitches on both the beginning and end of the needle side to create a sleek border. Thanks to our friend Linda for the pattern and Enjoy!
MALABRIGO LADDERED SLIP STITCH SCARF
Two skeins (218 yards) Malabrigo Worsted—sample shown in Snowbird
Size 9 needles
Cast on 30 sts then follow pattern exactly.
Row 1 (RS): K3, *Sl3 purlwise WITH YARN IN FRONT, K3* to last 3 sts, Sl3 pwise WITH YARN IN FRONT. (Please note that all slip stitches should always be slipped purlwise, with yarn in front; this will be referred to as just “Sl” in the rest of the pattern.
Row 2 (WS): K3, *P2, K3, P1* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 3: K3, *K1, Sl3, K2* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 4: K3, *P1, K3, P2* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 5: K3, *K2, Sl3, K1* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 6: K3, *K3, P3* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 7: K3, *K3, Sl3* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 8: K3, *K2, P3, K1* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 9: K3, *Sl1, K3, Sl2* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 10: K3, *K1, P3, K2* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 11: K3, *Sl2, K3, Sl1* to last 3 sts, Sl3.
Row 12: K3, *P3, K3* to last 3 stitches, Sl3.

Knitting the first 3 stitches and slipping the last 3 stitches with yarn in front on every row will create smooth selvage. Repeat until desired length & bind off. Weave in ends and gently block.

JOIN US FOR OUR FASHION SHOW, FIELD TRIP, and LUNCHEON AT PRISM YARNS THURSDAY AUGUST 18th!!

2011-07-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

It’s not too often we’re allowed to see the dying process from behind the scenes…on this field trip we’ll enjoy a fabulous luncheon at the Tampa Bay Yacht Club, complete with a fashion show featuring Prism’s beautiful new fall designs. Afterwards, we’ll head over to Prism where Laura will give us a tour so we can see how they create all their gorgeous hand-dyed yarns. They will have scores of garments for you to try on AND the best part is you can purchase Prism yarns and kits and save 15% off that day! Cost for the Luncheon, Fashion Show, Tour and Transportatin is $60. Space is limited so register today by calling 561-651-1225 or stop in at any GBOY location!

NEW WEARABLE ART KITS FROM IRISH DESIGNER MAGGI JACKSON

2011-06-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

When visiting our annual buyer's market a few weeks ago, we rediscovered the captivating designs from Irish Designer Maggi Jackson. Maggi, who has designed with linen for years, has recently kitted her creations, making them affordable and easy to embrace. All the kits come with gorgeous hand-crafted buttons and accessories...and just the right amount of corresponding yarns. The directions are well written and easy to understand. What I loved most about knitting the one I have on, though, was how the patterning and yarns changed. Perfect for ADD knitters like me!! Couldn't wait to get to the next row!! We will host a Knit-a-Long every Wednesday morning in our stores for those of you who join in the Maggi Mania. For a complete listing of kits that are available and for specific color combos, ask any of of our friendly Yanistas and they will show you a complete selection Plus, if you buy 2 or more, we will take 20% off your order. When you're making a treasure this unique I ask: Who can knit just one?!!

FREE STASH BUSTER PATTERN!

2011-06-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Here's the Stash Buster Scarf! The woven-looking fabric this stitch creates lends itself to scarves, afghans, kimonos, shawls--whatever!! The best part is that is uses up all your stash. It's fun watching the colors meld into a tapestry. Addicting! MATERIALS--About 350 yards of various worsted weight yarns
Size 11 needles
Note: Pattern works best when you begin and end with a wool blend so that you can block edges to keep scarf from rolling.
CO 220 sts. Work in 4 row pattern, changing yarns every row until work measures 8 inches from bottom. Bind off Knitwise on Row 4. Fringe as desired.

WEAVE PATTERN
Row 1: *Knit 1, YIF, Slip 1, YIB, Knit 1, repeat from * to end of row
Row 2: Purl all stitches
Row 3: *Knit 2, YIF, Slip 1, YIB, Knit 1, repeat from * to end of row
Row 4: Purl all stitches

The more you mix up the colors the more interest it has. Try variegated yarns mixed with solids, combine textures and toss in some novelties--have fun!

HAND-DYED SILK AND DUNE SUMMER STROLLER

2011-06-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

Our Miss Anne did it again! Here's another glorious knit that we will debut at TNNA this weekend. Created with Pagewood Farm's new hand-dyed silk ribbon and Trendsetter's Dune, this on-the-bias shawl feels great and looks great! Pair it with slacks for a movie or wear it over a dress for on a night on the town. Either way, you're friends will want one too. Lots of colors and easy to knit!

ANNE'S REGAL RIBBON PAPARAZZI PONCHO!

2011-05-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

You're seeing it first right here folks! This beautiful design, created by our very own Anne from WPB, uses a combination of Pagewood Farm's new Paparazzi and hand-dyed silk ribbon. This will be debuted at the National NeedleArts convention in June where yarn companies from all over the world come to exhibit their latest and greatest...this will certainly be tops in the fashion show. Look for more designs with Pagewood's glittery and fun Paparazzi from GBOY in the next few weeks!

NEW TECHNICOLOR BLANKET!

2011-05-14T04:03:00.000-07:00

On the lookout for an unusual baby blanket pattern? Well this one will capture your imagination. Designed by Frankie, you can whip up this little number for the favorite bambino in your life or choose to make an even more unusual circular version. Supersize it like the one pictured here on the couch or make a mini version for a beloved pet. Using a yarn that has super long color way tracks like NORO or a favorite superwash of mine, Moochi, the yarn itself creates all the magic!We teach this technique in our Technicolor Blanket class. All you need to know before registering is how to do a basic knit stitch. Learn something new this summer-it's fun and it's a confidence booster to produce such a beautiful result!

NEW SILK RIBBON WITH FLOWERS COMING SOON!

2011-05-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

Check out this lovely new yarn from our friends at Pagewood Farm! It's the most unusual and beautiful specimen we've seen so far this spring! Pagewood, long know for their hand-dying talents, has branched out into the novelty world in the past year and we think this new yarn will be THE sensation at our annual buyer's market this June. We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Pagewood to design new patterns for this fabulous hand-dyed silk ribbon. The ribbon will be available in two options--plain as well as in matching colors adorned with bejeweled flowers and sparkly musings. Look for us to unveil this fun new yarn as well as the patterns soon! We will be the first store in the country to have it and we thank Robin Page and her team at Pagewood for the honor and opportunity!

DIANE'S POTPOURRI WRAP

2011-04-27T09:00:00.001-07:00

One of our best designers, the lovely Diane from our Stuart Store has headed back up north for the summer but before leaving she gave us this brand-new design that she worked up in our Potpourri. This clever little number can worn as an accent to dress up an otherwise dull top OR can be used as a shawl to protect us from over-zealous air conditioning units which we find so often down here in South Florida. Either way you slice it, your wrap will be a one-of-a kind piece because each skein of Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers' Potpourri is just that. Choose to make it with our without sequins. Takes just a skein and a night to knit!

YOUR "CAN DO" SURE DID!!

2011-04-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter and Passover to all! We just want to thank everyone who donated to Great Balls of Yarn's Food Drive!! With your help and support we donated several hundred pounds of non-perishable food items to both the House of Hope up in Martin Country as well as to the Center for Abused Women and Children of the Great Palm Beaches.Both of these well-serving non-profits are run by a team of volunteers who cater to the needs of less fortunate women and children who are in at-risk situations. Your donations were so appreciated and we thank you for taking the time to donate!!

We CAN DO IT Sale!! Save up to 30% Off and Help a Great Cause!

2011-04-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much snowbirds for a terrific season here in South Florida. We've had a fun season of fresh ideas, new designs, and it's always sad to say goodbye til next year! While you're cleaning out your pantry and packing for the trip back up north, we're asking you to consider helping the less fortunate by donating canned goods which we will deliver to women's and children's shelters here in our neighborhoods. The sale works like this...for each can of food that you drop off at our store we will take 10% off your total yarn purchases through April 17th. (Maximum discount of 30% but you may donate as much food as you like.) It's a great way to help yourself to terrific yarn bargains and help someone in need at the same time! Thanks again and safe travels--please be sure to email us pictures of your completed projects. And, as always we're just a phone call or email away with any help you may need!!

POSTCARD FROM THE GREAT BALLS OF YARN CARIBBEAN KNITTING CRUISE!

