Last Of The Prizes

This is the last prize photo I have to post. It is being donated by Needle Nook. This Namaste tote has a retail value of $69.00 and will go to a lucky winner.

The shop hop seems to be very active this year. Passports are being turned in and we expect a large turnout this weekend. Here is Arlene shop hopping with Debi of The Whole Nine Yarns, Elyse of Only Ewe and Cotton Too and Theresa of Cast On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden. All three shops were new to me and a treat to visit. Two were in new locations, both great spaces. Hope you are enjoying the shop hop.

Additional Prize Photos

Here are more great prizes you could win during our 4th annual shop hop, now in progress. The first photo is from Needle Nook and is 2 large hanks of Sonata bulky rayon chenille, retail value $80.00. The second prize, also from Needle Nook, is a Mind Your Knitting tote bag set which includes the tote, beanie bag, knitting kneedlecase and accessory case. Retail value of this gift is $70.00.

The last three prizes are being donated by Knitch. The first is Personal Footprints book by Cat Bordhi and includes a skein of Socks That Rock. Retail value is $60.00. The second gift includes a copy of the exclusive Knitch pattern, the Silk Rhapsody Tank and the following yarns: Artyarn Silk Rhapsody, Artyarn Silk Rhapsody Glitter and Artyarn Beaded Rhapsody. Retail value of this package is $180.00. The third gift is a $75.00 Knitch gift card.

These are some fabulous prizes that you can win. Just join in the fun, purchase a passport, and start visiting your favorite knit shops. Two of our shop participants have brand new locations also. Theresa from Cast On Cottage reports she had a completed passport turned in on the first day (Saturday) at 4:52PM by Marjorie Griffing of Norcross. Her prince of a husband drove her around to each shop so she could be a part of the hop. Cheers to Mr. Griffing and good luck to Marjorie. She is now eligible to win $1,000.00 in shop gift certificates. What fun.

The Goodies Continue

Here are the donations from Main Street Yarns and Fibers. The first is 10 skeins of Noro Yuzen, retail value $99.50. The second is a Lantern Moon bag, retail value $50.00. The third is 10 skeins of Noro Maiko, retail value $109.50. The prizes just keep rolling in for the shop hop. It starts this Saturday so get ready.

Bags And Bags Of Yarn

Here are bags of yarn donated by Strings & Strands. These are two full bags with enough to make a garment. There are more prizes coming. Shop hop starts this Saturday.

And Yet More Prizes

These are the prized being donated by Cast On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden, now housed in their new location. The first is two skeins of Galler Mimosa Cashmere and a tote, retail value $141.00. The second prize is an Appalacian Baby PomPom Cardigan Kit, retail value $48.00. The last is a gift certificate worth $75.00 for you to choose your own prize. You must admit, these are some great gifts and you could win one of them. But you must do some shop hopping to be eligible.

More Prizes

These prizes are being donated by the Yarn Garden in Lawrenceville. Photo 1 is the Lace package consisting of a lace book, yarn and lace notions. Retail value is $125.00

Photo 2 is the Sock package. It has a sock tote, 3 skeins of sock yarn and sock notions. Retail value for this package is $52.00.

Photo 3 is the Knitting Notion package. It contains a day pack and notion assortment. Retail value for this prize is $40.00.

These are only 3 of the great prizes that await you during the 4th annual shop hop. Pick up a passport today and join the fun.

More Prizes You Can Win

These prizes are being donated by The Whole Nine Yarns (see new address at right). The first is one skein of TWNY lace dyed yarn and the shawl pattern, plus a $30.00 gift certificate towards the class of your choice - retail value $61.00.

The second is a Mission Falls sweater kit - retail value $94.00.

You must admit these are prizes worth hopping for. So grab your friends and make a day or a weekend of it. Map out your route and see how many shops you can hit in one outing. Most of all, have fun.

Don't forget you receive an original pattern each time you have your passport stamped. Be sure to ask for it.

Shop Hop Prizes

Here are the three prizes being donated by Rare Purls. They range in price from $40.00 to $75.00. There is a skein of Art Yarns with beads, a dye kit and a shawl kit with shawl pin. Watch this space for more photos soon.

