December, 2010
*Our new Winter Hours*
La Lana Wools now welcomes you:
Saturday
10am-5:30pm
Monday-Friday
Noon-5pm
Closed Sundays
We look forward to seeing you!
STAY IN THE LA LANA
Want to keep up with the one and only La Lana? Simply fill out this form to begin receiving our e-newsletter:
October-November, 2010
Winter is a-comin’ in. We must get ready for Brrrrrr-y times.
Hats, scarves, and fingerless gloves are the name of the game now.
To help you along, we’ve revisited our hat-scarf-and-glove collection and *harvested* our favorite, easy-to-knit pieces:
A la Juliette Hat & Scarf
A Very Nice Scarf
Boa Boa Scarf (Shown above)
Criss-Cross Hat (Shown above)
Florentine Handwarmers (Shown above)
Holly's Triangle Scarf
Jewels Scarf
Muchos Milagros Hat Trio
We think you'll enjoy knitting these up for yourself or for the gifting season. Click on a pattern name to take you to its page.
September, 2010
The season has turned towards Fall; time for a shawl.
Or two. Or four. We are celebrating with new very easy-to-knit works – two Two’fers for your knitting (and crocheting, forgive me!) pleasure.
Love's Touch by Valentina Devine (left: Version I; right: Version II)
Linda Romens' Stained Glass Windows (left) and Stained Glass Watercolor (right)
August, 2010
La Lana Wools Welcomes Ayala Talpai's show:
Edge of the Forest.
We are so excited to have the honor of hosting a show for Fiber Artist Extraordinaire, Ayala Talpai.
Meet Ayala and her fabulous, mystical collection of felted creatures (like Spiral Boy, shown above) and unique apparel at her Opening Reception Friday, Oct. 1 here at La Lana Wools. Refreshments provided.
June, 2010
We Love Felt.
Check out our Felt page to discover why.
April 27, 2010
New Pieces Alert! New Pieces Alert!
Have some fast fun. Two bran.noo Streakers! pieces from the Queen of Easy-Peasy, Valentina “No Boundaries” Devine. These are perfect for knitters who don’t love to knit that much - knitters who like it down ‘n’ durty, who like to be done before they even start.
Mellow Yellow (left) and Penelope Purple (right)
March 9, 2010
Phat Silk earned itself a great review in Interweave.
Thank you, Interweave.
The back of winter has been broken.
We're now open from 10:00am-5:30pm EVERY DAY.
If you wish to shop when our store is closed,
please call 575.758.9631 or e-mail
lalanastore@lalanawools.com to make an appointment.
February 23, 2010
Have a Spring Fling with Linda’s latest...
The HARLEQUIN HOODIE.
June, 2010
La Lana's New Pricing
Hola Yarn Lovers,
The season has found La Lana doing a lot of in-store spring cleaning and along with that, a review of our overall operations. For the past five years, we have maintained set prices and have absorbed the incremental costs. With inflation occurring all around us, we have seen consistently rising costs of raw fiber, shipping expenses, and everything in between. These new retail prices reflect the TRUE costs to keep providing you, our valued customers, with our unique La Lana Wools products. We regret the "sticker shock," but hope you understand that this is the reality of being able to continue bringing you yarns and fibers of the highest quality.
You can continue to expect conscientiousness at every level of production. We bring you the finest quality fibers, wondrous hand-spinning and custom mill spinning, the most gorgeous natural dyes and color-ways, exquisite patterns designed exclusively for La Lana Wools, and personal and attentive customer service. All of us at our homegrown cottage industry here in the heart of the Southwest look forward to an ongoing relationship with you. Mil gracias for your support and appreciation of what we do.
Wishing everyone an abundantly blooming Season.
yours in yarns,
January 1, 2010
WELCOME TO THE TENSIES!
From all of us at La Lana...
Have a Fleeceful New Year.
SALE! STRANGE SPINS...
You may know about La Lana's Strange Brew colors, colors which were mistakes and unrepeatable. Now we have two unfortunate new Strange Spins brought to us by mistakes made at the Mill. We didn't get what we wanted - the Purpley is out of control and the new batch of Knitting Worsted is too thick for our Patterns & Kits. Ay Dios. But what we did get is still usable and the Purpley has a strange beauty all of it's own. Still, not up to our specs - therefore this SALE.
Strange Spin Streakers "Purpley"
Our usual Streakers spin is thick 'n thin, however this lot is beyond the beyond - enormous slubs and then impossibly skinny, but it works up Cute! anyway.
It turns out this Strange Spin is a fascinating disaster. Valentina Devine happens to love the way this knits up - weird, but talk about marvelous texture. "Makes the mistakes work for you." says Valentina. It inspired her to create a new piece using it which we will be putting up here soon. You will be able to use any of the Streakers colorways so it's not just for this Strange Spin Purpley. More information on Streakers...
Take 25% off the usual price.
Regularly $30 per 4 ounce skein NOW $22.50. If you purchase 3 skeins we'll include the pattern for a la Juliette scarf and hat which uses 3 skeins. To order Strange Spin Purpley, Click here
November '09
Antler Buttons now available via PayPal...
