Introducing the latest addition to our featured local yarn shops:
The Yarn Sellar, located in this beautiful building in York, Maine. 

Here is a description of the The Yarn Sellar from Carrie, the owner:

"We are a local yarn shop located on the beautiful coast of Maine filled with everything for the hand knitter and crocheter, spinner and needle felter.

Our inventory includes fabulous fibers, patterns, needles, hooks, spinning wheels books and notions.

Follow us on Facebook, Ravelry and Twitter."

Thanks, Carrie! The photos you sent us and those on your website (at yarnsellar.com) sure do convey what a lovely shop you have - very inviting with lots of gorgous yarns and a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere!

Be sure to visit www.yarnsellar.com to see what yarns they carry, what classes they are offering, and more! And let us know if you get a chance to visit this lovely shop in person!

You can find The Yarn Sellar at:
264 Route 1
York, ME 03909
(207) 351-1987
WWW.YarnSellar.com

Carrie, was kind enough to sponsor my newest pattern, the #162 Sweet Hooded Vest. She sent me the Berocco Ultra Alpaca (a yarn I've never had the chance to try!) in the Periwinkle Mix.

The beautiful heathery color and soft hand of this yarn inpsired me to create a long lace vest with lots of feminine touches. Amazing stitch definition really helps the two lace stitch patterns stand out! Pockets and a hood keep it casual and easy-to-wear.

See this pattern at SweaterBabe.com.

See this pattern at Ravelry (you can Fave or Queue it!).

Thanks, Carrie, for sponsoring this new pattern, introducing me and my audience to your pretty shop, and letting me experience this great yarn!

The Yarn Sellar is also sponsoring a fabulous giveaway!! They generously donated more Berroco Ultra Alpaca so that one of you can make this vest!

Here's how to enter the giveaway for a #162 Sweet Hooded Lace Vest Kit ($70 retail value! Includes the pdf pattern + 6 hanks of Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Irwin Green Mix #6273, which is enough to make the XS - 1X sizes):

HOW TO ENTER:
1) Enter a comment here about The Yarn Sellar, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, or the new pattern by 9pm PST, May 8, 2013. One comment per person only, please.

2) Pin this giveaway (using the Pin It button here: ) and follow SweaterBabe on Pinterest by clicking this button: . One pin per person, please. Pin by May 8, 9pm PST.

*** WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT 5/15/13 ***

Thanks for all the great entries here on the blog and through Pinterest!

The randomly chosen winner is. . .  Jan K., who commented here on 4/18/13.

Congrats! I'll email you.

See the #162 Sweet Hooded Vest knitting pattern here.

My new pattern release, the #146 Cable-y Goodness Poncho Sweater, was sponsored by Elann.com, the yarn shop that makes and sells the Peruvian Highland Wool Chunky yarn that worked so beautifully for the sample! 

Here's some more about this great online yarn shop:

elann.com has been the online knitting community's standard for excellence in quality, value, and service since 1995.

Every day, we strive to you offer you yarns you'll love at prices you'll adore! elann.com offers you the best of all possible worlds by offering you two distinct yarn collections:

Our Market Collection - name brand yarns at amazing discounts. From a host of internationally loved and trusted yarn companies, you'll find the very best the knitting yarn market has to offer, here at elann.com, at greatly reduced prices. Often these are discontinued lines and colors, and occasionally, they are special volume purchases of current market favorites.

Our elann.com Collection - quality yarns, spun for elann.com at fabulous savings. From renowned and trusted mills the world over, we purchase top quality yarns in large volume, and then we pass the savings on to you. Through our own mill-direct collection, we strive to offer you the weights, colors and fibre mixes you want most, at the lowest possible prices.

Be sure to visit Elann.com to see all the fabulous colors of Peruvian Highland Wool Chunky and see all the other things this full-fledged online yarn shop offers!

For more on the new #146 Cable-y Goodness Poncho Sweater pattern they sponsored, click here.

Here's another exciting installment of our Featured Yarn Shops!  Here's what Melinda, the owner of this wonderfully inviting shop in Blowing Rock, NC, tells us:

"Exciting things have been happening at Unwound, Unique Yarns in Blowing Rock, NC!

We’ve moved up the hill to Main Street! We invite you to visit our new shop located in the heart of North Carolina’s prettiest town.

