Search

Love.Yarn.Shop.

Your local yarn shop.

Open Search
Category

Uncategorized

The Call of the Wool

 

As the petals of the hydrangea blush into pink and the leaves on the maple pop orange overnight, the call of wool tugs knitters and crocheters into the yarn store to sniff out their next project.  They squeeze skeins and flip through magazines in search of the perfect fall project to ease them into winter.  The Fall Interweave Knits issue is just the magazine for them.  It has twelve patterns for pullovers and cardigans, all of which are interesting, modern, and beckon to the knitter.  I had a hard time deciding which ones to highlight, but two weaknesses intervened:  fair isle and men.  The Prairie Wind Cardigan by Amy Gunderson is a knit-in-the-round, steeked hoodie, a perfect blend of traditional and modern.  The Nelson Pullover by Irina Anikeeva takes its queue from athletic wear with a drawstring tie on a cowl neck.  The Whiskey Creek Pullover by Amy Christoffers has a shawl collar which is reminiscent of the military pullovers of the 40’s and 50’s.  All are worsted weight and knit in the round for the majority of the body, which is my preference when knitting sweaters.  Come in and take a look!

Screen Shot 2017-08-18 at 10.27.24 AM

Screen Shot 2017-08-18 at 10.27.37 AM.png

0

Another testimony to the importance of creative work

Although we have read many articles about how knitting reduces stress and creates a sense of well-being, this Guardian article by a doctor about how being creative drew her out of her depression and continues to be an important part of her balancing the work in her life, is a personal testimony that speaks to anyone in the medical field.  As busy as she is, she makes a little time every day to be creative, whether knitting, writing, or drawing.

The rise in popularity of “paint and sips” makes me think that there are many people who have written off their creative talents– “I can’t draw.  I’m not creative.” — but who, in fact, feel a need to create and feel safe in a class where everyone is doing the same painting.  The arts at all levels, and our ability to participate in them, define who we are as a society.  Let’s celebrate and support them in our communities by attending public performances, classes, art shows, and by making time every day “to knit four rows.”

 

0

Female Firsts–Lives of Dedication

In honor of Women’s History Month, I decided to print off photos of women who were recognized as the first female in their field to do something.  As I was reading through the extensive history, I was struck how each one of these women worked her entire life in a career,  often a career in service to others.   No doubt she worked under various forms of discrimination. “Nevertheless, she persisted,”  and she succeeded in previously held male-dominated fields.   Kudos to the women who have gone before us.  Kudos to the women who are currently competing in male-dominated fields.  Kudos.

0

International Women’s Day–Lest We Forget

Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.   That’s the theme set by the United Nations today for International Women’s Day;  the history goes back to 1908, however, when 15,000 women marched in support of the garment workers, demanding shorter hours, better pay, and the right to vote.  Whether you stay home from work, don’t shop (gosh, you could shop at women-owned business, couldn’t you?), or attend an event, the important part of recognizing this day, is revisiting and remembering the historical struggles of women since the early protests of the 20th century…and teaching our children this history.  One film I used to show my 8th grade students when doing a unit on Women’s History was Iron Jawed Angels, which always was jaw-dropping news to them.  One early exhortation to keep history alive comes from Deuteronomy 4:9

9Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy son’s sons …. “

Aside from the gender-biased language, the sentiment is one we should take to heart, lest we forget, lest we lose what we have gained.

0

Knitters Retreat at AMC Highland Lodge–April 21st and 2nd

8 TH  A N N U A L  W H I T E    M O U N T A I N

KNITTERS’   RETREAT 

April 21- 23, 2017

Highland Lodge

U.S. Route 302 (Crawford Notch)

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Enjoy a spring weekend in Crawford Notch and join other passionate knitters for knitting, fresh air and laughter. The retreat includes:

 

  • Modular knitting workshop with sweater expert, Ginger Burks
  • Provisional cast-ons and hat linings on Sunday morning
  • Help with unfinished projects
  • Knitters’ show-and-tell
  • Nature walks
  • Uninterrupted time to knit

Rates start at $144/person for the bunkhouse, $150/person for a shared room, $216/person for a private room and include two nights lodging, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and dinner and Sunday breakfast. Quoted rates do not include New Hampshire state tax. To make lodging reservations, contact the Appalachian Mountain Club at 603-466-2727, reservation code 346622. The workshop registration fee is $30 additional (not included in the above room rate) paid to Mary Lou Recor. For general information on the retreat or to register for the workshop only, contact Mary Lou at 802-660-2834 or mlrecor@myfairpoint.net. The fee for the workshop only is $30 and does not include meals. Additional $10.95 + tax for Saturday lunch.

     

0

Felters Fling in August

I have had quite a few felters come in the shop to buy roving, and I’d like to make sure they are aware of this fabulous week of felting workshops from August 19th to 27th.  Felters Fling in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, offers 12 different workshops from garments to millinery, bags to wall hangings, and you can either go for the full week or for one half or the other.  The week is geared toward experienced felters, so check out their website and get inspired to up your game!

0

Round Mountain Bulky–Last Chance!

Unfortunately, Round Mountain fibers is no longer dyeing bulky yarn–it just didn’t sell as well as the fingering and worsted weight.  I was able to purchase the last skeins of the color ways, but this is it. If you have enjoyed it in the past and would like a few skeins, the time to buy is now!

0

Longest Night Knitting

We won’t be knitting into the night, but I’ll have cookies and tea for knitting during the shortest day!  Even if you haven’t knitted the cowl for Project Peace, which asked you to knit 4 rows a day in a meditative manner, tomorrow we’ll be knitting, pushing out the busy-ness of this week and welcoming in the calm before the storm.  Hope to see you in the shop!screen-shot-2016-11-22-at-12-01-45-pm

0

Cucumber Sandwiches and Wine Spritzers

Ah, the taste of fresh cucumber slices, lightly salted, between soft, crustless, white bread.  The nose of fresh mint while sipping the cold, slightly bubbly wine spritzer with undertones of raspberry.  The sound of people greeting each other familiarly, the rustle of project bags, (what?), the click of needles…oh yeah, it’s a yarn tasting!    We’ll be discussing our road trips!  NH Sheep and Wool Festival in May, Great Northern Yarn Haul in July.  See you at the shop, Friday, April 8, from 5-7.

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