Snow Bunny Bucks

Stop in the Yarnhouse anytime while it's snowing and you'll get a Snow Bunny Buck worth $1 on your next purchase (not counting your snow-purchase).

We're usually open even during really bad storms & frigid temperatures, but you might want to call before you come over -- 221-0219.

Spinning Saturday a blast!

Our Spinning Saturday in December was a blast! We had several experienced spinners drop in to spin & several newbie spinners came in with questions. One even learned how to spin!! WOO-HOO!! Way to go!
You too can join us for Spinning Saturday, every 1st Saturday from Noon-2pm.

New!! Afghan Kits!

All the yarn that you need to make 44" x 62" afghan in one bag. You can find these kits on our website for purchase.

December PathNotes

In This Issue The holidays are upon us! Soon we'll be exchanging gifts and drinking egg nog -- some of us have already started! Just in time for gift-giving, December's BBQ Knit Nite offers lots of options for last-minute gifts: snowman & santa hats; earrings & stitch markers; fingerless gloves; felted coasters; and Christmas ornaments. Interested in becoming a Master Knitter? Read about our Master Knitter's Group. Meet Erin, a brand-new, second-generation knitter who may just knit faster than anyone we know. Need some relaxing knitting time for a good cause? Read about our preemie hat project. Happy Holidays!


Last Minute Holiday Gifts On BBQ Knit Nite -- Friday, Dec. 12th
Join us from 4-6:30pm on Friday, December 12th, to knit up some last-minute holiday gifts. For a $10 drop-in fee, you can choose to learn how to make a children's Snowman Hat, a Premie Santa Hat, Christmas ornaments, felted coasters and more! Or, bring your gifts-in-progress to finish. Bring a dish if you wish; Karen's husband Gary will make a main dish.

Beaded Lace Scarf Class on Wednesday, December 17th
Have you seen Kathy's Beaded Lace Scarf on display at the Yarnhouse? In this 2-hour class, you'll learn a beaded cast-on, and beaded lace knitting -- enough knowledge to complete the New's Year's Eve Hourglass Beaded Lace Scarf. Call 221-0219 to sign up. The class will cost $25 and will be held from 6-8pm, Wednesday, December 17th.

Preemie Hat Project
Come in and help us knit hats for premature babies! We'll donate the yarn! Drop in between 2-4pm any Saturday and choose a skein from our special preemie yarns (free if you stay and knit the hat in the yarnhouse), get comfortable in our farmhouse kitchen or "zen" room, and knit a hat (or two). We'll collect them and donate them to either Meriter, UW, or St. Mary's. Come in and bring a friend!


Erin's Story
One hot day in September our new friend Erin stopped in with her grandmother, whom she was visiting here in Monona. Erin's grandma, a long time knitter, had just taught Erin to knit a garter stitch. She took to it like a duck to water, and was back in the yarnhouse a couple of days later to pick out yarn for an afghan, and a couple of scarves. She flew back to Boston, and practically finished the afghan by the time she landed. She's become a super-knitter! She shared a photo with us. It's On-The-Go-Blanket from Plymouth's Family Knits in Saphira and Kitten.


Master Knitter's Group Starting in January
Starting January 14th, the Yarnhouse will host a Master Knitter's Group every other Wednesday from 6-7pm. This is for knitters who have enrolled in The Knitter's Guild of America's Master Hand-Knitter's Level I program. Find out more about the Master's program on the Guild's website. We'll work together on the required swatches. Master Knitter Kathy Digman will join the group every second or third meeting to review swatches and give advice. Please call us at 221-0219 or email Karen at karen@knitmeone.com


Coming in January: Knit Nite
January's Knit Nite will feature hats and a special Spin Nite choice. Learn how to spin with a handmade supported spindle!

Just a reminder....

We will be closed Thanksgiving day & re-open Black Friday with deals for you. Don't miss out on our all-day Felting Demo taught by Gale from Yaegers Acres in Cambridge WI on Friday!!

Freebie Patterns

You can request any of the Freebie patterns from us with any online order. Just ask!

3x3 "LongPrint" Scarf

Today's scarf is easy to make and fun to watch as it develops from the skein. Two skeins of Universal Yarn's Deluxe LongPrint 100% wool, self-striping, makes a very long and warm scarf. Or make the scarf shorter and knit a hat or mittens. So pretty!! Pattern is available in-store or by request with any internet order.

Today's Scarf - Scrap Scarf

Do you have lots of leftover yarn from other projects that you just don't know what to do with?

