Your Signiture Color

We all have that one color that we gravitate to when we're in the yarn shop. It may not even be "our" color but we have tubs and tubs of it. Some may feel guilty about this but others accept their color weakness with open arms.

What I wonder is should we branch out? Now you may be sitting there thinking, I branch out, I branch out all the time. Let me go ahead and say that colors you pick up for projects intended for people other than yourself don't count. Nice try. I'm talking about the project yarn that you have just for you.

Here is what I propose, go for it, get that yarn but maybe throw in an 'every third' rule. Every third purchase or every third project, branch out. Go for that odd color you never grab or one that compliments your favorite color.  This allows you to satisfy your need for that certain color while developing a well rounded FO stash, and if it all fits together then wahoo, you win everything. So go ahead, give it a whirl.

The Men

This post is for the men in our fiber filled lives. Those men that put up with quite a bit that we may be too wool laden to see. Think about it, do your projects tend to explode all over your living room? There is usually limited seating or coffee table space for others and it may look something like this:

This one's for you bro.

Or what about the yarn stashing? You know what I'm talking about, every little crevice is hiding your latest purchase. They open a drawer expecting a notepad and some pens and they get a lace shawl setup instead. The poor guy can't even turn on a light without finding some yarn peaking out from somewhere.

What the?

Poor guy can't even have a clear corner.

And what about the benefits they should be receiving from being with a knitter? A few nice, hand made objects right? But time and again they fall victim to the overzealous knitter who forgets to measure:

It can double as a sleeping bag

Don't worry man, we may miss it time and again but we appreciate your patience and your ability to nod your head when we go off about loosely plied cotton or for looking the other way when we purchase our 18th sweater set-up to be stored for later. You are a gem in your own right.

Knitting Jewelry

Sometimes you just need to represent that you are a die-hard knitter or maybe when you can't tote around a project for whatever reason you still want to be able to show that you know your way around a couple of needles, either way, knitting themed jewelry is quite fun and is what will be shown today.

First up, earrings. These studs offer a minimal jewelry choice that gives not only a pop of color but a fun way to represent your love for the craft.

Designer: NeatEats on Etsy

Price: $22.47

Next, an interesting ring that literally lets you wear your tools. This knitting needle ring is unique and quite the conversation starter. 

Designer: YellowBearWares on Etsy

Price: $18.16

If you want something a little more classic and toned down, this pendant is an excellent choice. It gets the point across that you are a knitter while adding some style to your outfit.

Designer: The Pendantry on Etsy

Price: $13.80

And last but not least, our most provocative option, a belly-button ring. Now this may not be an obvious option but for those of you who took the plunge at the turn of the century and stuck a needle through your tummy then this is for you. I mean a true knitter isn't scared of a needle right? Also, these may be hard to find when you want to show some knitterly love when you bare your midriff.

Designer: BitsOffTheBeach on Etsy

Price: $12

Maybe this was helpful for gift ideas or maybe now you're all set to add to your wardrobe a few fun jewelry pieces that express your crafty side, either way, we hope you enjoyed.

Location

Now whenever people call for directions we say, "We're located in the Rocky Ridge Town Center" and when there's silence we ask, "Do you know where Macaroni Grill is?" This usually does the trick and people know right where to find us.

I just thought I would write a little blurb about what else is in the Rocky Ridge Town Center for you to enjoy when you stop by the Goat. The next big name is BevMo, if you're throwing a party, this is the place to go. Come Friday this place has quite a few hosts dropping in for their evening's drinks.

Food, we all love food and there are some nice little shops to indulge yourself. Starbucks, Noah's Bagels, Dos Coyotes and Jamba Juice. There are more but these seems to be the ones customers and ourselves frequent the most.

Last but not least are Petroglyph, Learning Express and the Bead Shop. If you're looking for activities then why not paint your very own bowl or mug? They do parties and it's a super fun weekend activity. We have so many people come in with Learning Express bags who have picked up a gift for their niece/nephew or grandchild that rave about Learning Express. Seems to be the place to go for children's toys.

And of course the Bead Shop!!! What knitter/crocheter doesn't like to dabble in some beads? They're colorful, shiny and small. There are tons of lovely patterns that require beads that can encompass a love of both fiber and beads.

Hope this helps to entice you to another visit to Got Your Goat now that you know of a couple other places to throw into your time here. 

Who will win?

Cindy vs. Cori, who will win in the battle of the sweater knitting???

In one corner we have Cindy, the sassy owner of Got Your Goat Yarn Studio who somehow finds time in her busy schedule to bust out multiple projects.

In the other corner we have Cori, the teacher, who can sit and knit for 8 hours straight no problem, who too holds down multiple jobs.

Both have the skills necessary to leave the other in their dust but only one can win.

This sweater battle consists of two sweaters.

Sweater 1:

 Pattern: Bergen

Designer: Tonia Berry

Sweater 2:

Pattern: Worsted Boxy

Designer: Joji Locatelli

Place your bets ladies and gents as the competition has already begun!

Independence Day 2014

All of us at the Goat wanted to wish you a fun, safe 4th of July. Thank you to all of those who have fought and sacrificed for our country's freedom. So whether you're just enjoying a day off, lounging by the water, eating barbeque, hanging with family or friends or just sticking inside with your favorite yarn working away on your project, we hope you have a good one. :)

Busy Hands

You may not necessarily be an anxious person but there is something about repetitive movement that helps calm your nerves and relax you. Muscle memory can store these movements in order to make the motions low key for your brain. Less thinking and more zoning out equals quite the relaxed state.

You can achieve this state through other means, meditation, yoga, breathing, etc. But my thinking is why not choose a form of relaxation that can also give you a sweater. Right? Who doesn't want to walk away less stressed and have a beautiful/useful scarf to show for it?

If you are interested in a few more details of the benefits of knitting take a look at this site or do a little research of your own and store up these facts for yourself and for the next person who says they're stressed. It helps that you get to play with gorgeous yarn too. So come on in and relax with us.