We have a huge and rare treat in store for all knitters … Ann Budd who wrote The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns is coming to do a 2-day workshop just for us. The workshop is the answer to everything you have ever wanted to know about making a sweater.

Ann has written many books and is a font of all knitting information that she is ready to share with you. So sign up for this wonderful opportunity to take your knitting skills up two or three notches.

Receive 20% discount off selected Ann Budd books when reserving your class space online. Enter the coupon code ANNBUDD when checking out.

11th Annual If You Think I’m Counting All This You Must Be Crazy Sale.

You don’t want to miss it, starting at 7am for the first hour almost all the lovely yarns in the store will be 40% off, then from 8am to 9am it’s 30%, then for the rest of the day 20%. Books, patterns, needles and accessories are 20% off all day. Stay informed about the crazy sale – make sure to like us on facebook or check back here for exclusions and developing info.

The weather gods are smiling. Even though we may have snow in the next couple of days, it looks as though it won’t be -40 degrees or a sudden blizzard.

So what more could you ask for? A crazy sale, yarn, decent weather, yarn, popping next door to McNally’s for lunch, yarn and more yarn … it sounds like a good day to me!

See you on Saturday.

Don’t forget, click the buttons below to share this news with your friends.

• that sheep never go on strike
• that our UPS man is fit and healthy and knows our address
• that when our yarn tangles, we have lots of patience or some sharp scissors close by
• that our eyesight improves with a glass of red wine
• that people like Meg Swanson and Amy Detjen keep writing books
• that our staff have strong knees, good memories, excellent eyesight and nimble fingers
• that we always have the choice between brussel sprouts and merino wool
• that companies like Lantern Moon, Rowan, Malabrigo and Brown Sheep ship to Illinois
• that you can knit and watch Love Actually at the same time
• that wool doesn’t come from turkeys
• that Ravelry was born
• that our shopping bags are opaque
• that needles come in lots of different sizes – it would be so hard if they didn’t
• that teaching someone to knit is one of the best feelings in the whole wide world
• that even your worst day gets better when you knit
• that the size of our stash in no way correlates to the size of our hips
• that we love every color of every yarn that we have in the store (and Lord knows we have a lot)
• that so many wonderful knitters have gone before us to show us the way
• that there is no limit on the amount of blue yarn one is allowed to purchase on any given day

and most importantly we are thankful that we have you, the best customers – you who have loyally supported us through the year.

We will be closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving Day, but will reopen at 10 am on Friday. We’re getting all dressed up for Christmas and have lots of fun new things in the store. Come and knit with us on Friday, in the morning, and then remember that the Holiday Lights will be switched on at 5pm and Santa will be ready for you to visit him in his little house on the 1st Street Plaza.

To qualify as a witch with you must appear in costume for the duration of your visit.  Buy-In option available for $10 which will be donated to Suicide Prevention Services and Lazarus House.  StashCash Rewards Suspended for Witchy Sale.  No returns of sale items.  Sale limited to items on sales floor. We reserve the right to include additional items in our list of exclusions.

We have two very exciting (British) things to tell you about today, even though it is an American Holiday Weekend.

The first thing, September 5th to 11th is Wool Week and the Campaign for Wool is making a big splash in the UK. There are activities, celebrations and shows going on around the world.   Take a look at all the wonderful designers and companies who are making a stand for wool.

How exciting is it to have all these big names get behind the campaign, which is chaired by Prince Charles?  Sign up to support them and get their emails and let’s spread the word on the Fabulousity of Wool.

And speaking of fabulous, thing number two …

Not sure when it will air here but you can bet we will glued to the telly, Bolly in hand, when the award-winning Absolutely Fabulous returns to BBC America later this year to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

AbFab Throws

And guess what we’ll be doing while we’re watching? Yes we’ll be knitting an AbFab Throw!!!

Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will reprise their roles as Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone, together with original cast members Julia Sawalha as Saffy, June Whitfield as Mother and Jane Horrocks as Bubble.

Which Lady of AbFab are you?  Well, you could be a nagging wet blanket, a marshmallow-brained assistant, or an overbearing, kleptomaniac mum. Take the Which Lady of AbFab Are You? Quiz to find out if you’re a Patsy, an Edina, a Saffy, a Bubble, or a Mother.

Kate fell in love with it and it just happened co-ordinate with the colors she was wearing today … hey so we had a modeling opportunity.

You can sign up for the knitting class today.

Join your friends at Wool and Company for The Knit Happy Club - I know you will love it.

Join this exclusive small group club … each session lasts 90 minutes and you will learn a new technique or stitch, meet other knitters, play interactive games that will teach you about different yarns and products, and on top of that you will receive exclusive offers and discounts.

Starting in September 2011 we will have sessions on the second week of the month on Tuesday at 11 am 3 pm and 7 pm, Saturday at 11 am and 3 pm and Sunday at 1 pm.

The initial membership is for 9 months, it costs $150, and if you want you can pay half now and half in December). Membership includes the exclusive Knit Happy Tote pictured.

Sign up for the Knit Happy Club today.