Serenity Now Yarn & Alpaca Shop

09/03/2026

🧶 Sometimes you just have to get past the beginning!
I finally cast on my Brioche Boomerang—and then I cast it on again...and maybe again. 😄 Those setup rows definitely needed more attention than I was giving them while trying to work in the shop!
But once I got past the beginning, something clicked. Now I can see what the stitches are doing, I've found the rhythm, and I'm really enjoying it.
This week's blog is about starting over, learning something new, and remembering that sometimes the hardest part of a project is simply getting started.
Read the full story on the blog:
https://serenitynowalpacas.com/blogs/inspiration/sometimes-you-just-have-to-get-past-the-beginning
Happy knitting! 💜
Betty Jo

Sometimes You Just Have to Get Past the Beginning If you read this week's newsletter, you know that I decided to join Laura Nelkin's Brioche Boomerang Flash Knit-Along. Well... I've officially started! Actually, I've officially started a couple of times. 😄 The setup rows for this pattern are defi...

08/31/2026

08/26/2026

🧶 Funny how two sticks and some yarn can teach you so much.
Knitting has taught me patience, that perfection isn't necessary, that mistakes can be fixed (or sometimes left alone!), and that it's okay to make things your own.
This week's blog is about the lessons knitting has taught me that have absolutely nothing to do with knitting—and how many of them apply to life, too. 💜
I'd love for you to give it a read and then tell me: What has knitting, crochet, spinning, or another craft taught you?
Read the blog here:
https://serenitynowalpacas.com/blogs/inspiration/what-knitting-has-taught-me-that-has-nothing-to-do-with-knitting
Happy knitting!
Betty Jo 🧶

What Knitting Has Taught Me That Has Nothing to Do With Knitting When I started thinking about what knitting has taught me that has absolutely nothing to do with knitting, I realized this is a pretty big subject. But two things immediately came to mind: patience and growth. When I first started knit...

08/20/2026

Can you feel that first hint of sweater weather? 🍂🧶
A cool breeze has me thinking about pumpkin chai lattes, cozy fall projects, gift knitting, and our upcoming fiber retreat! Read this week’s blog, “The First Hint of Sweater Weather,” and let me know what you’re excited to cast on this fall.
Read the blog here: https://serenitynowalpacas.com/blogs/inspiration/the-first-hint-of-sweater-weather


https://serenitynowalpacas.com/blogs/inspiration/the-first-hint-of-sweater-weather

The First Hint of Sweater Weather Every once in a while, a cool breeze comes through and carries with it the first little hint of fall. It may be more wishful thinking than anything right now, but autumn really is just around the corner. Before long, the leaves will begin changing colors, the mornin...

08/13/2026

🧶 Which comes first—the yarn or the pattern?
Sometimes I fall in love with a yarn and then have to figure out what in the world I’m going to make with it.
Other times I find a pattern I HAVE to make, and then the hunt for the perfect yarn begins!
And then there’s option #3… shop the stash! 😉
This week on the blog, I’m talking about how I use Ravelry to find inspiration, see what other knitters have made, play with yarn and color ideas, and sometimes discover that the perfect yarn for my next project is already sitting at home.
After all, I like to think of my stash as my own personal yarn store—filled entirely with yarns I love! 🧶💜
So tell me: What usually comes first for you—the yarn or the pattern?
Then head over to the blog and read this week’s post! 👇
https://serenitynowalpacas.com/blogs/inspiration/do-you-pick-the-yarn-or-the-pattern-first
Happy knitting!
Betty Jo

Do You Pick the Yarn or the Pattern First? Which comes first—the yarn or the pattern? For me, the answer is both! Sometimes I see a yarn and immediately fall in love with it. I don't necessarily know what I'm going to make with it yet. I just know I want to work with it. Other times, I see a patte...

08/10/2026

Wool has picked up a few unfair rumours over the years.
Here are four of the most common myths around it...

1. Wool is always itchy.
Not all wool is created equal. Modern spinning techniques, together with beautifully fine fibres like Merino, Alpaca and Cashmere, produce yarns that feel wonderfully soft against the skin.

2. Wool is difficult to care for.
Wool is naturally resilient and surprisingly low maintenance. Its fibres help resist odours, meaning many wool garments simply need a good airing between wears rather than frequent washing.

3. Wool can't be used for sportswear.
Natural fibres have been trusted outdoors for generations. Wool's ability to wick moisture and regulate temperature makes it exceptionally dependable for an active lifestyle.

4. Wool is only for winter.
Wool isn't just for cold weather. It naturally helps regulate your body temperature, making it just as comfortable for cool summer evenings and changeable spring days as it is during the colder months.

Are there any others that you'd add to the list?

08/06/2026

I just posted this weeks blog. I hope you enjoy reading it.

https://serenitynowalpacas.com/blogs/inspiration/how-many-projects-are-on-your-needles-⭐

How Many Projects Do I Have Going? How many projects do I have going? A lot! Actually... maybe we shouldn't count them. 😄 Different from many knitters, my projects fall into two categories: shop projects and personal projects. The funny thing is, I have even more shop projects waiting to be cast ...