tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254061752024-03-07T13:12:57.204-06:00Knit with BexSpecializing in unique, hand painted, and natural fiber yarns, quality knitting tools and supplies, knit and crochet patterns and books, workshops with world renowned knitwear designers and authors. Weekly beginning knitting or crochet classes and project advice. Gift certificates available. Online at www.hillcreekyarnshoppe.com and face-to-face at 1414 Rangeline St. Suite C-D. Columbia, Missouri. Call (573) 449-KNIT (5648) or order toll free at 1-866-482-knit.Knit with Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536488877279987986noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-53396062082971284092008-03-24T18:06:00.002-05:002008-03-24T18:11:00.446-05:00Blog movingThis is the last entry that will be made on this blog. I was unable to change the name of this blog, and have therefore already created a new blog I host for Bex on my own server space. I'll leave the archives in place for reference but all new posts will be made on the new site:<br /><br /><a href="http://knitwithbex.com/"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;">Knit with Bex</span></strong></a> (knitwithbex.com)Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-39863338059377854842008-03-13T20:29:00.005-05:002008-03-13T21:02:56.894-05:00Frogging the tangled webIf you were told she "just stepped out" or that she quit to be a stay-at-home mom, then you were misinformed. That much I know for fact.<br /><br />The end of November Joan Ditmore fired Bex Oliger from her own shop, the one she built up from scratch with several years of hard labor. That much is fact. That much is truth. So much of the rest floating around in my head is rumor or supposition, but that much I know because I heard it from each of them with my own two ears.<br /><br />Last January or so I overheard Joan talk about buying out Carol Leigh's interest in Bex's shop to help Bex gain greater independence and greater autonomy in marketing decisions. Joan is a generous woman. A good woman.<br /><br />When it looked like the purchase was going to go through, Joan commented to me about her concerns about Bex having a baby and how it might affect her work at the shop, but I assured her it would work out and believed that it would. After all, Bex is bright and industrious, and Joan is a good generous woman. Could there be a better combination?<br /><br />In late November, Joan fired Bex. I don't know why, but Joan must have had a very good reason, because Joan is a good generous woman.<br /><br />It was a shock, to be sure, because I'd heard them discuss partnership and planning for Bex to get a percentage of the shop starting in January. If only they hadn't had their terrible falling-out barely a month before the partnership was to be consummated, it might have ended very differently. I don't know what happened to break up these two wonderful women, but it must have been terrible indeed, because Bex is bright and industrious and Joan is a good generous woman.<br /><br />It left Joan in a terrible position. A mere three days before the biggest sale of the year for her shop, Joan was divested of three out of four of her staff. Chrizzy, of course, was already scheduled time off for her birthing class, and without Bex and Rose that left only Joan to fend for herself. And though Joan is a good generous woman, it would be a bit much for any woman to bear.<br /><br />It left Bex in a terrible position, with a newborn and two teenagers to provide for just before Christmas. But I'm sure Joan had very good reasons. She must have had no other possible options because she is a good generous woman.<br /><br />Still, it troubles me that though Bex was fired more than three months ago, her name and reputation are still being used to advertise Joan's shop to an international market via Joan's website. Surely these two businesswomen have worked out some arrangement so that Joan may benefit from using Bex's good name and reputation to build her fledgling business. Perhaps Joan is compensating her financially for the use of her name? It must be something like that, mustn't it, if Joan is a good generous woman?<br /><br />I find myself troubled by things I cannot fathom. I know Bex is bright and industrious, and Joan is a good generous woman. That much is true. I know that Bex did not quit, that she is not perpetually out-to-lunch, and that she did not decide to be a stay-at-home mom, because, after all, she has started a brand new business in record time and is putting in 11 hour days, six days a week, while still caring for her family. That's more of a working-her-ass off mom than a stay-at-home mom or someone with the life of Lovey Howell.<br /><br />Why then is Joan telling people that Bex wanted to be a stay-at-home mom? <scratches head=""> What has anyone to gain by such subterfuge? A good generous woman surely wouldn't lie about something like that.<br /><br />I suppose there are many things that are beyond the comprehension of someone such as myself and always shall be. I should stop burning grey cells trying to figure it out.<br /><br />What I DO know is that if you are looking for Bex, I've found her. I built a <a href="http://www.knitwithbex.com/">new blog</a> for her, and she can also be found at her new yarn shop,<a href="http://www.truebluefiberfriends.com/"> True Blue Fiber Friends</a>, which is having an open house this Saturday</scratches> at 1206 Business Loop 70 East (near the intersection with College Ave)<scratches head="">. For details, call Bex at 573-443-8233.</scratches>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-35360640526945385342007-05-24T16:15:00.000-05:002008-12-11T03:27:24.954-06:00Addi Lace vs Addi TurboBex got a very limited supply of the new Addi Lace needles in. She only has a few sizes so don't get your hopes up too high. These needles are in very high demand and it may be a while before she can get a full supply.<br /><br />There are enough, however, for me to do a head-to-head comparison between Addi Turbo needles and Addi Lace Needles. Those who know me know I am an avid lace knitter so I've been eagerly awaiting this new addition to the Skacel collection. Here's what I've found:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHr-rbGE3oepnrWGRXB4ko3jjYFmFKgUxGYQ2UO3sy8VRK0sMYb4CIjsqNohwMa_FtYsPXsziE7OQNd0_183fhpnqRbZkab6f_9lB2KGQl1U9NVbAt5vXKv4cai1eVuaK4e0/s1600-h/addi_packages.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHr-rbGE3oepnrWGRXB4ko3jjYFmFKgUxGYQ2UO3sy8VRK0sMYb4CIjsqNohwMa_FtYsPXsziE7OQNd0_183fhpnqRbZkab6f_9lB2KGQl1U9NVbAt5vXKv4cai1eVuaK4e0/s320/addi_packages.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068240477490856498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />First off, price. The new Lace needles are about a dollar more than the Turbos. The packaging is similar so be sure to check whether you are getting the gold cables (Turbos) or the red cables (Lace) when you grab them off the shelves. Also remember to keep the original packaging. Addi needles, be they Naturas, Turbos, or Lace needles are guaranteed for life. You break 'em and Skacel will replace them. If you purchased your needles at Hillcreek, just bring them back to the shop, in their original packaging and if they are in stock, we'll trade. It's a great guarantee. We've had needles chewed by dogs, slammed in car doors and even accidentally cut with scissors. This guarantee isn't just for the odd burr (although you can trade in for that too). It's a serious lifetime guarantee.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC86Wlb6iDK7IPi_e_ykhcj6RMytxUuZI-58gAc1Q2SUzVHO5y2LpPbM5EyzhIOf__tnMrP0EKlJ_reXOfYSG7ACMYg4yfe7uk1eaxPRZB4DtaO2_djTAJFfma4FBSh5uxxo/s1600-h/addi_compare.