2011-03-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

We had just shy of 80 lovely ladies join us for this year's Annual Caribbean Cruise aboard the sensational Celebrity Eclipse. Love love love that ship! Mara outdid herself again this year with stellar accomodations and a sunny itinerary to the Western Caribbean where we visited exotic ports of call in the Cayman Islands and Mexico, and Honduras. The group enjoyed two full days of project based classes, a yarn marketplace, fun demonstrations and great camaraderie among other knitting enthusiasts.
Barry wowed the crowd with three awesome classes--a Chanel jacket worked up in three different Trendsetter yarns, a Flamenco shawl which took our breath away, fun with novelty yarns, and also a gelling class where we bleached our final project before dropping the stitches to create a gorgeous stole.
New for this year was our Pajama Party where we took another class on reversible cables then all watched Mama Mia and sang to the hits of ABBA. Can't wait to see you all again soon and please email us pictures and we'll add them here!! xo Robin

CARIBBEAN KNITTERS!

2011-03-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

We had a super contingency of knitters who joined us from the greater Washington DC/northern Virginia area....as well as our favorite Lucky Leprechaun Linda from Las Vegas who has cruised with us before with her handsome husband Steve...

Gail and Andi...our sweet Barbarella from Montreal, the chicas bonitas from Mexico, the lovely Miss Evelyn (queen of Aventura) and our two beautiful belly dancers from Queens, Miss Nancy and Miss Karen. Everyone had such a fun time catching up--many of us have cruised together before. Even our Cruise Agent Mara learned how to knit this time!! Go Girl!!

TRENDSETTER TRUNK SHOW with Special Appearance by Designer Barry Klein!

2011-02-28T07:54:00.000-08:00

Join us for a week-long celebration of Trendsetter Yarns! Barry Klein, perhaps the most innovative designer in our industry flies in from Los Angeles this afternoon to host a series of trunk shows in all our Great Balls of Yarn locations. We'll begin the tour Tuesday in Stuart, Wednesday in Aventura, Thursday in Boca and wrap it up Friday in our West Palm Beach location. Barry has sent us about 20 boxes of fabulous, new Trendsetter Yarns that will add sparkle and shine to everyone's life!! His designs are fresh, fun, ruffly, bedazzled, colorful and easy to knit! Choose from a new twist to the Classic Chanel Jacket to a Latin-inspired self-ruffling Flamenco wrap. There's something for everyone! If you happen to be in Boca on Thursday night, join us for a cocktail reception and hors d'oeuvres from 6 to 7:30. Enjoy the free pattern for the mitered scarf pictured here! This a a fun pattern designed and written by Karen Baumer.

Instructions (uses 3 balls of Tonalita on size 9 needles)
Cast on 1 st. Row 1: Inc into stitch (2 sts) Row 2: Inc into first stitch, K to end. (3 sts)
Repeat Row 2 until one side edge of your triangle (i.e., not the “live” edge on the needle) is as wide as you want your scarf. About 5” is good, but skinnier or wider works too—it’s up to you. Now start your short row sections: Short Row Section: Row 1: Inc, SSK (or SKP throughout, your choice), turn. Row 2 and all even-numbered rows: Knit Row 3: Inc, K1, SSK, turn. Row 5: Inc, K2, SSK, turn. Row 7: Inc, K3, SSK, turn. Continue in this manner, increasing by one stitch in every odd-numbered row between the inc and the SSK (you won't actually need to count because you will always be SSK-ing the two stitches on either side of the gap that forms from your turn on the previous row).
Work until you've SSK-ed the last two stitches of the row. Next Row: start over at Row 1 of the Short Row Section. Continue working Short Row Sections until your scarf is almost as long as you want it. Once you have completed your final Short Row Section, proceed as follows--
Decrease Row: SKP, K to end. Repeat Decrease Row (i.e., decrease at start of *every* row) until you have one stitch left. Snip yarn and bind off stitch. Weave in ends and add fringe, if desired
For the last Triangle: Work as with previous triangles until 1/2 of the stitches are on the right needle and 1/2 of the stitches remain on the left needle. Instead of starting each garter stitch ridge with an increase, start the ridge with a decrease (i.e., K1, k2tog). Continue to work the decrease in the "middle" of the row as before, and after making this second decrease, both needles will have the same number of sts. When 6 sts remain, work as follows: K1, K3tog, turn, k2 k3tog, turn, k1 K2tog, cut yarn & pull through last remaining loop.

ABBREVIATIONS
Inc = knit into front and back of stitch
SSK = slip next two stitches individually as if to knit, put tip of left needle into slipped stitches and knit them together
SKP = slip one as if to knit, K1, pass slipped stitch over

SUSIE'S SENSATIONAL SHAWL

2011-02-13T08:01:00.000-08:00

Love Love Love this beautiful shawl created by our always talented Susie in Aventura. This girl has never met a yarn she didn't like and wow--she liked this soft, luxurious Great Balls of Yarn exclusive, Bolivian Alpaca. The pattern has a few short rows in it-but don't let that intinimidate you--the short rows give it the lovely drape. Just follow it line by line and you can make this gorgeous project in one of 20 delicious colors!

LUCA TAPE DESIGNS ON EXHIBIT FROM LOVE OF KNITTING MAGAZINE!

2011-02-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

This is just one of many new and exciting designs from Nancy Boccuzzi from Lucci Yarns...gorgeous isn't it!? Knitted in the jewel-inspired Luca Tape (see image to the right for a closer look), the Azure Shawl is an elegant, easy to knit design that uses just 3 skeins for an amazing result. Fabulous! We think the Luca Tape is some of the most inspiring yarns of the season--the yarn does all the work!

LIVE! FROM NEW YORK! It's Great Balls of YARN at Vogue!

2011-01-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

Before...and after!!! Great Balls of Yarn appeared at the Vogue Knitting LIVE Show in NYC over the weekend as thousands of knitters jammed the marketplace and class sessions at the New York Hilton. What an amazing undertaking. You gotta love the yarn biz--We literally trucked up a mini store from Palm Beach and opened it within just a short few hours. Exhausting, exhilerating and inspiring! If you could have seen all the wonderful designs and projects that folks showed us. Everyone seemed to like our new additions to the Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers line too. It was so great to see so many of our friends up in the Big Apple--sending special shoutouts to Sally, Gail and Andi, Linda, Bara, Harriet, Marni,Steffie and so many more.
We loved to reconnect with Doris Chan--we're big fans and love her new book, Amazing Crochet Lace. Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by and supported us and shared their awesome ideas--great fun meeting so many fantastic knitters and making new friends...the 10 degree wintry days may inspire some of you all to come visit us in sunny South Florida! xo!

ROBIN TURNER GOURMET FIBERS TO DEBUT NEW YARNS AT VOGUE KNITTING NYC

2011-01-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

If you happen to be in New York City this weekend, stop in and see us! Great Balls of Yarn has taken four booths at the Vogue Knitting LIVE show which will open Friday night at the New York Hilton in midtown. All the cutting edge knitwear designers from around the globe will be there as well as the industry's top educators. We're honored to be a part of Vogue's inaugural show and can't wait to see the upcoming trends at the gala fashion show. Of course we'll bring back fresh ideas to our loyal knitters and hope to inspire a few people while we're there as well.

In our booth you'll be the first to preview 5 new additions to the Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers line...Argentine Handspun, Summerfun Buttons and Bows, AngelHair, Rustic Cotton (my favorite) and Milana Cotton, pictured here in our latest design, Martha's Vineyard Weekend Sweater. We're the only store in the nation to carry these goodies and we're sure they'll become endeared staples in our chain of gourmet knitting stores when we return to South Florida. Say no to snow and we hope to see you there!!

CAROL'S ENTRELAC EXPERIENCE-SHE DID IT!!

2011-01-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

When you work in retail, we usually hear from folks when something goes wrong...well this nice note was from a lovely customer thanking us for doing something RIGHT! Yay Team!!

Hi Robin,
Just took the entrelac scarf class with Susie on Friday at your Aventura store. I've been wanting to learn this technique but always thought it would be too complicated and tedious to learn. Susie is a great teacher and I have "Conquered the Art" in just 2 hours. The photo shows my work in progress. I'm having so much fun!!!!!!!! Thank Susie for me. Most Sincerely, Carol

P.S. Thank you for opening a store in Aventura. All the staff are competent, patient and fun to work with.