Prizes Available for Shop Hop 2010

Take a look at this beauty. The Whole Nine Yarns is donating this beautiful kit which has a retail price of $134.00. It's from Bergere de Nord. This is just one of the thirty prizes you can win during the shop hop. See list of participating shops.

SHOP HOP 2010

The dates for this year will be Saturday, September 25th to Sunday, October 3rd. There are 10 shops participating, one new addition. Passports go on sale ($1.00) September 2nd. All you have to do is visit as many shops as possible in the 9 days, make a 10.00 minimum purchase at each shop, and have your passport stamped. If you fill your passport you are eligible for the grand prize of a $100.00 gift certificate from each shop. Yes, that is $1,000.00 to the grand prize winner. It could be you. There will be 30 other gifts donated by the shops. You can visit as many shops as you wish and still be eligible for prizes. Visit your local yarn shop for details. In addition, your purchase entitles you to a free original pattern from each shop you visit. Make plans now to "hop" around to the shops listed here for a fun time.

SHOP HOP 2009 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Today the shop owners met for lunch and prize drawings. It was very exciting as we pulled the grand prize winning name from the bag. Here it is, the winner of $1,000.00 in gift certificates to spend as she wishes. Congratulations to:

DIANNE MELTON

And here are the other 30 prize winners:

Cast On Cottage Winners

Amanda Wollnick-Helen Hamann Tote Kit (value $240)

Marjorie Jones-Gift Certificate (value $100)

Brenda Mazzocchi-Judy's Color Stocking Kit (value $80)

Knitting Emporium Winners

Ellen Day-Bag of Louisa Harding dk yarn (value $82.50)

Sandra McLeod-Gift Certificate (value $50)

Sarah Foster-Gift Certificate (value $50)

Needle Nook Winners

Christina Whitehead-Bag of Malabrigo Chunky yarn (value $120)

Beth Horack-Afghan Kit (value $110)

Marsha Sussman-3 skeins Ella Rae Lace Merino (value $69)

Knitch Winners

Michelle Sonntag-Gift Card (value $100)

Frances Ayoub-6 skeins Shepherds Wool (value $62.50)

Dianne May-Class credit (value $60)

Main Street Yarns & Fibers Winners

Marjorie Griffing-1 skein Mooi Luxury Yarn, Book & needles (value $115)

Shirley Smith-Gift Basket (value $125)

Karen Morris-Bag of Noro Cash Iroha (value $110)

Only Ewe & Cotton Too Winners

Timiae Harper-4 skeins Jade Sapphire Cashmere (value $140)

Lois Mitchell-5 skeins of Sheepshop Yarn (value $78)

Pam Aerts-Collage Half & Half Kit (value $49)

Sheepish Winners

Jessie Evans-Assorted Skeins of Sock Yarn (value $120)

Debra Davis-Drop Spindle & 3 hanks of roving (value $66)

Rena Brakebill-Giant Hank of Mt. Colors Weavers Wool (value $76)

Strings & Strands Winners

Ellen Lefevre-Bag of Nature Wool Chunky (value $130)

Rose Prestianni-Bag of Queensland Hyacinth yarn (value $50)

Amy Dryman-Sassy Skein sweater kit (value $60)

The Whole Nine Yarns Winners

Kim Mahoney-10 skeins Ultra Aplaca Lite & book (value $70)

Pat McMahon-Gift Certificate (value $50)

Lou Simon-Pagewood Farms Sock Yarn & tote (value $40)

Yarn Garden Winners

Elisa Herrera-14 skeins Malabrigo worsted (value $140)

Pat Childs-Sock Bonanza (value #103.50)

Marilyn Horton-Notions Bag (value $59.75)

Whew, that's quite a list. The ten shops listed above donated over $3700.00 worth of prizes this year. Thank you to all who participated this year and we plan to do it again next year. Please pick up your prize from the shop who donated it.