Our beautiful, natural, hand-finished antler buttons used to only be available in our retail store and now you can get them here! Click here to see the assortment.
November '09
Earth’s Palette Natural Dye Conference went off wonderfully. It was great to see so much new interest in this ancient craft and so many new practitioners. It was a two-way street of Inspiration and I was as juiced as all of the participants. A Great Time was had for all Coloristas. The Dye Conference was seamlessly followed by the 26th Annual Taos Wool Festival. A total 2 week (if you include all the classes) Wool-gasm for fiber fiends of all kinds.
October '09
Don't you just love our new bumper sticker? Put it anywhere and everywhere! $2.50 includes postage. Make's a great gift for all of your knitting friends.
Click here to order
September '09
ROVING PRICE REDUCTION! We found great deals on our Black Merino & White Kid Mohair and have lowered our prices for you.
Click here to access our fiber selection then click on "Rovings".
August '09
Pow Wow Feet
Special goodie for the advanced Fiber Fiend!
Spotted at this year's Taos Pueblo Pow Wow:
Beaded buckskin boots decorated with insanely long antique kid mohair locks. This prized possession is proudly passed down from generation to generation. It takes extraordinary conscientiousness to raise kid locks this clean and impossibly long on the thorn-filled Navajo Rez. Our hats are off to the women who tend these goats.
Paseo de La Lana/Virtual Tour
So Many people who can't make it to La Lana Wools wonder what the store looks like, so here you go. Click here for the Paseo de La Lana tour.
Harvest
This year has been especially abundant. We wanted to share it with you.
Click here for more pictures
September '09
We are happy to invite you all to a delightful SHOW. This show will run from Sept. 25-Oct. 14.
Come see the felted fiber wonders
of Lizzie Gulick & Merce Mitchell.
Be at La Lana Wools Sept. 26th from 3-5pm to have the pleasure of meeting the Artists.
September '09
A natural dye color conference in Taos?? YES!
The Mountain and Valley Wool Association is sponsoring a natural color conference in Taos, New Mexico this September 26-28, 2009! We are excited to gather those from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in creating colors from nature. The conference will include presentations by natural dye and color experts, forums, mini-workshops and a vendor area. Local galleries will host exhibits related to natural color fiber arts, ranging from historical use to modern expression. There will be pre and post conference workshops with Luisa Gelenter (that's our gal!), Lisa Klakulak, John Marshall, Liesel Orend, Marilyn Robert, Bjo Trimble and Michelle Wipplinger, representing a wide range of techniques and art forms.
Earth’s Palette: Natural Colors for Fiber
A Natural Color Conference for Fiber & Fabric
September 26-28, 2009
Pre and Post Conference Workshops
Taos, New Mexico
Earth's Palette is being held in conjunction with the famous Taos Wool Festival now in it's 26th year of fabulosity. Oct. 3-4. Recommended for all and every flavor of Fiber Fiend.
Click here for more information
Winter is over, Spring is here!
Taos town is in full bloom, and so are we. The entire front garden is carpeted with white daisies! Come see!! Come see!! We look forward to seeing you.
It's the time we go back to our regularly scheduled hours...
STORE HOURS: 10:00am-5:30pm
7 DAYS A WEEK
July '09
Sorry, Sorry, Sorry... Sadness, Sadness, Sadness...
We are currently unable to spin our 100% Bombyx Silk or the 100% Tussah Silk. We are looking for a mill that can spin these silks for us but no luck so far.
When ordering a kit that calls for Bombyx, you will get the ever-so beautiful Phat Silk Fine (50% Bombyx & 50% Wool) which is completely compatible. You can substitute the Tussah with our Phat Silk Phats (50% Tussah & 50% Wool).
April '09
First
An observation:
Have you noticed that when times get tough the tough get knitting ?
Just sayin'...
Now on with the New and Wonderful -
We are delighted to be featured in 3 ! brand new books. Nice!
First. because we're on the cover ( Very! nice), is Simple Style. Another terrific book by Ann Budd ( keep 'em coming Ann). We're in this one with the"Four Quarters Pullover"by the always innovative Pam Allen. Thanks Pam for yet another winner.
Next is Knitted Jackets by Cheryl Oberle. Another great tome from this endlessly creative knitwear designer. Loads of inspired jackets. Our piece is a shrug sweetly called "Seedling".
And last but certainly not least is Fiber Gathering by Joanne Seiff. The author visited Fiber Fests all over this fair land. Taos Wool Festival was one of them. Joanne found our store and in our store saw our Judy Dercum collection. She asked Judy to, por favor, come up with some signature Southwestern flavored pillows. Here's the result - 3 lyrical Intarsia pillows by our Intarsia Queen, Judy Dercum. A Trio of Southwestern-Style Pillows Check out all 3!
March '09
BEYOND THE FRINGE
Merce Mitchell, a fabulous Taos Felter and the organizer of this terrific show, says to tell you that a big Party is planned for the opening.
