Happy Argyle Day!

Did you know Argyle Day was a thing? Well. It is. And it’s today, January 8th! National Argyle Day should, of course, be celebrated by the donning of all things argyle, and if you’re extremely dedicated to the cause, the making of all things argyle! 

The argyle pattern first showed up on kilts and patterned socks, originating with the tartan of Clan Campbell, of Argyll in western Scotland. But Scottish Highlanders didn’t have a monopoly on the pattern, which became widely popular in Great Britain and then the USA after the first world war.

Since then, the argyle pattern has graced the calves of sports teams, become standard on sweaters and vests, used on everything from stationary to shoes, and it’s even become a popular design to paint on walls! The most unique form I’ve seen yet is the trend to paint your nails with an argyle pattern – this is just more than I have patience for, but wow, how far the argyle has come! From kitschy to classy and everything in between, there’s a place for argyle everywhere.

Sock Club – New for 2016!

Serendipity’s new Sock Club is the perfect way to give yourself a little break, learn new skills, and walk away with beautiful handmade socks, too! This year, resolve to make time FOR YOU.

As an awesome New Year’s bonus, if you join by January 10th, you’ll get 12 Sock Club Sessions PLUS 4 skeins of luxury hand-dyed sock yarn. That’s one skein per quarter, and each one will be a surprise that you will L-O-V-E! You’ll save over 15% – just $249. Or, pay as you go! Each session will be $20 plus the cost of materials.

And about the materials…we know you have lots of choices when adding to your yarn stash, but think of coming to class like stopping in at your favorite restaurant. You wouldn’t bring food from home and eat it at the restaurant, right? So swing by the shop and pick out some delicious yarn to make your amazing socks – we’ve got  SO many yummy ones to choose from!

Peggy will kick off Sock Club on January 21st, teaching Socks on 2 Circular Needles. Sock Club will continue the third Thursday of every month, from 5:30 – 7:00pm. We look forward to helping you carve out a little YOU time!

A Very Merry to You and Yours!

Dearest friends,

We’ve had such a wonderful year at Serendipity this year – and it wouldn’t have been possible without your support and loyalty. We’ve made new knitters, crocheters, and stitchers – and friends!

2016 looks to be even more fantastic, too! We have all kinds of super-fun special events planned and we’ll celebrate our 13th birthday in February.

As you celebrate Christmas – or your special holiday – I wish you and yours all the blessings of love, peace, and joy. May the new year bring happiness and prosperity and may all your dreams come true.

XOXOXO!!!

Top Five Last Minute Gift Ideas

Come on in to the shop and check out the amazing gifts we have, all ready to be wrapped and tucked under the tree! It’s not too late to give a gift they’ll really LOVE. So here they are – Serendipity’s TOP FIVE last minute gifts!

Knitting Kits

Amazing, ready-to-knit projects that are incredibly fun and versatile! It’s pretty much thoughtfulness in a (really cute) box.

Needle Minder

Needles rest gently on these gorgeous needle minders, keeping needles close at hand and easy to spot! The perfect accessory for the needle artist.

Felted Soap

It’s your soap. It’s your washcloth. It’s crazy cute and colorful.  Getting clean has never been so fun!

Blocking Board

Whether smoothing out stockinette, hiding a few problem stitches, or perfecting sweater shapes, a blocking board is a much-longed-for tool for every knitter and crocheter!

Tea Time

Tea and knitting? That’s the most winning blend I know of! And really, who doesn’t want a beautiful gift of warmth, love, and relaxation?

Hoops and Loops Club

Do you wish you could become a better knitter or stitcher? Is it hard to find the time to take a class? Do you like getting surprises in the mail?

Well, if you answered yes to just one of those questions, then I have the perfect solution for you.
I’ve been working hard to come up with something really special just for you – because you deserve it! You know, there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do for Y-O-U! But I think I finally found a way! YAY!!! Are you ready for this? It’s really awesome and I know you’re going to love it as much as I do! O.K….here goes! Introducing the Hoops and Loops Club! That’s right – a needlework club designed to bring a little bit of Serendipity magic to your front door. Take a peek below at the options you have – there’s one for knitters and one for stitchers. (Never fear, crocheters! We’ll have an option for you really soon, too!)

Hoops and Loops for Knitters

Every month – for 4 months – you’ll get a specially curated box of Serendipity magic delivered right to your front door. Each box will include an exclusive pattern for a stylish accessory that is designed to teach a new skill – or give practice to more experienced knitters; luxurious yarn selected especially for the month’s pattern; video tutorials on our member’s only page; tips and hints for making your project go more smoothly – also on our member’s only page; an exclusive Private Facebook page; and, of course, a couple of super terrific Serendipity surprises, guaranteed to make you smile.

Hoops and Loops for Stitchers

Every month – for 4 months – you’ll get a specially curated box of Serendipity magic delivered right to your front door, too. Your boxes will include beautiful threads and embellishments, canvas, and a comprehensive lesson on how to use them to enhance your needlepoint. Expect silk ribbons, beads, baubles, buttons, novelty threads, wool, silk, and overdyed threads, stitch diagrams, different kinds of needles; an exclusive design that has been created to teach a new skill – or give practice to more experienced stitchers; video tutorials on our member’s only page; tips and hints for making your project go more smoothly – also on our member’s only page; an exclusive Private Facebook page; and, of course, a couple of super terrific Serendipity surprises, guaranteed to make you smile.

