My garden.

Knitting Divas, Designers and Dogs

Finally home from work and in the air conditioning, I can sit with computer and camera, surrounded by husband and dogs, and do some serious blogging. We avoid checking baggage when we travel; one too many lost or delayed bags so there wasn't room for a computer this trip. My sloppy notes don't mean much to me now, so I will try to remember what really impressed me.

We went to Columbus, Ohio for the annual trade show put on by the National Needlearts Association. This year we decided not to take classes, which turned out to be a good thing because we were able to sleep a little later in the morning, have a leisurely breakfast, and get to the show at ten. We had the opportunity to talk about the yarns and new ideas we saw and how they would fit into our plan for the store and ultimately, benefit you.

In between these dreaming sessions and buying frenzies, I had some soul feeding by participating in my most favorite past time; Star gazing. My friends know how totally star struck I am. Put a famous designer or author in a mile radius and I feel the vibe. I wrote our yahoo group about the first sighting.... Michele Rose Oren, author of a nifty new book called Inspired to Knit. What was so serendipitous about the meeting is that Myra had just told me about Gwen and Lisa telling her about the book and how great it was. We hadn't even left Philadelphia yet, were sitting in the airport at our gate, and Michele was there also, knitting with Rowan Denim a lovely, diaphanous lace, below. We enjoyed talking to her. We also ordered her book at the show!

The next sighting took place within the first hour of the show. We were ordering needles at the Hiya Hiya booth (nine inch long circulars, by the way), and I saw Amy Singer! I LOVE Knitty, and know that everyone who reads it, loves it too. She does so much for knitting and knitters, and I had to run after her and tell her. She graciously allowed me to gush and then gave me a Knitty.com button!!!Mary Beth Temple

Then, in this order, we saw Mary Beth Temple, author of the Secret Language of Knitters and several soon to be published books and patterns, designers Melissa Leapman, Chris Bylsma (Crayon Jacket), Kathy Zimmerman, Norah Gaughan, who I got to talk to briefly and she is a delightful young woman. Annie Modesitt, Lucy Neatby, Cat Bordhi, who I spoke with briefly, and Vicky Howell. I wasn't quick enough to pull out the camera, which really aggravates me; I think there must be one that you can wear around your neck like a tourist.

Something I wanted to do is to find links for the things we bought so you can read about them, but most of what we bought isn't on the manufactures websites yet. I love when that happens, because we will all be surprised when the yarn makes it to the store. There were several things that really excited me. We ordered the yarn from SWTC called Therapi which contains jade. I think that is so interesting. The things we got from Knit One, Crochet Too are wonderful; the patterns, especially, are very exciting. Several things I must knit right away to make my life complete, that is how cool they are. Unfortunately, either because of my age or mentition, I can't remember one of the yarns we ordered from them, but trust me, they are thrilling.

When we first opened, we were more conservative about what we bought, both for financial considerations and especially for space. (remember the old store....) We were a little more relaxed this year. The most extravagant thing we bought is buffalo yarn. (Well, maybe I wasn't relaxed, but I was willing to consider it.) We bought lace weight 100% buffalo, and a buffalo bamboo blend that is really spectacular. We were in the Heartstrings booth, ordering patterns and Jackie was knitting a lacy scarf out of one skein. It was pretty fabulous, and I was convinced then that, although it is a bit pricey, one skein will make a lovely lace scarf for a special person. (ME!) I think that you will be surprised at how lovely it is, and when you consider how really special it is, feel as I do that the price is well worth the luxury.

Another of the most exciting lines we picked up is Isager Knit, the alpaca merino blend yarns which are featured in the book, Knitting Out of Africa. We met the designer, Marianne Isager, in the US from Denmark. We also are stocking her newest books, which are filled with patterns that will inspire you.

We met so many lovely people at this show. Audrey and Eliot own Needles and Knobs in St. Petersburg, FL. We enjoyed visiting with them while we waited for our plane. Eliot works for the airlines and they were flying stand by; I hope they got home today!

Stu Berg was one of our first sales rep. He never made it to the store, so we have enjoyed ribbing him about that over the years. He was at the airport waiting with the rest of us! I got to listen to his wisdom regarding the yarn business; there is nothing like the experience of a good sales rep. We have several who we depend on for honest advice; Donna, Sharyn, Andy, Cece and Antonia.

Noni Metro Bag

The first picture is before felting, above is felted. I still need to put the zipper in. It's great looking, isn't it?

This adorable child's sweater and hat is knit of three balls of Limbo, a new space dyed yarn we will be getting in August. I can't wait to knit it!

Raspberry Sorbet, in Kona. We have several colorways of Kona in stock now.

Loft, a new Zitron self stripping yarn, and Bamboo Soft, a worsted weight bamboo yarn from Austermann, will also arrive in the fall. You will not believe how soft both yarns are.

We also ordered several new lines of Trekking. You can never have too much sock yarn!