Be there if you can. Great fun to be had not to mention ART ART ART...
Beyond the Fringe Postcard
March '09
Check out our bran-noo
"Gallery"
featuring Art-to-Wear Pieces by our spectacular artistes.
October '08
Alternative Colorways
We've heard from you that you'd like to be able to choose other colorways for our kits than the ones shown.
We're working, working on a way to make it possible through our online ordering.
In the meantime, go ahead and place your order. Take a look at the Yarn page (the link at the top of this page) for substitute selections, and call or email the store to let us know which colorways you'd prefer.
(November 2008:)
FiberWays!
Bumpkins
Rovings
Black Merino
White Kid Mohair
Felt
November 2008.
(November 2008:)
Now Here!
Something New for Spinners, Felters and Fiber Artists:
Forever Random Bumpkins!
Click here or 'Fiber' tab above to get to the Bumpkins page.
Our Bumpkins are adorably packaged Forever Random carded batts, ready to inspire you with their unique effects. This is exactly what we spin our exquisite Random yarns from. As you probably know spinning/felting/needle felting and "?" are the new crocheting which was the new knitting. Is it also the New Black? Could be.
Empower yourself. Get on board with these once again popular ancient crafts.
For a fascinating fiber adventure try our Bumpkins.
Put-ups are 4 ounces at $7/oz–Wool Blends, $8.00/oz-. Mohair and $9 oz for Double Dyes.
Note from Luisa Re: FIBER!
I am feeling so very validated seeing fiber move to the head of the class at long last.It's where the whole journey began for me and continues to this day. Every new fiber or fleece is a mystery and joy to be solved. How best to spin it? It's endless and utterly fascinating. Plus talk about meditative.
I always wondered When knitters would discover its wonders and realize that they could get the exact yarn they want if only they could spin it themselves. I see that this is now happening in a big way.
Join in - Become a Fiberista - it's magical. A word: If you take it up (spinning and the like) you just might become obsessed.
You have been warned!
yours in FIBER,
Luisa
ROVINGS
Click here or 'Fiber' tab to get to the Rovingspage.
ALSO for spinners and felters we have our solid color fine wool Rovings. These come in all of our Native and Exotic colors; put-up are 4ozs.
Special introductory price to help inspire you is $5 an ounce for all colors. In the future we will be raising the prices on the Double Dyeds, Very Deep Indigos and True Reds.
You could have big fun with this!
August 2008
Wanted to remind you of this perfect for fall piece. Linda Romens showcasing our Handspun Wensleydale Ultra Finissimo. This one is called Caspian Kush Shawl because it’s so kushy to wear.
What’s bran-noo in our lives right now is wild harvesting.
July 2008
Kota
Click here and scroll down to see some of this seasons’ abundant Kota harvest.
The first plant of our gathering season is Lupine. This year we were exceedingly blessed to come across the Lupine Paradise Fields. In all these years of harvesting this plant is THE most amazing display we have ever been treated to. The flower spikes which are usually about 3 inches long, were 12 inches this season in this place.
These gorgeous purple spikes give us an unearthly and slightly hallucinogenic jade-green tinged with blue. We are mad for this rare shade and even more equally mad for gathering it. Fun in the Sun.
We took pictures (natch). Enjoy. Click here to see more Lupine pics.
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March 2008
We are delighted to be introducing 2 new
gor-gee-oso pieces.
This one is a new masterpiece by Judy Dercum, the lyrically beautiful Intarsia Kimono called Kimono Romantique.
The other is a knock out shawl by Linda Romens showcasing our Handspun Wensleydale Ultra Finissimo. This one is called Caspian Kush Shawl because it’s so kushy to wear.
Dec. 20, 2005
* Newsflash *
Yay and Hooray!
Our Streakers! Collection now comes with Colorway Choice ONLINE in La Tienda.
This is a breakthru moment for us vis-a-vis our website and hopefully opens the way to permitting color choice via La Tienda online shopping for all our yarn lines. Gracias to Dave for "making it so". Onward to the Solids!
We chose to re-introduce Valentina's Diagonal Pullover for our ad for Vogue Winter '05 to celebrate this new capacity.
This was the very first ( but not the last!) of the designs she has created for this unique RANDOM Millspun yarn. When she designed this piece we had only one colorway in this line : Silver Streak. Now we have 10 additional colorways.
Forget colorway "shown in", now you can select any of the 11 to knit up each and every Streakers! pattern. AND NOW you can order it up online in La Tienda with just a couple of clicks. This all still amazes me.
We are thrilled with this new option on our site and think you will be too.
Dec. '05
A gift for all who peruse our Handspun Forever Random Sample Cards and have found them wanting.
They have now been rescanned in smaller segment so you can actually kinda *see* them. Their descriptions are now ledgible as well. Mucho better than before. Progress!
Of course it's still better to have the actual Sample Cards as the computer cannot begin to show all the nuances of this splendidly unpredictable yarn. To order
We celebrate the Season with a Masterpiece : Linda Romens' lyrical Lake Country Lace Coat. Walk in Beauty with this one.