More Prizes And The Shop Hop Bunny

These are the prizes being donated by the Needle Nook. The first is 3 hanks of Ella Rae Lace Merino in your choice of colors. Three hanks yields 1380 yards, enough for a garment or a shawl. Retail value is $68.00.

The next is a full bag (10 hanks) of Malabrigo Chunky Merino in the color shown. Retail value is $120.00.

The third is an afghan kit (had to remove from the bag for photo) from Universal Yarns. The kit comes in two colorways and you can choose your favorite. The other is black and white. Retail value is $110.00.

The bunny shown is ready to hop-hop-hop. Hope you are too.

***Please note: The town of Milton (Alpharetta) in the community of Crabapple will hold the Crabapple Antiques and Arts Festival this Saturday, October 3rd. Only Ewe and Cotton Too reports that no roads will be blocked and there will be plenty of parking at the shop so don't let that keep you from hopping there. Also, there is a University of Georgia football game this Saturday, Oct. 3rd, so you may want to plan an alternate route to Main Street Yarns and Fibers in Watkinsville. Or call the shop for details. It's (706) 769-5531.

Shop Hop Prizes

Here are two prizes being donated by Cast On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden. The first is a Helen Hamann oversized tote kit, retail value $260.00 and the second is a Judy's Colors Stocking Kit, retail value $84.00. Their third gift is a $100.00 gift certificate. So you can see already the generous gifts the shops are donating to the hop. Shop Hop starts one week from today, Saturday, October 3rd. Purchase your passport from any participating shop. You might want to check the UGA Bulldogs football schedule before heading to Watkinsville, I think there is a game one of the Saturdays. Watch this space for more photos.

Important Correction

The shops have received their shop hop materials and have begun to sell passports ($1.00 ). We are all ready for the hop. Unfortunately, one of the phone numbers on the posters and passports is incorrect. It is Main Street Yarns in Watkinsville. The correct phone number is (706) 769-5531 if you need to call for directions or shop hours (see column on right). Please note this on your passport so you have it handy in case you need to call them. We are all gearing up for a large turnout for shop hop week, so get your friends together and form some carpools to hit as many shops as you can. Two new shops have joined the fun so there will be more to visit this year. Remember, if you are not able to visit all 10 shops, you can still be in the drawings for 30 other knitterly gifts, so try to reach as many as possible. And don't forget to pick up your free original pattern as you get your passport stamped. It will be interesting to see what is hot this year. Last year it was market bags. This year? Anybody's guess. I know what mine is but I'm not telling! So plan now for the week of Oct. 3-11 and who knows - you could be the grand prize winner and get to spend $1,000.00 on yarns and accessories. Would you be in heaven or what!

SHOP HOP 2009 APPROACHES

There will be a shop hop again this year. The dates will be announced on Aug. 26th by the participating shops. You can review the details here or on shop blogs and websites. We hope you will join in the fun again. This year there are 10 shops you can visit and possibly win one of 30 prizes or the grand prize of $1,000.00 in shop gift certificates. That's a $100.00 gift certificate from each shop. Think of all the fun you could have with that! So watch for the big announcement and hop along with us.

FINALLY - THE WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED

Here is Barbara from Strings & Strands with her hand in the basket choosing the grand prize winner! It was very exciting for the 8 shopowners present.
And here is the winning passport. The lucky winner won a $100.00 gift certificate from each of the 8 shops. She will be shopping for a good while and able to add beautiful yarns and other items to her stash. The lucky gal is: TA DA-

SAUNDRY BERRY

Congratulations to you and to the following shop hop winners:

CAST ON COTTAGE AND NEEDLEPOINT GARDEN WINNERS

CHERYL LEA - $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE

LISA BURNS - NAMASTE MALIBU BAG ($64 VALUE)

LAURA PITRONE - NAMASTE LAGUNA BAG ($64 VALUE)

KNITCH WINNERS

LISA EDWARDS - AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF KAFFE KNITS AGAIN ($45 VALUE)

CATE STUART-HODGES - $75 GIFT CARD

CAITLIN CURRIER - 2 BAGS OF PURE WOOL ARAN ($150 VALUE)