Dear Carol--Thanks for the kind words about our Susie and our Aventura team!! I know they appreciate it--and keep up the great work on the Entrelac!! It's a fun technique--I'm working on a toddler's poncho using it right now. Cute!

We've just updated all our class schedules through the new few months. If you're interested in empowering yourself with a new technique, download a schedule by clicking http://www.greatballsofyarn.com/classes.htm or stop in at the store closest to you. Happy Knitting

THRES'S PIUMA GOLD SHAWL!

2010-12-28T07:49:00.001-08:00

We have the sweetest lady that comes into our West Palm store almost every day. Her name is Thres and she has made no less than 4 of these shawls, including rescuing a friend's project. Pictured here is another Great Balls of Yarn sweetheart, Barbara, modeling Thres's latest creation. Thanks Barb!! This shawl uses 5 skeins of Piuma Gold, a fun mohair novelty yarn with sparkly metallic eyelash in it. Perfect for a festive evening out during the holidays! Piuma Gold comes in a lot of colors and we will gladly give you the pattern with the purchase of the yarn:) Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Fulfilling 2011. May all your dreams come true!! xo

FREE PATTERN DAY! MAX'S HOUNDSTOOTH BLANKET!!

2010-12-08T04:57:00.001-08:00

The favorite kid in my life will soon be packing his bags and heading for college up north. So to prepare for his departure to the Big Apple I decided to make him a few items to remind him of the comforts of home. My son Max really wanted a warm and cozy blanket and loved the feel of our new alpaca line; and being in New York City the colors had to be black and grey. When toting this cuddly concoction between stores, customers have loved the pattern--a reversible masculine houndstooth--so I thought I'd share it with you all on this chilly Florida morning. Thank you Anne for the pattern!! Max is going to love it!! xo RT

Max's Houndstooth Blanket Finished Size 50" by 72" (He's tall!)
Materials
10 Skeins Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers' Bolivian Alpaca Light Grey (A)
10 skeins Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers' Bolivian Alpaca Black (B)
One 36" size 10 circular needle

DEFINITIONS--Note Pattern is worked in a multiple of 3 if you want a different size.
YIF= Yarn in Front
YIB= Yarn in Back
S1= Slip one stitch purlwise
HOLD 2 STRANDS OF YARN TOGETHER THROUGHOUT PATTERN.

With A cast on 201 sts.
Knit one row.
Begin 4 row pattern as follows and work until desired length. Finish by working one more additional row in A, then BO all sts loosely.

HOUNDSTOOTH PATTERN SEQUENCE
With COLOR A
Row 1: *YIF, S1, YIB, K2; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2: Knit across row.
With COLOR B
Row 3: *K2, YIF, S1, YIB; repeat from * to end of row
Row 4: Knit across row.

If you follow this pattern exactly it makes a nice tight selvedge up the sides. It's also a great pattern for a gent's scarf and looks handsome in beige and chocolate brown.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to All!!

LEARNING TO DYE FROM THE MASTERS OF MALABRIGO

2010-11-19T10:19:00.001-08:00

Every yarnaholic has their fiber of choice. And many agree that the saturated and unusual colorways created by the masters of Malabrigo make it the Dom Perignon of yarn. Our South American Knitting Adventurists had the time of their lives learning to dye with Antonio at the artisan studios of Malabrigo in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Owned and operated by a wonderfully loving family, Malabrigo is a phenomenon onto itself. These kind folks opened their arms to us with home-baked cookies and a delightful tour of the mill before we got down and dirty with dye.
Twin brothers Marcos and Tobias, along with their sister Carla and her husband Antonio made us feel so special! While the brothers pretty much run the business side of the house, it's Antonio's artistry, combined with the fabulously soft merino wool sourced from the Uruguayan countryside that has garnered Malabrigo a reputatuion no other company can duplicate.

Donned in two pairs of gloves, one to protect our manicures, the other to protect us from the heat, we explored the facets of the color wheel; how the yarn takes the dye based on hydration; and how to overdye skeins for a most interesting result. Antonio, whom I call the Rock Star of Yarn, was so gracious and patient with each of us. We all dyed a skein of Malabrigo Sock, a superwash merino coveted by many.
If any of us were displeased with our individual color results, Antonio, like Claude Monet himself, transformed the otherwise common-looking skein into a work of art.
Professionally trained as an architect, Antonio knows better than anyone I've ever met how to combine colors to create popular mainstays in their line like Loro Barranquero and my personal favorite, Deja Vu. Thank you all so very much for your warm hospitality and for giving us an experience of a lifetime! ¡Nosotros queremos!

Our South American Knitting Adventure Continues . . .

2010-11-19T08:30:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you what an exciting time we all had on our journey to South America. After we visited the ASLANTRENDS mill, we travelled across the Argentine countryside to an estancia, a working farm, and enjoyed a day in the fresh air. We were met by La Gaucha Bonita and her friends. By far and away their empanadas were the best on the trip! Muy Delicioso!! We were greeted with folk musicians and dancers who performed for and with us :) And the barbeque . . .well everyone knows Argentina is famous for its beef. What a magnificent spread. After lunch we set up a yarn market and Nicky taught a knitting class al fresco, which was divine, the warm spring afternoon was a welcome change from the Floridian heat and humidity.
After our class, we had a surprise from Angelo: a sheep shearing!! Our gaucho clipped him by hand-no electric shears here! The sweet ewe was grateful for the haircut and was immediately transformed to a blonde from a brunette. Great day!

Greetings from Argentina!!

2010-11-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

Bienvenidos a Buenos Aires! Here is your first postcard from our Great South American Knitting Adventure with Nicky Epstein! Our whirlwind trip begins with our 49 ladies and 2 gents touring the mills of ASLANTRENDS, a super modern, all-encompassing mill located in the suburbs of BA! Here are a few inside peeks of how the mill operates. Francisco, with help from his son Marcos, took our group through the entire process of how yarns are manufactured.
There were huge bins of raw materials like this purple and blue blend pictured above. A machine takes the raw materials and spins them into yarn form. If the yarn is more complicated or stranded with another fiber, for instance, it goes through another series of spinners. From there the yarn is dyed, dried, assembled into indiviual skeins, labeled, inspected for quality control and packed for export. ASLANTRENDS is a large, modern operation that exports an enormous quantity of yarn throughout the world each year--and many of their products are made right in this mill. As Nicky pointed out during the tour, this mill is especially unique because they implement all facets of the process--not just dying, for example. Thank you to our friends at ASLANTRENDS for the fascinating tour! Our group walked away with a better appreciation for all the work that goes into making their beautiful yarns that we love to knit!

"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT CASHMERE!"

2010-10-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

That's exactly what a customer told her friend while checking out our new Bolivian Alpaca from the Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers collection. Great Balls of Yarn debuted this amazing new yarn just a few days ago and it is flying off the shelves! Sourced from Bolivia from the bellies of alpacas that can only be sheared once a year, this luscious DK weight yarn blossoms as you knit it. Right now we have a nice selection of lovely scarf patterns available for free download on our pattern page. Use it single-stranded on a size 7 or double it for a delicious afghan on an 11. Either way you will find yourself falling in love... Choose from 22 complementary colors!

TRES CHIC BOLIVIAN ALPACA BERET--FREE PATTERN DAY!

2010-10-14T14:34:00.000-07:00

Ohh La La Luscious! This timeless classic makes an indulgent and affordable holiday gift. Taking just one skein of our beautiful new Bolivian Alpaca from Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers, you will enjoy knitting this as much as you will love wearing it!

TRES CHIC CABLED BERET
MATERIALS
One Skein Robin Turner Bolivian Alpaca (220 yds)
Size 5 and 7 16” circlular needles, Set of size 7 double pointed needles
Gauge = 6 stitches per inch over cable pattern on size 7 needles

DIRECTIONS
Using size 5 needle, cast on 120 stitches, place marker and joing the round taking care not to twist the stitches. Row 1: *K1, P1 repeat from * across round. Repeat row 1 until brim measure 1 1/2".
Increase row: *k3, m1 repeat from * to end of row, 160 stitches. Change to larger circular needle and knit 1 row.
BEGIN CABLE PATTERN
Rounds 1: *k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k8, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2 repeat from * to end of round.
Rounds 2-9: same as round 1
Round 10: *k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, CB8, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2 repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat rows 1-10 until bereet measures 4 1/2" from cast on. Try to end on either a round 1 or 10.
Next round: work pattern and place a marker every 32 stitches.
Decreasing for the crown -- just remember as you decrease to keep in the cable pattern rounds 1-10.
Decrease rounds: *k2tog, work in cable pattern until 2 stitches before next marker, ssk, slip marker repeat from * to end of round.
Even rounds: Work in pattern across round.
Repeat the last two rounds, working 2 less stitches between every marker, every other round until you have 8 stitches between each marker.
Next round: *k2tog twice, ssk twice repeat from * to end of round.
Work one round even.
Last round: *k2tog, ssk repeat from * to end of round.
FINISHING
Cut yarn leaving 4" tail. Pull tail thru remaining stitches and weave in ends on the underside. Weave in ends at the cast on edge.