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC86Wlb6iDK7IPi_e_ykhcj6RMytxUuZI-58gAc1Q2SUzVHO5y2LpPbM5EyzhIOf__tnMrP0EKlJ_reXOfYSG7ACMYg4yfe7uk1eaxPRZB4DtaO2_djTAJFfma4FBSh5uxxo/s320/addi_compare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068240481785823810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Right out of the chute you notice the Turbos are silver colored with gold colored cables and the Lace needles are gold colored with red cables. You can tell at a glance which you are dealing with. <br /><br />The silver Turbos have a special finish over brass to give a durable, very slick needle that can't rust. Ever. This finish causes the needles to glide effortlessly through stitches and are the joy of the speed knitter.<br /><br />The gold Lace needles have hollow coated brass tips. The surface is ever-so-slightly textured. You can't really feel it unless you run a fingernail along it. This texture makes the Lace needles grip the stitches (though they are not as "grippy" as the Naturas, or most other bamboo needles). This can be an advantage in lace knitting. For some it may be an annoyance when knitting socks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdvtA5QR1XeUV7pd6LJ5Y_R1ZKM4af7JcTWkgaySKM8EQM8gXJmViibfwHP8vdqLth_EVnbSSAFvuOrJN-cxiEjyC1lZLH_Om6F645eMWVBPOmYSukPTq3jdQtaJdPDZYmV8/s1600-h/addi_cables.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdvtA5QR1XeUV7pd6LJ5Y_R1ZKM4af7JcTWkgaySKM8EQM8gXJmViibfwHP8vdqLth_EVnbSSAFvuOrJN-cxiEjyC1lZLH_Om6F645eMWVBPOmYSukPTq3jdQtaJdPDZYmV8/s320/addi_cables.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068240481785823826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />First I examined the cables. The Turbo cables are actually more flexible than the Lace cables. On closer inspection of the packaging, I saw the Turbos are claimed to have "very soft" cables and the Lace needles just "soft" cables. This checks with what I observed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQapiR7h30_c7ulwgPMVC5GwcUcnud_ogzC7t5JHwQZIXdViduirFzDkdL_0bPTMBFcOryMHqVMR9gtrobKeZ3yJ7OscA4cP2seqlyWzQEH2rHWIjamhyphenhyphenMbf16SFd4MpVTa8/s1600-h/addi_joints.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQapiR7h30_c7ulwgPMVC5GwcUcnud_ogzC7t5JHwQZIXdViduirFzDkdL_0bPTMBFcOryMHqVMR9gtrobKeZ3yJ7OscA4cP2seqlyWzQEH2rHWIjamhyphenhyphenMbf16SFd4MpVTa8/s320/addi_joints.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068240486080791138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm always very concerned about the joint between the cable and the needle. This is where most circular needles flunk the patented Kirsten usability test. If it's going to snag my stitches or otherwise make it difficult to move the stitches off the cable and onto the needle, then I don't even want to bother with them. They absolutely must have a smooth joint. Both the Turbos and the Lace needles have a nice smooth joint.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOR-on5a3qmnIdYkryLzuqPFB1enhOLsrSwuS53iIqcGyfrPRri16go-Wo9mMkwKJe9SanPuJB0dA5i0Gyb2DGrFRWolR9y9dg4OadI4I8UzecE67HWUN-c1cj0ksF75huKs/s1600-h/addi_tips.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOR-on5a3qmnIdYkryLzuqPFB1enhOLsrSwuS53iIqcGyfrPRri16go-Wo9mMkwKJe9SanPuJB0dA5i0Gyb2DGrFRWolR9y9dg4OadI4I8UzecE67HWUN-c1cj0ksF75huKs/s320/addi_tips.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068240486080791154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The last thing I compared was the tips. As needles go, the Turbos have fairly sharp tips, but not as sharp as those of the Addi Lace needles. The extra sharp tips make it easier to pick up stitches for intricate maneuvers.<br /><br />Over all, I like the new Lace needles, but I wish the cables were a little more flexible.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-7061997733554039372007-04-18T17:32:00.000-05:002007-04-18T17:52:28.326-05:00Newsletters are in!!!We have a few thousand of the Spring newsletters hot off the presses and ready for folding. I've been working on the Shoppe's section of the mailing list. Bex cracked the whip this morning and I've been working my poor little fingers to the bone. (Don't let on I took a break to share this important tip with you.)<br /><br />We need to get something like 8,000 of these newsletters folded, taped shut, stamped and addressed.<br /><br />Here's my hot tip: if you stop by the shop this week, looking casual and like you have time on your hands, Bex will ask you if you'd like to have some yarn credits. The correct answer is "YES!" You'll be directed back to the clubhouse with other Hillcreek volunteers to prepare the newsletters for mailing. For each hour you volunteer, you will receive $5 in yarn credits to be applied to purchases of yarn from the shop.<br /><br />Are you a student on a tight budget?<br /><br />Do you have a taste for yarn that's out of your budget?<br /><br />Is your stash still not big enough?<br /><br />Then this is the chance for you to fulfill your wildest yarn fantasies. It's also a fun get together with other yarn fiends and chat, gossip and generally carry on in a boisterous and merry manner. Remember, if you aren't there, there's a good chance you'll be the topic of conversation....<evil>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-67827105686799517652007-04-17T16:45:00.000-05:002008-12-11T03:27:25.476-06:00A walk in my socksWelcome to my fiber adventure.<br /><br />I decided to make my first attempt at dying, spinning and knitting a pair of socks. Next time out I'll start with raw fleece and maybe by then I'll have my own fiber animals so I can do the whole process beginning to end.<br /><br />This time, however, I started with Brown Sheep superwash Merino top. It's a modest investment at just $1/oz and a 4oz bag.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuYe1tBh3Yf0jSfcb_wfXJwOUcrUECqLGpPdtSnvmXDYcj5KWF3URJ4Hw7gd2XW-g6yMRYdZYG3gWemI189GYg2CxS-IfmqyQzE5XKHlc966MnmAJOsK7703RZMv23yS60PY/s1600-h/roving2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuYe1tBh3Yf0jSfcb_wfXJwOUcrUECqLGpPdtSnvmXDYcj5KWF3URJ4Hw7gd2XW-g6yMRYdZYG3gWemI189GYg2CxS-IfmqyQzE5XKHlc966MnmAJOsK7703RZMv23yS60PY/s320/roving2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054521540622557234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I wasn't crazy about the gold color (just not my style) so I decided to over-dye it during a Hot Topic "Play Day." The nicest thing about Play Days for the would-be dyer is the opportunity to traipse through Bex's personal collection of Country Classic Dyes. Instead of buying nine individual dyes for the nine colors I used on that Play Day, I just paid for the Play Day (the usual $15) and used nine colors for about what two hole jars would have cost me. A jar of Country Classics dye is $6.15 and can dye approximately two pounds of animal fiber depending on the desired intensity of color. It is not appropriate for vegetable fibers, but Bex has dyes for them too.<br /><br />Yes, I know that Hillcreek is known for its natural fiber dyes. However, there is a certain appeal for the artisan who wants to jump right in without knowing much about dyes and still get beautiful results without a lot of chemicals, mess, or equipment. Bex taught me how to dye hand painted dye in the microwave with just some plastic wrap and a disposable cup and spoon, using these Country Classics dyes.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6IKbtsaj5exxao1TWRI1EJlmZfT3uOfiRSdMKSbmKVcUFPNg2ZNzVD85oTiDsuLDaXIyq4gd7Ox5QSYv7qRrf0xx18GLIMy6SWtFRXc8LD01__WrQkGOnSXRGbvIH8YGN3s/s1600-h/country+classic+dyes.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6IKbtsaj5exxao1TWRI1EJlmZfT3uOfiRSdMKSbmKVcUFPNg2ZNzVD85oTiDsuLDaXIyq4gd7Ox5QSYv7qRrf0xx18GLIMy6SWtFRXc8LD01__WrQkGOnSXRGbvIH8YGN3s/s320/country+classic+dyes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054520814773084178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />WARNING: Handpainting yarn is highly addictive!!! Don't say I didn't warn you!<br /><br />I decided to try dying the roving before spinning it. It might be fun to see the effect. It IS different than dying the finished yarn. It's also fun to watch how the individual colored fibers are pulled into the twist.