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Punxsutawney Phil and Jimmy the Groundhog of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin saw his shadow on February 2 so it looks like we may be due for another six weeks of winter. Which means we'll all have six more weeks of winter knitting and crocheting before spring!
The shop will be closed for the months of February and March so we can get caught up on all of our works in progress.
We are excited to announce that we'll be staring up a new knit-a-long in May. Details can be found below in the newsletter.
Liz, Claire, Cathy & Joe
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Shop Closed February & March
The shop will be closed for the months of February 2014 and March 2014. We will re-open on Wednesday, April 2, 2014.
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Winter and Spring Hours
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Noon to 3 pm;
Saturday through Tuesday by chance or appointment.
(Don't forget we will be closed the months of February and March.)
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May 2014 Shop Knit-a-Long
 We will be starting a new shop knit-a-long this spring in May 2014. Using the new book from Michelle Hunter from Knit Purl Hunter - Building in Color. This great book will help you learn and improve your color knitting skills. Each panel in the sampler blanket features essential color knitting skills - there are ten panels total and we will be knitting two each month. You will need about 2,800 yards in three colors and 6, 7 or 8 needles. Shop suggestions for yarns to use are:
Plymouth Yarn Encore - 75% acrylic & 25% wool
Kraemer Tatamy Tweed- 40% cotton & 60% acrylic
Blackberry Ridge Wool or Wool Blend
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What's New in the Shop?
MAGAZINE:
Interweave Crochet Winter 2014
BOOK:
Building in Color by Michelle Hunter of Knit Purl Hunter. Build your color knitting skills one panel at a time! We will be starting this as a shop knit-a-long in May of this year!
YARN:
 Blackberry Ridge Fingering 2-Ply - 1 oz. skeins have 112 yards each. 100% wool in a variety of new colors! This yarn is perfect if you wish to make the Fair Isle mobius cowl that was featured on the cover of Vogue Knitting Winter 2013/14.
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Have You Ever Wondered?
Have you ever wondered how much an average knitter or crocheter spends on their favorite hobby? Check out these stats from "The State of Specialty NeedleArts 2013" compiled for TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association) :
Knitting Enthusiast Profile
Spending: average $801
Time Spent: average 10 hours per week
Number of Knitting Projects Completed: average 24
Expertise in Knitting: 40% expert & 57% intermediate
Cross-Participation: 42% also crochet
Average Age: 52
86% of knitters use Ravelry & 29% use Facebook for fiber arts interests
Crochet Enthusiast Profile
Spending: average $570
Time Spent: average 10 hours per week
Number of Knitting Projects Completed: average 39
Expertise in Knitting: 45% expert & 51% intermediate
Cross-Participation: 49% also knit
Average Age: 51
69% of crochters use Ravelry & 38% use Facebook for fiber arts interests
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Classes and Workshops
We're announcing a new format for instruction and help. Instead of the shop setting up the time schedule for class you and/or your friends will arrange the time and day. Several times a year we will present a list of suggested knitting and crochet classes on our website and in the newsletter to help you choose, but keep in mind that any and all suggestions will be accepted.
As always there is no charge for help and instruction during regular shop hours. At all other times of the week the cost is $20.00 per student for a 2 hour private or semi-private instruction. Groups of 3 to 6 students are a total cost of $50.00 for a 2 hour class. Groups of 7 students or more are $100.00 for a two hour class (2 teachers required.)
Pre-registration is required for all classes. All supplies are available at the shop. Students receive 10% off supplies.
Current list of classes
Beginning Knitting
Beginning Crocheting
Toe-Up Two at a Time Socks
Beginning Entrelac
Cabled Sides Wine Cozy
Raglan Sweater Ornament
Claire's Sweater Dishcloth
Intarsia Sheep Bag
See website for more details and additional classes.
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Events
Janesville Area Knitting Guild will be holding the 2014 Knit In on February 7, 2014 and February 8, 2014. 2014 is the event's 25th Anniversary and it will be held at the Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan. Madison Knitting Guild will be holding its annual Knit-In on March 14, 2014 and March 16, 2014. Two full days of classes and a marketplace. Visit their website for more details.
Iceland & Beyond - A trip to Iceland & the Faroe Islands especially for Fiber Enthusiasts & Adventure Seekers! June 2, 2014 to June 10, 2014 - This is the third trip to Iceland that Pam and Barb have organized and this time we have added a visit to the fabulous Faroe Islands. I went on the first trip in 2003 and had a great time. In the Faroe Islands: * Learn INNOVATIVE systems of making knitting patterns * Expand your senses in Knitting * The Faroese knitting heritage - lecture. * Meet a Faroese knitting club - local knitters * A visit to Sirri store in Faroe Islands http://www.sirri.fo/home.html * Visit to Gudrún og Gudrún, the famous Faroese design duo http://shop.gudrungudrun.com/ * Visits to local yarn shops and knitting clubs In Iceland: * ALAFOSS LOPI yarn factory & shop * South Shore tour * &The World Famous BLUE LAGOON SPA
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Just for Laughs ...  UNUSED BENCH CUSHION: Free for the taking. I will bottle and ship for $25 (some assembly may be required). Joe |
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Joe (and his puzzles) will be on holiday for the months of February and March and will return in April!
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Sutter's Gold 'n Fleece
can now be found on:
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Margaret Brennan, Liz Sutter, Claire Pagel and Cathy Benecke are publishing their patterns under the Ravenswood Knit Designs label. So far the RKD inventory includes 18" doll patterns and accessories
FEATURED PATTERN 
Raglan Sweater Ornament
These miniature ornaments knit from left-over sock yarn and fun and fast. Each one will be a delightful surprise. Make a dozen as ornaments or as gift box decoration...
Claire Pagel
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Made in the USA
In 1815, Thomas Jefferson announced, "I have come to a resolution myself as I hope every good citizen will, never again to purchase any article of foreign manufacture which can be had of American make, be the difference of price what it may."
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