Our new location at 1132 Main Street (in the courtyard just behind Kojay’s) offers over 2100 sf (look at the photo below!!!) of luxury and comfort!

The warm inviting atmosphere will entice you to sit and knit with us in our comfortable visitors’ “living room” or browse through our many books and patterns for ideas. Wander through the shop and enjoy the many colors and textures of our beautiful yarns, then match it with some of our unique buttons.

Need help with a difficult stitch? Owner, Melinda Mayronne and her experienced staff are available to help.

Want some in-depth private instruction? Call us for an appointment.

Or, sign up for some of our exciting project classes to be held in our large class room area. We have it all right here! You have to see (and touch!) our yarn to really appreciate the experience. But - as a teaser - here are some of the brands we stock: Malabrigo, Louet, Hand Painted, Colinette, Sublime, Jade Sapphire, Blue Heron, Schaefer, and more. We’re also excited to support some of our favorite independent dyers like The Unique Sheep, Claudia, Blue Ridge Yarns….and others.  

We carry the popular Addi Turbo needles by Skacel and proudly distribute the beautiful bags handmade by Atenti."

Thanks, Melinda!!  And thanks too for being a Featured Yarn Shop and sponsoring my latest pattern, the #133 High Low Glamorous Top-Down Cardigan.  You sent me the Disco Lights yarn from Tilli Tomas to try out and I loved it! 

*** As a special offer from Melinda of Unwound, please mention SweaterBabe.com when you order from her and get 10% off entire sale.  Thanks, Melinda!! ***

Here's how to find Melinda and her Yarn Shop:
Unwound Unique Yarns and Accessories
1132 Main Street, Suite 5
Blowing Rock, North Carolina 28605
336-295-5051

Hours: Mon-Sat, 10-5; Sundays 1-5
www.unwoundyarns.com
unwoundyarns@gmail.com
unwound and unbound: ravelry group

Want your fave Yarn Shop to be featured?
Just ask them to "sponsor" a SweaterBabe.com pattern by providing yarn support. In return, I'll feature photos and details on the Yarn Shop so my audience can learn about the GREAT yarn shops that are out there! (Contact me at info@sweaterbabe.com to learn more. . .)

I'm giving away this AWESOME knitting kit for the lovely, useful, and stylish #125 Luxe Infinity Scarf.  It's knit with 3 hanks of Del Cerro yarn from Aslan Trends.

Special thanks to Shelley's Yarns & Fiber Shoppe in Taylors Falls, MN for sponsoring this giveaway.  Please read more about Shelley's shop in the post Featuring her wonderful yarn shop!   

Shelley introduced this Del Cerro yarn to me through this project and I'm very thankful!  It has amazing stitch definition, rich colors, and great feel when you knit with it.  This yarn delivers!

So, here are the official giveaway rules!

To enter this giveaway, you can do any one (two, or three!) of the following:

-- Enter a comment on THIS blog post commenting on this yarn OR project and why you love cowls in general.  Post by 9pm, PST, March 15th.  One comment per person ONLY, please.

-- Make any pattern purchase from SweaterBabe.com from today, February 19th, until 9pm, PST, March 15th.  EACH order counts as an entry!

-- Join my Ravelry.com SweaterBabe.com Fans Group at: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/sweaterbabecom-fans anytime from today, February 19th, until 9pm PST, March 15th. 

I'll be choosing 6 winners!  One random winner will be chosen to win the Kit (3 hanks + the PDF pattern) AND 5 other randomly chosen winners will win the PDF pattern (to be delivered by email).  Sorry, but the Kit can only be mailed to an address in the US or Canada.

Good luck to everyone!!!  Comment away!

*** Winner Announcement March 23, 2011 ***
WOW - thanks for all the entries!  Adding up all the comments, purchases, and new Ravlery Group members, there were over 1500 entries for this contest!  Woohoo!

So, the random winners are. . .

The GRAND PRIZE Knitting Kit goes to Marion C. (who made a purchase on 2/27).