Also two quick and easy fun Felted Purses by Judy Dercum for your holiday knitting.
It's in our new category : Small Projects under Products in our menu bar.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued appreciation and support of our efforts.
Wishing everyone a Healthy, Happy and Peaceful Fiber-ful Holiday Season and New Year.
PAZ
Luisa and the Gang at La Lana
Mid-Oct. '05
What's New ? Again quite a bit -
This season Streakers! rides again with a some new marvels by Valentina for your knitting pleasure. One is a quick and easy hat and scarf combo called "a la Juliette" and the other is a happy happy cardigan called "Cotton Candy" in the Fall '05 issue of INKnitters.
Also new is "Moebius a la Contessa" by our resident lace guru Linda Romens to. This exquisite new yarn Contessa is one of The most beautiful millspun yarns I have ever encountered in my entire career as a Fiber Fiend
We are delighted to be represented in "Wrap Style" (the new book for Fall from Interweave Press), with a striking and lovely, easy-to-knit, easy-to-wear piece by the highly esteemed and always original Norah Gaughn. It's been named Tzarina Wrap because it is shown in that colorway but it would be beautiful in any of our over 55 Forever Random colorways.
There are soooo many wonderful pieces in this book that would be well suited to working up in our yarns. Imagine them in our Forever Randoms or Phat Silks or Dos Mujeres...Ah! breathtaking...
This is another great book from the Most Excellent Pam Allen ( and now with Ann Budd too) that will provide you with hours and hours and hours ( days, months, years) of knitting pleasure. Keep it up girls! ( I can't wait to see what they come up with next.)
More pieces in current just-out books to be put up soon.
Labor Day '05
Lots of news here at La Lana to share with you. Where to begin?
Let's start here -
Color Choice Update:
Dave and I are putting the finishing touches on making it so that you will very soon be able to choose your Streakers! colorways via La Tienda. You will be able to choose any and every piece in any and every colorway - not just "as shown". Progress!
The Great & Wondrous Dave has figured out an elegant solution, a cloaking device of sorts, so that the beautiful pages here don't get all taken up with unsightly grids. This should be up and going by the end of this week. Then it’s on to the Solids in all the yarn lines.
Meanwhile here's some eye candy for y'all.
We have recently started working with a fabulous new photographer: Jaap Vanderplas. He is one amazing Artiste as we're sure you'll agree, brilliant at Photoshop and an ad designer too. One stop shopping for us.
We can't believe our good fortune to have come to know and work with him. You will see his work in our new ads, patt pix and here too. Because his photos are so very gorgeous it's sometimes impossible to choose The One. We often aren't able to and will be including a new feature on the pattern pages for when we can't: Outtakes.
The Bloomsbury Jacket is the first sample of his work up here. Much more coming…
Sara, our signature model was just here for a Big shoot. We took the opportunity to re-shoot some oldies-but-goodies too, pictures that we were never really satisfied with. Renew your aquaintance with them, check them out again now. Enjoy the new *takes*.
They are:
Foever Random Blend Pullover
Gaucho Vest
Summer Song Cami
4 Directions Poncho
Diagonally Yours Cardigan
Pattern Pamphlet News
Dave has now successfully disengaged each piece from all those accompanying thumbnails on every page. They are fine and useful for navigation on the website but redundant and wasteful to print out over and over. He made it into one giant pdf. Think of all the ink and paper saved. Tis a great step forward in making this all work better. You can now print out your own Hard Copy pamphlet. So nice to have something in your hands that you can page thru doncha think? We hope you avail yourselves of and enjoy this new capability on our site.
Patterns & Kits PDF (4.3 MB)
End of August 05
What’s new? Crocheting! that’s what!
And we’re ready, with our exquisite Bloomsbury Jacket (think the famous British Bloomsbury group – Virginia Woolf et al – London you know…) by Valentina Devine. Very charming & romantic!
July '05
For your Fall knitting pleasure...
We are delighted to present you with Judy Dercum's latest masterpiece - Zen Garden Kimono in Phat Silk Fines and Dos Mujeres. Walk the garden path as you knit. Designed in slip stitch mosaic. Something a little different from our Intarsia Queen...
May '05
Note from Luisa
Re:
A perhaps partial solution to it's limitations (and ours)
Well folks, it looks like it's going to be *awhile* for all the patterns to be available in all the possible colors on "La Tienda", so I have come up with a partial solution for at least the Streakers! Collection.
Since every colorway in the dyed Streakers! costs the same but the program doesn't allow for color selection, how about this:
If you would like to order a Streakers! kit via "La Tienda" but not in the color shown, you can still just order that way BUT also send me an email saying which colorway you've chosen.
Does this sound good ? Would it be too cumbersome?
I know this is not strictly "kosher" in the point-click-and-order world but it is A Way que no ?
(= something like: isn't that so?)
