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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. |
| Standing Events |
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These are ongoing shop happenings. An "*" by the event indicates that there is a fee.
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
Master Knitter Support Group
2nd and 4th Sunday from 2 to 4.
COE in Handweaving Support Group
1st Wednesday at 1:00
*Open Weaving
Every Monday from 6 to 9. Call to confirm class will be held as we have some dates blocked out.
*Drop In Knitting
Tuesday from 11 to 1
Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (except between June 10 and Labor Day)
Thursday from 1 to 3
Friday from 10 to Noon
*Knit with Suzanne
Thursday evening, 7 to 9
Girl's Night
First Friday from 7 to 10 (except July and February)
Spinning Group
First Saturday from 10 to 12 (except July and February)
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| Greetings!
You only have to turn on the radio or TV or browse the Internet to see that Michigan is having a bad week. Hand-crafted gifts are a traditional part of family because they make us feel loved. It feels good to give something you made yourself and it is also cost effective. Make yourself feel better: set some gift-giving goals (achieveable ones!) that will sootyh your mind and keep your hands busy.
Tired of your four walls? You are always welcome to come here to knit or spin. If there is a class in progress, you may use our sitting room. This isn't knitting help time, but rather mental health time for you! Come for wool hugs (and real hugs). It is always warm and friendly here!
Don't forget tomorrow is Girls Night (7 to 10). Come and enjoy the company and dessert. |
| New in the shop |
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As I've shown in a previous newsletter, our Coloring Book Shawl pattern is extremely versatile. This time Kathy knit it up for us using 2-ply Wagtail Mohair, a simply scrumptious yarn from Australia. She followed the pattern as written with two exceptions: the needle size switched from US size 5 to US size 3 and it was knit in just one color. See what you think:
and close-up:
Also, Sammie just put out a special purchase of "almost merino" roving that is ready for spinning or dyeing. We are passing the great deal that we got on to you. We have 25 pounds available at the very, very low price of just $11.50 per pound. |
| A reminiscence of socks and fiber |
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Since the very beginning we have had a lot of sock yarn. Not a little - a lot. I had no idea just how many kinds until I asked Su to count the different choices (colors and kinds) the other day. Can you believe that we have over 500 different choices? No wonder people have a hard time making up their minds!
I think I first fell in love with socks when I was a kid. I remember being in my "tween" years and finding a pair that my mother made for either my dad or grandpa. I wore them until they wore out and remember feeling very hugged.
I have been passionate about fiber for truly as long as I can remember. We grew up with a sewing machine in the living room (there is still one in the same place) and Mom almost always had knitting on her needles. When I was seven, we moved to town. That's when our neighbor, Hilda, taught me to crochet and embroider. I think I used her as an escape from my chores - by that time there were four little Sheridan kids and I am the oldest!
I remember shopping for a coat (at the mall in Grand Rapids, now that was big stuff!) and feeling the fabric of each of the winter coats. I went for the one that felt best - that had to be the reason we got it because it certainly wasn't the prettiest coat on the rack, it was a bright yellow parka with a fur trim!
For years, I left the knitting to Mom. Mostly I sewed my clothes, kid clothes and stuff for the household. Then I learned to spin and there was no turning back! I opened the store just a year after that and the rest, as they say, is history.
So now, with the shop, I get to continue to play with fiber. Next week I head off to the summer yarn show (that shows winter yarns). If you think having 500 different kinds of sock yarn makes selecting hard, try having that many different companies from which to buy yarn! Wish me luck . . . you'll see how I did come September! |
| Friends of Heritage Gallery |
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Just one piece to show off this week:
This piece will be well-travelled when it meets its new owner. Dawn, a weaver who lives in Wales, ordered the yarn from us. With the assistance of Becca and Chris, she found the right colors to make a Fraser tartan. It was woven in cotton and is a gift for a friend from California. What a wonderful friend! Nice job, Dawn!
As always, click on the image for a closer-up view. |
| Classes |
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Don't forget: click on the class calendar on the class page on our website and see what is starting and what is already underway or ongoing.
Class spotlight:
Learn to Spin
I firmly believe that every serious knitter should take a beginning spinning class. Whether or not they stick with spinning, is a personal call. What you learn in the spinning class will help your knitting. You'll understand what goes into yarn design, a bit about breeds, how different amounts of twist or direction of twist affect the finished product and much more. You need have no tools or prior experience. We provide everything you need for this two-session adventure. Annie is your tour guide - be prepared to have fun!
Upcoming classes
Here's a list of all the classes starting in the next few weeks (the date listed is the first day of the class):
6/12 Learn to Knit Toe Up Socks
6/27 Projects for the Rigid Heddle
6/28 Drum Carding Play Day
Our Next Learn to . . . classes:
Learn to Knit: starts 6/1
Learn to Tat: starts 9/24
Learn to Spin: starts 6/17
Learn to Weave on the Rigid Heddle: 6/13
Learn to Weave: Open Weaving on Monday evenings OR Learn to Weave in a week: July 13 through 17
Details on all of these classes on our website.
I couldn't resist including this photo from Sunday's doll making class. We had a great time and laughed a lot. Most everyone decided to make self-portrait dolls. I will take a photo and share it with you when they are all done. If you want to have fun like this, sign up for the next session of the doll class that will be held this fall. | |
Congratulations to . . .
Jae Koscierzynski. Jae teaches at the shop and runs Wednesday evening Drop In Knitting. She's also coordinating the Knit Michigan afghan (go Jae!). You may recognize her Peacock Shawl design that is on display at the front of the shop. Two of her lace designs were recently published in the new Fons & Porter knitting magazine Love of Knitting. In addition, Jae shared her tips for lace knitting in an article in the same magazine. You can see the designs here in her blog. We're very proud of Jae and glad that all her hard work is paying off.
Tanya Thoman. Tanya is a Knitting Boot Camp graduate who recently won an award in the Sox Hot Spot sock knitting contest (Skacel: Knitter's Choice). Way to go Tanya!
UFO Summer Camp for Fiber Folks
On Sunday, July 5, we are closed for the holiday. However, I thought it might be a fun time to invade the shop and have a day of working on UFOs. You know: unfinished objects in the bottom of your knitting bag (or on your rigid heddle or beside your spinning wheel). For whatever reason they've been sitting there and gathering dust, come and spend the day, have fun and finish a project! Here's what we'll provide: lunch, a movie or two, a place to hang out, and knitting help on-call. You should bring: your UFOs, a handmade name tag (there will be a prize for the best one), and a lawn chair if you want to get really comfy or spend some time outside knitting in the park. Block off the whole day. Grown ups like us get to sleep in, so we won't start until 10, but we'll go until we're done (at least until 5 or 6 or . . . who know?!!). I've priced it so that it is a very affordable day (cheaper than Cedar Point and close to home): just $30.
Summer Hours
We will be closed:
- June 25, 26, 27 for the downtown carnival
- July 4 & 5 for Independence Day
- September 6 & 7 for Labor Day
Otherwise, we will remain open seven days through the summer.
Happy Fibering!
Joan Sheridan
Heritage Spinning & Weaving
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