And the FIVE PDF Knitting Pattern Prizes go to:
Jane (who commented on 2/19)
Bonnie Torgerson (who commented on 2/19)
Erica Allewell (who commented on 2/20)
PBMama on Ravelry (who joined the SweaterBabe.com Fans Group on 2/19)
VendeMar on Ravelry (who joined the SweaterBabe.com Fans Group on 2/19)
Each of you will be emailed the pdf pattern.

Congratulations to all the winners!  A NEW giveaway on SweaterBabe.com coming soon!

Here's the first of many future "Featured Yarn Shops" on the SweaterBabe.com blog!

Yarn Shops are what inspire and teach us to knit! They let us discover new yarns, new techiniques, and new friends.

I'm launching a new program, where Yarn Shops will be "sponsoring" some of my patterns by providing yarn support. In return, I'll feature photos and details on their shop so you can learn about the GREAT yarn shops that are out there! (Are you a yarn shop interested in sponsoring a future SweaterBabe.com pattern? Contact me at info@sweaterbabe.com to learn more. . .)

And now, for our first Featured Shop:

Shelley's Yarns & Fiber Shoppe in Taylors Falls, MN.  Shelley very kindly introduced me to and sent me the Aslan Trends Del Cerro and Guanaco you see in these two patterns.  She raved about these yarns and I will have to agree - they are wonderful yarns to work with and give me fabulous stitch definition, which is one of my priorities in yarn choice!

The #125 Luxe Infinity Scarf you see here was just released today!  It's a quick, seamless infinity scarf with a gorgeously unique stitch pattern.

The #124 Romantic Ballet Wrap Cardigan is a new pattern that will be released in January.  It was knit in the Guanaco alpaca/merino wool blend from Aslan Trends. 

These are just 2 of the yarns that Shelley offers at her well-stocked yarn shop. Just look at the photos showing her extensive selection of yarns!  Cozy armchairs and such a warm and inviting place to knit!

Read on for MORE about this special Yarn Shop!

Shelley's Yarns & Fiber Shoppe is located in the heart of historic Taylors Falls, MN--along the beautiful St. Croix River. 

They offer many natural fiber yarns, including handspun, hand-dyed and embellishment "art" yarns.  Also offered are a variety of wool fibers for needlefelting and spinning.  Their knitting area doubles as a classroom and is often filled with lots of laughter and busy fingers.  

"We pride ourselves in providing a cheerful and helpful atmosphere where our customers quickly become our friends--and then, just as quickly, our family." says owner Shelley Staeven.  "My number one priority is to love people.  And I am blessed to have the opportunity every day to do just that."

In addition to being open seven days a week, Shelley's Yarns & Fiber Shoppe has an online store: www.eweyarns.com
Email:  yarnboutique@gmail.com  Phone: (651) 465-6588

Owner: Shelley Staeven
Shelley's Yarns & Fiber Shoppe
406 Bench St. / PO Box 204
Taylors Falls, MN  55084
(651) 465-6588
www.eweyarns.com

*** January 2016 UPDATE. With NOW over 60,000 knitters and crocheters on our email list, we now offer Advertising through our Pattern & Product Picks monthly newsletters. Find out more about this Ad program here. ***

Are you a Yarn Shop owner looking for more exposure for your shop? 

Announcing a NEW Featured Yarn Shop program!

SweaterBabe.com has 32,000+ knitters and crocheters that want to HEAR about your shop!

Here's how to become a Featured Yarn Shop:

Just "sponsor" a SweaterBabe.com pattern by providing yarn support!

You can also spronsor a giveaway by donating knitting-related products (yarn or accesories) for SweaterBabe.com's online contests.  This will give you even MORE exposure to the SweaterBabe.com targeted audience of knitters and crocheters.

In return, SweaterBabe.com will:

• feature photos and details on your Yarn Shop in the SweaterBabe.com blog.
• feature the blog post about your Yarn shop in a SweaterBabe.com email newsletter that goes out to 32,000+ subscribed knitters and crocheters.
• include a permanent mention in the sponsored pattern naming your Yarn Shop and including basic contact information.  This is the PDF that customers who purchase the pattern receive and keep forever in their pattern collection.
• include a permanent mention in the sponsored pattern's online selling page on the SweaterBabe.com site.

It's a WIN WIN for both of us! 

I get to be introduced to a wide range of new, inspiring yarns, that I otherwise never get to try.  I'll work with the yarn provided and create an exclusive, brand new pattern with it.  And I get to tell people about the wonderful Yarn Shops and owners that are out there, ready to inspire!

