mosaic yarn shop

Piles of Ella Rae lace merino Worsted!

2012-01-26T15:45:00.001-08:00

NRV Knitting Guild Meeting Today: Jan 21st 2012

2012-01-21T12:29:00.001-08:00

2011-12-29T18:52:00.001-08:00

Sale starts tomorrow Dec, 26th 10am!

2011-12-25T10:50:00.001-08:00

A 15 minute last minute gift!

2011-12-18T12:49:00.001-08:00

A free pattern on Ravelry.com!

New Shipment of Rowan's Kidsilk Creation!

2011-12-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

An elegant 1 hour scarf... your friends and family will be amazed!

MYS Thanksgiving Coupon

2011-11-23T19:56:00.001-08:00

Print this coupon out for savings! Offer expires December 1st, 2011

Mosaic Has A New Look!

2011-11-17T05:35:00.000-08:00

Dave's Architecture Drawing Class

2011-11-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

MYS donated 21 sets of needles and 21 balls of yarn to Gina's husband Dave for his Architecture drawing class today. Only 2 knew how to knit, but the students were asked to work independently. Then they were asked to draw what they made from using the needles and yarn. Here are the first photos from the class. More to follow...

Photo of the Day!

2011-10-25T06:15:00.001-07:00

The penguins' new clothes

2011-10-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

The penguins' new clothes

Annie Hall Scarf

2011-10-08T17:35:00.000-07:00

Free Download on Ravelry.com

Check out this new Sweater!

2011-09-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

'

This is knit out of the new interweave KNIT WEAR magazine we received yesterday! We are going to knit it out of Katia Peru! You can wear this sweater over leggings and some new Frye boots!

2011-09-27T15:58:00.001-07:00

image source http://artssake.tumblr.com/post/9927048553/crochet-mad

Vitamin K!

2011-09-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

Knit this lovely sweater out of our new shipment of Road to China from Fibre Company!

Our Next Project!

2011-09-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

Jared Flood's Romney Kerchief is the perfect easy project to start next! Lots of pretty worsted weight yarns are in stock for you to choose from!

Yesterday the shop was rocking!

2011-08-24T04:04:00.003-07:00

Jeni's Ice Cream 4th of July Social!!!

2011-06-27T17:40:00.001-07:00

Come hang out with your friends at Mosaic Yarn Shop in Blacksburg Va on July 4th from Noon till closing, eating ice cream that will knock your handknit socks off! All we ask of you is $10… eat as much of this ice cream as you can stuff down your gullet! There will also be 15% off Storewide on all stock of yarn!!

Jeni’s Famous ice cream shipped in from Ohio for this event!

BLACK COFFEE
True, strong, undiluted coffee taste thanks to freshly roasted beans ground and steeped in grass-grazed cream. The flavor and aroma of coffee is encapsulated and translated perfectly.

BROWN BUTTER ALMOND BRITTLE
Based on the traditional Norwegian dessert krokan. Browned butter gives depth to salty, sweet almond brittle.

CHERRY LAMBIC SORBET
Tart, true cherry flavor. Sweet and sour, effervescent Lambic beer on the mid palate. Clean, refreshing, and exhilarating finish.

DARK CHOCOLATE
Mouth-filling, palate-gripping, intense chocolate flavor with a fudge-like texture. Pleasingly dry finish.

LEMON YOGURT
Pleasantly tart, aromatic, and creamy. Simple and straight-up delicious, it’s Jeni’s long-time favorite.

PISTACHIO & HONEY
Creamy, deceptively simple. Pure and true pistachio flavor (pureed nuts) and pure and true pistachio color (beige; we add no artificial green dye). Lightly sweetened by ambrosial Ohio honey. Nutty, naturally, with a savory finish.

RHUBARB & LIME CARDAMOM YOGURT
Sharp citrus and cool, smoke-y Indian cardamom in tangy yogurt laced with ribbons of sweet, pink, roasted rhubarb ribbons. Exotic, ancient, aromatic flair.

SALTY CARAMEL
Initial notes of burnt sugar give way to mouth-watering saltiness. A perfect salty/sweet balance.

WILDBERRY LAVENDER
Fruity, with brambly berry flavors, citrus zest, exotic spices, and lavender essential oil.

This Saturday!

2011-06-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

Join us this Saturday, June 11th from Noon-2pm at the Blacksburg Farmers Market for the World Wide Knit in Public Day! Show the NRV that Knitters Exist! And not only do we exist, we are everywhere!

The PDF pattern for BUMP is now available for purchase! $5.00 USD

2011-04-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Yarn Shop is Full!

2010-12-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

Unplanned Peacock!

Come see!

We received Diva sock (cashmere!), DK, and worsted

2010-10-14T05:58:00.001-07:00

Fluid Sculpture from Charlie Bucket on Vimeo.

