More new stuff at the shop, etc.

Greetings!  Under the heading of "more new stuff at the shop", Thursday I got in the Schacht-Reeves spinning wheel.  Fairly easy to assemble (except they really need to update the manual to allow for what they are currently assembling at the wood shop that you don't have to assemble yourself), this wheel takes a bit of adjusting at first, but once it is dialed in it is very nice to spin on.  This is my first time spinning on a Saxony (actually, it's a Norwegian style) wheel, and it is more comfortable for me than the castle type, as I can hold my hands parallel instead of right in front of left, which makes my shoulders ache after a couple hours.

The wheel I have in the shop is a 24" made of ash, double treadle, with the flyer on the right.  I will be able to order a Schacht-Reeves for anyone who wants one, but I cannot stock them as there are sixteen different possible configurations when you allow for wheel size (24 or 30 inches), single or double treadle, left or right-hand flyer, and ash or cherry wood.  This would make having the right wheel for any given customer a bit tricky unless I carried one of each configuration, and you can imagine the cost of that. 

However, I now have at least one of each wheel currently produced by Schacht: Ladybug, Sidekick, Matchless and Schacht-Reeves.  Any time you want you can give any of the wheels a test "drive".  I encourage anyone considering buying a wheel to test drive it as much and as many times as necessary for you to be sure it is the wheel you want; my goal is to provide you with the right wheel, not just any wheel.

I also received a Navajo spindle - which is used for thigh spinning - and a pear tahkli for use with short staple fibers and very fine spinning.  I also stock extra bobbins, the Schacht adjustable niddy-noddy, wheel oil, and wool carders.  As always, anything Schacht makes that I do not have in stock can be ordered for you.

Worth noting:  I have brochures in the shop for the TNNA Weavers' Retreat at the end of April, if anyone is interested.  It is very reasonably priced.

Under the heading of "etc.", we have knitting superstitions, as posted in the Windy City Knitting Guild newsletter today (with my editorials in purple):

1. It's bad luck to leave a project unfinished. The intended recipient will get bad luck from the unfinished item. I think it is actually bad luck for the knitter, who will doubtless say "I'll remember where I left off" and we all know down that road lies madness.
2. Stabbing your needles through your yarn balls brings bad luck to anyone who wears something made from that yarn.  Not true - my ex-husband is still alive.
3. Don't knit a pair of socks for your boyfriend or he'll walk away from you.  No ring - no knitting, period.
4. If you knit one of your own hairs into a garment, it will bind the recipient to you.  Does this apply to cat hair?  Is that why they follow me all over the house?
5. Knitting for children you may have in the future, but before you are pregnant, is bad luck (it may prevent one from getting pregnant, or bring ill health to the baby).  Or it may be the only opportunity you have to knit without spit-up on your yarn.
6. Don't stop knitting when you are only on the cast-on row or the project will never be finished.
See #1.
7. Cast-on for your next project immediately after finishing one. It's bad luck for your needles to be empty.  I'm good with this one.
8. When knitting a pair of socks, the second sock must be started immediately after casting off the first and finishing the first must be postponed until the knitter has time to cast-off, and cast-on the next sock at the same sitting.  Matching socks are over-rated.
9. Knitting as a voodoo doll -- ripping out your knitting while picturing someone you don't like is a way to "hex" them.  See #2.
10.Never HAND knitting needles to a friend, they can stab the friendship. Put them down and let the friend pick them up.  This could become a source of misunderstanding - "I swear  I wasn't stealing your needles; I thought you wanted me to pick them up".

Knit / spin / weave happy!

this week at the shop....

Reminder: Friday 24 February is the Artyarns and Interlacements Kit Event, from 6 to 8 PM.  There will be kits from Artyarns for two types of shawls in an assortment of colorways.  From Interlacements there will be kits for beaded scarves and for a beaded cape (shawl) in two types of yarn and lots of wonderful colorways, including some new colors for this spring.  Refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be awarded every hour on the hour beginning at 4.

Due to insufficient enrollment to meet the minimum needed, the Melissa Leapman retreat has been cancelled.  If you have paid for the retreat you have your choice of a full refund or shop credit.

New at the shop and also from Interlacements - Lotus, a 100% silk lace weight yarn in all the fantastic Interlacements colors.  At 500 yards each skein is enough to make a small to medium-sized shawl.

Purls of wisdom:  The road to success is always under construction.

Awesome mittens!

Congratulations to Ruth Neiboer for knitting these amazing mittens, pictured at right.  She made the mittens for her husband who is going to Antarctica tomorrow!  (I am SO jealous!)  These mittens are based on traditional Norwegian designs; the pattern was designed by Ruth's daughter specifically for the occasion (she could make a living doing work like this).  The compass rose with the "N" for north also has the latitude of the northern-most point he has been; the "South" mitten indicates the latitude of where he will be in Antarctica. On the South mitten is the year in Roman numerals, and on the North mitten are his initials.

Ruth made these after taking our class on Norwegian mittens.  These mittens are completely one-of-a-kind, and will likely become an heirloom.  Way to go, Ruth!