Please Note Abbreviations Before Knitting:
K: Knit
M1: Make one. (Simple increase)
CB8: Slip next 4 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in back, k4 and then k4 from cable needle.
SSK: slip next two stitches as if to knit, place left hand needle into the front of these stitches and then knit them together.
K2tog: knit two stitches together
PM: place marker
SM: slip marker

CAROL'S ARTISTIC CREATION USING PAGEWOOD FARM'S HANDSPUN BOUQUET

2010-10-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Carol, one of our talented customers from Aventura made these adorable twin scarves for her grandchildren. She took two different skeins of Pagewood's Handspun Bouquet and put them together to make a truly artistic creation. This popular yarn has come in and flown out with three different shipments. Look for a trunk show from Pagewood later this month! Keep up the creativity Carol and thanks for sharing the idea!!

SEQUINS, SHINE AND GLITTER!

2010-09-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

As dusk begins sooner and the air gets cooler, we have the holidays on our minds. I just love the look of hand-knitted stoles that glitter and shimmer with originality...the perfect accessory to dress up a pair of slacks and simple top. Your friends will ooh and aah! Take the same premise, make two identical panels and voila-you have a ruana! Another Great Balls of Yarn original pattern--make it up in a flash!

FREE PATTERN! PENN STATE STADIUM SCARF!

2010-08-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

OLGA'S AMAZING LA BOHEME SHRUG!

2010-08-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

This is perhaps the best new design I've seen in a long time. My favorite Moskowite Miss Olga created this original design as a gift to her mother-in-law (lucky lady!) using Fiesta's La Boheme. Soft, lofty, light and luscious--this pattern worked up fast and easy and used only 3 skeins of this hand-dyed delicacy. Look for new colorways in the LaBoheme to arrive in stores soon!

MEET THE HOLLYWOOD DIVAS!

2010-07-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Now here's a beautiful crowd! We just want to say thank you and a big shout out to Brigitte and the Hollywood Divas for visiting our new Aventura Store! We enjoyed meeting you all and hope you had a fun time learning new chart-reading lace techniques from our magnificent Moldovan, Miss Elena! We appreciate you spending your Saturday afternoon with us and also want to wish the beautiful Veronica a happy 26th birthday! Looking forward to another event with you all, xoxo from the GBOY Girls!

FUNKY CHUNKY HOLIDAY SCARF! FREE PATTERN-ENJOY!

2010-07-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

Get a Jump on Holiday Gifts with this free pattern! Don't let short rows scare you--this fun little number knits up easily by following these directions. We used Malabrigo held doubled throughout, but any worsted yarn held doubled will do!
Materials:
MALABRIGO DOUBLED 2 skeins of Amaroso
Size US 11 (8 mm) Gauge: 3.5 sts = 1” in K1, P1 rib
Finished measurements are 5”-6” wide and about 52” long

Important:
- Slip first st of every row knitwise
- w&t = “wrap and turn”
- When wrapping – wrap tightly

CO 20 STICHES
ROW 1-7: Slip1, p1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to end
ROW 8: Slip1, p1, [k1, p1] 4 times, yo, [k1, p1] 5 times = 21 sts
ROW 9: Slip1, p1, [k1, p1] 4 times, w&t; yo, [k1, p1] 5 times; =22 sts
Slip1, p1, [k1, p1] 4 times, w&t; yo, [k1, p1] 5 times; =23 sts
Slip1, p1, [k1, p1] 4 times, w&t; yo, [k1, p1] 5 times; =24 sts
ROW 10: Slip1, p1, [k1, p1] 4 times, w&t;
yo, [k1,p1] 4 times, w&t; [k1,p1] 4 times,w&t;
yo, [k1,p1] 3 times, w&t; [k1,p1] 3 times,w&t;
yo, [k1,p1] 2 times, w&t; [k1,p1] 2 times,w&t;
yo, k1,p1, w&t; k1,p1, w&t;
yo, [k1, p1] 5 times, hiding wraps and ending at outside edge = 29 sts
ROW 11: BO 9 sts in rib pattern, p1, [k1,p1] 9 times (do not hide wraps) = 20 sts
Repeat ROWS 1-11 until the scarf measures 52” (or 12 “petals”) or until the desired length, ending with ROW 7.
Repeat ROWS 1-2 and BO all sts in rib pattern.

NOW THAT'S A CUTE TOP!

2010-07-17T08:02:00.001-07:00

Coming soon from our German friends at Gedifra...Fiorista Fino! This adorable top that our resident model Miss Fran is sporting is THE perfect choice for a hot summer project. The long colorways do all the work with this light-weight, breathable cotton blend. Tremendous colorways and affordable too! Look for the new Gedifra yarns and inspiring pattern books in stores any day.

POTPOURRI WITH PAILLETTES!

2010-07-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

Check out this stunning sequined shawl! Our Potpourri with Paillettes has garnered the attention of glitz lovers alike! There is no other store that carries this unique and fun yarn to knit with! A note about the paillettes, gently slide them into the desired place, then knit the next stitch. The large sequin will fall to the knit side. The diagonal patterning on this stole really shows off the lines of gold paillettes beautifully. Give it a try-you'll be addicted!! And your friends will ask where you got such a gorgeous accessory... Our Stunning Sequined Stole pattern is free when you purchase any skein of Potpourri with Paillettes! Lots of colors to tempt you!

LUCY'S LAVISH SEKKU STOLE

2010-07-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

Take a peek at Aventura's lovely Lucy before she heads off to college. This talented gal whipped up this AMAZING shawl in Noro's Sekku. The long, luscious colorways of this Noro laceweight make up into a casual, yet elegant dichotomy of color, texture and style. Lucy, our youngest GBOY Yarnista, never hesitates to take on a challenge. The more complicated the pattern, the more she can't wait to start on the project. Sweet Lucy, you are a treasure and we're going to miss you while you're away at design school. Best of luck and lots of love to you!

FREE PRIMA PIMA PATTERN! ENJOY!!

2010-06-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

Every mother-to-be would love to add this classic blanket to their child’s layette. Knitted in our Great Balls of Yarn exclusive PRIMA PIMA from Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers, this blanket is soft, washable, and looks pretty on both sides. Makes a wonderful gift to create and receive! Finished Size 24 by 30”. Over 35 colors to Choose From! Stop in and our Yarnistas can SuperSize this pattern if you wish to make an afghan for yourself from one of our other luxurious yarns!

MATERIALS
5 skeins Robin Turner Back to Basics PRIMA PIMA
Size 6 circular needle

With Size 6 needles, CO 100 sts. Work 5 rows in seed stitch.
Establish pattern within seed stitch border as follows: Work 5 sts seed, 90 sts in basket pattern, 5 sts in seed. Work in pattern until piece measures 29 inches from beginning. Work five rows in seed stitch across row. BO loosley. It helps to place markers between pattern and seed border.

PATTERN STITCHES

SEED STITCH: Two Row Repeat ROW 1: K1, P1 to end
ROW 2: P1, K1 to end.
BASKET STITCH: Multiple of 10 sts
ROWS 1 thru 5: * P5, K5, rep from * to end of row.
ROWS 6 thru 10: *K5, P5, rep from *end of row.

CHRISTMAS WILL BE HERE IN A BLITZEN!!

2010-06-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

I'm always one to pack an hour before takeoff. But a few folks I know like to plan ahead...so our forward thinking Yarnistas have the holidays on their mind. We found these exquisite Christmas stocking kits and thought they'd be a fun summer project. The vibrant, primary-toned kit appeals to youngsters and the other embellished, beaded kit is truly an heirloom your family will delight in and cherish. What's even better is that if you don't have time to knit this yourself, we'll do it for you! Take a peek at our selection--you'll find both tradition and whimsy to tempt you--and each stocking can be personalized!