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBOJCKT6EXSlcTy9u8AVD3trn_O4pdSFRxwCfP_8P23GOwVH0IL-Td61E9QqF04jGZcCRid8-mxX2SSgsAlFitFZPuI4XyV3XHvMC4YLhINr9BPKPoTFDlk3I0B-PxQbzd3I/s1600-h/RB+roving+socks.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBOJCKT6EXSlcTy9u8AVD3trn_O4pdSFRxwCfP_8P23GOwVH0IL-Td61E9QqF04jGZcCRid8-mxX2SSgsAlFitFZPuI4XyV3XHvMC4YLhINr9BPKPoTFDlk3I0B-PxQbzd3I/s320/RB+roving+socks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054520814773084194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>As you can see, I'm almost done spinning up my roving. I'm planing to Navajo three-ply this strand in order to preserve the color variations for more of a stripy effect than a heathery effect. <br /><br />I'll let y'all see my socks in progress again as I start the knitting. Remember I have that magic loop toe-up sock class coming up on May 5. I'll be using the socks for the demo in that class.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-57619916232972421342007-04-13T13:38:00.000-05:002007-04-13T15:44:32.696-05:00Eunny KnitsAt the last meeting of the knitter's study group of the Columbia Spinners and Weavers Guild, someone mentioned Interweave Knits had just gotten a new editor, Eunny Jang. I finally got around to visiting her blog, and it is FABULOUS. She's so creative!<br /><br />She has several articles on various techniques and patterns available: some for free, some for purchase. See <a href="http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/">Eunny Knit</a>.<br /><br />I latched on to the <a href="http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2005/12/print_o_the_wave_stole.html">Print O' the Wave Stole</a> immediately. I'm considering doing it in a Jagerspun, or possibly in some of that cashmere I spent so long winding. I'd have to take it to a Play-Day, of course, to dye it to a different color (right now it's sort of a salmony coral).<br /><br />I read up about kool-aid dying. It sounds intriguing but when I mentioned it to Bex, she said it isn't very colorfast. I can see that. I still might give it a try. During my Kool-aid research I found a technique for mason jar dying. You just put small quantities of yarn in each jar with an acid dye and load all the jars in a stove top canning pot. She pointed out I couldn't dye much yarn that way, but I said it would be a great way to dye many colors for Bohus socks. She pointed out that I could take little bundles of yarn to one of Carol Leigh's dying workshops and drop one in each pot to get many different and vibrant colors. At that point I thought about the little sampling of naturally dyed yarn in amazing colors that Carol Leigh snipped for me to take home to my mom, who is very fond of natural dyes.<br /><br />Yup. I think Bex is right. I never knew natural dyes could be so vivid. I'm absolutely in love with one of their polk dyes. So I suppose that's what I will do instead of the mason jar technique.<br /><br />I finished up the edit on my magic loop sock pattern earlier this week and sent it to my editor (aka my mom <grin>). I'm hoping to have copies printed and at the shoppe by Tuesday, barring any delays for finishing tax returns. I took input from early purchasers to make some parts clearer and/or easier, and I added a second heel option especially for auto-striping yarns. I'm rather pleased with it. I'll also be teaching a class on the technique on, Saturday, May 5th.<br /><br />Back to Eunny. She's responsible for this digression because I read an entry on her blog about Kool-aid dyed socks. Check out this pattern for <a href="http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/12/anemoi_mittens.html">Anemoi Mittens</a>. What do you think are the odds we could talk Bex into teaching a class on these mittens? I've really never seen anything like them. They almost look like needlepoint.<br /><br />I'm excited about Eunny Jang taking the reins at Interweave Knits. I already enjoy the magazine and hope it will be even better with her additions. Do you remember the entrelac socks in the last issue (not the most recent, but the one before, with the wrap around sweater I'm knitting for Bex)? That's a Eunny Jang design. I think Bex was going to do a class on it too....Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-20027392835529709412007-03-25T21:12:00.000-05:002007-03-25T21:46:23.964-05:00Do I smell like a wet goat?I kept discovering small wafts of eau d'goat yesterday. It seemed to follow me around. Turns out it was actually coming from me!<br /><br />I spent the morning and most of the afternoon simmering goat hair (aka mohair). I was trying to help Bex make some of her top-secret green mohair that makes the best flies ever for fishing. The family is planing a fishing trip for spring break and she wanted to take some of this special yarn along with them. Anyway, because Bex is pregnant, she needs to be careful about handling the chemicals frequently used in dyeing. So I volunteered to be her hands.<br /><br />I don't know if I screwed it up or if it really was the form of Osage Orange we used, like she said. She's pretty darned nice about it when someone screws up. I was ringing up a customer's purchases and got to the point of telling her the total when I shifted on the stool and kicked the computer's plug out of the wall. Bex remained calm and got everything sorted out, despite me. So it might have been me and she was just trying to be nice. I hope I get a chance to try again, though. I really did want to see the color change. It's a three-step process where it goes from white to yellowish, and suddenly to green.<br /><br />I'm sorry I missed you all at the play-day yesterday. I had a blast and had the dyeing room all to myself. I dyed some silk hankies for an unspun silk lace scarf and two 4oz pieces of superwash merino roving. I plan to spin the dyed roving into sock-weight yarn and knit some socks from them. <br /><br />The silk scarf will be various shades of pink and magenta, with a navy accent. Because of the way the silk is drawn for knitting, there is no repeat in the color pattern. Each inch is unique. I'm looking forward to trying out this fascinating technique.<br /><br />One of the rovings started out a bright gold and I spotted it all over with various shades of blue, creating an "ode to Rockbridge HS." The other roving started out bright blue, to which I added some red accents, creating a blue-violet medley. Originally I was planning to ply these yarns with a plain solid navy blue. Now I'm thinking about plying them to themselves. I briefly considered plying them to each other, but I think that will be too busy.<br /><br />We had a GREAT turn out for the sock club and the spinners' club today. We had seven sock knitters, including Rosemarie, Jane, Doris, and me, and then Rose and Chrisma joined in to learn socks too. Rose is trying the magic-loop, toe-up technique and Chrisma is trying the cuff-down technique on toothpicks (er, that is on bamboo double points).<br /><br />The sock group discussed doing some charity knitting, perhaps wool socks for our military personnel overseas or even some helmet liners. We thought this would be a good project partly in support of the soldiers, but also partly in support of our own Madonna, who's husband was called up for deployment. Please join us in keeping Madonna and her family in your prayers.<br /><br />We had four wheels and one drop spindle going for the spinner's club. Spinners included Kristin, Leah, Marcia, Dyanna, and me.<br /><br />Leah is planning a trip this summer to hunt down some cashmere goats. This will bring her collection of spinning fiber up to include: llamas, dogs, peacocks and goats. She agreed that she might make some of her fibers available for purchase to local spinners. I tried to talk her into angora bunnies, but she said she'd tried that and it made her cry to pluck them.