april fools day 2014

not only are buds sprouting, but our flock continues to sprout as well.  our newest kid was born march 29th on zachary's 30th birthday, so in his honor, her name is zinnia.   daffodil (aka daffy) is the mom, a goofy little tricolor, who's name suits her to a tee. dougie is her dad, a full blooded alpine with very long hair so black its almost purple!  she is our first nanny and her hair is black like daddy's.


 the other three kids born this year were all billies; both lambs were girls.  we think we only have one more nanny to go then we're done for this year. 

the little billy here tom named sluggo because he's so big!  boer goats are meat goats and are therefore much stockier.  he most likely weighed about ten pounds when born and has grown quickly.  although he's only two weeks older than the twins (below), he towers over them!

                                                                                               

the two billies to the right are portulaca's twin boys.  average birth weight is 7 pounds but they pale in comparison to sluggo.  haven't named these two as of yet.  portulaca is carmel colored, dad is dougie again but somehow she had a white one and a tricolor.




so i really do believe spring has actually sprung!  babies are born, crocuses are blooming, daffodil leaves are pushing up through the soil, maple syrup is all done, birds are singing, stink bugs are out (ugh).  i cooked up only 33 gallons of sap this year due to the erratic weather we had.  it has to be above freezing in the daytime and below freezing during the night for the sap to flow.  well it would flow for a few days then get bitter cold.  flow a few more days and get bitter cold.  i collected ten gallons early on but then nothing for a couple of weeks and sap goes bad after two weeks and it had to be dumped.  oh well at least i got just under a half gallon.  not bad for 9.5 hrs cooking time and weeks of trudging out to check the buckets and put empties out.  monte calculated it only cost about $50 a quart.  

WHAT'S NEW?

feza

feza yarns for starters.  i received some new colors in the alp premiere and alp dazzle, as well as candy deluxe, silk, ribbons, tokyo to name a few.  

i have also added frabjous fibers (roving and recycled sari ribbons) to the shop.

just arrived are some kauni yarns in everybody's favorite rainbow color way.  












before i forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES GO OUT TO:    lisa s 4/3;  susan b 4/4;  erin c 4/5; and our own purlin girls guru monte p. on 4/5!!!  have a sweet day ladies!  come to the shop to get your $5 off any purchase!

the 'real' monte

CLASS UPDATE

wow classes have been going great here at RaggZ.  connie and her friends had a private birthday party here making the felted lights.  the ladies did a great job and what a fun way to celebrate a friend's birthday - a private class, then lunch at a favorite restaurant!

nancy's finishing class went very well, as did part one of the felted cuff class.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

wednesday  4/2 nancy's finishing class (room for one more student)*
wednesday 4/2 close knit girls meet in murrysville 4-6
tuesday 4/8 shop open 1-6
thursday  4/10 embellishment sweater class (room for one more in a.m. and p.m. class)*
thursday 4/10 purlin girls meet at the bean at noon
tuesday 4/15 and 4/29 EZ peezie pin cushions (only 2 have signed up -- this class may be cancelled)*
shop open fridays 10-6
*see website for details:  raggzfiberart.com

NEW CLASSES:

i've been busy trying to figure out what comes next.  plans are in the works for the following classes beginning end of april.
changing colors
felt sheep
bird pod
tunisian crochet
confident color two
fixing simple mistakes
boot socks
felted clock

however, due to my parking area finally getting enlarged, i will wait til the next newsletter to work out the details.  our contractor is going to work around fridays so the shop will not have to close so i will keep everyone updated on that situation.  but if in doubt, please call!


found an interesting article i think you would like:  http://www.treehugger.com/culture/dont-stop-knitting-its-keeping-you-healthy.html

MARCH DOOR PRIZE WINNER:  (DRUMROLL)……… MARLENE SMITH!!!

i've been busy finishing up my felt boot class and am getting ready to begin a nuno felted top.  i'm still getting my upstairs reorganized before i allow myself to have fun felting.  but i did finish my wonky felted clock.  

last friday we had a good time at the shop and our friend, donna stopped by sporting a new 'do and a puppy!

time to close now and i'll post just a few more pix below.  see you soon!