2010-09-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

Nucknuck- A Pattern on Ravelry

2010-09-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

2010-09-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

Looking for perfect and unique Christmas gifts this year? Don't want to make them yourself? Want them to have meaning and the receiver to enjoy for many years to come? KC Art Quilts on Etsy. She can even do special requests if you give her enough time!

The Malabrigo order has arrived!

2010-09-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

Lace, sock, and superwash! Come and get it!

Mimmy.

2010-08-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

Elysium

2010-07-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Come try on our newest sample Elysium... a flattering fit sweater knit from one side to the other, all garter stitch. You'll love how easy it is to knit!

2010-06-05T21:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you for a great weekend! Pictures to follow!

2010-05-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

Call 540-961-4462 to reserve your space for Purl Jam!

HOMEWORK FOR SHANNON'S CLASSES

Sweater design: You should do 2 swatches -- one in stockinette, one in either a lace or cable stitch -- something basic like Cascade 220 so they can see their stitches = good. Bring 12 or 16" circs (US 8 is good for Cascade), measuring tape, pen, pencil, etc.

For Color Theory: Shannon wants everyone to bring at least 10 mini-balls of various colored yarns -- have them raid their stashes, leftovers, etc, and needles. (US 8s would be good here, too)

Our Keynote Speaker

2010-05-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

Eliza Metz (formally known as Miss Violet) developed and hosted a widely popular podcast called Lime and Violet. Boasting thousands of listeners, the podcast was a great way to learn about yarns, socks, and their wild lives and observations. Her own yarn line, and her own perfume... Eliza has plenty to discuss with us over lunch as our Keynote speaker.

THE DETAILS

2010-05-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

We made this weekend so affordable and fun, you won't want to miss this knitting retreat in beautiful Blacksburg, Va!

The details:

Full Admission to all events and two classes: $135.00

One class, Luncheon with Eliza Metz, Book signing only on Saturday: $79.00

FRIDAY: June 4th

Registration and receive your Goody Bag

Vendor room opens @ 6pm-8pm

Claudia Handpaints

David Simpson/Green Dragon yarn

Lawre's Laine Bags

Jody Hilt's Mama's Sheep Shop

Vouray Skincare from Que Laboratories

Unplanned Peacock Yarn

Scarlet Fleece Yarn

Meet and Greet/Cocktail party 6pm-8pm

Pajama Party with the Shannon and Nancy from 9pm-11pm

SATURDAY: June 5th

Classes: depending on which package, pick an AM class and a PM class or just one.

Shannon Okey: Color Theory: Colors affect us in numerous ways, both mentally and physically. Being able to use colors consciously and harmoniously can help you create spectacular results.

Nancy Lutz: Toe-up socks: Skills taught, Judy's Magic Cast-on, Garter stitch short row heels, stretchy bind-offs. Bring light colored worsted or DK yarn to class.

LUNCH: Luncheon with Eliza Metz

Shannon Okey: Sweater Design 101: Everything you have ever wanted to know about designing the perfect sweater, from the perfect fit that flatters, to the right yarn choices. Finally knit/own the sweater of your dreams!

Nancy Lutz: Drop Spindle Class: There will be on-site shopping for drop spindles and fiber/roving before class.

BOOK SIGNING OF SHANNON'S NEW BOOK AT MOSAIC YARN SHOP FROM 6PM-7PM

Class size is limited to 20 people so reserve your space today!

Need a hotel room for Friday and Saturday night? Call Holiday Inn Blackburg at 1-800-462-4329. The special room rate is $99.00/night and all the rooms are remodeled and overlooking the pool.

A Purl Jam 2010 Instructor

2010-05-06T15:24:00.001-07:00

Nancy Lutz has a Ph.D. in Economics from Stanford University and is currently the Economics Program Director at the National Science Foundation. But we try not to hold that against her. When she isn’t working (or knitting) she is one of the world’s biggest Star Wars geeks and she regularly goes to sci-fi conventions. But she doesn’t go in costume. Nancy has probably knit more pairs of socks than anyone on the East Coast. You may know Nancy because she lived in Blacksburg for 15 years before moving to Northern Virginia. She lives in a two bedroom apartment because she needs one room just for her stash…

A Purl Jam 2010 Instructor/Designer

2010-05-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

About Shannon Okey

Shannon Okey has published a dozen major-publisher books and is the former editor-in-chief of monthly UK-based print knitting magazine Yarn Forward. She is a frequent magazine and television contributor, and was named one of six “New Guard of Knitting” in Vogue Knitting’s 25th anniversary issue. Shannon has taught all over the world, including a cruise ship rocking from side to side and online at knitgrrl.ning.com. Offline, she teaches at her own Knitgrrl Studio in Cleveland, Ohio and at yarn shops everywhere.