KNITTING EMPORIUM WINNERS

SHANNON CHILDERS - $75 GIFT CERTIFICATE

AMANDA TREESE - JORDANA PAIGE BAG ($80 VALUE)

CONNIE HOELSCHER - BASKET OF SOCK YARN ($65 VALUE)

MAIN STREET YARNS AND FIBERS WINNERS

TRACI WHITE - 3 SKEINS TILLI TOMAS DISCO LITES ($120 VALUE)

CHERYL MACKINNON - 16 OUNCES OF WEAVER'S WOOL ($64 VALUE)

NANCY FINNEY - SUSAN TODD BAG ($45 VALUE)

NEEDLE NOOK WINNERS

AMY DRYMAN - FULL BAG OF MALABRIGO YARN ($120 VALUE)

MARIAN ROSE - FULL BAG OF SARI YARN ($90 VALUE)

JANICE HOPPER - SWEATER KIT ($75 VALUE)

ONLY EWE AND COTTON TOO WINNERS

MARY LOU TONNESON - $125 GIFT CERTIFICATE

JULIE SCRIPTURE - $75 GIFT CERTIFICATE

BRENDA MAZZOCCHI - TIMELESS TOTE BAG ($64 VALUE)

STRINGS AND STRANDS WINNERS

DAWN JONES - FULL BAG OF SIRDAR YARN ($70 VALUE)

LAURIE WIESZCZYK - FULL BAG OF CICLAMINO ($70 VALUE)

JOHANNA NORRY - CULINARY COLORS DYE COLLECTION ($52 VALUE)

THE WHOLE NINE YARNS WINNERS

KAT HAINES - TIMELESS TOTE BAG, SET OF FLIP KNIT BOOKS, GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A CLASS ($80 VALUE)

JANE DEAL - KNITTING MEMORIES DVD, GLASS KNITTING NEEDLES, ONE SKEIN OF MATERIAL WHIRLED YARN ($113 VALUE)

LYNN DANIEL - AUTOGRAPHED LUCY NEATBY BOOK, THE WHOLE NINE YARNS DYED SOCK YARN ($57 VALUE)

As you can see from the above list of prizes, winners received some very nice gifts including many gift certificates which can be used for the items of their choosing. Over $2700.00 in prizes were donated by the shopowners and we hope you like what selected. Please stop in the shop your name is listed under to pick up your prize. It will be waiting there for you. And thank you to all of the participants from far and near who made this years hop the best. We hope to see you again in 2009.

Happy Birthday to You!

Look how Caitlin Currier spent her birthday! Shop hopping around town, and she finished her passport. Not only that, her prince of a husband chauffered her around so she could get all her stamps done. Now that is what I call a great birthday. Let's hope it's a lucky one for her and everyone else who is making the effort to complete the hop. I think we will have more in the drawing for the grand prize this year. Thank you everyone for making the hop a success.

Our First Finished Passport

Here is Elisa Herrera with her passport all filled up at 3:15 PM on the FIRST day of the hop. She started out early in Watkinsville and finished at Needle Nook with stops everywhere in between. We saw many passports with 6 or 7 stamps today so it must have been a very busy day all around town and beyond. We are looking for a record number of passports to be turned in by next Sunday. Stay tuned for more action as the week progresses.

OK - here is the last gift we will post for this year's shop hop. It is donated by Needle Nook and is a full bag of Sari Ribbon yarn. This would be great for a shawl, sweater and more. The retail value of this yarn is $90.00 and YOU can be the winner of this great prize. All you have to do is put on your hoppin' shoes and get busy. The fun starts this Saturday!

A New Goodie For You!

Here are two prizes being offered by Cast On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden. They are from Namaste and both are wonderful bags. The top is the Malibu bag and the bottom is called the Laguna. Both have interior and exterior pockets with zippered interior pockets, divider and detachable shoulder strap. Either would be a great addition to your tote bag wardrobe as you zip from place to place. They hold a generous amount of yarn (or other items) and say fashion to the world. Cast On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden will also be donating a $100.00 gift certificate as the third prize. So pick up your passport and get ready.