PHOTO GALLERY

fun times at the show!

dulcimer derek and my beautiful instrument!

spring!

i survived my first pgh knit and crochet show!  i may have brought more yarn home with me than i left with, but i'm sure that is not surprising to anyone.  i also brought home a nice head cold but as of today it's on the mend.

what fun the show was!  cathy rosensteel, betsy orr, sylvia elliott, ali and ardis mock were my helpers and i have to say it was a very positive and fun experience.  i could not have done it without their help.  we had two meetings prior to the show to put our heads together and it made a huge difference.  thanks so much ladies!

its hard to believe it took up a good three weeks of my time tho - two weeks getting ready and a week trying to get everything back together here at the shop.

i was pretty nervous about it at first, not knowing what to take or how to set it up but having emptied out the dining room and set  everything up in there made a huge difference.  my mind was racing all week making lists and running up and down the stairs.  it finally all clicked and i realized all of it was NOT going to fit in tom's truck so we both had to drive.  after that it was all downhill.  unfortunately i broke out in hives and was itchy all weekend - went through an entire tube of cortisone cream.  its not polite to be scratching when you're trying to talk to people about knitting, is it? 

while we were gone, portulaca gave birth to twin boys and buttercup had a boy the week before.  comcast has not been working properly for me the past week and i can't bring up any of the photos unfortunately but i'll make up for it next time.

i've been working diligently to get the shop back in order to re-open this friday.  i have really missed seeing everyone on my usual friday chubby knitters club.  so i figured since i had everything in total disarray, i may as well rearrange it all.  the shop will look very different next time you stop by, especially the porch and living and dining room.  the kitchen is pretty much the same except cleaner.

WHAT'S NEW YOU ASK??

while at the show, i opened two new yarn accounts.  i now have an account with blue heron yarns and also with a small studio called unexpected peacock (there's a story there somewhere).  both are beautiful yarns.  blue heron has been around a while and is well known; unexpected peacock is new and i am the first shop in pennsylvania so far to carry natasha's hand dyed yummy yarns.

i decided it was time to do spring cleaning in the yarn department and i now have a section where the yarns have a red line through the price and are all half off.  still adding to this but there's quite a variety - wool, linen, cotton, etc.  check it out next time you come over. 

UPCOMING CLASSES:

monday 3/24 jump ring bracelets (last call for this class) 1:00

wednesday 3/26 finishing class at 1:00

monday 3/31 felt cuff class 1 of 2 at the shop at 1:00

also don't forget the upcoming embellished sweater class (april 10 and may 15).  there's a morning and afternoon class and space for one or two in each.  

details for these classes can be found on my website

raggzfiberart.com

coming soon another boot sock class taught by sock nut laura mcguire.  these classes will be held on saturdays at laura's house.  details next month.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS:

friday, march 28th jennifer le will be hosting a "Thirty-One" party here at the shop.  it will be extremely informal, with jen's products being displayed for the day.  no pressure - just check out the nice things they offer.  there are several knitting type bags with loads of pockets which can also be personalized.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

wednesday 3/19 close knit girls at panera murrysville

thursday 3/20 purlin girls at the bean and also the first day of spring!!!!

tuesday 3/25 knitters anonymous 1-6

fridays 3/21 and 3/28 shop open 10-6

last but not least, happy birthday wishes go out to:

diane p. on 3/21 (which happens to be my mom's birthday also) and kathy a. on 3/25.  have a wonderful day ladies!

sorry this is short and sweet with no wonderful pictures to share but hopefully comcast will have fixed my problem for my next newsletter.  i have missed you all and hope to see you soon!

march 1, 2014

IMPORTANT:  THE SHOP IS CLOSED UNTIL FRIDAY, MARCH 21st.  as most of you already know, i will be a vendor for the first time as a yarn shop at the pittsburgh knit & crochet festival at the 4 points sheraton north march 14-16.  check out their website:  pittsburgh knit and crochet.com
if you have a chance to come out, i am booth number 41.  i am really excited and anxious about my first show as a yarn shop.  yes, i'm used to setting up as a knitter and felter but its so different this time, taking my yarns and figuring out the best way to maximize a 10 x 10 space.  

if you need a yarn fix or are in dire need, you certainly can call me and stop over to get what you need but other than that, the place will be more disorganized than usual packing for the show.

ANOTHER GOOD ANNOUNCEMENT:  WELCOME LUCY!!!

 
lucy was born friday february 21 to mathilda.  mathilda is a very good mom and i know she is well taken care of!  more to be born soon!  she is named after my mom's next door neighbor who is now in her 90's!