Purls of wisdom: you can do anything if you believe you can do it. 

new stuff at the shop - yarn & wheels

Greetings and defenestrations!  In the last week at the shop I have gotten in a new yarn from Feza - Festival.  Festival is a fingering to sport weight yarn with a lovely haze and a twist of glitz.  It would be perfect for a slightly dressy scarf, but the white would be especially nice for a bridal shawl or elbow-length mitts.  At $6.50 and 280 yards per ball, this is an inexpensive way to get some dressy yarn into your life.

Also new - two Schacht Sidekicks have arrived.  It is absolutely amazing how cleverly engineered this wheel is - everything serves a dual purpose for the wheel's folded position and working position.  And it spins like a dream, almost as well as the Matchless.  The bobbins for the Sidekick are interchangeable with all other Schacht wheels, so you can spin on your Matchless at home and then take the same project on the road with your Sidekick.

New from Circular solution - Port-a-Pockets and Knitters' Nest.  The Port-a-Pockets are small pouches with an elastic strap that can be hung over your arm, or detached (velcro is wonderful stuff) and put through a belt loop.  Then you can wander around and knit on a small project, such as socks.  It has three outer pockets, too, so you can carry a few extra tools.

The Knitters' Nest is a bag with four compartments so you can place a ball or skein of yarn in each.  For instance, if you are making a school colors anything, you can have multiple balls of each color in the Nest.  Let's say you are demented enough to be knitting with four colors at once - this would be an excellent aid to that end.  Even if you are only knitting with one color, this bag will keep your yarn in one neat, clean spot.

Another new thing at the shop - the newest Interweave Knits has arrived.

Photos at right are of a woven color study my friend Karlyn did for me years ago.  I had seen one at her home and was so enamored of it that she made one for me that Christmas.  The warp is done in the color spectrum, and the weft is done identically.  The photos do not do the colors justice (cheap camera) but this is not only lovely to look at, it is also a great tool for weavers who wonder what two colors will look like woven together - with either as warp or weft.  (Alas, the website won't let me turn this photo 90 degrees to upright....)

Purls of wisdom: illegitimati non carborundum (come to the shop for a translation)

Please read

Apparently we cannot have champagne at the Champagne and Hotdog event on 24 Feb - someone "complained" to the local authorities that I am serving liquor without a license.  I could apply for a temporary permit for the day - even tho I am NOT selling alcohol - but I would need a Board of Health inspection.  So screw it.  I'll serve cider instead.

Purls of wisdom: when life hands you lemons, make apple cider

Super Scarves in the New York Times

Dee just forwarded this link to me http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/scarves-attract-attention-at-super-bowl/.  The New York Times has a great article about the Super Scarves.  As usual, their facts aren't quite on the money (specifically regarding the reason for the color choice), but the important part is that these scarves are the most sought after souvenir of Super Bowl XLVI.  Those of you who contributed scarves to this effort can enjoy the knowledge that your scarf  may be around the neck of a Super Bowl-winning player.  Who knows - you might even see your scarf on TV during an interview....

Happy Groundhog Day!

CHANGES TO MELISSA LEAPMAN RETREAT and upcoming events

Due to the economy, enrollment for the luxury retreat has been low.  As a result, I have decided to have Melissa give her classes at the shop on Saturday and Sunday 24 & 25 March, which will significantly reduce the cost.  There will still be a minimum requirement of 20 registrants and a maximum of 35.  Registration minimum must be met by 21 February 2012 or the weekend will be cancelled (I must give Melissa 30 days notice of go or no go).  The cost for the weekend at the shop will include two lunches and is $275 for all four classes.  If you wish to take classes "a la carte" they are $75 each, no lunches included.  The class schedule remains the same. 

 

Retreat Details:  

• Refund policy:  A 25% refund will be given after 01 Feb 2012.  If, for any reason, The Yarn Gourmet must cancel the event, a full refund will be given.
• Classes only policy: A single class may be purchased for $75, no meal included.
• Spouses or partners are welcome, but may not sit in on classes unless appropriate registration is paid.  If they do not participate in classes but wish to share lunch with us there will be a $10 meal fee.
• No children, please.

MORE GOOD NEWS:

I am having a ONE DAY SALE on Friday 03 February!  Select books will be 40% off, clearance yarns will be reduced 50% or more.  I need to move out the old so I can bring in the new, and my customers will receive the benefits of both.  Hours will be the usual 10 to 8; no coupons may be used for discounted items, and all discounted items are non-returnable.

But wait - that's not all!  (No, I'm not selling ShamWOW.)  I will be having a Artyarns and Interlacements Champagne and Hotdogs Event on Friday 24 February, from 3 to 8 PM.    This event will feature kits from Artyarns and Interlacements.  The Artyarns kits will  include 2 mini skeins of Beaded Silk Light and 1 mini skein of Cashmere 1 Ply (Every Which Way Shawl Kit), or one 200-yard skein of Rhapsody glitter Light and 4 mini skeins of Beaded Silk & Sequins Light, approximately 80 yards total (Shawl for All Seasons Kits).  Best of all, some of these kits have a crochet option! 

Purls of wisdom: if you don't have confidence, you'll always find a way not to win.