Take $10 off if ordering before June 30
GOOGLEHEIM KITS $49.99 Finished size 26" tall
HEIRLOOM KITS $99.99 Finished size 23" tall
The kits come with everything you need to knit them--beads, angora, metallic threads--the works. All needles are sold separately.

Take $20 off if ordering before June 30
KNITTED GOOGLEHEIM KITS $169.99
KNITTED HEIRLOOM KITS $199.99
If ordered now, the knitted stockings will be delivered well before Thanksgiving. Simply choose your style, colors and give us the name to be monogrammed and it's as simple as that! Phone orders welcome and we'll ship them for free.

Aren't they beautiful?! And so-ho-ho-ho- fun to make!! Click Here to see our catalogue!

Great Balls of Yarn Debuts the Malabrigo Magnifico Decorator Throw!

2010-05-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

This is my lovable Pomerian Mister New. It's short for Agnew, as in Spiro T. Anyway, this little feller has a cozy new spot on our Malabrigo Magnifico Decorator Throw! This super easy to knit (yes, a caveman could do it!) afghan works up fast on a size 15 needle. We paired Malabrigo's Rasta along with their popular sock yarn to create this natural beauty. My son says it's his favorite and you can see Newey agrees. With the unique colorways that Malabrigo creates, the possibilities are endless. Ask us for the pattern!

FREE PATTERN DAY! EASY LACE SCARF!!

2010-05-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

What could be more sublime? The soft hand of Malabrigo Merino or the sumptuous hand-dyed colorways their artisans create? This easy, four row pattern bridges those two fine attributes, yielding a stunning result. If you enjoy Malabrigo, check out our knitting adventure where we'll travel to Urugary this November--we will learn to hand-dye our very own merino right there with the artists. Neatareeeno!!

MATERIALS
2 skeins of Malabrigo Merino Worsted
Size 9 needles
CO 38 sts. Knit 3 rows. Begin lace pattern.
Row 1: K6, *YO, K2, SSK, K2TOG, K2, YO, K1; rep from * to last 5 sts, K5
Row 2: K5, purl across row to last 5 sts, K5.
Row 3: K5, *YO, K2, SSK, K2TOG, K2, YO, K1: rep from * to last 6 sts, K6
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Continue in pattern until desired length. Finish with an odd row. Knit 3 more rows. BO loosely, Block scarf lightly to open up lace pattern.
Note: SSK is a decrease: slip next two sts as if to knit, one at a time to the right –hand needle. Insert left needle into the front of these sts then knit them together. Also, we slipped the first stitch of each row, giving the scarf an attractive side edge.

Don't be afraid of lace--it only looks harder than you'd think--take one of our classes and you too will find it a breeze!

YOU'LL LOVE LITORAL-LITERALLY!

2010-05-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

Check out this adorable yet sophisticated springtime cardi, knitted by Miss Harriet in our Boca Store. It was whipped up quickly on large needles using ASLANTRENDS' new Litoral, a fun hybrid between a smooth elegant yarn and fun novelty. Comes in fabulous colorways--ask us for the pattern! Also, check out the copper shawl pin--it's knitted! You can learn to make it at one of our classes offered in West Palm Beach by the talent Rochelle!!

POSTCARD FROM STITCHES!

2010-04-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Atlanta! This was sent in from Anne and Stephi, just a few of our dynamite GBOY Yarnistas who travel far and wide for great educational opportunities like the innovative classes at Stitches! Say hi to Anne, Stephi, Enid, Debbie, Marny, Leslye and Stanley as they strike a pose for us back here at the store. Have a great time girls and we're eager to see and hear about all the new stuff you've discovered up there!! xo!

Join Us on Our Knitting Trip to Buenos Aires and Montevideo!

2010-04-16T12:44:00.001-07:00

What do the tango, fine wines, Nicky Epstein and fabulous yarns have in common? Well, that could be you, my dears! Great Balls of Yarn is the first store we know of to bring this incredible trip to you. Join us for the Great South American Knitting Adventure this November as we journey to Argentina and Uruguay. On our trip you will learn how our friends from ASLANTRENDS create their wonderful alpaca yarns at their state of the art mill. We'll also ferry over the Rio de la Plata to visit our friends at Malabrigo where the artisans there will teach us how to dye. That's right! You'll get a chance to dye your very own Malabrigo Merino! The divine Miss Nicky Epstein will join us for all the fun and teach project-based classes from her new book, Enchanted Expressions. Coupled with all this fantastic stuff are interesting excursions, a tango night, tours of historical sites and other fascinating activities! Visit our website at www.greatballsofyarn.com for details! Hope you'll join us on this trip of a lifetime!!

NEW NORO ARRIVALS FOR SPRING KNITTING!

2010-04-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

The wonderful, imaginative world of NORO! Known for its long, luscious colorways, NORO just rolled out its cotton/silk spring line. Choose from AYA, a soft, DK weight blended with cotton, silk and a wee bit of wool for memory. Or, the most unusual offering, FURIN, pictured in colorways here--is a fun blend of silk, cotton and a rayon slubbed thread. This textured yarn works up fast on a size 8 needle. SEKKU is a lightweight cotton/silk yarn that's unplied making it a great choice for summer sweaters or delicate lacework. You'll delight in the color and always yield an interesting result with this popular product from Japan!

FREE PRISM PATTERN!

2010-03-10T09:20:00.000-08:00

THE GLAXAXY BOA! This wide ribboned loopy metallic yarn whips up easily to create a work of fabulous fabric jewelry! Right now at four of our Great Balls of Yarn stores we're presenting a slew of spring designs from Laura Bryant and Prism Yarns. Stop in and experience the color, texture and fanciful yarns that only Prism can create! For other free Prism Patterns, visit their website at www.prismyarn.com.
Now thru March 31 Take 20% off All Prism!!

Designed by Laura Bryant
Size: 1 (2) approx 2” x 54” (2” x 80”)
Materials:
2 (3) skeins Prism Galaxy
Size 13 needles
Note about joining Galaxy:
To maintain the beauty of this wide ribbon, join strands
only in a stitch, not on a loop. To join invisibly, lay the new
end about 1” over the old end so the strand is continuous
and then sew with sewing thread through both layers,
back and forth several times. Knit as if it were one strand.

Loop Stitch:
Knit first stitch, but leave stitch on left needle. Bring
yarn to front of work between needles, wrapping yarn
around thumb of left hand; pull loop to approx 2 ½”
(loops need not be precisely the same), then bring
yarn to back of work. Knit stitch on left hand needle
again, drop loop and remove stitches to right hand
needle. Now, lift first stitch on right hand needle over
second stitch—locking loop in place. Work a loop
stitch in every stitch.
Boa: CO 4 sts. Work loop stitch on every row to end
of yarn. BO on last row.

Great Balls of Yarn Knitting Cruise . . . . Fun Sun and Knitting Adventure Departs Miami March 5, 2011!!

2010-03-03T09:59:00.000-08:00

Join Great Balls of Yarn as we welcome Barry Klein and a secret guest designer aboard the brand-new Celebrity Eclipse! This beautiful floating vessel of splendour will depart the colorful city of Miami on March 5, 2011 and will journey to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Honduras. Known for its impeccable service and sumptuous spa, the Celebrity Eclipse offers many amenities including a landscaped LawnClub sundeck, Aqua Class healthy dining, and several themed gourmet restaruants. We already have about 40 people signed up for our 6th Great Balls of Yarn cruise and we're a year away!! Barry Klein will again teach all his latest techniques with the industry's most imaginative yarns by Trendsetter! Many different cabin categories and rates are available. Feel free to call our friendly Travel Agent, Mara Hargarther at 800 258-8732 or visit www.greatballsofyarn.com/knittingcruise.htm for a Registration Download and more information. Look for us to announce our Secret Guest Teacher Soon!!

ONE FANTASTIC SWEATER!!

2010-02-24T08:20:00.001-08:00

Is this sensational or what?! Take a look at our favorite vet, Dr. Nancy Mettee, in a fantastic original design using Berocco's Vintage Wool and Lattitude. The Baby Alpaca Grande fringe from Plymouth though, transforms an ordinary vest to something that would earn a gold medal on the slopes at the Winter Olympics!! Dr. Nancy is one of our special customers, she works with the sea turtle rescue initiative here in South Florida. If you live here you will know that our winter has been unusually cold, harming our hard-shelled friends. Dr. Nancy and her colleages have rescued hundreds of these endangered turtles and are working to return them to our beautiful turquoise waters. What a wonderful and rewarding thing to do!!

