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YarnYAY! August Box #64 Unboxing: Beach Towel-Inspired Patterns and Dreamy Alpaca Cotton Blend Yarn!

YarnYAY! August Box Unboxing: Beach Towel-Inspired Patterns and Dreamy Alpaca Cotton Blend Yarn!

Are you looking for the perfect yarn and accessories for your summer knitting and crochet projects? Look no further than YarnYAY!’s August Box!

They had us at, “Beach Towel”

This month’s box features Serena, a beautiful alpaca/cotton blend yarn in the Beach Towel shade from Manos Del Uruguay. This dreamy yarn is a joy to work with and is perfect for all types of summer garments and accessories.

 

Hang Loose (knit) Skinny Scarf by Vickie Howell

To showcase the beautiful Beach Towel shade of Serena, YarnYAY! has included two skinny scarf patterns in the box. Hang Ten, a knit pattern designed by Vickie Howell, combines bands of garter stitch with incrementally longer, dropped yarn-overs.

Hang Loose (crochet) Skinny Scarf by Gavriella Tremino

While the crochet version, Hang Loose, designed by Gavriella Tremino, is made width-wise, employing crossed, double crochet stitches. Both scarves are embellished with fringe for extra summer vibes.

But that’s not all! YarnYAY! has teamed up with Della Q to bring you a limited edition, terry cloth zipper bag to store all your notions. Perfect for the beach or pool, this bag will keep your yarn and tools safe and dry.

And to tie everything together, YarnYAY! has included handmade flip-flop stitch markers. Versatile for both knit and crochet projects, these stitch markers are the perfect addition to your summer crafting.

Don’t miss out on this month’s YarnYAY! box with beautiful Beach Towel-inspired patterns and dreamy alpaca cotton blend yarn from Serena. Subscribe now and get ready to elevate your summer crafting game!

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The YarnYAY! Crochet Box

YarnYAY! Crochet Box Crocheters! I promise we love you so. This took more minutes than I wanted, but The Crochet Box is finally available for pre-sale!I’m really excited about this one. True story: months ago, my dear friend who also runs sales for the U.S. distributor of Wool & the Gang, texted me from the premiere industry show in Germany. She said that Prada was showing raffia bags in the same shade as the latest Ra-Ra-Raffia shade of blue. I loved the back (but not the $1,400! price), so right then and there decided to design my own take that crocheters could make themselves. The kit to make this bag, along with a few other goodies I’ve curated for you, is now part of the very first YarnYAY! Crochet Box . What’s in the box2 skeins, Wool in the Gang Ra-Ra-Rafia (100% viscose paper;100gr 250m / 273 yd), in EITHER Powder Blue or Hot PinkFull color, Runway-inspired Tote Bag Pattern, by Vickie HowellChiagoo Wood & Metal, Size G/4mm hookCocoknits Split Stitch MarkersTalking out of Turn Plaid Puffy Notions BagPink Sheep Design The Hooker Tarot Sticker   

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YarnYAY! July Box #63

YarnYAY! July Box #63

I’m so happy to reveal what’s inside the YarnYAY! July Box! This month we’re featuring FIVE different small businesses, assigned pooling, a cashmere blend, and more!   

 


 

New to YarnYAY? Get 15% off your first box with code: FIRSTYAY15. 

Here’s what’s included in the YarnYAY! July Box #63!

Dream in Color | Smooshy (Special YarnYAY! 50 gr hank)

This month we’re combining luxury with trend! Smooshy is the most delightful merino/nylon yarn. Combine its lovely drape with a dye technique perfect for assigned pooling, and you’ve got yourself a drool-worthy fiber experience.  We love the luminescent palette of our shade selection, Violet Fields, too!

Assigned Pooling Scarves/Shawlette Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell & Gavriella Tremino

Assigned pooling, made popular by Dawn Barker, is the technique of “assigning” a particular stitch pattern to a designated color in a variegated yarn. Usually, that means a plainer stitch for the main shade in the yarn, and then a textural stitch for the secondary color. We’re playing with this method in both of this month’s projects! You’ll have enough yarn for the scarves. Shawlettes will require a wee bit more.

Seeds & Flowers, Assigned Pooling knit scarf by Vickie Howell

The knit scarf (by Vickie), Seeds & Flowers, is a heart-shaped piece worked in Stockinette Stitch, then texturally embellished with Reverse Stockinette and Floret stitches. The crochet scarf (by Gavriella), Sun & Grain is worked from tip-out, dabbling in eyelets and back loop stitches.

Sun & Grain Assigned Pooling Crochet Project by Gavriella Tremino for YarnYAY!

We’re thrilled to welcome our Fall/Winter Designer-in-Residence, Gavriella Tremino! Support and follow her on Instagram @hellogavriella

Wraps Per Inch Tool | Twig & Horn
Using a classic method of establishing yarn weight, this handy-dandy tool can easily identify “mystery yarns” in your stash without the stress of hunting down original labels.