The new Sheep Shop colorways are yummy! We got most of them for you. Remember, we haven't even left yet for our show!

The Fall Della Q line of bags are as nice, if not nicer than the summer bags, which didn't stay around for very long!!
The DellaQ Shoulder Bag comes in these woven fabrics. We'll have a limited number of the bags, and both Myra and I already claimed one for ourselves! Place your order to insure you get your pick of these great bags!

New Stuff From the Barn

Some of you know that I need inspiraton to dye; color doesn't come easily to me, unlike my partner, who can't dye her ideas fast enough! I use a color wheel continuously and have to read about it and look at it. Then, something will spark and I'll get an idea. Two books have been like bibles to me lately; Deb Menz Colorworks, and an old, out of print early Interweave publication called The New Dyer from 1979. It looks like it has been through hell; nothing like thumbing through a book with dye soaked rubber gloves. The title states that it comes with Colorcue hue analysis aide, which sounds strangely like something I used to wash my legs during bathing after I had my hip replaced. Four acetate overlays make up the aides. My problem is that you should be able to use them right in the dye kitchen in order to match colors and I'm just too messy and would ruin them. So I look at color, which is so subjective, and try to carry the memory of it into the barn where I dye and keep the illusion of the color while I am mixing dye powders. I know there is a better way, and I am working toward it, after many, many years of dyeing!! Anyway, the colorway above is supposed to be a smokey, mysterious blend of olive drab, royal blue, a dark maroon, and five other colors. It turns out bright and cheerful!!! Not enough black. But I do like it and am calling it Homage to Kaffe Fassett.

Above is just garden variety Matt's Tatts, more green in the picture than it really is.




And this is Biker Chick!!! It too, should be a little drabber, but I really like it. It's orange, red- violet and blue- green and everything in between. I'm going to the barn early tomorrow to do some more experimenting.

Customers! We get lots of inspiration from them, too!

Racheal found us on Ravelry, and when she moved to the area from Manhattan, she came right to the store. Her adorable top is the Evening Star sweater from the Spring 2006 Interweave Knits.

This is proof that you can use your stash for years to come; our friend, Doris, brought in the twenty year old Bernat Lock Spun Shetland and the pattern support for it. She had enough of the green to do the sweater but just needed the contrasting colors, so the Jameison. You should feel better about your yarn buying now.

Noah came in with his grandma today to do a little browsing....it was his first shopping trip with her!! Can't wait to see you again, Noah!

This great group of gals are from the Bucks County knitting group, Knitting Nuts! I only had to take one picture and they are all smiling! Come back soon!

New Stuff!!!

Amazingly, many of the yarns we ordered this month are already being shipped! It's like Christmas everyday in the store.

This is the Dream in Color Smooshey, which we are unable to keep in stock. We also sell it in our online store, and it goes fast!

Arriving today; Jitterbug!!! And it is great looking. I may have to give into the urge and just start a pair of socks.





Myra finished her lovely shawl of Art Yarns Silk Mohair. One skein knits this ample shoulder cover, perfect for cool summer evenings. The crocheted edging is perfect.



Also here today, Jade Sapphire Lacy Lamb in eight new colors. I wish there were more hours in the day.

I couldn't help but take a picture of this amazing display of sock yarn. In addition to this selection, we also have our Austermann Step and Trekking yarns up in front of the store.

It's Finally Here!!!!!

The long awaited Knit So Fine arrived this week and it is a beautiful book. As usual, I want to knit every project! For a knitter who gets depressed when having to use big yarn, this book is a godsend for me!

Come in soon to flip through this great book.

Lisa Myers, one of the authors of Knit So Fine will be interviewing Woolbearers about some of the yarns being used in the book. We will post the interview on this blog June 15th. Watch for it!

World Wide Knit in Public Day

14 * June * 2008

Join us as we knit with hundreds of other knitters around the world on the same day!

Where: Woolbearers (we will be sitting on the Meeting House grounds, across High Street from the shop.)

When: Saturday, June 14^th, 11-3pm

Bring: Lawn chair, your lunch, knitting.

To Market to market to buy more yarn of course -- here is my version of the "Let's Go to the Yuba River" Market Bag by Allison Rapp of Fibers Yarn & Gallery in Grass Valley CA. Allison is another yarn shop owner that I know from one of the yahoo groups I belong to and she graciously shared this pattern with all of the other shops. What a great bag -- it can be made out of any of the cottons or cotton blend yarns that we have -- on big needles (size 13-17), so it is a very quick knit. This one is knitted out of Rowan Handknit cotton; I used 3 different colors and just changed colors when I felt like it. Some of the other yarn shop owners say they have been knitting it with novelty yarn. Can't wait to see how those look. Come into the shop and you will get a free pattern if you buy yarn to make the bag. This version takes about 250 yards.

Happy Memorial Day!

