Hyperbolic Crochet & the Coral Reef


The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is a celebration of the intersection of complex math, handicraft, and the disappearing wonders of the marine world. Created & curated by Christine & Margaret Wertheim of the Institute for Figuring, the reef is coming to the Smithsonian this fall. A reef satellite group called the 'Smithsonian Community Reef' formed to bring the reef to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in a Temporary Exhibit in the Sant Ocean Hall, Ocean Focus Gallery October 16, 2010 – April 24, 2011.

Lancaster Yarn Shop invites YOU to be part of a very exciting, international project! Join us this THURSDAY, JULY 15 between 5 & 8 PM to learn the basics of hyperbolic crochet. Working with Lancaster fiber artist Christa Wissler, we'll put together our own 'South-Central Pennsylvania' reef which will be sent to Washington DC on August 30, 2010 to be installed with the rest of the reef.

We will meet with a teacher at least one additional time--& we get together weekly, so we have several weeks to get our reef together!

Last week at our weekly Knit Night, I mentioned the project & showed a slide show of some incredible photographs of crocheted coral. Interest was really piqued when a visiting cheerful crocheter named Niya from the Washington DC area spoke up. Turned out she is already involved in the project & not only did she have samples of crocheted coral in her car, she had beautiful book marks for everyone here! Many thanks to Niya for her enthusiastic hooking!


relevant links:

This page is Daina Tamina's original article about crocheting hyperbolic planes.
Margaret Wertheim's 'Beautiful Math of Coral (& crochet)'--a lecture from www.ted.com.
The main page for the IFF project is here.
Here are some ideas for creating your own coral.
The Smithsonian Satellite Reef: here.
Of course, there is a great group here on Ravelry!

coming soon...addi LACE CLICKS

in , , ,









The wait is nearly over for those who have been longing for a lace tip version of the addi Clicks! LYS is currently taking pre-orders for the addi Click Lace! The Lace Click tips are shorter in length, in order to allow for both 16” and 20” applications. While the 24”, 32”, and 40” cords from both sets are fully compatible with any style of tip, the new 16” and 20” cords are not compatible with the Turbo® tips, as the length of the Turbo® tips combined with these smaller cords will not allow for
proper knitting.












Each addi Click Lace kit includes:

  • 8 pairs of addi Lace tips (approx US sizes: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11)
  • 5 blue addi cords which create 16”, 20”, 24”, 32”, and 40” needles (approx lengths)1 Click connector
  • 1 gold addi heart pin
  • addi needle gauge
  • Soft-sided brown case with exterior zippered pocket for cables


We do not have a shipping date yet! Our order has been placed & delivery is projected for late summer/early fall. Pre-order now to guarantee you get your set from LYS! Our pre-order price is $169.95.
Additional packs of Lace tips and
cords will be introduced at a later date.

Summer 2010 Crochet!


Interweave Summer 2010 Crochet magazine is here! With an emphasis on shawls, it also has patterns for flirty skirts, easy-wearing tops and lightweight lacy garments by Annette Petavy, Kristin Omdahl, Doris Chan, Lisa Naskrent, and more. Learn a variation of Tunisian crochet called double-ended
crochet, read about a charity for homeless pets, and check out the first five
squares of the Chain Reaction Afghan Project. In all, 25 projects to keep you crocheting through the summer!

Whoopie Pies, Lemonade &
Knitting in Public!



World Wide Knit in Public Day comes to LYS this Saturday June 12, 2010! WWKiP is a knitter-run event and a reminder that we can build community with our handwork.

Our KiP starts with a Ceremonial 'Cast-On' at 10:00 am & we'll 'Bind Off' at 6:00! Throughout the day we'll celebrate with door prizes, whoopie pies & lemonade, and ample opportunities to build community together. Don't forget to bring a chair!
We're very excited this year to introduce the LYS KNiTTING BUGGY! Imagine a horse & carriage ride along beautiful country lanes, through a covered bridge, past cows & maybe even some sheep--while knitting & purling with new crafty friends! The Knitting Buggy is a unique opportunity to celebrate our craft together in the breathtaking landscape of rural Lancaster County.
There is still space available for this exciting event! Buggies leave at 11:00 am & again at 3:00 pm. Reservations for the Knitting Buggy are required! Call the shop at (717) 768-8007 & we'll be happy to add your name to the list. All KiP knitters will receive a very special LYS rate of $8.00 each for the 55 minute buggy ride.
We were tickled to be mentioned on the knittyblog last week. Amy Singer posted a 'What's What Wednesday' http://knittyblog.com/?p=31 singling out a record breaking attempt in Toronto, a hand knit fashion event in Dublin--our KiP Buggy rides here in Lancaster County, PA & the legendary I Knit London WWKIP Treasure Hunt! We're certainly in good company!
So, grab your knitting, a buddy or two & a comfy chair (& check out this post about how to pack for a KiP, too: http://knittyblog.com/?p=53)! Drop in whenever you can on Saturday, it's going to be fun!
LYS is located at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA. The shop has ample parking, there are public restrooms, restaurants, shops & a nice cafe' nearby.
WWKiP: "Better living through stitching together."
ps Really, don't forget to bring a chair!
Lancaster Yarn Shop
Kitchen Kettle Village
3519 Old Philadelphia Pike
Intercourse, PA 17534
(717) 768-8007

in , , ,


Our Thursday Knitting Group is a real highlight of being a LYS owner. For over a year, we've met every week for a couple of hours of knitting, crocheting, & a little spinning here & there. Our group has grown from the 'downtowners' who met in our Gallery Row shop last year to a changeable group of knitters from all over Lancaster & Chester Counties--& occasionally from all over the country & world.

We've watched projects cast on & bound off--cheered on one another & not just about our knitting. Marriages, relationships, buying houses--from the big stuff in our lives to the little--we've gotten to know each other & come to care about each other.

We meet every Thursday at LYS between 5:00p & 8:00p---and you are invited. We're a friendly group & we'll make you welcome!

Here's to everyone who has been part of our knitting group! See you soon!