What You Can Expect to Learn

Knitters:
Knitters can expect to learn how to knit lace and read a simple chart; how to create and when to use a provisional cast on; how to work cables; what kind of cast on and bind off works best for different scenarios; how to seam knitted pieces together with a professional touch, plus lots more!

Stitchers:
Stitchers can expect to learn how to use silk ribbon embroidery stitches to create a garden of flowers on your needlepoint canvas; how to make your needlepoint sparkle using beads; how to choose threads appropriate to your canvas, including using overdyed threads with finesse; how to make Santa’s beard look real – and lots more!

Membership Details

We only have a limited number of spots available for each Hoops and Loops Club, and we wanted to give you – our very favorite fans – first dibs at signing up. Now, you may be wondering, “How much is all of this going to cost?” Believe it or not, you can get 4 awesome boxes (delivered January, February, March, & April) for only $249 – and that includes shipping! We’re also offering a terrific BONUS for you if you sign up this weekend: receive a FREE BONUS BOX when you sign up by midnight on Monday, November 30. Yep – you read that right. You’ll get 5 boxes for the price of 4!

Still not sure you should spend the money on yourself? Well, we both know who Santa really is at your house (just like at my house, too!)! Why not “gift” yourself with a membership. We’ll even wrap up a gift card for you to put under the tree. Imagine how happy your family will be when they see your beautiful smile on Christmas morning when you open your special gift! The gift that keeps on giving…

Noro Silk Garden Lite

A lighter weight version of the popular Noro Silk Garden, this lovely dk weight yarn is perfect for knitting or crocheting all sorts of accessories, from hats to shawls, and scarves to socks.

Stunningly hand-dyed in self-striping colorways, Silk Garden Lite comes in a dynamic array of eye-catching hues. The silk, mohair and lambswool blend is satiny smooth and only gets softer the more you wear it!

This week in the newsletter, you’ll find an amazing project that would be absolutely perfect knit up with Noro Silk Garden Lite. And the pattern? It just so happens to be free. You’re welcome!

Turkish Bed Socks (perfect anywhere!)

These little cutie pie socks make great gifts! You only need one skein of yarn to make a pair and at $15.95 per skein, you can make lots of them for a little bit of time and a little bit of money. They’re super easy to fit (we’ll help you with that part) and the construction is quite clever!

They’re perfect for keeping your feet  cozy around the house, and terrific for travel. Start them at the beginning of that trip you have planned for Thanksgiving, and by the time you’re tucking in for turkey leftovers, you’ll have have new socks to pad around your temporary digs in! We love to wear these trim sock with clogs, too –  a little extra warmth without the extra bulk.

Join us around the table on Wednesday, November 18, from 10-12pm if you’d like to give them a try. We’ll be casting on a pair.

Wearable Work of Art? Yes!

You’ve always wanted to wear a work of art, haven’t you? I know I love feeling like I’m draped in artistry and clothed in a garment of handmade beauty! You can make your own work of art using Noro Silk Garden’s hand-dyed silk, mohair, and wool blend yarn. It’s the perfect yarn for this week’s ruched scarf project, featured in our newsletter. (What?! You don’t get our newsletter? Well. Sign up here.)

Grab your yarn at the shop, start your ruched scarf, and bring it – or any Serendipity project – to our Wednesday Knit-Along from 10-12p. See you there!

A Holiday Project Perfect for Him – or Her!

“Borrow it back. If you can.”

Knit this cozy, deeply cuffed cap for him. It’s handsome worn turned up for a traditional sailor style, but we love it uncuffed and slouchy, too. Worked in a heavy worsted-weight yarn, this cap is a quick knit, which is great because you’re bound to be asked for more.

The ribbed cuff is nice and deep so you can fold it a long way up without the wrong side of the stockinette stitch crown showing. The three-part top decreases add a crisp detail. Juniper Moon Farms’ Sabine, with its rustic good looks and blend of cotton, royal llama, and merino wool, knits up into a warm, cozy cap that drapes beautifully and wears well. Style and yarn combine into the perfect accessory for him or her! Bet you won’t make just one!

Get Your Fix with Claudia Hand-Painted Yarn!

Claudia Hand Painted Yarn’s fingering weight is so luscious that it’s been dubbed “Addiction.” Each skein of Claudia’s yarn is fabulously soft – in fact, it’s like butter melting through your fingers as you work with it!

The exquisite colors are hand-painted onto the base yarn, making each skein a mini masterpiece of artistic expression. Priced at only $15.50 each, you can make our beautiful accessory for the special folks on your holiday list using only 2 skeins. Oh, and don’t forget yourself, of course!

We’d love to see your smiling face along with your current Serendipity project at our Wednesday Knit-Along, every Wednesday at the shop from 10-12p. We’ll save a spot for you at the table!