<br /><br />Did you know Kristin used to raise angora bunnies, like Matthew and Yves? She did so in 4-H, which is when she started spinning. I wish I could have some angora bunnies. Matthew said he had some available for purchase, but unfortunately, my sister is deathly allergic to rabbits and she'd never visit again if I got any. So I'll have to stick to growing my own chiengora for now. For those unfamiliar with exotic fibers, chiengora is dog hair. I own three German Shedders who are good producers of raw chiengora.<br /><br />We all had a great time chatting and comparing projects and vowed to continue meeting. <br /><br />The next time you smell wet goat, look around and ask yourself if there might be a fiber enthusiast nearby.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-46893535837290446332007-03-25T10:45:00.000-05:002007-03-24T10:50:03.306-05:00Socks, socks, socks and more socks!<sigh> It's time for me to come out of the closet and admit I am a sock-o-haulic. I made some socks several years ago (try a couple of decades ago) and was not overly impressed. I found them awkward and not very satisfying. So I turned back to knitting sweaters. <br /><br />Fast forward to two years ago. <br /><br />I was casually wandering the shoppe, thinking about possible projects to start, when I was stalked by the infamous Bex-ter. "Have you ever tried socks?" she asked innocently. "Yes," I said, "but I didn't really care for them." "Ah, but have you tried TOE-UP socks?" she inquired. <br /><br />Hmmmmmm. Toe-up....You know how it is when someone speaks to you like an equal, like you know what the heck they are talking about, and you are too embarrassed to admit you haven't a clue what they are saying? Well, I had one of those moments, but carefully concealed my ignorance, or so I thought. In some sort of backhanded way Bex casually let drop in the conversation what was different between toe-up and cuff-down socks, and why she preferred toe-up. Hmmmmmm. It sounded interesting. "Do you have a pattern?" I asked.... <br /><br />I have some suggestions to make first socks easier for the neophyte sock artiste. First, don't try to save money buying cheap cotton yarn at the discount store (which, yes, I did do). I kept running out and buying more and my cheap socks got rather expensive. I also learned (the hard way) that cotton doesn't stretch and recover well, i.e. it is not elastic. Wool, on the other hand, is very elastic compared to cotton. It springs back wearing after wearing and wash after wash. Some permanent stretch over time is inevitable, but over all, wool is your best general sock yarn. It lets your tootsies wriggle, your arch lengthen and shorten, and the balls of your feet expand and contract as your footsquooshes against the sole of your shoe. Be sure to consider how you will want to care for your finished socks--you will probably prefer "super wash" wool which can be machine washed and dried without felting (shrinking into felt doll slippers). <br /><br />At first glance wool sock yarn may seem either too costly or too much of a pain to launder. But really it doesn't have to be. After my first toe-up adventure, I decided to try some more knitting. I checked out the selection of knitting books at the public library and discovered Nancy Bush's <span style="font-style:italic;">Folk Socks: the History & Techniques ofHand knitted Footware </span>. What a treasure this book is. I found a pattern for replica revolutionary war lace socks. The pattern called for "Wildfoote" superwash sock yarn. So I trotted off to Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe, to see if they had this magic elixir. <br /><br />I walked in confidently, and demanded to know whether they had any "whitefoot" yarn. "We have some Wildfoote yarn," said Ms. Bex. I looked at it and sure enough it was the stuff called for in the pattern. The pattern called for "Vanilla" and the price sticker on the vanilla was $5.60. Not bad! It called for two balls to make these fancy lace socks. I put that on my "to do" list, and reminded myself I needed to finish my Lion's Brand "magic sock yarn" socks first. <br /><br />I was quite impressed with this "magic" yarn. I casually showed it to Bex, thinking she too would be impressed. Magic stripe yarn knits up into striped socks, without the knitter having to change yarns along the way. They make easy socks look very fancy. <br /><br />"Oh, yes," said Bex, "we have some OPAL magic yarn," and she pointed it out on the shelf. My jaw dropped when I looked at the shop samples. These weren't simple stripes of black alternating withburgundy like prisoners might wear in jail to identify them if they should try to make a run for it. There were blue stripes and green stripes and orange stripes, and some of the stripes were wide and solid, others were speckled, and some even had little geometric patterns on them. There were many stripes before the pattern started repeating, creating a beautifully complex design.S'okay, I went home with a ball of Opal in color #4. <br /><br />With superwash sock yarn, you can have all the stretchiness and wicking ability of wool socks, but still be able to toss them in the laundry. It's the best of both worlds. Those opal socks were a big hit with both my mother and sister for Christmas that year. <br /><br />There are SO MANY options available to the sock knitter today. After a few pairs of Opal, I tried some Trekking yarn. Also very lovely. Trekking now has a wool/bamboo blend for a completely natural fiber sock yarn with added strength from the bamboo fibers and elasticity, moisturewicking and warmth from the wool fibers. 100g/420m balls are enough for a generous pair of socks, or a pair and a spare of ladies' crew socks. The cost is $14 forsuperwash wool (with nylon) or $17.95 for the "natura" (wool/bamboo blend). <br /><br />Just this week the shoppe got a shipment of Supersocke Cotton, just in time for spring knitting. This yarn is also a magic striping yarn, but instead of nearly all wool, it is 45% Baumvolle (cotton), 40% Schurwolle (wool), and 15% Polyamid. At just $13.00 per pair, this is a great deal for some comfy spring/summer walkin'. <br /><br />You could choose Austermann with Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil right in the yarn. It's not only pleasant on the hands as they knit, it stays in the sock for at least 40 washings to offer soft, soothing comfort for feet. The cost is $19.50 for a 100g/420m ball. <br /><br />A new sock yarn came in recently, called "Tofutsies." No, it is not made of tofu, but it does contain some soysilk, made from soybeans just as tofu is. However, unlike tofu, Tofutsies are not bland or boring. These brightly colored yarns knit up with vibrant stripes of color. Check out Rosemarie's entrelac sock knit of Tofutsies yarn. Tofutsies yarn is comprised of 50% superwash wool, 25% soysilk, 22.5% cotton, and 2.5% chitin (from crustacean shells) for extra strength. Chitin is also naturally antibacterial! A 100g/425m ball ofTofutsies is $16.00 and is enough for a generous pair of socks. <br /><br />Looking for a more economical sock yarn? <br /><br />If you'd like a stretchier sock yarn, you might check out Regia's "Stretch Color" for $7.80 for 50g/200m, enough for a pair of short ladies' socks. A 50g/200m ball will knit up a pair of ladies' anklet socks, at a cost of $7.80. <br /><br />Fortissima "Socka" yarn, in pretty solid colors of the rainbow, will knit up a pair of ladies' anklets for just $6.95. <br /><br />For economical ladies' anklets, there's always the ever reliable Wildfoote yarn at $5.60 a 50g/215m ball. <br /><br />All of the sock yarns mentioned are machine washable. <br /><br />We just got the long awaited sequel to Charlene Schurch's <span style="font-style:italic;">Sensational Knitted Socks</span> called....<span style="font-style:italic;">More Sensational Knitted Socks</span>. There are goodies for everyone in this book, including toe up and cuff down designs in many different colors and textures, a faux entrelac sock for the entrelac-phobic, and some interesting new cuff treatments for toe-up socks, including a picot edging. Be sure to check it out before this hot book flies off the shelves.