Shannon runs her own publishing venture focusing on both digital and print publications. Shannon was formerly a columnist for knit.1 magazine, and a founding co-owner of Stitch Cleveland, a similar space in Lakewood, Ohio. She founded Stitch Cooperative, a designer-operated pattern publishing co-op, and organizes events ranging from the Cleveland edition of Bazaar Bizarre to gallery shows featuring fellow fiber artists.

She has written not only the Knitgrrl series, but also two books for Interweave Press (Spin to Knit and Felt Frenzy, the latter co-authored with Heather Brack). Shannon edited and wrote the instructional text for Just Socks and Just Gifts for Potter Craft and Crochet Style at Creative Homeowner.

Her first sewing book, AlterNation (with Alexandra Underhill) was released by North Light Books in 2007, and was followed by The Pillow Book for Chronicle Books in 2008.

How to Knit in the Woods was also published in 2008. Shannon’s forthcoming knitting books include Alt Fiber and the revised 2nd edition of Pam Allen’s Knitting for Dummies.

She will be teaching 2 classes at Purl Jam on Sat. June 5th and will be signing her books that evening at Mosaic.

Purl Jam 2010

2010-05-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

Save the date! June 4th and 5th for our annual knitting retreat!

Classes from published and world renowned designers.
A marketplace full of yarn, knitting bags, jewelry, books, and more...
A cocktail party and a pajama party... who could ask for more?

Call Gina at 540-961-4462 for more details

Knit a Looloo!

2010-02-23T18:40:00.001-08:00

This is a free download off of Ravelry.com. Enjoy!

Hearts for Haiti Coat

2010-01-20T12:39:00.001-08:00

We Heart Addi Clicks!

2010-01-13T14:56:00.000-08:00

We have 4 sets left in stock...don't delay... Addi-clicks are THE BEST!

Bitty Boy Bump!

2010-01-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

New Patterns on Ravelry

2010-01-02T15:15:00.001-08:00

Check out Ravelry for these new patterns from Skeincocaine!

BITTY BUMP

COMFY CABLES

Learn To Knit Event!

2009-12-26T06:36:00.000-08:00

Know anyone who wants to learn to knit, but was always putting it off and could never find the time?? Have a friend or family member who wants to learn...but you don't have the patience to do it? Dec 26 and 27, come in with or without materials/supplies, and we will teach you for free! No Excuses any more! Get in here!

3 Bags Full was a Success!

2009-12-12T13:51:00.000-08:00

2009-11-30T17:16:00.001-08:00

Come check out our tree at The Inn @ Va. Tech!

2009-11-28T17:18:00.001-08:00

Cher and Meredith's Birthday Party!

2009-10-31T14:43:00.000-07:00

A great time was had by all! And we are so in love with HATS right now!!

Birthday Party!!!!

2009-10-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Please join us Sat. Oct 31st at 1pm for Cher Sweeney's birthday party! Yummy food and drinks...and maybe some extra special deals just for the day! Hope to see you there!

Don't miss this!

2009-10-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

So, just to be clear...

December 5th from 10am-4pm Charity Knit-in:

ADMISSION

$10.00
* 1 or more cans of food to help feed our area's poor
* 1 or more children's books to fill our area's school libraries
* Knit a hat for our homeless. It is estimated that there are over 500 homeless children in the Montgomery Co. this school year.

What do you get for $10?
* A ticket into the Knit-in that will host vendors to complete your holiday shopping
* A goody bag with coupons, charity yarn to knit your charity hat, and a raffle ticket.
* LUNCH!

Help us out this year and don't forget to bring some size 8 needles!

RSVP 540.961.4462 Mail check to our address to reserve your space, or call with a credit card.

Come See The Baby!

2009-08-20T14:20:00.001-07:00

2009-08-09T11:50:00.000-07:00

Giant End of the Season Sale!

2009-08-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

AUGUST 7th, 8th, and 9th is our annual sale with markdowns from 30%-90% off on yarn, books, and patterns. Don't miss it!

Amy Butler Bags are here!!!!

2009-07-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

Bye Mimi...We'll miss you!

2009-07-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

2009-06-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

Today!

2009-06-10T01:33:00.000-07:00

As soon as the baby is out....Mosaic is having a storewide sale! Once Caitlin gets the call this morning...everything in the shop is 30% off until 9pm! This includes sale items already marked down 50% off. So drop by today or make the call! Today is a special day!

NEWSFLASH

2009-01-16T16:44:00.000-08:00

Mosaic's Christmas Coupon

2008-12-24T12:25:00.000-08:00

2008-12-07T16:27:00.000-08:00

Come by the Inn at Va. Tech to see Mosaic's tree! You can also vote on your favorite tree there...hey, we want to win! So vote for us!