We know we could do the usual grid that is state-of-the-art right now but they are soo unattractive and industrial looking doncha think ? that I hesitate to go there. Not to mention how huge and ungainly this would be for the Forever Randoms with over 55 (!) selections. For Streakers! there are only 9 colorways, all the same price, so this seems like a good place to start with this innovation.
Dave, our intrepid webguy, is meditating on overall tech solutions to this but we can start here. Feedback welcomed!
Yours in yarns on a just beautiful spring day Aqui en Taos,
Apr. '05
Ta-ran-ta-ra ! ! !
Introducing:
Online Shopping in La Lana's bran-noo
Online Store
Many of our customers have asked for this over the years and now it is becoming so. It's not yet on all of our products or even all the kits but will be soon. Click here for a list of kits available for online purchase Now.
PLEASE NOTE: Streakers Design Collection is now available in ALL Streakers! colorways. Our other kits are only available in colors as shown at this time. For these other colorway selections, please contact the store.
The remainder and all our yarn lines will follow. Please be patient por favor and bear with us. This web stuff is a time-consuming work-in-progress.
Meanwhile, hope y'all love it and that it makes purchasing that much easier and more convenient.
To celebrate this new and wonderful addition to La Lana, we will be sending an extra little something in your shipment to the first 10 people who use it. Let that be You !
For more information on our secure online shopping via PayPal click here.
The whole new streamlined look of this site and the easier navigation are due to our fabulous new webmaster Dave Travis. He has done wonders and brought us into the 21st century. ( Waitaminnit - I never even got up to the 20th !
I am loving our new menu bar for one thing and am sure you will too. Now you can go everywhere with just one click.
Dave says : just roll you mouse over the menu bar (No need to click yet) to see it all unfold, and THEN click on the selection of interest.
End of March '05
Spring is *almost* here Aqui en Taos and we have many new works to let you know about that celebrate the season.
We needed more designs to show off our splendid Phat Silk Fines ("Silk with Memory, Wool with Lustre"). Linda Romens, one of our Fab Big Three MVP's, stepped up to the plate. She's been a prodigiously bizzy girl and all of these current designs are by her:
2 scrumptious silky scarves - "The Longest Scarf" and "A Very Nice Scarf" a lovely small shawlette that can grow into a large shawl just by the addition of a long fringe - La Marianna Shawl, a nifty little fun reversible top knit side-to-side for the coming warm weather called "Strappy Summer Top".
AND, because of the tremendous response to her Boa Boa ( Finally! an actual pattern using our inimitable Thickspun ) and us wanting more and more designs for Streakers!, she married the two requests and created this wild, woolly and also reversible, "Gaucho Vest" in Streakers! trimmed with Thickspun. Good for any season !
Like I said, Linda's been a bizzy girl...Enjoy the fruits of her labors.
Wishing everyone a Feliz Primavera ( = Happy Spring ) and, of course, Happy Knitting.
STITCHES WEST '05
Sorry Sorry! We have been soooo bizzy re-designing the website that I plumb forgot to let everyone know that we will be having a booth (#709 and #808) at Stitches West Feb.10-13 in Santa Clara CA at the Westin Hotel. T'will be wonderful Fiber Fun for Fiber Fiends of all stripes. A good time Will be had ! Hope y'all can make it. Be sure to stop by our booth and let us know that you *met* us on our website.
Our designers, Judy Dercum, Linda Romens and Dean Cheek will be with us. Judy will be premiering her latest FAB Kimono (Zen Garden) - Get ready for this one - it is knock-down gorgeous ! Linda will have a new reversible vest in Lady Madderly trimmed with our unique Thickspun. All our Streakers! designs will be on hand for your viewing and touching and trying-on pleasure and we will be bringing as many of our unique yarns as we can fit in the the van. And more...
Click this link for more info about this Great ! knitting event: http://www.knittinguniverse.com/xrx/events.php
Be there or be square!
Jan '05 !
Already!? Where Does the time go?
We celebrate this new year with a Cover! on Winter INKnitters '05 with Judy Dercum's marvelous Pueblo Pintado Vest - a very striking design and and an intriguing knit. A small masterpiece if we say so ourselves. The beauteous edge treatment alone..
I would like to take this space to wish everyone reading this a Hopeful and Happy New Year. Wishing all a productive year of further fascination with fiber too!
Luisa and the Gang at La Lana
Aqui en Taos
What's New 2004
Dec '04
From the pages of IP Knits Winter '04 comes this sweet and easy-to-knit pullover - Té Rosada by Pam Allen. You just knit and watch the yarn reveal its resplendent random beauty.
Some Small Stuff for the Season brought to us by Linda Romens and Darlene Hayes. Fun and quick too.
Two Wildly textured scarves - The Boa Boa Scarf designed by Linda is edged with Lincoln Thickspun but has a nicely improbable Lace element too. The Stone Soup Scarf designed by Darlene is a very simple garter stitch piece but jazzed up with our Stone Soup or Jewels Thickspun. We've had these yarns for awhile but hadn't had anything designed with them til now. And now that we've begun...
Also Fair Isle Leggings for you Fair Isle fans out there. Linda thought of Everyone.