We have a solution for you!

Say hello to Scrappy, The Scrap Yarn Scarf.

Next BBQ Knit-Nite: 12.14.08

The last BBQ knit-nite of 2008 will be on December 14th with a theme of Quick Knitted Gifts.

Novembers BBQ knit-nite was fantastic with plenty of food & fun to be had by all! WOO-HOO!

Today's Scarf - Nickle & Dime Scarf

Nickle & Dime is a simple variation of the Basket Weave pattern. Knit up in Yeagers Acres yarn, slightly felted, with a crocheted scallop edge.

Today's Scarf - The Cork Screw

Somthing different, something fun, something funk-ay...

That's a Cork Screw Scarf!

Seen here knit up in Smart Superwash wool yarn. The pattern is a freebe from SWTC.

Today's Scarf - Reversable Cables

This is a freebe pattern available in store only with any purchase. A 3x3 cable that is knitted on both sides of this scarf. Super easy to knit, a great beginning cable scarf. Seen here knit up in Khroma DK.

Today's Scarf - Ivy Trellis by Gabi Bolland of Posh Knits

Ivy scarf is a stylish but deceptively easy scarf that knits up quick. A perfect first cable project!

Seen here knit up in Organiks yarn.

Today's Scarf -- Frog Tree's Cape Cod Shell

Frog Tree's Alpaca is so soft it almost begs to be a scarf. Warm and fluffy, it surrounds you with warmth -- kind of like a hug! Today's scarf is Frog Tree's "Cape Cod Shell." A 9" by 60" scarf requires 4 skeins of Frog Tree Alpaca sport weight. The four-row pattern makes a very pretty, lacy scarf. Seen here knit up in Kitten, a lace weight mohair yarn.

Off The Beaten Path Yarnhouse has both the yarn and the pattern in stock, because of course, November is Scarf Month!

Today's Scarf -- Amy Anderson's "Pardon Me, Your Slip is Showing

November is Scarf Month at Off the Beaten Path. We are knitting up lots of demos and will try to showcase one scarf a day here on the blog throughout the month.

Today's scarf is Amy Anderson's "Pardon Me, Your Slip is Showing." This pattern uses a slip-stitch technique to create a two-color scarf without having to carry the second color. You knit with one color at a time, just slipping the stitches in the "other" color in pattern. It's really easy and fun, and creates a complicated-looking end product.

The $4 pattern includes instructions for three scarves, all using the two-color slip-stitch technique. I knit this one up using not-quite-one skein each of SWTC's Yin, in pink and brown. I think it would also be really pretty and soft in Frog Tree alpaca or Fibre Company Khroma.

November '08 PathNotes

In This Issue
Hello there!! Brrrrr……What comes to mind during the cool days of November: Thanksgiving turkey & pie – probably; Holiday shopping – maybe; scarves? Of course! That’s because it’s Scarf Month here at Off The Beaten Path Yarnhouse; scarves & so much more. In fact, we can help you out with holiday shopping & pie, too! Pie?

Read about our Day After Thanksgiving (Black Friday) activities, including Gale’s Wet/Needle Felting Demonstrations, BBQ Knit Nite, new yarns & scarves, scarves, scarves!

New Yarn!



The latest shipment from Universal has arrived! Stop in and check out the new Fibranatura Cobblestone 100% superwash merino in nine fantastic colorways. The popular Deluxe Worsted Long Prints are re-stocked, too!

Day After Thanksgiving Fun and Specials

We’re open on Friday, Nov. 21st from 10 to 4 pm. See what’s on special & watch Gale’s Wet & Needle Felting Demonstrations at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. These are great techniques for making placemats, scarves, purses, pillows, and more. Let your imagination soar! Sign up for a felting class with your friends!


Scarves, Scarves and More Scarves
The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting even more snow than last year! We recommend that everyone in your family have at least one hand-knit scarf to help them keep the wind and cold out. It’s a lucky thing that November is Scarf Month at Off the Beaten Path Yarnhouse. Check out our blog at knitmeone.com for our Scarf-A-Day patterns and yarns.

We have lots of warm yarn in beautiful colors to help stave off the winter doldrums! Check out our re-stocked Long Prints, and Fibranatura’s new 100% superwash merino Cobblestone. Many, many patterns, too!