TRENDSETTER TRUNK SHOW FEBRUARY 4-6

2010-01-26T08:29:00.000-08:00

We are so glad to see the glitz and glamourous yarns coming back into style this spring. While organic and natural are like the granola of knitting; beads, sequins, and metallics are the Beluga caviar! Barry Klein, the Marc Jacobs of knitting, will join us the week of February 4th for four great trunk shows to exhibit his new yarns from Milan. You will love their unique textures and appreciate the color coordination between fibers. The yarn pictured here, SOLEIL, will be featured in the next Vogue Knitting. SOLIEL has wooden beads and leaves strung throughout. Interesting!! Great pattern support makes this spring line a winner!

I'M FROM HEAVEN!!

2010-01-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

Surprising how adorable the easiest patterns can be! We made this easy-knit, easy-care baby blanket using Plymouth Heaven and Mondial Pallino. Knit in all garter stitch, we used two different sized needles and two differently gauged yarns, which yielded a fun, rufflled fabric. Download the free pattern from our website and you can make one in your favorite colors!

NEW HABU KITS DEBUT EXCLUSIVELY AT GREAT BALLS OF YARN!

2010-01-08T05:51:00.000-08:00

Over Thanksgiving I went to visit Takako in her showroom up in NYC's Garment District. Oh what a fun time we had at HABU! After exploring some of their most unusal Japanese novelties, our team of yarnistas designed some innovative and easy to knit kits that you will not see anywhere. Take a peek at Our Spanish Moss Shawlette. This pattern is done up in a simple garter stitch and when our customers first saw it, they fell in love with the light airy paper yarn. Our kit comes in two sizes--one for the Shawlette and one for a sensational wrap. Both super cool! Also new for this month is the ITO PONCHITO-pictured to the right. Another super easy garter stitch knit. Very unusal...and comes in navy, wine, black, white and olive colorways. Inspiring!

FREE PATTERN DAY!

2009-12-05T09:51:00.000-08:00

Whew! It's been a busy month! The snowbirds are back, the stores are buzzing and the holidays are upon us. Our talented Susan from our Stuart store whipped up this adorable pattern in Plymouth's Jelli Beenz and we thought, tis the season for sharing--so here's a free pattern for you to enjoy!

MATERIALS
Plymouth Jelli Beenz 1 ball each of 5 colors
(We used 6896--light yellow pink blue (A), 6029—baby pink multi (B), 0450—spring green mix (C), 6793—baby blue pink multi (D) and 1309—purple mix (E))
Size 8 needles
Gauge is 4.5 sts per inch.

Pattern (14 row repeat)
Row 1 & 2 Knit
Row 3-14 stockinette stitch

DIRECTIONS
BACK With color E, CO 54 sts. Follow 14 row pattern as listed above. Change to
color D and repeat 14 row pattern. Change to color C and repeat 14 row pattern. Change to color B and repeat 14 row pattern. Change to color A and repeat 14 row pattern. Continue stockinette stitch pattern with color A until piece measures 12 inches, ending with a WS row. Divide for back neck and follows: Knit 16 sts, join new yarn and bind off center 22 sts, knit remaining 16 stitches. Continue working both sides at once with separate ball of yarn until back measures 12 ½ inches. Bind off.

FRONT Work same as back until piece measures 10 ½ inches, ending with a WS row. Knit 19 sts, join another ball of yarn and bind off center 16 sts. Working both sides at once, dec 1 st each neck edge every other row 3 times—16 sts each side. Work even
until piece measures same as back. Bind off.

SLEEVES Make 2 With A, cast on 28 sts. Begin stockinette stitch, inc 1 stitch each
side every 6th row 5 times and every 4th row 4 times—46 sts.
Work even until 8 inches from beginning. Bind off.

Finishing Sew right shoulder seam. With right side facing and color A, pick up and knit 64 sts along neck edge. Work in stockinette stitch for 5 rows. Bind off loosely. Sew left seam, including neckband. Sew in sleeves and sew sleeve and underarm seams.

POSTCARD FROM ARGENTINA

2009-11-02T12:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Becky, Judy Morris, Rochelle, and Robin...

This is a milestone day for me--I have finished my first garment--the Noro Polo Sweater is ready to be worn around the globe! I couldn't have done it without all of you. You taught me how to knit, and held my hand throughout the process. I'll be forever grateful...I will miss you for the next several months, but when I get back in February, I will be charged up and ready to take it to the next level--Cabling, Decorative Edges, Fair Isle, Crochet.... Have a terrific holiday season to all of you Ladies. Fondly, SUSAN

Miss Susan, We are so proud of you! Tremendous Job WELL DONE!! Thanks for your nice note. We are going to miss you but enjoy the tango, the Argentine beef and the hunky South American "landscape"!! Come back and see us soon, love the GBOY Yarnistas from Sunny Palm Beach!!

HABU JAPANESE FIBERS COMES TO GBOY OVER HALLOWEEN WEEKEND!

2009-10-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

How exotic it this easy-to-knit cardigan whipped up in Habu's paper and silk? Perfect for a South Floridian climate, Habu Textiles will simply blow you away with their curious and fun to knit fibers. Choose from textured silks, stainless steel, pineapple fiber, paper, hemp and other interesting and texturous yarns. Takako, who owns Habu will be here in three of our stores for a personal appearance which is truly a special treat in itself! She will teach Japanese pattern reading classes during her visit. There's been a bunch of interest so if you'd like to sign up, please call and reserve your space today. The class is $20 and you will find it fascinating.

Japanese design is timeless, streamlined and lucky for us, easy to knit! This sweater to the left is made in easy rectangles over stockinette. A cinch! You'll be able to touch, feel and try on over 60 different projects. Everything will be sold in kit form and will be discounted 20% for the weekend. So see you in the stores October 29th (my bday!), 30th and on Halloween!

SOUTHWEST TRADING COMPANY FASHION SHOW!!

2009-09-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

Check out this sensational Mariposa Shawl, knitted in SWTC's new Yin and Yang--a duo of sequin-encrusted wool/silk/bamboo blended fibers in an array of fabulous colors. This is just one of thirty new patterns that will be on display at all our store locations beginning Wednesday September 30th. You'll be able to see their fall line of gorgeous designs--AND you can try them on to see if you like the fit, the yarn and the pattern! Meet Johnnie and Jonette from Southwest Trading too! They will travel all the way from Arizona to meet and greet our wonderful customers! If you go to our homepage at http://www.greatballsofyarn.com/ you can see and download photos of all the garments that are coming our way. All SWTC Yarns will be 20% off during the Show!

SWTC Fashion Show Tour Schedule

Wed. Sep. 30 AVENTURA

Thurs. Oct. 1 BOCA RATON

Fri. Oct. 2 DELRAY BEACH

Sat. Oct. 3 WEST PALM BEACH

Mon. Oct. 5 STUART

Come in and see us!! :)

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION!

2009-08-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Yay!! We're Open!! It's been a long hot summer but our friends in Broward and Miami/Dade Counties now have a gourmet knitting store to call their own. Check out our beautiful brand new store in Aventura!! Now that's a color wall!

LOOK WHAT'S "NEW" IN AVENTURA!

2009-08-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

This is one of our GBOY mascots, Newey the Pomeranian, helping us set up our fifth Great Balls of YARN store in Aventura! Located just south of the Aventura Mall on Biscayne Boulevard, our new store is footsteps from the legendary Bagel Cove Deli! Yum! We hope to serve knitters and crocheters alike from Fort Lauderdale down to North Miami. The store is shaping up nicely and we hope you"ll love it as much as we do!! Look for our grand opening soon!

PHOTOS FROM THE YE OLDE YARN CRAWL!

2009-07-24T05:56:00.001-07:00

Hello Mates. Been a long time! We just got back from spending the month travelling the UK as well as the "continent." What a fun, fiber-filled journey! As you know, we are always on the lookout for new, cutting edge ideas, trends, and products to bring back to sunny Florida. We sure found them and made some friends along the way. We touched down in London town on the first leg of our tour. Met two great gals at I KNIT LONDON, a cozy shop located behind Waterloo station. The shop, owned by two clever blokes, was well stocked with books and many intricate lace samples. Plus, they serve chilled lagers in there--just like we do! Great minds think alike!!