You, the sponsoring Yarn Shop will get a FABULOUS Ad package that will only cost you in product, not the $$ that an ad opportunity like this would normally cost!  (Though, this won't be free forever . . . ) 

Interested?  Please email me at  info@sweaterbabe.com with:

• name and contact info on your yarn shop
• proposed yarn to sponsor a pattern
• proposed yarn or product to sponsor a giveaway

I'll contact you if the yarn is a good fit for me and I can schedule you in!

Thanks, Shelley's Yarn & Fiber Shoppe at http://www.eweyarns.com for being my first featured Yarn Shop in this program!

"Twinkle Soft Chunky is flying outta here! Especially kits for the coat in Vogue and the Cardigan in Interweave. Look here  http://www.gotyarn.com/results.cfm?SubCategory=317."

Visit the Got Yarn online store at www.GotYarn.com or 888-242-4474.

Tell them SweaterBabe.com sent you!

If you are a Yarn Shop Owner, tell us your news using our easy online form.  We'll include it in our blog and newsletter to 12,750+ knitters and crocheters!

"Yarn Knit All! in Naugatuck Ct is a new shop.  The customers at Yarn Knit All! have fallen in love with the concept of reusing old felted wool sweaters and a recent repeat of a Spring workshop was a huge success. Students cut down their felted sweaters and created new baby sweaters edged in crochet ot knit. Each piece was unique and gorgeous. It was such a success that there is talk of another workshop. It was great fun."Visit Yarn Knit All! Rossi's Yarn and Woolworks at:

26 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770. (203) 723-YARN(9276).
yarnknitall@sbcglobal.net
www.yarnknitall.com

Tell them SweaterBabe.com sent you!

If you are a Yarn Shop Owner, tell us your news using our easy online form.  We'll include it in our blog and newsletter to our almost 12,000 knitters and crocheters!

"Here in Appalacian Ohio, we poor rural folk often don’t have the money for high priced yarns if used in quantity. That’s why our shop specializes in the most quality for the least money. We’re all going wild over Plymouth’s Boku, a substitute for Noro’s Kureyon that’s nearly half the price, yet has the same beautiful color shading.

The yarn is 95% wool and 5% silk, and has a nicer hand, and when felted is fantastically soft. Coming in 10 color ways, everyone has been trying entrelac for the first time, and loving it, as there’s no need to weave in ends with the different color changes.

It also felts into a wonderfully soft felt, so that some of us are about to leap out from doing handbags, and try making felted clothing. One idea we’ve had is to just knit straight swatches from different color way balls, felt them, and then cut them into squares (or maybe other shapes) and crochet them together into a hat, vest, shrug or wrap, using different crochet stitches."

Visit Spinning Turtle Yarns & Gifts at:

25 Public Square, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764. (740)753-3885.
shop@spinningturtle.com
www.spinningturtle.com

Tell them SweaterBabe.com sent you!

If you are a Yarn Shop Owner, tell us your news using our easy online form.  We'll include it in our blog and newsletter to 10,000+ knitters and crocheters!

"We're noticing that people who have a passion for knitting are turning that passion toward spinning," says Amy Clarke Moore who is the editor of Spin-Off magazine. "Several knitting shops have told us that their beginning spinning classes are filling up at rates they haven’t seen in years."

"With today's stressful and fast-paced lifestyle, people are realizing the benefits of sitting down at a spinning wheel to relax with the added benefit of making their own yarn," says Foothills Yarn & Fiber shop owner Connie Betts. "We just started selling spinning wheels and in the last 2 weeks we've sold 4 of them. Our sales of raw alpaca fiber and alpaca rovings from our alpacas have also been increasing--we now buy fleeces from neighboring alpaca ranches to keep up with the demand at our shop."

Visit Foothills Yarn & Fiber at:4207 Sylvester Dr, Hood River, OR 97031. 541-354-3542.
info@foothillsyarn.com
www.foothillsyarn.com

Tell them SweaterBabe.com sent you!

If you are a Yarn Shop Owner, tell us your news using our easy online form.  We'll include it in our blog and newsletter to 11,600+ knitters and crocheters!