MARCH BIRTHDAYS!  (this newsletter i am including all birthdays in the month of march, instead of just the first two weeks)  so birthday wishes go out to
alice c. on 3/3; kay f on 3/11; diane p on 3/21; and kathy a on 3/25. don't forget to come get your birthday certificates ladies!

door prize winner from february - dorothy gerhard!  dorothy was here last friday with her daughter and 3 beautiful granddaughters, all with different shades of blue eyes!

DATES TO REMEMBER:
thursday march 6:  purlin girls meet at the bean 
saturdays march 1, 8, and 15:  craftique fiber art group at craftique
wednesday, march 5:  baby sweater KAL meet at raggz (weather permitting)
shop CLOSED til march 21st

UPCOMING CLASS REMINDER:
monday, march 24 at 1:00 jump ring bracelet pair
wednesday, march 26 at 1:00 nancy's finishing class
monday, march 31 at 1:00 cuff class (second class april 7) 
see my website for details on the class:  raggzfiberart.com

RECENT CLASS UPDATE:

on again/off again class went very well and the students learned ten different ways to cast on and bind off, all with their own usefulness or look.

it's always nice to learn a variety of ways to do this and have the option of adding, for example, a picot edge (bind off OR cast on) to a scarf, hat, or baby item.









from wool to wonderful felt flowers class 
one of the fun things about teaching a class is that i ALWAYS learn some thing too!  the ladies made gorgeous multi colored flowers and added them to the string of hand dipped lights to make such a beautiful addition to a room.  i, myself, had been making my flowers one color other than the centers but my students, being much more colorful than i, went off and used colors i wouldn't have thought of putting together but they were gorgeous!  maia had to leave for an appointment early, so her lights are not featured below but check these out:

kathy working hard trying to get that roving to felt!















looks a little like elf hats sitting in a row, doesn't it?







SEE WHAT FUN YOU ARE MISSING?  I WILL BE TEACHING THIS CLASS AGAIN IN THE SPRING!

marlene's finished light string

kathy's lights already displayed on her mantel!

yesterday tom and i got a lot of work done up on the farm with the weather warming up at least temporarily.  my plan was to go up and help him feed and head back home to finish working on my display for the show; however, we decided to clean stalls, move the animals around, spread the manure in the fields, and do some general clean up.  

seems every time i work up on the farm i get hurt being the klutz that i am.  first off, i went up with tom on the tractor to spread the manure because you have to get down off of the tractor and set two heavy metal levers so that the chains move the manure to the back of the spreader to be shot out onto the fields (and i do mean SHOT  -- i even got hit in the back of the head with a chunk of wet manure while sitting on the tractor).  well it kept getting stuck so we had to get off the tractor and manually (with bare hands mind you) dig through manure to unstick it from the blades.  let me describe this to you:  the manure is almost a solid wet mass entwined with hay and urine so its a very thick dark muck and very strong.  now i luckily LIKE the smell of manure but i don't like it dug under my fingernails and all over my bare hands.  as soon as we got it unstuck, i went down to the barn to rinse my hands off but alas we had to do this several times.  i was thinking of the couple of scrapes and cuts i had on my hand and how this manure is now oozing into my bloodstream.

oh well nothing i could do about it now.  one of the last loads we did, i got off the tractor to re-set the metal levers back into the off position, which is up in the air over my head.  can you see where this is going?  i thought i was diligent about making sure the first one was locked before re-setting the second one.  as i reached under the first one to set the second one, the one which was obviously not locked in came loose and hit me directly in the face just under my right eye.  i literally saw stars and wanted to cry.  poor tom.  i just walked away because when i'm hurt you have to ignore me because i get mean.  he was asking me if i was ok and i was yelling YES JUST GO!!!  ha ha now its funny.  he was worried and i could see the swelling begin under my eye almost immediately.  i was hoping it didn't crack my orbital bone but after an hour or so it was no longer throbbing and i was fine.  i may end up with a little bruise but overall i got off easy i think.  lesson learned.

just before dark, we hobbled into the house, every muscle aching!  i went upstairs to scour my hands and realized i didn't have a nail brush so i grabbed an extra toothbrush and got my nails all cleaned out.  we fell asleep early last night needless to say.   note to self:  be more active in the winter…

that's all i've got for now.  gotta finish up some online felting classes and get ready for the show.  have a good couple of weeks everyone and i'm here if you need anything.  i'll miss my fridays at the table with the chubby knitters club but will see you all later in the month if i don't see you at the show!  wish me luck!