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS

2009-07-23T06:12:00.000-07:00

We took the train to the picturesque beach community of Brighton, located on the English Channel. There, we were delighted to find a knitting nook called PURL. Chock full of luxurious yarns, this store featured fantastic sweaters knitted up in many different high-quality yarns. I stocked up on lots of British knit magazines and enjoyed exchanging ideas with Debbie, the owner, and her adorable mum. Debbie was preparing to teach a group of young schoolboys how to knit, which impressed us. Thanks for the puppy fix, too, Deb!

STASH

2009-07-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

We ventured out towards Wimbeldon to make a stop at STASH, located in Putney, a neighborhood in southwest London. My husband and I were most impressed by how well-merchandised this store appeared. Michelle, one of the owners, graciously gave us a tour. She's an American and actually visited our Boca Raton store, which was really cool for us!

These girls, like us, really love the luxurious stuff. The best sample in there, to me, was this fantastic Koigu shawl in the front window. Again, another intricate lace project that was indeed heirloom-quality. Everyone at Stash was super friendly, making this stop worth the train ride!

GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME JOOLS!

2009-07-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

Our last stop was at the famed department store, Liberty, located in the bustling shopping district of Regent Street. My sister-in-law and I tore this store apart, as they were having a humongous sale. Even if you don't knit, Liberty is a must-see if you visit London. Great designer clothes, scarves, and oh man the handbags! Wow!

Tucked upstairs is the haberdashery department that Rowan leases. Of course we admire Rowan yarns and their excellent patterns, but the jewel of the store was Miss Jools, who welcomed us with her beautiful smile and effervescent personality. Jools used to work with perhaps the industry's most famed colorist, the great Kaffe Fassett. In fact, she knitted several of the designs in Kaffe Knits Again, pictured here. Come across the pond and see us!

HERE'S WHAT WE BOUGHT AT MARKET FOR YOU!

2009-06-26T07:22:00.001-07:00

Well, the whirlwind of TNNA left us dizzy and excited about what's new for you!! We came. We saw. We conquered. The consensus was this: No More Boring Yarns!

Trendsetter, always a GBOY favorite, had the coolest, newest stuff that will dazzle you. Here's a picture of Barry and me. He allowed us to have fun in his booth trying on his new designs like this hot little number worked up in Kashmir (oh so soft!) and Harley, a yarn that featured dangling chains. Very cool!

Audria looked smashing in this elegant and fun sweater, which too, was trimmed in swirls of Harley. Really innovative! Trendsetter has always led the industry into the future with new novelties. While the other companies tend to duplicate their efforts, Barry is always one step ahead, developing new ideas for us to enjoy!

MORE IN STORE FOR YOU!

2009-06-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

Myra especially liked this scarf made with an array or novelty yarns while Aurdia chatted with the designer of all the Skif patterns. We loaded up on all kinds of cool patterns from Stitch Diva and Knit Wits, among others. We found some wonderful organic fibers, appropriate for Skif, from Southwest Trading Company.

NEW COLORS AND SILK FROM OUR FRIENDS AT KOIGU

2009-06-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

Our Canadian pals from Koigu debuted a fantastic silk version of the very popular KPPPM. The colors? Luminouis! It's Koigu after all, and they're hard to replicate! We adored this unusual duster, worked up in regular KPPPM. The silk and merino yarn is the same weight, making the patterns from Koigu interchangeable.

FREE PATTERN DAY!

2009-06-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

Direct from Argentina, this wonderful new yarn from Aslan Trends, Artesanal, works up light and easy for wear all year long. We made this big boy sweater, sized to a 12 in a comfy palette of cyan, white and celery. An easy yet interesting pattern for a boy in that size is hard to find! You can download it from our free pattern page on our website at www.greatballsofyarn.com :)

WHAT A NICE FRIEND!

2009-06-01T12:54:00.001-07:00

Here's our tall drink of water, Miss Fran modeling a super tailored and well fitting sweater she just finished using Trendsetter's Bombay with Cha Cha embellishments. The black bugles at the bottom and on the sleeves make this cardigan anything but ordinary. All that work for what? Fran made it for a pal. Lucky girl! Now that's a great friend--most girls would prefer to keep a pretty sweater like this all for themselves!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

2009-05-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a shout out to our American veterans and military families who have dedicated their lives to serving their fellow citizens both here at home and on foreign soil. Happy Memorial Day and we sincerely THANK YOU.

Celebrate your American pride as the folks from Plymouth have with this exceptional knitted afghan. Done in all garter stitch with starry embellishments, this glorious project was created with machine washable Encore Worsted, which is on sale now through the end of May. Enjoy 20% savings on all Plymouth Yarn as we wrap up this month's colorful trunk show of family creations!

JORDAN MODELS NEW PRIMA PIMA COTTON! A GREAT BALLS OF YARN EXCLUSIVE!

2009-05-12T12:13:00.001-07:00

Our new private label staple from Robin Turner Back to Basics is HEEERREE!! Check out the strikingly spirited Miss Jordan as she presents Prima Pima! This super soft machine washable pima cotton works us nicely on a 5-6 needle. Great stitch definition and awesome color selection! Check it out! Thanks Judi for the pix.... Jordan, you go girl!!

BABY SHOWER AND PLYMOUTH YARN TRUNK SHOW DURING THE ENTIRE MONTH OF MAY!

2009-04-30T05:09:00.000-07:00

We're celebrating all mothers during the month of May with a Baby Shower of samples that will enthrall you! Our friends at Plymouth Yarn have sent us a gaggle of baby sweaters, layettes, blankets, and more that will absolutely get you excited to knit for a little one. Plymouth Yarns, known for their washability, durability and easy to understand patterns, keep knitters and crocheters inspired to create projects for babies, toddlers and all members of the family. Stop in and check out their latest designs! Plus, the GBOY Girls have many baby samples whipped up in other yarns as well! All Plymouth Yarns will be on sale at 20% off during the entire month of May so stock up and save!!

LEARN TO CHA CHA THIS SPRING!

2009-04-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

Addicted to Dancing with the Stars? Then wait until you do the Cha Cha! This is Trendsetter's coolest yarn ever and our girls have eaten it up! This amazing self-ruffling yarn has been so hot that we cannot keep it on our shelves. Trendsetter first debuted this magical mystery yarn in a soft palette of neutrals for winter. But here's a sneak peak of what Barry's bringing out for spring . . .FUN, LUSCIOUS COLORS!! And, it gets even better . . . they are all dyed to match that curious Italian concoction, Minestrone. Great Balls of Yarn is pleased to announce that we are the only store in the country to have this and our supplies are limited until Trendsetter takes delivery on their spring colors from Italy. Step on it sisters as this yarn will be in stores Monday morning! Thanks Barry! We love ya and love your always insprining creativity!

JAMAICAN ME CRAZY FOR THIS COTTON!

2009-03-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

Allison's ready for spring with her new toddler jumper and matching sweater made by her grandmother, sweet Susan! Using Katia's Jamaica, a self-striping spring cotton in vibrant colors, and a breezy pattern, our little Allison is bloomin' pretty! Look for new Katia pattern books for adults and kids alike next week :)

POSTCARD FROM A YARN ADDICT

2009-03-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

"As you can see the wandering knitting addict from Sunny Sarasota finally got her pictures to you. I loved my adventure to Great Balls of Yarn! I wore the scarf to a luncheon last week and received raves... actually someone bought it off my back so now I have to make more! I am also including some shots of some hats I made for a local photographer, as well as some baby cocoons. Thank you all for coming into my life..."
These were the words and photos we got from our new friend, the very talented Susan Mitloff, who visited our stores during our recent Trendsetter Trunk Show featuring the designs of Barry Klein. Barry flew in from Los Angeles and spent a few days traveling between GBOY locations with his fabulous new spring yarns. The scarf Susan is wearing is knitted up with Trendsetter Minestrone and Cha Cha--just one ball of each. Susan, thank you for your kind words and we love ya right back! Maybe you'll join us on next year's Knitting Cruise . . . xo RT

AB FAB SHAWL!

2009-03-03T06:56:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Judy from Lake Worth models this fabulous shawl made with a simple yarn overs and trimmed with Hanah hand-dyed silk strips from Artemis. Ask us for the pattern. . . Sharing is caring!

TEAM WEST PALM TACKLES SUPER SUNDAY!