Dream In Color!

2008-08-30T12:31:00.001-07:00

Check out the new yarn Dream In Color Classy in stock now! 100% superwash wool 250 yards...perfection. Down load your February Lady Sweater and cast on today!

Giant Tent Sale!

2008-07-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

RAVELRY PARTY SATURDAY ( AUGUST 2ND) @ NOON! The first 50 people get an official Hello Ravelry Button!

August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, we will be emptying out the stock room for 3 days of huge markdowns! We are closing out alot of the Debbie Bliss at 50% off! Hundreds of whole bags 30% off, even brand new fall yarn! Noro! Prism! Claudia Handpaints! Koigu! Araucania! Jade Sapphire! Just to name a few! Some yarn will be marked as low as 90% off to get it the H#$% out of the shop! We'll even be selling the knitted garments/samples that we no longer have the yarn for. Come join the stash enhancement fun and indulge in a free frozen Margarita while you're at it!

Our Sale Hours,

Aug. 1st Friday 10am-6pm
Aug. 2nd Saturday 10am-6pm
Aug. 3rd Sunday 12pm-5pm

PHONE ORDERS WELCOME!

More Purl Jam 2008

2008-07-13T06:09:00.001-07:00

The Purl Jam 2008 Designers

2008-06-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

More Purl Jam

2008-06-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

Purl Jam Candids-Just the Beginning

2008-06-20T17:56:00.001-07:00

Purl Jam 2008

2008-05-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

2008-05-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

Our very own local Indy-dyer David Simpson has sold us some of his superwash sock yarn for our booth at the Sedalia Fiber festival this weekend. He promises many many more skeins of spectacular color for Purl Jam attendants. Yippy!

David (my KFI successor) visited us today and several times I tried to cut off his breathing, but in the end he got my money anyway. Silk Garden Sock Yarn anyone? Purl Jammers will get first choice of colors!

Meet The Purl Jam Teachers

2008-02-05T16:46:00.000-08:00

JARED FLOOD aka Brooklyn Tweed

Jared Flood is an artist, photographer and knitwear designer based in New York City. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jared moved to Brooklyn in 2005 to pursue his creative endeavors. He is currently working towards his MFA at the New York Academy of Art while doing freelance knitwear design for print and online publications, and teaching.

His designs have been featured in Interweave Knits Magazine, Vogue Knitting, and various book publications, including Son of Stitch n’ Bitch and Sensual Knits. He is the author of www.brooklyntweed.net.

Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton

There are painters and crafters on both sides of her family, but Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton has applied her talent in combining colors and structure to designing handknits.

Hamilton’s career started in New York where she developed her talent during the early 80’s. There she designed for the better knitting magazines and to a private clientele. The high point of her time in NY was a handknit collection under her own label that was sold to select boutiques in 20 states from Florida to Alaska.

A move over the Altantic to Mariefred, Sweden has given her the peace and harmony to live with her family and develop her artistic creativity even further. Here she has a small boutique, runs her business Hamilton Design and writes articles on knitting for American and Scandinavian publications. She is Head Designer for Noro yarns in Japan.

Annie Modesitt

A native of Ohio, Annie taught herself to knit at age 25 before a move from NYC to Texas. The Texas tenure didn't last, but knitting did, and upon her return to the NY area Annie began knitting for other designers and designing for major knitting magazines. Her work has appeared in Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, Knitters Magazine, Cast On, Family Circle Easy Knitting, McCalls Needlework and several family oriented magazines.

Author of Confessions of a Knitting Heretic, Knitting Millinery and editor of the 2006 Accord Crochet Pattern A Day Calendar and the collection of fiber essays, Cheaper Than Therapy, Annie has contributed to many knitting books including Stich N' Bitch, Scarf Style, Wrap Style, the Vogue Knitting Book, and Weekend Knitting and Holiday Handknits. Twist & Loop (Potter Craft, 2006) and Men Who Knit And The Dogs Who Love Them (Lark, Jan 2007) Annie's the inventor of the astoundingly clever Flip Knit, a low tech, portable alternative to knitting videos.

Annie knits using the Combination Method and believes that there truly is no wrong way to knit. She lives in St Paul, MN with her husband, kids and assorted pets.

Personal Knit & Design History

In 1983 I taught myself to knit just as I was being transferred by my company from New York City to Dallas, TX. I completed my first sweater in a weekend and realized that my destiny lay in fiber and needles.

Dallas was not part of my destiny, though, and upon my return to NYC I began knitting for designers and eventually submitted my own designs to knitting magazines. I was hired by Vogue Knitting as a technical writer but unfortunately my unorthodox, self-taught knitting style wasn't - at that time - well received by the more established knitting world.