November '04
The latest Streakers ! creation from the ever-innovative Valentina, Jacket-in-Bloom, is now up. Your're going to Love this one. Take a look.
Late Oct. '04
We are everywhere in print this season - 2 magazines (so far - a piece in IP Knits Winter is still yet to come) and another wonderful book.
Fall INKnitters features "The Wings of the Swan Ruana" by Linda Romens and from the pages of Holiday Vogue Knitting - "Geometric Kimono" by Valentina shown in Streakers ! Day O.
Books too! 2 in the latest Vogue On the Go: Baby Knits Two ( that's alot of 2's).
One is a 3 part masterpiece by Jennifer Lindsay called "Fortunate Cookie" and the other very fun hoodie with bunny ears by Darlene Hayes called "Baby Bunny Jacket".
The instructions are in the magazines and book. In case you don't already own copies of these we have them in the store. The magazines are $5.99 each and the On the Go is $12.95 (plus shipping of course)..
October '04
We are delighted to have been included in the new Scarf Style with the Lady Eleanor Stole from the magic fingers and aesthetic design-mind of Kathleen Powers Johnson. It's done in Entrelac in ONE Forever Random colorway but looks like 20 colorways. She done us proud.. It's just Beautiful!
September '04
Take a look at yet another! Poncho knit up in This one is called "The 4 Directions Poncho" and is by Dean Cheek again. He sure is prolific!
August '04
Things are looking up in website-land and you can now see more about both yarn and a fun new hat pattern that Valentina Devine came up with exclusively for this ever-intriguing yarn - the Streakers! Mitred Hat.
More wonderful new patterns and kits for this yarn coming soon - Stay tuned and keep checking in regularly for this coming Fall Season Collection. More fun fun scarves using our textured yarns for the first time and much more.
Thank you for your continued patience with us while we are between permanent webmasters.
July '04
Introducing:
We are Very excited to present this, our newest yarn line, for your knitting pleasure. We think y'all are gonna love it as much as we do (and we're completely mad for it).
Our unique Silver Streak now comes in colors. Think iced tinctures of our usually saturated plant dyed shades flowing thru the skein in completely random fashion. No repeats. Now in 8 new MILLSPUN! RANDOM colorways.You can read more about them here with more pix to be put up soon.Yarn
Design Collection! This is a first for us, to be ready with a Whole Collection that showcases a new line.
These new yarns can be knit up in any of the patterns previously designed for Silver Streak by Valentina Devine ( mostly - and more coming soon). Now including this newest selection: Poncho by up-and-coming designer Dean Cheek. Dean also works in the store (lucky us!) so if you come and visit you just might catch him there. This is his first creation for us and it's a beauty. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
July '04
With Ponchos having become so happening again we've also now put up here a wonderful *take* on the style by Valentina Devine : Sherbet Poncho. We've been showing it in the store for almost 2 years now but you would have had to come to Taos to see it. That's asking A lot que no ? Its Premiere here is long overdue but very timely now.
May '04
New for Spring '04 is a this lovely strappy top "Summer Song Cami" from the ever inventive design mind of Lynne Vogel. Dulcinea Shawl by Valentina Devine is a quick and easy lovely openwork wrap for the season or anytime. Also new to this site though it has been out in the world for a few years now is the Sakiori Vest by Cheryl Oberle. This was featured in her book "Folk Vests" ( Interweave Press) and makes marvelous use of our Forever Random Fines .
Re: Convergence. Sorry! We will not be able to attend and apologize to any who were planning to see us there. Just come to Taos! and experience the Whole Store.
Apr '04
STITCHES WEST 2004 was quite astonishingly MOBBED this year. Knitting is Sizzling! We had our best show Ever and want to thank all our fans for their tremendous outpouring of appreciation and support. Mil Gracias! You know we do it all for You. You are our inspiration. Your love of our yarns then inspires us to further inspire you which further inspires us and so it spins, on and on. Another sort of DNA spiral, a fiber spiral.
Check out this picture of *Luisa* in a burkha taken at the Afghans for Afghans booth at the show. Also take a minute and check out their website http:// www.afghansforafghans.org - to learn more about this terrific organization and how you can become involved.
Mar '04
What's New ?
What's new is this just lovely Seafoam Lace Shawl from the inspired hands and mind of Linda Romens. Knit up some elegance in our O So Sensual Phat Silk Fines..
Feb '04
La Escuela de La Lana Summer Class Schedule, July '04 now up.
We are delighted to be offering Just the Thing for Spring - Floradora Summer Top by Judy Dercum We are all mad for this piece. You are all going to just love it too, both the quick knitting of it and how great it feels on. You will find yourself living in it from Spring...to Summer...to Fall.
Jan '04
Introducing Green Mansions, an entrelac cardigan from the needles of the endlessly creative Valentina Devine as seen in our Winter ad in Vogue Knitting.