february 15 blog (late again)

i have been crazy busy with classes here at the shop, getting prepared for the upcoming pittsburgh knit and crochet show in march, and taking online felting classes.    also trying to keep up with the shoveling and today trying to knock huge icicles off the roof tops!

well, i got my maple trees tapped.  that's a relief because
 i missed it one year due to warm temps in january.  the temps have to be above freezing in the day and below freezing at night for the sap to be running. i will be collecting sap at least this upcoming week and if the weather turns cold again, i will have to get the sap cooked up before it starts to run again, as you can only store it so long.

most people don't know it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.  REAL syrup i mean - NOT pretend syrup.  now you know why its so darn expensive.  to me, it is worth every second of trudging through the snow twice a day to empty buckets and carrying full five gallon buckets that weigh at least 40 pounds back up to the house.  the best part is cooking it down, which needs to be done outside over an open fire, as it takes about an entire day for the water to evaporate and for it to cook down to syrup.  well that's probably more than you wanted to know.

back to shop business:  i'm really excited about the upcoming knit and crochet show.  please mark you calendars for march 14-16 and try to make your way to the 4 points sheraton north.  check out their website at pghknitandcrochet.com for more info as well as class information.  it is well worth the trip!

70 never looked so good!

lets start with second half february birthdays:
holly h (feb 16); cathy r (feb 17 a BIG BIG one);
trish f (feb 17 NOT a big big one).  cathy r was at
the shop for a knit along on the 17th, so we sang
happy birthday to her and had a little boston creme pie.











                                                                         
                                                                         
my first KAL (knit along)!

cathy, maia, ardis, and beth are working on a baby sweater pattern which is virtually seamless.
pictures in march when everyone's is complete!












WHAT'S NEW?
i just received a shipment of nicky epstein's "knitting in circles" hardcover book.  this book retails for $29.99 and sells on amazon for $23.78.  however, i am selling this book for $20.  this book contains 100 circular patterns for sweaters, bags, hats, afghans, and includes twenty of nicky's original designs.   you gain an understanding of the fun and possibilities a knitted circle can offer.

ALSO NEW is some luscious roving i received just today from the lavender fleece in michigan.  my friend, laurie ball-gisch, raises icelandic and leicester long wool sheep, which i am happy to say, i will be getting lambs from her this summer (one of each).  her well cared for flock produce a most luxurious wool.  pictured below:  the white in the back is a blend of icelandic lambswool, alpaca, and silk; the royal purple ball in the middle comes in leicester long wool as well as icelandic (laurie dies them herself); and the white with yellow in the forefront is icelandic lambs wool mixed with mohair.  they are so soft to the touch - they feel like a cloud.  all of these wonderful rovings felt like a dream!

cathy rosensteel's 'confident color' class was so
educational. we learned how colors work
together - what does and what doesn't go together and WHY!  this is a great class for all your knitters out there who have that problem.  cathy is going to offer this class again soon once the weather breaks and will be offering a sequel to the class as well having to do with design.  stay tuned for more info!

NEW CLASS COMING SOON:

FINISHING WORKSHOP*
at LONG LAST!  this class is designed to help those who have a completed garment but are afraid to finish it!!  OR you are afraid to start a project you will have to finish!  you will learn to give garments a professional seam, how to pick up stitches, gauge, blocking, and more.
instructor:  nancy premoshis
cost:  $25
materials:  complete list will be given at registration
when:  wednesday march 26 OR wednesday april 2 from 1 to 4 (choose ONE date)
where:  raggz

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:
wednesday feb 19 class:  on again/off again*
wednesday feb 19 close knit girls meet at panera
thursday feb 20 purlin girls meet at the bean
tuesday feb 25 1-6 knitters anonymous at the shop
wednesday feb 26 1-4 class:  from wool to wonderful felted lights*

*as always pre-registration and prepayment is required to hold a space in the class.

this is a picture of a beautiful vest monte made for her beautiful daughter, wendy, in colorado.  monte knitted it with Brae Tweed yarn by Knit One Crochet Too.  it is so lovely and is the same seamless vest pattern most of the purlin girls were using with the plymouth bonsai.  but of course monte had to add her own flair to it.  i'm sure wendy just loves it!

