First Newsletter of the Year!!

We've got lots of classes scheduled, a contest and a request for spinners, so read on. And if you know anyone interested in knitting or crocheting classes, make sure to share this with them.

Flyers for all the classes may be picked up at the shop after Tuesday, will be on the website later in the week, or you can email yarnexpressions@juno.com and ask to have whichever ones you're interested in emailed to you.

Introduction to Knitting & Crochet Essentials 101 are back! On Wednesday January 23 and 30th, Sharon will be teaching Crochet Essentials 101 - The Basics at 530pm. The registration fee is $45.00. Students will create a stitch sampler scarf during this 2 session class. On Saturday, January 26th, February 2nd and 9th, from 9 to 11am, Kirsten will be bringing back Introduction to Knitting. This is a 3 session class and students will learn how to make a hat that uses both the knit and purl stitches.  And More Knitting and Crocheting Classes for the rest of you! Diane has a new class on the schedule for all knitters - it's called Oops, Now What? and she will be teaching how to fix many of the classic disasters that occur during the knitting process. The class will be held on Monday January 28th from 5 to 8pm. It is a one session class, the registration fee is $35.00. This class does require some prework but all the details are on the flyer. Our other Diane is offering the second in her series of one session scarf and other accessory workshops. This one is the Ladder Stitch Scarf workshop on Saturday February 2nd from 4 to 6pm. The registration fee is $25.00, and there's no prework for this one. Calling All Crocheters! If you're new to crocheting, but not absolutely brand new, we have some classes for you as well. Crochet Essentials 102 - Crochet in the Round will be held on Monday February 11th and 18th from 530 to 7pm. Class participants will make a hat and will learn how to crochet joined rounds and spiral rounds. The registration fee is $35.00. If you're up for something a little more ambitious, we have the first of our crocheted shawl classes for you: Crochet Essentials 202 - Crocheting a Triangle. This class will be presenting a number of techniqes, including magic ring (not to be confused with knitter's Magic Loop), how to shape a triangular shawl using symmetrical increases, and basic chart reading for crocheters. This 3 session class will be held on Sunday January 27th, February 3rd and 10th from 4 to 530pm. The registration fee is $50.00. And for the more experienced crocheter, we have a multi-seasonal jacket class. We offered something similar for knitters in 2012, so now it's your turn. The class to make this very classic jacket will be held on Saturday (s)January 26th and February 9th and 23rd from 4 to 6pm. Please note that the class sessions are scheduled at 2 week intervals to allow participants to complete all the sections of the jacket before the final session. Registration is $65.00.

Shop Expansion Contest! The neighbors (Wholesale Trophy) have moved out, so we're expanding into their space. Yes, that does mean that there will be room to navigate in the shop again, and not trip over things, and you'll be able to find what you need (hopefully) more easily. Some of the changes we're planning to implement include- separate seating and work table areas; a separate small table for private lessons; bookshelves to organize all the books mostly in one spot; all the needles, hooks and notions together on one wall, fewer tall fixtures, a more easily accessible bathroom and useable classroom space, separate from storage and and and.... Who knows? The shop staff has suggested that we ask your for your suggestions - things you'd like to see us add to the plan. So, send me your original suggestions in the next few weeks. The shop staff will review them around February 15th and pick their favorite. The person who suggests the idea best liked by the shop staff will receive a $25. gift certificate to spend in the shop. If more than one person makes the same suggestion, the winner will be the first submitter of the suggestion. All suggestions MUST be sent in via email  to yarnexpressions@juno.com and put the word suggestion to the subject line. Suggestions made in person to shop staf members will not be included in the contest.

Attention Spinners - please read this! We have some special Fiber promotions and specials coming up in the near future, but most of you did not open the special newsletter I sent you last month when we had a Special One Day Sale just for our Spinners. So, if you're interested in spinning fibers, and want to know when we have something special for you, please reply to this email and let me know that you want to be on the fibers newsletter list and what email address you want on that list. I will update it before I send out the next Fiber specific newsletter.