| Standing Events |
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These are ongoing shop happenings. An "*" by the event indicates that there is a fee.
Sit & Knit
These are social knitting times - no charge, but no help is provided.
Tues. evening 7 to 9
Wed. morning 10 to 12
Sunday, afternoons 2 to 4
*Open Weaving
Every Monday from 6 to 9.
*Drop In Knitting
Tuesday from 11 to 1
Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Thursday from 1 to 3
Friday from 10 to Noon
*Knit with Suzanne
Thursday evening, 7 to 9
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Greetings!
December is notoriously a busy month decked out in too much sugar and tasty treats. I hope that it is also a time when you pause to remember the origins of your holiday and that you can see the miracles that are around you every day!
Celebrate the New Year at Heritage
I'm not sure how long we've been doing it, but it is my favorite shop event of the year. It's our New Year's Day Party. Sure, there are sales, but it's also a good time to spend your gift certificates and to escape the confines of home and (for some of us) football on TV. Bring your knitting and spinning and even rigid heddle looms and spend the day with us. I'll make a pot or two of soup and folks usually bring left overs and the conversation flows. Come for an hour or spend the day. The really dedicated will want to start the day with us at the New Year's Resolution Walk/Run in downtown Lake Orion. It's just a mile and we've got a group participating. More info here.
Help Others
We are inviting you to bring your non-perishable food items to the shop to benefit a local non-profit program run by Becca's mom called Remnants Ministry. Patti has established a food pantry in Lake Orion. If you know someone in need, the pantry is open Tuesday mornings between 9:30 and 12:30 at Christ Community Church in downtown Lake Orion at Florence and Flint streets. |
| What's New? |
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 A still life of new stuff! We've got a medley of things that have come in recently. Some new books, more than 20 different colors of 8/2 cotton, craft paper to support my new style of warping, a knitter's travel mug, handy sticky notes and the latest Opal sock yarns. Remember: check out the "new" area in our Sock Room every time you are in to see what's new and fun!
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| A Yarn Exploration |
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 3-Ply Strikkegarn by Rauma
By Jae Koscierzynski
A traditional Norwegian yarn, 3-ply Strikkegarn is an incredibly forgiving yarn. It blooms slightly when given a soak or a steam bath. Small changes in stitch tension disappear after blocking creating a smooth even fabric. All without a significant change in gauge! The yarn can be ripped back easily several times without losing its character. A welcome trait in a yarn, if you are prone to the occasional error.
The tight twist and 100% wool content means 3-Ply Strikkegarn is an excellent "work horse" yarn. Pilling or fraying will be minimal. The yarn is great for stitch definition, textured knits, and cables. There is a slight stickiness that lends this yarn to stranded colorwork and steeks. This yarn would also be a good choice for felting projects.
Pattern recommendations:
· Alesund by Robin Melanson, Knitting New Mittens and Gloves · Annestrømper for voksne by Rauma Designs, LVS-3 Oppskrifter Booklet · Princess Mitts by Jennifer Hagan, Knitter's Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes · Honeycomb vest by Sarah Castor, Free from Knitty - Spring 2008 · Fair Isle Yoke Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmerman, The Opinionated Knitter
Jae's thoughts on knitting with 3-Ply Strikkegarn: I am very impressed with how easy it was to work with this yarn. Although I was not giving my total attention to my swatch, I didn't suffer from split or sloppy stitches. So I can vouch this yarn is excellent for knitting in public. The gauge provided on the ball band with a US 3 (3.25mm) needle is a good working gauge for this yarn. I can also see the yarn being knit up to US 5 (4.0mm) needle with nice results as well. The stitch definition this yarn brings is lovely and can make a cable really "pop". I also think Strikkegarn is a great choice for any stranded colorwork project, especially if steeks are involved. Finally, this is a "stiff" yarn in the ball, but it softens in the knitting and I believe it will become even softer as it is worn. |
| Our Patterns |
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Our original patterns are now in stock in the store. Over the next weeks, I'll be introducing you to a few at a time. Click on the image to learn more about each pattern. Enjoy!
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| Classes |
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Click on the class calendar on the class page on our website and see what is starting and what is already underway or ongoing.
You asked. We are delivering. Over the summer I went to a terrific class with Jane Stafford, a Canadian weaver (that the new Louet Jane loom is named for) and I learned so much, including a new approach to warping. This class will demonstrate the new method: Warping Simplified. Once you get the warp on your loom it doesn't matter HOW you did it, it just matters THAT you did it well. If you are frustrated by wasted time and inefficiency, then you'll want to learn this method of warping. It may just revolutionize the way you dress your multi-shaft loom.
1/7 Philosopher's Wool Knit-Along
1/8 Broomstick Lace: Hourglass Cardigan
1/10 Spinning Colored Roving with Varied Results
1/12 Knitting Boot Camp
1/13 or 1/16 Warping Simplified
2/12 Understanding Yarn and Fibers
Our Next Learn to . . . classes start on:
Learn to Crochet: TBD, sometime early in 2010
Learn to Knit: 1/2 or 1/4
Learn to Tat: starts 3/11
Learn to Spin: starts 2/13
Learn to Weave on the Rigid Heddle (one day class): 12/28 or 1/2
Learn to Weave: Open Weaving on Monday evenings OR Learn to Weave in a week: January
Learn to Tapestry Weave: 2/14
Details on all of these classes on our website. | |
Fun Weaving Stuff
I just got notified that a photo of my loom will be in the 12/23 issue of Weaving Weekly, an Interweave Press email newsletter. They asked for photos of how looms are used for things besides weaving. I sent in a photo of my Cranbrook Loom as Christmas Tree.
Fun Family Stuff
I just returned from a weekend trip to New York City with my daughter. Here's a photo of us from our Monday morning adventure - being in the studio audience of Good Morning America. It was a fun day to be there - George Stephanopolis' first day on the job and a live performance by Yo Yo Ma. Mariah is a real fan of GMA so when Sam the weatherman conversed with her, she was in heaven! The trip was her birthday and Christmas present - we had a wonderful time and never even entered a yarn store.
Don't Forget!
Our holiday hours: we will close Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve at 4. We will be closed Christmas Day.
Happy Fibering!
Joan Sheridan
Heritage Spinning & Weaving
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(Please note, I am also on FaceBook personally for my family and close friends. To follow Heritage happenings, enter: "Heritage Spinning & Weaving" in the search box and follow the instructions to become a fan.) |
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