Scarf-Themed BBQ Knit Nite Friday, November 14th
Scarves for every skill level. Join us from 4:00 to 6:30 pm on Friday, November 14th for BBQ Knit Nite. Learn to knit with beads with Kathy’s Peacock Tail Scarf. It’s fun to do & jazzy to wear. OR, try Amy Anderson’s “Pardon Me, Your Slip is Showing” two-color slip-stitch scarf. As if that’s not enough, Karen and Janelle have been preparing yarn for the fantastic “110-Stitch Multi-Colored Stripe Scarf.” More later…

For a $10 drop-in fee, you’ll enjoy two hours of instruction & help on your choice of scarves (Regular price: $25/2-hr). We will break between 5 & 5:30 to enjoy a potluck dinner featuring BBQ Beef & Gary’s delicious grilled food. Bring a dish if you wish. Save room for Kathy and her mom’s pumpkin & apple pies. Oh Yeah! Yummm...

When Being A Knitting Goddess Is Just Not Enough
Lots of Knitting Goddesses come into the shop, but some knitters just want to be more. They want to be MASTER KNITTERS. Off The Beaten Path is starting a Master Knitters Group in January for knitters who are tackling the Knitter’s Guild of America Master Hand-Knitting Program.

According to the Guild, The TKGA Master Knitting Program© is a non-competitive and rewarding achievement program for advanced knitters. Program completion culminates in the presentation of the coveted TKGA Master Knitter title and pin. In addition to knitting samples and garments from written instructions, you will prepare a notebook of research and answers to questions. Written instructions from the Guild provide details (you must join the national Guild, and enroll in the program).

The group will meet every other week to work on swatches and help each other. Once a month Master Knitter Kathy Digman will be there to review swatches and give advice. Please call us at 608-221-0219 or email Karen at knitmeone.com if you are interested. Times and dates TBD.

Happy Thanksgiving!
At Off The Beaten Path Yarnhouse we are thankful for all of our wonderful customers who brighten our days, excite us with their enthusiasm for knitting, and share their lives with us.
We will be closed for Thanksgiving Day.


Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from Karen, Rexie, Rachel, Gale, Kathy and Jesi!


Coming in December…
Last-minute Holiday gifts!

October 2008 PathNotes

October 2008 PathNotes

In This Issue
Lots of exciting things are planned for our knitters this season, starting with Mitten Month! Read all about our mitten-themed activities & specials for October. Also in this issue: Don’t forget the longer hours on Tuesday & Wednesday nights; Drop in 4 a Lesson on BBQ Knit Night; Learn short-cuts for the Ode to Joy workshop; check out our adorable Halloween projects; and our half-off every second skein of sale yarn!

October is Mitten Month!
One hot day in September, a young woman came into the shop carrying her very heavy winter jacket. I asked if she was looking for anything in particular & she told me she was on the hunt for worsted weight wool for mittens to match her new winter jacket. Her grandmother, who lives out of town, is making hand-knit mittens for her grown-up granddaughter.

This lucky young woman has never had a pair of store-bought mittens! Grandma has been making them for her ever since she was a child.

What better inspiration for Mitten Month? Wouldn’t it be great if your children or grandchildren could say they’ve never worn store-bought mittens? Or how about you? Picture your hands clad in soft, warm alpaca, merino, or felted wool…mmmm. We’ve got it all: Frog Tree alpaca; Honeypot’s hand-painted washable merino; Southwest Trading’s Xie & Saphira; Fibre Company’s Organik & Khroma; Universal’s Deluxe Worsted; and much, much more.

Learn the 2 stitch per inch mitten during October’s BBQ Knit Nite. We’ll also have lots of mitten patterns and samples on our “mitten wall.” Come in and try some on!

RSVP for Ode to Joy Jacket Workshop on October 25th
Have you seen the gorgeous Candace Eisner Strick “Ode to Joy” jacket on display in the shop? It’s a show-stopper knit up by Kathy Digman in Candace’s “Autumn” colorway. Kathy will teach some of Candace’s techniques in this workshop, including crochet cast-on; short rows shaping; picking up stitches; creating a variegate look; and, three needle bind-off. This workshop is recommended for intermediate/experienced knitters.
Bonus: Workshop participants will receive 15% off the price of the “Ode to Joy” kit! The workshop will be held from 1-5pm on Saturday, October 25th.
Call us at 608-221-0219 to sign up!