I continued designing for most of the major knitting magazines and yarn companies, but reaction to my knitting style (which didn't affect the final look of a garment) led to my decision to leave knitting and move into Costume & Set Design.

After the birth of my 2nd child, during a hiatus from television and theatrical design work, I happened to read an article by Priscilla Gibson Roberts in the Fall 2000 Interweave Knits Magazine. It changed my life. Her article was an outline of the major world knitting styles, and the method I'd been using was described as the "Combination (or Combined) Method."

The legitimization I felt when reading the article was a turning point in my life. I re-entered the knitting world - not just as a designer but as an instructor. I expose my beginning students the Combination Method as well as the various forms of the Western Method, but more importantly I stress the different ways of forming a stitch and convey an appreciation of how a stitch is seated on the needle.

The method a student uses to knit is entirely irrelevant when they participate in one of my advanced technique classes (Lace, Cabling, Colorwork, etc.) As long as a student can make a knit and a purl stitch, I can help them fulfill any knitting passion they possess.

My unusual method of knitting has also allowed me a tremendous freedom of scope - I am as comfortable knitting (and teaching how to knit) furniture, fine millinery, basic sweater design or knit embellishments.

Save The Dates! June 20th, 21st, &22nd!

2008-02-02T20:41:00.001-08:00

Satisfied Customers

2008-01-25T14:10:00.000-08:00

Want to See Something Pretty?

2008-01-24T17:44:00.000-08:00

We received a shipment of Jade Sapphire Cashmere in a 6-ply weight. Want the perfect one skein project to jump start your Christmas knitting for next year? (yea, you heard me, cover your eyes and ears all you want...you need to start knitting NOW!)
Try Fetching with one skein of Jade, the perfect gift...

One of our Favorite Customers, Jill

2008-01-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

Mission Falls 1824 Wool

2008-01-14T18:05:00.000-08:00

Come and get it...the water's fine! We received 12 beautiful colors of this %100 superwash wool, an absolute delight to knit with!

ps, our Rep Rivka will be in the shop, for the day, starting at 10am, Tues. Jan. 15th. Come by and say Hi!

Customer Sheri's Cool Tattoo

2008-01-04T18:11:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T12:29:00.001-08:00

Mosaic's New Year Resolutions

1. Buy more yarn for the shelves.
2. Be more helpful to customers.
3. Have more frequent sales.
4. Get more Sofas!
5. Eat more Chocolate.
6. Clean up the backroom.
7. Get our classes in order!
8. More light!
9. What else do we need to make us better in 2008?

Leave us a comment, it won't hurt our feelings. It will only help! Thanks!

30 Minute Drink Cozy

2007-12-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

30 Minute Drink Cozy
Get a partial skein of sport weight yarn, like Claudia Handpaints or Koigu.
You need size 5 DPNs

Cast on 40 stitches.
Join in the round.
Knit2 Purl2 for 3 inches.
Bind off.
Cover your favorite beverage.
Drink.

One Skein Limari Hat

2007-12-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick one skein hat you can do in about 2 hours...
One skein Of Araucania Limari
size 11 DPNs

Cast on 48 stitches
Join in round.
Knit2 Purl2 for 2.5 inches for a ribbing or just knit for a roll top.
Knit in round for 6-7 inches
K2tog every 3rd stitch for one row.
Knit another round.
K2tog all the way around.
Knit another round.
K2tog around one last time.
Thread yarn with darning needle thru remaining stitches.
Secure on the underside.
Thread some beautiful ribbon(like Hannah Silk)around the edge.
Put on head
Smile

Inspiration

2007-12-19T06:49:00.001-08:00

Gisela Gamper Photography

Yes, Folks...It's Here

2007-12-13T16:11:00.000-08:00

Never has there been more excitement...Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn. $19.00/skein for 480 yarns on size 1-3 needles. Get it while you can, it's flying off the shelves.

Holiday Stitch N' Bitch @ Mimi's

2007-12-12T19:35:00.001-08:00

A Day @ The Shop

2007-11-14T18:19:00.000-08:00

Becky

Sheryl

Va. Tech students

Missy

Robin

Knit n' Read!

2007-11-12T16:35:00.001-08:00

Our book club is reading "Drunk, Divorced, & Covered In Cat Hair" by Laurie Perry aka Crazy Aunt Purl. Join us next month to discuss and chuckle about the hilarity that is Laurie!!!!

Husbands Find Mosaic Stimulating!

2007-11-11T15:49:00.001-08:00

Who's With Us!?!

2007-11-08T16:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday's from Noon-2pm we will be starting the Christmas Elvis sweater knit-a-long...Who's with us! Anyone? Anyone? Hello?

