The SpaceMonster Club is Open — But I GOOFED!!!

05JunJune 5, 2015 By Stephanie

Oh my stars, this is one of my favourite days! Our clubs open only twice a year and I can’t tell you how exciting it is to see new members come flooding in to join the fun. We love dyeing for our club members and I know folks wait and wait to grab their spot, so the day we fling those doors open to new members is one of my favourite all year.

BUT I GOOFED!!! Last weekend we were away at TNNA and were so busy with all the stuff going on with that, that I totally forgot to publicise the club opening. I usually run ads on Ravlery and announce on social media when the club is opening, but this time… oh crud! Club opening day totally snuck up on me!

So, before we get to the good stuff, I want to ask for your help. Will you please help me share the SpaceMonster Club opening on social media? It’d help get me out of a pickle and I’d so appreciate it!

Just click here to share it on Twitter
For Facebook, you could say something like: Woot! The SpaceMonster Club is now open for subscriptions! Click: http://ctt.ec/s8N97+ to check it out.
And if your Ravelry group would like to know, I’d be so grateful if you’d share with them

Ok, and now let’s get on to the good stuff. I’m delighted to announce…

The SpaceMonster Mega Yarn Club is open for subscriptions!!!!

Woot! It’s SpaceMonster time!

You love big smooshy yarns, doncha?

This is the club for you!

There is nothing in the whole world like a skein of lovely, smooshy, thick yarn to make you want to pick it up, squish it… dive right into it! Big, bulky yarns call out to you, beg you to pick them up and press them against your cheek. And when you cast on, they always work up so fast! Big yarns are gorgeous.

SpaceMonsters, the SpaceCadet’s Mega Yarn Club

Specially designed for those who love working with thicker yarns!

So, whaddya get?

As a members of the SpaceMonsters Mega Club, you receive:

a fantastic parcel delivered to your door every other month, containing a beautiful skein of SpaceCadet^® yarn in worsted or bulky weight, hand-dyed in an exclusive colourway* created to bring out the best in thicker yarn
The SpaceCadet’s Log exploring the inspiration for each colourway.
A fantastic SpaceMonsters gift tucked into every third parcel. We’re known for the fabulous gifts we include in our club parcels — and for this club, we’re seriously upping the fab. You’re going love it!

*guaranteed not to be offered on the SpaceCadet website for at least 6 months

But bigger yarns mean bigger projects, right?

Don’t you worry — in this club, you can buy extra skeins! For a whole month after you receive your parcel, you’ll have an exclusive opportunity to order more skeins custom-dyed in the latest club colourway. You’ll receive an email with all the details a few days after your parcel goes out — and then all you have to do is pick your project!

And the price is pretty exciting too:

a 6 month subscription (3 parcels, starting in August) is only $99, and
a 12 month subscription (6 parcels, starting in August) is just $194

…Wouldn’t you love to receive a right-to-your-door supply of gorgeous, smooshy yarn?

But subscriptions are open only until June 21 and spaces are limited… so you’ve gotta be quick!

Ready to join the SpaceMonsters?

Click on one of the buttons below to grab your spot in the SpaceMonsters Mega Yarn Club

Very Important: if you are giving this as a gift, please remember to include the recipient’s postal and email addresses in the notes when you check out. We gotta have that to send the recipient their parcels!

Six month subscriptions include 3 parcels; twelve month subscriptions include 6 parcels. Parcels are sent out in February, April, June, August, October, and December. Shipping within the United States is included in the price; extra charges apply for shipping outside the US. The first parcel for new subscriptions is the August parcel. Normal subscription openings/renewals will be available in June and December of each year. Because of the nature of the club set-up, we can accept returns or exchanges of club shipments for faulty yarns only. By joining the club, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions. All images here are examples of past yarns/colourways/gifts — please note that new members will not receive the same items, but will receive yarns/colourways/gifts of approximate equal value and fab-ness.

Any other questions? Ask us! missioncontrol (at) spacecadetyarn (dot) com

A Club Bonus — The Sanctuary Shrug

27MayMay 28, 2015 By Stephanie

I passionately believe that knitting and crocheting make people happier — that kind of deep-down happiness that comes from being settled and content. Even in times when nothing seems to be going right, working with yarn and needles can create a small sanctuary of much-needed peace.

And I also believe that knitting and crochet can help us to become friendlier, kinder, more generous. I’ve seen it time and again: when I step out of my comfort zone to ask a stranger what she’s crocheting, when folks at knit night make a new member feel completely at home, and even when one of our customers was so generous as to pay for an entire year in the SpaceMonster Mega Yarn Club for us to give away (that one blew me away!). I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised when these random acts of kindness and spontaneous generosity happen, but they are always heartwarming.

