january 15, 2014

hey everyone.  sorry this is a little late in getting published.  i've been busy trying to nail down dates for new classes coming up.  after many requests for me to teach some wet felting classes, i've finally gotten it figured out. the new classes are listed below and will be posted on the website as soon as possible.

if you haven't been to the shop lately, here's some of what you're missing.  yet another poor man in the shop dragged in by his wife.

things have been nice and busy at the shop and the ladies are working on so many various projects.  the knit chicks are off the charts with the variety of projects from felt purses, hats, drop stitch scarves, wine cozies, and marlene's plethora of scarves, most of her own design!  very impressive!  they may be doing a knit-along making fingerless gloves.  also, pat kintigh, an avid crocheter is now trying her hand at knitting and is working on some duffer slippers.  unfortunately my busy schedule has kept me from visiting some of the groups lately but i know you're all busy and productive.  

what are YOU working on?  are you venturing outside your comfort zone?  remember that old commercial:  'TRY IT - YOU'LL LIKE IT!'

dates to remember:

thursday, january 23 purlin girls 
saturdays, january 18 and 25 craftique fiber art group
tuesday, january 28 knitters anonymous 1-6 at the shop (open to everyone!)
wednesday, january 29 6-8 close knit girls
fridays shop open 10-6

birthday greetings go out to:

january 21 marge j; january 23 jen l; march 29 tina b; january 30 rosemary a.

UPCOMING CLASSES finally!  these descriptions may not have complete info, so please see the website for full information and materials required.  as always, class size is limited (some more than others) and advance registration is required.  

BROOMSTICK LACE:  wednesday, january 29 from 1 to 3 at the shop  $10
learn how to make broomstick lace the newer, easier way than decades ago.

                      

BOOT SOCKS:  tuesdays (jan 28, feb 4 and 11) 6:30 to 8:30 at the shop  $55
                     OR saturdays (feb 1, 8, and 15) 1 to 3 at laura's home
instructor:  laura mcguire (aka crazy sock lady)
learn to make socks on a size 5 or 6 needle with a worsted weight yarn!  goes so much faster and is a great way to learn.

CONFIDENT COLOR:  wednesday, february 12 1 to 3 at the shop  $40
instructor:  cathy rosensteel
it's always such a challenge to figure out which colors go best together.  this is cathy's specialty!  all materials included.  class size limited to 5

ON AGAIN / OFF AGAIN:  wednesday, february 19 1 to 3 at the shop  $20
i will teach several different ways to cast on and bind off - each one having its own usefulness. (stretchability, appearance, etc.)

FROM WOOL TO WONDERFUL - FELT LIGHTS:  wednesday, february 26 1 to 4 at the shop      $40 includes all materials
make a set of beautiful felt flowers over a string of hand dipped lights, choosing
from many different colors of roving.  class size is limited to 4

JUMP RING BRACELETS:  monday, march 24 1-3 at the shop
instructor:  alisa barnhart
make not one, but TWO beautiful jump ring bracelets.  all materials included $40

FELT CUFFS:  mondays, march 31 and april 7 1-3 at the shop
learn how to wet felt two cuffs in the first class.  in the second class we will be embellishing our cuffs.  all materials included $40

EZ PEEZIE PIN FELT PIN CUSHIONS:  tuesdays, april 15 and 29 1 to 3 at the shop
learn how to wet felt TWO pin cushions the first week and the second week we will do some basic needle felting designs!  $25

obviously, the weather may interfere with the class schedule but classes can always be re-scheduled.  also, anyone out there who prefers evenings or weekends, that option is always available by just asking.  

PITTSBURGH KNIT AND CROCHET FESTIVAL

friday/sat/sun march 14/15/16
RaggZ yarn shop's FIRST show as a vendor!  getting excited and nervous about which yarns to take, getting samples made, how to set up in a 10x10 space, etc etc etc!  for those of you who have gone in the past, i am up for any suggestions. 

i have been wanting, for quite some time, to learn to make seamless wet felted clothing.  after scouring the internet and not finding any useful information, or at least any info i wasn't already aware of, i just decided to bite the bullet and get down and dirty and give it a try!  i have taken classes in felting, both in person and online but nothing was quite fitting the bill for what i wanted to do.  the only classes i could find were in australia, new zealand, or california.  not wanting to go quite that far, i decided to just do it with the knowledge that i had and learn from there.  sooooo, two weeks ago i made my first vest out of icelandic lambs wool from the lavender fleece in michigan.  i guessed at the pattern, cut the resist and was on my way.  i methodically weighed the roving for each layer so i would know how much i used then could gauge whether i needed to use more or less.  the result is shown below  but i have not yet embellished it with buttons or anything.  the bottom edge natural and organic, which suits me just fine.

the vest is lying flat in the process of drying

after that i decided i had to try again this time using merino, which is a little easier to wear and i used a 100% merino roving from pagewood farm.  the color way was called 'mississipi mud'.  i tweaked a few things here and there, enlarging the front pattern piece so that it would be more of a double breasted style and feel that this one is more to my liking.  again, i have not done any finishing touches but i was so excited about it, i wanted to share it with you.  what do you think?

dry and ready for the finishing touches

check out this link - i thought it was cute and i think you will appreciate it also:

http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-fashion/why-bother-knitting-scarf.html?fb_action_ids=10202279242775901&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B268883196592740%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

i appreciate your supporting my little local yarn shop!