Schedule of Knit-A-Longs Meeting Each Week-

Mondays- Book Club and Knitting 10-12pm

Wednesdays and Fridays- Rambling Rose sweater from Carol Anderson 10-12pm

Tuesdays- Einstein Coat from THE KNIT STITCH by Sally Melville 10-12pm

Thursdays- Socks with Cher and Belinda 10-12pm

Saturdays- Learn to knit or learn something new 12-2pm

Sundays- Elvis Christmas Sweater noon-2pm NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Cuteness Alert!

2007-11-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

2007-11-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

The Scream 4 New Yarn

2007-10-30T14:47:00.001-07:00

We Teach 'em Young!

2007-10-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

A Message from the Vice President

2007-10-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

Purl would like to inform you that the Koigu she ordered arrived from Canada today! We are Rich! Rich!

2007-10-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

Gina,
Here is the finished product! I hope it meets your approval. Thank you so much again for allowing me to use your shop as my paper topic. I really enjoyed visiting and speaking to your customers!
Thanks again!
-Hannah Mallalieu

Hannah Mallalieu
Professor Katie Fallon
English H1204

25 September 2007

More Than Meets the Eye
“A lot more goes on here than just knitting,” says Marilyn Spencer, a Mosaic Yarn Shop regular.
Walking into the local knitting shop in downtown Blacksburg, Virginia, my eyes were drawn to the shelves of brightly colored yarn skeins. The warmth of the sun shining through the glass ceiling illuminated the shop with a heavenly glow. The chatter of the women knitting and socializing together filled the shop with happy sounds that reminded me of birds in early spring. The atmosphere in the shop was comfortable and exceptionally welcoming. Just as simple, broken pieces of glass, porcelain, and stone combine to form a beautiful mosaic, the individuals, unique atmosphere, and mission of the Mosaic Yarn Shop combine to create a truly special place.
The sumptuous, red couch and matching oversized chair provide comfortable seating for customers. Jewel-toned oriental rugs warm the brick floor. Two large wooden boxes full of knitting magazines offer ideas for new projects. From the ceiling above the cash register, colorful balls of yarn dangle by strings. In the corner of the shop, brightly colored star-shaped lights twinkle along the ceiling.
Scattered throughout the store, scarves, sweaters, hats, and shawls serve as visual goals for the knitting customers. A small, black pug puppy, aptly named Purl for the reverse of the knitted stitch, roams the shops and eagerly greets customers. The home-like feel and comforts of the Mosaic Yarn Shop are a haven for knitters, young and old alike.

