Auntie Wooly Says:
Dahlings!
Do men knit? Well, of course they do! Many of us know that Rosie Greer was a fabulous knitter (in addition to needlepoint and other fiber crafts) and many know about Big Sur native Kaffe Fasset, but did you know Cary Grant and FDR were knitters? As is Russell Crowe! So, just let those guys know that not only is it ok to knit, but that knitting was once strictly an all-male profession!
Till next time, Happy Stitching!
Auntie W.
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 Misti Alpaca Chunky!
Made from 100% Baby Alpaca, this yarn is some of the softest, most beautiful yarn around. At the Ball & Skein we love it so much, we stock a lot of it in a huge variety of colors! Available in the shop and in our on line store, we typically have over 2 dozen colors at any given time. From a simple one-skein scarf made on US #13 needles to sweaters and jackets, it's a luxury to which every fiber fan should treat themselves.
Click here to download a free one-skein scarf pattern!
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 Colinette AbFab Kits
We've always been fans of these wonderful kits from Colinette. Made up of 5 different yarns in up to 8 different colors, these kits come with 4 knitted throw patterns, a crocheted throw pattern, and a knitted shawl pattern. Knit them on US #11 or crochet them on a K hook, and you'll be so pleased at how fast they work up and how beautiful they are when you're done. And we'll never tell how easy they were to work up! See them in the shop or in our on-line store!
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 Wool
One of our most misunderstood fibers, and so often maligned as being "scratchy", wool is so varied and has been in use for so many thousands of years we thought you might want to know a little more about it. Let's focus on our friend the sheep. Worldwide there are over 1000 breeds of sheep. There are over 40 breeds in the US alone! The finest wool, measured in micron size of the fiber, comes from Merino or it's relatives. In the US our most common breed is the Rambouillet, a relative of the Merino breed. Wool, unlike hair (and yes, there are sheep that have hair, not wool!) is crimped, is elastic (what we refer to as memory) and grows in staples or clusters. Wool fiber is also covered in scales which is why it felts. When you felt wool you're actually causing the scales to pull together creating a smooth fiber. Superwash wools are either coated with a polymer to keep them from pulling together, or by dipping it in an acid bath to burn the scales off. This is also why superwash wools often feel softer or smoother than non-treated wools.
What does this mean to us? It lets us know that all wools are not created equal. That one may have a reaction to one species of wool but not another. And in all projects where size matters, be sure to swatch, then wash the swatch to see what characteristics the fiber you're working with may have that could affect your project. This is true even with superwash yarns as some machine washable yarns have been known to grow after washing!
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 Off to TNNA
Kris and Oz are off to Columbus Ohio for the TNNA Fall/Winter trade show. TNNA is the trade organization for the needle arts industry in the US and this is their largest trade show. While we've been meeting with representatives of the companies we currently carry, these shows are where we find the unique, different, and often surprising small companies to bring to you. In addition to seeing new products, we also get a chance to meet with industry leaders and take all manner of classes. We do this in order to stay current and try and bring you the best value and most unique items on the market! It does mean won't be shipping anything from June 8 through June 14, but any orders you place will be shipped on the 15th! Stay tuned to our Facebook Page, our Ravelry Page, or this newsletter for all the latest!
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