Save the Dates: On April 24th & 25th, from 10am - 4pm, we’ll be hosting a special Local Yarn Shop Days celebration, marking 11 years in business. To celebrate this milestone, we’re planning two days of tent sales and in-store experiences, including: - Exclusive yarns and project inspiration - Special promotions and giveaways -------------------------------------------------------------------- Join us on LYS Day, Saturday April 25th at 10:30am for a Making the Time activity with Pamela Van Nest. Pamela is a personal Confidence Coach and author of Making The Time Oracle cards. Pamela will help you identify areas of creativity in your self-care. How creativity enhances other areas in our lives. You will look at how small actions can make all the difference, and finally we'll "play" with the Internal Obstacles" and how to "unravel" them for calmer, more satisfying creative work. Curious? Come find out what this is all about. __________________________________________ Treasured Skein Scarfette Pattern During our LYS Days celebration, receive a Ravelry code for a FREE Treasured Skein Scarfette pattern with every purchase of the Buy Me A River Anniversary Yarn. The pattern codes will only be redeemable for a limited time only: Friday 4/24 at 9:00 AM ET until they expire on Sunday 4/26 at 11:59 PM ET (just before midnight in NY). This elongated, asymmetrical scarfette features bands of vine lace separated by simple stockinette, creating a knitting rhythm that’s both engaging and wonderfully relaxing. Gentle increases shape the piece to a shallow center, then taper to narrow ends - giving it that effortlessly stylish, easy-to-wear drape. It looks intricate. It knits up joyfully. And it lets your yarn be the star. ___________________________________________ When you make a purchase during our LYS Days, you will receive a "20% off a treatment Gratitude Coupon" from The Spa at Elmhirst Resort. All modern makers deserve a little pampering. ___________________________________________

I am excited to show off my newest pattern design - the Stormy Beach Blanket. This blanket tells the story of the river that flows beside the studio. It captures the beauty of those wild, stormy days when the water and sky seem to move together. The textured stitches echo the footprints left along the shoreline and the pebbled, rippling sand shaped by the rhythm of the waves. As the design grows, it rises into stormy clouds and falling rain, reflecting the drama and movement of the river in a storm. The blanket is worked in a single piece and finished with an integrated border, creating a seamless design that feels as continuous and flowing as the river itself. Kit contains one printed pattern designed by Tracy Minnema (me) and six balls of Sirdar Loveful 100% recycled tweed blend yarn. You can also purchase the digital pattern only. Find out more here: https://ariverofyarn.ca/search?type=product&q=stormy+beach

The stitch for April is the Crunch Stitch. The pattern works to a multiple of (x2) +2 for your starting chain. Work the chain to desired swatch width using this multiple. The Crunch Stitch is a favorite among crocheters because it creates a beautiful, dense, and "bumpy" texture that is completely reversible. It is essentially a sequence of alternating slip stitches and half-double crochets. Because of its unique structure, here are the best applications for it: 1. Kitchen & Home Decor This is arguably the most popular use for the Crunch Stitch. - Dishcloths & Washcloths: The "crunched" texture provides excellent scrubbing power without being too abrasive. - Potholders & Trivets: Because the stitch is naturally thick and dense (with very few gaps), it provides great heat protection for your hands or table. - Hand Towels: It’s sturdy and holds up well to repeated wetting and drying. 2. Accessories The stitch creates a firm fabric that doesn't "stretch out" as much as standard double crochet, making it ideal for items that need to maintain their shape. - Scarves & Cowls: It looks sophisticated and provides a lot of warmth due to the lack of holes. - Bags & Totes: The density of the stitch means you might not even need to line your bag, as small items won't slip through the stitches. - Headbands: It offers a cozy, chunky look that stays snug against the head. 3. Blankets If you are looking for a "weighty" project, this is it. - Baby Blankets: It provides a wonderful tactile experience for babies to touch. - Throw Blankets: It creates a high-end, woven look that looks great draped over a sofa. Just keep in mind that this stitch "eats" a lot of yarn and results in a heavier finished product. 4. Garments - Cardigans & Sweaters: It’s great for the body of a warm winter sweater or a heavy cardigan. It mimics the look of some knit textures quite closely. Pro-Tip for Success The key to a successful Crunch Stitch is to keep your slip stitches loose. If you pull them too tight, it becomes very difficult to work your half-double crochets into them on the following row!

We are celebrating 11 years in business with Local Yarn Shop Days on Friday April 24th & Saturday April 25th, with a tent sale! What began as a small passion-driven venture has grown into a vibrant hub for knitters, crocheters, and fibre enthusiasts—offering workshops, events, and a welcoming space for people of all skill levels to gather and create. To celebrate this milestone, we’re planning two days of in-store experiences, including: - Exclusive yarns and project inspiration - Special promotions and giveaways - How to Doodle Workshop with Jamie Lomax of Pacific Knit Co. - Collaborations with local women entrepreneurs If you are in the area, be sure to save the date and visit us on either day, or both!

Since we celebrate Easter during the month of April, I decided to add the Trinity stitch here. Love the look of this stitch. On first glance it looks like a type of popcorn stitch. A nice choice when you want lots of texture in your work. The Trinity Stitch (also known as the Blackberry or Raspberry stitch) is a beautiful, textured pattern that creates a dense, "bumpy" fabric. Because it is thick and has a 3D effect, it is perfect for items where you want volume and warmth. Here are the best applications for the Trinity Stitch: 1. Cold-Weather Accessories The stitch creates a very warm, wind-resistant fabric because the clusters pull the yarn together tightly. - Winter Hats & Beanies: The "bobble" effect looks professional and provides extra insulation. - Scarves & Cowls: It creates a cozy, squishy feel that holds its shape well. - Headbands: The thickness is excellent for keeping ears warm without needing a lining. 2. Home Decor This stitch is highly decorative and sturdy, making it a favorite for "statement" pieces in a room. - Throw Pillows: The Trinity stitch provides a sophisticated, boutique-like texture that stands out on a sofa or bed. - Blankets & Afghans: It is a heavy stitch, making for a substantial, weighted blanket. It is often used as a feature panel in a sampler blanket. - Washcloths: Like the crochet crunch stitch, the bumps provide a great surface for exfoliation or scrubbing. 3. Structured Garments Because it is a "yarn eater" and produces a heavy fabric, it is best used for garments that need structure. - Cardigans & Jackets: It works well for heavier outer layers. - Yokes or Cuffs: If you don't want to do a full garment in the stitch, using it on just the yoke or the cuffs adds a beautiful contrast to plain stockinette. Important Considerations - Yarn Consumption: This stitch uses significantly more yarn than a standard knit/purl stitch. Ensure you buy an extra skein for your project. - Drape: The fabric is quite stiff. If you want a softer drape (for a scarf, for example), use a needle size one or two times larger than what the yarn label recommends. - Visuals: As noted in the A River of Yarn community, the stitch has a look similar to a popcorn stitch, making it an excellent choice when you want high-definition texture in your work.