Gina Bonomo, the store’s owner, opened Mosaic six years ago. She previously owned a shoe store called “Sole Mates,” but due to the illness of a friend, she had to sell the store to the store’s manager.
At the sale of the shop, she signed a non-competition agreement with the new owner preventing her from opening any kind of shoe, clothing, or fashion-related store.
Gina noticed there was not a knitting shop in the area.
She heard “rumblings of knitting coming back,” which prompted her to open the Mosaic Yarn Shop.
Gina optimistically noted that each year business doubles from the previous year. She believes knitting is so popular because it is a “soothing craft” that combines fashion and textile.
Summer is usually the slowest time for Mosaic; however, this summer, the store owner mentioned, was actually one of the busiest times for the shop.
After the tragic events of April 16th , the store became flooded with people wanting to knit and talk about their feelings. Bonomo was also looking for any way to help in the long healing process.
The store’s owner came up with the idea to ask people to send in knitted or crocheted squares to be sewn into blankets for the victims and families of the April 16th tragedy.
Gina mentioned people heard of the project through various sources, but mostly through the “blogger world” and the shop’s own website. The store owner explained the knitting community has a large base of Internet “bloggers” who post short diary-like entries about life and knitting.
She noted that it is “amazing how many people found out about the project.” The Hokie Healing project was mentioned in newspapers, such as the
New York Times , and shown on many television news shows. The project was overwhelmingly supported by the public and squares were sent in from all over the country and around the world. At the height of the project, so many knitted and crocheted squares filled the store that there was no room to sit down! Bonomo stated that the project “gave a stronger sense of community” and also was a way to “help in a helpless situation.” One volunteer said, “Most people think that this project was initiated to help others, but mostly it’s to help us heal. We are all part of the Hokie community and we all wanted to do something to help.” Gina explained giving money is a good way to help out, but these blankets gave a little something different. She and those involved in the project knew the blankets provided comfort.
The store owner pointed out, “With every stitch [knitted], the blanket’s recipient was thought about and prayed for.”
To date, almost 8,600 squares have been sent in from caring individuals throughout the world. Sixty-four squares are needed to make one blanket, so about 134 blankets have been sewn together by volunteers through the Mosaic Yarn Shop.
In the back room of the shop, 40 comfort blankets remain waiting for the special person they will help to heal.
As the first anniversary of the tragedy at Virginia Tech approaches, those people directly affected by the heartbreak will continue to drift in to the Mosaic Yarn Shop to receive their special gift of love and healing. In this way, the shop will continue its mission of hope and recovery for the community and for the volunteers. One of the knitters who helped to assemble the squares said the outpouring of concern for the Hokie Healing project “makes you want to do more.”
At first, the blankets were only intended to be given to the actual victims of the tragedy and to their families.
However, due to the overwhelming response, Gina Bonomo noted the blankets have also been offered to all the first responders. Recently, the store owner stated, a woman came into Mosaic to buy yarn and was wearing a Blacksburg Rescue Squad shirt. Bonomo asked if she helped out during the day of April 16th .
The customer said she helped to clean up, and immediately, Gina offered a blanket to the customer.
The customer gratefully accepted and has since referred other members of her squad to Mosaic to receive their own comfort blanket. Bonomo said that the project has even extended to nurses who worked on patients in the emergency room during April 16th .
As fibers of yarn are woven together though knitting, my life was woven into the Mosaic Yarn Shop just a few months ago.
Through a chance encounter at freshmen orientation, my mom spoke to a professor in the college of science and made reference to the fact that my older brother, Richard, was in Norris Hall on April 16th . Thankfully, he survived by jumping out of a second story window and only suffered a few scratches. The professor, a volunteer for the Hokie Healing project, encouraged my mom to bring Richard by the Mosaic Yarn Shop to receive a comfort blanket.
My brother, usually quiet and reserved, was genuinely happy and thankful to receive such a special gift.
My mom suggested she take the blanket home for safe keeping, but my brother insisted on keeping it and using it.
The beautiful blanket of orange and maroon my brother received will help him heal from the horror he experienced last April. Because of this kind, generous deed, the Mosaic Yarn Shop holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of my family members.
Aside from the significance and impact of the Hokie Healing project, the Mosaic Yarn Shop truly is a special place for its customers.
Every Wednesday and Friday morning a small group of members of the local Knitting Guild meet.
One member explained they usually do the same project with different yarn and needles and compare the differences in the finished projects. The first project they all completed together was a sweater; now, they have branched out and do not necessarily work on the same project together.
All five members present on the Wednesday I visited seemed to agree they come to knit, but primarily, they come to socialize. Marilyn Spencer, a Knitting Guild member who has knitted for over fifty years, emphasizes the Mosaic Yarn Shop as a “place of therapy.” She also notes the shop is very accessible because it is open daily, even on Saturday and Sunday.

The ladies collectively agree they come to the shop for so many more reasons that just to knit.
Knitting is a form of healing and stress relief, and serves as a reason for socializing.
One member mentions they come to the Mosaic Yarn Shop to knit, but also “to learn new things from each other” and to “talk about everything.” Karen Greider, another Knitting Guild member, comes to the shop “to be nice to herself and buy something for herself.” She describes it is “therapeutic to look at all the colors of yarn and feel them.” For this particular knitter, knitting is a family activity. Karen and her daughter learned to knit together six years ago.
While her daughter has become occupied with other activities since, this mother still continues to knit regularly.
She mentions that when her daughter has horse riding lessons, she comes to Mosaic to knit while she is waiting for her daughter. Karen Greider commented that her daughter even taught her husband how to knit, and every Christmas, the mother, daughter, and father all work on a knitting project together.