just to give you a heads up, due to the frenzy i figure i'll be in getting ready for the show - what to take, how to display what i take, packing, pricing, etc etc etc, the SHOP WILL BE CLOSED MARCH 1 and will reopen friday march 21st.  i hate to miss out on two fridays and a tuesday afternoon, but i will be using my dining room area of the shop as a prototype for my 10x10 set up at the show.  you are welcome to give me a call and pop in if you need something but we just won't be sitting around the table as we usually do on fridays.  sorry for any inconvenience but we'll get back on track on the 21st hopefully.  i hope i have sold soooo much that the shelves will be bare and i will be busy re-ordering!  (wishful thinking).

below are a few photos i wanted to share with you all of various happenings:

maia modeling diane's recently finished scarf with about a foot of yarn left over!!!!!!

marlene and another of her beautiful creations!  she said she is SICK OF WINTER and is hoping by dressing in springy clothes, it will coax winter to go away!

thea was nice enough to make a sample of Noni's Lipstick and Change kit.  isn't it adorable?

a tunic i made for myself.  i'm thinking of offering this as a knit along in the near future - this is a great spring project.  mine is knit out of JoJoLand Fantasia super wash and is very soft and comfortable and very washable!  

this is called 'upwolfing' and is a dutch method of felting.  i stumbled upon it and had to try it out.  check it out in person at the shop.  i am currently working on a few other samples as well.  very unusual!  i was so excited when i finished it and showed it to tom and he said 'what do you do with it?'  i had to laugh because i don't know!  i suppose it will be a wall hanging!  i'll figure something out…

ok that's all for now ladies.  please check out the class schedule on the website:  raggzfiberart.com

for more info.  looking forward to seeing you all very soon!  i hope the next newsletter will include photos of lambs and kids!

t

2.1.14

frost on the glass

so long january! i think most of you are breathing a sigh of relief now that the 'polar vortex' has subsided.  i enjoyed that cold weather because i didn't have to go out in it other than up to the farm.  i hate to admit that i may have been in my sweatpants seven days in a row!  we were up at the farm today and the critters were all out enjoying the sunshine.  no one looks ready to pop as of yet so i assume we won't see any babies for another month but you will see photos as soon as they are born.  but they all enjoyed the treats mary ann sent over friday.  the photo above was the back door at the shop which had been decorated by jack frost on one of those below zero nights.

the shop was on overload last friday.  thanks to all of you who came out.  donna is back and on the mend and a good time was had by all.

early february birthday wishes go out to:  linda l. on the 4th; donna w on the 11th, and carolyn f. on the 12th.  have a super day ladies and don't forget to come to the shop in february to redeem your $5 birthday gift certificate!

WHAT'S NEW YOU ASK?

hiya hiya double pointed needles in many more sizes and bamboo interchangeable kits.  they finally put out a new color case - beautiful purple!  but they are already gone from the shelves.  i plan on ordering more and will request the purple cases.

brown sheep lana boucle in solids and hand painted.  100% wool with a crimp; 180 yard skeins; worsted weight; 4 to 4 1/2 sts per inch on a size 8; new hand painted colors in burly spun; and yes -as with all brown sheep yarns, made 100% in USA in mitchell, nebraska.  and yes more seconds have arrived as well!

burly spun handpaints

lana boucle

darn good yarn new colors in the reclaimed chiffon ribbon. this yarn removes thousands of pounds of waste each year from landfills while helping women of india and nepal. it is beautiful to knit with and is also great for nuno felting and needle felting. the colors are fabulous and an 80+ yard skein is discounted to $8 here.

also NEW - wooden yarn swifts made by a local craftsman.  

every girl should have her own swift, seeing as not every yarn shop is nice enough to wind your yarn.  also when you order from the internet, they are not wound for you.  this way you don't have to have your husband sit with his hands out holding your yarn, or use a chair back, or ask your local yarn shop lady to wind yarn for you!

a BARGAIN at $25.00!  now you buy a plastic yarn winder and you're good to go!  i will be taking these to the pittsburgh knit and crochet in march and i'm certain they will be gone before the weekend is over so get one while you can.  supplies are limited.