The designer Mel Ski is a member of our fingering-weight yarn club, the InterStellar Yarn Alliance, and she used her March skein of Aurora to knit the Sanctuary Shrug, a sweet little thing to go round your shoulders on summer evenings when the air starts to cool. Originally designed for her Outlandish Clan Kit, which used SpaceCadet Lucina and Oriana yarn (as you’ll see in the photos of the blue and brown version), it’s a pattern that would work with almost any Yarn Alliance colourway or SpaceCadet fingering weight yarn. I love the delicate lacework — so like the summer vines climbing up our porch railings. It’s the kind of practical and beautiful knit that I just adore: lovely to wear but also quick to work up… so you can get to the wearing all the sooner.

The pattern is available on Ravelry here, but here’s the best bit… because Mel is a member of the Yarn Alliance and loved knitting this pattern in a club yarn, she has decided to share it with all the current members of the club as a free bonus club treat. Isn’t that wonderful?!? I really do love the way knitters and crocheters can be so generous about sharing their passion — and I am delighted that Mel has included her fellow club members this way!

If you’re a member of the Yarn Alliance, look for an email later this morning with a download code so you can get the Sanctuary Shrug on your needles straightaway. And if you’re not a member, click here to read more about the Yarn Alliance and — most importantly — get on the club mailing list. We won’t bombard your with messages, but you will get advance notice and early-bird sign-up when the subscriptions open up again in September!

Speaking of clubs opening up, I can’t believe it’s almost June (whaaattt?!?) and nearly time to open subscriptions to the SpaceMonster Mega Yarn Club, our bulky-and-worsted weight club. We are dyeing yarn now (it’s so gorgeous!!!!) and prepping the gifts for the last shipment for current members before subscriptions open on June 5. If you’re not in the club but you love smooshy big yarns, click here to read all about the SpaceMonster Club and get on the mailing list!

Woot! The SpaceMonster Club is Open for Subscriptions!

05DecApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

Woo-hoo! It’s my favourite time of year!!! Well yeah, it’s the holidays but even better than that, it’s SpaceMonster time. We have so much fun putting this club together — finding our colourway inspiration, dyeing those big smooshy yarns, picking the gifts, and seeing what you guys make with them — that I get so excited when it’s time to welcome new members.

The club is open for new subscriptions for two weeks only from today until Dec 21, and spaces always go fast. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect because it makes a fantastic holiday gift — just grab a spot and we’ll send the recipient yarny goodness for the rest of the year!

But, y’know, just because it does make a great gift, doesn’t mean you should deny yourself. I mean, sometimes you gotta take it in your own hands to make sure you receive the holiday gift you really wanted, right? *wink* I can’t think of anything more perfect than a year of SpaceCadet smooshiness!

Well here, let me share all the details…

Woot! It’s SpaceMonster time!

You love big smooshy yarns, doncha?

This is the yarn club for you!

SpaceMonsters, the SpaceCadet’s Mega Yarn Club

Specially designed for those who love working with thicker yarns!

6 months: $99———————————–12 months: $194

So, whaddya get?

As a member of the SpaceMonsters Mega Club, you receive:

a fantastic parcel delivered to your door every other month, containing a beautiful skein of SpaceCadet^® Creations yarn in worsted or bulky weight, hand-dyed in an exclusive colourway* created to bring out the best in thicker yarn
The SpaceCadet’s Log exploring the inspiration for each colourway.
A fantastic SpaceMonsters gift tucked into every third parcel. We’re known for the fabulous gifts we include in our club parcels — and for this club, we’re seriously upping the fab. You’re going love it!

*guaranteed not to be offered on the SpaceCadet website for at least 6 months

But bigger yarns mean bigger projects, right?

And the price is pretty exciting too:

a 6 month subscription (3 parcels, starting in February) is only $99, and
a 12 month subscription (6 parcels, starting in February) is just $194

…Who do you know who’d love to receive a right-to-their-door supply of gorgeous, smooshy yarn?

But subscriptions are open only until Dec 21 and spaces are limited… so you’ve gotta be quick!

Ready to join the SpaceMonsters?

Click on one of the buttons below to grab your spot in the SpaceMonsters Mega Yarn Club

6 months: $99———————————–12 months: $194

Six month subscriptions include 3 parcels; twelve month subscriptions include 6 parcels. Parcels will be sent out at the beginning of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Shipping within the United States is included in the price; extra charges apply for shipping outside the US. The first parcel for new subscriptions is the February 2015 parcel. Normal subscription openings/renewals will be available in June and December of each year. All club members are automatically subscribed to the club mailing list to receive email notification of club updates, special offers for extra skeins, and similar stuff. We never, ever sell or share your email with anyone. Because of the nature of the club set-up, we can accept returns or exchanges of club shipments for faulty yarns only. By joining the club, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions. All images here are examples of past yarns/colourways/gifts — please note that new members will not receive the same items, but will receive yarns/colourways/gifts of approximate equal value and fab-ness.