Hopefully, you had a good day doing whatever it is that your family does on summer holidays. I loved watching the news this evening; barbecues, playing on the beach, going into the city, visiting with friends and loved ones. Me, I walked behind the brush mower for four hours. Besides the fact that I can't lift a glass to my lips, I don't feel too badly. I wonder what the translation is in hours in the gym for farm chores?

I noticed our big dog had a longish stick in his mouth as he was cavorting around the field. It turned out to be a deer leg, which caused the dog fight from hell in our living room. While my husband tried to separate the fighters with a broom, (we've learned the hard way not to interfere during their skirmishes with bare flesh), I got the lovely job of picking up the treasured leg bone and throwing it outside, where my husband then disposed of it. I dread thinking of what would have happened if Jim had been in Atlanta when the fight broke out. I'd have two dead dogs.

Above is the ribwarmer in Summer Rush. Finally.

Cate's moebius in Manos Silk and Wool.

We had a pretty big group of knitters on Sunday; this is one corner of the room.

Kathleen and her husband, on a trip from Spring Lake. To see her absolutely fabulous historical costumes, all sewn and embroidered by Kathleen, go to their website, The Wool Merchant's Daughter.

Kristen knit this great summer top for mom, Jill, of soysilk Oasis.

Sylvia and her adorable grandson, Zack, here from Michigan to see her son and Zach's dad off as he goes back to Iraq. We wish him well. Sylvia had to buy something to work on while she was in town! Home safe to you and your family, Sylvia.

These three projects in process are from the Adult Surprise Class. Top; Carol's great work in Cascade, then below, more glorious Cascade for Barbara, and then on the bottom, Jill's incredible sweater in cotton and bamboo.

Ok, I guess I'll crawl down the stairs and see if I can reach the refrigerator. Maybe my husband will feed me something.

An Oat Couture pattern, the Prairie Blanket, knit by Leila. Wish you could see it up close. Jane is knitting one of 1824 Cotton, seen in an earlier post. Beautiful!

Linda knit this lovely shawl of two strands of Cascade 220. I'm also using two strands of 220 for the Noni Metro Bag and it is so soft and spongy; it reminds me of marshmallows!

Leila knit her lovely top of Jamieson DK shetland.

Another scarf of Venezia, this one knit by Rosemary.

Smooshey is finally here!!!

It's Happy Choice! Happy Feet wool and nylon sock yarn, knit into panels of fabric, and then hand dyed.

Cece, our darling Plymouth rep. We love her!

This is a photo of the colorways we are getting of the Happy Choice, along with some undyed to do in Woolbearers colorways!

You can vote!! We have two polls going on Twisted Woolbearers at Yahoo Groups. You must be a member of the group to join; if you would like to receive an invitation, email us at the store, or simply go to yahoo and sign up!

Then, go to polls on the groups front page. One poll is about which needles you prefer to use, the other is which method of sock knitting you prefer. It's interesting to see how everyone's preference are spread across the board.

More Yarn Tasting PicturesKathy, Maureen, Rina, Stephanie, Gwen and Kathy, knitting away.

Mom and daughter, Jill and Kristen. Now you can place a face with all of those wonderful finished projects we post on this blog.

Judy, Deb, Myra and Alison.

Judy, Patty and friends.

Donna, Brenda and Sabra at the Yarn Tasting!

My dream; to sit on a boat in the middle of the ocean with needles and yarn. You go, Jill!

Needles - The Good and the Bad

I'm no expert on needles. I also don't have much experience with good needles; Addi Turbos, Colonial Rosewood, etc, until recently.

Four years ago when we opened the store, I was happy using the vintage metal needles loving customers dropped off at the store. Then, I made the mistake of trying out a pair of Addi Naturas while using Colinette Giotto, a silky ribbon yarn. Wow! The needles made all the difference in the world.

The metal needles I had been using kept splitting the yarn. The stitches slid off the needles if I so much as sneezed. The Addi's held on to the yarn until I moved the stitches off. The bamboo cradled the delicate yarn, slipping off the ribbon instead of piercing it. The long, soft cable held the bulky project in my lap, instead of having all of the weight on my forearms. I was hooked!

Then, last week when I was starting the sleeves of the Feather and Fan Baby Sweater from the One Skein Wonders book, I just couldn't face using double points, as directed by the pattern. So I took a pair of 12" Turbos off the wall and had a most enjoyable experience knitting those little baby sleeves. It took a few minutes of knitting for my hands to relax. They didn't know what the heck I was trying to do.

Some time ago, a couple of gals from Delaware came into the store and asked about 8" needles. Could there be such a thing? At the time, it seemed unnecessary, but now I can see their usefulness. I may never use double points again. As a matter of fact, I may take up sock knitting just to use the 12 inchers again.

The right needles can make a project. They can save your arms and hands from hours of pain, keep the stitches from dropping, protect your expensive yarn from damage. Does everyone know this? It's my duty to pass this information on!