Please come see us at Stitches West '04: Feb 19-20 at the Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA This is our one and only show and the only time in the year that we take our yarns on the road. We will be in booths #815 and 914 and look forward to meeting you there. It is primarily a knitting retail show but it is Fun Fun Fun for all fiber fiends - knitters, weavers, felters and fiberartists of all kinds.
We are honored to be having a booksigning with the most amazing and delightful Debbie New for her most fascinating new book Unexpected Knitting. And boy-o-boy is it ever. It will take you on the *wildest ride* known in knitting and beyond. Sat, Feb 21 at high noon at our booth.
Nov '03
Good News - For once we are able to announce new lower prices on one of our favorite yarns, Dos Mujeres. Click and check it out.
Why it's a double hitter! Valentina has come up with Two at a time this time. Two new patterns inspired by our unique Silver Streak. She loves this yarn and keeps coming up with new ways to show it's magic. These pieces are fun ( Watch that Streak!), easy and quick to knit. Perfect for the coming season of knitting frenzy. Just the Thing for yourself or for someone near and dear. Silver Streak con Cables AND Diagonally Yours - check them out!
Wishing everyone everywhere
PEACE & JOY ( and happy knitting of course)
PAZ y'all
Oct '03
Vogue Knitting Holiday '03 We are thrilled and delighted to announce that we have an editorial in this issue. Valentina has designed a sumtuous shawl - "Fringed Wrap" - with our Forever Random Fines. Check it out - pattern# 14 on page 55. It's a smashing while easy to knit piece. We are both honored to be in Vogue.
INKnitters Fall '03
We are also delighted to tell you about an interview that Luisa did with the estimable Jean Lampe in the current issue of this magazine. Jean is the most marvelous interviewer and caught it all very well. Hope you enjoy it. We are stocking this issue if you can't find it elsewhere - $5.99 + S&H.
The Book , Unexpected Knitting by Debbie New, is available from La Lana for $40.00 plus S&H.
For Fall and 1/2 - the season between Fall and Winter, Muchos Milagros Trio by Pam Allen
Aug '03
Good News for plant dyers!!! La Lana harvested a bumper crop of Mullein. SO Mullein is now again available in bulk quantities.
We are pleased to present you with a Masterpiece by Judy Dercum for your Fall knitting pleasure: Long Life Kimono
Jun '03
Due to the recent drought conditions in the Soutwest we are unable to supply most native dye plants in bulk quantities. Three plants are still available: Marigold, Walnut and Mullein. All our native dye plants are still supplied with the dye kits.
May '03
New for Summer - Short 'n Sweet by Lynne Vogel in our luscious Phat Silk Fines. Perfect for Summertime, Summertime.
And also Janet Scanlon came up with a Silver Streak version of this wonderful felted purse just for us. We are delighted! My Constant Companion
Don't Forget!! Check out the July classes at La Escuela de La Lana. They are filling up.
Apr '03
Finally descriptons for Linda Romens and Judy Dercum classes to be given this summer are now posted in the Classes Schedule.
Mar '03
We're sorry. Prices have increased on some kits. The cost of some raw materials has gone up. Unfortunately, it's something we can't control.
Feb '03
Just the Thing for Spring! - "Scallops a la Lace" by Linda Romens in our fabulous new Phat Silk Phat. This is a quick and quite simple lace piece to keep you cool and elegant this season. There's 35 luscious shades to choose from...The hardest part will be selecting which one...
Wholly Rags textile recycling and reusing bussiness now has it's own web site featuring its products made fron recylcled textiles and fibers. Check it out.
Feb '03
*******Classes '03 - La escuela de La Lana
The Big Three & Me -----Classes for July '03 are now up. Just click and see!
Dec '02
ERRATA! ALERT! - Kuba Cloth Vest by Judy Dercum:
Judy just discovered that she'd left out a chunk of pattern in the neckband. She is Mortified and deeply apologetic as she's usually sooo careful. We hope that those who have this pattern will read this here. It has now been corrected. Just click here to go to printable corrected directions. Those wanting a hard copy mailed to them, please contact the store. We are very sorry for any frustration that this may have caused you.
Nov '02
A couple of old favorites by Louise Parsons return: Men's Cable Sleeve (Pullover or Cardigan) and Primavera Rose Mist.
Also a couple of new ones will be here very soon.
Nov '02
Two new temptations for your winter knitting. One is a MAN'S piece called - Trellis Pullover - designed by Linda Romens. The other is a new Valentina, who creates wonders with our Silver Streak. Here's the latest - Berry Shady - an elegantly shaped cardigan knit side to side, but with berries.
Oct '02
New Book fron Three Rivers Press (a division of Random House): KnitLit, Edited by Linda Roghaar & Molly Wolf. A new book of writings about knitting. It is already garnering rave reviews.
I, Luisa, am delighted to announce that I have a piece in this wonderful new book (page 226) in the section called "Plying the Spirit". It is supposed to be stories about knitting, but, as I don't knit, it is about kota gathering. Check it out.
You can order your copy from us too.
KnitLit is available for purchase from La Lana for $13.00 plus shipping.