Shorter Autumn Days Bring Longer Yarnhouse Hours
As the days get shorter, our hours have gotten longer! We are now open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 7pm. Stop in on your way home from work, relieve your stress with a little yarn, and miss the traffic. Hours remain the same for Thursday – Saturday: 5 pm on Thursday & 4 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Halloween Projects You Won’t Want to Miss
We’ve got some adorable quick-to-knit Halloween projects for you: Rexie’s Felted Jack O’ Lantern; Anne Cory’s Pumpkin Hat; a “2 st per Inch” Mitten & Simone’s Halloween Stripe Scarf. Create your own Halloween projects with orange (10% Off in October) & black yarns in worsted wool, alpaca, bamboo & more.

‘Meat Us 4 a Lesson’ on BBQ Knit Nite!
Knitters from as far away as Janesville and Milwaukee had a great time at our first BBQ Knit Nite. We talked, laughed, ate & yes, learned the ins and outs of slip-stitch knitting. We have more of the “Mosaic Triangles – A Slip-Stitch Hat” patterns in the shop. Some of our knitters asked for my rice salad recipes. See below and enjoy!

The next BBQ Knit Nite will be Friday, Oct. 17th, from 4-6:30pm. Karen’s husband, Gary, will grill for us again and we’re asking knitters to “bring a dish if you wish.” For a $10 drop-in fee, you’ll have dinner and a lesson on your choice of one of our featured Halloween projects shown above.

Toni’s Rice Salad (this is the salad that I brought to Knit Nite)
1 Pkg. Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice mix (either the regular or quick cook)
1 cucumber
1 small green pepper
½ carton grape tomatoes
Mayonnaise to taste
Lawry’s Seasoned Salt to taste
About ½ cup salted peanuts, chopped

Prepare the rice mix as directed on package, omitting butter. Dice cucumber and green pepper; add to rice. Cut tomatoes in half; add to rice. Mix in mayonnaise to taste. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Chill. Top with peanuts just before serving.

Mel’s Rice Salad (this is the other salad I mentioned)
1 Pkg. Rice-a-Roni Fried Rice flavored rice mix
1 small jar marinated artichoke hearts, diced and SAVE THE MARINADE
1 small can sliced black olives, drained and diced
1 small green pepper, diced
2-3 green onions, sliced
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained and diced
Mayonnaise to taste

Prepare the rice mix as directed on package. Add all of the other ingredients INCLUDING THE MARINADE. Chill, serve & ENJOY.

Have You Seen The Sale Room?
You’ll never see sale prices like these on such fantastic yarns. Until the yarn is gone, you can buy one skein (at the sale price) and get the next skein for half off! These are just some of the great yarns you’ll find here:

The Fibre Company Savannah Merino/Organic Cotton/Linen/Soy blend
Wool in the Woods Cherub 100% wool
Wool in the Woods Cyclone 100% wool
Wool in the Woods Sophie llama/wool blend
Kitten Mohair blend
Vero 100% wool
Dali mohair blend
Galway 100% pure wool
Farmhouse “Roxanne’s” hand-dyed mohair/lamb’s wool blend
Farmhouse “Andy’s Merino” hand-dyed
Hemp for Knitting 100% long fiber hemp
Hemp for Knitting Cashmere Canapa cotton/cashmere/hemp blend
Frog Tree 100% merino wool worsted weight (we only have a few balls left)
Dax Alpaca hand-dyed with natural vegetable dyes 100% baby alpaca
South West Trading Co. Twize 100% bamboo
South West Trading Craft organic cotton/milk fiber from the Vickie Howell Collection
South West Trading Amaizing 100% corn fiber
South West Trading TOFUtsies -- past sock of the month colors
Schulana Sojabama bamboo/soy blend
Universal Rebecca mohair blend
Skacel Giardino 100% cotton
Schoeller Stahl Popcorn wool blend
Needful Yarns Geranium linen blend
Needful Yarns Ceramic viscose/ceramic blend
Plymouth Yarn Patches wool blend
Universal Summer Linen linen/cotton blend
Blue Heron Yarns cotton woven ribbon
Layette Plus Plassard baby yarn
Louet Celebrity Flair linen/polyester blend
Louet Diana’s Sparkle mohair blend

Wait…, we have small quantities of many eyelash and other novelty yarns. Hurry – these won’t last long...

Coming in November
Winter is on the way & November is Scarf Month! Look for November’s PathNotes & ‘Nine Ways to Wear a Scarf.’ BBQ Knit Nite on Friday, Nov. 14th. The theme will be Scarves with Nine Lives!

Happy Halloween!

"Ode to Joy" Workshop Oct. 25th

BBQ Knit Nights!

Introducing BBQ Knit Nights!

