Extra! Extra!! Craft all about it! Hot off the presses, Blue Sky Fibers has done it again! Done what, you may ask? Well, we're here to give ya the scoop!

Using a unique printing process of ink pressing, meet the newest, stash-stuffing edition of, ahem, "Fantastic Fibers": Printed Organic Cotton! Available in eight beautiful colorways, each 100% organic cotton hank is a tonal, one-of-a-kind work of art! The breathable fibers mixed with its worsted weight make this the perfect transitional yarn from summer to fall (we like to call that "summall"), while the subtle differences between shade to shade make for that perfect gradient! Whether used alone or paired with solid hues, any project made from this yarn will surely make a lasting impression!

Like most yarn (and unlike most newspapers) any projects made from this fiber flourish when washed with a gentle hand in tepid water and mild soap!

With the weather cooling down, we've started bringing out all of our fall projects. This season really makes us want to bundle up in the softest, most luxurious yarns we can get our mitts on! Sirdar heard our cries for cozy fibers and released four new shades of the ultra-soft Alpine fur yarn. Wanna know the craziest part? It's not even real fur - but it certainly feels like it! Extra soft and fluffy, this yarn knits up at a super bulky weight, making your projects come together right before your eyes!

Being based in Reno, we guess you could say that 7 is our lucky number (yarn slots anyone?!), so naturally, we hit the jackpot with 7 new colors in Sirdar's softest, squishiest, and above all, snuggliest yarn! With these new shades of Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter DK, Fair Isle color effects have never been so easy! This yarn is a wonderfully soft blend of nylon and acrylic, making it a breeze to wash!

Bam-boo(m), baby! Everyone talks about the terrible twos, but why not the terrific twos? Well, that's cause we've got 'em, hehe! Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK arrived with 2 understated shades that align perfectly with the ending of summer! Not only is this yarn made from a soft and shimmery blend of bamboo and wool, but it will also maintain its quality through gentle machine washing!

So, we may have babies on the brain this week! Sublime's Baby Cashmere Merino Silk 4 Ply yarn is a delicately smooth and silky fingering weight yarn that's as soft as, well, you know. Made from all natural fibers and available in a plethora of soft pastels, this yarn is the ideal baby-clothin'-makin'-material!

Are fingering weight yarns just not your style? While still maintaining the soft and cuddly nature of Sublime yarns, their DK weight equivalent is just as exquisite! Adding four new shades to the already impressively vibrant roster of colors, Sublime has brought in warm, autumnal hues in Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK. This fiber is also machine-washable, making it perfect for blankets and small toys!

You could say we're feelin' extra fine with these gorgeous shades in Sublime's Extra Fine Merino Wool DK yarn! The smooth texture of the yarn provides crystal clear stitch definition, and the color palette is, as some may say, sublime! From powdery pastels to more neutral, hazy hues, there's a little somethin' for everybody wrapped up in these sweet little 50g balls!

Someday My Prince Will Come!

Now, this is a story all about how
Your life is about to be flipped-turned upside down
And we'd like to take a minute
Just sit right there
Cuz this is Anzula's new yarn: Fresh Prince (of Bel-Air)!

Any 90s babies here?! Whether you watched the sitcom as it aired or tuned into the reruns in the late hours of the morning when you knew you had school the next day, we all had a special place in our hearts for our favorite cool cat of Bel-Air. Anzula took us by surprise and introduced us to this fresh new shade which features splashes of ocean blue and electric green; this variegated skein makes us wanna shake it (anyone gonna join us in doing the Carlton?)! Available in For Better or Worsted and Squishy, be sure to pick up a hank or two of this exclusive colorway before they say, "Smell ya later!", and leave for good!

We're absolutely squealing in delight over the newest Feza Yarns 4 Shades kits! Rich in tone and squishy in texture, these sweet little color packs are the ideal solution for that burning question in the back of your head, "What colors do I pick out for this blanket? Oh my gosh, do I even have a pattern in mind?!" As the name would suggest, Feza Yarns 4 Shades comes with 4 cakes of yarn that make a beautiful and vibrant ombre, complete with the pattern needed to complete this machine washable 24" x 36" blanket. Perfect for a crib, stroller, or to just curl up in mama's arms, and with a rainbow of colors to choose from, even the fussiest baby has a little something for them!

DEAR JIMMY:
As a knitter and general crafter, what's the best way to tell people that I really don't want to make them things. Especially family members!
- Wendy

DEAR WENDY:
My personal favorite way to convey my distaste for people constantly asking for handmade things is to indulge myself, actually! Around the holidays especially, I love to wear my cozy, tweedy, homemade sweater to gatherings. It says, "No, I will knot knit you something," on the front. It usually gets my point across without the awkward pleas and puppy-dog eyes from family members, hehe!

On a real note, perhaps gently talking to them about it is your best bet. It's an awkward conversation for sure, but an important one. You are a person, not a machine - and sometimes you just want your hobby to stay a hobby! Gift-giving is about bringing joy, but not at the expense of the gift giver. If you aren't happy or feel like it's a chore to make something for someone, you should bring it up as a topic one night; after all, honesty is the best policy! Knitting takes time, effort, and money, and sometimes you just can't (or don't want to) swing it, and that's okay!

Do you have a burning question that's been stuck in your head? What is the best needle for vampire-slaying? How do you fix a cake that a cat has attacked? Below, you can send in those crafting nightmares (both serious and silly are a-okay!) or just leave a friendly, "Hiya!" for Jimmy herself!

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner, folks! Ending the Jimmy Beans Wool University summer school season (try saying that 3 times fast!) with a perfect score of 50/50, our student (vale-knit-torian?), Sue, has won a Black Namaste Train Case filled to the brim with the following goodies:

• Jimmy Beans Wool Enamel Pin
• Jimmy Beans Wool Notepad
• Smartstix 24" Circular Needles
• Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (In Calgary and Facade)
• Namaste Maker's Notions Pouch (Loaded)
• Soak Mini-Soaks (in Lacey)
• Soak Minimaid (in Fig)

We couldn't have asked for cuter projects from Jimmy Beans Wool University's students (alumni!?)! During the summer, Klara decided to crochet this beautifully breezy shawl and turned it in for a little extra credit (star pupil material for sure!)! She crocheted a few additional rows to make this shawl... Uneek to her, hehe! We're OBSESSED with the pops of orange and green paired with the fabulous fan designs - it makes us yearn for the cooler autumn months! Wonderful work, Klara!