Lavender Sage Lotion | Avry Beauty

Calm and soothe your stitching hands with this vegan hand lotion in lavender sage. This light, aromatic, & earthy scent deeply nourishes dry skin.  Skin and yarn will both be happy about that!

Oh, heyyyyy, how about shopping the July Box?

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YarnYAY! June Box #62

YarnYAY! June Box #62

The YarnYAY! June Box is one not to miss. Not only because it’s shiny and happy, but also because it includes my latest booklet AND has almost a $70 value. It makes me so happy

 

Shiny Happy Cotton | Wool and the Gang + PEARL 5 Cotton Bundle | DMC

There’s nothing like a soft, wonderful-to-work with cotton for the Summer. This month we’re sharing a wee collection of different types: a Lipstick red worsted-weight cotton, then a bundle of 3 (varying) colors of cotton floss. Get ready for some fiber play — yay!

Floral Zippy Bags | Designs by Vickie Howell  

We are leaning ALL THE WAY into the embroidery on knitwear trend with this month’s project, floral bags. The knit bag, Flossie, is worked with plain stockinette stitch with a little garter stitch around the edge. Moxie, the crochet bag, is made with simple, single crochet. Both bags are then embroidered with shiny, happy flowers.

 

Bonus Skinny Scarf | Design by Afifa Sayeed

The June Box marks the end of Afifa’s Spring/Summer Design in Residency before she’s off to become an in-house designer for Universal Yarns. We’re so proud of her! 

This month, Afifa designed a special extra for our knitters. The Petals scarf requires 2 balls of Shiny Happy Cotton and is knit straight, with lacy petal motifs and an i-cord edging.

Embroider Knit! Booklet | Vickie Howell & Becky Joiner

When we got the idea to focus on yarn-wear embroidery for this box, Vickie decided she’d write a wee book on the subject: as one does. Luckily, her trusty friend and YarnYAY! Maker of Things, Becky is also an illustrator. Together the two were able to self-publish this booklet in a matter of weeks. Guess what? You’re the first to get a copy– huzzah!

Leather Compact Card Holder | Latico Leathers
This minimalist, snap case from one of our favorite leather bag companies is not only a treat (retail value is $30!) but also highly useful. Carry cards, earbuds, tapestry needles, stitch markers, or whatever other little somethin’ that needs a spot to nestle.

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YarnYAY! 5th Anniversary Box

YarnYAY! 5th Anniversary Box

It’s time for the 5th Anniversary Box Reveal! In addition to all of the gorgeous goodies below to celebrate, turning 5 this month all subscribers will also be entered to win one of five prizes valued up to $200. Enjoy!

16 Fingering Minis Bundle | Urth Yarns

For our 5th anniversary box, we thought it would be fun to include five different shades of yarn. We reached out to our buddies over at Urth Yarns who graciously agreed to create a special little bundle of their luscious fingering-weight merino, 16 just for us. Who’s ready to color play?! 

Urth Yarns is a family-owned business based in Turkey and Florida

Drawstring Bag Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell & Afifa Sayeed

Log cabin knitting and crochet is an easy and fun modular way of working with endless possibilities. We’re giving you a little technique taste by applying it to handy, drawstring bags. The knit pouch, Logged In by Afifa, is worked in bands of Garter Stitch, stacked by picking up stitches along the way. Logged Out, the crochet bag, by Vickie, starts with a center block, then is built upon by individual logs of color.  Log cabin fever never felt so good!

Follow Designer-in-Residence Afifa Sayeed on Instagram @fifknits

Needle Minder | Yarnyay!
Needle Minders are a staple tool in embroidery, but they’re also great for yarn crafts. We’ve made our version slightly larger than usual, to accommodate a large-eyed tapestry needle often used for weaving in ends on our knit and crocheted projects!

Bargello Earring/Zipper Pull Kit | Hello Bargello

Our good friend over at Hello Bargello has done it again! Owner Brett Bara created another custom kit for us, this one designed specially to coordinate with our 5th Anniversary Box. Stitch your own Bargello earrings or a more gender-inclusive zipper tag, either way, say hello to your new favorite craft!

Psst…Stay tuned for this month’s YarnYAY! Monthly subscriber, Hello Bargello Tips Workshop!

Premium Leather Cord | Leather Cord USA

Adding embellishments to a project of a different material can elevate a piece. This premium leather cording will do just that for your drawstring bag!

Leather Cord USA is based in Woodstock, Georgia.

 

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3rd Annual YarnYAY! Maker’s Business Grant

 Makers Business Grant

This May is the 5th Anniversary of my business YarnYay!, and I’m so excited (and grateful) to be able to celebrate by giving back again this year! 

Applications for our third annual YarnYAY! Makers Business Grant is open NOW through June 1st, 2023. This grant is an opportunity to get your product in front of hundreds or thousands of eyes, win a little cash, and or/benefit from some small-business mentorship. Apply yourself, or share with a friend. We’d love to hear from you. Learn more below.