Any other questions? Ask us! info (at) spacecadetcreations (dot) com

Never-Ending Gradients! And Yarny Gift Ideas too.

03DecApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

You guys you guys you guyyyys, I’ve been dying to show this to you!!!! We did something so cool with the November Mini-Skeins and I’ve had to keep quiet about it but I am just bursting!…

(SPOILER ALERT if you’re in the Mini-Skein Club and don’t want the surprise ruined, look away now…)

You remember that a few months ago we developed the Start-Anywhere Gradient Mini-Skeins? Here’s an image of the July bundle in case you missed it:

The idea, of course, is that the last colourway flows back into the first colourway, so that you can customise your gradient to start with any yarn you choose. So far, so cool, right? Well, we’ve kept that sweet little feature and, in November, we added something that is just crazy-exciting. Are you ready?…

So the last skein of October’s Mini-Skeins blend into the first skein of November’s. And this month, the last skein of November’s Minis will flow right into the first of December’s… and on and on, each bundle adding to the Never-Ending Gradient as the colourways morph and change from one month to the next.

Use the bundles individually or together. Work them in their colour changes or mix them up in stripes. Let the colours flow or contrast. Use a few to create something small and sweet or gather a bunch of them for a project that’s dramatic and eye-cathing. The possibilities are endless!

(Want to get in on the Mini-Skein action? Click here to join the club)

Jade’s Mini-Skein Pattern Picks

Now, do you need a little help picking a project? Don’t you worry — our Jade has got some fantastic ideas for you!

Leventry – Sarah Jordan

This shawl literally stopped me in my tracks when I spotted it in the wild at the Pittsburgh Indie Knit & Spin, and it’s beautiful with two coordinating colors. But…it would be absolutely amazing with the Never-ending Ombre Minis! Work it in a straight up ombre for amazing color and a subtle stitch texture, or put two of the bundles together with a contrast color for the garter ridges and border, and it would just POP!

Loop – Casapinka

Now, this one’s a bit different. It’s meant to feature a variegated yarn against a plain background, but I think it would be stunning in reverse as well. Can’t you just see the stockinette background cycling through a set of ombre or gradient minis, and the ‘loops’ in a highly contrasting color? Depending on the yarn base, one bundle of minis and a contrasting color is all you’d need!

Helix Mitts – Sybil R

When I saw these mitts on the pattern suggestion thread on Ravelry, I thought they looked like so much fun to make! The garter stitch attach-as-you-go construction is exciting but not too complicated, and shows off the colors beautifully. They’d be great in either this month’s gradient or a bright set of multis, and they use only a little bit of yarn. You could even get 2-3 pairs out of a bundle… great for any last-minute holiday gifts you need!

Need More Holiday Gift Ideas?

Two easy gift ideas for yarn lovers (or for… you!). Order one and the rest is easy — no waiting in line, no wrapping, and all that yarny goodness is delivered straight to the recipient’s door!

The Outlandish Clan Kit

Three gorgeous accessory patterns, four breath-taking yarns in exclusive colourways, and a project bag handmade in the Scottish Highlands, and tons more goodies, the Outlandish Clan Kit is just what you need to see in the next season of your favourite show. Kits are available until Dec 5th only, so click here to grab yours quick before they sell out!

The SpaceMonsters Mega Yarn Club

SpaceMonster Club Dec 2014 525x237 for MailChimp

The SpaceMonster Mega Yarn Club all about bigger yarns and is perfect for those who love to work bulky. Every other month, you’ll receive a skein of worseted or bulky yarn in an exclusive SpaceMonster colourway, and a fabulous gift in every third parcel (we’re known for our awesome gifts!). Open for subscriptions from Dec 5 – 21, click here and get on the mailing list for early-bird registration!

Seriously Cool Stuff from TNNA

03JunApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

This time last month, Jade and I were at TNNA, the knitting industry’s biggest tradeshow — an amazing opportunity to see the very latest in fiber arts trends, and a chance to chat with old friends from around the country and make new connections. It’s the kind of event where everything is all go from the moment you wake up until late late late into the night (ask me how late…. go on, ask me*). It’s energising, exciting, idea-generating, and then in the end… deeply deeply exhausting. But, just as we do every year, we came away from TNNA with pages and pages (and pages) of notes and new ideas, and some fun new things that I can’t wait to reveal to you later in the year.

But in the mean time, I want to share with you one seriously hot new product that we spotted — something that had us both squealing with delight! The TNNA show floor is split roughly in half, with most of the knitting-related stuff on one side and the needlepoint booths on the other, and most of our time is spent on the knitting side. But as we ventured over toward the needlepoint side, tucked into a corner we found… Knerd. And both Jade and I were immediately head-over-heels.