New Pattern from Terri Ranck in perfect time for Fall & 1/2. The Lady Jane Cardigan is something different again from an innovative designer. Not Southwestern! (g)
Photo Gallery Page Now Has Photos. More and different ones to be added from time to time. Keep watching.
Aug '02
NEW YARN for Fall: PHAT SILK - our "latest and greatest" custom millspun yarn.
This unusual yarn is 50/50 Bombyx Silk/ Fine Wool and is not a simple blending of the two. In this yarn the silk encircles and encases the wool and "reads" to the outside of the yarn. This makes for a yarn that takes our plant dyes just like silk does, but is a silk with memory and a lofty, bouncey, springy hand due to its inner core of wool.
It is spun up in two weights - worsted and sport. The Phat Silk Phats are 750 ypp and the Phat Silk Fines are 1150 ypp. Prices run from $7/oz for the undyed yarns to $9/oz for the single plant dyed yarns and $11/oz for their "Double Dyed" shades (Very Dark Indigo, Indigo overdyes, and Rajah Red).
You can be substitute this yarn in any of our patterns calling for Bombyx Silk (the Phat Fines) or Tussah (the Phat Phats) and it is easier on the purse than our 100% Bombyx tho it looks alot like it. See Silk Sample Card for colors.
NEW SOCKS GO UPTOWN in Phat Silk, Our First Socks by Darlene Hayes done in Phat Silk Fines
NEW Judy Dercum vest: KUBA CLOTH Vest. *** Knit the heartbeat of Africa...
Judy was inspired to create this fascinating piece by the extraordinary and legendary angular geometric woven patterns of the Kuba and Shoowa peoples of Kasai Province in Zaire. Theirs are done in palm and raffia grasses. Judy has done her version in our millspun worsteds with the zig-zag bottom band in Mullein dyed Tussah. You may, of course, choose other colors.
Judy does stranding! ( unusual for her). This piece is ALOT easier than it looks says Judy, due to the repeated pattern work. The back is done in a textured pattern that is the same zig-zag as the pattern on the bottom band, but is intriguingly knit up black-on-black.
May '02
Finally! They are up. Click the link to see them. One Skein Wonders, a tantalizing and inexpensive introduction to our top of the line Forever Random© Fines. They are featured in IP Knits, Summer '02 issue. We have also posted our newest price list effective this month, May 2002.
Mar '02
Wholly Rags©, a non-profit textile recycling organization, presents Arte de Descarte and Glam Trash Fashions, the 3rd annual show of Art and Fashions created with re-cycled materials. You all are invited to attend the show and opening party on June 1st, 5-8 PM at the Stables Art Center in the middle of Taos across the street from La Lana Wools Store. You are also invited to submit items for exhibit in either (or both) of the shows. Follow this Link to Wholly Rags for full details and pictures.
Feb '02
At last, our long promised Paseo de La Lana/Virtual Stroll of the La Lana store is up. Relax and scroll around to see all the colorful fashions, rugs ,yarns and fibers as they are displayed in our Taos store. You will enter at the bottom of the page and scroll upward. Because of the many pictures the pages may take 2 or 3 minutes to load on slower connections.
CLASSES are back for this summer. Check the 2002 schedule from this link.
The Gallery page also just added to the navigation bar is not quite ready yet. It will contain photographs of people and activities of our La Lana family soon.
Three new vest kits just in time for your spring knitting pleasure. Judy does Flowers! Judy does Swallows! Linda does Palaces in lace and mosaic! Click here to see them.
Also introducing our new line of Small Projects with a lovely scarf by Linda Romens in several different versions. This kit with more to follow will let you try out our yarns and hone your skills with a smaller investment of time and money.
Jan '02
New Book fron XRX, publishers of Knitters magazine: HANDPAINT COUNTRY
La Lana is proud to be included in this gorgeously photographed book.
Notice anything familiar about the model on the cover ?
That's Sara, La Lana's signature model whom you see in our Patterns & Kits pages here. We "loaned" her to this endeavor and she is everywhere inside too. She makes this beautiful book even more beautiful. All the wearables were shot Aqui en Taos with mostly Sara as the model. Alexis photographed her superbly.
Handpaint Country
A knitters journey with...
Cheryl Potter, narrator
Alexis Xenakis, photography
Alexis outdid himself in this book. Another must have for the thinking and creative knitter.
La Lana's chapter in this book includes the patterns for two new kits.
Handpaint Country is available for purchase from La Lana for $39.95 plus shipping.
These two new kits featured in Handpaint Country are now available for purchase from La Lana: Anasazi Vest by Linda Romens, and Kiva Night Sky by Judy Dercum,
Nov '01
New Book from Interweave Press: Knitter's Stash, favorite patterns from America's yarn shops
edited by
Barbara Albright
forward by
Melanie Falick
We are honored to have been choosen for this wonderful book from Interweave Press. It is a "must have" for every knitter.
Judy Dercum's Sonoma Spring Cantata jacket is featured in this book.
knitter's stash can be purchased from La Lana for $34.95 plus shipping.