Best of luck!

 Learn More & Apply

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Local Yarn Shop Day 2023

Local Yarn Store Day (LYS Day) is designed to drive traffic to local yarn stores. LYS Day has brought thousands of ‘yarnies’ from across the US and Canada to go to their local shops to see the exclusive, unique products created specifically for LYS Day. Think of it as an international Yarn Crawl! Team YarnYAY! wants you to go out and support your local yarn community, so we’ve made a list of our favorite LYS near and dear to us.

Team Yay’s Favorite Local Yarn Stores:

Me:

“I’ve traveled to yarn stores all around the nation, and my favorite is still my hometown shop in Austin, Hill Country Weavers. I also, though, love Nina Chicago, Knitty City in NYC, The Little Knittery in Los Angeles, and Jimmy Beans Wool in Reno!”

 

Julia (Design Manager/Tech Editor):“I really can’t pick just one, it’s like picking a favorite child! Check out Yarns Untangled, The Knit Cafe , and I even used to work at Romni Wools.“  Becky (Maker of Things):“While I don’t travel to the north side of Austin as much as I should, I will always pop into Gauge when I do! Their displays are inspiring and modern, and I end up leaving with so many goodies.” 
Chris (Ops Manager/Design):“I love finding an unexpected gem of a LYS. Now you can be surprised by Tempe Yarn & Fiber in AZ, and Heritage Spinning & Weaving in MI!”  Afifa (Designer in Residence): “These are my local faves! The Royal Bee Yarn Company in Pacifica and The Black Squirrel in Berkeley”

 

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YarnYAY! Studio Open House

  You’re invited to our very first Open House at the YarnYAY! Studio!WHAT: Come celebrate YarnYAY!’s 5th anniversary and enjoy…Free gifts for the first 20 people A look at our cute spaceBubbly beverages & light snacks Pop-up shop of yarn, kits & moreHangout and knit/crochet time in our comfy sitting areaYarnYAY! Trunk ShowMake your own stitch marker stationVisit with team YarnYAY! and the owner, Vickie Howell and more! WHEN: Sunday May 21st, from 12pm-5pm WHERE: 503 S. Loop 4, Unit B, Buda, Texas
Our studio inhabits half of a vintage house, located within walking distance of Historic Downtown Buda, and is only a short drive away from Austin. Make a day out of it!

    

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YarnYAY! April Box #60

It’s time to reveal what’s in the YarnYAY! April Box #60 (knitting subscription and crochet subscription box). We have goo-goo eyes over this month’s palette: hot pink and orange. Fun, fresh, and positively cheerful, everything we’ve selected for knitters and crocheters this month is meant to put a smile on their faces!

YarnYAY! April Box #60

 

 

Little Sister | Fuzz Family for Kraeo

While on an Illinois retreat with her knitting group of 20 years, Vickie and friends visited a local yarn shop, Nina Chicago. There she discovered KraeO yarns; it was love at first sight. Little Sister is a lovely fingering-weight merino. Included in this month’s box are three minis in one of our favorite color combos: Paloma & Terra Cotta. 

Kerchief Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell & Afifa Sayeed

It’s top-down-car-ride, garden-pruning, patio-drinks-with-friends season, for which you might as well accessorize.

Thelma Knit Kerchief by Afifa Sayeed for YarnYAY!

The knit kerchief, by Afifa, is worked from the top center-out in a lovely lace.
Follow Designer-in-Residence Afifa Sayeed on Instagram 

Louise Kerchief by Vickie Howell for YarnYAY!

The crochet kerchief, by Vickie, is also made from the top center-out in dcs with filet panels. Wear these on your head, draped around your neck, or tie them to a bag handle for a pop of color

 

Travel Notions Bag | Yarnyay!+Austin Promotional Products

We love a Spring Break road trip, obviously with plenty of passenger seat stitching time. Pack all of your notions, tools, and crafty extras in our zippered travel bag. Bonus: it’s hot pink, so easy to find in your project tote!

Project Picker Pin | Twig & Horn

Wondering what to make next? The Project Picker Pin has you covered! Give it a spin and see what maker adventure awaits you.

Twig & Horn is a woman-owned business based in Maine. 

 

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Gumdrops Crochet Shawl

Gumdrops Crochet Shawl

Say hello to our sweetest crochet kit and pattern, the Gumdrops Shawl! This darling striped triangle shawl is based on the crochet pattern featured in last year’s 12 Days of YAY! Advent Box, but we’ve re-sized and refreshed it for the spring season.

 

 

The Gumdrops Shawl is crocheted from the top-center out (making it a piece of cake to make smaller or larger) and uses Long Double Crochet Stitches to give the textile’s stripes spikes of additional color!

Get the Kit in my YarnYAY! shop

 

Available in two fresh color palettes, the Gumdrop Shawl Kit comes with two full skeins of Montoya Merino Light, a handy YarnYay! measuring tape, pattern pdf, and a perfect cotton bag to keep everything nice and neat.

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