2009-02-07T05:01:00.000-08:00

Wow! Our annual Super Ball Sunday Sale was our biggest and best ever with customers lined up at the doors of all four stores well before the clock struck noon. It was "no holds barred" day with hundreds of knitters flocking towards the 50% off bulk bags on blowout. Here's a pre-game shot of Team West Palm before kickoff. I just want to thank Stephi, Patty, Anne, Becca and Rochelle for working so hard that crazy afternoon. It was PALM BEACH PANDEMONIUM! I love you guys and have so much fun working with each of you. You all have so much talent and I feel blessed to be on your team! xo love rt PS--Here's a shout out to our fellow peeps from Pennsy--while the Eagles couldn't pull it together this year we're happy for PBurgh Steelers!!

MARNI'S WOOL GATHERING!

2009-01-28T04:34:00.000-08:00

Fresh from the farm--believe it or not, this wool was sheared off local Boca sheep. Our store manager Marni and her sidekick the lovely Miss Ana, met with a group of sheep peeps to clean the wool and spin it into yarn. Very cool and thanks to our enthusiastic group who sweltered under a hot sunny sky last Sunday to learn the process that we all take so much for granted. Thanks lady, you're truly Marnariffic!!

ANOTHER JUDI JEWEL!

2009-01-22T19:03:00.000-08:00

Our most spirited Red Head from Boca West, the Sweet Miss Judi whips out another wonderful creation for her brand-new grandbaby. By golly this woman has one fertile family! Using the popular staple Mission Falls 1824, this washable boucle worked up nicely in a feather and fan blanket for Judi's newest arrival. Look for a curious new palette of Whirl Colors from Mission Falls in our stores this spring. By then Judi should have another blanket (and bundle of joy!) to add to her portfolio of talent. xo You're the Bamba, baby!

PRETTY POTPOURRI PURSES!!

2009-01-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

Sensational! Clever! These are words we keep hearing from customers to describe our new project idea for January. A fun and quick project that you can easily finish at home, our Potpourri Purses come in a plethora of colors and each one you make is unique. Now through January 31st, when you buy 2 skeins of Potpourri, you'll save $20 on the bag form. Choose from leather or suede. Each bag form comes lined and complete with a cell phone pocket and zippered storage compartment. Make a few panels and change them out easily to "refresh" your bag as you change your mood! Knit or crochet one today!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ELLA!

2008-12-26T06:44:00.000-08:00

She gives this sweater a TEN!! Ella models the latest and greatest from her grandmother Elaine. Worked up in Plymouth's Alpaca Grande, this adorable kid's cardi showcases a precious cabled yoke. Merry Merry Sweet Ella!
Happy Holidays to All!

FREE PATTERN FRIDAY!

2008-12-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

We just got a another huge box from the snowy north pole (or close to it--Canada!) Our friends at Koigu shipped the second load of glorious new colorways in KPPPM. We were so inspired that we whipped up this cozy shoulder shawlette in just two nights. Enjoy the pattern and be on the lookout for other new and exiting patterns added to our free internet pattern library on the GBOY site.

KOIGU SHOULDER COZY
MATERIALS
2 skeins Koigu KPPPM
One size 8 circular needle
CO 5 sts. Knit one row. Next row and each row thereafter, slip first stitch, YO, knit to end of row. You may choose to continue shoulder cozy in complete garter stitch until almost all yarn is used. BO all stitches loosely. For a variation as in the sample pictured above and below, add a two rows of *YO, K2TOG* after every 12th row (6 garter ridges). Block to finish, making front ties as long as possible.

NEW KOIGU AND MALABRIGO FOR YOU!

2008-11-23T12:33:00.000-08:00

Hail! Hail! The Yarn's All Here! Just in time for the holidays, Bob our UPS Dude delivered a plethora of colorful Koigu and Malabrigo Merino, two of our favorite fibers! We now have an incredible inventory of both, giving our South Florida knitters and crocheters the ultimate selection in hand-dyed sock and worsted merino. Look at these luscious saturated colorways! Also, FYI the Malabrigo sock yarn is washable for easy care projects. Have Fun! :)

BAHAMA BREEZES

2008-10-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

It's Free Recipe Day and the knitting is easy! We made this lovely stole using a soft green palette of shimmer and sparkle. Wear it as an elegant wrap or belt it for a more casual look. Enjoy!

Bahama Breeze Holiday Shawl

Materials
2 balls Suede Deluxe Olive
2 balls Kiddy Print Mohair in Pea Green
Size 10.5 needles

DROP STITCH PATTERN: Wrap yarn around both needles once, then wrap the yarn around the back needle and knit both stitches off.

CO 50 sts with Suede Deluxe. Knit 3 rows. Change to Mohair and work drop stitch pattern for two rows. Change to Suede Deluxe and knit two rows. Repeat until shawl measures 6 feet long. Change back to Suede Deluxe and knit 3 rows. Bind off loosley and weave in ends.

NOW THAT'S A LOT OF YARN!!

2008-10-08T05:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a behind the scenes tour of another day at the GBOY Office. Every day about 3 in the afternoon, UPS Bob drops another load of goodies off for us to enjoy. Here's what's coming your way--2,260 balls of delicious, wonderful YARN!! MMMMM! MMMM! GOOD! Hurry in to see what's new!

NEW YEAR-NEW STORE!

2008-10-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year to all our Jewish Friends! May you and your family have health, happiness and good fortune in the year ahead. While folks were nibbling kugel, latkes and wonderful delicacies, we were in the store bringing in lots of new goodies for you in Boca.

Going on right now is our fantastic debut of glitzy sequined and beaded Art Yarns. You can see a sampling of it on our GBOY Home Page. While it's extravagant, many of the gorgous sweaters and shawls made with these hand-paints use only 2 to 3 skeins, making it an affordable indulgence. All Art Yarns will be on sale 20% off through mid-October.

Also, we're gotten so many requests for washable baby yarn in Boca. So, your wish is our command! Check out the new RT MicroWash and re-vamped baby department. We've stocked the store with a rainbow of colors and great project ideas!

THE COOLEST CLASS EVER!

2008-09-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

Everyone's asking: Where's the new class schedule? It's coming and should be posted on the site this weekend. But here's a preview of my favorite and newest class for the season . . . and it doesn't involve knitting!

The picture gives you an idea of the final result but really doesn't do it justice--Laura from Prism came up with the idea of making fabric. She's kitted up a kaleidoscope of unusual yarns--all in hand-dyed colorways. The combination of textures, ribbons, sheen and sparkle comes alive!

In a nutshell, it's kind of like building a submarine sandwich--a very easy process. First, you layer the fibers on a sizing base. Then you add fabric glue. You arrange layer after layer of fiber and glue then top off the piece with the sizing base. The next step involves sewing the whole "sandwich" together. After that's complete, we rinse the fabric and voila! It's a magnificent piece of art! You can make a stunning kimono, a bedspread, pillows, a shawl--anything you can imagine. I'm going to make a holiday table runner for our Christmas celebration. My guests will eat it up!

The class will be offered beginning in October and will include the cost of the kit, which comes in a great variety of Laura's colorways. Call us for more info and look for our Knitty Gritty on line any day now . . .

EILEEN'S BLACK BEAUTY

2008-09-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

Well, she's at it again! Our chief designer, the lovely Miss Eileen crafted this showstopper jacket and lo and behold, we have a hit! Worked up in our exclusive Robin Turner Gourmet Fibers Potpourri, we struggle to keep this yarn in stock. Each skein of Potpourri is a custom blend of unique colors and textures, yielding a one-of-a-kind result.

Eileen knitted the jacket with a speedy size 13 needle but what I love most about the design is its easy construction--limited shaping is involved so for all you beginners out there, this is a simple knit! Eileen, your creativity continues to amaze and surprise me. Girl, you're an inspriation! Love the wire-edged ribbon closure and the buttoned collar.

Feel free to download Eileen's Black Beauty instructions from our free pattern library at http://www.greatballsofyarn.com/. There's a growing library of free patterns for you to enjoy and share with your friends as well!

HEEEEEERE'S SAMMY!!

2008-08-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

I had to laugh out loud when I saw this crazy cool dog bed that our jubilant Judi made for Sammy the GBOY Boca mascot. Is this the bomb or what?! Judi simply knitted the dog squares, sewed them together with the backing and stuffed the puppy bed with fiber fill. Hot Dog!
Pop in today and we'll give you the pattern!