<br /><br />Don't forget our sock club meets on Sunday afternoons at 1 pm, right here at Ye Old Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe. From wanna-be sock knitter to virtuoso, all are welcome. Even if you just enjoy the company of other knitters, bring whatever you are working on and join us. Hope to see you there!Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-45155080500892190462007-03-13T14:16:00.000-05:002007-03-13T14:22:34.496-05:00Fantastic Deal on Navajo Weaving Class!!!Are you a weaver? Have you always wanted to learn about Navajo weaving? This is a fantastic opportunity. Carol Leigh has some unexpected openings in this weekend's four day extravaganza of Navajo weaving edification. Waste not, want not, so Carol Leigh would rather fill the empty slots at generous discount.<br /><br />Yes, it is short notice, but it's also a great deal. This class regularly costs $220, but if you sign up quick for this weekend's class, you can get in at the amazing low tuition of $110.<br /><br />The class runs March 17-20. To sign up, call the studio at 573-874-2233.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-5479506273098418612007-03-13T13:56:00.000-05:002007-03-13T14:15:56.995-05:00Celtic Cables Class SummaryThat Celtic Cables class with Melissa Leapman was a blast! She's really nice. The material was presented in a way both beginners and advanced knitters could benefit. The explanations were very clear and all the notes were already typed up so students didn't have to set down their knitting to dash off reminders to themselves.<br /><br />It turns out Melissa is not vegan, but is vegetarian. I'm still glad I prepped vegan food because at least we were prepared.<br /><br />Did you know she's working on a new book? It's all about Celtic Cables. We got an advanced look at some of the wonderful designs that will appear in that book. You can bet we'll be carrying it at Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe just as soon as it comes out.<br /><br />A lucky few got their copies of <span style="font-style:italic;">Cables Untangled</span> autographed. Barb was whining about the fact that the shop is sold out of practically every single book Melissa has ever written (and she's written quite a few). However, I had to point out to her that when we still had seven copies of <span style="font-style:italic;">Cables Untangled</span> I advised her to grab a copy while the getting was good.<br /><br />This past weekend, Bex went to the Fiber Festival in Jeff City and sold just about every Melissa Leapman item she had because Melissa was also teaching at the festival.<br /><br />But did Barb listen to me? Nooooooo. Now she's regretting it. So there! <big grin>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-79507956000393199672007-03-12T00:10:00.000-05:002007-03-12T00:14:53.767-05:00Sunday DemosWe've had some fun with our Sunday demos. We did tatting, tri-looms, spinning and backwards knitting.<br /><br />Last week I hurt my arm and Rose had to bail me out on the spinning demo. It was disappointing for me because I have a new spinning wheel and I was really looking forward to it. Fortunately, Rose is a talented spinner, as those who attended the demo learned. After spinning straw into gold for amazed onlookers, Rose did an encore spinning actual spider webs. What a talent!<br /><br />Yesterday I demoed backwards knitting, a technique useful in entrelac and also a favorite method of knitting for left-handed folks. After doing a few rows backwards, an onlooker challenged me to do it standing on my head. You know I can't walk away from a challenge, so I did. By the time the shop closed, I was standing on my head, knitting backwards, and spinning plates with my feet.<br /><br />How on Earth can we possibly top these spectacular demos? You tell us. What would YOU like to see for next Sunday's demo?Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-12650258850584285772007-03-07T18:00:00.000-06:002007-03-07T18:19:23.788-06:00Karen Lynn on Pepper and FriendsLook for for Karen Lynn on Pepper and Friends tomorrow. The show starts at 10 am on channel 8. You may know Karen from "A Touch of Dutch." She'll also be introducing the tri-loom that Bex's brother, Carl developed and patented (the Spriggs adjustable tri-loom. <br /><br />This coming Sunday I will be demonstrating backwards knitting which may be of interest to folks doing entrelac or to left-handed knitters. This is by request. Do you have a demo you'd like to see? I did try to request Bex demonstrating knitting while standing on her head, but oddly she wouldn't take me up on it. Anyone else?Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-63265082527729074222007-02-27T11:38:00.000-06:002007-02-27T13:18:16.096-06:00Spin-out, or is that spin-in?I spent the last three days out at Carol Leigh's Hillcreek Fiber studio doing an introduction to spinning.<br /><br />WHAT A BLAST!!!<br /><br />Spinning is just as addictive as knitting. Okay, I admit it: I did wind up going home with my very own Louet spinning wheel.<br /><br />We started first with a drop spindle, which is a very economical, very portable spinning "wheel." You can get a lovely hand turned hardwood spindle made by Carl (Bex's brother) for under $30. With a drop spindle, you can both spin and ply yarns. I told Carol Leigh that Carl really should go to engineering school because he had intuitively designed a very mechanically efficient spindle, similar to a flywheel. (For those who don't know, I was a biomechanical engineer before becoming disabled by a car wreck 10 years ago.)<br /><br />There's a nice selection of drop spindles right here at the yarn shoppe, and more at the fiber studio if you're looking for something really unusual. I just spotted a spindle kit which includes a drop spindle, Connie Delaney's FABULOUS book: <span style="font-style:italic;">Spindle Spinning from Novice to Expert</span>, and three colors of roving (sheep fluff) for spinning. <br /><br />Bex also carries a small selection of spinning supplies right at the shop, which is conveniently located in full view of exit XX of I-70. If you get a squeak in your wheel or your goat eats your carders, pop on in for some quikie spinning supplies like oil, carders, angora fluff, glittery fluff to add to your yarn, scissors (but don't let Carol Leigh see you with them <wink>), or even a niddy noddy for measuring and skeining your homespun yarns. Don't forget we also have swifts and ball winders to please both knitters and spinners alike.<br /><br />So, back to the class. I sat in on part of the intermediate class, who were working on some designer yarns. The first they did (and I got to try too) was a Noro-type yarn. If you aren't familiar with Noro yarns, they are beautiful color-changing yarns. Instead of being variegated with short bursts of color changes that look like short dashes in your knitting and crocheting, Noro yarns have very long stretches of color that knit up as horizontal stripes, and either don't repeat or have a very long repeat within a skein. It's kind of a rainbow effect, but not necessarily in traditional rainbow colors. It comes in a variety of fiber blends, including 100% wool (Kureyon), and various proportions of wool, kid mohair, silk, lambs wool, and in some just a touch of synthetic fiber. This is an ideal yarn for entrelac knitting because instead of getting stripey entrelac squares, you get a field sprinkled with solid or slightly graduated squares, like a pile of autumn leaves. It's a stunning effect. Plus, if you use Kureyon, it felts very nicely. We have some nice patterns for felted entrelac bags and napsacks. I'm making a friend an entrelac hat with kind of purpley colors. I'll post a photo when it's done.<br /><br />Leah and I talked about starting a little spinning gathering to meet at the yarn shoppe on Sunday afternoons, after the sock group. Carol Leigh said that on days that she wasn't committed to teaching classes and such, that she'd even join us. It's just going to be a fellowship sort of thing, to get together and chat, see what everyone is working on, trade ideas and discoveries, and so on. We're going to count our first meeting, this coming Sunday as this week's demo. So spinning demo this Sunday at 3 p.m.