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HERITAGE CLUB
Are you a member? Ask about joining the next time you are in the shop. Or click the logo for more information. |
| Events |
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 KnitFlix
September's movie is A Good Year. Mark Sat., September 13 at 6 p.m. on your calendar and join us (and Russell Crowe and others)!
Sit & Knit
These are social knitting times - no charge, but no help is provided.
Tues. evening 7 to 9
Wed. morning 10 to 12
Sun. afternoons 2 to 4 | |
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Greetings!
We're down to the last few days of summer - oh, not the summer on the calendar, the school year summer. About this time kids and parents have about had enough of togetherness and school is a welcome change.
Me, I'm heading north to celebrate the end of summer. I'll be camping, knitting, reading, spinning and weaving in the woods and enjoying the view below. No email, no phone. Pure bliss! I don't even care if it rains. So, you will not be getting a newsletter next week - I decided I needed a break!
Holiday hours - we will be closed Sunday, August 31 and Monday, September 1. |
| What's New |
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This week has been a busy one for stocking shelves with
products for fall. I must admit there I have misplaced my camera so you will have to click through to the links to view the yarns. I'm so sorry!
One of the new yarns is actually a "resizing" of one of our favorite yarns: Crystal Palace's Panda Silk. Formerly only in sock weight, it is now in DK weight. You cannot believe how pretty this yarn looks in the skein. The luster invites stroking! My favorite is the color called Granite Tones, what's yours? Take a peak: http://straw.com/cpy/yarns/pandasilkDK-card.html Then remind yourself - it is even machine washable. Great for "granny knitting."
Crystal Palace shipped another new yarn. This one is sock weight and is called Panda Soy. It is made from 49% bamboo, 33% soy and 18% elastic nylon and is also machine washable. Perfect yarn for those folks on your knitting list that don't do well with wool. Here's a link to those colors: http://straw.com/cpy/yarns/pandasoy-card.html. At this moment in time (boxes just unpacked), we have a limited quantity of each of the colors - tell us your favorites and we'll reorder.
From Knitting Fever comes another Araucania yarn. This one is called Azapa. It reminds me of some of the Manos yarns. It is hand-dyed by a company led by a mother-daughter duo who "decided to combine their talents and experience with the mission to create and produce beautiful and one-off yarns for the global market, employing ancient and traditional techniques which reflect Chile's ethnic origins." Made from 30% alpaca/45% merino/15% silk and 10% donegal (as in tweed), this yarn knits up at 14 sts in 4" on a US10 needle and has 197 yards in a skein. Softly spun, this yarn is perfect for making a "Saturday sweater." You know - a super comfy, cuddly sweater that knits up quickly and becomes the one you throw on when you want to relax.
Spinning & Weaving
We got in big shipments from the US Ashford supplier and Schacht Spindle. While much of it was restock, you can also find things we haven't had in a long time: Tahkli spindles, weaving frames, an updated Incredible Rope Machine, and more. |
| Chemo Cap Yarn & Patient Comfort Items |
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| Last week's interview with Maureen prompted several conversations in the shop about what yarn is good for chemo caps and what things beside caps would be good to make for cancer patients.
Some of the mainstream yarns that we have in the shop that were voted "good for chemo caps" are: Hempathy, SWTC Bamboo (the new version, not the original which is more like linen), Silkience, Sublime Merino, GGH Tajmahal and Samson, Cotton Fleece, and Silky Wool, just to name a few.
Besides hats, Maureen said the following are also used:
- Teddy bears (at Children's Hospital)
- Neck roll pillows
- Breast cancer pillows - about 10 x 12 to tuck under the arm for comfort
- Fleece blankets with crocheted edges - starting in September we'll have kits with instructions and free help available on most Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 during our Sit & Knit time.
- Head scarves
Check the Knit Michigan website in a few weeks for new chemo cap patterns. |
| Classes |
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For Spinners - be a Fiber Scientist!
Breed of the Month Class
2nd Wednesday of the month starting 9/10
Class limited to 12 - we still have seats available
Many people don't realize just how different the wool from various breeds of sheep can be. This series of classes will provide an up-close and personal experience with a variety of common and not-so-common breeds of sheep. Each class will begin with a lecture and then we will examine the wool and classify it to learn how it "wants" to be spun. We will work with hand cards, flick cards and combs to compare different fiber preparations and see what works best for that breed for projects you may have in mind. Instructor: Joan Sheridan Hoover
Coming up in September:
A new Focus class. This one is Focus on Socks and will be led by Jae. Here's what she says about the class: "Explore the fit and function of socks - not to mention beginnings and endings when knitting from either direction. You'll learn lots of tips that will translate to all of your knitting, have at least one pair of great-fitting socks when you are done, and have a really great time exploring!" More info here.
Weaving a Project
Friday, September 12 from 6 pm to 9 pm, Saturday, September 13 from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, September 14 from 10 am to 3 pm, three sessions
Have you taken a beginning weaving class but didn't get a chance to weave again, or just plain would like someone looking over your shoulder to guide you? This class is for you! Friday night will include a warping refresher and we'll wind our warps based on the project of your choice, on Saturday we'll dress the loom, and everyone should be weaving by Sunday morning. Most will not finish their projects in class which is why we've included two weeks' loom rental in the class price. If you aren't sure about what you want to weave, please stop in before class so we can help you. Limited to 4 - come with a project in mind, or let us help you select one.
Our Next Learn to . . . classes:
Learn to Knit: starts 9/23
Learn to Spin: starts 10/12
Learn to Weave: starts 9/29
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| Special Instructor |
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 Beth Brown-Reinsell has been on the knitting circuit teaching classes (and supporting herself) for about 20 years. What does that mean to you? She's a really good teacher! On top of that, Beth is one terrific person. I know you'll enjoy time spent with her. Come October, she's doing two classes and a lecture for us.
Friday evening, October 10, 7 to 9 p.m. she's doing a presentation called Twined Knitting, Past and Present $20
Saturday, October 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maine Mittens. $85
 Sunday, October 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Norwegian Mittens. $85
A complete description, supply list and homework can be found on our website. | |
Just a reminder that we'll be closed Sunday, August 31 and Monday, September 1.
Then, put Girls Nite for September on your calendar now: always the first Friday evening of the month. Hope to see you there. Happy Fibering,
Joan Sheridan Hoover
Heritage Spinning & Weaving |
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