Meat me 4 a Lesson

Knit a new item each month & enjoy a BBQ feast cooked by Gary, Karen's Hubby. Bring a dish if you wish. Meat & drinks provided. Vegans welcome! Look for this drop-in ($10) event once a month on a Friday night. Please RSVP so we have enough patterns & food for everyone. Student discount on supplies; or, BYO.

Here's what we have planned so far:

September - Slip Stitch Hats (Sept 26th; 4 - 6:30 pm)

October - Felted Jack -O- Lantern or Mittens (Oct 17th; 4 - 6:30 pm)

November - Beaded Scarf (Nov 14th; 4 - 6:30 pm)

December - Quick and Easy Knitted Gifts (Dec 5th; 4- 6:30 pm)

Mark your calenders!

New Hours and Grand Re-opening Specials!

Yet again the rumor that we are closing for good is doing its' rounds....once again we are NOT closing. We were closed for nine days to remodel and prepare for our Celebratory 3rd Anniversary Grand Re-Opening. Speaking of, we have A LOT of new classes, events and sales to tell you about.

NOW OPEN LATE TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS TILL 7 PM!

Check out our new look!! Here the new look for the check-out room.

The wool room has been transformed into a spinning/knitting retreat room. Plenty of space to move, comfortable seating, & a relaxing atmosphere will invite you to stay & chill-out.

We are having yarn specials every day for the rest of the month. Some will be advertised here & some will be a surprise. You'll have to visit to find those specials.

On Tuesday, Sept 23rd, our advertised yarn specials will be buy one get one 50% off on Khroma DK . Wednesday, Spet. 24th, specials will be all Farmhouse yarns buy one get one 50% off.

All sock & mohair yarns will be buy one get one 50% for the rest of September.

Next month will be all new specials so keep your eyes peeled to this here blog!

Saturday Spinning Fun!

Susie stopped in to learn how to spindle-spin her very own yarn for the first time. She is so proud and OOOH so excited about her very own yarn! Way-to-go Susie!!

Spinning Saturday is every month on the 1st Saturday from 12 - 2.

Shop closing for Grand Re-Opening!

The shop will be getting an Aniversary make-over while we are closed from 9/9 - 9/18. Come on over when we open again on 9/19 to see it.

See you then!

New Merino Lace Yarns!

Jezebel is a 100% soft merino lace weight yarn that is just perfect for any lace project. We now have Navy and many new fall colors on the way! You get 327 yards for the "Try me" price of $11.75!

Remember to knit, relax, repeat!

New Lace Yarns!!

The new Xie Bamboo lace wieght yarn comes on cones of 980 yards!

The popular Hat a-la-Karen pattern is now available to purchase for $3.

We have new price tags on many of our yarns that show "War Time" (WT) prices and the new IPP (Inflation Proof Pricing).

IPP is just for you so come check out our fabulous low prices!

New Web Messenger!

Check out our cool as ice web messenger on the right side bar, just below our store info. You don't have to download anything to ask us a question or to just say "Hi!". Bare in mind that we may be away from the computer when you leave a message, sso be patient for our replies.

Hope to see you in the shop soon!

New Yarns, New Flowers, New Motto

One last photo of the Tulips before the heat of summer makes them fade for another year. MMmm serenity!

We have a new motto around here...and it goes something like this:

"The pump may go up, but you won't see our prices doing that. You can count on fair pricing on all our yarns; our promise to you in these times of economic uncertainy!"

"Inflation Proof Pricing....IPP for short!"

Universal Worsted Long Print has gone DOWN in price! Long Print is now $9.00!

Honeypot Yarns are 100% Superwash Merino & is a one person operation that is based here in Madison WI. Their yarns are all over the country but we are their only local outlet. This is just a small sampling of the yarns we have in stock and more colors and types are coming. YAY for supporting local businesses!!Seasong is a mix of wonderfully soft 80% Cotton and 20% SeaCell.


Tahiti is a 100% Cotton variegated yarn. MMMm tropical!


Cotton wood is 100% ORGANIC Cotton. Natural goodness ahead!

Here is a Baby Hat knit up in our new Alora yarn which is 56% Bamboo and 44% Wool. It has the look of ribbon but knits up as easily as any yarn.

We have corrections for the Baby Hat pattern by Sue Bakken for those of you who have purchased the pattern, you may come in anytime to pick those up, free-of-charge.



More wonderful flowers here around OTBP!

The Karaoke Feel It event is here until June 6th. Come on in to see wonderful hand-knit pieces made out of the outstanding variegated Karaoke before they leave.

We hope you all have a wonderful and safe Memorial weekend!