<br /><br />Recap:<br /><br />Saturday's knitting class is: Basic Socks (toe-up or toe-down)<br />The sock group meets this Sunday, at the shoppe, at 1 p.m.<br />Spinning demo this Sunday, at the shoppe, at 3 p.m.<br /><br />Hope to see y'all there!Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-89169058871358897632007-02-23T17:37:00.000-06:002007-02-23T18:00:40.550-06:00Baby Pool?Well, we've got nine more weeks to go before we find out whether "Charlie" is short for Charlotta Marie or Charles Christopher. It's time for the Bex Baby Pool! Do you think the little one will be a boy or a girl? Will s/he be born on the September 13 due date, or early or late?<br /><br />Write your pick for birth date on a slip of pink paper if you think it will be a girl, or on blue paper (available at the shop) if you think it will be a boy. Include your name and phone number and drop it in our baby pool jar. The person with the correct gender and estimated delivery date closest to the actual delivery date WINS! If more than one person makes the same winning entry, those entries will be tossed together and Cole will choose the winning entry.<br /><br />"What do I win?" you may ask...<br /><br />After a little arm twisting, I talked Bex into giving the winner a 10% discount! (One time use, of course, and this excludes weaving and spinning equipment.)<br /><br />If you can't make it into the store, call in on the toll-free number to place your entry. That's 1-866-482-KNIT (5648)Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-37751216370956830112007-02-22T17:59:00.000-06:002007-02-22T18:05:05.089-06:00Are You a Socker Mom?Or Socker Dad? Or just plain sock knitting enthusist?<br /><br />Attention all sock knitters: Rosemarie has started a Hillcreek sock knitting group!<br /><br />The first meeting will be this Sunday, at 1 p.m. at Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe. At this initial meeting we can decide if another meeting time would be better. What should our club do? Should we knit group projects like socks for soldiers? Should we do contests, like Yarn Monkey's Sock War? Or should we just sit and chat and knit and absorb the pleasant atmosphere of Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe? Charter members will get to decide what the group will be.<br /><br />I hope to see you all there!Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-70920033788744850492007-02-19T15:31:00.000-06:002007-02-19T15:47:24.800-06:00Class ScheduleSaturday Hot Topics Classes (10 am to noon, cost $15)<br /><br />February 24, Baby Surprise Jacket (from <span style="font-style:italic;">The Opinionated Knitter</span>) -- intermedite<br /><br />March 3, Basic Socks (Toe-Up or Cuff-Down, your choice) -- Intermediate<br /><br />March 10, Crochet Prayer Shawl, taught by Joan Ditmore -- all levels<br /><br />March 17 Moebius Scarf or Basket -- intermediate<br /><br />March 24, Play Day!!! Try spinning, weaving, felting, dyeing, or anything else we know how to do! -- all levels<br /><br /><br />Special Guest Instructors:<br /><br />Monday, March 12, 10 am to 5 pm, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Celtic Cables</span> with <span style="font-weight:bold;">Mellissa Leapman</span>. This class is based on her new book: <span style="font-style:italic;">Cables Untangled</span>, which is available at Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe. Ms. Leapman will also be available to autograph books. The cost is $65 with lunch included. Since Ms. Leapman is vegetarian, we'll be offering a vegan meal option. Please let us know of you would like that option instead of the regular meat and cheese sandwhich fixin's we usually offer. This class is nearly full. Sign up quick if you want to be sure you get in. <br /><br />Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20: <span style="font-weight:bold;">Nuno Felting and basic dyeing techniques</span> with <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sharon Kilfoyle</span>. Make light-weight, drapy felt with your favorite colors. Catch Sharon while she's in town between teaching in Japan and Paris! The cost for one day is $65, for two days the cost is $115. We'll have our regular yummy sandwich fixin's for lunch (vegetarian fillings available).Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-39528563578702394642007-02-19T15:22:00.000-06:002007-02-19T15:30:47.222-06:00Weekend HappeningsThe joint is jumpin' at Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe. This weekend boasts two fun events: a class and a demo.<br /><br />Saturday, Bex will teach Elizabeth Zimmerman's "Baby Surprise Jacket" (baby not included). It's a fun, easy pattern for a very distinctive sweater. The same pattern can be adjusted to make an adult surprise jacket. Hillcreek now stocks many Elizabeth Zimmerman patterns--come on in and check them out!<br /><br />Sunday, Rose and Chrisma will be demonstrating the triangle loom. If you've been curious about weaving, or just about triangle looms, here's your chance to see one in action under the hands of experienced weavers. <br /><br />Yesterday's demo on tatting was a great success. Several folks stopped in to check it out. Chrisma is now addicted to tatting too. She's working on a tatted butterfly.<br /><br />Hope to see you drop by this weekend!Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-25685955437351904392007-02-16T17:20:00.000-06:002007-02-16T17:28:47.945-06:00Melissa Leapman's Cables UntangledOur March special guest instructor is Melissa Leapman. Monday, March 12 she'll be teaching Celtic Cables from 10am to 5pm. This class is based on her new book: Cables Untangled which is available at Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe. Ms. Leapman will also be available to autograph books. The cost is $65 with lunch included (yes, there is a vegetarian option). That's over six hours of instruction for less than the cost of a three hour class at Stitches Midwest, and by a popular instructor at Stitches Midwest. Add in the savings on travel and accommodations, and it's a fantastic deal. <br /><br />"Melissa Leapman is a widely published sweater designer whose patterns have appeared in Vogue Knitting, Knitter’s, McCall’s, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Knit It!, and Interweave Knits magazines. Leapman has worked as a freelance designer for many leading ready-to-wear manufacturers, noted design houses, and major yarn companies. In addition, her knitting, crochet, and design workshops are extremely popular with crafters at all skill levels. She lives in New York City."<br /><br />Before you scream in terror and run to hide in your closet from the prospect of facing cables, consider this: the pre-requisites are experience casting on, binding off, knitting and purling. That's it. The process of crossing the cables is as simple as sliding a few stitches onto a stitch holder and then slipping them back onto the needle a few stitches later. The crossing is typically done only about once every six to eight rows, so the bulk of knitting cables is similar to knitting a plain piece of stockinette, but the results are magnificent for so little effort.<br /><br />Learn to read patterns and charts, and the basic cable technique is transformed into a powerful tool for beautiful garments from hats to socks, and covering every body part in between. Plus afghans, of course. Did you see the beautiful afghan Barb made and entered in both the county and state fairs? It's from the "Great American Afghan" book at the shoppe. And did you see the cover of Melissa Leapman's latest book? Those are two drop dead gorgeous cabled afghans.