Thistledown Shoppe
Happy St. Paddy's Day from Thistledown Shoppe
LANTERN MOON
rice baskets
One of the many vendors we carry is Lantern Moon.


stitch markers



They work with women in Cambodia, Bali, and Vietnam.


zip circular case

"The basket weaving, silk weaving, hand embroidery, bamboo carpentry, woodcarving and other handcrafting skills are showcased in this catalog and are unique to the regions where the materials are cultivated and produced.  With your purchases you provide a market for these wonderful products and contribute to the economic and social well being of the areas where they are produced, providing income and self-reliance to women and their families."





silk taffeta bags

Although we would love to carry all of their products, we are limited by space.  If you want an item that we do not have in our shoppe, let us know and we will special order it for you.


clamshell cases

 

P. S. We also have their catalog in our shoppe.





Greetings!


I know, I know, you are getting more than tired of winter.  In fact, some of you have even gone so far as to leave this wonderful state! 

Spring is attempting to join us, but we will still have some more wintery days until we can just wear our sweaters outside.  March can be a month of contradictions - making us think about summer tees or winter hats.  Because of that we have both wintery wools and summer linens and cottons available for you to use in your creative moments.

An update on the puppies - Molly and Emma graduated from puppy class and are now in the basic dog class.  Jill has been helping out by taking Emma for me in the class and both she and Emma are shining stars!

Kathy

Show Us Your Green

Come into the shoppe Saturday, March 19th and Sunday, March 20th wearing green and receive 25% off anything in stock (does not apply to items already marked down).

 

Marion Foale Trunk Show
We have a trunk show of four sweaters from Marion Foale.  This is a great opportunity for you to come in, try



M Foale patterns


on, and see how her yarn patterns knit up.   The trunk show will be at the shoppe until March 26th.

 

Classes

Beginning Knitting - Want to learn how to knit? Linda will start you out on several different dishcloth patterns and give you an overview on the basic tools a knitter uses. You will learn how to cast on, knit and purl, and bind off. Patterns will be provided and Linda will help you purchase your yarn and needles.

Date: Thursday, April 7 and 14
Time: 1 pm until 3 pm.

Cost: $40.

Finishing Techniques - Do you have some projects sitting around that are almost done but for the finishing touches? Linda will show you seaming techniques (three needle, kitchener, and mattress), how to pick up stitches on the neckline and for button bands, and how to block.

Prerequisites: Must know how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off.
Homework:
Two swatches, 6" square, worked in stockinette stitch and bound off;
Two swatches, 6" square, worked in garter stitch and bound off;
Four swatches, 6" square, worked in stockinette stitch, not bound off.

All swatches are to be knit in the same light colored knitting worsted weight yarn on size US 7 or US 8 needles.

Bring size F or G crochet hook, darning needles, scissors, safety pins, matching yarn and contrasting yarn.

Date: Saturday, April 23

Time: 1-3pm

Cost: $40

 

Sock Class - Socks are one of the most easy and portable projects ever. Betsy is a master at this craft and she will introduce you to the wonderful world of the Magic Loop.

You will learn how to create a child's sock using a long circular needle. You will decrease, turn the heel, and pick up stitches. These techniques can be applied to any sock pattern.

Materials needed: 32" or 40" circular needle needed for gauge. 6 ply or Fixation yarn.

Prerequisites: You must be able to cast on, knit, and purl.

 

Date: Tuesdays, April 5, 12, and 19

Time: 6-8:30 pm

 

 

Cost: $40.



Let us know if there is a specific class you would like and we will contact you when it is scheduled.

 

 Free Patterns


Put yourself in the St. Patrick's Day mood by knitting a washcloth

Or knit an Irish felted rose to wear as a pin.

The Inspira Cowl is a pattern for which I have been anxiously awaiting.  Folks started test knitting it in December and the pattern was released to the public several weeks ago.  It wants a variegated yarn with long color repeats.  I have been looking at our Kauni and Zauberball and think I have decided to knit my first one out of the Zauberball.  Check it out.  You need to be a member of Ravelry.

Ready to knit fleeced mittens and a matching scarf for the little ones?  Snowflakes will show you how.  We have plenty of roving for the fleece and any of our worsted weight yarns; such as Lamb's Pride,  Nature Spun, or Mission Falls would be great for this pattern.


 

Volunteers Needed

One of the groups in which I am involved is Voices & Choices.  It is under the Leelanau County Family Coordinating Council and we have programs for girls in Leelanau County.

One of their projects involves Suttons Bay girls visiting with women at the Suttons Bay TenderCare.  We need volunteers to meet the girls at the school and walk over to TenderCare with them, have lunch with the ladies, and then walk back with them to the school.  This will be on Thursdays from 11:45-12:30. 

If you are interested, send me an email.
http://thistledownshoppe.blogspot.com/


 
  Kathy Dawkins, Betsy Eike, Ruth Ziter, Diane Cavagnini, and Doreen Tyrrell


We do ship out yarns, patterns, and notions if you are not in the area.   Contact us and tell us what you want.