When first asked why the women come to the shop, they quickly respond with, “Addiction!”
Spencer and Greider both agree they have more yarn than they could ever knit in a lifetime.
The loyal customers and Knitting Guild members appear to be truly enjoying themselves as they knit various items together. Greider is working on a cool-toned shawl of blues and greens. The soft, fuzzy yarn is pleasing to the eyes, as well as to the touch. Spencer is knitting together a brightly colored pair of orange, pink, and white socks using small, narrow, wooden knitting needles. She is making these socks for herself and comments that “the people who make them appreciate them the most.” Spencer even takes a brief hiatus in her knitting to lift her foot up to the table and proudly display a pair of socks she knitted previously.
Another lady sitting at the round table in the center of the store tells that she is knitting a baby cap for her two month old granddaughter. She lovingly interweaves delicate strands of yarn together in soft colors for the new addition to her family.
As the women knit and socialize, customers come in and out of the store entrance. One young woman walks in and is warmly greeted by the Knitting Guild members.
Out of her cloth bag, she pulls an intricate scarf. At a closer glance, I can better appreciate the time involved in making this piece of art. Small, brown flowers line the entirety of the scarf, complete with a pearl bead in the center of each flower. The woman sitting next to me explains the scarf was knitted to raise money for an Iraqi child to come to the United States to have surgery. Bonomo, the store’s owner, chimes in that knitting shops are always looking for charity projects and for ways to help others.
Another Knitting Guild member modestly describes that she is “just” making a baby sweater to raise money for charity. The knitting customers of the shop truly love to use their skills and talents to help out the community in any way they can.
A few minutes later, a mother and daughter pair walk into the Mosaic Yarn Shop. Gina Bonomo casually greets the duo. When the mother says that “we are here to spend money,” Gina jokingly replies, “We’ll take it!”
The care and concern the store owner shows for each customer is extremely evident.
As the mother is explaining to Gina she needs wool to make a sweater for her daughter, Bonomo quickly replies that she knows the customer cannot use a certain yarn because of her daughter’s wool allergy. The customer is surprised, yet pleased that the store owner knows her needs before she even mentions them.
Just as the loyal customers are eager to buy from Mosaic, the employees also seem delighted to be working in the shop.
Debbie, a Mosaic employee, works part time at the shop on Wednesdays and Fridays.
She says a perk of the job is the discount she receives on yarn, needles, and other knitting supplies.
Debbie also acknowledges that she loves working for Gina. While the Knitting Guild members occupy the center of the store, Debbie stands to the side and helps a customer wind a skein of yarn into a ball.
Wright explains this helps to prevent any tangling during a knitting project.
While knitting may stereotypically be thought of as geared toward the older, retired crowd, five minutes spent in the Mosaic Yarn Shop proves this theory wrong. The Knitting Guild is comprised of grandmothers and mothers. However, Gina Bonomo explains that a younger crowd meets several times a week in the shop to knit. This group is made up of college students, college professors, and those who work during the day. Customers flowing in the shop consist of all age groups from great-grandmas to young elementary students. The Mosaic Yarn Shop is appealing to all ages due to the relaxed atmosphere and the creativity of knitting.
At 6:00 p.m. nightly, the little shop closes. The work done by those staying until the shop closes is packed away to be taken home. Purl the pug is all ready to go to his home for the evening. The lights go out and the door is locked.
Inside, the shop is dark and silent- the chatter and the knitting needles have stopped for now.
But in the morning at 10:00 a.m., the shop will open, new projects will begin, new friends will meet, and the work of the Mosaic Yarn Shop will continue.

At first glance, it seems improbable that a humble appearing knitting shop in Blacksburg, Virginia, could have such a far-reaching impact on the lives of so many. However, the Mosaic Yarn Shop plays an important role in the thousands of lives that have been knitted together through this quaint shop. The shop’s name, Mosaic, certainly suits the business.
Just as a mosaic is much more than shards of glass and pieces of stone, this shop is much more than the skeins of yarn and knitting needles that fill its shelves.

Christmas Is Just Around the Corner!

2007-10-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Need ideas for Christmas this year? How about some cute Sheep Slippers?
How about a free bag of Noro Kureyon? Head on over to Skein Cocaine for a contest to win a bag!

What's on Gina's X-mas list?

Yarn Porn

2007-10-13T07:14:00.003-07:00

Titillating Rowan Kid Silk Haze

Promiscuous Schaefer

Arousing Art yarns Cashmere 1+5

See You Next Thursday!

2007-10-11T15:11:00.001-07:00

We are happy to announce a new knitting group forming every Thursday, starting next Thur. Oct 18th from 10am to 12pm. The group will be knitting socks. You can choose to knit any pattern you are currently working on or start a new one. Leaders Cher and Belinda will be knitting Monkeys from Knitty.com.

Just show up and be ready to knit your heart out! See you there!

2007-09-26T17:38:00.001-07:00

Our Designers Work Hard For Ewe!

2007-09-23T10:03:00.001-07:00

The Koigu Krew

The Berroco Babe

The Other Blissful Debbie

A Day At The Shop

2007-09-20T15:46:00.001-07:00

Contest! Win free Yarn!

2007-09-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

Head on over to Skein Cocaine to win a free bag of Noro Kureyon! Don't miss this contest! It's super easy!

The Concert Was Fantastic!

2007-09-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

The concert was a gift from Dave Matthews for the students and faculty of Virginia Tech. Good fun!

2007-09-04T17:18:00.000-07:00

Today we gave a blanket to the Mother of the roommate of Cho's. She says he is doing great and will adore his blanket!

Belinda + Sandy on Sale Day!

2007-09-02T05:34:00.001-07:00

MARK THOSE CALENDERS!

2007-08-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

A Hairy Contest

2007-08-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

Gina at Skein Cocaine is wearing a wig and act'in all crazy and S@#$! She's giving away Koigu yarn to the clever knitter who can best name her CD due to be released next spring. Come on over and play!