<br /><br />Ms. Leapman is known for her clearly written patterns and innovative designs. Here's a free sample cable pattern: http://www.freepatterns.com/list.html?cat_id=379 (you'll have to register to access the pattern, but registration is free). That pattern is just an ordinary cable sweater. This class will be on Celtic knot cables<br /><br />Bex tells me Ms. Leapman is a strict vegetarian. We pondered how strict was "strict" and whether a cheese sandwich would be acceptable. So I offered to cook a strict vegan alternative to the regular class faire offered at the shoppe. If you want to be sure of getting the vegan option, you might let Bex know since I'm only figuring on four servings at present. If you aren't vegan, don't let my little plans scare you away. Bex always puts on a nice spread with assorted sandwich fixin's of sliced meats and cheeses, and lots more, so there's sure to be something to your liking. For the Faroese shawl class, we even had "Bad Bettes," those little chocolate, caramel, pretzel and pecan candies Bette introduced us to.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to this class and hope to see you all there!Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-11049524138340972632007-02-15T14:24:00.000-06:002007-02-15T14:37:49.128-06:00Support needy local teens, and tatting demoSince the Super Bowl, the yarn shoppe has been open on Sundays from noon to five. Rose and Chrizzy are manning the shop on Sundays. Both these teens are hoping to keep the shoppe open on Sundays because they need the $$$ for their busy teen lifestyles.<br /><br />Please support teens Rose and Chrizzy by shopping at Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe on Sunday. If they can't get enough people to stop in, they may be fired. Okay, not fired all the way, but they may loose their Sunday shift which gives them income without interfering with their school work. How about a little pity for these poor wayward girls, folks?<br /><br />I've heard some whisperings of secret promotions to get customers in on Sundays. I suggested 50% off Sundays, but Bex gave the the look that says, "be serious." I don't know what they will wind up doing, but you can try making your own suggestion.<br /><br />This Sunday, February 18, I'll be demonstrating tatting at the shoppe at 3 pm. The demo is free. Tatting is probably the easiest form of lace a person could make. I can't think of an easier technique off the top of my head. It involves one knot and only one knot, for all patterns. You learn how to make the knot and how to join rings of knots together (really easy) and you can make some beautiful doilies, snowflakes, baby bonnets, bookmarks and other lace items. Tatting is a very convenient needlecraft you can easily carry in a sandwich bag in your purse. It's also inexpensive. I prefer needle tatting to shuttle tatting, but I'll see if I can dig out one of my shuttles so I can demo both techniques. Bex also has a video on needle tatting that you can rent from the yarn shoppe for just $5, if you miss my free demo. However, the video won't answer your questions or show you the techniques from any old angle you choose. A limited supply of tatting needles and shuttles are available at the shoppe, as well as several books on tatting. Let's stir up some interest in this historic craft so Bex will carry even more books and supplies. How 'bout it?<br /><br />I hope to see you Sunday!Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-60409427783805900842007-01-25T13:49:00.000-06:002007-01-25T14:21:29.387-06:00Faroese Lace ShawlsHave you ever tried knitting a Faroese lace shawl? They're different from the shawls with which you may already be familiar. Instead of a triangular, circular, or semi circular shape, these shawls are shaped more like butterfly wings. The special shaping makes Faroese shawls drape beautifully and stay put on the shoulders, even without a pin. The ends of some Faroese shawls are slender and long, making them easy to tie around the shoulders, or even around the waist or hips for a shirt or apron effect.<br /><br />See some pictures of Faroese shawls here:<br /><ul><li>http://tariblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/shetland-lace-patterned-faroese-shawl.html</li><li>http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/faroeses.shtm</li><li>http://www.siviaharding.com/Shetland.html</li></ul>Have I peaked your curiosity? If you're ready to give Faroese lace shawls a try, sign up for Marilyn von Keppel's <span style=""><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Faroese Knitted Lace Shawl Sampler</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>class at Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe</span><span style=""> 10am-5pm, Saturday, February 3rd. The cost is $65 with lunch included. For all you vegetarians out there, I did check and yes, there will be a vegetarian option for lunch. Personally, I'm hoping for the official Hillcreek pizza: Alfredo, artichoke and spinach. Mmmmm. You can bet I'll be there, and not just for the pizza either. I'm very excited about learning this new technique.<br /><br />We have an unusual opportunity to take classes with experts in their fields of knitting at Hillcreek. Many of the special instructors Bex engages are the same specialists who teach at knitting expos like Stitches Midwest. And it's brought right here to Columbia, where you don't have to pay for travel or accommodations. This is one of those opportunities. There's another class coming up in March, with Melissa Leapman, a world renowned author and designer, who will be teaching us Celtic cables. If you can cast on, knit and purl with confidence, you're ready to try cables. Honestly, they aren't nearly as hard as they are beautiful.<br /></span>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-1576428970819747662007-01-25T13:04:00.000-06:002007-01-25T13:19:27.211-06:00Christmas late for yarn shoppeSome of the shipments Bex was waiting for came in just after inventory was done. That's a good thing for those who volunteered to do inventory, but it was a hard wait for folks who needed an Addi-Turbo fix.<br /><br />New shipments of Addi-Turbos, Mountain Colors, and several new books came in.<br /><br /><blockquote>"Those needles knit faster than I do!"<br />--Anonymous Student</blockquote><br /><br />New books include:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Never Knit Your Man a Sweater Until You've Got the Ring. </span>Even if you aren't vying for a longer term relationship, there are some very nice patterns in this book.</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Felt It. </span>All kinds of fulled hats, bags, and embellishments, for all skill levels.<br /></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Stitch n Bitch Journal.</span> This is a great way to keep track of what needles you have, what's in your stash, and any designs you're working on or want to save for future reference. Lots of handy extras.<br /></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt.</span> I'll be honest. I don't have the guts to wear most of the outfits in this book, including the T-shirt wedding gown, but if you've got a teen, she's going to LOVE this book.<br /></li></ul>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-83486190365495618552007-01-01T02:11:00.000-06:002007-01-01T02:18:20.990-06:00$5 COUPON!January special:<br /><br />Bring in an item for one of our sponsored charities OR bring in someone who has never been to Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe before and receive a $5 coupon.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-33183841540680354332006-12-26T18:32:00.000-06:002006-12-26T18:44:12.812-06:00Custom Dog SweatersI'm sitting here at our monthly Knitwits party at HYS and Bex, evil woman that she is, handed me a new book that just came in. It's called "Fleece Dog" by Sinco. This incredible book is full of needle felted dogs of more than a dozen breeds and they are so realistic you just want to reach out and pet them. Bex knows I have a softness for dogs and that I've been wanting to try out needle felting. She claims she didn't want me to be upset if I "hid" the book from her, but I know the truth: she just likes taunting and torturing me with new books and yarns I just can't live without.