january's prize winner is marlene barbe of the knit chicks!  congrats marlene!  come to the shop to see what you have won.

class updates:

laura mcguire's boot sock class started today and the girls are off and running making socks but this time on two small circulars size 6 and using a worsted weight yarn.  these socks will go much quicker than the size 1 needles with sock yarn the rest of us learned on.  will post pictures of the finished products once class is over.

still a couple of seats available for the broomstick lace class being held at the shop tuesday, feb 4 at 1 ($10); coming up at towards the end of the month will be the on again/off again class on feb 19 where you will learn several useful cast on and bind off methods ($20); and from wool to wonderful felted lights will be held feb 26 ($40).  just a couple of seats left in each of these classes so hurry.  they won't be repeated in the near future due to my busy schedule.  check website for more details and photos.

another new fantastic class:  

i am please to announce that nancy premoshis will be teaching the Inspired Embellishment Sweater technique here on two thursdays, april 10 and may 15th from 1 - 4.  cost of the class is $50.  

 nancy has been knitting for over 40 years and has taught at kathy's kreations, purl in the 

pines (flagstaff AZ), and at

the Pgh Knit & Crochet Fest! she

has won many ribbons at the county fair.

this sweater is absolutely stunning and can be knitted in cotton (shown), wool, or other fabrics.  if you purchase the materials from me, you will receive a 10% discount on the yarn for this project.

the first class nancy will get us started on knitting the sweater, then a month later at the second class, she will teach us how to put it together and do the embellishments.  class size is limited.  additional classes can be added if need be.  we already have three students so room for only two more at this time.  see website for details.

nancy has also agreed to teach a finishing class, which we ALL need.  date to be announced.

MY FIRST KAL!

three of our new grandma's are meeting here at the shop on wednesday feb 5th at 1 to make a baby sweater.  my sample is knitted out of dream yarn 'classy' in the red rush color way.  (70% super wash wool, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon).  i have not yet put the buttons on but the yarn is so soft to the touch.  all three new babies are girls.  cathy and beth are using a pink with purple hues and maia is using green.  

this pattern is described as 'an almost seamless baby hoodie' and i learned several new techniques myself in the making of this little gem.

anyone wishing to join along, let me know soon.  

dates to remember

tuesday feb 4 broomstick lace class 1-3 cost $10

thursday feb 6 purlin girls meet at the bean at noon

tuesday feb 11 knitters anonymous at the shop 1-6

wednesday feb 12 confident color class at the shop (FULL)*

saturdays feb 1, 8, and 15 craftique fiber art group 10-12

friday february 14 valentine's day (celebrate with us at the shop)*

fridays shop open 10-6

*cathy's class has reached its max but a second class can be added if anyone is interested

*all red and pink yarn discounted 10% 

i have exciting news!  i bought a skutt kiln!  i have been wanting my own kiln for many years and seeing as i have been making a lot of my own hand built pottery, i decided to bite the bullet and get one and get it setup in the basement at the shop.  the lady who taught me to do hand building (brigita) will be teaching here and we will be making wall pockets, buttons, dishes, platters, bowls, mugs - you name it!  i am so thrilled and can't wait to get it all set up.  will have to put lighting in downstairs but as soon as it is ready (some time late spring), i will be scheduling classes.  i already have five or six ladies signed up!  brigita is a wonderful, patient teacher and i have learned so much from her.

my first hand built mug

i have been ever so busy making samples for the yarn show.  right now i've been working on some of pagewood farm's gorgeous yarns.  my theme for the show, suggested by cathy rosensteel, is going to be:

"let the yarn do the work!"

half helix pattern featuring glitterati yarn

garden party yarn cowl

 beautiful yarns make beautiful products without any effort!

flora fina hat

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

i have been on a roll doing some wet felting lately and finally embellished my brown vest.  i really like it and can't wait to try more wet felted clothing.

this box was sitting at the shop friday and not one person asked me what it was for!  can you guess??? (ps its not for our wood burning stove)...

have a great month everyone.  hope to see you all soon.  thanks for your patronage - my shop has had two wonderful months -probably the best two months in the 2 plus years i've been open!!  i sooo appreciate your business.  special thanks to those of you who have been spreading the word about my shop and bring new customers to me!

january 28, 2014

the shop is CLOSED today due to the frigid temps.  plan on re-opening friday, jan 31 10-6.  stay warm everyone!

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!