Do you know Knerd?

Renee Magee left her corporate job to join her husband’s screen printing shop, and eventually used it to branch out into her own crafty niche. She takes brilliant witty-knitty sayings like, “Does a Bear Knit in the Woods?” and “My Drinking Group has a Knitting Problem,” and prints them onto fab t-shirts (cut for women!), cute stickers, and rad rough-finished project totes. They are so. seriously. cool.

When we got home, I spotted Knerd’s bags featured in the latest issues of Interweave’s KnitScene and Yarn Market News (the industry trade magazine), so you know they’re hot. And if you want to grab one before anyone else in your knit group, get yourself over to Knerd and check them out.

**record scratch**

EXCEPT if you’re a member of the SpaceMonsters Mega Yarn Club!!!!

If you’re a SpaceMonster then you just sit tight, ok? *wink* All I’m gonna say is watch your postboxes because there’s fun stuff on its way to you …and beyond that, my lips are sealed!

Speaking of SpaceMonsters…

I’m super excited to announce that the SpaceMonster Mega-Yarn Club opens for new subscriptions on June 6th!

This club is all about bulkier yarns — so quick to work with and just such fun! There are lots of extra benefits — exclusive colourways, extra skeins, and always a seriously fab gift — so don’t forget to mark June 6 on your calendar. We’d love to have you join us!

BUT LISTEN… we always open the club up a day or two early for the folks on the SpaceMonsters mailing list! Want to grab your spot early? Click here and get your name on that list!

*So what time did we get in? 4am. That’s right… four in the morning. And there’s a story behind it — the kind of story that could only have happened at four am. I’ll tell you all about it in one of my upcoming blog posts…

Yarn from the Farm: Ross Farm Fibers

31JanApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

The thing that makes yarn shows magical for me is, of course, meeting our customers in person. So many times, I’ve known someone by only name or Ravatar, and getting the chance to see them face to face at last is always such a delight! But there’s another aspect of shows that I really love, and that’s getting to meet and hang out with other vendors. They are some seriously cool people — makers and craftspeople I really admire — and, even though shows are hard hard work, there is a sense of camaraderie and sharing amongst the vendors that is really wonderful to experience.

And I want to introduce you to two I’ve really enjoyed getting to know. I think most of us who’ve caught the knitting or crochet bug have also developed a fondness for sheep and the farms and farmers who bring us their wool. So when I first spotted Ross Farm Fiber‘s booth at the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival a few years ago, I made a beeline, and immediately introduced myself.

I’m so glad I did! Amy and Scott (whose nametag sometimes reads, “Scooterpie the Shepherd Guy”) are just lovely — really warm and open, the kind of people who make you want to sit down with a cup of tea and your knitting and just natter the rest of the day away. Except you can’t, because you’re right in the middle of crazy-busy show, and there are customers everywhere and… yep, back to work!

But Amy invited me down to their farm, and last week I took her up on it. And do you know, it’s everything you’d want a small family farm to be! She and Scott took me on a tour of barns that had been in her family for generations, introduced me to their donkeys and Halflingers, small horses that followed us round, nuzzling my pockets for treats. And when they called the sheep down from the fields (and they come flying too!), Amy and Scott knew each ewe by name as they came pouring through the barn doors.

At Ross Farm, Amy and Scott raise rare and heritage breeds: mostly Leicester Longwools and Romneys, a small flock of Jacobs (I love Jacobs!) and another of Corriedales, and a handful of Cheviots, Shetlands, Tunis, and Lincolns. And the thing that really surprised me? They’re all watched over by their donkeys, who work in pairs to keep the coyotes at bay!

Oh, and then there’s Lilah Grace. But I’m guessing she’s not much of a deterrent to coyotes — she spent most of her time trotting out in front of me and the flopping down right in my path and begging to have her belly rubbed.

And thing thing I love most is their focus on giving their animals a genuinely happy existence. That have large fields with plenty of space to roam in the day, and comfortable barns to bed down in at night. Happy sheep indeed.

Ross Farm Fibers sells fleece and yarn — rustic and farmy and beautiful. It’s so different from the yarn I usually dye and sell at SpaceCadet — commercially spun yarn can never acheive the rustic-ness of farm yarn — but could I resist bringing some home to play with? Not a chance! And I knew I wanted to share a little of Ross Farm’s magic with my customers too so, SpaceMonsters, keep your eyes on your postboxes in February — you are in for a treat!

I know why you knit or crochet. It’s for the same reason I do — to slow the world down for a little while and ground yourself in the rhythmic click of the needles. And that grounding has to start with beautiful wool — a fiber unequaled by anything man can manufacture. When you visit a place like Ross Farm, you can see why.