<br /><br />Bad Bex!<br /><br />As we were passing the felted dog book around the topic of dog sweaters came up. Several years ago I stumbled upon a custom dog sweater pattern on the internet. It's darned hard to find a knit sweater pattern for a German Shepherd, so I was quite pleased and promptly knit Cole a sweater. Unfortunately there were two problems: his acute embarrassment at other dogs seeing a big manly dog wearing a cute sweater, and the fact that acrylic yarn absorbs water and snow making the dog colder than if he had no sweater at all.<br /><br />My next sweater will be knit of wool. I haven't decided which route to go. I could go with a superwash wool for easy care. If he was a small dog, I'd go for a nice sock yarn with a pretty pattern. The other option is to felt the wool. Felted wool, assuming it is tightly felted, is water resistant. I could go with the Brown Sheep wool, that reliable old standby that comes in many pretty colors, or I could go with a silky soft Frog Tree alpaca (also in many pretty colors). I haven't decided yet.<br /><br />Here's the original pattern I used: http://www.cs.oswego.edu/~ebozak/knit/esb-patterns/dog-sweater.html<br /><br />And here's one that let's you type in your dog's measurements and it will do all of the calculations for you: http://www.thedietdiary.com/cgi-bin/chart_dog.pl<br /><br />Do you have a furry friend who needs a sweater knit with your own loving hands? <br /><br />Some Missouri dog trivia. Did you know that the term "man's best friend" was coined by Missouri Senator Vest during a summation in a case in Marshall Missouri. You can read part of this "Eulogy for a dog." http://www.warrensburg.org/drum.htmKirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-15638758783762077962006-12-26T16:31:00.000-06:002006-12-26T16:43:43.354-06:00Ah, lace.....This year for Christmas I received a hand made bobbin lace pillow. I'm a huge fan of lace. Having already tried my hand at knitted lace, crocheted lace, needle and hardanger lace, and tatting, I am ready for a new adventure in tiny fiber arts.<br /><br />Before I'd even picked up some graph paper for pricking my patterns I ran to the yarn shoppe to fondle the bobbin lace books I remembered seeing there. I found four from which to choose. Bex especially recommended "Bobbin Lace without a Teacher" by Betty Alderson. There's also Geraldine Stott's "The Bobbin Lace Manual" with very clear illustrations. The photographs in Pat Earnshaw's "Bobbin & Needle Laces: Identification & Care" are so incredibly beautiful the book is worth it just for them. But my favorite, the one that really caught my eye is "New Ideas for Miniature Bobbin Lace" by Roz Snowden.<br /><br />Folks who know me well know my favorite knitting needle size is 0000. "The smaller, the better," I say. While all around me extole the virtues of large needles and chunky yarn for fast knitting, I drift ever further toward the world of the microscopic. The incredible shrinking woman herself.<br /><br />This miniatures book has designs for doll house furnishings, some really beautiful patterns. <sigh> there go my yarn credits. I'll have to take this book home with me.<br /><br />Bex reminded me that HYS has many other books on lace in stock, including books on tatting, crochet, and knit laces. I think I overheard Bex and Linda Lyle with their heads together planning a lace class in February.<br /><br />People sometimes don't try knitted laces because they think it will be too hard. Honestly, lace knitting isn't hard. If you can do a yarn-over and a knit two together, you're ready to knit lace. You couldn't find a better instructor than Linda, who we all know is very patient and willing to help. <br /><br />If you ever get a chance to try out lace, whether it is knitted, crocheted, tatted, or bobbin, I hope you'll give it a try.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406175.post-1166851094878214552006-12-22T23:14:00.000-06:002006-12-22T23:18:14.893-06:00Knitter's Night Before Christmas<p>'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me<br />There was unfinished knitting not under the tree,<br />The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care<br />'Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.</p> <p>The children were nestled all snug in their beds,<br />But I had not finished the caps for their heads.<br />Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.<br />And the sweater for him was 6" too small.<br />When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,<br />I put down my needles to see what was the matter.</p> <p>Away to the window I flew like a flash.<br />Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.<br />The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow<br />Reminded me how far I still had to go.</p> <p>When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,<br />I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.<br />And although I was tired--my brain a bit thick,<br />I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.</p> <p>Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed<br />For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.<br />"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!<br />Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite!<br />Move over!</p> <p>Lopi, don't circle around, just stand there in line.<br />Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!<br />I know this is hard as it's just your first year<br />But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."</p> <p>I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:<br />Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!<br />And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door<br />Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.</p> <p>I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.<br />As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.<br />He was dressed all in wool from his heat to his toe<br />And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.</p> <p>A bright <st1:place>Fair Isle</st1:place> sweater he wore on his back.<br />And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.<br />His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace<br />A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.</p> <p>The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,<br />And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.<br />On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.<br />And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:</p> <p>"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.<br />So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU knit all this stuff?"<br />He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.<br />I learned how to knit when I was just a kid."</p> <p>He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,<br />And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.<br />I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,<br />And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.</p> <p>He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap<br />Where I had laid my needles and yarn for a cap.<br />He began then to knit, first one cap then 2--<br />For the first time I thought I might really get through.</p> <p>He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,<br />While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.<br />Quickly like magic his needles they flew,<br />Good Grief! He was finished by two!</p> <p>He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,<br />And over his shoulder he looked back at me.<br />I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,<br />"Next year, start your knitting sometime around JUNE!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><o:p> </o:p></p> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-author unknown</span>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11381482624678038701noreply@blogger.com1